Baby Rhonda’s Wisconsin Winter Socks

I spent the evening outside with DH, knitting up a baby sock-start to finish, in record time~

I started Baby Rhonda’s Wisconsin Winter Socks last night, cast on and did about 3 rows of ribbing, then put it down until morning.

Next day, 7 am sharp:

I picked up where I left off on the Baby Rhonda’s Sock, worked on it for about 2 hours, turned the heel and never looked back.

It was way too windy to go for a walk, and the temps alone would have put us in hypothermia from the drastic change. I was content to stay in; the wind drives me nuts.

By 9pm, orders were packed and work was done, so while DH heated up some chili, I set to task on the sock foot, and finally the toe was in sight~

Later that night (2 hours later):
We have Baby Rhonda’s Sock #1!

Igor is glad it’s cooler out-he has his SpoiledBratzwear jacket back~

Igor's Jacket by SpoiledBratzwear

The Truck, She is Fixed Again | Kids R Us, Cont’d.

Early Monday afternoon post:
We picked up Dad bright and early this morning, arriving at their house at 9:11 am, then headed back to town and Napa to pick up the new alternator for our truck. The kids decided to stay home, too tired to rise that early. Igor went with, of course 🙂

Dad got to work on the truck right away and had the alternator out and the new one back in within an hour. Tester said we were back up to normal, YIPPY SKIPPY!! We gave him the old alternator to take back for the core charge, with a big THANK YOU for using his truck, half a tank of gas, and all his time and trouble.  Then we went upstairs for lunch for subs! E and I had veggie subs, while J had a Manly Meatful Sub. 🙂

After lunch, DH wanted to take a ride around the area, just to see if the battery was back up to charge; we were good to go. We took the kids over to see the Anhole-Watusi cattle over on Hwy A, but didn’t see any out-just the two calves, in pens back behind the barns. Perhaps they were all inside, as it was much earlier than we usually go. We’ll try again after 7pm, and hopefully this time, the kids will get a good look, if the cattle are up by the road.

Post updates later tonight~

The Truck, She’s Ka-PUT, The Saga Continues

Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Truck She Went Ka-PUT!

Today was fun-filled excitement from the minute I got back from my 5-mile walk. The weather was fine, I just got fed up with swatting at deer flies that attacked us in hordes as we walked. The sun beat down on us; we were both wiped out by the time we got to the last mile…but I was glad I did it. I missed 2 days in a row, and payed the Fiddler for my laziness.

We replaced the battery in the Blazer yesterday, when the “Battery Low” light came on. Sure, why not? The battery was 7 years old, and we suspected it was about ready to go. The dome lights had mysteriously begun to flicker on and off sporadically a few days ago, and the Volt meter started to drop little by little within the past week.

So, new battery in place, we got in the truck for our normal evening ride around the area, glee in our hearts as we watched the Volt meter steadily rise back to the halfway mark. DH was happy. We stopped and looked at a 1974 GMC Sprint with a for-sale sign in the window, parked at the gas station on Hwy. A. DH took some pictures of it, what a beauty, and we oogled it for a while before heading back home.

Aint she a beauty?

We started to pull out of the gas station when DH said, “uh-oh…”. ???, I asked. He said, “The battery light just came back on and the Volt meter just dropped.” Groooooooooannnnn. We headed back home, all the while keeping an eye on the meter, watching it drop like a lead balloon, along with our spirits… By the time we got to Hwy H and turned onto our street, the speedometer and all other gauges went flat-line. Then the Seatbelt Off indicator started flashing…we were in a near panic, hoping the car would make it back to our house before stalling completely. No sooner had we pulled into our driveway and braked in front of the garage, the engine sputtered and died. That was all she wrote.

I called the garage and spoke with the mechanic. Yep, that whistling sound we heard right after replacing the battery, that was the alternator. That much, I remembered from past experience.  Charge the battery overnight and bring it in next day, he said. Cool, except tomorrow is Sunday. So, we’ll wait and take it in on Monday- no need to let it sit at the garage doing nothing, when it’s safer here.

Tomorrow comes early. Dad will be here at 9am with his Jimmy as a loaner, until our truck is back.

I really need to give my knitting needles a workout-the Rose Parade doily is about 5 roses from the next stage, attaching all the motifs will be fun.

Tomorrow, we will rest and relax. No need to stress over things out of our control. I read on Yahoo News tonight, Truckee, CA. is one of the best lake towns in the US. I was surprised Lake Geneva, WI wasn’t on the list. It’s one hopping tourist town right now. I’d love to go back and visit Truckee or at Lake Tahoe, my other favorite lake spot, where I practically grew up. The crisp mountain air and smell of Ponderosa pines would be so rejuvenating about now.

Thank you, Sis, for sending me these photos. They help in more ways than you can imagine!! ♥♥♥

Sweet dreams of Emerald Bay and the Ponderosa pines ~and good night.

The Truck, She’s Ka-PUT, Day 2

We got up this morning and awaited the arrival of Dad, who was bringing up his Jimmy for us to use to go pick up the kids in Chicago. When Dad arrived, he brought a big “tester” thingy, on a tripod with wheels, and hooked it up to the battery to see if he could get a reading. He then surprised us by offering to change the alternator for us WHOOT! Maybe the Ancient Ones are still looking out for us, after all!!

We made the trip to Chicago in good time- Igor was beside himself with joy at seeing E. and J. and just could not contain himself, running first from one to the other and all around the rest of the small group. It was so good to see them, what a long year this has been!!!
DH got the kids’ luggage packed up, and waited for the goodbyes from family members. It is always tough; we only get to see them once or twice a year, as it is….then we crammed ourselves back into the Blazer, ready to head back home. Igor lay down, content in his small space beside the ginormous suitcase that E. brought with her.

We made it back home in good time, unpacked the Blazer and got everyone settled in. We were all starved and realized we better eat something before heading into town for the evening’s dinner fixins: French Bread Pizza, and breakfast stuff for in the morning. All we had in the house was a bag of authentic Mexican tortilla chips, some salsa, sour cream, and some french fries DD19 had baked just before we got back.

After dinner, DD19 and DD17 wanted to take a ride into town to get desert. “Surprise me!”, I said, when they asked what we would like. They came back with a Sara Lee French Silk chocolate pie, YUM!

After dinner, we settled down to watch This Is Spinal Tap on DVD, a tradition in our family, when the kids come out. What a great movie!! Half-way through, just about at the Stonehenge scene, (my favourite part)  we got into the pie.

When the movie was over, E.& J. settled down to watch some music videos on E’s laptop, which I had set up to access our wireless. It worked like a charm; is that Macbook FAST! I want one!!!

We have to get up early to go pickup Grandpa in the morning, 9am. He called us to tell us his car’s brake line broke today, so now they are without a car!!! I feel horrible for them being stranded, after loaning us their truck, so we have to make sure they get their truck back, in any event!! Dad is going to come over and change our alternator, and then we’ll take him back home. I’ll stay here while the kids go with, so they can see their Grandma.

Tomorrow comes early, so I’ll sign off for now, with a promise of pictures soon!

Jane Fonda’s Original Workout – Beginners 2, week 2.

I am obviously in dire need of a walk, having missed 2 days in a row now. The Guilts have set in. It all depends on the weather. This morning, I as up at 7:00am and was about to get dressed and ready to go at 7:45 when the rains began…I could hear it pitter-patter on the skylight in the bathroom, as I was applying my mascara. Yes, I put my face on before I go out. Anywhere. No exceptions. It’s that little shred of 50+ vanity I still cling to and I don’t care what anyone thinks. If I’m going out in public in nothing more than a T-shirt,  sport bra that smashes my boobs to nothing, spandex shorts that show every bump, ankle socks and walking shoes, I may as well attract as much attention away from my flab-tastic boody and up toward the business end. 🙂

In other news:
DD19 is officially enrolled in college!
She got her registration in today, and has 2 classes in Graphics Illustration. She’s all set and just needs to wait on her FAFSE which should be available end of August, so she can pick up the books on the list they gave her.  She’s working over 78 hours every pay period, stashing every penny away to pay for her tuition so she won’t have to borrow so much. That girl is determined and I am so proud of her. ♥♥♥

Storms moving in, I will have to close shortly, but will get a quick blurb in to update Sharon’s Rose Parade Doily-the Orchid Pink is on the way, as we speak! YIPPY SKIPPY! It should be here either Wednesday or Thursday, and in the meantime, I can get my knit-fix in while plurking away at some rows of my ALASKA Jacket.

Here’s the latest updated foteez of  Sharon’s Rose Parade Doily; my rendition of the Blue Girl Roses will dance around the outside soon!

Have a beautiful day/evening, wherever you are. ♥♥♥

A Young Woman Spreads Her Wings

What is it about knitting that brings one back to center. I guess you have to be a devout Knitter to be able to answer that one. Today was pretty stressful, and I found comfort in my knitting, as I usually do.

And when I’m not knitting (or working),  I’m out working in my gardens, yanking weeds, or taking a 3-mile walk with the neighbor. Those are the things that can really clear one’s head.

This afternoon, I sat outside and enjoyed the rays of a warm sun while working on my Drops “Alaska” jacket, and as one friend said, my needles were smokin’! I’m really liking the colors as they come together; it reminds me of a Pendleton or Hudson Bay Trader-style blanket, and will be very warm. The only part that bothers me is the 2-stitch garter edge; I’m not very good at weaving in such small areas, and the front borders are sadly showing my lack of expertise. Thankfully, the crochet border will hide all that, later. For now, I’m enjoying the play of colors as my jacket evolves from a basket of yarns, into the layers that will define the style.

DH and I had fun grilling out night before last. The weather was absolutely perfect, a cool 68.  We made Grilltop Burritos while watching a spectacular sunset off in the distance.

Nom-lisious!

I took a picture of a new wildflower that emerged in our gardens this year-Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis odorata. It smells like anise when you break a stem. There are many uses for it, most of which are uses in fruit salads and ice cream. I wonder how it would fare in my biscotti?

The Wild Phlox is absolutely gorgeous now, and it’s coming up EVERYWHERE! This year seems to favor the wildflowers.

Nats was gearing up for her solo flight (first car trip) to Indianapolis to see her brothers and sister, and assorted nieces and nephew. Tonight DH commented on her absence, and go figure, just when I was blogging about it….we are definitely feeling her absence tonight. Even though she’s normally not around much anyway, just knowing she’s not close by is enough to feel the void.

We are thinking about you out there, FreeBird  Nats. Spread your wings and fly high, fly free and enjoy these days~ we love you and miss your familiar presence tonight.

Julia’s Cabled Headband Done!

I finished Julia’s Cabled Headband this morning, and had DD19 model it for a photo shoot before she left for work.
The pattern is from Julia’s Cabled Headband by Pauline Chin.

This was a great practice piece for getting ready to make a cable knit cardigan. I’m definitely planning to make more of these, quick and easy~

Our neighbor came over and helped us take down a large dead oak tree that had started to lean at a dangerous angle. We were afraid it would eventually come down as it gets pretty windy here in Spring. The risk and subsequent liability was not worth leaving it up. The neighbor needed wood, and we got some for our fire pit in the deal, as well. I figure I walked a mile, back and forth between hauling out the cuttings, and am definitely deserving of a double-dip ice cream waffle bowl, with sprinkles, thank you~

After we were done with the tree removal, we noticed another neighbor walking his dog, and flagged him down for a stop-over chat. He is still recovering from a terrible snowmobile accident last Jan, and is doing well. It was good to see him out and about, considering the alternative.

CJ called to announce they have moved Teh Babeh Rhonda out of the Parental Bedroom and into her own ROOM! They painted and hung wall borders, got her furniture in place, and just have wall decorating left to do. Pictures will follow.

Miss Rhonda also got a new Froggy Potty this week, YAY!

“Where teh wheels??”

It’s chilling down fast, so I’m heading to the kitchen to rummage up some leftover fajita chicken and do a little knitting. I feel a nap attack coming on, so I better keep busy or I’ll be up all night, nothing unusual for me…

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Hair to Here, No More

I lost 10 inches of old hair 2 days ago, and have finally overcome my initial shock.

I finally got up the nerve to get rid of years worth of L’Oreale Dark Brown 4G; it simply would not fade away gracefully. My normal medium reddish brown was becoming more apparent as it grew out, so I had to do something.

So on Wednesday, after 20 minutes of combing and measuring, 10 inches of my hair was laying in a heap on the bathroom counter, limp, rejected and sad.

I was at once mortified, and then relieved asI dried it and it looked and FELT more healthy than it had in literally years.

From this:

to this:

The dry ends are all gone, it’s laying nicely, so with a heavy heart, but lighter head, I start all over again.

DH took one look and said he wanted to do me, said it would be like doing a new woman, and not cheating. He was smiling as I smacked his ass. I love Mr. Comedian.

DH and I went to a local Harley Davidson dealership last week, and there was I, proudly strutting around with my waist-length hair, feeling all Biker-Chicky and all…

Yesterday we visited another bike dealership in Lake Geneva, and I donned my new Do, and felt like a traitor…do I deserve to look at a bike???

I saw a green two-tone Boulevard (Suzuki) and said, OYEAH, I still have kinda longish hair so why am I slinking around like a shaved rat with my tail tucked…DH said I’d still look foxy on that bike-I LOVE HIM!! ♥♥♥

Classic HD

2005 Suzuki Boulevard

Baby (R)Honda is a Walking Fool at 14 months, Baby can she move!  All I could get was a blur and the back of her head as she was leaving, hehehee!

Have a BE-YOU-tiful weekend!!

xoxoSandra

This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let It Shine

Rhonda loves her new Tiffany-style Dragonfly lamp

(R)Honda’s new lamp for her bedroom arrived today, on St. Paddy’s day~Mommy loves it and I think Baby Girl does too 😀

Today was a GLORIOUS St. Paddy’s day~ the sun shined down on us, warming the temps to the lower 60’s. It was a perfect day for a walk with Igor, so leash and plastic pooh-bag in hand, we headed out.

A flock of Sand Hill Cranes circled overhead, a cacophony of happy birds looking for new nesting spots, and returning couples ready to setup housekeeping at familiar nesting sites. The pond still has a thin glaze of ice left over from long winter months, a family of Canadian geese lounged on the edges waiting for a break. Soon, the pond will be alive with the sounds of bullfrogs, peepers, cranes and geese. We’ll enjoy an occasional Painted turtle as it crosses the road to find a nesting site down in the reeds.

Life begins anew in our little corner of the world, as we celebrate Spring with a jig in our step and a song in our hearts. ♥

We topped of our day with a Corned beef on pumpernickel rye, sauerkraut, aged Swiss and a healthy dollop of 1000 island dressing, griddle pan-fried, and a side of boiled buttered potatoes.

Look out, Danica, there’s a New Indy 500 Champ on the Horizon!

Just a quick update on Baby Girl, with a new picture to share~

The Kiddo is going to be 1 year old in about 4 weeks, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone since I last got to hold her, new from the hospital.That was the longest 2 months of my entire life, until they were able to release her and I could make the trip south to finally get to see and hold her.

Zooom, Baby!

She is just about the cutest little thing, always has a smile on her face!

Watching the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Playoffs. I’m fannin the Colts,and they are charging ahead, 17- 3 in the 3rd quarter… OMG. RAVENS INTERCEPT A THROW, RUN FOR 40, TACKLED AND FUMBLE>>>COLTS POSSESSION!

I’m nearing the end of the 3rd Woodland Lace Doily-this time it’s for D. I should just do the entire alphabet, LOL!
A few weeks ago, I ran out of the green just 9 dtb’s from the last green row, and was lucky enough to get the last ball at WalMart yesterday-same dye lot even, and I bought the original ball back last Summer~

I love this color, and plan to make one for myself next.

Woodland Ferns and Lace

Woodland Ferns and Lace Doily

Pattern from South Maid Book 364, Special Doilies For Special Times

Back to the Playoffs,

Laterz~

Visit with Teh Babeh and MyWristie-Cuffs©, Part 1

Mommy, Baby and Gal-Pal arrived at about 4:30 on Thursday evening, just as dusk was settling. They made it in under 5 hours, without incident and only minor road construction along 294.

I fixed a freezer-full of French Bread Pizzas, we had way more than enough.

Rhonda sure has gotten big, what a cutie!

Rhonda and CJ Nov. 09

We went for a ride to Sorg’s for a little taste of Wisconsin cheeses, meats, sausage sticks, beef jerky, brats, pies, frozen vegetables, and award-winning sausages,  and of course, a little scenery. Rhonda was a hit there, got all kinds of looks from the ladies behind the counter! 🙂

Sorg’s is located in Darien, WI. Family-owned since 1943 and everything is done on-site. Located on US-14 1/8 mile south of the intersection of 14, WI-11, and WI-89. Mon-Friday 8 am -5 pm, Sat. 8 am-4 pm. phone:  262-742-5554

Friday night, CJ started to put together the Door County Breakfast Casserole, but discovered after the sausage was fried and all the Cheddar cheese was grated,  we didn’t have enough milk. So, we put that off for the next day.

Saturday, CJ and her GF went out for a bit to go grab some essentials at Walgreens, and picked up more milk for the Breakfast Casserole. Later that night, I finished putting the casserole together and baked it up for Sunday morning. I fixed Chicken and Rice for dinner, so with the oven already heated up, the casserole was done in an hour.

Sunday we hung out and lounged in our sweats, watching bad TV. I finished the first of my Mail Lady fingerless gloves (not to be confused with Wristies®) Thank you, Susan Gregory :  http://www.wristies.com/ for pointing out this amazing, albeit remote similarity~

Mail Lady MyWristie-Cuffs©

Monday, the girls took a road trip to The House on the Rock, in Spring Green, WI. I stayed home and watched baby, she was such a joy to keep, didn’t fuss at all. She took a couple short naps, and slept through the night until they got up to leave on Tuesday morning. By 8:45 am, they were on the road back to IN.

The time went by too fast, as it always seems to do when family comes to stay, never long enough.

Rhonda Nov. 09

*Disclaimer: The use of the word “wristie” is generic to mass media and is not affiliated with a business or article for sale for profit in this or any blog under my name. “MyWristie-Cuffs©” should not be confused with “Wristies®”, a registered trademark of http://www.wristies.com

Back to me knitting…

Me~