Now that it is February - Already!!

Where did January go?? I remember back when my boys were young January was one of the longest months of the year. It seemed to take forever to get to the spring. Now it will be here before we know it.

I've been busy working on a birthday present for DS#2. He doesn't know I'm making this so and I'm not sure if he actually reads this so I can't mention what it is until I know he has opened said gift. I also am sending along a pair of Boot Socks for Doc. Doc I think felt slighted that he didn't get said socks in the Christmas box and I think is hoping Kyle and or Dan felt there's. Dan also hinted at wanting a scarf. I've been progressing slowly on his scarf. It is a manly reversable cable in a gorgeous green. In between I've been cranking out crochet granny squares. They are easy to whip up while in the car. I dont' have to worry about juggling a pattern. (should've thought of that a long time ago DUH!!)

I need to get cranking on Sara Smiles Project. This is the year she wanted it done! So I have to hurry up get my ducks in a row and do it!

I also have to finish up my February sweater I started last spring. It is the first real sweater I've ever made for myself. Can't wait to finish it.. will probably be too hot to wear it by the time I get it done..lol

Time flies!

OMG hard to believe the last time I posted was AUGUST!! I've been unbelivably busy and having no computer at home didn't help. Thank god for my Blackberry!! I don't know how I lived without that wonderful piece of technology.

My Christmas knitting is done. Photos as soon after Christmas as I can. I've been done. It's a first, I won't be knitting like a crazy women on Christmas eve!! We have most of our shopping done. We just have to get some gift cards, then stand in line to send off all of our boxes. It will be strange. This is the first time neither of my boys will be home on Christmas. I've always had one or the other. I don't have to cook either. Strange. I will make a turkey breast for lildude and my DH on Christmas eve but we are going to the Lodge for Christmas dinner. Lildude got a new outfit for his Christmas concert the other night so he has an outfit to wear. Not sure what DH and I will be wearing. Always a problem for me. I never know what to wear. I need someone to take me shopping and help me pick out clothes! It would help if I liked shopping for clothes but when you are a larger person it sucks. (to put it mildly) ANYway.... guess you know what my New Years resolution is .. same as half of American women, lose weight!!

I hope to enjoy the peace and quiet and have a great holiday knowing my boys are safe and happy. Enjoying the holiday with the people they love. Strange that I'm not upset. I'm happy for them. Something told me last year to enjoy them all being home. Next year they all hope to come home. The every other year thing is fine by me. Lildude is upset that there are very few presents under the tree. That will change over the weekend. I have more for him to wrap :) But our normal amount is greatly diminished by the packages having to be sent. Next year! We are Cubs fans we are well versed in that saying.

I wont be gone so long this time, promise.

A couple of pictures of my new haircut. My hubby took my cutting 5+ inches off my hair better than I thought he would!! Got it done on vacation back in early July. Peer pressure helped and the fact that I couldn't find the blow dryer or my irons when we got to the cabin. We found them when we got home in a bag we never took out of the trunk!! OH well. I like that its short but it's different not being able to just put it up!

These are my just finished socks. First attempt at Magic loop and hand dying a sock blank from Knitpicks. I love how they match and that you don't get second sock syndrome! I know there are a couple of errors, but for a first time with a new method and all I don't think they turned out too bad. They fit and will do the job. I will go for perfection next time around. I will definately do another pair possibly with a more interesting design.

These are my dad's Birthday present...sshhh don't tell him.:) They are boot socks. I made him a pair a couple of years ago and he loved those. They were an acrylic blend and these are real wool. Glad he is retired and does alot around the house now. Mom is allergic to wool so he will have to hand wash his own socks :) These are so easy to knit up. Thinking of making the guys in my family some of these for Christmas, except for DS#1 he is in Houston for one and won't really need warm wool socks and he let me know long ago that socks and underwear are not Christmas presents! Kids!! :)

Back to business.

We had a blast on vacation in northern Minnesota. First time for hubby and lil dude to travel to this part of our wonderful country. I had been near to where we stayed but not in the actual town. This was a so called "family reunion" type of trip. My parents and all of us kids and our families decended on the Bemidji area and stayed in a cabin on the Mississippi river between two lakes. We have friends that live up here and we enjoyed getting together and "catching up" with them after almost 30 years. My hubby and brother in law were not as thrilled going down memory lane as they were not part of the original storyline but they hung in there and appeared to enjoy themselves.

It was fun but now we are back to reality.

We will just have to wait until next year. We are Cubs fans so that is a well known phrase! We have lots of photos for us to enjoy and remember our trip "Up North". Here are a few to show everyone our fun.

Lil Dude enjoying the waterslide.

My honey & nephew ready to race!!

My honey's big catch! It was a record setter... on the board at the resort!

Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox

We just walked across the Mississippi!!

Turtle Races!!

Nephew ready for the pool.

This is the cabin.



We plan to go back with a few minor changes. We plan to go to a different resort. All get our own cabins instead of cramming in a small one. Also it was agreed to travel up the way we came home....much faster route.

Whew!

This is what I saw when I was backing out of the driveway yesterday morning. I had to take a picture as they are all in bloom at the same time. I love lilacs not sure what the tree is a flowering crab apple maybe?? and the darker pink one is I think honeysuckle?? If anyone reading this can identify please let me know. I'm not much of a gardener and have never lived anywhere that was landscaped professionally like this new house obviously was.
Even Zoe is enjoying her new lawn. She is all worn out in this picture. Lil Dude runs her ragged. She loves ever minute of it. The minute he is in bed she climbs to "her spot" on the couch and passes out, until I get up and go to bed. Then she follows me. On a rare occasion she just goes to bed on her own. She is so good it's hard to believe she is only 9 months old.

We finally have the storage unit completely empty and mostly gone thru and put away. We have a good amount for the garage sale and my "craft room" looks like a bomb went off. I will take pictures to prove it.

On the needles I have a shawl/wrap for mom. I started a similar one for her a year ago and got frustrated. This time is was frustrating but I think I've worked thru it. I also went up a needle size. Recently finished a lapghan for Sara Smiles Project from left over baby yarn. It's from Connor's blanket so it's not baby colors. I like the way it turned out. Crochet lapghans go so much faster. I really need to get back into that. Hard with summer coming tho. Gets too hot to have a big blanket on your lap. Made a few dishcloths for the new house and a swiffer cover it kinda works on my laminate floors. I think I need to make a thinner one too tho.

Still getting settled in.

We took the weekend off of working around the house. We had an overnight stay at a local hotel that included dinner. This is becoming an annual getaway for us. Purchased from the auction(thru my office)I bid it up every year and end up with it. It's alot of fun to get away even if it's only a few miles from home. I also enjoy being able to honestly answer questions when I get phone calls or emails about staying there. This year.. babygirl joined us. Now please understand I love my puppy and she is almost a year old ( almost 9 months) but she is terrible in the car and obviously away from home too. She is the biggest whiner... she needs cheese to go with the whine... one positive note, dearest hubby now will not hesitate to put her in the kennel for vacation! I sleep with earplugs, but she kept waking him up with every sound. So pet resort her she comes.. that reminds me I have to arrange that today for July's trip to MN. Hope to post new baby pics soon. He is growing like a weed. We had a get together for mom's birthday. I made her a sack sock and some dishcloths plus a gift card she really will enjoy.

DH is off today and is trying to get the storage unit cleaned out. We hope to get it emptied by the end of the month. He asked his son to come hang out next weekend. I know better.. it's hang out (help me move things around) and make a few bucks :) Better him than me!! I just can't do what I used to after this ankle thing last year. I know we will think long and hard before moving again!!

Introducing Connor William



This is our neice Aly. She is two months younger than Sara. Happy to hold her new cousin.


Mama holding Connor. Look at his hair!! Lots of it!


I had to see his adorable little legs.



Good Morning Aunt Sue!! My sister sent this to show me he does open his eyes. He is all brighteyed today now that all of the meds from delivery are wearing off.


I got to spend some nice time with my tired but happy sister last night. So far Connor is a good baby. We will see how he does after he gets home! My sister and I had time to talk about the fact that she really did just bring another little person into the world after for so many years thinking Sara was her last. He is meant to be here and hopefully will lead a full and happy life. We will all work to help him acheive that goal. He is the new bright spot in the family. Welcome Connor.

Happy Birthday!

Connor William came into the world this morning at 2:06 am. He weighed 8lb 10 oz. Mom and baby are doing great. Mom also said he doesn't look like his sister or brother. I can't wait to go see him this afternoon. I will post pictures asap.

Finished!

The baby blanket I've been working on since Christmas is finally done. I expanded the original pattern because I felt the original was too small. I made it almost twice the size, this will help explain why it took me awhile to compelete this. I know the colors don't exactly say baby but those are the colors my sister wanted.


These are the booties I made for her. I had to give her something at her shower that I actually could finish in time.



The picture is kinda blurry but they are still beautiful. My valentine roses from my hubby. He has great taste. Even had them delivered to my office for the girls to see! He's a keeper!

Sorry I've sooo busy

I have been so busy it's been insane. I've included some of the pictures I have from Christmas knitting. Finally huh?? Never too late I guess.

I made these sack holders for my inlaws. One mother in law one for father in law. They are divorced but live in the same senior complex (long story).


Hard to see but the hat I made my brother is too small.. only took 4 tries to get it right!


This is what I made for my older son's girlfriend. She loved it. I made a few more of the headbands for presents. Didn't get pictures of them all.

I decided to make a blanket for my sisters new baby. Well it was a great pattern Bliss Blanket on Ravelry. It is my first entrelac pattern and it is on smaller needles that I should've used. It is taking me forever to get this thing done!! I've been working on it almost exclusivly since Christmas. It has finally gotten too big to take with for a carry along project so I've been trying to get Kyle's Irish Hiking scarf done. Poor thing he wanted a scarf for Christmas and his was the only one not finished on time. He will be 21 on March 1. God my baby is 21 in less than 2weeks.. how did that happen. I'm not THAT old!! Anyway between those projects and life, work and everything else I'm required to be a part of I've had very little spare time. THANK GOD I have a husband who is the best in the world. He does laundry and cleans.. what more could a working mom ask for.. a clean house and clean laundry after a long day at the office :) Thanks babe!! He also supports my yarn addiction. I hope to finish both this up coming weekend. I will post photos when complete!

Move is almost done.

Well we have survived the move to Peru. This is a move we have been looking forward to for awhile. DH and I both were driving the 20 miles each way for far too long. Gas prices and wear & tear on the cars helped the decision along. This move has to be by far the hardest we have ever had. Having just under a month to pack and go thru 3 years worth of accumulation didn't help. The basement was one of those things we constantly put off going thru and has ended up being the main nightmare. I swear things multiply when you aren't looking! I still had boxes we had never unpacked from the last move. DH has been going back and forth everyday this week to get the "last minute" crap. We hope to go and do a final clean tomorrow night. We need the deposit back!! Our new landlord needs to take lessons from our old landlord. He is cool with us taking a bit longer than we thought to get everything cleaned up. She (the new one) on the other hand, had things unfinished and far from clean when we took possession. Oh well. We know it will be much cleaner when we leave then when we arrived.

This home is only temporary. We plan to buy a house in the next year or so. I'm getting rid of as much "junk" now as I can. The rest is in storage. If I need it, I can go dig it out. There are many things I can't bear to part with but have no room for in this home.

Thank goodness for the support and help of my family. Everyone came out to give us a hand. My brother got us a truck from work - no charge and he paid for the gas. DH helped him move in July so he was "paying us back". He laughed at the realization that I still haven't seen his new home. I couldn't get around too good at the time of his move due to the ankle ordeal. I wasn't used to the crutches yet at that point. I will get there someday. My dad was wonderful. He was the only one (other than us) to make more than one trip. Mom was a great help with everything moms are supposed to help with. My sister and her hubby also were big helps. I ordered a tray of food from their Peru location and they ended up picking it up for me, and then not taking payment for it! Stinkers. I think the whole family was just happy we didn't have to drive everyday anymore. Oh it was also my other brothers birthday so we had pie and sang to him. His daughter helped organize my kitchen while I was out getting pop and beer to go along with the food.

My DH doesn't understand that my family helping like this is rather new to me. They never helped when I was married to my ex. They never really cared for him. I think they just didn't want to be around him. Oh well. A big thanks goes out to everyone for the much appreciated help. No matter what way you helped us.

We aren't thrilled with some of the things we have "learned" about this house but my dad is sure we will make it our home as best as we can. Lesson learned on being hasty in moving. I'm still unpacking and already preparing for "next time".

It's a BOY!

As I noted on Sara Smiles Blog - my sister is going to have a boy. I went to my local Hobby Lobby at lunch and was hoping to find the "perfect" yarn to start a baby project. Nothing thrilled me. I walked out disappointed. I'm also torn on just what to make her?!? You'd think having the chance to make something new for this unexpected bundle of Joy that is going to change the family I would have a clue. Nothing - zip - nada. Maybe it's because I'm distracted with moving next week. I will chalk it up to that. I think I may just put it on the back burner for now. Maybe after going shopping or finding out a bit more on what colors she plans to use for the nursery. I'm hoping that will get me going. I do know that the baby crocs pattern I got a few months ago will probably be first.. something quick I maybe able to whip up in time to go under the tree.

I remember mom getting presents for the baby (now my son Kyle) back when I was pregnant. My ex hubby thought it was weird.. I enjoyed it. So I will hope to do the same for yet un-named baby :) She only had girls names picked out. Oh well she is ready just in case there is another one down the road. They were Sara's favorite girls names. So I'm sure they won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Scratch Utica - It's Peru for sure!

Well things fell thru on the Utica house but we have since found a place in Peru. Peru is where we wanted to be in the beginning anyway so it is for the best. Lil dude is thrilled he's always wanted to live in Peru (he likes his dentist and the McDonalds - just wait until he see's the YMCA waterpark!) We still will be moving the end of the month. My house is full of boxes - my hubby has been packing like crazy. It sucks to move but having a new place less than a mile from work will be wonderful! I'm not looking forward to the work moving causes but the outcome is going to be worth the work! We will be walking distance to a park and the Y so no more excuses to not workout!

Watch out Utica we are moving to town!

Yes, my daily commute has been reduced by more than half. We are moving to the booming metropolis of Utica. For those unfamiliar with the area it is the town across the river from Starved Rock State Park. Lil dude is ready to go. He thinks we are moving tomorrow. 3 weeks is still soon enough. So I won't be on here much until probably November unless I sneek on from work (like I'm doing at the moment) Keep everyone posted as I can. :)

It's starting to feel like fall.

I've been trying to get my pumpkin and candy corn preemie hats finished. I wasn't in the pumpkin hat making mood this year. I think the candy corn ones are just adorable! These were sent out the other day to The Preemie Project for the newly reformed Michigan Chapter. Some lovely ladies have taken on the duty and have been running away with it. Jan was just getting too busy.


Last weekend the boys and I took a hike out at Starved Rock. My ankle was finally feeling "up" to it. Also the trails have finally dried enough to hike and not get covered in mud from the rains and area flooding. We hiked a bluff trail so we were way up high. This is Kyle and Michael at Aurora Canyon bridge. Kyle and I had stopped to pick up promotional materials (work stuff) and the marketing director told us it ws the first time she had seen water in that Canyon in years and if we wanted to see it we better get out there this week. (Main reason we went hiking) Kyle likes to get me up out of my chair.... he has a future in being a personal trainer. He is the big one in the picture. Michael is the youngest of my 5 boys. It was only the three of us.



This is the boys overlooking Sac Canyon. The bridges are at the top of the waterfalls. Thy are looking down at the water. I love that picture of them.


Both boys were fascinated by this fallen tree. It fell onto another tree that is supporting it at this angle. Not shown in this picture is we are up about 200 feet above the ground. We had a great hike even with the mosquitos that were swarming around us. The mosquitos are bad due to the flooding that was below in the lower parts of the park.

We enjoyed our day while dad was away. Dad went to his first Notre Dame footbal game with a good friend. I spent the day with my boys. We finished off our trip to McD's (Michael's choice) and then went to the mall to play Lunar mini golf. Everything was glow in the dark, even the balls!

FLOOD!!

This is a view looking south where the Fox and Illinois Rivers meet.

View from the North bank of the Illinois River to the South bank. (Allen Park)

The playground at Central School.

Central school, Lil dude doesn't go here, this is for 4-6 grades. My 2 oldest boys went here before they split up the schools by grade.

This is the Fox River flowing thru the center east side of town.

The end of Superior St where it meets up with the Fox River. (end of my old street)

Our local YMCA is also underwater. I get out of working out for another week!

This is the entrance to Allen Park that is 2 blocks from my house. We also live along the river but we are up and away from the bank.


We are all ok. No one in my family is in harms way we all live up high. We are enjoying taking pictures of this once in a lifetime event. This is a record breaking flood. I will put more pictures on here from LaSalle/Peru area (by my office)as soon as I can.

New Addition to the Household.

This sleeping ball of fur is our new puppy Zoe. We aren't "supposed" to have pets but we are planning to move next summer and I thought why not - our neighbors have had a dog for 3 years and I gave up my Lab/Sheperd mix Diamond to move in here!!

She is my anniversary present from my honey. He wasn't as crazy about her after our first night. (She had us up every 2 hours) She has completely stolen his heart since then. Her wagging tail and big kisses did him in. We also know he likes blonds :) She also slept thru the night last night, WOOHOO from me on that one!!

I'm working on a pattern for a "bone" that is perfect for puppy teeth. I hope to have that on here later.

DMB was great.

I had a nice quiet weekend planned. Get the bills & such caught up with DH worked then relax and watch the Olympics with him and enjoy no lil dude. But NOOOO The phone rings and it's my brother looking for DH and I asked if he wanted me to call DH and ask him to call my brother. My brother tells me he is looking for someone to go to the Dave Matthews concert with him. I call DH and he is too busy working and won't get home in time to go.....he tells me to go. I thought yeah right.. with a bum ankle?!?! In lawn seats at Alpine?!?! Long story short I got ready and I went, trooper that I am!! I even got a shoe on for the first time since June! I did alot better than I thought and we had a blast! I sat when I got tired and stood when I could.... enjoyed the night and the time with my brother. DH told me to get a shirt and I got one he probably won't wear since the last two are more male looking :) I got him a sticker for his van. The cool part about going to the concert with my brother is he somehow gets the download of the actual concert and burns me a cd, so I can relive the evening's music anytime! Wish the cd was finished - I have a long drive to Chicago ahead of me tonight for a meeting tomorrow morning. Looking forward to a nice quiet bubblebath in the hotel and the king sized bed all to myself. I finished knitting a pillow for my ankle as now I'm in Physical Therapy 3 times a week and I have to keep it up or at least level at work. The footstool gets hard after awhile so I needed a cushion. It works!!

On a sad note I also got news that my BFF lost her dad over the weekend. They finally got him moved up here from Arkansas last month and his health was a lot worse then they were led to believe. I will be heading up to the Chicago burbs again on Thursday to pay respect to a man that most of my young life I was afraid of! He had a VERY dry sense of humor that as a kid I didn't understand. He was a great family man and I know he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

What a weekend!

I left work at noon on Thursday. DH and I were heading to his first Jimmy Buffett concert. We checked into our hotel and were very happy with the room! We spent more on the room than we did the concert tickets so it was great that our room was so nice. We headed out to go and get some dinner on our way to the concert. Not one restaurant was to be found. Lucklly they had plenty of food at the Park. We parked and DH went to see what they had to eat. He came back and we realized we forgot to bring lawnchairs to "tailgate" before the concert. So I sat on the open trunk and he stood most of the time as we talked to a nice couple parked next to us. DH hubby enjoyed his first Parrothead experience and now is ready to go again next year!

The rest of the weekend was the usual watching Cubs games and Nascar. Sunday was my sisters birthday party. DH and boys went to work I picked up lil dude from his mom and we headed to the afternoon swim party. Before the food was ready my sister had eveyone head outside.... she had something to say. She said that if anyone had told her last year on her birthday everything that was to happen in the next year she would've thought they were on drugs! She said we had all been invited to for a reason. But the reason won't be here until MARCH! SHE IS PREGNANT!! I about fell out of my chair. My brother in law had a vasectomy when Sara was little....I guess he had it reversed in April and they had been trying ever since. Didn't take them long!!! Everyone in the family is thrilled. After all the heartache they have gone thru losing Sara this was a wonderful surprise. I'm sure Sara is looking down and thrilled for her mom and dad. She always wanted to be a big sister! Our family really needed this kind of news. I'm thrilled this is possibly the best gift we all could be given. Happy birthday lil sis!

Summer break is over.

My lovely Frankenstein boot is now a thing of the past! My new air cast (below) is the replacement.

I started getting used to having the afternoon off - sit in the recliner and knit. I went to the doctor today and she wants me to slowly start walking without the crutches and with the air cast I can actually wear shoes! I just hope my walking is good enough for the Jimmy Buffet concert next week. I survived both of my feet swelling to twice normal size last year at Daytona!! I think I can make this one...slowly. I will just have a margarita and I won't think about it :)