Out for a sloppy stroll

This certainly doesn't look or feel like Wisconsin in January.

The running water creates some really beautiful things.But some pretty sloppy situations too.

But it didn't matter, because there are always games to play at the park. Like this one - otherwise known as jumping feverishly to get a branch that's way out of your vertical leap.

And Harry was thrilled to be out and about. Not that I'm sure he can see much of it anymore. I think it might be time for a hair cut.

Learning new things

After a good time creating things,

We spent our morning at Growing Power, learning about the place and getting oriented to become full-fledged volunteers. We saw worms, and how their sifted goodness makes for great compost.And huge tanks raising tilapia and perch while filtering the water for the plants. And then we checked out the animals - turkeys, chickens and goats. So now we're ready to fulfill some regular volunteering gigs on Sundays, fulfilling my interest in volunteering this year. And C-man gets credit for his kindness and justice project for school. Perfect.

************** In knitting project progress, I'm 18" done with the front of my sweater. You know, that sweater front of entrelac that I've never attempted before and has been taking me forever? Yeah, that one. Only 3.5" to go. Then it's the other sleeve and finishing it. Sigh... This might be done in May.

Happy Anniversary

44 years of wedded bliss. Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

A really lucky swan

13 trivial Thursday things

1. I count by 4s in my head when I'm stressed out. I've been doing a lot of counting lately.
2. My books and magazines have to be pristine. I do not dog ear them or roll them or do anything to defile them. Ever. (Which is ironic, because nothing else in my life is pristine.)
3. I find the older I get, the less I like vegetables. Except green beans and artichokes. Those are fab. The rest I just sort of choke down because I know I should. (ETA - I also like beets a lot. I forgot about those.)
4. I'm embarrassed I used to like that philandering bastard, John Edwards.
5. I have a deep desire to scream until I'm hoarse when I hear people talk disparagingly about those who have no or only children.
6. If I could move tomorrow to go work and live in another country, I'd be gone before you could even say goodbye.
7. I'd really like to write a book, but can't come up with a good enough plot to spend the time doing it.
8. It'd be really fun to be in a local theater company production. Except they're always looking for people who can sing.
9. I can't sing. At all. You're going to have to trust me on this one.
10. My socks rarely match one another. They're always close, but rarely a match.
11. I hate that I drive a minivan. I mean I REALLY hate driving a minivan.
12. I think the majority of people are only mediocre at their jobs.
13. I'm never calmer than with a camera in my hand.

Word of the day: Massholes

Wordless Wednesday: Lap Dog

Apparently it's Christmas again

Beerman's been gone again. (Thank God he's on his way home, because Harry's been plastered against the door with worry - the hairball doesn't do that when I'm gone!) So things are a little extra busy. Which is why we never heard the UPS guy come last night. (I've disabled the door bell because the neighbor kid kept laying on it every time he came over, causing Harry to howl and me to swear, and well, let's just say it's better this way.) So imagine my surprise when I opened the door to go wait for the bus with C-man this morning to find 2 boxes wiating for us on the front step.

The first was a box of presents from Beerman's grandma we never see, because well, every family's got its story, now doesn't it... So that box remains unopened until he gets home. His family, he can have the joy of unwrapping them. Plus, I just didn't have the time, because the bus was quite literally, rumbling down the road.

Also, because I was too busy opening the other box. The one just for me. The one with a really beautiful pair of marcasite earrings from C-man and Beerman that was supposed to be delivered December 19th. You know, for Christmas. Apparently Amazon doesn't know the difference between December and January. Bastards. Anyhow, I have the earrings. And they're really great. C-man has excellent taste. Plus, he was so excited I got them and was wearing them today, he was absolutely beaming. It was very cute. (I tried to take a photo of them in, but I kept getting closeups of my pores that are in need of a facial, and figured this was the better alternative.)

Well, at least that's what I thought he was so happy about. I found out the real reason just before the bus stopped. He turned to me and said, "I can have the boxes for my projects tonight, right, Mom?" "Yes, buddy, you can have the boxes." "Cool. Because one is going to be a boat. But not to take in the tub, because it's cardboard. Bye Mom!" And with that, he was gone.

Anyhow, apparently it's Christmas again. So Merry Christmas. And a Happy January 19th!

Damnit, we're out of time!

I would be committing some sort of egregious sin if today's Happy Monday didn't go out to the one, the only, Jack Bauer. That's because, ladies and gentlemen, he's back. And if having something to look forward to on Monday isn't something to be happy about, I don't know what is. What's that? You don't know Jack? Then get started, damnit. Although the kill count is going to have to get updated with the new season. If you didn't watch last night, stream it today before tonight's episode! Because, after all, it'll make you happy.

A Sunday at the park

Harry found a tennis ball another dog thoughtfully left behind. The birds were out taking advantage of the grass that's showing.

The robins apparently missed that "fly south" memo.

C-man found the geocache again. Totally amazing.

We even found a buck rub. Which, of course led to the, "Why do the bucks want to let the does know they're here?" Um... to be friends?

A long overdue morning of geocaching

Channeling a bit of Grandma as he digs in the tree for the cache...

A proud find. It's amazing how C-man seems to find every single one. Following Dad down the path

Another happy find

A wintry Klode Park

Lake Michigan view

And my favorite shot of the day

Random Stuff

• I've got a cold. My throat hurts. And I can barely keep my eyes open. Guess where I got that?
• My popovers were featured on last Friday's One Word Project (January 8th). Life got hectic, and I forgot to shamelessly self-promote. It really surprised me, since the other entries are all so professional, and I entered to learn a bit more about photography. But I'll take it.
• I'm getting my hair cut today. I can't wait. I love getting my hair cut, and it's overdue by about 2 weeks, so it'll be really good.
• On this date in 1967, the Packers won the very first Superbowl. I am willing to bet my parents still argue about whether or not it was actually called the Superbowl.
• Nobody argues about where the money went that they gave to my sister for safekeeping when they made that bet.
• If you're on Twitter, and half-obsessed with Haiti, there are some great tweets coming from @firesideint.
• I ate a big breakfast. It's part of my quest to go back to eating more protein and working out more.
• I'm reading The Help. After I got over the style in which it's written, I'm really enjoying it. Which is great, because I've been in a bit of a book dry spell. But I have 4 sitting on my nightstand waiting for me after this one.
• In our quest to make 2010 our year of winning contests, Beerman submitted a recipe to the local paper for the Bacon Bakeoff Contest. We got a call the other day saying his recipe was going to be one that they tried. Which is funny when you realize he has previously mocked bacon desserts, doesn't make desserts himself (that's my job), and thought it up in about 20 minutes.
• When I got to work, I discovered someone brought in kringle. I would have passed it up since I'm not hungry, except it was from O&H Bakery. Seriously, the best.kringle.ever. Passing that bakery on my way to work each day was the best part about living in Racine.
• Only 76 more days until a long weekend at work.

Sometimes it consumes me

Trapped miners in Pennsylvania, a tsunami in Indonesia, the Hurricane Katrina devastation in New Orleans, and now, of course, Haiti... I see the images and hear the reports, and it haunts my nightmares. And I'm not talking metaphorically here, people. I really do get a little more involved than some might consider healthy.

In the spirit of that, here are 3 really reliable donation options for you. It's as easy as a click. If nothing else, do it just to spite Pat Robertson.

Where I put my money: Partners in Health

The old standby: Red Cross

Clean water needs: Charity Water

Oh, the resolutions

This time of year is always a bit of a struggle for me. The lack of sunlight. The holidays are over, and it's such a long stretch of work with no day off until Easter. (My work doesn't even give MLK Jr Day off. WHAT?!?) The sicknesses that seems to spring up, in spite of my best efforts to keep us pumped full of vitamins and wash our hands a lot. And did I mention the complete lack of sun? Combined, it always feels a bit like a death march to Easter. Or at least to the days when you can wake up and it's not completely black outside.

And of course, besides a month-long vacation on my favorite beach in the world, the two things that really help me with the funk are a good diet and exercise. Coincidentally, they are also the top 2 things I DON'T want to do this time of year.

So while I'm not one of those who is resolving to lose weight for the new year, I'm resolving to exercise and eat better to try to get me out of this funk. 5:30 a.m. spinning, here I come. Ugh.

So it's only Tuesday?

I have a sick kid who I am going to pick up from school at 11 in the hopes that some couch time will help him. There's a ton of work to get done at my job. Blogger doesn't want to cooperate and is posting things on the wrong dates. My head hurts. I'm all anxious over some test results. And Mark McGwire broke the cardinal rule - there's no crying in baseball!

Since I've gotten all my bad stuff out before 9 a.m., the rest of the day is going to shine a lot brighter.

Happily Monday

Seriously, does it get any happier than a fresh latte from your favorite coffee shop? The smells, the aromas, the shushing of the milk frothing, the cheery conversation with the barrister who on occasion gives your dog a bath...

Coffee. It's a happy thing.

Putting it all away

The Christmas tree went down on New Years Day. But the Nativity scenes always stay past 3 Kings Day. C-man had great fun putting the kings out. But last night I realized that 3 Kings Day has long come and gone, so today it was time to put the Nativities away too. Of all the Christmas things, the Nativities are my favorite. I have a hand-painted one, a cheap one, a Fisher Price one, a hand-carved wooden one from South Africa, and then I have this small one. I love them all, because they all mean something, but this one is my favorite.Many years ago, I was a teenager living in Brazil, thousands of miles away from family. And at Christmas, my sister - against the advice of EVERYONE - mailed me this creche. It's glass. And she mailed it to me during a time when even letters from the US were getting stolen in case they had dollars in them. But somehow, it made it. In those days pre-email, the mail was my rare connection to home. And getting a package, let alone a special package, was a really big deal. And I remember that feeling every time I look at it. That feeling of being connected to family. So it gets put away for another year. For another day to again be pulled out, to remember the importance of family and holidays and doing something special to connect to those who matter most, regardless of the season.

Making use of a great winter day

As the snow continues...

Wine club tonight. A much needed because oh my God this hair is a nightmare hair cut tomorrow. Some snowshoeing in-between. And in spite of everyone complaining about the foot of snow we got overnight, I kind of like it. I think it's because it all feels quieter. And softer. Like a big blanket. And I love that. I really do like snowy days.

4 Days of shameless begging left

You've only got 4 days left to vote for my photo. You know, if you want to and all.

Want to help me win?

So I entered another photo contest with the Christmas kissing picture. You have to register, but it's free. So click HERE and vote for "Sealed with a Kiss"!

Levity

Wordless Wednesday - Icy Waters

I'm a winner. And gosh darnit, people like me.

Upon the suggestion of my mom, in December, I submitted a photo (see upper right of this blog) to a local TV station's holiday photo contest. And wouldn't you know it, I won the whole damn contest. And that would mean I get a 22" LCD HD TV.I took a photo of my husband kissing me AND I got a TV. Now that's a good thing.

Hope

"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for" Allan Chalmers

Once upon a time, a good friend told me that you always need something to look forward to in order to keep you heading toward what you really want. It's advice I've taken to heart, as it's gotten me through good times and bad. And years later I find myself still asking that same question - What am I looking forward to? This year? This month? This week? This today? Right now?

What are you looking forward to?

Come on, get hap-peeee

It is with excitement and trepidation that I bring you the Monday Happiness Project. Excitement, because every Monday, I'm going to bring you something that makes me really happy. And I think that's fun. Trepidation because, well, that's a lot to expect out of a Monday. But I guess that's part of the point.

So go on, get happy. After all, it's Monday.

What a difference a few months can make

Mailbag

I've gotten a few questions lately via comments or emails. So I'm taking today to answer them.

1. The pickle

The pickle is an old German Christmas tradition. It's an ornament, not a real pickle (Once upon a time, I believe it was a real pickle) that someone hides on the tree. It's the last ornament to go up. The person who finds it gets an extra present or year-long good luck. I did not have the tradition as a kid, but we've adopted it in our house to help the youngest family member with the long, difficult wait for Christmas morning. That's because we do the search after Christmas Eve dinner.

2. Entrelac

My apologies to the French, but knitters pronounce it ahn-tray-lock. It's a knitting pattern that makes the yarn look like the it is lattice-weaved. Or as a co-worker called it - pie crust knitting. It involves picking up stitches and knitting together. Not all that tricky as long as you're paying attention. It has been my nemesis because I couldn't figure out how to get it started. And I'm not that great at paying attention while knitting. So for months I'd try it in between projects, and it just kept ending up looking like a giant mess. And then I got scared when I went to the knitting store for help, and the owner looked at me with wide eyes and said, "I don't entrelac!" But I've powered through it, and am happy to report that with some help of the world wide webs, I'm about 8 inches in to the front of a sweater doing the entrelac pattern.

3. My sweater

It's being knitted out of Berroco Ultra Alpaca color 6292. The pattern is the P0347 Rapunzel in Limerick. And the lady at the yarn store told me it'd be no problem to knit. She was not the owner, and not there when I went back for help.

4. My stash

I've resolved to use up my stash of yarn this year. I've also resolved to be better organized so that I use up what I have in life instead of buying more. So this weekend I went to buy a box to hold the stash. Clearly, I need a bigger box. Or to knit a lot faster.

5. My camera

I take a few hundred shots a week with a Nikon D90. Obviously, many get deleted. I've never taken a class (going to try to change that this year) so hopefully in the future I won't have to take so many shots or just hope to get lucky with a few.

There, now wasn't that fun?

Knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, slip, turn...

The repetition of the rows is calming. And seeing actual progress as the sweater gets longer, row by row, is so gratifying.I will finish this sweater. I will finish this sweater. I swear it!

*******

PS - Yes, I'm aware I'm in dire need of a manicure.

*******

PPS - Today is 01022010 - it's a palindrome!

I resolve to...

1. Take part in the one-word project. I really get lost in my camera, so have decided I should get a little focus around how I use it to better focus my photos. And hopefully it'll improve my skills a bit. This month's word is "Create". I'm very excited.
2. Volunteer. C-man is *gulp* almost 5. It's time for us to start showing him how to give to others in ways that mean something. Now the trick is to find a place we can volunteer with a 5 year old! I have a few ideas that might work out though.
3. Focus on my health. This isn't a weight-loss resolution. This is a resolution to make some real decisions about this body that I've been putting off.
4. Make a conscious effort to use less. In doing so, I'm making a real effort to declutter my life. I have so much swirling around all the time, I don't feel like I get to focus on what matters. So I'm getting rid of the negative people, and technology that disconnects me more than it connects me (blog and camera not included, of course), and just all that crap I don't need.
5. In a nod to #4, Use up my yarn stash. I have a ridiculous amount of leftover yarn, or projects I intended to do, but then didn't groove on them once I started. And this includes the sweater that feels like I've been working on for AGES, because, well, I have been. But damnit, entrelac, I've got you figured out. You can't beat me down now! Only a sleeve and the whole front of entrelac to go. I might be done around June.