Another Birthday?

Alex turned 26 last Thursday. These birthdays are having an effect on me. These guys are getting much too old. Seems like just a couple years have passed when I was making baseball, soccer ball, lego and kitty litter cakes. But who can resist a guy in a kilt towel??? He gets cuter every year. We went to India Garden for dinner. Oh, yum. It was delicious. Then back home for cake. My exercise trainer told me about Holy Cow Cupakes that had Guinness cupcakes. (Isn't that wrong for a trainer to tell me to eat cupcakes?) But OMG, her cupcakes were incredible. So, now we wait for the next birthday, Jeff's 60th!!!

I made the mistake of going out to Melly's jewelry party on Monday night. Not that I didn't enjoy my night out, I did. But when I came home, there had been some redecorating done to the first floor bathroom. Never let men do redecorating. Yes, that is a TV and DVR and reading material in the bathroom. They wanted to fill the tub with ice for the beer. They didn't see anything wrong with this. They were disappointed that I didn't need to use the room as the TV was ready to play Nathaniel in marching band. OY!

And now on to knitting. I am in knitting doldrums. I finished the Super Bowl Scarf and can't get anything done. I am trying the Ishbel scarf again. Two steps forward, one step back. Sigh. I am going to take a deep breath and knit on!

I left my cookies in San Francisco

I got back from San Francisco the other day, and my body and mind don't know if they are coming or going. It was so nice to get away even for just a couple of days. Left in snow and arrived in flowers and green. DH had a one day meeting, so I was off with credit card in hand. First stop, Imagiknits! Got there at 10:10 and it was closed (note to self--check store times before heading out!). So back to our very nice hotel to regroup. Then off to shop. Thankfully, there is a mall next door! Found a Bare Essentials store that really came in handy since I forgot to pack brushes for my make-up. Then some lunch and back to more shopping. Back to the hotel to catch my breath. Uh oh!!! Something must have been wrong with that lunch!!! Good thing dh is not going to be back for awhile! There went my cookies. ugh.

But fine by the next day. Dh and I off to sightsee. Cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. Trip on cable car much more relaxed than last time with the boys. They were hanging off the side putting their mom in fear. Lots of walking along the wharf. The sea lions were back (they had left for a long time) Stop at Giradelli square. Really nothing there. Note to tourist-- the same chocolate is $6 cheaper at Walgreens!!! And then my dh said let's go to the yarn shop! What a dear. It is filled with yarn. Two rooms. However, I couldn't figure out any organization, so it was difficult to find my way around. The staff were helpful, but were all very busy.

Then dinner with my cousin!!!! We haven't seen each other for 15 years, but it felt like we hadn't seen each other for only a week! It was so great to see and talk with her.

Next day, off to Napa Valley!! Stopped at Vistor Center. What did you say?? A yarn shop near by??? What luck! Dh didn't object. I was in heaven. Alex had recommended some wineries and we hit the first one at noon. They were all fun, but drinking all day was overwhelming!!! Plus everyone driving on that two lane road?? No wonder there were so many limos!!!

Then we found our Bed and Breakfast. The Ink House. Lovely place and more wine and cheese. whew. Had a lovely time in the parlor with the other guests. Off to dinner. I didn't think we looked bad, but the waitress said "No wine, right?" How did she know?????

Finally, back to the Inn. And our room. The Elvis room! Yes, Elvis stayed there in 1960 while making a film. It was a lovely room, no black velvet. Not even a plaque. Jeff and I looked at that bed and each other and promptly fell asleep. At 8:30!!!!

So now it is back to our reality. I just feel like napping. Knitting on my super bowl scarf on the trip. Easy to pack and carry. Now I have to get some serious knitting done. Back to the Ishbel scarf.

Keep knitting!!!!

Make a Wish!

I haven't written since October! I don't know if it is because I didn't have anything to say or I had too much to say or life got in the way. Maybe a little of everything.

Today is Bryan's birthday!!! And beside the awful sinus headache I had, it was a good day. He spent some of the day with a friend and then we went to Olive Garden for a really nice dinner. And the sun was out to make the day even better!!

Alex is back from London. It is nice having him home, sort of like having a butler. He goes to the store, gets my car gas, sometimes cooks great meals and makes me tea. And thankfully, he got his old job back at the wine store. But he is looking forward and realizes he needs a masters, so that is on the agenda now.

And of course, I have been knitting. Fiesta the hippo is modelling the drop stitch scarf or the daughter I never had scarf. It is for Elise, a friend of Nathaniel's. Really enjoyed knitting it. The yarn is mini mochi.

And then there is the infamous (ok, why do I have underlining??) "the sweater that won't be worn" It was a joy to knit even for someone who doesn't like sweaters. He actually wore it to church and to work. And looked stunning in it!!

On the needles, socks (oy, from September!) , foster child sweater, always squares for the Schuyler Blanket project and I guess that's it for now.

Keep those needles moving!!

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Sometimes it is hard to find any purpose under heaven or anywhere else, for that matter. I think I am always trying to find a purpose to my life. Especially now. I have been through a few careers and now I wonder what is next.

I got a degree in medical technology and I really enjoyed the years I worked in that field. I was lucky to work for many esteemed people in the field and learned more than I thought possible. Then we moved to Ohio and was pregnant. I didn't go back to the lab, but that was ok with me. I had two boys at that time and kept pretty busy. But Jeff and I started selling antiques and juggling boys. I learned to cane chairs and had a nice little side business. I also taught caning (chairs, not people) at the local community college. Then another move back East. Now, what? A little poor health issue interfered for a few years. Ahh, subbing at the middle school. Two sons in that school, so it was convenient if not hmmm, interesting. I got very good at working visual aids. ( I showed movies)

And then another move to the Midwest. Whew. It was the hardest move. Boys in high school. No one wants to associate with a mom with teenage boys!! But the seasons go on. I find options at my church that keep me busy and productive. And I think I am a stay at home mom. But now my youngest is in his third year in college. I guess I am not a sahm, but there is that part of me that always will be.

And so I knit. And knit. And I find this keeps me busy and very productive. And my knitting friends have enlightened and amazed me. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

So, keep stitching!

(Oh, my Christmas cactus decided to be a Halloween cactus this year!!)

He's left on a jet plane

Yes, Alex has left but I do know when he will be back. December 22. He made it to England, and they let him in. This place is already almost too quiet and clean. Well, not really.

I do miss him. I miss the kitchen table used as his closet. Well, not really. I miss the million of shoes in the family room. Well, not really. I miss all the pots and pans used for one meal. Well, not really. I miss all the lights on until three in the morning. Well, not really. I miss his voice. Really, I do.

But thanks to computers, I talk with him all the time already. And if we could figure out what is wrong with the computer camera, I would be able to see him. His roommate is from Sweden and is in England to learn English. And he is rooming with Alex?? Hmmm. I think I do have an idea for a new career. I could teach young Swedes English. Yum

Now on to another new chapter in the lives of the Wolos family. Alex leaving the nest once again. I used to say that I was a SAHM, but I don't think I can say that anymore. My youngest is in his third year of college. I think my sons take care of me more than I take care of them. Maybe I am retired now.

But the knitting goes on. Finished a sweater for me. I am very proud of it and actually wear it a lot. Scarves and hats for the shoe box program at church. It is hard to believe that there are so many children in this town that are so needy. A shawl for my godmother (yes, there are people actually older than me.) And squares for the Schuyler Blanket project. Oh, and I cabled!!!! Used it on some mittens that match my sweater!!

Keep stitching!!

Bollywood meets Fiddler on the Roof

(Jeff and his brother, Greg, father of the bride)

We had a great weekend in Saratoga Springs, New York.  We were there to attend Jeff's niece, Cassandra, and Vicram's wedding.  And what a wedding.  There were actually two weddings.  There was a Hindu one and a Jewish one.  And all in the same day.  What a melding of two different cultures.  It is hard to explain it all.  I had no exposure to Hinduism, so it was all extremely interesting.  So many traditions and beauty.  The usual Hindu wedding takes about 6 hours.  We got the 2 hour version with translations.  Jeff was in charge of Cassandra and got to walk her down the aisle.  This was very special as we have three sons.  Jeff wasn't walking them down any aisle.

This is Vicram riding in on the horse with family and friends dancing around him.  It was a sight to behold.  Riding the horse shows that he now was a responsible adult.  Or that least that is what I think our translator said.
Casey watched from the balcony all the goings on.  She was beautiful in her Hindu outfit.  Her arms, hands and legs were all henna painted in very intricate designs.

Then it was time for the Jewish ceremony.  Casey had changed into her wedding gown.  It was the one her mother had worn.  Stephanie, Casey's mom, crocheted the yarmulkes, made the veil and arranged the flowers.  They were all beautiful.  The Jewish ceremony was lovely and mixed well with the Hindu. Then it was time for the reception that went well into the night.  So much dancing, food and drink!! 

It was all so  much fun.  I only wish we could have stayed longer to spend time with our East coast family.  We also missed Nathaniel being there.  It was the first week at  school plus they had classes on Labor Day.                                                                                      

I knitted all weekend and made time to go to a yarn shop!!! (of course!)   Got some lovely local yarns!  Keep on knitting!!!                                                                                                                            

Take Me out to the ball game, Part Two

What a day Sunday was!!  The whole family loaded into the rental mini-van for our day trip to Chicago.  And THE YANKEES!!!!  The boys have been to MLB but had never seen the Yankees play, so we were all excited.  Jeff had gotten these tickets for my birthday.  He said that since he had to get five tickets, he didn't get very good seats.  Bring the binoculars, he said.  What a silly man.  We sat ten rows up just past third base!!!  I could almost touch Jeter.  I know he could see me! The Yankees hadn't played well in this series, but won Sunday.  Whew.  It is hard to go to the other team's stadium to watch a game, but we really didn't care.  Plus there were lots of Yankee fans all over the stadium.  We were in prime seats for foul balls.  Unfortunately, a little girl did get hit by a hard hit in our section.  And I knitted while waiting for the gates to open and in the stadium.

Then Nathaniel found a restaurant for us to eat at before we trekked home.  A vegan soul food place.  Interesting combination.  The meal was very hearty and very good. All in all, a wonderful day.  Thank you Jeff.  You are very thoughtful.

Now, this is what happens when you rip out your stitches!!!  Kona was healing well until she decided to play vet and take out her own stitches.  Back to the vet again.  Staples this time.  Oh, Kona!!

Knitting still going on.  Finished my open cardigan and ready to make another sweater for myself.  Keep knitting!!!