Some Knitting, Some Sewing, Some Sleeping...
...describes the weekend. I had a great day out with the girls when Nancy, Stacey and I took off to go shopping yesterday. Any day that involves unlimited salad & breadsticks at Olive Garden is a good day for me. I even purchased some new yarn - cotton yarn to recreate Alex's beloved 'blanket', which literally wore away about a year and a half ago. I knitted it for him when he was first born, and he became like Linus with it. When it first started to fall apart, I tried to mend it but like I said, it was literally worn away in some spots. So I just knit up another one, with a regular yarn. He's tolerated us, but continues to ask for 'Blanket'. So I got home yesterday, whipped out one of the balls of yarn, and said, "Hey Alex, what's this?" He jumped up and down and said, "BLANKET!" It kind of blows me away that he remembers it.
Will is sullen because I haven't started that massive skull blanket project from DomiKNITrix yet, but that's HUGE.
I also got some fabric because Stacey insists that I can too make a simple wrap skirt using one of the patterns I got when Rag Shop went out of business. Let's see how simple it is when I call her, sobbing, at 1 a.m. one night soon... ;-)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Zombie Hunters, A Little Late...
I totally forgot to post some of the pictures from the Zombie Hunters shoot we were on a few weeks ago. What a great time. Mike was particularly thrilled at the chance to break a bottle over Patrick's head - something he's wanted to do for 15 years! Stacey got a bit bloody - she blogged about it, too.
I'll be updating the Zombie Hunters blog, so I'll post here when it's live with some juicy links.
Attack of the Crankies
Wow, I'm bitchy today. I just feel irritable and ready to bite someone's head off. I think being at home with the boys all summer long has whittled down a lot of patience. Only a couple of days more... I've even packed my little 'desk drawer bag', or the Duane Reade bag as I call it. All my little necessities, all in one convenient spot.
I think I'll do a week's worth of ironing, just to feel like I'm getting closer to the big day.
I'm at a knitting impasse at the moment, which is also making me cranky. I'm being my notorious self when it comes to finishing one piece that's been done for weeks, and something that should be relatively simple has a small stumbling block that's sent me off into inaction. And since knitting has become such a soothing activity for me, that's made me very irritable. Grr.
I think I need to do some yoga. I've skipped two days and think I'm starting to feel it. Which can be a good thing, since it means I've gotten back into a routine - hurrah!
And in a complete tangent, anyone want to discuss Britney's tragic performance at the VMAs? Or has Kanye's whiny meltdown moved to the topic du jour? Dude, he makes Alex look mature. Yeesh.
Wow, I'm bitchy today. I just feel irritable and ready to bite someone's head off. I think being at home with the boys all summer long has whittled down a lot of patience. Only a couple of days more... I've even packed my little 'desk drawer bag', or the Duane Reade bag as I call it. All my little necessities, all in one convenient spot.
I think I'll do a week's worth of ironing, just to feel like I'm getting closer to the big day.
I'm at a knitting impasse at the moment, which is also making me cranky. I'm being my notorious self when it comes to finishing one piece that's been done for weeks, and something that should be relatively simple has a small stumbling block that's sent me off into inaction. And since knitting has become such a soothing activity for me, that's made me very irritable. Grr.
I think I need to do some yoga. I've skipped two days and think I'm starting to feel it. Which can be a good thing, since it means I've gotten back into a routine - hurrah!
And in a complete tangent, anyone want to discuss Britney's tragic performance at the VMAs? Or has Kanye's whiny meltdown moved to the topic du jour? Dude, he makes Alex look mature. Yeesh.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Ah... Insomnia...
Coming to you live from New Jersey again, it's 12:54 a.m. and I cannot sleep. Grr. Aside from Alex's small but incredibly bony elbows sticking me into the back, I'm just keyed up like crazy, obsessing on wrapping up business at the current job, enjoying my last few days as a mostly at-home mom, and getting ready to start a new page the week after.
If there were space, I'd do some yoga. But space is tight and I know I'd somehow crack my head open doing an intense downward dog. I'd knit, but I'd need the light on and that would definitely wake one of the boys up at least. I'm lucky the glow of the computer monitor hasn't roused them yet. I'd eat, but lots of things are starting to fit now that haven't in a long time, so I'm not jeopardizing that. Besides, I did some damage earlier at this street festival thingie Will wanted to go to.
Not only was it hotter than the outer reaches of Hell, but the food was awful. If I'm going to blow my healthy eating plan in a spectacular way for the day, it'd better be tasty. Any kind of outdoor festival must involve either zeppole or funnel cake. I saw a sign claiming to have zeppole, 6 for 3 bucks. Not bad! I order a bag and peek inside, waiting for a waft of hot, doughy powdered sugary goodness to hit. Zeppole, my foot. Zeppole turds, yes. They were these hard, tiny things that look like premature zeppole. And they were overcooked. Feh.
Of course, I ate them. Hey, I'm an eternal optimist - what if one of them was done right?
I've got to wander to a site that requires less typing and more reading. More to come, perhaps when the daylight hours hit.
Coming to you live from New Jersey again, it's 12:54 a.m. and I cannot sleep. Grr. Aside from Alex's small but incredibly bony elbows sticking me into the back, I'm just keyed up like crazy, obsessing on wrapping up business at the current job, enjoying my last few days as a mostly at-home mom, and getting ready to start a new page the week after.
If there were space, I'd do some yoga. But space is tight and I know I'd somehow crack my head open doing an intense downward dog. I'd knit, but I'd need the light on and that would definitely wake one of the boys up at least. I'm lucky the glow of the computer monitor hasn't roused them yet. I'd eat, but lots of things are starting to fit now that haven't in a long time, so I'm not jeopardizing that. Besides, I did some damage earlier at this street festival thingie Will wanted to go to.
Not only was it hotter than the outer reaches of Hell, but the food was awful. If I'm going to blow my healthy eating plan in a spectacular way for the day, it'd better be tasty. Any kind of outdoor festival must involve either zeppole or funnel cake. I saw a sign claiming to have zeppole, 6 for 3 bucks. Not bad! I order a bag and peek inside, waiting for a waft of hot, doughy powdered sugary goodness to hit. Zeppole, my foot. Zeppole turds, yes. They were these hard, tiny things that look like premature zeppole. And they were overcooked. Feh.
Of course, I ate them. Hey, I'm an eternal optimist - what if one of them was done right?
I've got to wander to a site that requires less typing and more reading. More to come, perhaps when the daylight hours hit.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Two Down!
Alex, ready to take on the world in his TMNT backpack today
Will and Alex at the playground for Will's first day, yesterday
Alex, ready to take on the world in his TMNT backpack today
Will and Alex at the playground for Will's first day, yesterdayI've got two kids in school. It feels so weird to say that.
Will started third grade yesterday - I think the bloom is off the rose, so to speak. He's happy to be around his friends again, but I'm not sure how much he loves school. I think he's turning into a 'dude'. I'm a little worried, what with this being the first year of the state tests that our NYC Public school kids must endure, so I'll have to sit tight and brace for the rough ride. I'm hoping I'm worrying for naught.
Alex, on the other hand, LOVES school. Walking with him today, I asked him if I could cry. He told me no, because he'd "be home later!" First into his classroom, he greeted his teachers with a happy "GOOD MORNING!", happily chose his own cubby, and proudly displayed his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles backpack for them. Then he put his picture on the attendance board and ran to the circle time area to read. I barely got a kiss on the side of my ear because his new buddy, Jason, had arrived.
It's very strange, after being home for 9 months, to suddenly have 2 1/2 hours to oneself. I went back to Will's school to help escort new kindergarten parents and kids to the classrooms, and then took a nice, long walk. I figured if I rushed home just to sit in silence, I'd be pissed at myself for wasting two hours on a beautiful day. So I walked into Forest Hills, ended up at Barnes & Noble with a $25 gift card from my CafeMom Secret Sister (mwah! Love ya!), and browsed the crafting titles with an intensity normally reserved for parent-teacher conferences.
I ended up getting three kids' books and a free Halloween tote bag. Hey, I've got $6.50 left on the gift card, I'll get a new magazine; maybe the next issue of Interweave Knits.
I saw a chapter book for Will that looked interesting - and honestly, anything that keeps him reading these days, when it's getting tougher and tougher, is a book I'm going for. I've got the first in a new series, Fred and Anthony's Escape From the Netherworld. It's definitely going for the Captain Underpants audience, a couple of years older. And it claims to have "Ghosts! Monsters! Blood! Guts!" on the cover, so I'll take it. Wish me luck.
Alex, for whom reading and being read to is still a pleasure (please, please, PLEASE stay that way!), got two books (well, I figure he and Will could share one). Max's Halloween, which is a cute board book featuring Max from Max and Ruby, who Alex loves. Very cute stuff. I also saw a book by Carl Reiner, Tell Me a Scary Story - But Not Too Scary. It even came with a CD of Carl Reiner reading the book, with sound effects. For $7.99 and the chance at getting a free tote bag, it sealed the deal. The book is a home run with both boys, by the way - I've played the CD for Alex three times today, and Will's just put it in now. Score, baby!
I've finished off two books myself, but I'll blog more about them later. I'm wiped and I still have to get one kid out of the bath and put one in. And work out. And iron. I think I should rename myself Cinderella.
Monday, September 03, 2007
School Starts Tomorrow? Holy Crap!
So it's Labor Day today (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and I find myself embracing the fact that Will goes back to school tomorrow, and that Alex starts Pre-K the following day. And yes, I will cry like a 2-year old with a skinned knee when he does.
After being home all summer with the boys, I'm grateful to have had the time with them, but as I've said before and will say again until the day I die, being an at-home mom (or a part-time at-home mom, as I've been for the past few months) ain't pretty. I think I've said the word "Guys" in a threatening voice approximately every 2.5 seconds every day since June 28th, when Will got out of school. "Please!" follows, clocking in at about 3.2 second intervals. I've almost had sunstroke from being out in the park, while my children play blissfully on, I've watched a lot of DIY Network (new obsession show: Greetings from DIY - Lauren and Linda, I'm talking to you), I've knit a lot and even got to know my sewing machine a little better. I've baked a lot of muffins, I've explored some new recipes, and I've had a lot of fun.
That said, I'm thrilled to say I've accepted a full-time job! Starting on September 17, you can find me at Working Mother Magazine, where I'll be a Consumer Marketing Manager. I'm so excited; I've been reading the mag on and off for about 8 years, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the magazine is so exciting. I love the location (42nd right off of Vanderbilt), which will leave me the opportunity to meet with Stacey for some mac & cheese at Burger Heaven (mmmm...); I really hit it off with the people I interviewed with, and I'm thrilled and hopeful, which I haven't really been much of in a while.
The boys are excited to be in afterschool - yes, after I started my little experiment, figuring I'd give them the home-time and security and freedom I thought they were lacking, they turn around and tell me they miss their friends. Who knew?
So it's Fall, the kids are going back to school, and I kind of feel like they do, as I get ready to go back to work. I'm psyched that I'll have their first two weeks of school off for them (especially since I don't feel like scrambling so early on to find out where to put them on Rosh Hoshanah).
And to be mercenary for just a moment, it'll sure be nice to have two full-time paychecks again... a girl's gotta have yarn, ya know...
So it's Labor Day today (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and I find myself embracing the fact that Will goes back to school tomorrow, and that Alex starts Pre-K the following day. And yes, I will cry like a 2-year old with a skinned knee when he does.
After being home all summer with the boys, I'm grateful to have had the time with them, but as I've said before and will say again until the day I die, being an at-home mom (or a part-time at-home mom, as I've been for the past few months) ain't pretty. I think I've said the word "Guys" in a threatening voice approximately every 2.5 seconds every day since June 28th, when Will got out of school. "Please!" follows, clocking in at about 3.2 second intervals. I've almost had sunstroke from being out in the park, while my children play blissfully on, I've watched a lot of DIY Network (new obsession show: Greetings from DIY - Lauren and Linda, I'm talking to you), I've knit a lot and even got to know my sewing machine a little better. I've baked a lot of muffins, I've explored some new recipes, and I've had a lot of fun.
That said, I'm thrilled to say I've accepted a full-time job! Starting on September 17, you can find me at Working Mother Magazine, where I'll be a Consumer Marketing Manager. I'm so excited; I've been reading the mag on and off for about 8 years, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the magazine is so exciting. I love the location (42nd right off of Vanderbilt), which will leave me the opportunity to meet with Stacey for some mac & cheese at Burger Heaven (mmmm...); I really hit it off with the people I interviewed with, and I'm thrilled and hopeful, which I haven't really been much of in a while.
The boys are excited to be in afterschool - yes, after I started my little experiment, figuring I'd give them the home-time and security and freedom I thought they were lacking, they turn around and tell me they miss their friends. Who knew?
So it's Fall, the kids are going back to school, and I kind of feel like they do, as I get ready to go back to work. I'm psyched that I'll have their first two weeks of school off for them (especially since I don't feel like scrambling so early on to find out where to put them on Rosh Hoshanah).
And to be mercenary for just a moment, it'll sure be nice to have two full-time paychecks again... a girl's gotta have yarn, ya know...
Thursday, August 30, 2007
** NEW ** THE OFFICE SUMMER VACATION
I cannot WAIT for the premiere! And hour-long episodes for the first FOUR weeks? The Office rocks!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Soggy Summer
Here it is, August, and I feel like I've wandered into March by mistake. Yeesh.
Well, I've been in beautiful downtown Dumont, NJ, since Tuesday - a getaway with the kids at Nana's - and it's been soggy. I'm hoping the weather lets up today so I can get them to a park. My uncle stopped by and took us to a Burger King with a playground yesterday, and then to a store to do some school supply shopping (which Will does begrudgingly), so that was nice. I'm hoping he calls again today, because I get antsy being stuck in doors all day - especially when I'm indoors with two little ones who get wackier than I do.
Alas, payday isn't until tomorrow, so my beloved Skein Attraction remains in the distance. Uncle Bill offered to take me yesterday, but going into a yarn store with no resources is just cruel and unusual punishment. I continue to amuse myself with my Baby Ull yarn, picked up last time. The pattern has given me a little less agita since I fooled around with it, so I've gotten much of the pieces knit; now I just have the inevitable (sob) assembly - and you can bet I'll be at Skein Attraction for that.
I really have to work on the Zombie Hunters press kit. I'm showing it tomorrow. I've got to clean up the stationery I've concepted, and need to pick up red and black folders today. Lots of cutting and pasting in my immediate future. I've got some cool production stills printed out, just have to whittle down exactly which ones I'll use. I'm going to probably let Patrick vote on the final 4 or 5. Then I go to work on the blogs and CafePress store that I've set up.
I went on a tear and read every script, and I can't believe how good the storyline is. It's great stuff, and I hope this really takes off. I'll keep this space posted on the developments. I'll be AD'ing this weekend, so that's cool. It's been a long time since I've been behind the cameras!
Here it is, August, and I feel like I've wandered into March by mistake. Yeesh.
Well, I've been in beautiful downtown Dumont, NJ, since Tuesday - a getaway with the kids at Nana's - and it's been soggy. I'm hoping the weather lets up today so I can get them to a park. My uncle stopped by and took us to a Burger King with a playground yesterday, and then to a store to do some school supply shopping (which Will does begrudgingly), so that was nice. I'm hoping he calls again today, because I get antsy being stuck in doors all day - especially when I'm indoors with two little ones who get wackier than I do.
Alas, payday isn't until tomorrow, so my beloved Skein Attraction remains in the distance. Uncle Bill offered to take me yesterday, but going into a yarn store with no resources is just cruel and unusual punishment. I continue to amuse myself with my Baby Ull yarn, picked up last time. The pattern has given me a little less agita since I fooled around with it, so I've gotten much of the pieces knit; now I just have the inevitable (sob) assembly - and you can bet I'll be at Skein Attraction for that.
I really have to work on the Zombie Hunters press kit. I'm showing it tomorrow. I've got to clean up the stationery I've concepted, and need to pick up red and black folders today. Lots of cutting and pasting in my immediate future. I've got some cool production stills printed out, just have to whittle down exactly which ones I'll use. I'm going to probably let Patrick vote on the final 4 or 5. Then I go to work on the blogs and CafePress store that I've set up.
I went on a tear and read every script, and I can't believe how good the storyline is. It's great stuff, and I hope this really takes off. I'll keep this space posted on the developments. I'll be AD'ing this weekend, so that's cool. It's been a long time since I've been behind the cameras!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bad Blogger...
I've been a bad blogger. I have so much stuff to write, and of course, I've blanked. Grr. So expect updates as my memory recovers.
One thing I would love to blog about is my trip to an honest-to-goodness LYS (local yarn store, for all the non-knitters out there). I've read lots about the LYS phenomenon, but locally for me means A.C. Moore or Michael's (which have lots of nifty yarns - I've embraced the racks there on a regular basis for a while now). But man, I haven't been to a place dedicated solely to yarn and the knit/crochet craft since I left Garden City (Garden City Stitches, where I spent many a lunch hour ogling and pawing at the beautiful yarns). I found a place by mom, The Skein Attraction, in Teaneck. And it was there that I found Valhalla...
Yarn, as far as the eye could see. A big table in the middle of the store, with women knitting away and laughing. A little spot for kids in the back, so I don't have to hear Alex's chorus of "BO-RING!" as I wander the baskets of yarn. A very, very nice proprieter who looked at the pattern I showed her (which I can't talk about here just yet, as the person for whom it's destined may be reading this) and led me to the most adorable yarn - and I didn't have to mortgage any future earnings to take it home. Skein Attraction rocks, and I'll definitely be back.
Um... actually, I have to go back... because the pattern is giving me agita already. Grr.
But I'm working on a different pattern for now, so all is well. As long as I have something to knit, I'm safe to be around these days.
One more word about knitting - I picked up the 25th Anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting. Awesome.
I've been a bad blogger. I have so much stuff to write, and of course, I've blanked. Grr. So expect updates as my memory recovers.
One thing I would love to blog about is my trip to an honest-to-goodness LYS (local yarn store, for all the non-knitters out there). I've read lots about the LYS phenomenon, but locally for me means A.C. Moore or Michael's (which have lots of nifty yarns - I've embraced the racks there on a regular basis for a while now). But man, I haven't been to a place dedicated solely to yarn and the knit/crochet craft since I left Garden City (Garden City Stitches, where I spent many a lunch hour ogling and pawing at the beautiful yarns). I found a place by mom, The Skein Attraction, in Teaneck. And it was there that I found Valhalla...
Yarn, as far as the eye could see. A big table in the middle of the store, with women knitting away and laughing. A little spot for kids in the back, so I don't have to hear Alex's chorus of "BO-RING!" as I wander the baskets of yarn. A very, very nice proprieter who looked at the pattern I showed her (which I can't talk about here just yet, as the person for whom it's destined may be reading this) and led me to the most adorable yarn - and I didn't have to mortgage any future earnings to take it home. Skein Attraction rocks, and I'll definitely be back.
Um... actually, I have to go back... because the pattern is giving me agita already. Grr.
But I'm working on a different pattern for now, so all is well. As long as I have something to knit, I'm safe to be around these days.
One more word about knitting - I picked up the 25th Anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting. Awesome.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
My Personal DNA
After Stacey's observation that we haven't been doing enough quizzes lately, I found this one courtesy of USA Today's Pop Candy...
My personalDNA Report
After Stacey's observation that we haven't been doing enough quizzes lately, I found this one courtesy of USA Today's Pop Candy...
My personalDNA Report
Friday, July 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Steve & Barry's
I've been Bitten (get it? It's funny!) by Steve & Barry's Sarah Jessica Parker line. I love that the t-shirts are not only $7.98 for the most part, but that they run a little long (especially since they're on the skinny side). I bought five different tees that I can actually wear to work, plus one cute little tuxedo-type sleeveless shirt. I also got a pair of gunmetal-colored cargo-type pants that roll up and button to be two different lengths of capris (I must go back and buy different colors so I don't get Old Navy syndrome, where I buy one pair to see how it fits, go back and there are none left). Got a pair of jeans capris, too - two pairs of pants, $14.98 each? Whoo hoo! I will note that the pants are cut way low - almost too low for someone who's borne two children via c-section and isn't exactly built like Ms. SJP - but thankfully, the aforementioned long tees cover it. And hell, with some more Pilates and yoga, maybe in a couple of weeks I'll feel a little less uncomfortable. The clothes are made to be layered, which I also dig.
Methinks Steve & Barry has a new fan in me...
Okay, off to knit more of that hat. I've only got two rows cast on so far, so taking a picture of it wouldn't really show much. Talk to me tomorrow.
I've been Bitten (get it? It's funny!) by Steve & Barry's Sarah Jessica Parker line. I love that the t-shirts are not only $7.98 for the most part, but that they run a little long (especially since they're on the skinny side). I bought five different tees that I can actually wear to work, plus one cute little tuxedo-type sleeveless shirt. I also got a pair of gunmetal-colored cargo-type pants that roll up and button to be two different lengths of capris (I must go back and buy different colors so I don't get Old Navy syndrome, where I buy one pair to see how it fits, go back and there are none left). Got a pair of jeans capris, too - two pairs of pants, $14.98 each? Whoo hoo! I will note that the pants are cut way low - almost too low for someone who's borne two children via c-section and isn't exactly built like Ms. SJP - but thankfully, the aforementioned long tees cover it. And hell, with some more Pilates and yoga, maybe in a couple of weeks I'll feel a little less uncomfortable. The clothes are made to be layered, which I also dig.
Methinks Steve & Barry has a new fan in me...
Okay, off to knit more of that hat. I've only got two rows cast on so far, so taking a picture of it wouldn't really show much. Talk to me tomorrow.
Gah!
I know, it's been too long since I finished my BEA blog about my goodies. Does anyone even care at this point? How 'bout I just blog about the books I've read from that pile so far? I've got two down that I'd love to blather on about because they are that good. And I've got a couple of great knitting projects to put y'all to sleep with, hee hee...
First off, I've found another baby hat charity to knit for. You know how much I love knitting up baby hats, and when I visited another knitter's blog, If You Want to Destroy My Sweater (saw her on Knitty Gritty!). She's knitting hats for Hats for Alex and I warn you now, this one is a heartbreaker. Nothing like crying into my coffee at 7 in the morning. All I can say is, no matter how stoic you are, you scroll down enough and you will lose it. I just can't understand how someone can hurt an infant. Any child, really, but an infant? Okay, I'm not going there on this blog.
So I've cast on another adorable hat from the book One Skein and I'll take a picture of its progress later today. And in related BEA news, I'm using the skein I got from Storey Publishing's booth (they publish One Skein and the book they were promoting this year, One Skein Wonders).
More about the actual books from BEA later; I'm actually at work now pulling messages off voice mail and now I need to start my day. Perhaps there will be details of a trip to Steve & Barry's to try on some of Sarah Jessica Parker's line, too... stay tuned!
I know, it's been too long since I finished my BEA blog about my goodies. Does anyone even care at this point? How 'bout I just blog about the books I've read from that pile so far? I've got two down that I'd love to blather on about because they are that good. And I've got a couple of great knitting projects to put y'all to sleep with, hee hee...
First off, I've found another baby hat charity to knit for. You know how much I love knitting up baby hats, and when I visited another knitter's blog, If You Want to Destroy My Sweater (saw her on Knitty Gritty!). She's knitting hats for Hats for Alex and I warn you now, this one is a heartbreaker. Nothing like crying into my coffee at 7 in the morning. All I can say is, no matter how stoic you are, you scroll down enough and you will lose it. I just can't understand how someone can hurt an infant. Any child, really, but an infant? Okay, I'm not going there on this blog.
So I've cast on another adorable hat from the book One Skein and I'll take a picture of its progress later today. And in related BEA news, I'm using the skein I got from Storey Publishing's booth (they publish One Skein and the book they were promoting this year, One Skein Wonders).
More about the actual books from BEA later; I'm actually at work now pulling messages off voice mail and now I need to start my day. Perhaps there will be details of a trip to Steve & Barry's to try on some of Sarah Jessica Parker's line, too... stay tuned!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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