Purls of Hope

Please keep my Mammy in your thoughts and prayers.

Things I have learned from my "Mammy"
1. Do what is right for you, don't worry about what others will say or think.
2. The Rock is HOT!
3. Love is love, no matter what.

My Mammy passed away on Thursday. Tonight is her wake. She was 93 and lived the fullest life I have ever seen anyone live. Sometimes when I was in a tough place, I would ask myself, what would Mammy do or say...and maybe I didn't exactly follow it, but I did think of her. It kind of stinks when as you get older, you seem to drift away from the people that are important to you. As much as I loved Mammy, I didn't nearly make enough time for her. We did get to see her this past summer when Mom came here from California.

I should probably back up a bit. Mammy was my step-mother's grandma... So to make it easier for you that would make her my Step-Great-Grandmother. I have to tell you though, we could have fooled anyone. As much as my blood relatives treated me not so nicely, my Stepmom's family treated me as their own and to be fair I have known them as family since I was 3.

I don't do wakes as a general rule (I am a visual person and would rather not remember my loved one in that way). But I will surely miss the funeral as it starts 3.5 hours after my plane takes off.

Anyways...I love you Mammy and you are in my thoughts and prayers! Thanks for all of the wonderful memories!

ETA: Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and well wishes! 2/2/06

If I can finish swatching for Hollis' socks, I may just join Sockapaloooza! I know, I know, I said no more...but, I love the socks I received last time and I was pretty timely last time. They aren't due until May and I do believe I can do it!

Here are the SET Socks DONE~





See I do have follow through...a little sleeplessness over these socks and I hope Cindy likes them!

I am such a sucker for babies. I hate being pregnant, but love babies (not enough to snatch any, so don't worry) I love to look at newborn babies! Last night while in Target, there was a baby there that just had to be smaller than any kid I've ever gotten out of me :) She was so cute. Then I wake up and find on Mom's Blog, that she helped deliver a baby over the last 36 hours....Go look, I'll wait. Too Cute!

So, I have realized that I am already starting to feel separation anxiety (isn't this only supposed to happen to the kid?) The older kids will be fine, I am confident, and besides they are staying with Daddy, but Gracie, she's my last baby and in a week, who knows she could be walking ;)

I am not a mushy person, by any stretch, but for some reason, I am worried and sad to be leaving.

In other news, HWWTS&J has to give me the credit card back, or I can't sign in to the hotel room. HA! Oh, to foil the husbands plans! Too bad I won't be bringing the laptop (I don't want the responsibility of losing it!) So no email for me, unless by chance, I happen to go to the little offices. Those of you who know me...I'll have my cell phone, if you need to talk or something!

Monday will be my last email/post day. I'm bringing the camera and will post on February 1st.

The Weekend Quote~ Anything is Possible...

This is Gracie with her Beannie "Grazie" Thanks MA!

The first of the SET Socks!
The first finished SET sock.
Proof that I am not reposting pictures :)

Isn't someone doing some sort of "Skywatching" Thing? This was a picture of the trees and sky in my front yard, yesterday...too pretty to pass up.

Did I tell you I am going away? I am, I am. All by my lonesome, which is a little disturbing, but also exciting. My eldest's teacher just had a baby 2 days ago, so I plan on making a baby sweater. And I just recieved the information for Project Return's Annual Birdhouse Auction...so I plan on getting my stuff together on that (the birdhouses are due by February 7, which doesn't interfere with the Knitting Olympics.

I plan to design and knit something bird related...wish me luck.

Oh, are you wondering where I am going? Huh, huh? I am going to Vegas for a Convention and then I am off to Cabo San Lucas....sans hubby and kids. Can I handle it? We'll see!

The secret to having a good marriage is to understand that marriage must be total, it must be permanent and it must be equal. ~Frank Pittman

Remind me of this quote when I am really angry with HWWTS&J.

I've been tagged by Dorothee:

4 jobs you have had in your life

Coffee Girl at Dunkin' Donuts
Convenience Store Clerk
Deli Girl (I kept slicing my fingers...mmm)
Secretary (they couldn't wait to get rid of me... Me~a little outspoken)

4 movies you could watch over and over

Fly Away Home
Grease
Harry Potter Series
They Might Be Giants ABC's

4 Places you have lived

Poway, California (hated it, was too sunny all the time...oh, and no jobs)
A group home
By the Beach in New England
In the boonies in New England

4 TV shows you love to watch (...ok, this is fairly recent)

ER
CSI (Las Vegas, NY, Miami)
Law and Order (CI, SVU, and regular)
Gilmore Girls

4 places you have been on vacation

Las Vegas
California
Maine
Florida (I am a little over Florida, too)

4 websites you visit daily

Bloglines, Gmail, school website, google

4 of your favorite foods

chocolate
sushi
Cookies
brown rice

4 places you would rather be right now

here
here
here
well, okay, if I have to Colorado

4 bloggers you are tagging
Sarah
Mary Helen
Katy
Susie

My new blog pal- Amy has tagged me with the "list 5 quirky habits" meme. Seeing as I am one really quirky chick..Here goes
1. If you knew me as a kid and know me now, I have become really conservative in my clothing and hair choices. I really want to dye my hair pink, but I am enrolled in sales school and other people just don't understand.
2. I love sardines!
3. I have a very "different" sense of humour.
4. My mouth never gives my brain enough time to think about what I am saying.
5. My sense of smell is acute. I can tell you when my kid's feet stink from across the house. I am easilnauseateded by smells.
I will venture to tag: Katy
Yarnista
Mom

Yesterday, Gracie turned 9 months. Oh, how the time flies by! She has a doctor appointment this morning, so I am up and at 'em bright and shiny early (well, not so bright and not so shiny)

I set up a frappr map a while ago, go ahead and stick me :)

http://www.frappr.com/shteeni

We have Scissor Squad on Tuesdays, so I record Gilmore Girls...love those Gilmore Girls. Well, I decided last minute to record American Idol, too!

I don't know what it is, but come on, you have to know when you can't sing. Anyways, HWWTS&J calls up and says, "Wow, you're in a good mood, what happened?" I told him that I taped Idol and was watching it. Says he "That explains a lot."

So I started really thinking about this comment, Why is it that so many of us (because I KNOW I am not the only one) find so much fun in someone else's misery?

I loved the mother daughter Ho's. They had to be my favorite. And in case you are wondering, I only watch the first few cuts of Idol because after they get rid of the rifraf, it's just not fun anymore. Oh wait, I loved the girl trying to go up the down escalator! That was funny!

Thanks for the wonderful comments yesterday and I will address them each in a moment.

For right now though...I present you with the philosophy of child rearing by Christine~

First...I have been through a lot of things in my 30 years so this is all based on my life experiences. I don't expect everyone to agree, but it is my blog and they are my views.

1. There is no right of privacy in my house. I am responsible for all that my children do or do not do, therefore, I will be nosy.
2. Children are dumb, call it innocence or whatever you will, but they have no judgment.
3. As a parent it is your responsibility to teach your children how to survive...This means they need to learn to cook and clean and be self sufficient by 18. Start little chores at age 5, like picking up toys and graduate every year until they are responsible for their laundry and such. My girls have lots of chores, I would stop the chores if those of you with sons would sign a marriage agreement with me and promise that their child would take care of mine forever....See not gonna happen, right. Thought so ;)
4. In my house, everyone has to earn priviledges, such as email, TV, sleepovers, toys.
5. The computers, TV's and everything else in the house is MINE. I only need to provide food, clothing, shelter and love. That means that they don't have to have the latest or the greatest in toys, computers, gadgets, etc.
6. It is my responsibility as a parent to make sure my children are healthy and fit. I will not make a meal for each of my children that is different or go for something easy, just because it is easy. Kids deserve to be taught what is healthy and what is not. (I am by no means a healthnut, but I want my children to have a good body image and be happy)
7. Lying is unacceptable and punished severely here.
8. Disrespect is not tolerated. By anyone. This means friends, relatives and the such. I do not tolerate disrespect from my children to anyone, either. (this is probably one of the reasons most other parents don't like me)

Okay~for now on to the comments~

I don't think you're out of line at all to be strict with your kids and the internet. I worked at a community center a few years back, and I was often shocked by the poor judgment of the kids. It wasn't that they weren't bright, but they were extremely trusting. And it's got to be tough to decide what to do with kids and the internet because, short of watching over their shoulder, no method or firewall or rules seem to cover all of the possible problems.

Is there a way on g-mail to only approve certain senders?
I have done this with MSN. I like Gmail because I can just have the email forwarded to my address and if I don't like something that was said, I address it. Only family members have her email address. I don't even think she remembers what it is and only I have the password.
That way you could only let her talk with people she knows, but you wouldn't have to read her e-mails? I don't think there's anything wrong with reading her mail as long as she knows you're doing it, but this is just an idea.
I thought a lot about the privacy thing and to be honest, it is better for her if I know what is going on even if she doesn't know that I read them.
# posted by Katie : 9:04 AM, January 17, 2006

I agree with you 100%. When I was in high school my best friend was kidnapped and killed.
I am truly sorry about your friend.
I'm a very paranoid mother. I read my kids email and their IMs (which are blocked to anyone but their friends). I find that kids are imaginative and find ways around things, so there are no IM's except to Grandma Snooze and I still monitor (not that I don't trust Grandma Snooze, just to make sure she is the only one D is chatting with)
No chat rooms. The world is full of freak jobs and it is our responsibility to take care of them. I can't even begin to think about the day they move out. You are doing the right thing. :)
THANKS!!!!
# posted by Heather : 9:24 AM, January 17, 2006

I've really been enjoying your quotes each day, I used to have a quote of the day calendar and each morning it was like waking up to your own little piece of inspiration, to be interpreted anyway you want.
When I was young, the internet had yet to really take off so I never had email accounts or IM until I was late HS or college. I was actually very surprised that younger kids have email now! What happened to video games? =) It's very scary out there what people are capable of doing, stalking or hurting children. I think the way you protect your kids is admirable, you never know where these predators are hiding. They do have software out there that protects kids from going to certain sites and even scans their email for inappropriate words and flags the messages and sends it to your email box. It may make your job a little easier. =) I don't even let my kids play video games...I believe they should be active. Everytime the school sends home research to be done on the internet, I send it right back. (I have reference books that are helpful up to college level and usually she can find what she needs there) As far as software, I would do something like that, but again, I don't want my kids getting used to sitting in front of a computer when they could be active.
# posted by kmckiernan : 9:28 AM, January 17, 2006

I don't think you're paranoid about the internet at all. My boys aren't anywhere near 'Net browsing age (3.5yrs and 1yr) I go on the computer with my boys when they've been really good and they love www.noggin.com , but DH and I have already decided that there will be no computers in their rooms. Any browsing will be done on a 'puter in the family room and we will monitor *everything*. DH is a computer consultant and has dealt with some really weird stuff on his clients' computers that involved kids/teens. He is all for key-recording programs!
Some days I wonder if I should even post my kiddos' pics on the net! You take such beautiful pictures, it would be a shame to not post them anymore. I am very careful not to mention names. Except for Grace...Because it really is a pretty common name.
# posted by shizzknits : 1:18 PM, January 17, 2006

You're a good mom Christine =)
I totally agree with you. You can never be too careful when it comes to the Internet and young kids. There are just too many bad things and bad people in this world. That wonderful cloud of childhood innocence doesn't last forever, but it should be preserved for as long as it possibly can be. I think you are absolutely doing the right thing =)
*hugs* to you and the munchkins =D I love you guys! We love you too! Thanks for the encouragement!
# posted by Kate The Great : 8:49 AM, January 18, 2006 http://www.rhymeswithorange.typepad.com/

So now that I have offended at least half of my readers, I'll go hide and watch Gilmore Girls and Idol whilst finishing that darn sock :)

The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation. ~Ray L. Wilbur

Hmmm. Well, I guess this calendar is just asking for my opinions. Most of you know that I have 5 children and usually I downplay how hard it really is to be a parent to 5 children. I do, however, find it so very cool that they all have their own little personalities. There are certain things I am adamant about and other things I let slide.

I grew up during the whole Adam Walsh abduction/killing thing, and I totally understand why my mother would not let me off my front porch until I was 10 years old. I am beginning to feel the same...But maybe in a different way.

I have internet issues. I make the choice to not let my children play on the internet unless I have the time to stand over them and watch. There are just too many sexual predators out there and they are going to have a hell of a time getting to my kid! My eldest has an email account through gmail, but her emails all get forwarded to one of my email accounts for review and she has to earn the right to respond to and read her email. (Sorry Katy, her attitude has stunk lately. She did get your email and as soon as she is respectful again, she will respond) Some people find that I am too strict, but you know what, it will be my fault if she is found dead in a mall parking lot...There will be no one to blame but me. I think that I will moderate the comments to this post, just because my parenting has been attacked on someone else's blog and it's my right to moderate the things in my life.

Ending note: Please cherish those potential possibilities if you have children!

I've joined The Harlot's 2006 Knitting Olympics...
Here's what Stephanie has to say:

The 2006 Knitting Olympics

Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the
"Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while
embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.

Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the
Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26).
That's 16 days.

Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to
complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be.
Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new
knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do...If you are experienced,
well. I've already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this
is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to
ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry,
but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with
pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to
(like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it
should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games.
(I consider this "training.")

Medals?
The Knitting Olympics has only
a gold medal. (There is only do- or do not.) Finishers get a gold medal button
for their blog, their name entered into a draw for a chance at a prize from me,
and the joy of knowing that they are an Olympic level knitter, no matter how
experienced they are. You are only competing against yourself. (Well. And the
Olympic schedule.)

Who's in?
If you're just crazy enough itching to
be part of the Knitting Winter Olympics, leave a comment (or send an email)
telling me who you are, what you're knitting and a link, if you have one. I'll
list you in the sidebar. Consider carefully. Done right, this will suck up 16
days of your life and be an epic work.

What am I going to knit, you ask? It will be the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts out of Elisabeth Lavold Silky Wool. Are you daring to ask what kind of challenge this is? Well, I'd like to see you knit a whole sweater in 16 days with 5 kids :)

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels

I have to tell you that I am not always the best friend I can be. I am not good at returning calls, following up. But, if I call you a friend, I really mean it. I am not sure why this quote hit me like it did today, but it reminds me that sometimes I need to just say no, or plot a time to call, etc. Contrary to what many believe, I really don't like to hurt anyone's feelings and sometimes I do. I wish some of my friends understood that it is hard to call and sometimes even keep in touch, with 5 kids and therefore 5 different lives that I MUST keep up with. I put my children first when it comes to this. I will not let the things that I went through happen to them without my support and supervision.

Okay enough of that. (Can you tell that I wasn't paying attention in school when we went over paragraphs...so much for the anal Virgo schpeal, huh?)

Oh, the waiting and was it worth it. Yes, I am talking about the season premiere of 24. I have such a crush on Keifer Sutherland! You can bet your buns I'll be tuning in tomorrow to see the second half!!!

Okay on to the important stuff...



That is the SET sock numero uno. I know, you may say to me, "wasn't that due months ago?" and I would have to say well, yes. But, better late than never and of course I will include make up gifties :) But Shteeni's got her groove on...now if the groove could go to cleaning the house... HWWTS&J would do backflips and I sure would love to see that ;)

So now that I have divulged my lust for another and shown you that I am grooving along...it is time for me to hit the sack. You know, over 30... I need my beauty sleep... or something.

Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. ~Franz Kafka

Well, it is Friday the 13th with a full moon. I think I am going to track my moodiness to the lunar schedule.

I think your birthday passed Lori. Can you let me know? Thanks.

I must say, I really only wanted to post that quote because I thought it was nice...so ttfn!

That you can now have your change counted by coinstar without a fee? You just have to get a gift certificate to borders or amazon or a few other places. Who doesn't need more knitting books...
Speaking of Knitting Books... I am currently creating an inventory list of all my Knitting related books, so I can share with my friends and actually be able to keep track of who has what and when I let them borrow it. Just call it the Library of Christine...lol

Quote of the Day-

Laughter is part of the human survival kit.~David Nathan

I think I have lost my Knitting Mojo. I am becoming insanely jealous of FO's by others, whilst I can't seem to get anything to keep my attention. I am now talking about the SET socks in my sleep, and HWWTS&J is tormenting me over it...cuz I woke him up. He he. I am getting worried, could HWWTS&J be correct in his prophesies of the demise of knitting in my life, or am I just overthinking?

Well, I guess it's back to the sock books!

An Adequate Knitter


So go leave her a comment too!!!

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible ~ Marion C. Garretty

Well, here it is...

SET News
Because I can't seem to get over my analness (yeah, yeah, I know that's not a word) I have started new socks. I am not certain that my pal would have enjoyed the Cascade fixation anyways. Must.Concentrate.On.Way.Overdue.Socks. I am having severe urges to make Gracie a sweater, but I will stay in control!

Family News
My Sister Kendra is engaged! I am happy for her. We are in talks of having the wedding or at least the reception at my house. I can't wait!

The Ick
Thanks for the well wishes! I think I am okay now. Maybe it is a mixture of ick and winter blues. At any rate, feeling much better!

Just some thoughts of the day...

HWWTS&J was really sick this weekend. Whiny sick with fevers, coughing and sniveling. IN his sleep he contaminated me by hugging and coughing, etc. So I feel oh so crappy! I had to miss a very important Doctor's appointment. Because when I get sick, if I take anything or don't, I fall asleep driving and the Doctor is about 40 miles away.

IT is no matter, she'll probably reschedule for April or May and then maybe I can get my vitamin regimen up to date ;)

I have decided that the money I would have spent at the two LYS that I mentioned a couple of days ago, I will use to buy audio books for my iPod. I just purchased Memoirs of a Geisha. Yay!!!

Rest is the sweet sauce of labor ~ Plutarch

Well, if you've ever been to my house, you would know that rest is not an option...maybe in another 20 years. :)

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. ~Edgar Degas


I would like to make a shout out to LYS owners. You shouldn't make comments about other people's stores unless you are prepared for it to get back to them. I have noticed that it seems, here, in the state that I live in the store owners are catty. Well, lets be fair... Knit Together and The Needlework Shoppe have always been kind and nothing has ever gotten back to me otherwise.

There are two stores in particular that will not be getting any more of my business, due to the shop owners comments about other shop owners. And note, just because you didn't say it to me, doesn't mean that I won't hear about it.
End of Rant.

We have all been sickly on and off since Christmas...yuck. H & T were both in my bed last night and they are not peaceful sleepers. Ouch. So depending on the tiredness factor, I hope to have pictures for your viewing pleasure tonight!

Here is your quote of the day:
Excellence is not a destination; it is a coontinuous journey that never ends ~Brian Tracy

New stuff for 5 January 2006~~

I have added another button to my sidebar... I am going to join in on a collective to knit 2000 socks in 2006...no, not by myself, silly. Go on click the button and check it out....

Here is the group I have created for other exchange programs, so that we may have a list in one place.

You can only join if you are a host or hostess to a current or former exchange program.

Thanks,
Christine




alt="Click here to join banned">
Click to join banned

So, I have this fun little rip a page off each day type of calendar on my computer desk. I thought it would be fun to write the quote here and share what I think about it :)

Here goes~

Let's face it, we are all dysfunctional, why not have fun being dysfunctional...why the race for perfection...it really never comes. You are who you are and that is that! Have fun being you!

So, I have never set any goals for myself. *gasp* I know, how can I expect to accomplish anything with out setting what I think needs to be accomplished.

Funny, isn't it.

NO resolutions here...just goals.

Laundry... get more of it done, in a more timely manner.
Knitting... finish projects I have started before starting anymore! (It looks as if I may have to give up my yarn closet for a stretch)
Cleaning... set a schedule and keep to it.
Bedtime... somehow, figure out a way to get all of my children to go to sleep before 10pm eta~ they are in bed before this time, just not sleeping.
Reading(okay listening)... buy some good books on audio instead of so much yarn...oh the horror.
Lists... make them and follow through!
Tolerance... must.be.more.tolerant.of.others.

I am sure there will be more to add on another day.

I think I may make myself a list every week and cross off as things get done. (That way I am more accountable, if someone else can see it)

Here's to hoping everyone had a lovely weekend.