Toddler bed

Bob set up Owen's toddler bed tonight. He and Zoe are jumping on it right now. I think it's going to be a long night.

Thanksgiving

We all have a lot to be thankful for. I know I am very fortunate.

This picture was taken almost two years ago. Our family has grown. (I was pregnant with my son Owen in this picture.) We've moved and started a new life in Chapel Hill.

We are so lucky to have our family, our health and our love.

Halloween

We had a great Halloween. Zoe dressed up as the tooth fairy. Owen was a bumble bee. Our neighborhood organized a community parade and party for the kids. It was delightful. Beautiful weather and tons of cute kids and doting parents and grandparents--what could be better?

Such a big boy!

Owen is now 18-months old. His stats are very impressive:
Weight: 29 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces -- 90th percentile
Height: 35 inches tall -- 97th percentile
Head Circumference: 51.5 cm -- greater than the 97th percentile

you knit what?

As a passionate knitter, I have to laugh at the ghastly stuff that people knit and wear. Another blogger does a great job of this: http://www.youknitwhat.blogspot.com/

It makes me laugh out loud.

Finally working

After not working for a long time, I am back at work today. It is great to be earning money and being with other adults.

Yarn stash

I'm finally starting to organize my yarn stash. What was I thinking?

It's shameful in several ways: the volume, the age, the money and the disorder. I do admit to an obsession.

www.katrina.com

I have never been a fan of George W. Bush, but now I just HATE him. I am just so sick of rich Republicans.

The millions of people who voted him in need to ask themselves what they think now. What if your grandmother were left to die in a nursing home? What if you were forced to abandon your home? your property? your city?

Admit it. Wouldn't you expect to be saved? You would expect the government to help.

I am a very patriotic person. I deeply love America. I know we can do better. That is why I am so angry.

Zoe starts first grade

Zoe has started first grade. I am so proud of her. She is earnest and excited. She woke up before I did on Monday and said she was going to get an A today. That's my girl!

Still, we are missing her. Sometimes Owen and I don't know what to do without her. Owen is not as easy to manage without her. He gets into even more mischief.

As an unemployed...temporarily...stay-at-home mom, I suck. I am not cut out for this role.

Knitting

In this day in age, is knitting a ridiculous, frivolous activity? Yes, but so is baking bread. And, what compares to the smell of freshly baked bread or the feel of custom made sweater? Nothing.

My geeky husband thinks knitting is the equivalent of churning butter. I think some of his hobbies are weird too. It gives me solace and peace. It gives me a creative outlet with problem-solving, sometimes, okay, frequently, frustrating puzzles to solve.

I don't know why I love it so much. I used to avoid knitting in public. I thought I was too cool to knit with the girls in college. Now, I don't give a damn. I just do it.

It is a luxury to knit. I don't often have the time, the money or the mental space to devote myself to this craft. I guess it's like gardening--a craft that you can practice for a lifetime and still have more to do and learn.

By the way, I really like to garden, too.

Wicked Smaahrt

I'm missing Boston today. I guess it's going to come up every so often.

I need to make some more connections here. Where do I start?

$9.00 an hour?

We're doing jobs we don't like to buy shit we don't need.

Benjamin

Seven years ago Benjamin died.

birthday party recovery

Just getting over my daughter's birthday party. What was I thinking to invite 20 children under the age of 7? I think we overdid it a bit, but it was fun. Next year we are simply going to the beach or something simple.

I can't quite believe that she is seven. She is both grown up and still such a baby. Some days she acts like a teenager and others she acts like a toddler.

It's still a miracle that she is alive. Every day I remember that fact.

May Day

Today was May Day with perfect weather and perfect fun.

We had a yummy breakfast of homemade buttermilk pancakes with real maple syrup.

Miss Z went to a play date in the morning. Then, we picked her up and hung out at Weaver Street for Carrboro Day fun.

Bob stayed home and cleaned up the house working on the garage and attic. God Bless him! (I'm not religious, just grateful.)


Z and friends played on the trees. We had a picnic and there was live music. O ate dirt and played with a blue balloon.

We then had terrific ice cream from the newly opened Maple View Dairy shop. Only $1.00 for a kiddie cone!