Sunday Best

Big Apple looked too cute today not to document it. She's wearing an adorable outfit (courtesy of Melessa).

It was the Primary program today at church. This is always one of the best meetings of the year. This ward has some really good singers. Nothing too comical happened (that always a possiblity with so many 3-12 yr. olds) but it was still a good program.

I made the most awesome soup last night and I can't wait to have some. So, I better wrap this up.

I had 2 kids try on the Hufflepuff sweater. I need to add length to the sleeves and the bottom, but overall...it's going to be okay.

I made an ugg bootie yesterday but it was way too big. I'll have to move down needle sizes and see if that works. But, they are back on hold until I finish these sweaters.

Soup for me!

Sunday Best

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/sunday-best.html

Long Awaited Pics

I've finally got around to uploading these pictures of my knitting and the secret pal gift I received this week (THANK YOU!).

This is FO #25. Well, the ends are still poking out all over but I don't want to do that until I have a 10 yr. old try it on to make sure the length is okay. I also need to get the patch to sew onto it. This Hufflepuff Quidditch sweater is a top down raglan with an extra stripe around the neck (an accident I wasn't willing to fix at the time...but I like how it turned out).

This is what I have so far on the Ravenclaw sweater. It was kind of lame of me to take the picture of a blue sweater on a blue couch. Oh well. I'll do better when it is actually finished. I'm sick of 2X1 ribbing but I must admit, I like working with the blue wool-ease much better than the black! You also get a glimpse of the Frog's shoulder in this pic.

I couldn't keep him away from all of the picture taking action. Here he is. Doesn't he look ready to win the Heisman Trophy?

Secret Pal...I thank you very much! I got some more cotton to fill the discloth making urges I've had lately, a soup mix just in time for the cool weather, an ornament kit (which I'll probably use to make stitch markers), a black drawstring bag, a candle, hot chocolate and candy (which is now gone). Oh yeah, some Bertie Bott's Beans. I wonder how she knew I was into Harry Potter? ha ha.

Long Awaited Pics

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/long-awaited-pics.html

Ugg!

Over 15 years ago, my parents went to Australia. My mom came back with some Ugg boots. I don't think they're the most attractive footwear in the world, even if worn by Cameron Diaz. My mom was so ahead of her time! So, I'm thinking this is a must-knit for my Big Apple. What do you think?

These are some that Wendy, from Wendyknits (link on sidebar) made as a gift. The pattern is here. If there is enough yarn left, I'd also love to make matching ones for Big Apple's church pals. There are three girls all born within 2 days of each other (M:3/12, W:3/14, Big Apple:3/14). We also all happened to buy the same skirts for them, too (corduroy from Children's Place---different colors, though). Maybe I'll just have to order enough yarn to do that anyway. If M and W's moms are reading...would you let them wear these?

Ugg!

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/ugg.html

30 Minute Meals

I'm sorry I haven't been posting regularly. I've been too busy watching 30 Minute Meals and planning trips to the grocery store to buy balls of fresh mozzarella and pesto sauce. Can you blame me?

I just wanted to quickly post that I finished the Hufflepuff sweater but haven't taken a pic yet. I'm holding off until I have a 10 yr. old try it on. I have a sneaking suspicion that it is too short.

I also received a package from my secret pal! I took a picture of it (before I ate all the candy) and will post it along with my proper thanks probably tonight or tomorrow. That is, unless I decide to watch all those episodes of Good Eats.

30 Minute Meals

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/30-minute-meals.html

Phone Conversations

Frog has been talking on the phone a lot lately. He will dial as many numbers as he can and then talk. Now one of his favorite phrases is, "We're sorry. Please, *check the number and* try your call again. He leaves out the check the number part. But, the rest he has down really well.

I would write more but we now have satellite tv and I can't get enough of it at the moment. I'm a sucker for My Fair Brady, Breaking Bonaduce, and anything on Food TV. Oh my.

Phone Conversations

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/phone-conversations.html

Christy Needs

If you google your first name followed by "needs", what do you find? Here are some of the things I came up with.

1. Christy needs her own series.
2. Christy needs to use the shower.
3. Christy needs to prove her innocence.
4. Christy needs to breed, breed, breed, breed.
5. Christy needs a jumpstart.
6. Christy needs to write a letter.
7. Christy needs to work on her aim.
8. Christy needs a jacket.
9. Chrisy needs a restroom.
10. Christy needs to take her opinions elsewhere.

Christy Needs

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/christy-needs.html

Happy Campers

Sugar Daddy and Frog decided to sleep in the backyard last night. What great sports! It was their very first father/son "campout" so I had to document it. They seemed to have a good time. They slept out there all night. SD complained a little bit of it being too cold. Big Apple and I spent a lovely evening sleeping in the house.

We had a good time on our date last night. We went out to eat and then we went shopping at Toys R Us for Christmas. We bought the Frog a drum set. It's got real drums but it's only 3 pieces so I shouldn't be too overwhelmed with the noise. It's going to be a basement toy for sure. We also went to go and look at mattresses. No luck finding a Jameson in the store where we looked.

I'm still trying to finish that darn Hufflepuff sweater. I'm wondering how long to make it. I think I may place a lifeline in it, bind off and then take it to church tomorrow where I can have a 10 yr. old try it on. We'll see.

Happy Campers

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/happy-campers.html

Home Alone!

Holy cow, I'm home alone. I have an awesome visiting teacher (for the non-LDS: all the women in our church have a couple of other women that we visit each month and keep an eye on). She called this afternoon to inform me that she was going to pick up my kids so I could have some free time this afternoon and I could pick them up tonight after my husband and I go out on a date. WAHOO! I kind of don't know what to do. I know that there are a million things I should be doing right now. But, if you were given an afternoon of leisure would you spend it doing laundry and cleaning up the house? Yeah, I didn't think so. I'm about to get into the shower. I was hesitating because we have our new satellite dish and I can finally watch Dr. Phil. Then I remembered that I can just use the DVR or I can just rewind the parts I miss while I'm in the shower! How the heck did I live without this my whole life?

Home Alone!

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/home-alone.html

PFA Update

I realized that I haven't done a PFA update since before our Long Beach trip. I was really curious to weigh myself when we got back from California. We ate out every meal and my only exercising was walking EVERYWHERE and keeping 2 kids entertained in a hotel room. I had only gained a pound. Since that week with a gain, I have dropped 3 lbs more. Since I've started PFA, I'm only averaging about a pound a week. But, I noticed that since January when I had a physical to be able to update our homestudy to get the Big Apple, I've lost 27 lbs. I can't get too happy about that because I've got SO MUCH MORE to lose. Good news? I'm headed in the right direction.

I dug out my old Weight Watchers stuff. The program has changed since then but not too much. I've got the basics. I can count points. I think that's what I'm going to do now.

Frog is asking me for a diaper. That can mean only one thing. Poop is about to arrive. Yep, he still won't go poo poo in the potty. But, at least he asks me for a diaper when he knows he has to go. Otherwise it's me cleaning up major messes. He goes pee pee in the potty like a pro now. I really better go now. I'm not in the mood to clean up a mess (am I ever?).

PFA Update

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/pfa-update.html

Big Apple Babbles

The Big Apple is babbling like crazy this morning. I love it. She's in her crib just playing with some toys and chatting away (baa baa ahh ahh gaa gaa gaa) while I'm having some computer time. She's such a sweetie.

I should mention the Frog, too. He woke up in the middle of the night and wouldn't stop saying "Where has the tubby toast gone?" over and over. I wonder if he had a dream about that. I sat in his room with him until he fell back asleep. But, I'm sure he said that phrase at least 30 times before he started to doze again. So cute!

I couldn't go back to sleep after being up with the kids so I knit on the Hufflepuff sweater from 1:30am-3:30am. I have about 4 more inches to go on the body and then I need to do the sleeves and neck. I REALLY REALLY need to have this one done by this weekend so I can get the other one started and finished by Halloween (at the latest). I should probably buy those patches now, too.

Well, BA's babbling has turned into all out cries for affection. Who am I to deny her some cuddling and probably a much needed diaper change?

Big Apple Babbles

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/big-apple-babbles.html

Free Stuff

I just spent most of the morning filling out sweepstakes forms. Does anyone else do this? A couple of years ago I read a book called, "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" and ever since then I've been entering. I don't go crazy about it. I also don't do it all of the time. I go in spurts. At any rate, I had one of those spurts today. I hope I win something!

In knitting news: I've finished the Tinky Winky hat but you'll have to wait for a picture until Halloween. That makes FO #24 for this year.

I'm seriously considering joining The Knitter's Guild of America and doing the master knitter courses. I'm looking at it from a "scholarly" point of view...like I'm taking a couple hours at the local university or something. But, is there some other benefit to becoming a Master Knitter? Why do most people do it? Just curious. I'm sure that one day I'd love to teach some knitting classes. Will this give me some credibility?

Free Stuff

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/free-stuff.html

Ambidiaporous and other musings

I'm not ambidiaporous. Yep, I'm pretty sure I made up that word. I can only change diapers if the kids are facing a certain way (head to my left, legs to my right). I wish I were ambidiaporous. Which makes me wonder, is anyone? Are there people that can change diapers no matter which way their child is facing?

I'm ready for a shorter haircut (think: Ellen Degeneres). Am I dooming myself if I can't put it into a ponytail? Will it just make me look fatter? What do y'all think?

We have an appointment for satellite installation. I should have dish tv starting Saturday. Food Network and HGTV, here I come! We haven't had those channels for about 18 months now and I really miss them.

I haven't cried since last Friday. I've been reading a lot of Dr. Dobson, Dr. Phil, and The Book of Mormon (not necessarily in that order, mind you). All are helping me out a great deal. The Frog is still a little nuts but I now know that our parenting styles and his personal style don't mix AT ALL! Some changes have to be made (and are being made).

Ambidiaporous and other musings

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/ambidiaporous-and-other-musings.html

Tubby Hats

Here are some pics of us wearing 3 out of the 4 Teletubby hats. edited to add: These are FOs #20, 21, and 22. FO #23 is the HP scarf that I've already made 2 of. No pics of that one. I still haven't started Tinky Winky (for daddy). This is Big Apple playing the role of "Po".

Frog is going to be "La La". I still have to add some more bulk to the stalk on that hat. The little curlicue isn't standing up as straight as it should.

I get to be "Dipsy". We were chosen for our costumes based on what color of clothes we have. Big Apple and I are the only ones in the house with lime green clothes. Hers don't fit her too well anymore so I was the only one left to be Dipsy. Sugar Daddy has a purple shirt. Tinky Winky it is! Frog has yellow clothes and I just bought BA a nice red long sleeve shirt. We're all set for Halloween!

Tubby Hats

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/tubby-hats.html

What the Heck?

You can find my Harry Potter progress here.

So, here are my latest little projects. They are going to be our Halloween costumes. Any guesses what we're going to be?

When I woke up this morning, I could feel the funk I was in was gone. I feel so much better. But, I'm still going to the library today to get a plan of action. I read a book this morning that described Frog's personality and said that a certain parenting strategy (one that I feel is our main one) is like oil and water with the Frog. Time to reorganize, rally the troops, and get this nipped in the bud!

What the Heck?

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/what-heck.html

Mental Health

I cried almost the whole day. I cried most of yesterday, too. In fact, I've cried at least a little bit every day for the past 2 weeks. I'm about ready to go and get some drugs. I wasn't going to blog about this because it is kind of embarrassing to me. I'm scared to be alone with my kids. The Frog scares me the most and I feel that I'm a bad mother because I can't control him. Before he would just lash out at me. Now he's lashing out at his baby sister. This is NOT ACCEPTABLE! Unfortunately, I'm at a loss as to what to do. We've tried a lot of different tactics. We remove him from the situation immediately. We try to tell him what he has done is bad. Time outs. ha ha. Spanking? I've done it but it makes me even more sad because I feel I can't control my temper. How is it that I have no problem controlling a classroom full of hormonal teenagers but I'm at a loss as to what to do with my own 2 little kids? He's not like this constantly, of course. But when he has his moments....they certainly are memorable. I'm taking some mommy time tomorrow and going to the library to do some research. Some people have told me that he'll grow out of it. I just don't know about that. Any good book suggestions?

I wasn't going to dwell so much on what happened today. I really want to tell you all what happened tonight that made me smile and be happy for the first time in a couple of days. I had an eye exam. Yep, that's all it took to make me happy. Was it because I was by myself? Maybe. After the eye exam, a nice girl helped me pick out some frames. We had a nice chat. I remember that I like speaking to grown ups. She said she had fun helping me. I told her she had no idea what a pleasure this was for me. It truly was. I didn't even care about spending the money (I usually don't but I knew that SD was waiting for me with the kids in the play area of the mall and I didn't want him to go crazy). The glasses would be ready in 45 minutes.

I went to meet the kids at the play area and then we went to Lane Bryant. I bought some jeans. I realized that I only have one pair of long pants (that aren't sweats). I had a $10 off coupon so I used it! We got the Frog a balloon from customer service. That is the best thing about this mall. They even have them tied with little weights so they don't fly away. Things are looking up for me.

We went back to get my glasses. They weren't ready yet. No problemo. We wait. They come out. I put them on. The prescription was WAY off! Apparently, they gave me another lady's prescription (whose name happens to be the same as mine). Oh no. I was looking forward to showing off my super cute frames. I should mention that the only reason I got new glasses was because the Frog has destroyed my other ones by knocking them off my face too many times. This time I got some that were a little more flexible (although the super flexy ones were a little too weird feeling). Well, back to my dilemma. The manager apologized for the problem and fixed it right away. I could have my new glasses in 10 minutes (my lenses were less complicated than that other Christy) and she asked if I wanted to be upgraded to the scotch guard lenses. YOU BETCHA!!! Oh yeah, and my insurance plan is much better than the other Christy's so I'm going to be credited an extra $50. Is that okay? OF COURSE!!! I'm starting to feel sorry for the Christy Nelson in Grand Island. She's blind and doesn't have that good of vision plan.

So, at the end of the day...I'm feeling pretty good. Even if I do have to model my new glasses with super-puffy eyes.

Mental Health

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/mental-health.html

Harry Potter Knitting

Almost all of my knitting lately has something to do with Harry Potter. First, for Mary, let me show the progress of the HP scarf. I'm just over halfway done. I'm sad to say that it has been like this for a couple of weeks and I haven't touched it. But, with it being October now, I better get with the program. Her little boy can't be a proper Harry Potter for Halloween without it!

I've also started a Hufflepuff Quidditch sweater for my brother, Sam. He's almost 10. I had a cute conversation with him. They don't know about the sweaters.

Me: Which is your favorite Hogwarts house?

Sam: Hufflepuff.

Me: Why? I thought you like Draco Malfoy.

Sam: I do, but Hufflepuff has the best Quidditch team.

Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

Sam: Hey...I thought we were talking about Harry Potter!

I'm making a Ravenclaw sweater for my brother, Joe. He's almost 9. Here's our conversation.

Me: Which is your favorite Hogwarts house?

Joe: Ravenclaw.

Me: Why? I thought you liked Gryffindor because of Ron.

Joe: Well...I like birds and blue better. {Ravenclaw's colors are blue/silver or blue/bronze in the book}

Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

Joe: Not anymore. I'm getting too old for that.

This is the Hufflepuff sweater. I'm kind of using my own pattern. It's a 2X1 ribbed top down raglan. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-Ease. I'm going to get some house patches off eBay and sew them on the sweaters as well.

Because of all of the other knitting, I'm putting my Picovoli on hold. I needed the needles for the quidditch sweaters and they are top priority at the moment. Here's a pic of what I've done so far. I'm using Cascade Sierra in lime green and also a purple/yellow/green mixed in some random stripes and for the picot edges. I didn't have enough lime green on hand to make it a solid color. Oh well, necessity is the mother of invention. I'm kind of liking the stripes. I guess I won't be knitting on this again for a while. Maybe I'll pick it back up late winter in anticipation for nicer weather.

Also, because I'm sure you're dying to know...I only got to 44th place on Dice Slider today. Aargh!

Harry Potter Knitting

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/harry-potter-knitting.html

My Apologies

I didn't give Sugar Daddy enough credit for his computer skills. It really did only take him a day. Granted, he's not totally done with my computer transformation (something about a new motherboard and then re-installing my software), but he made the internet his top priority. I was back on by last night. Wow, what a guy.

There are some things that I really hate about "starting over" with a computer. I have to download all of those things. You know what I'm talking about. I can't view some sites because I don't have flash, I need my media player, etc... Also, all of the reminders keep popping up and I have to check the boxes so they don't ever pop up again.

Guess what? I love playing games on the computer. I usually get addicted to a certain game for a while and then don't play for a long time. Then, I find another game to play. Right now my obsession is Dice Slider on yahoo games. It's like Yahtzee. Right before my vacation I made it into the top 10. Usually, that would make me want to find another game to play. But I feel that if I can make it into the top 10, I can make it to number 1. Right? Well, I was going to play this morning while Big Apple was taking her bottle but it's not letting me. Something about a firewall or something not configured right. What the heck? Sugar Daddy's got his first assignment for when he comes home from work. DICE SLIDER!!!

My Apologies

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/my-apologies.html

Vacation Pics

Here are some of the pictures from our vacation to Long Beach.

This is me and the Frog checking out the fish at the aquarium. It was nice but we were disappointed about the lack of "bigger" marine life. At the one in Chicago they have whales and an awesome dolphin show.
They do have a petting tank where you can touch little sharks and rays. I left that to the boys.
Big Apple was there, too! Here we were waiting for the seal and sea lion feeding.
And here's the little cutie ready for a night on the town.

Here are Bruce and the Frog. They were buddies when they were babies. We would take them to eat tacos every Friday. Well, they didn't eat too many tacos. The Frog began his love affair with limes and lemons, though.

Here we have all of the boys. Sugar Daddy, Frog, Merrill, Bruce, and little Rusty (on his one week birthday!). Catherine and I were busy snapping photos and Big Apple was asleep after a very long day.

This is a shot of the beach at sunset. You can see SD and the Frog in the distance. This was really a great vacation. Probably one of our best ever.

Sugar Daddy is going to be working on my computer so I don't know how long it will be before I can post again. He says it will take a day. So, I'll probably be back on here by next weekend at least.

Vacation Pics

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/vacation-pics.html

Good to be Home?

This is the first time I've been sad to come home to my own bed. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and they have the most awesome beds there! I called down to the front desk to find out what they are. They are Jameson foam mattresses. I did internet searches (beware: there is a porn star named Jenna Jameson and she likes mattresses) but I couldn't find any of them for sale. What the heck am I to do? I'm ready to shell out big bucks (and so is my cheapskate hubby...it's that good) for this mattress. Maybe I'll call some furniture stores around here and see what they have to say.

Speaking of beds, the Frog is now officially too big for his toddler bed. He's been sleeping with us for a while now. He did fine in CA when he had a big bed of his own. He tosses and turns like crazy and his huge body on a crib mattress just don't fit. So, we're in the market for a cheap twin or double bed.

I've been so so so busy (yes, it merits 3 so's) that I haven't had a chance to get the pics on this computer from our trip. I promise to have a picture laden post up sometime tomorrow. Sugar Daddy's got to go so my computer time is up!

Good to be Home?

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/10/good-to-be-home.html

Hello from Long Beach!

I've written two posts already about our trip and due to our fabulous high speed internet connection (read:sarcastic), I've lost both posts. Here are the highlights. I'll post some pics when I get back.

1. The view. We can see the Queen Mary and the harbor from our room. There is a little balcony out our room but I've been scared to open the door (we're on the 9th floor...the top one) because I have visions of the Frog jumping to his death.

2. The weather. It has been perfect! We go on walks everyday while SD is in his meetings and I don't even get hot. I did have to buy a very attractive visor so the sun didn't kill my face.

3. The food. We've been eating really well. Also...I went to SEE'S CANDIES! It's been almost 20 years since I've lived someplace with access to a See's Candies. Mmmm. Nuts & Chews baby. We also ate at Bubba Gump where I had my favorite, "I'm so stuffed" shrimp. Delicioso. Last night we ate at Gladstone's with a group of professors and students. I had an awesome halibut. The best I've ever had.

4. Seeing our friends from Purdue. The V's had their new baby. It's a boy! Russell Datus. They're calling him Rusty. He's a little mini B. Lots of hair. Cute little round face.

5. We're going to the aquarium today. I hope it's a highlight. Frog is screaming bloody murder right now because I won't let him throw a keyboard around the room. I hope the day gets better. Aaah. Parenting.

I better save this as a draft at least so I won't lose it. We're coming home tomorrow. Wendy--we'll need you to tape Survivor for us again. Is that okay? I'll make you a dairy free treat of your choice!

Hello from Long Beach!

https://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2005/09/hello-from-long-beach.html