4 days without kids, 3 days without work, and all I get accomplished, knitty wise, is 10 or so rows on my "block a month" class project. Granted, I have a deadline (need to have 68 rows done by next Tuesday), but still! All that glorious time and I spent so little knitting!
Instead, I took Cooper to the new dog park 3 times. This dog park has a lake. Sheer nirvana to a big black labby! The dog park has a few kinks to work out - people not picking up their poop, idiots deciding to picnic, on the ground, with their babies (seriously, people where are your brains), and kumquat-brains letting their small children frolic on the shore line unsupervised. There were a couple of cases of such stupidity that I am actually going to write my first letter to the editor ever. This is such a wonderful thing for our community, and I am thrilled about it, and I do realize that there will always be stupid people, but geez!
I also went to a Monet exhibit. Amazing. That is all I can say.
Oh, and I signed up for e-harmony. Got a hit right away and practically had a panic attack. Clearly my last foray into the world of dating (the 5 year disaster - "he who dumped me with an email") has left me a bit gunshy. I totally disagreed with the psychological profile - totally. It said I am very reserved. Anyone who knows me would say exactly the opposite - if anything I am too open too much too soon and I blah blah blah on entirely too much. I will keep you posted on how this goes.
In the meantime, my knitting has taken over my bedroom - I have yet to finish my spring cleaning _ have a basket full of circulars and stuff to be put away, yarn is stashed away everywhere, it has really gotten out of control. I still haven't even finished my bills and paperwork from post-tax season.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Perhaps one is affecting the other
#2's son went into the shop yesterday. The one with the malfunctioning brakes. Trusty mechanic called and informed me the leak (more of a slow seep) was in the ABS box, so that would need to be replaced, as well as the rusty brake lines leading up to it. Total estimate $1500. In his humble opinion, it isn't worth doing.
This is a 2000 Grand AM - less than 90k miles on it. I am getting a second opinion. (and perhaps a cheaper price). In the meantime, #1 son has already started searching for a more suitable vehicle for #2 son, who does not want to give up his car. Its a pickle. In the interim, while we are deciding what to do, trusty mechanic says just to keep adding brake fluid. The poor man's fix.
I started sock #2 last night of my STR pair. I was able to do this because I had feared I was going to run out of STR yarn so I incorporated a different yarn into my heel and toe. I am to the toe but I am bored. Hence the start of #2 sock. I did three rows. While watching "House". On row three, I realized somewhere I had lost a stitch. or done too many purls or knits. I only had 55 stitches. RATS! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!
I am thinking that perhaps my bad Kar-karma is due to the fact that I am not knitting! I am not experiencing the wonderful stress relief that it brings. I need to regroup and get some projects going so that I can mindlessly knit away. And I am sure that all car-woes will suddenly disappear!
This is a 2000 Grand AM - less than 90k miles on it. I am getting a second opinion. (and perhaps a cheaper price). In the meantime, #1 son has already started searching for a more suitable vehicle for #2 son, who does not want to give up his car. Its a pickle. In the interim, while we are deciding what to do, trusty mechanic says just to keep adding brake fluid. The poor man's fix.
I started sock #2 last night of my STR pair. I was able to do this because I had feared I was going to run out of STR yarn so I incorporated a different yarn into my heel and toe. I am to the toe but I am bored. Hence the start of #2 sock. I did three rows. While watching "House". On row three, I realized somewhere I had lost a stitch. or done too many purls or knits. I only had 55 stitches. RATS! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!
I am thinking that perhaps my bad Kar-karma is due to the fact that I am not knitting! I am not experiencing the wonderful stress relief that it brings. I need to regroup and get some projects going so that I can mindlessly knit away. And I am sure that all car-woes will suddenly disappear!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Car-ma continues
Yesterday we picked up #1 son's Honda Civic. He did very well on the stick-shifting - only a few stalls, one popped clutch and one gear grind. He is going to be practicing today alot I am sure. I have asked that he stay off the highway for right now (at least during high traffic times).
In the meantime, #2 son called on his way home from swim practice last night and informed me "My brakes are not working". I asked him to define "not working". He indeed meant that they were NOT working. They worked if he pressed super super hard down on them. I told him to drive very carefully and slowly to the local mechanic and that I would meet him there. I suspect the dreaded brake lines have gone. Waiting to hear from local mechanic - who will find a lovely red grand am surprise in his parking lot this AM!
Things are very busy here. End of the school year madness. #1 son is going to OU this weekend to hang out with his new-found squeeze. #2 son has National Honor induction this evening, I have a hair cut tomorrow, Thursday is Grey's Anatomy....ok so that stuff is pretty lame, but next week we have things, both school-wise and work-wise every evening. I am hoping to get #1 to do some yardwork things before he starts his summer career as a life-guard/swim coach.
In the meantime, is it asking too much to have a little knitting time? My poor sock that rocks! So close to the first being done.......
In the meantime, #2 son called on his way home from swim practice last night and informed me "My brakes are not working". I asked him to define "not working". He indeed meant that they were NOT working. They worked if he pressed super super hard down on them. I told him to drive very carefully and slowly to the local mechanic and that I would meet him there. I suspect the dreaded brake lines have gone. Waiting to hear from local mechanic - who will find a lovely red grand am surprise in his parking lot this AM!
Things are very busy here. End of the school year madness. #1 son is going to OU this weekend to hang out with his new-found squeeze. #2 son has National Honor induction this evening, I have a hair cut tomorrow, Thursday is Grey's Anatomy....ok so that stuff is pretty lame, but next week we have things, both school-wise and work-wise every evening. I am hoping to get #1 to do some yardwork things before he starts his summer career as a life-guard/swim coach.
In the meantime, is it asking too much to have a little knitting time? My poor sock that rocks! So close to the first being done.......
Friday, May 11, 2007
Car-car-karma
Cars. What a PITA. Hopefully my car issues are over for a while. I am due for some good car karma.
My car. The rusty explorer was about to die on me. I knew it needed a little work. Found out that a little work was an entire front end to the tune of $2k. Plus tires and brakes. Takes it up to 3k. So........I nursed it along, did some shopping, was not able to afford the sporty little Rav4 that I thought I would look best in (how shallow is THAT!) and ended up with a great Subaru Forester. Its a little station-wagon-ish, but great driving. I love it already. Cooper loves it. It has heated seats. Lots of bells and whistles, including the most gee-normous moon roof ever. And all for 5k less than the Rav.
#1's car. We sold his escort when he went off to university of michigan last year. I didn't think it would survive sitting an entire winter without driving. Plus #1 son thinks he needs a stick shift. (and for those with enquiring minds, #1 son does not currently know how to DRIVE a stick shift, but that, of course is just a detail). So................ he comes home, we set a budget and off we go. I have NEVER seen so many nasty snarly POS cars. And I get to drive them all - because HE CAN'T! #1 son is a bit impulsive - so every single one is his favorite ever and would complete his life if he had it. Luckily we have a trusty mechanic who told us which cars to avoid.
So.....we looked at a Mazda protege 2 weeks ago - he isn't interested - but seeing some of the other crap out there, he decides he wants to test drive it. I had to go out of town for work this week, so he and his trusty friend went off Monday and drove it - seemed good, they made the appointment with trusty mechanic for yesterday at 2:30. At 2:25, I get the car from #1 son - spewing indignation and wrath because that dirty scumbag had SOLD HIS CAR! My gut reaction was that trusty mechanic was going to veto it. Trusty mechanic had suggested that we look into Honda pre-cert cars. Strongly suggested.
End of that story - at dinner last night after my magical work trip, we called the Honda place, found out the one we had looked at earlier had been blue-light-specialed - and bought it. 38k, blue, 4 door civic. Very nice. Now I get to teach #1 to drive. I can't wait.
And #2 son. He is driving a 2001 Grand Am that we bought from nephew. Truly for half of what we would have had to pay had we bought it from a dirty scumbag car dealer. And its a cute little car and a fun drive. Unfortunately the Brake light keeps going on. Trusty mechanic says it may need brake lines replaced soon. Maybe now. But its still a nice vehicle. It does need a bit of rust/body work this summer.
I am afraid to see what my new insurance will be after we add on the Civic. Ugh.
Knitting - I am still working on my lovely Socks that Rock. It went on my work trip with me, and I completed several more rows (i am moving slowly toward the toes) during American Idol. I cried when LaKisha got booted. I thought she was terrible but I still cried. Fricking raging hormones. I don't even WATCH American Idol, and I cried. HOw lame is that!
Anyway - Knitting - work is seriously cutting into my knitting time and that is all I will say about that!
Cooper was most displeased that I left him for 3 days with #1 and #2 son. He insisted that they sleep with him on my bed (first night #1 and second night #2, just so you don't misunderstand and think my kids are totally weird). Heaven forbid I ever find some wonderful man. Cooper will not enjoy sharing his bed with him.
My car. The rusty explorer was about to die on me. I knew it needed a little work. Found out that a little work was an entire front end to the tune of $2k. Plus tires and brakes. Takes it up to 3k. So........I nursed it along, did some shopping, was not able to afford the sporty little Rav4 that I thought I would look best in (how shallow is THAT!) and ended up with a great Subaru Forester. Its a little station-wagon-ish, but great driving. I love it already. Cooper loves it. It has heated seats. Lots of bells and whistles, including the most gee-normous moon roof ever. And all for 5k less than the Rav.
#1's car. We sold his escort when he went off to university of michigan last year. I didn't think it would survive sitting an entire winter without driving. Plus #1 son thinks he needs a stick shift. (and for those with enquiring minds, #1 son does not currently know how to DRIVE a stick shift, but that, of course is just a detail). So................ he comes home, we set a budget and off we go. I have NEVER seen so many nasty snarly POS cars. And I get to drive them all - because HE CAN'T! #1 son is a bit impulsive - so every single one is his favorite ever and would complete his life if he had it. Luckily we have a trusty mechanic who told us which cars to avoid.
So.....we looked at a Mazda protege 2 weeks ago - he isn't interested - but seeing some of the other crap out there, he decides he wants to test drive it. I had to go out of town for work this week, so he and his trusty friend went off Monday and drove it - seemed good, they made the appointment with trusty mechanic for yesterday at 2:30. At 2:25, I get the car from #1 son - spewing indignation and wrath because that dirty scumbag had SOLD HIS CAR! My gut reaction was that trusty mechanic was going to veto it. Trusty mechanic had suggested that we look into Honda pre-cert cars. Strongly suggested.
End of that story - at dinner last night after my magical work trip, we called the Honda place, found out the one we had looked at earlier had been blue-light-specialed - and bought it. 38k, blue, 4 door civic. Very nice. Now I get to teach #1 to drive. I can't wait.
And #2 son. He is driving a 2001 Grand Am that we bought from nephew. Truly for half of what we would have had to pay had we bought it from a dirty scumbag car dealer. And its a cute little car and a fun drive. Unfortunately the Brake light keeps going on. Trusty mechanic says it may need brake lines replaced soon. Maybe now. But its still a nice vehicle. It does need a bit of rust/body work this summer.
I am afraid to see what my new insurance will be after we add on the Civic. Ugh.
Knitting - I am still working on my lovely Socks that Rock. It went on my work trip with me, and I completed several more rows (i am moving slowly toward the toes) during American Idol. I cried when LaKisha got booted. I thought she was terrible but I still cried. Fricking raging hormones. I don't even WATCH American Idol, and I cried. HOw lame is that!
Anyway - Knitting - work is seriously cutting into my knitting time and that is all I will say about that!
Cooper was most displeased that I left him for 3 days with #1 and #2 son. He insisted that they sleep with him on my bed (first night #1 and second night #2, just so you don't misunderstand and think my kids are totally weird). Heaven forbid I ever find some wonderful man. Cooper will not enjoy sharing his bed with him.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Freshman college students returning home
I picked up #1 son yesterday from college. After numerous phone calls about how much stuff he had, and whether I needed to bring boxes, I decided to borrow my brother's panelled van for the journey. My explorer needs a new front end and since I am hoping to trade it in this weekend, did not want to risk it breaking. #2 son has a Grand Am. #1 son assured me that all his stuff would fit, but in the meantime the Grand Am's dreaded Service Engine Soon light came on, and I really wasn't sure how much room there was in that vehicle.
So.....I ventured off in the panelled van which allegedly had new tires and brakes. Not sure what the old brakes were like but the new ones were nothing to get excited over. As I am driving up to Michigan in the pouring rain, I note that there are no dials on the heater/AC or fan selector. BRRRRRRRRRRRR! I had been instructed not to open the side door. Ever. IE I think its held shut with a bungy cord.
I arrive at Michigan. I discover what my son means by he has packed. All his crap thrown into a pile on the floor. I kid you not. The smart mommy probably would have gone right to the nearest Meijers or Target and picked up a bunch of Rubbermaid totes but nobody ever accused me of being the smart mommy. We threw it all in the van. Trust me - this stuff would not have fit in the Grand Am. Or the Explorer, for that matter. I cannot believe how much CRAP that kid had. Seriously. I should have taken a picture of it.
At lunch my brother called and told me how to jury rig the heat (and defrost, which had become critical). You move the dial from one spot to the other. Presto!
So, after numerous critical errands (including a detour to a LYS where I fondled some bulky merino and picked up a few extra needles - see my previous post), we head off for home. The van sputters. Sputters again, and dies. Out of gas. So off we go to the gas station. #1 son sprinting. Because its raining, don't you know, and because thats the pace college students walk at. We get to the gas station, somehow I don't have a heart attack, get the gas, and some good samaritan takes us back to the van. In the process of dropping us off, she backs into this planter thing and knocks it over - no damage to her car but much horrors on everyones part, including the shop owners. I pay for the broken styrofoam pot, clean up the dirt, we gas up the van (one gallon and it swings to full, do you see a problem?), and we go back to the gas station. Now the service engine light is on. The van greedily sucks up 40 some gallons of gas, we head off to the local quick lube, who very nicely inform us that all the fluids are fine, our best bet is to drive home, so we did.
But no, the story doesn't end there. A few more FUBAR's for the day. As I am backing the heinous evil van into my driveway, WHAM! Right into my garage door frame! No damage done, except to my pride. #2 son comes out and said "Wow, sounds like something just slammed into the house". Yes, dear, that would be your mother.
And one last one - we go out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner because oh boy I have a gift card......well, I knock over my very full water, and then determine that my gift card is for FREAKING OUTBACK! Ah I love my life!
So my living room is now filled with #1 son's crap. I went to Wal-fart and picked up several gimongous totes - and suspect we will need a few more. Otherwise, #1 son will leave the crap lying in the living room until its time to go back to school. Because thats how they live. Like PIGS!!!!!!
So.....I ventured off in the panelled van which allegedly had new tires and brakes. Not sure what the old brakes were like but the new ones were nothing to get excited over. As I am driving up to Michigan in the pouring rain, I note that there are no dials on the heater/AC or fan selector. BRRRRRRRRRRRR! I had been instructed not to open the side door. Ever. IE I think its held shut with a bungy cord.
I arrive at Michigan. I discover what my son means by he has packed. All his crap thrown into a pile on the floor. I kid you not. The smart mommy probably would have gone right to the nearest Meijers or Target and picked up a bunch of Rubbermaid totes but nobody ever accused me of being the smart mommy. We threw it all in the van. Trust me - this stuff would not have fit in the Grand Am. Or the Explorer, for that matter. I cannot believe how much CRAP that kid had. Seriously. I should have taken a picture of it.
At lunch my brother called and told me how to jury rig the heat (and defrost, which had become critical). You move the dial from one spot to the other. Presto!
So, after numerous critical errands (including a detour to a LYS where I fondled some bulky merino and picked up a few extra needles - see my previous post), we head off for home. The van sputters. Sputters again, and dies. Out of gas. So off we go to the gas station. #1 son sprinting. Because its raining, don't you know, and because thats the pace college students walk at. We get to the gas station, somehow I don't have a heart attack, get the gas, and some good samaritan takes us back to the van. In the process of dropping us off, she backs into this planter thing and knocks it over - no damage to her car but much horrors on everyones part, including the shop owners. I pay for the broken styrofoam pot, clean up the dirt, we gas up the van (one gallon and it swings to full, do you see a problem?), and we go back to the gas station. Now the service engine light is on. The van greedily sucks up 40 some gallons of gas, we head off to the local quick lube, who very nicely inform us that all the fluids are fine, our best bet is to drive home, so we did.
But no, the story doesn't end there. A few more FUBAR's for the day. As I am backing the heinous evil van into my driveway, WHAM! Right into my garage door frame! No damage done, except to my pride. #2 son comes out and said "Wow, sounds like something just slammed into the house". Yes, dear, that would be your mother.
And one last one - we go out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner because oh boy I have a gift card......well, I knock over my very full water, and then determine that my gift card is for FREAKING OUTBACK! Ah I love my life!
So my living room is now filled with #1 son's crap. I went to Wal-fart and picked up several gimongous totes - and suspect we will need a few more. Otherwise, #1 son will leave the crap lying in the living room until its time to go back to school. Because thats how they live. Like PIGS!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
What to do what to do?
I am almost done with my lovely STR sock #1. The smart girl would cast on sock #2 immediately upon completing sock #1. But I have so many lovely yarns - I would love to start another instead! Perhaps in some of the pretty fixation I have! I have not worked with this yarn (or its Elann counterpart, which look identical) but I am ready to give it a try!
I really need to beef up my selection of needles - I just cannot see the two socks at once on two circulars working in my life style - between kids, dog, and work my stuff gets moved around alot - and I just see that as being a tangled mess. However, i can see huge advantages to working on both socks on DIFFERENT sets of needles!
I really need to beef up my selection of needles - I just cannot see the two socks at once on two circulars working in my life style - between kids, dog, and work my stuff gets moved around alot - and I just see that as being a tangled mess. However, i can see huge advantages to working on both socks on DIFFERENT sets of needles!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
April 17th
I survived. It was a rough evening - and no doubt I will have to edit this post - many coronas, jaeger-bombs, redhaired sluts and other weird shots....hoping that tomorrow I will NOT have a hangover, and that I can go buy a new car!!! I was responsible and did not drive myself home. I was not the first to leave but certainly not the last. Maybe at 47 years old, I am finally growing up.
I did have a client today inform me that "car dealers were the enemy" and that I did not HAVE to buy a car - that I could actually leave a dealer without purchasing one. So glad to know that!
I did have a client today inform me that "car dealers were the enemy" and that I did not HAVE to buy a car - that I could actually leave a dealer without purchasing one. So glad to know that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)