A New Goal

I just watched this snippet from the Ellen show. It shows an interview with actress Amanda Seyfried. She talks about how she knits while she's on the elliptical. I've always thought I'd work out much more if I could knit and workout at the same time. I've tried knitting and doing Wii Fit and quickly injured myself. (Stupid idea I know.) I've tried knitting while on the treadmill and had to go too slow to really feel good about it. Apparently, what I need is an elliptical. Then I can knit and workout to my heart's content.

New Goal for 2012: Find a cheap elliptical machine :).

Happy Anniversary, Love

Today is my 11 year wedding anniversary.

One of the lines in a current favorite song is "you put your arms around me and I'm home."

Whenever I hear it, I think of B. I've been in his arms for the last 11 years and I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be.

Happy Anniversary, Love.

Bad Words

J has recently gotten back into a PBS show called Wild Kratts--a pretty cool show as children's television goes. Two brothers go around learning about and rescuing wild animals. An amazing female inventor helps them by making creature power suits that help them use the same powers animals have. J's learned a lot about animals and loves to pretend to be Chris or Martin with "creature powers."

Anyway, he was doing this yesterday and decided he really needed some creature power disks. I looked on the Wild Kratts website, but couldn't find anything so I did what any smart mom does--I googled "Wild Kratts coloring pages." As I browsed through the results, I saw it--a Draco creature power disk. Perfect! I clicked on the image and all hell broke loose on my computer. Some program started running, messages with scary words appeared and my computer started scanning itself. The last virus we got that almost killed our whole computer pretended to be a program scanning for viruses so I freaked out and turned off the computer. When I went to start it back up (trying to find the "go back and boot up from previous date option"), my computer started scanning drives and I freaked out again and just turned it back off. Now I'm working from the laptop I bought B for Christmas when he switched jobs before the-move-that-never-was.

Anyway, so that's my excitement these days. Needless to say I wanted to say many bad words, but amazingly only said "crap" a number of times. I guess this whole motherhood thing is starting to help clean up my potty mouth ;).

I was going to blog about my twisted stitch boatneck tank I'm designing and knitting, but I won't be able to upload pics. I am knitting bottom up and have about 6 inches done so far. Not the fastest progress, but not bad either. Hope to get some pics up soon.

Hope your life is going a little more smoothly than mine these days. Take care and happy Thursday. TGIAF! (Thank Goodness It's Almost Friday!)

Math of Motherhood

2 pees in the potty PLUS 2 pees in underpants PLUS 3 requests for a diaper PLUS 1 little boy who is scared to poop in the potty EQUALS not the most successful day of potty training.

Oh well. He still looks really cute in his little tiny underpants.

Wow. What a Difference a Week Makes.

Three weeks ago we put our house on the market.

Less than a week later, we had an offer on the house. A bit of a ridiculously low offer, but an offer all the same.

A week later, after some negotiating back and forth, we had a more appealing offer that we verbally accepted.

A day or two after that, life got extra crazy. B spoke to his former boss and got an offer to return to his former job.

So now, a week after we thought we had sold our house, our house is no longer on the market. Not because it is sold, but because we are not selling it. We are not selling it, because we are not moving. It's been a week of serious discussions and a lot of soul-searching. We reevaluated our plans and inspected our dreams and truly thought about what matters and we decided that this was the best move for our family. The move NOT to move that is.

B thought that the fact that the job in Houston was at a brewery was enough, but it wasn't. I thought that the fact the job could possibly one day bring us close to family was enough, but it wasn't.

B returned to his former job today. He's happy to be there.

I am working to keep our house clean and organized and show worthy while also making it practical and livable. I LOVE having it so clean and neat.

I'm moving ahead with life here instead of planning a new life in Houston.

I think we're both a little bit in shock over the decision, but also excited about it. Besides its distance from family, we love it here. We have great friends and live in a great neighborhood.

So that's the news. More to come on this I'm sure as I finish processing it all. Happy Monday, everyone.

Create...a better home

As you all by now, we just put our house on the market. It's been a while coming. My husband started his new job back in December, right after Christmas. After weeks of cleaning, decluttering and rearranging, my house is ready and on the market. This has been a LOT of work.

Now my house is really clean and I have to keep it that way. Which means cleaning--multiple times a day cleaning.

I am not by nature a cleaner. I hate housework. I tend to put it off until it seems like such a daunting task that I put it off even longer. Then I get truly disgusted with myself and the state of my house and I clean.

I generally have a lot of clutter in my house and I generally only do the absolutely necessary cleaning.

In the last few weeks, I have totally decluttered and I have cleaned surfaces in my house that I hadn't touched in the over 2 and a half years we've lived here.

I thought by now I would be totally done with cleaning, burned out from it all. And at times, I have definitely felt that way.

But, surprisingly, the opposite is true. The more I clean, the more motivated I am to clean some more. I like having a clean house.

Now that my house is both decluttered and deep cleaned, it is easier to keep it clean. It is less daunting and more rewarding.

I may have discovered the secret to keeping my house clean. A little cleaning off and on each day and the whole thing seems easier---and much cleaner.

Who knew? I am on my way to creating a cleaner home for my family. And although I don't think "cleaner" equals "better," I do think it is a good start. I don't want my children to grow up thinking that cleanliness is not important. I feel good about this path I am on. I am creating a better home for my family and I like that.

All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go

Today is THE day. The day my house officially goes on the market. Supposedly. After weeks of decluttering, reorganizing, rearranging, painting and cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning, my house is ready and it is BEAUTIFUL.

I have been waiting around all day like someone waiting for her blind date to arrive--or maybe prom date--although I've never been on either but I think this is how it would feel. I keep looking at my phone hoping for messages from the showing service, peeking out the window waiting for the For Sale sign to appear in the front yard, checking online to see my listing on Realtor.com, primping my house to make sure it's ready by wiping down cabinets, dusting shutters, wiping spots off floors. And nothing. No sign. No listing. No calls.

My house is all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Edited at 10:10PM: Made it online by 6:30PM. Sign in the yard by 8PM. Better late than never. Now just waiting for the calls to come rolling in. Fingers crossed. Prayers said.

I am so tired of cleaning, I could...

A) puke.
B) die.
C) be very happy if I never had to clean again.
D) just sit on my hiney and knit instead of cleaning anymore.
E) all of the above.

I have spent the last week cleaning my microwave, stove top, counters, cabinets, baseboards, door frames, doors, plantation shutters, windows, walls, showers, sinks, etc. (aka every surface in my house, many that I haven't cleaned in the two and a half years that I've lived here). I have gone through at least ten Magic Erasers. These are my next best friends:


Last week after several days of scrubbing, my hands were red, raw and cracking. With the help of my new lovely gloves from Target and a healthy dose of lotion, my hands are slowly returning to normal.

My brain on the other hand is really tired of seeing dirt and seeing my pink-gloved hands cleaning said dirt.

In fact, my brain is so tired of cleaning, it shut down tonight and refused to let me clean--it lead me to blog about it instead.

Okay, I've had enough of a break now. Must go clean at least a little more before I take the rest of the night off.

On a happy note, it looks like I'll get our house ready to be photographed by Friday and on the market by Monday! Say a prayer, cross your fingers, and let's hope this baby sells quickly so we can be together as a family again.

Happy Monday, everyone!

More Than I Ought to Be, Less Than I Want to Be

So I'm still knitting...not as much as I want to be, but probably more than I ought to be with all the work I still need to do to get our house on the market. I don't knit every day, but I have been working in some knit time for sanity sake.

Last night I finished up this:
It's the Traveling Cowl.

Ever since Christmas, I've been wanting to knit something for my sister. As time is limited with the house work and impending move, I decided on a cowl. When I favorited this one on Ravelry, my sister commented that it was gorgeous and my decision was made. Sticking to my goal of using stash yarn as much as possible, I decided to use this skein of NaturallyCaron.com Spa. The yarn is a bamboo blend and really slippery and drapey. It took a few tries to find the right needles, but I ended up using a size 8 and following the directions for a large worsted weight cowl. I like drapey (vs. stiff) cowls, but this may be TOO drapey. The cowl has very little structure. Even with blocking, I wasn't able to really show off the simple lace pattern at the bottom of the cowl. On the positive side, this yarn is REALLY soft and friendly next to your neck. I only used a little less than half the skein so I may make another cowl or some sort with this yarn.

Pattern: Traveling Cowl by Liz Abinante (feministy.com)
Yarn: Slightly less than 1/2 skein of NaturallyCaron.com Spa (75% Acryllic/25% Bamboo/ 85 g/ 251 yd) in Oceanspray
Needles: Size 8 16" circular
Size: Worsted Weight Large In the Round
Mods: None

Since the Traveling Cowl pattern wasn't available until January, I decided to cast on for a sweater for my niece Isla on Christmas day (knitting time as a Christmas gift for myself). She really loved the white baby sweater I gave her (pictured on J in the header of this blog) so I decided to do another white cardigan. I had a bunch of white Bernat Baby in my stash so I am using that. It's a 4 ply so it will take a decent amount of time to finish. Here's what I've done so far:It's going to be a baby/toddler version of Coraline by Ysolda Teague.

And since I got a giftcard for Christmas and The Woolie Ewe had their big end of the year sale, I got myself this yarn:
to make the Blackberry Cardigan.

I also got this yarn to make some sort of lacy scarf for my mother-in-law. She requested one after seeing my Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf.


I still have the yarn waiting for me to make my striped raglan sweater, Tang (turtleneck sweater) and Paper Dolls (colorwork sweater).

No more yarn purchases needed for me--just need more time.

Okay, enough knitting talk. Must go finish cleaning my house :).

One Word(s)

So I'm still pondering my One Word. I've heard more great ones from friends including Mindful and Balance (see comments below). I like both of these words. They both would motivate me to make changes that I have been wanting to make in my life, but as one friend commented I want to be more original and not just use someone else's word.

Word choices keep running through my mind.

Change: There is so much of it coming in my life this year. I should just embrace it.

New, Beginnings: So many happening. I need to reach for them and celebrate them.

Blessings: All of these new beginnings and changes are really blessings in my life. I have so many blessings in my life, but I don't always remember that.

Strength: I am often asking God to give me strength. I know I will need extra strength this year as life leaves the path of the known and the comfortable. I'm not one who loves change, or even likes it for that matter, so strength will be needed. I often ask for the strength to be a good mother.

Change: This word comes up again, but this time I was thinking more in terms of changing current ways I do things, approach things. I want to change the way I parent and be a more positive parent. I want to change my lifestyle and be a healthier person.

Health: More exercise. More vegetables and fruit. Healthier lifestyle. Typical New Year's resolution type stuff.

Grow: Similar to change, but more positive. I want to grow in my friendships. Grow in my skills as a parent. Grow to be a healthier person. Even grow in my knitting skills.

Create: A word I love. Similar to grow, but even more proactive. I like this one. I will be creating a new home this year. Creating new friendships. Creating a stronger bond with my children. Creating stronger children. Creating a healthier lifestyle. Creating a better me. Creating a ton of fun handknits. Hee hee. Out of challenges, I need to create opportunities. I like create. It puts the power into my hands versus giving the power to something outside of my control. I like that. Hmm... This might be my word. Will ponder further and let you know.

I really want my word to drive me this year. To motivate me to reach my goals. I want to end this year a better person.

Create. I think that's my One Word. What do you think?

Now I have to decide if I can resist ordering my One Word necklace.

One Word

I recently read a blog post (One Word/ December 30, 2010) by a friend from middle school and high school that inspired me. It was about picking one word that will represent your upcoming year. A word to inspire you. A word to focus on. A word to guide you through your year.

I think this is such an amazing idea and I've decided to try it. I imagine you will be hearing about my word throughout the year on this blog.

Now the hard part, choosing my word. So hard. One word for an entire year. My friend chose "joy." What a lovely word. Who doesn't want a year focused on joy?

I'm still pondering my word. At this very moment, B's new job and our pending move our prominent in my mind. I'm thinking of heading to a new place and making new friends and finding a new place to call home. So many words come to mind: change, adventure, beginnings, home, blessings.

Hmmm.... I will need to ponder this one longer. Will keep you posted on my word.

Will you have a word this year? Think on it and let me know if you decide to choose one. What a year this will be!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Enough Said

B got this Christmas card from a hotel because he stayed there so often last year. It was one of several he frequented for work travel. It's not even the one he stayed at the most often.

I am SO glad he will NOT be traveling with his new job. I am SO excited to see him every day.

Dear Blog, It's Me, Haley

Dear Blog,
It's me, Haley, the person who used to write in you on a regular basis. So sorry to neglect you. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last visited. All I can say is that life has been busy. Will you ever forgive me? Are your readers still out there or have they moved on to greener pastures (aka blogs that are actually updated on a regular basis)?

I have done some traveling. We spent a week in Ohio for Thanksgiving and had fun with friends and family. I took pics, but none of them have even made it on my computer yet. We spent a crazy, busy 21 hours in San Francisco for an amazing 40th birthday party for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. I didn't really slow down long enough to take any pictures, but great times were had by all. Now we're prepping for Christmas travel including a 20 hour drive with both boys and our dog Pepper.

I have been busy sewing. I finished all seven dolls.

I made a Yoda doll for my oldest nephew,
a Zorro doll for my next oldest nephew,
and a "handyman" doll for my youngest nephew.

I have also been knitting. I finished the doll sweaters for my niece's presents. I did about four different styles, but these two are the favorites for now. Still working on a shrug that I think will turn out cute with more time. I'm not thrilled with the sweaters (they probably would have been better in a lighter weight yarn), but will write up the patterns when I get a moment.


My nephew Oscar requested a "caterpillar hat" and as I still hadn't figured out how to make a pilot doll for him, I decided to make the hat as part of his Christmas gift.

I found an adorable little caterpillar toy pattern by Sarah Gasson and adapted it to make the hat. I will try to blog more details when I get a chance.

I also knit up this hat for my niece Lizzie. She needed a new hat and this one was too cute to resist. Need to blog details when I get a chance, but for now details can be found on Ravelry. J was nice enough to wear it for the picture.
I also finished this:
It's the Swallowtail Shawl made in it's smallest shawlette form. It's a gift for my sister-in-law Kristin, but as she is too busy to ready my blog I think it's safe to post a pic now. More details to be found on Ravelry.

In other life news, I've been busy getting ready for Christmas other fun things arriving at the end of December including B's move to Houston. He got a job there and starts the 28th. He's very excited to be returning to the beer industry and we're happy that his new job involves zero travel. Unfortunately, this means that I need to get my house ready to sell. It's a wonderful home, but we have let it get taken over by stuff and I am busy reclaiming it. Even as I type this I am thinking of all the stuff I have yet to tackle. This is the main reason I have not been blogging. I've been cleaning out closets and discovering that most of my storage space is filled with stuff we no longer need. It's cleansing, but time consuming. Must go get back to work. Will do my very best to not desert you again in the chaos and cleaning.

So if anyone has any advice on good areas of Houston or good suburbs of Houston, please post a comment. We can use as much advice as possible.

And since it looks like Christmas cards are going to be lost in the shuffle, please know that I am thinking of everyone this holiday season and wishing you a joyous holiday filled with love and laughter!

When the boys get older...

Today as we walked into the house (though the garage and past all the lawn equipment), J informed me that when he and N get older they are going to "help Daddy cut the grass while Daddy sits in the house and drinks beer." I could tell immediately that B has been talking to the boys about their future duties and knew that B would be happy to know that J was listening and excited. J then informed me that when he and N get even older they are going to "drink all the beer in the house themselves." I don't think B will be very happy about that at all.

Well, honey, if you're ready this...consider yourself warned.

Top Ten Tuesday: Car Trip Edition

I used to do Top Ten Tuesday posts all the time, but then I had N and I didn't get around to them much anymore. Anyway, I had lots of little tidbits to share from our approximately forty hours of car time from our beach vacation so I thought I'd put them into a few Top Ten Tuesday Lists.

Top Ten Things N Said in the Car

10. Car

9. Truck

8. Aunt Cat

7. Papa

6. Mooma. Mooma. Mooma.

5. Car wash (Every time it rained)

4. Pee potty. (My response: "We just stopped. Pee in your diaper." Nice, huh?)

3. Beach house

2. Chocolate Milk

1. Shoe hand!



Top Ten Things J Said in the Car

10. Are we there yet?

9. Are we there yet?

8. N's poopy. (After passing a livestock filled area that smelled like manure.)

7. Are we there yet?

6. Are we there yet?

5. Are we there yet?

4. I need to pee.

3. Are we there yet?

2. Are we there yet?

1. Are we there yet?



Top Ten Funny (Ha Ha and Strange) Things We Saw on our Car Trip

10. Street Name: Mosquito Branch

9: Gas Station in Louisiana: Get & Geaux

8: City: Mound, Louisiana (Made me giggle. I've been reading way too many Romance novels.)

7: Store: St. Nick Nacks

6: Sighting: Six leather clad bikers in US Military Vet vests--one with a toy puppy strapped to the back of his bike.

5: Sighting: Three "Statue of Liberty"s (on the capital building in Atlanta, the Boy Scouts of America building in Birmingham and somewhere in Louisiana)

4: City: Tallapoosa, Mississippi

3: Sighting: So many Waffle Houses that we invented a new game: Punchbuggy Waffle House.

2: City: Chunky, Mississippi

1: Sighting: A guy in a brown monk garment pulling a cross on wheels down the side of the highway.


Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope you have a great one!

Home Again

Sorry for the huge break in posting. We got home this afternoon from our yearly trip to the beach with my family. It was a blast, but exhausting.

We decided to drive this year (about 1200 miles each way). So I freaked out and spent the whole week before we left working on things to entertain the boys on the drive. We left at 5:00AM last Friday and took two days to get to our vacation in Oak Island, NC. We had a wonderful week in a house with my husband, my boys, my parents, my sister and her husband, my brother and his wife and six nieces and nephews (ranging in age from almost 3 years to almost 7 years old). Within a few blocks were five other houses of extended relatives. A fun, fun week at the beach! We left the beach yesterday morning and arrived home today around 3PM.

We're all exhausted and glad to be home in our own beds (especially after the four of us shared a room for the last week and a car for many many hours). However, I'm already missing everyone terribly. It was SO much fun, but a week is never long enough.

I promise I will post pics and funny stories soon. For now, I'm off to enjoy my bed (and the peace and quiet of my house).

Desperate times call for...

Comfort Knitting.

Life has been a bit stressful these days. I had to go for some comfort knitting tonight so I cast on for a new Wonderful Wallaby for N. I've knit this sweater at least five times and it's simple and knit in the round in mostly stockinette and it is just what I need right now. One of my favorite things about knitting is how the simple rhythm of it soothes my soul. Ahh... only an inch into it and I feel better all ready.

I Have a Fly...

I have a fly. He won't die.

He's driving me crazy.

Anyone know the average lifespan of a fly?

Where's my Zoe girl when I need her? She was one hell of a fly catcher.

It was kind of gross when she ate them, but at least they weren't buzzing around any more.

Oh, Zoe. Yet another reason I miss you, sweet girl.

Thank Goodness for Bookmarks

It's been a long time. I almost forgot where to go, but luckily my Blogger bookmark was still there. I haven't forgotten my blog, just too busy with life. Will catch up soon. I promise. I have knitting and crafting and cute pics of my boys to share. Hope you all are doing well. See you again soon...really I mean it.

Happy Spring!

Yeah, first day of Spring in Texas and we got around 6 inches of snow. Who would have thunk it?