On Being Thankful-Part Two

Oh yes...I had grand plans of posting every day for a week! Once again, life has been kicking me in the butt. I've made a huge to-do list and have been trying hard to stay on track. Ha! Fat chance of that happening!

So what else am I thankful for?? My ipod is my best friend while the boys are at school. I have discovered many podcasts that I enjoy listening too. If I ever get my rear in gear, I will link them in the sidebar. I do have music on my ipod, but rarely listen to it during the day. I think it's the sound of talking that keeps me company while knitting, sewing or keeping house.

Back in this post I professed my love for the annual peppermint mocha from Starbucks. Well it's that time of year and I am truly thankful to have these delightful drinks in my life. Hand me one grande, non fat, no whip and I am happy, happy happy.

I'm thankful that there are still school events that keep our children young. The boys have been busy with hockey, orchestra and most recently tonight's fourth grade concert. So cute and whimsical. Just what little kids should be!

While travelling around the blogosphere this week, I've read a lot of fear, nervousness and the unpredictability that the economic events are causing. So many people are living in a state of limbo, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I feel like I'm stuck in a glass and am unable to get out. I'm thankful to read that I'm not the only one feeling this way...escaping to my friends in the blogworld have been a wonderful distraction that I'm thankful to have.

On Being Thankful

Today has been a tough day. Emotions were frayed due to mean children in school, homework difficulties and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays. I've been reflecting on things that I'm thankful for in my life. Of course there is the obvious: the gift of family and friends, a roof over our head and food on the table are all things that we give thanks for each and everyday. But over the next few days I want to share some of the things that I welcome into my life each and everyday. Some may be very materialistic and vain...but, man, if I didn't have them in my life, well, I guess I could live without them, but they just make my life a bit easier and gentler.

After today's episodes I thought I would start with Bare Minerals. I thank my SIL, Julie for introducing this stuff to me back in May. I guess I'm not watching enough late night commercials to see that this stuff has been around for awhile. As I enter the back side of my forties, I'm amazed to see how those little "life lines" are quickly multiplying. I'm not a big make-up person but this powder is just enough to cover the red blotches that seem to appear out of nowhere, dry up the oily skin and at least lessen the lines a bit. Love it and will continue to use until I'm unable.

So I start with a vain thank you. Probably not the best, but at least I didn't start with my favorite brand of vodka...because I so need a tall glass of something after this evening's activities!

Shhhh...don't tell!

I've started my Christmas knitting so pictures of my finished projects won't be seen until after the holiday. I've decided that my little sister will not be getting the cashmere cabled hat because she made fun of MY Christmas wishlist ( maybe I will feel differently about this tomorrow). Seeing that she lives in NYC I requested ANYTHING from Purl. "oh, Jane" I heard from the other end of the phone. I could picture her rolling her eyes and trying to plan when she could go so no one would see her entering a yarn store...So uncool in her eyes! Little does she know how cool it is...but I won't tell her. So she told me to send a few ideas along so she would know what to ask for and ultimately cut down on the time she is in said yarn shop. I have a few ideas...but my number one idea is some Koigu. It's not sold around here and the colors are luscious. Maybe some Habu...oh, the choices are endless. I'm curious, what would you wish for!

Ingenue!

Oh, how I LOVE this sweater! It was quick and easy to knit. I would highly recommend it for a beginner knitter. I enjoyed knitting with the Cascade Eco-wool. (Plus it's pretty inexpensive!) My only worry is that the sweater will pill quickly.

I started a Hemlock Ring Blanket in the same yarn, but if you listen carefully today, you will hear the sound of ripping so I can start another Ingenue or a modified version of said pattern. I forgot how much I enjoyed knitting top-down raglans and this pattern is a great starting point in creating something of my own.

Specs:

Ingenue

From the book "Custom Knits"

by Wendy Bernard

Cascade Eco-wool 1.25 skeins used

brown

Size XS-which gave me a nice snug fit

Needles: size 8

On another note...does anyone have a really good recipe for oatmeal? You know the kind...goopy and thick...the stick to your stomach kind. Thanks for your help!

We Are There!

I guess we need to work on the spelling .

It's been long and emotional. I've said some things that I never thought would be uttered across my lips. I disengaged from the facts and became disgusted by the hatred for supporting another candidate. I became cynical about everything.

I'm searching for the idealist that I once was in my twenties. I'm not sure where she has gone. She was there, as she traveled through nasty, nasty streets to help educate the poor. A young woman out to save the world and change young lives. A young woman that has so many stories of children, in our own country, that need desperate help. I need to find her again and help her to raise her own young sons to know how important it is to help others. To let them know that no matter how beaten down and useless that it may seem at times, that somewhere they will touch the life of at least one person and for that, our world will be a better place.