she's a happy girl

Here's the Madster, not always the happiest camper when she wakes in the morning. This morning I gave her a sample card of Vickie Howell's new yarn signed by the Knitty Gritty star herself (or "that knit chick" as G refers to her). You would've thought I'd handed Mad the moon. She fairly squealed w/ delight when I explained what it was. Said she'd keep it forever & is planning to use it as a bookmark. This snap isn't even the initial bigger than the cheshire cat's grin she had with the accompanying squeal.

So, yeah, I did go to the book signing at Showers of Flowers in Lakewood. Vickie's just as interesting a personality in person as she is on the tube -probably more so in person b/c it's more relaxed a setting & she's got more time than the usual 20 minutes on screen. Neat lady, glad I went :)

Her new yarn line made by Southwest Trading Company has 3 different fiber blends. It's "Rock" which is a wool/hemp/soysilk blend. The colors are named after rock stars, of course. "Love" is a bamboo/silk blend. Famous movie couples's names are used for the colors. "Craft" is a milk fiber/organic cotton blend. The names of the colors come from people who have influenced Vickie in her crafting life. I really really like the feel of the "Love" & would have bought some but I don't have a project for it just now. Put that on my never shrinking, always growing "things to do knit" list.

She'll be at the Lambshoppe in Denver tonight.

After the book signing, my friend Amber & I went to a new little winebar & bistro in The Highlands called "Tastes". I had a glass of Riesling & a few "tappas". Blue d'auvergne cheese w/ figs & bread & drizzled honey; lox, cream cheese, capers & super thin bread sticks; citrus stuffed green olives. All yummy. I may have to make that a date night event in the near future. Good people. Good food. Unique wines & beers & spirits. Check it out for yourself!

last week's art project

two FO's

I finished these two pair of wristwarmers a while ago but never posted the pics. They're comfy & pretty & all of the little girls want a pair too. The blue one's I made for Snick for xmas, size S. They're too small for me to put on, hence the still photo. They fit her just fine, though, petite thing that she is. Maybe I can get a modeled photo from her (hint hint). The reddish ones are mine, sz M. I've found that it is not an easy task to take a one handed picture of one's own hand & have it look as nice photographed as it does in person. The wool is Cascade 220. I hadn't worked w/ this yarn b4 & it was purdy nice. I have one more pair OTN & another planned with yarn at the ready. The pattern is Voodoo from Knitty.com. It was fast, easy & fun (would go faster if I could actually sit down for longer than 10 minutes stretches, if you know what I mean :P)

flashback of the week

I was looking for some old Johnny Cash vids b/c I had this memory of my brother sitting in his little rocking chair in front of the stereo -it was the credenza kind from back in the day- and listening over & over & over to my dad's LPs. Ben was about 3 or 4. Get this, he grows up & gets to meet Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash, not once but a couple times for magazine article interviews. Who would ever think? Childhood fantasy becomes reality kind of thing...what a fortunate guy my brother has been.

I LOVE this version of Hurt but had never seen the vid. I hope that when I'm old I can 1) have spent my life with my true love 2) be so flexible that I can listen to good music from any genre & be able to find beauty & insight 3) continue to be an innovator instead of a follower

more posing & royal decorations & a cake (not mine!)

"ooooo a purse!!" 'cuz you know, a purse is her favorite accessory next to headbands

princess Fiona

So Fi got this throne for her birthday. The attending princesses all oo'd & aw'd over it, each taking a turn sitting in it. With absolutely no prompting, Fi started doing this "strike a pose" every time I snapped the camera. It was hilarious! And cute!

the most patient cat in the world

I thought she was chill b/c she put up with alot of rough handling from the girls...you know, the picking up in awkward positions at any given moment, without warning -be it from a deep sleep or walking by minding her own business. This tops the cake. And now you too can witness why I think she is the most chill of all cool cats. What other feline would put up with the humiliation of wearing a hairtie around her ears & being used for a doll chair? And she just laid there, & fell asleep. Not even an ear twitch out of her.

Then I remembered Snick dressing one of my parents' cats up in doll clothes & making him sit in a doll high chair. Which cat was that? Was that my cat Podraig? I can't remember. I have a photo somewhere that is distinct in my memory; I'll have to dig it up & post it.

grumbly in my tumbly

Ash Wednesday. So I find out in my internet research -trying to find lenten activities for the girls- that not only is it an official No Meat day, it's also a day of fasting. You know, it's been a long long time since I actually chose to forego food. You may remember back in the day when I was the cafeteria's "ethiopian poster child" as named by my friend & classmate Lisa Steele. I saw a picture of me from '96 & even then I looked drug thin. Ew. And get this, in my 20's I actually contemplated having some liposuction done. OMG! What would they have had to lipo??? Talk about distorted body image.

These days I'm looking healthy, to be sure, albeit a few baby pounds more than I'd like to be. And then there's this thing today. How in the world did I ever get to be one of those teenage girls who doesn't eat? It's only 10am & I feel like I'm starving!!! And I have the whole rest of the day to go until dinner!

I was listening to this episode on BBC Women's Hour about pro-anorexia websites (I'm sure my parents are quite thankful that I didn't have that as encouragement.) It got me to thinking about when exactly did I get over the whole eating disorder phase? I would have to say that it was from hanging out with G who has no problems eating -none whatsoever. So I ended up eating like him; big portions, junk food -the man has a serious sweet tooth- eating at night, the whole nine yards. It is really no mystery why I haven't been able to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. I don't ever want to get to be that high school skinny again. But it would be heavenly to get back into the pre-Fiona healthy shape that I was. Back when, much to Nikki & Maddie's chagrin, we didn't have a lot of junk food nor soda in the house. But how to convince a manly man with a bottomless appetite that we would all benefit from such a pantry? Then again, junk food tastes good. Especially right now it would taste good. Real good. Lots of it too. I'm salivating as I type. Must. stop. thinking. of. food. I've even turned into an emotional eater as of late. And one of those mindless munchers. When I'm hungry I can just stand in the kitchen & eat whatever looks good as I'm rummaging through the fridge. I think I'll stay out of the kitchen until dinnertime. Then again, I do have to feed the youngsters. ARGH. I've also morphed into one of those mom's who eat off their kids' plates during & after dinner.

Yikes. Seeing it all out here in writing is quite the eye opener. So does this count as a lent confession. Looks alot like gluttony to me. Well add that to the ever growing list of reasons I won't be a saint anytime soon (not to mention that I'm not dead). (The thought that Maddie considers ME as saint material still blows me away).

Here's a not food thought: I'm getting a new dishwasher today! Yeah! It's my "Valentine's present". Luckily I'm fairly practical & wasn't too very put off by the idea of an household appliance as a gift.

new flashback

oxymoron?

old vid, "new" music School House Rock, "Three Is a Magic Number" -Blind Melon version...good memories with both

oh, great

So now I feel like I have to post an addendum to the JT comment. So I've been wanting to put the song on my site for a few weeks, but videocure didn't have a code available for "What Goes Around...", I imagine b/c there was, as yet, no video. When I did a general google a couple days ago, I found the UTube code. Yay! Right. I was excited until last night when I watched this week's Grey's on dvr & caught the last 15 seconds of Ugly Betty. Lo & behold, I hear MY favorite song in the closing scene. It hit me that just b/c I don't listen to the radio & I have no idea what exactly is "popular" now, doesn't mean that I'm the only person who really likes this song. Grrrrr.

It's almost like the day when skinny jeans are sold at Kmart it means EVERYONE has a pair. You know, the tail end of the bell curve. Alright, so it's probably not THAT bad, not THAT popular yet. Or is it? I honestly have no idea. I do know, however, that I like EVERY song on that CD. How is that possible? It's, like, pop music or something. Or is it R&B? Or Disco? Or what? I don't know how to classify it. It does remind me a bit of Michael Jackson when he was really talented & popular in the 80's -circa Off The Wall. Or not. I can't put my finger on it. It's a little funk, a little disco, a little pop. It's all danceable & sing-along-able. You know, the kind of CD that you just can't sit still while you're listening to it; you have to dance. Or maybe you don't know. Maybe that's just me. Whatever.

I can't believe that I'm actually admitting that I like Justin Timberlake. How is this possible? It's unfathomable. It must be good. 'nuf said.

p.s. speaking of Grey's, why can't they have a really good, happy show once in a great while. I'm not asking for weekly belly laughs or even weekly feel-good episodes. Just once in a while. Granted, it is a "drama". So it's got to have that serious element. But sheesh, does it have to be a weekly weep fest? I mean, seriously folks. Week after week after week after week of tears. Not just a little sniffle -tears. But all out sad sad sad must cry b/c it's so freaking dramatic -tears. I do remember a few episodes that were good & humorous & entertaining. What happened to those writers? I don't have to cry to get my money's worth. Really, I don't. I get enough drama in my own 4 daughter household on a daily basis. And if it's not their tears, it's mine. And let's be honest, I'd rather laugh than cry b/c if I don't laugh, I will cry. So how 'bout it? After this "devastating finale" to the 3 part episode, lets have some merriment on Grey's. Just a little. Please?