The Mitten

Today my niece and I saw a puppet show based on the book The Mitten at the library. Afterwards they gave her coloring pages so she could recreate the story herself. She has already given two puppet shows to the family. Anyone can download it at www.janbrett.com. She was excited when it started snowing this afternoon and can't wait until tomorrow to play outside in the inch that fell.

Baby it's cold outside!

Yes it is cold when your car doesn't heat and it is 36 degrees outside. The car search is still on but nothing in sight yet. I started on a baby blanket this weekend for someone at church. The shower was supposed to be tomorrow but now she is in the hospital today. The blanket pattern is called Flowers in the Dell, using Baby Clouds yarn. I plan to make another poncho for my niece's friend who turns 4 in March. She also likes pink and purple.

It's Snowing!

It's snowing in 2007 and it is below 30 degrees! After enjoying mild weather the first half of the winter it is finally feeling like winter.

After staying up past 1 a.m. last night I think I finished the poncho for my friend's daughter. Hopefully the shaping at top is right since I was figuring it out as I went along. If it fits, I'll have to take a picture.

The Lady in the Water

I just got to see The Lady in the Water tonight and loved it! I think it is my favorite out of all his movies. After a day at the crowded mall with the kiddies I made myself some sugar cookies with a bowl of ice cream and watched a great movie. Now I am eating an apple to make up for the bad snack eaten earlier. Another interesting film I watched yesterday while I was veggin out was Aliens of the Deep by James Cameron. I love seeing the creatures that live in our ocean thousands of feet down. It is incredible how they live without sunlight. I must finish the poncho this weekend so I can finish my mother's birthday present which is less than a month away. Eek gads!

She likes it!

Emmy decided to finally try her new bed and has settled into it most of the day. She especially likes being under the Christmas tree. I went to B&N today while my niece enjoyed her preschool time. Meanwhile, I enjoyed looking at all the new needlework magazines and books. Plus, I savored my double chocolate Godivia Cheesecake Factory cheesecake slice with a cup of milk (fattening I know). I only treat myself to this a few times or less a year.

Tag You're It!

Well Lisa here is the result of my tag: "Ted's enthusiasm seemed to grate on her, for she answered sharply: 'Christmas indeed. I can't see that it is anything for us to rejoice over. Other people may be glad enough but what with winter coming on I'd sooner it was spring than Christmas. MaryAlice, do lift that child out of the ashes and put its shoes and stocking on.'" (from Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery). After being sick for over a week I'm ready to be well! At least the poncho is shaping up and I might even be finished by Saturday.

Like finding a needle in a haystack

I finally had myself a good cry yesterday after stressing over money and a car that keeps breaking down. My search first started in August 2006 when I had to narrow down what kind of vehicle I wanted out of the hundreds that are out there. Then, I had to figure out what I could afford. On top of that I had a car that was too dangerous to drive. I hunted for 2 months with no avail so had to fix the old car enough to drive. Since I was sick of hunting I decided to let the dealerships look for me. Now in January, the car continues breaking and the dealerships have found no car. All I want is anti-lock brakes. Is that too much to ask? I don't need the top of the line but I at least want anti-lock brakes. Hopefully this terrible nightmare will end soon and then I don't want to go through it for at least 15 more years. Next week has got to be better.

My improved header

Thanks to brother David, I have an improved header. Although, the little star * is something extra I added. It wouldn't let me leave the header template blank so I thought this was the best use of one space. Maybe he'll know how to get around that. But for now you can see the lettering better. I'll have to add a sea picture later. Not much new on the homefront but still feeling stressed about the car decision. I wish I could fix cars myself. I would save a lot of money and wouldn't get ripped off anymore. Went to Goodwill today but didn't find anything interesting. Had a nice chai latte at the Old Mill Bakery Cafe in historic Ellicott City, MD. It is a very cozy atmosphere.

Not doing so well

Not doing so well this week. Found out that the part needed for my car is no longer made. I dread having to buy another car. Been sick the last few days as well. Had to frog my beginning poncho. So not very chipper.

Pottery time

Today my niece and I went to Firehouse Pottery for storytime and she got to paint something special for her grandmother's birthday. It is nice to do something different once in awhile. We also went thrift store shopping, one of my favorite things to do.

I Make Things Hard for Myself

Well the crocheted poncho is on hold but it will be a back-up. I decided I might like a capelet pattern better. If I only stuck to a pattern I could get things completed a lot faster but I guess I'm picky. So, I'm trying to combine several ideas into one pattern. I hope I don't have to rip what I started because I didn't do a gauge or take complete measurements. I'm feeling the pressure since the 20th isn't too far away. My car is acting up again too. Tonight I couldn't get anything but heat blowing out of the vents. Arrrgh! I am getting frustrated with everything starting to break and no prospects in the horizon.

Crocheting away

I'm busy trying to make a poncho for my friend's daughter who is turning 7 in 2 weeks. She asked me to make her a poncho last summer and I'm just starting this weekend. I think I'll finish in time, as it is working up fast. I am using a free pattern (Lacy Shells Poncho) on the following website: www.luv2crochet.com Maybe I'll even get to make the matching hat if I finish ahead of schedule. Another project to complete this year is a special knitted Christmas stocking that my niece asked me to make for her. It is from a kit my grandmother used to make my sister and I stockings.

A Nice Day at the Park

It was a balmy 65 degrees here today and we headed off to the park. Dugan got to meet and greet new dog friends, among them a Welsh Corgi, Belgian sheepdogs and a French bulldog. It's hard to believe that it is the beginning of January.

Friday, Rainy Friday

Well the rain came down today, although it stayed in the lower 60's. Back to Target for more storage containers. It can be overwhelming getting organized but oh the peace of mind when it is finally done. I can't wait to be finished. Let's hope the shredder doesn't break. I really found some bargains today at Target with the Christmas clearance being 90% off. I bought a snowflake pin for 69 cents and a shirt for my niece at 50 cents. Woo hoo!

Friday, Rainy Friday

Well the rain came down today, although it stayed in the lower 60's. Back to Target for more storage containers. It can be overwhelming getting organized but oh the peace of mind when it is finally done. I can't wait to be finished. Let's hope the shredder doesn't break. I really found some bargains today at Target with the Christmas clearance being 90% off. I bought a snowflake pin for 69 cents and a shirt for my niece at 50 cents. Woo hoo!

Another warm winter day

Today it was in the lower 60's and mostly sunny! This weather pattern is great for those of us who love winter warmth. My niece and I headed out to the park today with our friends (Freedom Park in Sykesville MD)and saw lots of people walking their dogs. We met "Kipper" who is a husky/border collie mix. His owner said that he is so "energetic" that he made her fall down in pursuit of a squirrel. We tried out a great sandwich shop in Sykesville called Big Belly Deli & Bakery. The Southwest Smoked Chicken Club was great, especially knowing that the sourdough bread was just made that morning. I would definitely recommend it but be warned there is no bathroom anywhere close by unless you want to use the gas station portable.

My Feet are Tired

Today was back to work as nanny to my 4 year old niece. We went to the park and then shopping. Usually going to 2 stores doesn't wear me out but it seems like when I have my niece with me it can be exhausting. We finally found a pair of shoes that seemed to fit her and we bought some storage containers to continue getting organized. The weather continues to be pleasant, staying in the 50's during the day. What a treat! We even saw a crane at the park that landed in one of the ponds.

What I Liked in 2006

1.Music: Mark Mathis (Public Radio, Warship); Mute Math (Chaos)
2. Books: Francine Rivers (The Mark of the Lion Series)
3. Movies: The March of the Penguins, The Lake House
4. Television: Invasion, Lost, Jericho, Survivor, Knitty Gritty, Travel the Road
5. Foods: Lindt Extra Dark Chocolate Truffles

New Year Resolutions

This year I will continue to work on my list from the past several years: 1. Get organized; 2. Exercise more; 3. Eat better; 4. Meet new people; 5. Record my music... I'm sure there is more but this is what I can think of at the moment. So what better way to implement them than to start today. I actually took the time to clean my room, which everyone who saw it said it looked like a tornado had touched down in it. I made piles of stuff to throw out and give away. It really makes you feel better to get rid of that clutter. Let's hope I can keep the momentum going...