Kendall

14 years ago, a wise sage and spritual being disguised as a premature baby left his tour of duty here in the physical realm and moved on to a divine spiritual plane of existance. His name was Kendall. He was my first child. He spent 13 days here before moving on. I tend to think that once you get your shit together and get things figured out, its time to check out here. I guess he really had his shit together. 14 years later he is still missed and I still wonder what he would look like, what he would be like if he were still here. I see 14 year olds and think about how he would be like one of them.
You will always remain in my heart, Kendall..... no matter how many years have passed.

John the Baptist bear

I've been working on a teddy bear pattern from the book Toys to Knit. Overall, the pattern hasn't been too bad thus far, although there was some decreasing on the snout of the bear that I wouldn't do again and I would definately make the snout shorter. But anyway...... So, after I completed the head of the bear, I stuffed it, made him some eyes and a nose and knit him some ears. As I am working on the body of the bear, I've had this bear head sitting around on my nightstand and everytime I see this bodiless bear I can't help of Salome (is that who said it?) "Bring me the head of John the Baptist." I'm hoping that once the bear has a body and some limbs I'll find another name for him. First off, I certainly don't want to name him John because that is the name of my ex husband (it happens to be his birthday today. Perhaps I should be saying "bring me the head of John the baby daddy." Nah, not good karma. And speaking of karma, I'm not Baptist. So the bear definately needs another name once he's completed)
Hubby is safe and sound on the ground in Rwanda. Not that him being in Rwanda puts me at ease, but at least I know he's not in the air. My baby daddy is an air traffic controller and I just heard too many stores from him to place my comfort in all who are responsible for getting those big hunks of tin from one place to another. I, of course, am sad with him being away from home and halfway across the friggin earth. I am also sad because he commandeered my granny glasses that I use when I have trouble seeing knitting stitches and he also took the batteries I bought for my camera so I could take the picture of John the Baptist Bear in the first place. I asked him if I needed to check my underwear drawer as well. He said I might. Geez.
I just finished a two day fetal monitoring class at work. The class itself was enjoyable and I had a couple of my best peeps with me to endure the pain. The test was insane. Even harder than ACLS. I survived and can't complain too much since I only missed one, but that was by luck and the grace of God.
So, I'm off to do some intuitive painting. Its just me and the dog and the cats today so I thought I would actually do some painting today and save the knitting for tonight. I may possibly not even do any laundry today in my rebellious state of mind.

what my husband did for Easter

We did have my inlaws over for a late lunch today with ham and sweet potatoes and green beans and corn casserole and key lime pie and little bunny cupcakes with coconut on them. I folded a load of laundry and did an ear on the teddy bear I am attempting to knit. The kids bickered (what's new there?) and aside from his sudden burst of late-in-the-day energy (and I'm talking about 6pm when this sudden desire to go outside and try to do something with the lawn befell my husband) this is how the hubster spent most of his Easter. Now, he did this particular pose in several different places, not just the swinging futon. I think there was a shut-eye on the couch and at least a nap on the bed (if not two). During his napping (and my ear knitting) on the bed, I was watching the movie The Fountain. He kept waking up and asking me ridiculous questions about the movie. I don't know if you've ever seen the movie, but you really have to be AWAKE and WATCHING it to follow the movie (and even then you're a bit confused, although the movie is good).
P.S. Notice the small gray cat Zooey (aka Tiny Lion) be an enabler here.

ribble socks

I finished the pair of ribble socks I was working on from the book Socks, Socks, Socks. they were great fun and I didn't even mind doing the second sock. I used sheep number 3 that I got from purlsoho and it was enjoyable to work with as well.
Today is my "recovery" day after working yesterday where I got my ever lovin ass kicked. I had a patient of my own who had a lot going on in addition to being in charge. Needless to say I went from 0 to sleep in about 60 seconds once I hit the couch.
Today I'll do a bit of laundry and try to finish up my second advesary sock before I have to get the boys and turn into soccer mom.
Happy spring equinox everybody!!!!!!! I know that Sunday is a religious holiday for most out there, but today is a holiday for those of us who march to a different drum, or who consider themselves to be "eclectic" as my friend Zoie calls it.

Saturday blogging

Today is clean up day. Or its supposed to be. I did work a little bit on my ribble socks until I had to attack the toilet with not only a plunger, but an auger (aka snake) as well. I was finally triumphant in my battle with the toilet but had to clean the bathroom again as I manage to knock down the shower curtain and sling icky water hither and yon in my battle.
The kids are supposed to be cleaning too. However, they (including the boys) are trying on dresses and tutus. I will spare you the disturbing visual images.
I had to do my name analysis like Ramone so here it is.
I thought the part about me being tightly wound easily was pretty dead on the money.

What Melissa Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

terrible tuesday

I give this post that paticular name because it is known to be quite terrible at work on Tuesdays. tis the day for a plethora of c/s beyond one's imagination to occur. I however am not at work today. Well, I had to go in a couple of hours for a class but I avoided the whole frenzy of deliveries like the bubonic plague.

I cleaned the hall closet today and piddled around with a little bit of knitting and did some laundry. Do I know how to live large or what?

I thought I had a picture of the ribble sock that I had finished (working on numbr 2 now) but it does not appear that I do and sock is upstairs and I am downstairs and I am in the process of putting a hurting on a pitcher of pina coladas (even though my husband says I am irresponsible with the blender. Long story). I do have a picture of the finished knitting of my parisian tote. I am presently sewing the handles on and have yet to put in the lining. I know Susan (the author of the pattern is anxious to see the finished project).