Birthday Part 2

Back to the birth story. Yep, nine years ago I swore to God and everything in between that I would NEVER EVER go through that pain again.

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Before I knew it, all my promises to myself somehow got left behind.

These are the moments I live for. My two boys together sharing a happy moment, caught in a picture, completely unaware of me and the camera.

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So yeah, it's all worth it.

Kailen's piece of cake.

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Before it was cut.

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I tried to get all the kids in the picture, but Ryan was off hiding to the side. I think she just wanted some cake!

Here's my little CSI girl.

Random Sugey Picture

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Of course there had to be some knitting in here somehow.

This is the log cabin blanket I worked on for a couple months. I decided to crochet the borders because I knew I would never finish it in time for Kailen's birthday. It did a little pulling but it still came out beautiful.

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He loved it.

Before he went to bed, he came and told me how safe and warm the blanket made him feel. That indeed is one of the best feelings in the world. To give something handmade that you put your heart into, and it gives such joy. I love you with all my heart my little Boogetty Boy.

Was it Worth All the Pain?

So, was it worth it? All the pain 9 years and 1 day ago. Yes, it certainly was. September 27th, 1999, was first son was born. Without painkillers. It was an experience I will never forget. I told Kailen the story yesterday of how his head was so big, I beat my own head against the hospital bed rail to try and avoid the birthing pain. Yeah, it wasn't a good idea, because I ended up with a bruise and head pain as well. Now after reading that you might say, what the hell, not me, not ever. That's crazy stuff.

I look back on the nine short years and I wouldn't trade it for all the world. I have often thought I might be in the wrong place in my life and have questioned my worth over and over. I know that the my kids are my soul mates. Destined to be with me forever in whatever realm we happen to be in. I am here for them and will always be. They are my reason.

Here is a view inside Kailen's day.

It's amazing that the older they get, the less they get, but with a bigger price!

The PSP, I have to say, is mighty awesome in its graphics.

See what I mean by less. What the heck, that's a lot of money sitting there. There goes my yarn fund.

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Once, not so long ago, I was the parent that said I would NEVER allow my child to have a cell phone at such an early age.

Until, a few weeks back, he went skateboarding with some friends and I couldn't find him. It was one of the worst moments in my life. Now, I can always call him and know exactly where he is. I wish we lived in safer times.

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Kailen was able to give Sugar Bears his old DS. He was quite pleased.

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Here is my rat dog, Coco sitting with me as always. This dog is one lucky lucky dog.

My cat Zaboo, sitting on my lap enjoying all the chaos.

Of course my little Sugey has to get in on the action as well.

Do you recognize this hand? This is the hand of the infamous teenager. You will always see the hand and on rare occasions, you might be able to glimpse the face.

In Rememberance

One of the greatest.

Paul Newman

My love for Paul Newman started a long time ago. One of my favorite movies was The Color of Money.

1-26-25 ~ 9-26-08

I will always love him and never forget what he's done in his enormous generosity in life.

Comfort in the Fall

This week is officially the first week of Autumn.

I was asked what my favorite Autumn food is.

Of course I have to say comfort food. Especially since Fall reminds me of warm and comfortable things. Here is my recipe for Mulled Cranberry Juice.

1 pint cranberry juice; 1 cup water; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; 6 whole cloves 1/2 lemon peel, cut into strips 3/4; quart (1 bottle) Burgundy wine; 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Syrup can be made ahead. Combine cranberry juice, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves and lemon peel in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer gently 15 minutes. Strain.
Combine syrup with wine and lemon juice; heat, but DO NOT BOIL. Serve in preheated mugs with a sprinkling of nutmeg. The syrup can be made ahead, kept in the refrigerator and combined with the wine and lemon juice before serving.
Serves 12

I also start my pie baking and have lovely roasts broiling in the oven. Those recipes will be coming soon.

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This week, is another first. Kailen's first boy scout meeting.

Although he didn't want to go at first because it's always hard meeting new people, he had a blast. He worked on earning his first badge. The Aquanaut. I am psyched to be back in the scouting world again, even though I am not a leader this time. I do miss it a lot.

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I was able to start on my second striped sock while I watched him swim. I have awful "one sock syndrome".

Last but not least, here is my lace I am working on.

I love love love Lace.

Can You Say Concussion

This week has been slow. I am dealing with a slight head injury from last night. Sugar Bears and I were rough housing and he decided to take a dive to my forehead. Yay, that was fun. I must have cried for 10 mins. Now, it takes a lot of pain for me to cry. It's a beautiful green color today accompanied with nausea and plain ole' yuckness. Nothing extraordinary happened this week except everyday living. So here is some of it.

~My latest loves~

Survivor Man Rocks

This is such an awesome show. Especially for people who dwell on the end of the world. Great survival skills. good for homeschooling.

~Yarn Cake~

This is what happens when you wind a hank of yarn on a swift and ball winder. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I want it, got to have it. This is the yarn I got from my secret spoiler. I love this yarn. It is so soft and awesome. The funny thing is, I would have never picked this yarn out for myself and now I am in love with it. The texture is sooooo nice and soft, plus I keep sniffing it. LOVE.

This is what I am making. The Branching Out Scarf.

It's turning into one of my favorite projects. I am making it for my aunt Pat. Who is just an awesome person.

~I finished Sugar Bears Skaterboy hat. ~

~Homeschooling Update ~

Yes, this is what I teach the kids, how to be poker sharks with Sugey in the lead.

Just kidding.

Sort of (:

~We are still on our Rock Unit. Here is the rest of the song as promised.~

"Sedimentary rock

Has been formed in layers

Often found near water sources

With Fossils from decayers

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Then there's Igneous rock

Here since Earth was born

Molten Lava, cooled and hardened

That's how it is formed

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These two types of rocks

Can also be transformed

With pressure, heat and chemicals

Metamorphic they'll become

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The kids spent time identifying the rock specimens. That was a lot of fun.

Here are some links I used that were really helpful

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http://auburnschools.org/dean/ncabrams/Science%20Olympiad/Rock%20houndlinks.htm

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http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/rocks/links.html

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http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/rockkey/

So this is a random picture of the week.
Isn't the sky super beautiful. You have to take the time in your life to notice the simple things. Beauty is everywhere.

Rocks, Geese, and Finger Biting Lizards

This week I was asked What ‘cold weather’ project are you looking forward to making the most in autumn? Hahahahaha. Forget that. It's Florida. We have no cold weather. Sucks. I really want to experience the seasons. I am working on the log cabin blanket and it was to the point of becoming so large that it took 4 hours to do one strip. I decided to crochet borders around it. I will post pictures soon. There is a deadline to this. So this reminds me of the question because I took my project to the skate park to work on. Not happening. It was so hot and humid that I couldn't bear it even sitting on my lap. So I worked on another hat instead. The hats are just so portable. I had one person ask what I was knitting, and it seems I always get that funny, what planet are you from, look from non-knitters. But I have been noticing that skaters are quite appreciative of my skaterboy hats. Who knew.

I took the kids to the park this week. We only stayed a couple hours due to the heat. We did get to see geese, which are very mean by the way. I get a kick out of their honking noise every time.

Presenting the Geese of CB Smith Park.

Next, on to the killer finger biting lizards.
This lizard is a Cuban Anole and is quite common in South Florida. I wasn't kidding when I said they will bite off your finger. They can also give you a nasty infection from all the bacteria in its mouth. Our cat caught this one. They turn black when they are angry. This is a rather small one.

Knitting Picture: What the hell is this in my knitting basket!!!!!

Homeschooling Update

This week, we started our Rock Unit. We started off with the Rock Cycle and learned a very catchy song to go with it. It is sung by the tune of "Row, Row, Row your boat"

"Sedimentary rock

Has been formed in layers

Often found near water sources

With fossils from decayers"

This is only one part of the 3 part song. It's a helpful learning tool.

Swapper Love

I am in LOVE with my Secret Swapper.

This is my first swap ever and look what I got. I am so impressed by my secret spoiler. It really warms my heart to see that there is such kindness around. My package came tonight while at dinner with The Betties, the BEST knitting group ever. My dear friend Cheryl delivered the package to me in order for my swapper's identity not to be revealed. How awesome is that? I could not have asked for a better swap partner. Thank you for making this so special for me. I will be smiling for a very long time.

Autumn Days

My favorite time of year is Autumn. This time of year has such a special feeling to it. Very homey and pleasant. I have the urge to start baking pies. In the pagan religion we call it Mabon.

One day, I would love to have this in my backyard. An offering of thanks.

This weekend, we went out with my parents to celebrate my father's birthday.

If you happen to eat at the Olive Garden, I do suggest a pitcher of Berry Sangria.

My mother and Daryn discussing Animal Crossing.

After dinner Italian Coffee.

Homeschooling Update

We are finishing up our Greek Mythology Unit. This was a lot of fun. At the end of the lesson, the kids will feast upon Greek foods.

Scientific Investigations

The Five Kingdoms of Living Things.

Love and Life

Life throws many things at you, mostly unexpected. The thing is, not to have any regrets. You must learn from each sorrow, each joy and take EVERY SINGLE bit of happiness that comes your way and hold onto it for dear life. Never let someone else guide you, but trust in yourself to know what is true. Mistakes are made by everyone, and fear is a very nasty thing. Those with strength are the ones that will succeed and never ever take the easy way out.

When I get sad and life gets me down, it's always good to have a bowl of ice cream, a scary movie and my knitting.

Surround yourself with the people that you will always love and cherish.

And knit your heart out for them.

Believe it or not, you shall overcome even the hardest heartaches.

The eyes are the gateway to your soul. They can never lie.

Thank God for the Pub, good friends, and a good ass beer.

That is all for today.