Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Monica!


I saw this in Knitty when the spring issue came out & wanted to make it for the wee one. So 2 skeins of Plymouth Fantasy Naturale in hot pink & 1 in lime green later here we are.



Think the wee one likes it?? It needs to be blocked & was done in the round rather than 4 separate pieces. I HATE seaming things when it can easily be done in 1 piece so a little 3rd grade math later (doubled the stitches ) we were up & running.

I'm back to working on my bag for the Spring Felted Bag Exchange & hope to be felting this weekend. I also need to send out my goodies to Mary for the stitch marker swap tomorrow!!

Friday, May 25, 2007

Because you want to see more pics!


These are my friends Tara, Kelli (standing) & Josie. We've been in the same playgroup for going on 2 yrs & I am so sad that Tara & Josie are moving this summer. Last night we went out to dinner for Josie's birthday. Kudos to her husband for arranging it all! He called us & asked us to meet at their house last night at 5. Josie had no clue we were coming! So it was off to Carrabba's (again!) & we were a party of 7 adults, 4 toddlers & 3 infants! The kids were all very well behaved & a good time was had by all. If you look closely you can see the wiggly one enjoyed her "noodles" (spaghetti w/ meat sauce) so much so that she wiped her hands on her shirt! LOL



And this is the wiggly one today at the pool enjoying a snack. She loves the water & today was our 2nd day swimming this week. Mommy's getting some color on her lily white legs!!





On the knitting front--I am going to CO for the ruffle for the Monica tank for her & I have my Spring Bag Exchange on the needles. Once the Monica is done I'll go back to the bag & work on felting my flowers too.

Hope everyone has a safe & happy holiday weekend!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

ITE IV Questionnaire Redux

Leslie did it so I can too!

Here's my questionnaire:

1. Name and blogger handle: Laurie (LaurieC)

2. Blog URL (if applicable): http://knitwitarmywife.blogspot.com/

3. Do you want a purse that is felted/not felted/surprise me: Surprise me!

4. Color/fiber likes and dislikes: I'm open to anything!

5. Do you tend to be dressy or casual? I'm usually casual (SAHM) but something dressy might be fun for a change!

6. Prefer a pal who lives in the USA or international? Doesn't matter!

7. Miscellaneous info (anything you want to tell your pal): This is my 4th TE & my 2nd as a co-hostess! I enjoy knitting, beading, some stamping, cooking & baking. I'm an Army wife & a SAHM (stay at home Mom) to a wonderful 3 yr old little girl. I love history (both US & foreign) & love to read when it doesn't get in the way of my knitting *wink*. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!! **Please no sweets for goodies as I'm dieting! Thanks!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Sunny Sunday in the South

I am a sucker for alliteration! The wee one's first name was almost Courtney because 1) I think it's a pretty name but 2) because our last name starts w/ a C & it would have been alliterative. I tell you guys I'm a geek but no one believes me!


These are the other wives I went to dinner with on Friday. It was Spouse's Night Out & free child care was available at the child care ctr on post so of course I signed the wee one up. I made plans to meet up w/ my friend Kim (blonde on the far right) & we'd carpool to the restaurant. I get to the CCC & discover that not only does Kim not have a reservation but neither do I. And about 20 something other women! People, we don't upset Mommies who are all gussied up to go out on a Friday night. Common sense right? Somehow our names never made it onto the list. Fortunately Kim's regular sitter was able to watch the wee ones so we drove to Kim's house & dropped them off w/ her sitter (who is a sweet girl and could be making some $$$ off me in the future!)
We had dinner at Carrabba's---yum! I am not a big fan of Italian chain restaurants after living in Boston & having access to some of the best Italian food this side of the Atlantic but I have to say that I LOVE Carrabbas food! They have a great menu & a nice wine list. I had a glass of the Sartori Pinot Grigio & the Pollo Rosa Maria.
I've been working on my bag for the Spring Felted Bag Exchange. My partner is very sweet & I dont think she's figured out who I am yet. I want to get her bag out to her before my trip next month so I'm feeling pressure to get it done NOW. I worked on it for a couple hrs last night while watching Night At The Museum. Cute movie!! I love Robin Williams & he was fabulous as Teddy Roosevelt.
Tomorrow I need to get her goody package out. It's going to cost a fortune as I've acquired a lot of pressies for her. I need to invest in some of those flat rate boxes!
My upstream partner (the one who has you is the upstream right??!) is a lovely lady! She sends the sweetest emails, sent me a great goody package a couple wks ago & informed me today that she's sending another one! A girl could get used to this!

So far today I've taken out the trash & gone to Wamart to pick up some groceries & more printer ink. We have a basic Lexmark printer that we got with wedding gift $$. I think we paid maybe 100$ for it & it's a printer, scanner, copier. In the 4 1/2 yrs we've had it Im willing to bet we've put over 1000$ into ink cartridges. I am certain that it's a conspiracy. Cheap printer that will last you but you will spend more than the price of a Ford Focus in ink during it's lifetime!
I never used to shop at Walmart for groceries. I either used to go to Publix or the commissary. The comm. is much cheaper but is 15 mi from where we live. Publix is 2 mi down the road but more $$. Then in January we got a SuperWalmart. Talk about one stop shopping! Rumor has it we're getting a SuperTarget as well & that it's going to be about a mile away from me. Danger Will Robinson!!
Today I'm going to work on this
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTmonica.html for the wee one. I'm using Plymouth Fantasy naturale (went a little nuts on www.yarnware.com a couple months ago with some of their sale colors!) in hot pink for the body & either lime or baby pink for the ruffle. I haven't decided yet! I also need to make one for my friend Tara's little girl (5 mos. old tomorrow) I think it'll be adorable on her too!
Since Survivor ended last week my Thursday nights are free. Last week I went to the Chaplain's support group on post. Its called "KIT" Keeping it Together (when the Army is tearing you apart). Our Chaplain's a nice guy & very down to earth. He's also been over there & knows what the guys are dealing with as well as what his wife dealt with. I swear, I'm becoming the joiner I never said I would. So far this deployment I am a key caller (someone who calls a group of wives when there's news to get out, both good & bad), the organizer for our Meals on Wheels program, I host a Yahoo group for the wives in our company & now I'm doing this support group. JOINER!!!! Some days I scare myself!
I'm off to get the lunch dishes done & then get the wee one ready for her nap. Hope everyone's enjoying their afternoon!!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!


The one who made me a Mommy! I couldn't love her more!

Whether you're a Mommy to a 2 legged or 4 legged kid, or a Mommy-to-be, I wish you a wonderful Mother's Day!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

I've been tagged!

Mary tagged me on her blog so here goes. . .

Here's how it goes. . .each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others & list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you tag a note in their comments letting them know they have been tagged & to read your blog. So here it goes! Here's my lucky 7:

Jane, Deb, Cathy, Lacy, Nicola, Anne & Kristyn. You are next 7 contestants on the Blog is right! LOL

And now, the dirt:

1) I have to get in & out of bed on the same side. It doesn't matter if I sleep on Hunter's side of the bed --I HAVE to move back to my side & get out.

2) When doing laundry I have to let the washer fill all the way before putting clothes in.

3) I hate fresh tomatoes but will eat tomatoes in salsa, sauce, soup, juice.

4) I have a HORRIBLE potty mouth when I drive---left over from my days as a Boston driver. I mean, Bas-ton dri-vah.

5) I believe the Curse of the Bambino was real & was thrilled when the Red Sox won in '04. It made me happy that my Dad who was then 73 got to see them win a World Series in his lifetime.

6) I hate Barney the Dinosaur, Winnie the Pooh & will not let the wee one watch them.

7) I'm very shy & reserved by nature & am very quiet when I first meet people. That being said I love to speak in front of a group of people!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Military Spouses Appreciation Day

Military Spouse Appreciation Day: May 11 2007

by Arlene H. Hull LIFELines

"If the military had wanted you to have a spouse, they would have issued you one." Remember those words? Well, that was then and this is now. America's military has realized and acknowledged the significance of the military spouse.

In 1984 President Reagan proclaimed the Friday before Mother's Day of each year to be Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It is your day to stand up and be honored.

For the times you've stood and watched a ship sail from the harbor, an aircraft disappear into the clouds, or a truck convoy pull out of sight, not sure when they would return, we thank you. For the countless household moves you've made from a place you know to one that's strange and different -- often by yourself -- we thank you.

For the families you've held together, for the anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays you've celebrated alone, we thank you. For the hand you've extended to another military spouse when the need was there, truly creating a military family, we thank you.

For the spirit and strength you've shown when your service member has gone into harm's way, we thank you. For the pride you've displayed while serving as an ambassador of the military spouse to the rest of the world, we thank you.

Far too frequently, the sacrifices and dedication of the military spouse have gone unnoticed and unappreciated. In our nation's recent history, thousands of service members have been placed in harm's way as they stood watch as freedom's guardian.

You too have stood watch at home, facing challenges alone. You have waved flags and held banners high to express your support. You have kept the candles burning on the home front as a reminder of our deployed military. You have made difficult sacrifices of your own, and have called upon your inner reserves to nurture family life so your service member can focus on the business at hand.

Even in times of relaxed alert status for our military, you have stood ready and alert for the slightest of signs, perhaps overlooked or ignored by your civilian counterparts, signaling a potential change in the status of our military forces. As a military spouse, you have willingly packed up and relocated countless times, and may have been separated from your own parents and siblings for several years at a time.

Quite often, you have been placed in an unfamiliar ethnic or cultural setting, or a remote location. You have met this challenge with confidence and pride, making your nation proud of you. By the same token, you have extended your hand and hospitality to visitors to our country.

A country cannot count itself strong by its armed services alone, but must also depend on its civilians. With military wives and husbands setting a superior example through devotion, courage, and commitment, we are a nation of strength. Military spouses ... stand tall, stand proud ... we salute you, you are truly our unsung heroes.


And then THIS was in my inbox this am

....When someone asks when your husband will be home, you say July or August instead of 5 or 6pm

....You live on your own and by yourself more after you're married than before you were married

. ...Most of the married women you know or meet are under 21 and if they are over they have kids, sometimes even under 21

. ...You know all of your husband's coworkers by their last name, and rarely know their first name.

...When you say "I'm going to the commissary" instead of "grocery store".

...When you need I.D to buy groceries

...You are called "Ma'am" at the age of 18 by every MP or SF that comes into contact with you.

...When you forget you have a driver's license and take your military ID everywhere with you.

...When you hear of another death or injury of a US Military and weep inside for that wife or mother that loved that Marine, Soldier, Airmen, or Seamen.

...You read everything you can get your hands on to learn more about your husband's job.

...When you've never given a haircut in your life but you've perfected the medium fade, 6-8, skin.

...You ask someone "what's your MOS?" instead of "what's your job?!"

...When half of your wardrobe has some kind of Military insignia on it and once belonged to your husband.

...When the sounds of helicopters, and Jets flying over your house shaking your windows, surprisingly soothes you!

...When you classify people by what phase, class, or rollback they are. ...your husband's work and dress clothes cost more than yours do.

...You only write in pencil because EVERYTHING is subject to change. ...You know that a 2 month separation IS short, no matter what your civilian friends say.

...You know better than to go to the NEX or commissary between 11:30 and 1:30 unless it's a life or death emergency. .

..You show your military ID to the greeter at Wal-Mart. ...You know that any reference to "sand box" describes a deployment to Iraq/Kuwait, not your kid's backyard toys.

...You have enough camouflage in your house to wallpaper the White House.

...You don't have to think about what time 21:30 is. .

..You can't remember the last time you saw a doctor who wasn't wearing BDUs.

...You pick apart uniforms on TV and in the movies for being inaccurate with your husband. .

..You are asked to stop talking in acronyms and translate it all to English

...You have multiple copies of P.O.A.'s for whenever!

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I have been waiting for this book


to come out for months & today I found it at Barnes & Noble. The best part? It was released in paperback!!! YAY!
I got to read it while waiting at the mechanic's for them to check out my brakes. I was in 2 weeks ago & got new front brakes & 2 new tires. A week later my brakes were squeaking. Today it was driving me batty so I went in & politely told the guy at the desk that 2 week old brakes shouldn't squeak & about 30 min later I was out of there w/ non-squeaky brakes. They needed, get this, "de-glazing". Do you think they used white wine or chicken broth??

Sunday, May 06, 2007

I couldn't resist


God, forgive me. I know this is SO snarky but you have to admit, the resemblance IS uncanny! I'm not a big Jack Black fan (although I did like Shallow Hal) & Rosie. . .well. Rosie & I go back about 20 yrs. I saw her at a comedy club in the Raleigh, NC (Charlie Goodnight's). She was starting out, was snarky but not mean & was funny. My brother was working at NC State at the time & I was visiting on Spring Break from UVM. He, my then-SIL & I went to see Rosie. We were in the front row & she talked to us several times during her show. Brought up the Limited (then my favorite clothing store) & talked to me about my outfit. Discussed Catholic grade school with Michael & I. Then she went to VH-1 as a vj & the rest is history. Then she got pissy w/ Tom Selleck on her show in the late '90's & I lost all respect for her. I dont care what her sexual orientation is as it doesn't have any bearing on my life. What she (or anyone for that m atter) does in their bedroom is THEIR business. If they involve children then I'm gonna get up in arms but I digress.

I think Rosie's taken a dip in the deep end of the nutty cuckoo pool & has failed to come up for air. I really don't like the woman & this pic of her & Jack Black just made me chuckle!
Did I mention I got a ticket?

The last few days in a nutshell

*Thurs: The wee one was well enough to go to school. I went grocery shopping for supplies for chicken enchiladas & mexican rice for another Army wife who is being induced on Mon. She's on bedrest & cannot stand up for even short periods of time so 4 of us brought her meals this weekend. I pick up the wee one at school & drive out to post to deliver the meal (which included paper plates, napkins & plastic silverware so she wont have to wash anything). On the way home I get a ticket for going 55 in a 4o mph zone. Never mind the car next to me was going the same speed. Grrr. Have to call monday to find out what my fine is.

*Fri: Go to playgroup w/ the wee one at Burger King. Since I'm trying to cut junk food out of my diet I order a grilled chicken salad w/ caesar dressing. An hour later I dont feel "right". 3 hours later I'm in the bathroom. I have food poisoning! UGH! Sleep poorly Friday night despite getting bed at 730.

*Sat: Wake up feeling better but the idea of a diet coke just isn't sitting right so it's water, pretzels & a grilled cheese for my daily diet. The wee one & I take Libby to play ball in the morning & go swimming around noontime. The pool is coooold but refreshing. After an hour we come home for lunch. Naps all around & another round of ball for Libby in the afternoon. Lazy evening where I attempt to figure out what pattern I'm using for the Spring Felted Bag Exchange. It's narrowed down to the Sophie (but larger) or the Taiga bag from Berocco. Im going to attach felted flowers to whichever bag to jazz it up.

*Sun: Did I mention I got a speeding ticket??? I have never gotten one before! I've "talked" my way out of the last 2 times I've been pulled over. Man, that Karma's a you-know-what-starts-with-a-B! I was coming home from a charitable act! I was driving home to feed my child! I wasn't doing my usual Boston driver routine! (I lived in Boston for 7 yrs & yes, some days I still exhibit my boston driver skills) How unfair is that?!! One of my friends suggested I not pay the fine & go to court & fight it. For some reason going to traffic court might get ugly when I tell the judge that the policeman rolled his eyes at me when I told him I was going home to get lunch for the wee one. Granted, it might make a good sit com but I'm just going to pay the fine.

A TICKET! No, I haven't told Hunter. No, I didn't mention it to my parents! Or my ILS! Can this just be our little secret???

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Contest Question

How did you get interested in felting? Did you learn it from someone, see a bag you liked? Just want to try something new? If you have a picture of your first project, please include it!


I first became interested in felting about 2 yrs ago. My husband's step aunt knits, felts & sells her bags & she got my mother in law interested & she, in turn, got me hooked. My first bag was the red & black bag from Bags, A Knitter's Dozen. Sadly my fragile ego wouldn't let the pictures survive! I paid NO attention whatsoever to the felting instructions & it got REALLY small! I did manage to get it stitched up & attached a handle. I do get compliments when I use it but it could have been so much better had I taken the time to really learn more about felting prior to making the bag! I tell myself that one of these days I will remake the bag the way it was meant to be made!!


Wednesday, May 02, 2007

The best laid plans. . .

so often go awry! My plans for today were to drop the wee one off at school, bring Libby to the groomer, get a pedicure, pick up some goodies @ Hobby Lobby for my Spring Felted Bag Exchange partner & then get the wee one at 1.

All that went out the window at 815 this morning when the wee one started to throw up. Blech. So 2 hrs later, here we are on the love seat w/ her next to me, her feet tucked under my tucked under legs watching Blues Clues. And of course, it's a beautiful morning out but I dont dare take her for a walk or to go swimming as they're too much for her right now.

I suppose it's a good a time as any to make a commitment as to which bag I'll make for SFBE & start knitting. I'm also doing the Yahoo Monthly Dishcloth group's 2nd quarter swap & need to get going on my dishcloth for my partner. Her kitchen colors are green, red, black & cream but her fave color is blue so I'm debating what color to use.

This episode of Blue's Clues has Steve and not Joe. I'm not a big Steve fan. I dont know if it's his attempt to hide his receding hairline or his resemblance to Pee Wee Herman (I actually like Pee Wee & have his Playhouse show on video courtesy of a gift from my best friend from hs). And did you know that Joe is a relative of Gen. George Patton? It's true!

I also need to start prepping for my MOMS meeting on Monday. It's my next-to-last meeting as chapter President! Next month we have our General Elections & then in July the new Exec. Board will take over. PHEW!

Hunter is scheduled to take R & R in Sept so I'm scouting condo/house rentals in Destin FL & Tybee Island, GA. We want to go to the beach w/ the wee one & Libby while the weather is still good. When he gets home (sometime in '08) he & I will be taking the honeymoon we didn't have & going to Europe. Germany & France to be specific. We're going to Paris & LaRochelle (where my Dad's family came from in the 1600's) & then either renting a car or taking the train to Germany. Hunter spent a total of 7 yrs there & is itching to go back. I'm hoping I can get a day trip in to Poland & go to the Polish Pottery factories! Im trying to find a platter in my pattern & hopefully could find it there!

Well, off to get the towels in the dryer & then go thru my cotton yarn to find something for my dishcloth! Hope everyone's having a good weds!!