Last Roadtripping with Wicked...the IA edition

July 24th-28th


Ok, so home for like 2 days and it's time to pack it up and head on out again!

This time to IOWA! It's time for our annual golf open, which we unfortunately we do not get to every year. This year, however we are so there!


Uncle Leo: Where's my eff-ing ball? It is insanity at it's best! Tons of people come to take part in the golf open. They all golf, drink, and have dinner afterwards. It's not just family either, it's the locals who all know my father in law and family out there. We make no money off it. The proceeds are barely enough to cover the greens fees, cart rentals, bar tab and food. It's all just for fun!

This year Boy Wonder wanted to golf. This would be his first time out on a course. He has been to the driving range a few times. Teen Queen was my golf cart chauffeur for the day. She just drove around behind them as I worked on a crochet bday ghan. Many people were amazed that this was Boy Wonder's first time on the course. He was often out driving the men on his team.

It was a beautiful but long day out there.

Sunday the kids wanted to go fishing. They had gotten 'hooked' on it a couple of years ago when we all went down to the creek not too far from the old farmhouse in IA. Nothing too strenuous, just bluegill, the occasional catfish, and sunfish. Usually bring a couple back to the house to feed to the farmcats. I was feeling artsy with the camera.

Monday it was time to get back in the car and head back home...9 hours.

It is amazing to me that after all that car riding time that my poor car was not smelling like all kinds of ass!

Part Three Roadtripping with Wicked...the High School story

July 22nd-23rd
After arriving home from what seemed to be the trip to FL that would never end we slept and slept fast! We had a morning meeting with the principal of the high school we had been trying to get Teen Queen into for months.

Where we live they have this Traditional Program for schools, along with the resides schools as well as your school clusters. It's all enough to make your head spin. When I had to tour schools to determine which kindergarten I wanted my kids to go to, I felt as if I was scouting out colleges!

The Traditional Program dictates that if you go to this Traditional Elementary School, then you will automatically feed into this Traditional Middle School and when the time comes, this Traditional High School. While we have had issues with the elementary school at times in the past, the middle school was a great experience for our daughter and our son is heading there this year. The High School, however I have had doubts about from the beginning. From it's location so far away and it's less than desirable surrounding area, to the sporting facilities, to the overcrowding. Needless to say, the more time I spent at said HS, the less I wanted our kids to attend there.

In 8th grade our daughter was able to play softball up at the HS level. I saw more of what we didn't want for our children. Also, in 8th grade they had to choose their locker buddies. With the ovecrowding, this school has 2-3 kids sharing a locker! I do not know about you, but when I went to HS, I could barely stuff all my junk into my very own locker! SHARE IT??? Are you kidding me?

We had filed an application to the Board of Education to our next choice of High School. One which is closer, has far better academics, sporting facilities and location. We were told to apply for a transfer. OK. Transfer request submitted. We were denied, without reason. We file an appeal...again, denied without reason. At this point we are pissed off and frustrated beyond belief, that the system has failed us. We have resigned ourselves to the fact that our daughter will have to do freshman yr at less than ideal high school, and try for a mid year transfer to our choice high school. Doing this, she would not try out for any team sports. For the fact that should she play ANY time at all playing varsity, and transfer to another school...she would become ineligible to play for the new school for a full year. If by some miracle we did get to transfer her, we wanted her to be able to play her sports at our choice school.

Living at the ballparks as we do and speaking with other parents, they told us to contact this coach, who also happens to be the head coach at our choice high school. Now, we have never been fans of the 'it's all about who you know' way of doing things. But, in all fairness we had followed the proper steps and proceedures and it failed us...and this was for our daughter afterall!

Rambo got in touch with and sent off an email to this coach before we left for FL. While on the road the coach called and wanted to set up a meeting with us, himself and the principal as soon as we got back.

So, there we were, fresh off the road trip, with denial papers and appeal letters. We met with the head softball coach who took us to meet with the principal. He listened to us, was shocked to hear about our denials with no reason given. Even more shocked that he was never even contacted about this. He said it was a pleasure to meet us and that he was going to make a call and we should know by Thursday. We were 2 steps out of his office, when he approached us and welcomed us to his High School for the next 4 years. They were also quick to ask if she has any siblings. We told them to expect Boy Wonder in about 3 yrs. We filled out some papers in counseling for school change and register her for classes. About an hour later, the softball coach calls and says, “Oh yeah, I spoke to the Field Hockey coach and she wants you at tryouts today 4-6.” Talk about moving fast! It is refreshing to see a coach who encourages his players to participate in other sports and be willing to work with it. The field hockey coaches were THRILLED to see Teen Queen. Not only because she is a goalie, but they have seen her in action with her former middle school. Her team had only one loss last year. The tryouts was a 3 day process, we missed Monday. She must have made such an impression on them that they told her they would be ordering new goalie equipment for her for this season.

The principal was apologetic about the fact we followed the proper (legal) steps to have our daughter transferred and it failed us twice. Oh, and he told her that she will have her very own locker. Needless to say this makes for one VERY excited family!

Sometimes, it IS all about who you know!

Second part of road tripping with Wicked...

July 19th -22nd

After the softball games were done and our team was out it was time to get things packed up and ready to head on out the door in the morning.

checkout of condo.... so long beach



I did not sleep very well. I am pretty sure it was due to knowing full well the weirdness we had to next encounter. The weirdness, of which I speak; is going to my mother's place. Since moving to FL in 1990 (I think it is) she has not left the state. Well, ok she did come to GA for our wedding in 92 and to NC in 94 to see Teen Queen at a couple days old...but other than that? NO WAY, NO HOW! Not even when there are statewide evacuations for hurricanes!!! They have never been to our current home of 12 or so years, last saw Teen Queen at less than 1 yr old and have never met Boy Wonder.

The relationship between my mother and I is an odd one to say the least. We are not close but not fully estranged either. I have a deep respect for my mother and how she ever managed to raise my sister and I alone is amazing. While I don't agree with how she did some things raising us, she did the best she could with what she had. After having my own kids, I found out that they do not pop on outta there with little how to manuals! I also learned that some things that I may not agree with helped to make me who I am today. Which I am pretty cool with who I am and how I turned out. I have to add that my making conscious choices to change certain behaviors and things in my life have added to my ultimate cooooolness.

My sister on the other hand...well we won't get into that! Suffice it to say that some things you just cannot make up.

At 9am we packed up the car and were heading the 1 hour to mother’s.
My mother…..how to describe? She has not changed at all with the exception of a couple more wrinkles and has darkened her hair. She still has the same basic hairstyle she has had forever; she likes her some big ole hair with lots of spray. She still has super long nails, still wears short skirts, as well as tops to showcase the ta tas, still tan and she still wears heels 24/7. Bob is still Bob, just older and shaggier. Back in the day, he did not have facial hair. They are a cute couple, she is still hot stuff and he is still dapper. They have a dog, a miniature pinscher, Max. Max was not fond of having guests in his lil world. oh yeah, and he isn't very fond of cameras either!



Everyone had a good visit. They enjoyed seeing the grandkids and hearing about what they have been up to. The grandkids enjoyed meeting their Florida grandparents and seeing their place. I think their favorite place was on the dock. Years ago, the 'rents had a very large sailboat. I think it was something like a 46 ft Catalina. Which is why they bought the condo they did with it's own dock.



and one of my favorite photos



After a couple days, it was time for us to get back on the road and on our way home.

Family Photo Op...get it while the gettin' is good!



The main purpose for the visit, since we were down that way; was to pick up some family furniture. They are downsizing, realizing that they do not need 2 guest rooms, they are turning one into an office/exercise room. I inherited my mother's 1940' solid maple bedroom suite, an antique tea table, drop leaf table and a couple boxes of antique glassware. They were considering giving/selling it to strangers. HELL NO! That's MY family stuff. Stuff that I grew up with, stuff that should be handed down; not sold off to someone who has no bond to it.

The uhaul place did not have the smaller truck that would have more suited our needs, so we had to go larger... not only cost us more to rent, but every 200 miles Rambo would stop to put gas in it… $85.00. It’s a 700 or so mile trip. That’s a lot of gas! Especially considering that the Hybrid Camry only took one tank of gas enroute. Started with a fullish tank and had to fill it one time on the road. $42.00 SWEEET!

Rambo and Boy Wonder back there in the Uhauler



Teen Queen Making the Most of Having Whole Back Seat to Herself


yes I took it while driving!


Got home just after midnight I think...have to get up early to meet with principal at desired choice of high school for Teen Queen....

Family Downsizes from SUV to Hybrid...

Here is my gushing on RoofBag. In fact, this is the 'testimonial' email I have sent to the company.

These day's easy to find a company or person to gripe or bitch about; they are EVERYWHERE!!! People have lost their manners, as well as their sense of accountability. I often bitch about these bufoons in my daily life. When one comes across a company which has shown excellence in customer service as well as offering a great product at an affordable price...well it's brag time baby!

my letter:
For the past 8 years or so I have either had a van or an SUV. Having extra space for road trips was never an issue for this family. This past March we traded in our Chevy Trailblazer LT 4x4 for a Toyota Camry Hybrid. We knew we would lose extra space, but the savings at the pump would be worth it.

In July we had a road trip to FL for Fastpitch World Series. Quickly my thoughts went to lack of space and how to get a family of four, ten days worth of belongings per person, pillows, towels, blankets as well as our daughter’s gear bag. Being a catcher her bat bag is jam packed with catchers gear, bats, mitts etc. Her bag alone takes up a good portion of the trunk. One thought was to unload her bag and pack it all individually into the trunk, then place everything else on top. Would that give us enough space, without having to flood the kids with stuff crammed into every nook in the backseat? Another thought was a roof top carrier. We used to have a hard shell carrier when we owned the Trailblazer; but now no roofrack, and on a HYBRID!?!?
I quickly went to one of the Hybrid forums I belong; to ask if anyone had traveled with a rooftop carrier on their hybrids, how it worked out and what kind of soft carrier did they use. Most of the carriers talked about, when more info was found by taking a good close look, are made for and recommended for use *with a rack*. This posed an issue for me, as I did not like the thought of using a bag not made for use without rack and having my family’s belongings scatter all over the interstate!

A quick search online brought ROOF BAG to my attention. Specifically, for use with or WITHOUT a rack! After browsing your site and all of your products, I knew I had found what we needed. Now the question was which size and would it get here in time? I sent off and email to inquire about which size would be best for my car. To my amazement, a reply was sent 2 hours later with advice and size recommendation. WOW! Now that’s service! I placed my order immediately, knowing that we would be on the road in 2 days. I ordered the 11 cu ft CrossCountry in gray, storage pouch, protective mat and set of 3 duffle bags. Even with overnight shipping the cost was far cheaper than most hardshell carriers on the market. RoofBag.com offers a large variety of shipping options.

Happily, my order arrived on time as stated online. When it came time to pack, it was a breeze. The duffle bags made loading and unloading quick and easy. It was super simple to attach and load onto the car. The kids loved that they actually had space in the backseat and did not have to be squished for an 11+ hour trip!

The RoofBag did not shift once during the trip. It’s ability to not shift was put to the test, when wildlife crossed our path late at night and dodging and hard braking became necessary. It was also completely waterproof, as I drove through quite a few rain/thunder storms during the trip.
The fact that once we reached our destination, we removed the RoofBag and folded it into it’s little drawstring storage bag and tossed it into our trunk is an added bonus. As we drove around the ballparks and surrounding areas for the next week; I saw many roadtrippers driving around with their hard shell carriers still attached to their vehicles. This left me feeling pretty smug for having RoofBag.

We are super happy with the customer service as well as our RoofBag! You can bet that we will be recommending this to everyone! Thank you for offering such an amazing product at such an affordable price!!!

What Was THAT Sound???

Oh yeah, that would be the sound of July WHIZZING by!

A whole month without a blog post *eeek*

No joke, one day we have an entire month ahead of us....the next, it's flipping AUGUST and school begins in less than 2 weeks! WTF!?!?!?

Been Wicked busy around here! Wanna know what we've been up to???

Short version:
We've been to FL for Softball World Series, been to visit my mother and step father in FL, drove back home in 2 vehicles, one of which was a uhaul truck, met with high school, got Teen Queen into school of choice, teen queen tried out and made Field Hockey team, laundered clothes to pack up again and be back on the road in 2 days to IA for family golf and visiting. *whew*

L-O-N-G Version (may take a couple postings, one for each stretch of the trip)

Saturday July 12th - July 19th

Saturday July 12th Boy Wonder's baseball team has their Championship Game 10 am. They WIN and not only take their league, but also their division..Double WIN. They ended their season with 20 wins and 1 loss. Pretty damn impressive for 10 and 11 yr olds! Boy Wonder led the league in Homeruns. By season's end he had thumped TEN of em over the fence; 2 of em were GrandSlams!

Game was done, trophies handed out and we were on our way back to the house. Boy Wonder needed to shower, Rambo and I had to finish packing and load up the car, and Teen Queen...well she had to pace herself. Before we knew it we were all set and on the road. Panama City Beach, here we come! Along with thousands of other softball teens and their families! Panama City Beach, FL is where we were headed for the FastPitch World Series (B). There were about 102 teams in the 14U division including Teen Queen's ~ Louisville Magic.

This would be my beloved new Camry Hybrid! Well, new since March...does that still count as new? Having downsized from the Trailblazer LT 4x4, and having to lug Teen Queen's batting and catching gear around, extra space was required for this 11 hour road trip. This is where RoofBag comes into play! I will have to do a post entirely on RoofBag. I cannot recommend this product enough!


Brown Park, Panama City, FL... a very different landscape than home. No palm trees in KY!


It was just go, go, go in Panama City. There was never a whole day off, always something somewhere. We did get in a lil beach time as well as pool time, so that was good. The girls lost the first pool play, which is ok. The pool play games are really just warm up games and do not count towards the bracket games or standings. They then won their next 2 pool play games.

This is an evening view from our 13th floor condo.

Next came the bracket play. 2 games, if you keep winning, you keep playing til you win the whole thing or lose 2. We had to be at a park about 20-30 min away, an hour before the game. Which means we woke up at 5 and were at the park and girls were warming up by 6 am. *ugh* That’s ugly early!

We played a team from TN who promptly kicked our butts. After which we had a gift exchange.

Later, we find out that their pitcher was all-state and they have 6 high school girls on the team. Our girls held their own for a bit against this team for a few innings. While at another park; we found out that this team comes to a B class tournament to warm up for the class A tournament. That’s just wrong.

There was a 5pm game, so much better than 7am! The girls won with ease. We had met our first goal of playing further than last yr.

Sunset at Callaway Fields

Our next game would be against a local team that we play every week. We all laughed that we had to drive all the way to FL to play a team that lives about 20 min away! Since each of us had lost 1 bracket game, this meant whomever lost this game was going home and the other would live to play another game. We wanted to send them home BAD. Beating them would provide us with local bragging rights, our second goal!

Both teams wanted to win to send the other KY team packing. After no score in allotted time it goes to extra innings in an international tie breaker; in which each team gets one more at bat, with a runner already on second base. We managed to score a couple runs. I was already feeling pretty nauseous due to the heat and the game situation. Then to add to my ack, Teen Queen was up! Our girl smacked an out of the park grand slam homerun!!!!!! Talk about screaming fans! From both sides. Rambo was so excited he started banging the fence and managed to crack the crystal in his watch! That's DAMN funny! The next girl up hit a homerun too! By the time we got our 3 outs, it was 9-0 and the OC was up to bat. They managed to get 4 runs.

No still shots taken, I was taking video of the whole game! Yeah, on the Teen Queen's grandslam clip all you can hear is me, screaming and cheering like the ass, er umm... I mean proud momma that I am. Clearly, I will have to edit that clip!

We had won! Not only playing farther than we did last yr, but also beating a local team. We lived to play another game. Little did we know that it was at the next field over and it was NOW! The girls had about enough time to pee and that was it. Time to take the field. Our girls had put everything they had into that previous game. It was super hot and humid, they were exhausted and the opposing team had been resting the whole time our team was playing. The Magic played their hearts out and were beat by this team. It did not matter one bit. We could not have been more proud of our girls.

Everyone: parents, players and coaches were so thrilled that we had met our goals that losing this one just did not matter.

It was now early evening on Friday, we went back to the condo swam a bit in the pool with some of the team. The beach was very mucky, lots of algae and seaweed. We packed up our stuff and got ready to check out Saturday morning.

Post 2 of next stretch coming soon....
but first; my gushing about roofbag

WOW! What a wicked week...

This past week was super wicked busy. I am talking INSANELY hectic since before Mother's Day. Sadly, I was unable to do much KAL/lace knitting. I did however manage to get a little bit of walking crochet/knitting done. I have not yet taken photos of finished work, but soon. Nothing mind boggling, just a few cotton market bags to lessen our consumption of those weak plasticky things they call bags at the grocery.

Mother's Day weekend was spent with just me and the boy wonder. Teen queen was on a trip to Gatlinburg, TN with her school chorus to perform and play around. Rambo was at drill. Very quiet and no drama... nice.

This past week was filled....FILLED with field trips, rehearsals, recognition/promotion ceremonies for both kids. Plus toss in a couple baseball games just for good measure! :o)

Happily both kids have progressed to their next school of higher learning. Teen Queen is on her way to High School and Boy Wonder is off to Middle School. *whew* For this family, elementary school is a thing of the past!

Now onto high school....*shudder*

School is out until mid August for us. Now comes all the competitive softball tournaments, fast pitch world series in Florida, baseball games, family golf tournament, training....and hopefully lots of yarnie goodness for lil ole me! We will be on the go and we will love every crazy, hectic minute of it!

What's a Goil to do?

What's a goil to do while waiting for new yarn to arrive for a KAL? Stash bust of course!

Realizing that I was sick and tired of mini blinds in our road facing bathroom, I made a cafe curtain. Denim Ombre kitchen cotton, and a vintage crochet pattern that I modified. I ALMOST have it perfect. I believe I will need to make another panel in order to have the folding drape to obscure the bathroom window. The photo is that of the panel drying and blocking.




Over Easter, also bored and bummed that I could not work on my Mystic Light KAL, I busted out some Lion Brand Homespun from the stash and made this Generic Granny! Pretty wonderful what a K hook and a week can do!



And last but CERTAINLY not least....my new yarn for the Mystic Light KAL!!! I had chose 2 alternate yarns and colors that I thought might work. As much as I loved my STR Rhode Island Red, the beautiful colors detracted from the lace pattern. Which quite frankly, what's the use in doing lace if you can't see it?!

The Loopy Ewe shipped SO fast! My Lipstick Lava colored Smooshy yarn by Dream in Color arrived last week. Which gave me plenty of time to get re-started on the KAL. I am happy to say that I was able to get clues 1 and 2 done before today! Which is when clue 3 is to be released. *whew* The second yarn, which was ordered from another company... has yet to even be shipped. Apparently, it is on backorder.

I will get a pic of my progress up as soon as I get off my lazy ass to take one. :o)

I am also working on my Blue Moon Fiber Arts Notorious Sock Knitters Club March edition. *loving it*

The children are on Spring Break here. Teen Queen and Boy Wonder are enjoying their time off from a heavily planned schedule. Boy Wonder does have a few baseball practices tossed in there, but for the most part it's all free time baby! Which for them, means ~~~VIDEO GAME TIME!~~~

Since January it's been a bit rough around here, ya know, with Rambo being told that his civilian job no longer exists. Talk about a wicked pissa!

It's never fun to be told you no longer have a job; but that damn job was nothing but a nightmare for us the entire time, good riddance! Thankfully, we still have the military. *never thought I would be thankful for that*

The time off from an endless work week and incessant traveling for no good cause for that damn civilian job has been good for us. Rambo has been able to spend some quality and quantity time with the family, which has been long overdue!

Toppers for Rambos Cast

During the Holly-days after Rambo's foot surgery, we decided that a buffer would be required ... what with the wire coming out the top of his toe and all! ~~EWE ICK ~~

Somehow; the thought of having that wire getting snagged in the bedcovers or whacking it into a baseboard while shuffling around on crutches made my skin crawl! *and it's not even MY foot*

His cast left 4 toes peeping out, plenty of whacking possibilities! I, being the crafty and practical Cappy that I am ... takes off for the kitchen, grabs a plastic cup from our fave sammich shop (jersey mike's), I cut the bottom off, attach the top part of the cup to the end of his cast with medical tape. Voile! A sturdy buffer! Sure it may not be pretty, but it damn sure is practical!

Realizing that the cup would get lots of unwanted attention, (especially from my father in law) I figured a festive topper would grab a better type of attention!

Presenting Rambo's Holly-day Gnome (crochet)

This is clearly an adaptation of the lionsbrand gnome pattern that I made for my nephew's. I thought if I just made the body longer to fit he cast it would be ok. WRONG! The original gnome topper ended up looking like Beetlejuice after he swipes the witch doctors line number...huge body... teeny tiny little noggin. I ripped off the head and just winged it til it looked to be proper size for the bigger torso.

Being the HUGE Minnesota Vikings Fan that he is; I decided to design a Viking for him. I was not thrilled with the drawstring used to keep gnomie on, I figured a ribbed design would be easier and stay on better. I knit 2x2 rib about 7 inches tall, and enough to stretch around the cast. No massive math calculations for this gal! I just fly by the seat o' my drawers!

Once the body was tall enough, I switched to crochet after casting off, and winged a viking noggin that might look as if he has a helmet on, made a couple of horns. then I added blonde braids and mustache! Get a load of this guy!!! (I am so proud) :o)

close up

After Holly Days....whew!

Well the gifties have been unwrapped and played with for a few days now, the leftovers are dwindling down, Father in law and sister in law have gone back to their homes, Lucy and Moe are wondering where the house guests have gone to and all is right at Wicked's Manor.

The kids seemed to have got everything on their lists and them some. Grandfather got some needed clothing items and goofy gifts like a HUGE button remote control, and we also took him to a La z boy showroom to pick out a new chair for himself. Rambo husband got some early gifts, like a new handgun and toys. I got membership to a couple sock clubs.(yayyy yarn!) and a few new snowglobes for my collection.

Dinner consisted of Honey Baked Ham, Hot German potato salad, green bean casserole, holiday cheesy broccoli casserole and punkin pie with ice cream for dessert. Ahhh my perfect holly-day spent with family and food in our own home! Doesn't take much to make me a happy girl!

Sadly, Rambo husband and I fear the kids did not spend enough time with their Grandfather and Aunt. We remind ourselves that they are getting to 'that' age and any time is time enough as far as they are concerned. Grandfather did venture down to the familyroom in the basement while the kids were playing the new video games he got them, to get his grankid doses. Usually Grandfather and Aunt come out during the summer to see the kids in their sporting habitats. This past year however, Grandfather was ill and unable to travel. He says he will be out this June to see them kick butt in their respective sporting events! Grandfather is a huge sports fan!

Rambo husband had his post op Dr appt and all is well on that front. Will go back in 2 weeks for cast removal and upgrade to a walking cast...woo hooo! I have been running errand, doing laundry and taking care of home and hearth.

Happily, I have been working on MS6 and have only a few more rows to complete before the next clue is released. I am loving this pattern!

The non blogging wonder re-surfaces

Almost a month since I last checked in. Something about not having a working camera to post my works in progress takes me away. What's the use in posting when I have nothing to show? The digital camera died at the beginning of the month. Of course it bailed out during a recognition ceremony type thing where Rambo husband and some other high muckety mucks were speaking. Thankfully I had a disposable on hand. the digital had been giving me trouble since October; so I had a disposable just in case. Once a girl scout always prepared I guess.

I have been knitting and crocheting on gifts and on my KAL shawls. SotS is about done, took a long break after the bead disaster in the Suv...could not even think of beads after that one! The Mystic Waters is also almost complete, and MS6 (winter) is on track. I have vowed not to be a turtle on this one and actually stay up with the clues as they come out. A lofty goal when one has so much going on! Plus many Kals beginning in Jan 2008!!!

I did in fact buy myself a gifty new camera! Yaaay!!! A canon powershot with zoom. I am certain it will take better pics than my old 3 pixel one did! In fact here are some Gnomes I sent off to my Nephews in MA.

Aren't they cute???



close up fo single Gnomie gnome



Rambo husband had foot surgery. Home on crutches. In law family at our home, for the Holidays. I love being home for the holidays...finally. Past 2 years have been spent not at our own home. I have always had this "Norman Rockwell-esque" desire to have the Holidays in our home every year.

Saturday I was to run errands, pick up headboard for my son on the other side of town at the warehouse, mail packages, drop off donatables, grocery/costco run. My plans were severely changed when I headed out to learn I had a flat tire! Then I was off to Big O for 2 new tires. One thing after another, at the warehouse…the headboard will not fit in the trailblazer…of course it won’t why would it. 2 goobers tie the box to the top of my suv. I cannot take the highway home as I have this tied to my car and it is windy out…find alternate backroads route home...all the while hoping the box does not fall off and break or better yet injure someone…becoming mistaken for Santa was becoming a real issue for me as the clouds came rolling in and the winds picked up…..

“is that santa….no it’s just Regina in her black trailblazer”

Issues and more issues ensued throughout the day…I will not even go into the details…it ended with a can of exploding coke in my fridge that went all over me, my kitchen, floor and ceiling…quite the power from 1 lil can of pop! I knew I should have crawled back into bed after the flat tire was spotted!!!

Sunday, the cat brought a wee little mousey pal in from the garage. No easy task for a house cat with no front claws...impressive but I cannot have a half live mouse in my house!!!

I can hardly wait to see what the universe has in store for me today!!!

Happy Chris-ma-kah to everyone!

Wholly Crap! New Post and many FOs (photo heavy)

Yep, bout time for a new post eh? As you can see I have been busy...I have FOs to show!!!

I have been working on SotS and Mystic Waters KALS...no real progress to show as they are both in progress. I was halted with SotS for a little bit after the bead fiasco! I do alot of my yarn tangling while I am in the car bringing or picking the kids up from various activities throughout the week. I still am not certain what happened or caused this to occur, but... just visualize tiny seed beads whooshing out of the canister and into the air vents of your vehicle!!! *sigh* yes, it happened and it would of course happen to ME! :o)

You see them in there....yes, an entire canister. I spent the rest of carpool fishing them out one by one with my wee little crochet hook. After that, it was a while before I could bring myself to touch beads again. *shudders*

Another Nephew Blankie has been completed and shipped! Almost on time..unlike the previous ones. *better late than never I say* Handmade is best! Crochet using Caron Simply Soft yarn and pattern used is from The Crochet Dude *monet afghan*

A Knit Earflap Hat for Jack! Made with Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Charcoal. Matching Mittens are on the needles now. Pattern from the Fall 2007 Knit Simple magazine. Pattern is Tasseled Earflap Hat. No tassel for Jack though! :o)

Fingerless Mitts for Meg! Pattern is from Fluffy Knitter Deb Kureyon Wristers. Made with Noro Iro in colorway 40 (blue green) She LOVES them and wears them every chance she gets!

The Stocking KAL at Cauldron of Crafts is complete! It has been finished for a while, just waiting for me to block and get a photo! Never having made a stocking before... I quite enjoyed this project and do plan to make more.

Fun Slippers for Marc~ Still have to waterproof/slip-proof the bottoms before gift giving for the Holly Days! Crocheted from Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick. Pattern is fuzzy bunny slippers from the Stitch n Bitch crochet book...minus the bunny ears! :o) Brown for the uppers, dark green inside sole, and charoal for bottom sole. Scrap yarn was used for a free hand stitched spiral on the upper. Difficult to see. The process I will be using to waterproof/slip-proof the bottoms can be seen here ~~~> Making Slippers Non Skid

I think that's about it for now...well there are a few other things laying around waiting for their photo shoot. As well as much more yarnie fun on the hooks and needles!

It has been nice with the kids being done with sports for a while...well at least til February! *eep* Taking advantage of this my house is getting some much over due attention and cleaning!

Scarf Progress...yes so soon!

Daughter had Competitive Softball tournament this weekend... I know, SHOCKING! So I thought I could get a start on the first scarf.

Red Heart super saver yarn in Burgundy
Lily Chin pattern
J hook

Everyone always asks what I am making at any given time. The know I am a busy body when it comes to yarn projects. the day before this I was working on trapezoids for a nephew afghan! (from the new Crochet! magazine) They knew this was not part of that. So I filled them in on the Red Scarf Project.

Ahhhh August!

Finally... almost the end of softball season...well at least the travel part of it! This past weekend the daughter's team had another tournament. It was local this time. They came in second place. 8 games in 2 days in sweltering heat and stagnant humidity. Pretty amazing!

In other blogworthy news....I am ultra happy to announce that the husband has come around! Apparently, at some point alarms went off he felt feelings (*ACK*) and he actually missed us! (picture the Grinch and heart growing) He returned from a business trip to announce to me that he decided it was time that he grew up. That he wanted his family and how terribly sorry he was. I calmly asked, "could you repeat that in my good ear." He knew I wanted and needed to hear the apology again.

Funny how when you are with someone for 16 years that they may actually know you better than you know yourself. Or at the very least know your patterns. As would be the case with me and mine. It drives him bonkers that I was right; and knew he had to process all of this. He said I was right, I mentioned how lucky he is that I knew what he was going through and that I understand that there has to be 2 sides to him. He said he knows how extremely lucky he in fact is. In case you missed it...Heart Ripping Entry

August is steamy here in the Ville. School starts the 13th! The uniforms have been purchased, the supplies have been bought, and the classes will be registered for this week. Where does the time go? Oh yeah, I know....traveling with Competitive Softball!!! :o)

The Daughter has begun her conditioning and practices for her Field Hockey school team. Big bad 8th grader this year; and the kick ass GOALIE of her team.

The Son decided not to do Football this year, but rather Fall Ball. Fall Ball is baseball in the Fall. He is torn between Baseball and Football. The past 2 years football won out. He will begin after Labor Day. He is a big bad 5th grader this year.

Both are in the last year of their respective schools. Next year she moves to HIGH SCHOOL and he moves to MIDDLE SCHOOL. It should prove an exciting year for both of them.

Hard to believe summer is over already! Goes by waaaaaaay too fast if you ask me! Hmmm, 5 hours with the house all to myself. What to do, what to do?!

Louisville Magic comes home

Well, they played....they won some...and lost more...so we are home again! It was definately an experience.





Here is a shot of beautiful Lake Michigan! Both the kids had a blast on the Dunes of Indiana as well as swimming in the Lake. I have never been to Lake Michigan, I was amazed how beautiful it was. So clean and clear. Not like any lake I have been to when I was little!



Needless to say I did not get much yarn work done at all! Too busy driving all over IL and IN after driving from KY, taking photos, more driving and sleeping when I was not driving!

Greetings from the World Series!

The NSA 'B' World Series, that is!
Northern Indiana.
Meg's team plays tomorrow at noon (central time).
SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo many teams showed up for the Opening Ceremonies. I will try to get some shots up later in the week!

GO LOUISVILLE MAGIC!

another weekend, another championship!

Gooooo Louisville Magic!

http://eteamz.active.com/LouisvilleMagicFastpitch/index.cfm?league=3099345&subsite=3657430


Wish them luck in the 2007 NSA 'B' World Series, July 22nd-29th 2007!

Care to help with the team expenses.....
BATTING FOR BUCKS!---pledge $ for team or individual hits from now till the World Series.
For more info please email me
wckdstitchwitch@aol.com
subject~ Batting for Bucks

THANK YOU!!!

Wonder what I have been up to? Allow me to tell you!

What's a gal to do when the man she has been married to for 15 yrs, stuck by him through thick and thin, comes to her and announces that he no longer wants to be married , that he is going through a selfish time, he is used to being a bachelor, having done it basically for the past 2 yrs; he enjoys it and has been planning this for the past 3 months

umm yah; this would be my life! pretty unbelievable...

I am doing as good as I possibly can. This was told to me Friday June 22nd, while in a hotel room at my daughter's softball tournament. He drove from Atlanta to come see the tournament. He has been living there since the end of Jan, due to his taking a new job which was supposed to have us relocate there. (some of you I am sure recall my lightning speed reloacation nightmare, only to be told the day before we were to go on the market that it was all suspended)

He dropped this on me, and being at the tournament and with my kids, I had no choice but to suck it up and continue on with my life. We talked all night Friday and at times during Saturday...basically we agreed that being apart 2 yrs has not helped our marriage. He has not HAD to balance career and family and is thinking he doesn't really want to. I told him that he has to AT THE VERY LEAST GIVE IT A TRY!!! Long story short, the following Monday he text my phone saying that he was sorry for having put me through this again and that it took him almost losing the kids and myself again to realize what he has and was almost ready to give it all up. By Tuesday the kids and I were driving to Atlanta to go get him and all his stuff out of the apartment, and move him back home. Wednesday night we were all home safe and sound, along with all his stuff. He will be working out of the office here in town, only traveling out of town for business. However, instead of going back to his own quiet apartment in GA, he will be coming back to our home and family. I can only hope that this works in our favor and be able to save this and that he gets his head right again. It will be a work in progress for quite some time I am certain.

So while I may have won for now, I am not dumb and realize that he can change his mind at any given moment. So I continue to hope for the best and try to prepare myself emotionally for the worst.

It really does stink, to say the *very* least; but we will try to make it through all of this. Like I said to him, we have not made it through all that we have these past 15 yrs to quit now. Also that I have not sucked it up for all this time, holding everything together and doing it well while he was in Iraq etc and have this become the thanks I get! sheesh! None of this has been easy for any of us; he needs to realize that.

Keep your finger crossed for my little family!

summer is here and I am wicked busy

First off... Leigh Ann had a blog contest...see here http://leighsknittinandgardeningescapades.blogspot.com/2007/06/june-contest-guess-how-many-projects.html which by the way, I won! I never win ANYTHING, I am stoked.


I've been living at the ball parks in and around and not so around town with the kids. Jack has 2 games a week, Meghan has 2 practices a week along with the usual weekend tournament. Soon she will be adding 1 week night game to the schedule as well. *whew*


This past weekend there was no tournament...one of our few weekends off. We did nothing spectacular, just hung out around the house and chilled out.


The weekend before....we were in Dale, Indiana for a tournament. We stayed in lovely Santa Claus, IN. Of course there were no rooms available....so being the daring team we are, we rented RV's. No...I am *not* kidding; oh how I wish I were. I learned that given the choice, I will always choose the hotel room over an RV. Game wise, the girls won 2 and lost 2 which sent us home early Sunday. This weekend we are off to another tournament!


Craftiness I have been up to... seems like I have a gazillion things going at once and not making any progress on any of them. I hate when that happens.


Enter the photo zone....


This is for the Larger Than Life Tote from Interweave Crochet Spring 2007 also a current CAL over at Fiber Freaks.

Next up is a crochet wide brim hat. Black and White cotton ease, ideally to wear at the ballparks. Pattern from Knit Simple magazine spring/summer 2007.
This is going to be a tunic tank from the same magazine for my daughter. Made from one of those big ole honkin skeins of peaches n cream cotton. OK, I saw it and could not pass it up! :o)





Let's see, what else do I have on my plate....ahhh yes...this lovely dress for the daughter! Again, pattern from the same magazine mentioned above.

Which will eventually look like this....
An afghan for my one of my nephews...




This was started a while ago. Of course this one is for me...which probably explains why it is least worked on. :o) Eventually it will be a scoop neck tank top. From the same Knit Simple magazine mentioned about eleventeen times in this entry.


This is the same yarn I was attempting to crochet my summery top in, way back in April. Amazing how different it looks worked up crochet vs. knit!


Last but not least a gratuitous photo of Moe the cat. Wondering what the heck I am doing throwing all this fibery goodness on the floor and not allowing him to climb all over it! ;o) The nerve!