Heavy Snow

So today we continued to get more snow. I think we have about 8 inches. Casey called out at work which was a good idea since the van is a mile away in a parking lot. When we got up this morning the snow had a thick layer of ice on top. Very hard to walk in let alone drive in. Portland required chains on all vehicles and recomended that you just stay home.






Annie was very confused at first because she just slipped and then fell through the ice. But she got use to it by the end of the day.

She had fun chasing her ball in the snow! It would go under the ice and she would dig it out. It was great fun watching her use up some energy.

She fell asleep on the couch when she was done. She is adorable.

The news said we are still in for more snow tomorrow, so we will just have to see what happens, I think some one confused Portland, Or with Michagin.

Light Snow??

Portland/Vancouver was suppose to have light snow this morning and much heavier snow later tonight maybe 6 - 10 inches So we have postponed our Family Christmas Party until Tuesday hoping it will be better by then. Well the light snow has dumped about 4 or more inches on us I can't wait until tonight!!

Casey took the van to work today, it has studs and he was comming home around 3:00pm when he was unable to get up our hill down by the main road, so he went on down to another road and that didn't work either, so he walked the back way home about a mile. Pat and Annie met him and walked him home.



Annie remembered her jacket, did Casey?
He has at least 1/4" of snow on his head!




I think someone needs to sit by the fire with a cup of tea.




LIGHT SNOW! Tomorrow should be fun.

I hope everyone stays safe and warm.

Raverly Chocolate Swap

I am a member of Raverly which is a group for knitters. I joined a swap for Chocolate and yarn, how cool is that! I just recieved my package today, She even put in stuff for Annie.

Monday Weigh In

This last week went well for me. I was able to stay on my points and I met my exercise goal of 3 times so that was good. I lost 2 pounds and have been drinkning a lot of water, my goal for this week will be to exercise 4 times.
Casey came home on Tuesday of last week and he wants to eat healthier also, so he was a big help.

Weight Tracking

I have decided to try Weight Watchers again. I didn't have much luck last time but would like to try again, this time I am going to do it On-Line instead of going to the meetings. I am also trying to do some exercising. I found a video work out that I think I can handle. Exercising is so hard for me thats why I think I have so much trouble loosing. I am going to have a goal of working out just 3 times a week to start so I don't hurt myself and give up. I added a new weight tracker at the bottom of this page and will give updates on Mondays. Wish me luck!

Knitting Convention

This weekend, The Knitting Guild Association held it's West Coast Convention in Portland. I have never been to a knitting convention so I decided to attend and take a couple of classes that they offered. They also have a market and that was fun to walk around and see all the new and differant yarns they had. On Saturday I took a class about adjusting a written pattern to the size you need. I was looking forward to that one because I do that poorly. However I was dissapointed, it just didn't give me the information I was hoping for. On Sunday I took a class on Fair Isle Knitting. That is color work done in patterns, it looks hard but you only have 2 colors per row, it is mostly reading a chart and holding 2 yarns at a time. I really enjoyed that one and am looking forward to trying it on some projects.

Fair Isle Sample

August Happenings

August was a very hectic month. Sorry I haven't post for quite a while. Pat and April came home from China on the 13th. As I said before April had been sick and we thought it probably was the heat. However when she came home, it just didn't get better, hard to breath, pain, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion, yea, she was fun. On August 20th she called from school and it was obvious I had to take her to the Asthma Doc. She examined her and said the pollution in Beijing had damaged her lungs, the lining was inflamed and irritated so were her tubes. So she was put on a heavy duty medicine. As we were leaving the doctors office, Pat called, his Step-Father had just passed away suddenly. He and Pats mom have been together for 17 years, so he was Grandpa Knute. Good Day, Oh lets not forget that August 20th is Pats Birthday. Yea... Pat, April, and I went to Roseburg for the funeral the next week, unfortunately Casey could not leave, since he had just been home for Zacks wedding. He will be home in a couple of weeks and we will take another trip south.
For the last year and a half I have been the chairman of our churches Call Committee, to find a new pastor. It has been a very stress full and busy time. Yesterday we had a vote and issued a Call to a Pastor in Washington. So until he makes his decision my job is done.
I haven't had a chance to knit since they got home so I am hopping that now I can relax and get back to my regular routine.
Lets hope September is a little calmer.

China News

I have heard from Pat and April more this week, They went to the Great Wall, and perfomed, perfomed at Tianamen Square, and also at a Soccer match. They are doing sightseeing now, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace among other places.

April has had a very hard time physically. She just hasn't adjusted to the climate and the other factors, long walks to practice, small amounts of food. We have several Doctors that are chaparones and they and Pat have been taking good care of her. She did have to miss the perfomance at the soccer match, two students near her right before they started had to get her down from the platform and to the closest directors, one from University of Oregon and the other University of Washington, the U of W director got his doctor/ chaparone and they took her to the medical tent. He told them he was her doctor and they let him stay with her the whole time, that was very nice. Now that the practices and perfomances are done they should do better, air conditioned stores and just staying out of the heat more.

Their Hotel

Tianamen Square

The Great Wall Performance

The Great Wall

Sweater progress

I have the back of April's sweater done, and I am working on the left front. My friend Teresa from McMinville is comming for the weekend and we like to spend alot of time knitting and chatting so hopefully I will get more done before April gets home next week.

Mosaic

This is something fun I found on yarnprincesses blog. Can you tell I miss April and Pat.

A. Type your answer to each question below in flickr search

B. Using only the first page, pick an image.

C. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into FD's mosaic Maker

1. What is your first name? Sally

2. What is your favorite food? Steak

3. What high school did you go to? Douglas High School

4. What is your favorite color? Pink

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Tom Seleck

6. What is your favorite drink? Hot Chocolate

7. What is your Dream Vacation? Disney World

8. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? a mommy

10. What do you love most in life? family

11. One word to describe you - Loyal

12. Your flickr name - mammabear

First Days

I have gotten a few e-mails from Pat and April since they arrived in China. They are 15 hours ahead of us so when I am getting up they are going to bed and visa versa. Pat will send some pictures soon probable today. The Olympic website has updated now so check them for photos and announcements. She is with the Skyview and Hockinson High Schools. www.beijing2008olympicorchestra.com

April hasn't been feeling well since she arrived. She has always been susceptible to heat exhaustion since she was very little, and we do well at getting her through it. The chaperones had her miss the first practice and Pat said she spent most of the day in bed. I hope that did it and today will be better.

I am doing good. Annie and I just do what we want and I have been watching a lot of movies. I finally saw the Star Trek-The Next Generation Movies. I also have finally gotten a chance to work on April's sweater I started, hopefully I can post my progress soon.

And They're Off!

Pat and April left yesterday. They went to Seattle to meet up with the others from the NW Delagation, about 600 The Vancouver, Wa. group will be in the Seafarers Parade tonight. Then more rehersals until they drive to Vancouver BC on Tuesday and fly to Beijing from there. They will meet with the other orchestra members from around the world I think on Wednesday of next week, altogether there are 2008 members of the official orchestra. The official website is http://www.beijing2008olympicorchestra.com/ Once they get there they will start posting. I will be getting some pictures from Pat and I will put some of them here when I get them.




Pat and April getting reading to leave.





They took 3 bus loads from Vancouver, WA up to Seattle. Vancouvers group is about 150 plus chaparones.

Baby Birds

Our neighbor has had a nest on his ladder, by our fence all summer. I have been watching the momma bird sitting and then feeding the babies, but today was the first day I have seen the babies. There are 2 and they are very cute. I haven't seen mom today, so I hope I see her tommorrow. They are not big enough to leave yet, so I don't think they have eaten today. They look adorable.

Zack's Wedding

We went to Roseburg this weekend to my nephew's wedding. It was a beautiful day, Colleen's dress was so amazing, it was perfect for her. The reception was held at Zack's grandparents ranch. It is very large and a great setting for a large group. It was great getting the family together.

We had a great time we took turns dancing with Zack, grandma even danced, gotta admit, that was kinda scary! Mom doesn't move that fast.

Kate and Casey were both able to make it, we were so excited. On sunday Pat drove us back to Vancouver and then took Casey up to Seattle so he could fly back to Alaska. He will be done at the end on September.

Pat and April leave on Friday to China for the Olympics. This will be a hectic week trying to get them ready to go, but they will have an amazing time. More on that later.

New Car

This weekend we bought a new car! It is a Lincoln MKX. It is very comfortable, I like it alot.

I haven't posted much because we are trying to get Pat and April ready to go to the Olympics. One of the things on the list of "To Do's" was to buy a new car. I think the van will be fine but to be on the safe side Pat wanted to do it now. I can't believe how much we need to do in 2 weeks. I know everything will get done and they will have a wonderful time. Once in a life time.

Lace Cardigan

Since the votes were tied between starting a Christmas present, or making April a summer sweater I decided to make the sweater. It is going to be a black lace cardigan. Getting started was definatly tricky, but once I got going I think I am getting the hang of it. Here is a picture of the back, there is a lace border, kinda scalloped, and then the lace pattern.

All Done!

I finished my sweater today. I like it, although it was a challenge to make it totally up as I went along. But I don't mind ripping out as long as I am happy when it is done. I know I will wear it alot once it cools back down.

New Project?

My sweater is very close to being done, I just need to make the neckline and sew in the extra tails of yarn. I will post a picture soon. So now what? We all know I can't go with out a project for well...yea, I can't go with out a project period. I would like your opinons on what I should do next, so I have a poll that you can vote on what I should knit next. It will be fun. Thanks for your input.

Socks

Well, I just finished my first pair of socks. I used the magic loop method of knitting 2 socks at a time with 1 long needle. I like them ok, but I know now things I will change next time. Now I have to get back to that frustrating cardigan of mine.

Pat's sister Laureen from Idaho was flying home from a visit to Roseburg on Tuesday, and had a 4 hour lay over at PDX, so April and I picked her up and we met Pat for lunch. It was nice to see her we only see her every 2 - 3 years or less so I think Pat enjoyed their visit. Hopefully it won't be so long until next time.

Memorial Day

On Monday, Pat, Casey, April, and myself, drove up to Multhnomah Falls to have breakfast in the lodge. It was a cloudy day but the falls were still very beautiful. It was nice to have Casey home even if it was for a few weeks. He left on Wednesday to fly to Alaska. So far he has enjoyed working on the train that travels through Denali. They go up from Anchorage to Fairbanks, spend the night and then return the next day. He is working as bartender on the top of a double decker train that is almost all glass. He is getting amazing veiws. We will see him again in July for the wedding.

We I got the heel flaps done on my socks. Now I have turned the heel and am working on the foot. It seems to be going well I should be done soon.

Catching up

I have'nt posted in a while so today is catch up day. April has been home from school for the last 3 weeks do to a pinchced nerve in her neck. So we have been in and out of doctors offices and helping her feel better. Casey also came home from Florida during that time, so no blogging for me.





I picked up some new yarn called Happy Feet and I am learning how to make socks. I have always wanted to so this should be fun. I am using a technique called Magic Loop Technique it is knitting 2 socks at a time using 1 long needle. It is kind of hard to get used to but I think I would be one of those who have "2nd sock syndrome" when you finish the first sock and then can't seem to knit the 2nd one. So this way they will be done at the same time.





Pat took a day off last week and we drove to Cannon Beach to spend the day. It was going to be in the 90's here in Vancouver, so we thought the beach would be perfect. Yea, good idea, it was 98 in Cannon Beach, Or. Has that ever happened? We still had a great time. Annie loved to play in the water, and I like the cute little shops they have in town. It was great to spend the day together, before Casey heads to Alaska.



We had the family over for late Mothers Day, Grandma's Birthday and Martin's too.



Cousins, Zack, Josh, Molly, Casey & April.

We were missing Kate and Molly's husband Rob and the kids were home sick



We got to meet Zack's Fiance Collen. We will all be going down for their wedding in July.

It was great geeting together with everyone. I look forward to more family things this summer.

Retreat Weekend

This weekend my church had a womens retreat at Cannon Beach. I have never gone a womens church retreat before so I wasn't sure what to expect. Our speaker chose the topic of transformation, how we are transformed through knowing Christ and how that works in our lives. I got alot out of it and thougt it was a good weekend to reflect, refresh, and renew. ( yes that was the theme.)

The weather was amazing clear skys and warm. Haystack rock was as beautiful as always. The beach was so pretty. Here is Joy, Me, and Robin.

The hotel we were at had these adorable bunnies all over the property. I had to take a picture of one.

I actually got some knitting done and I got a lot done on the second sleeve.

One Down

Well I got the first sleeve done, finally, it took 3 trys but I guess 3 is a charm. I am pleased with the way it turned out however I am still not in love with the decreasing but it fits comfortably, so that is a plus.

I started the second sleeve and then took it out because the stripping didn't match up.

So I had to rewind the ball from inside out so the stripes would be close to the same on both sleeves. Yes I did have to make it more complecated.

I am hoping to get a lot done this weekend, so I will let you know if this sleeve is a keeper.

Pulling my hair out

Last week I ripped out my first sleeve on my sweater and started over because it just wasn't working, so guess what I just did.. yeah, I just took out 10 inches that I did over the weekend, I must be sleeve challenged. I can knit sweaters, arans, afgans ect. but I just am pulling my hair out over this sleeve! I am going to work some more today and hopefully I will get the decreases right this time. I wish I knew the formula for decreasing sleeves in the round.

Sweater Woes

Well I got the first sleeve done and I took it all out! Augh! I needed to make the armhole bigger and I was to aggressive on my decreases so I am just doing it over. I would rather take a while than to have it not fit right.
Since yesterday was our first day of over 70 degrees since October, Pat was out doing alot of yard work I think he has more to do today, but at least we can be outside. Annie sure enjoys playing outside in the nice weather.
April's school is going well, 7 weeks now, she is in a 3 week bread class right now, its amazing what she is bringing home. If you want bread give her a call, seriously, we have so much bread its crazy.
I will try to post more this week, pics on the sweater soon.

Time for a breath

Last Week was very exhausting more mentaly than physicaly, It seems like I was busy with volunteer stuff almost every day for the first couple and then I kinda zonked out in the middle of the week. I thought because April would be in Florida for spring break that I would have all the time in the world, no it was just the opposite. I did buy a bunch of movies last week and got to watch some of them toward the later part of the week. I bought some of John Waynes later stuff the good westerns from the late 50's to his last in 1976. You can't go wrong with a good John Wayne movie. I got out of the house on Friday and had lunch with my niece and her little ones. That was fun we need to do that more often. On to sweater news I did get a lot more done on the first sleeve it was frustating to take it out but I am plugging along and I am hoping I can get a bunch more done on it this week, I will post a update picture soon.

Snow?

It's April's Birthday, March 28th and I woke up to SNOW! It's a little late in the year even for the NW. It seems to be sticking at least for now. I am sure it will be gone soon, but it is fun for the moment. Even Annie had a blast, I had a hard time getting her to come inside. Just like a kid.