Wow, June is almost over!

Where has the time gone???

We had a great last week of leave---lots of time in the pool & just enjoying our time alone as a family!

Last week was spent getting back on our schedule, stuff with MOMS & enjoying the 95+degree weather.

Lazy Sunday mornings are my favorite. We have breakfast as a family, read the paper, get some prime snuggles w/Betsy & get laundry done.

It's raining this morning so our walk & outdoor play time has been postponed. Hopefully we get Bets tired enough for a good nap today! She's back to 2 hr naps in the afternoon (YAY!) & oddly enough our dinnertime meltdowns have disappeared.

I've been busy with MOMS & last week was elected President of the club for the '06-'07 year. I LOVE the girls who will be on the executive board with me & it looks to be a good (busy!) year! I've decided that this will be my last year on the board & will maybe do a committe chair next year as Hunter will be deploying sometime after May & I want to be able to go home for a few weeks w/out worrying about leaving my responsibilities on someone else's shoulders.


Christmas gifts are flying off the needles! I've got 7 out of 12 sets of dish cloths/scrubbies done. Right now I'm working on a pair of socks for my Mom w/ some beautiful Trekking XXL yarn I picked up in VA back in Feb. My Mom is so cute! We're talking the other day & she lets me know she saw these socks in the Knitting pattern a day calendar & didn't they look like the ones I made Todd for Christmas last year. So I look at my calendar & sure enough, they're Todd's socks. She then goes on to say that "you know, Moms like brightly striped socks too!" LOL So I dug out my sock stash & found the Trekking & CO the socks on Friday night. Right now I'm finishing my gusset decreases & am about 60% done sock #1.


I also have a pr of socks on the needles for my brother Todd. I was working on them in the waiting area of the Oral Surgery unit the other day while Hunter was supposed to be having his wisdom teeth out (more to follow). 3 people asked me what I was doing, how did I learn to knit, how hard were socks & that knitting with 5 needles looked incredible! I guess if you've never seen sock knitting on double pointed needles that it looks weird! I still need to pick up my Cat Bordhi book on using circulars to knit socks. Maybe my next pair.



So back to the wisdom teeth ----we arrange for Bets to go to Kelli@ at 8 am on Weds so I can be Hunter's "escort" for his surgery. We get to MACH & my husband who has been in combat twice, has had much worse surgery (testicular cancer scare) & has witnessed my C section is nervous. Trust me when I say this ISN'T a good side of him! Well he goes in to be prepped for surgery & tells them that he ate after midnight---on the way in he grabbed a bite of my hashbrown.


Game over, surgery cancelled & we're on our way home. He goes in next month to have it done. Grant me strength!


Well I'm off to fold some whites, play w/ Bets & enjoy our family day together!

Back from VA. . .

We spent D Day at the National D Day Museum in Bedford, VA. It was BEYOND humbling & I was honored to be in the company of these men, these HEROES. I said "thank you" to the ones we came in contact with & was in awe of them. I was also moved to tears when one of the wives of these men actually thanked Hunter for his service (he was wearing his 3ID 3bde OIF shirt).

We had a nice time in VA---we went to a family reunion for his Dad's side of the family at the country home where his grandfather & siblings grew up. Bets had a blast running thru the fields & on the tractor ride. We saw a huge field of rye which made me want to get a catcher's mitt & take a pic. Hunter got the joke but didn't appreciate the humor. LOL.

Saturday night his Mom had her entire family over (except for one of her sisters & her hubby who were on vacation). It was a madhouse! A good time was had by all & it was nice to spend time w/ his cousins from MA. My brother Michael had helped his cousin Leah get a job as an RA before he left UMASS so it was expecially nice to spend time w/ her.

As always I got a great deal at one of the local yarn stores on some felting yarn (Brown Sheep Nature Spun for 1.40$!).

Monday his Mom & I ran errands & went shopping, Tuesday we spent at the D Day Memorial & driving to Smith Mountain Lake where Hunter used to live (& went to the street where part of What About Bob? was filmed), Weds I went to lunch w/ his Mom, Grandmother & Aunt who is visiting from MA. Hunter got lots of Betsy/Daddy time which is always good for the 3 of us! Yesterday we drove home & today we're doing unpacking, laundry, groceries & hopefully the pool in just a little bit.

Remembrance

We remember those who gave all. . . especially Hunter's friends Jason, Jens, Michael just to name only a few.

My friend from college, Rob.

May their families & comrades know peace

Thanks Kish for the pattern!!

One of the gals on my Tote Exchange created this pattern which helped me 1) use up the 2 skeins of Ticker Tape that were going unused in my stash & 2) create a great little bag for Hunter's cousin Megan (19 & going into her sophomore yr of college). This bag is right up her alley!

It's a cute little bag & I think would work well as a bigger messenger style bag as well!

So thanks Kish & here's my bag!

Here's the link to the pattern: http://www.geocities.com/kmhsunshine/tickerpurse.html

Beading bug hits!

I have no clue what put this thought in my head but yesterday I was COMPELLED to go get some beading accessories to make stitch markers. So the wiggly one & I went to AC Moore & scoured the beading aisles. Found some pretty beads & came home & got to work.

Fast forward to today after mallwalk----went to Walmart to get round needlenose pliers & then Hobby Lobby for more beads/ accessories.

The total stands at 2 sets (6 ea) of beaded stitch markers, 6 prs of earrings & I'm going to get more levered backs for earrings tomorrow!

The blue earrings are for the gals who were on the Executive Board w/me this past year.

These are the pink stitch markers I made for MIL for her b-day The blue markers (yes, they are identical to the earrings) I haven't decided what to do with yet. I may keep them for myself or save them for the next knitting exchange I have.

My exchange bag is coming along nicely--I've decided I will make one for myself this fall in cream & brown. Will post pics of that soon!

Tuesday, Tuesday

. . .somehow it just doesn't have the same ring as Monday, monday. . .


Relay for Life was held on Friday night & was incredibly moving in so many ways. Two of the Moms who walked with us (Beth & Sandi) are cancer survivors. Beth took her new son Jacob (5 mos old on Friday) to walk during the Survivors Lap. It was very humbling to see all the people who have survived. The hardest for me was to see the children. So many little ones walking as survivors. While part of me thought "yay for making it" I have to admit I was MAD. WHY would those poor little innocent things be forced to deal with so much in their little lives? WHY? It made me ashamed that I've been complaining about Bets being fussy w/ her 2 yr molars & w/ this whole "terrible 2's" thing. She's healthy damn it. Those kids walking are lucky to be alive & here I am whining that my daughter's being a pill.

As a team we nearly doubled our goal which is awesome. One of my goals for next year as President is to have a kick ass RFL team & to beat this year's $$$ raised. I am proud of our accomplishments this year & know next year we can do even more!

Had a wonderful Mother's Day (thanks to my sweetie!). He did EVERYTHING all day long---got up w/ the Wiggly one, made her breakfast, took her grocery shopping so I could rest, lunch, rest time, took her to the park so I could sit & watch Absolutely Fabulous (one of my all time faves!) on BBC America while I finished the bag for MIL's b-day. Fixed a yummy supper & gave me 3 cards---one from him, one from Bets & one from Libby LOL.

I also have $$$ towards a facial, mani & pedi--woo hoo!

Ran errands & cleaned today. I was in line returning something @ Walmart when this man turned around & smiled at me. I smiled back & he turned back around---did a double take & whipped around to tell me that I look exactly like a girl at his church but she doesn't have a child (I had Bets in the stroller). I chuckled & said "they say we all have a twin somewhere". He then told me that he knew I couldn't be her since she didn't have children. And then goes on to say she's 27 & how old was I? I swear, I almost smooched this guy but I make it a rule to not kiss strange men in Walmart. Especially in GA.


We have MOMS Night Out later this week---sushi--yum! Wine--yum!! We have a new member joining us from LA who will be there so I'm looking forward to meeting her. She was on the executive board w/ her old club as well as Sunshine Mom so she may get tapped by me in the fall to be our Sunshine Mom.

I'm off to see if Bets is still napping & take Libby out to play. . .

Today is Military Spouses Appreciation Day

A friend of mine posted this on another board I'm on. It's nice to be appreciated, isn't it???

Military Spouse Appreciation Day: May 12, 2006
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.

"Off the Cuff" bag

My friend Kris loved my pink & green cuffed bag so much she asked if I'd make one for her! She showed me a scarf her Mom had made her in a gorgeous chocolate brown w/ fun fur & the quest for the perfect yarn began. I wound up using Bernat Lana (AWESOME deal @ Hobby Lobby--3$ a skein!), Paton's Merino & some Yarn Bee (HL's in house brand) fun fur for the cuff.

I CO on Friday only to frog it b/c it was too wide. Saturday morning I CO again & got it done & felted Sunday afternoon. It went thru the washer 2x & today was dry enough to take off the box I was using to shape it & attach the straps.

I have to say that I LOVE the color combination of cream & brown & may wind up w/ something similar myself for fall!

Now I'm finishing a cloth for a friend's baby shower next week (train wash cloth) & will CO for my Tote Exchange later this week!

Back to the grind. . .

Well the weekend's over & I'm thankful---both Hunter & I were sick w/ a cold all weekend & felt ooky. The good part of it is we laid low & I got some good knitting time in.

I finished the first of his socks (about to CO the mate tonight during Big Love, if we're still up), got Kris' bag knitted & felted & got a baby washcloth (turtle pattern) done for Leslie's baby shower in a couple weeks.

This week I need to get my bag CO for my Tote Exchange. The yarn is here, the pattern is printed & I'm ready to go. Got the Sus seal of approval on it last week & am hoping my Exchange buddy likes it!

Here are the pics of the sock & bag (prefelting. It was 17" wide by 37" long)

This year my MOMS club decided to form a team & participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It's an overnight walk to raise money for the ACS. It's also a time to remember those who have fought the battle & won & those who didn't. I'm walking w/ my wonderful MOMS girls & in honor of those I've lost to cancer---My Aunt Barbara who died of ovarian cancer in 1982. My Pepere who died in '83. My darling college roommate Eleanor (see Yahoo 360 blog post of 12 Dec.) & Hunter's grandfather who died in '03 while I was pregnant w/ Betsy.

If anyone is interested in making a donation the link is:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=133432&lis=0&kntae133432=C4D03C9D86C6477D8327EE443A028354&supId=116386403
If you can't make a donation at this time know that prayers & warm wishes are also accepted!