Friday, November 28, 2008

Doing Our Part

Never say that the Squid did not do their part on Black Friday. Despite a total dislike of crowds and such.

See?

We tried to buy more but not one of the three music stores that we hit had oboe reeds. (We went to our favorite Woodwind and Brass store which sent us to Sam Ash which sent us to a different woodwind store. Seems there was a recent run on oboe reeds. No joke.) Squidette did, however, get her clarinet reeds and even got a new type to try. Also in the pile are a few pieces of music for Little Squid to play around with and figure out which one he wants to use to audition for camp. And some battery cases for electronics projects. Never say we don't know how to spend money!

Exhausted from our shopping we then had to take a break at the Charmin Restroom. Where Little Squid suffered the trauma of being locked in his stall. No kidding. He was pretty upset. But then he swung a little and recovered his equilibrium.


Soldering on, we actually ventured to Old Navy, where we stood in front and took a picture of Horton on Macy's. Desperately needing clothing -- Little Squid out grew his pants the other night -- we walked into, and then immediately out of, Old Navy. Have no fear, the jeans have now been purchased from the comfort of my chair. Let's hear it for internet stores!
Tomorrow? Greenmarket, Barnes and Noble and the Tea Salon. And a haircut for Little Squid. Oh -- and an Opera!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Real Birthday Post

Mom didn't think she needed a birthday post, but I insisted, so here it is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

And no, you are not old and/or decrepit.
You can be a bit crazy at times, but we still love you. Happy Birthday!

Love, Squidette and Little Squid

Happy Thanksgiving and a Pre-B'day Post

There is oh so much to be thankful for this year but as always, it comes down to the most important things in my life, my family and friends. So to all of you I give a heartfelt "THANKS" and Happy Thanksgiving.

(And my husband would like you all to know that our turkey fryer is autographed by the makers -- Max and Fill.)

And now on to a Pre-Birthday Post (to apparently be followed by a B'day post from Squidette).

For as long as I can remember (and for a few years prior to that) my older sister's birthday has been the day after mine. Given the dates, it is inevitable that most Thanksgiving celebrations include birthday cake (or birthday pie). While we are not together this year, I'd like to share my wishes for my sister with all of my readers.

Marni, you've always been there for me. Through the rough and the easy, through the happy and the sad.

May your day be one of smiles and laughs and happiness!



All of our love!

Happy Birthday!!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Double Knit

Roughly 10 days ago I got bit by the double knitting bug. I just HAD to do it. I also needed a hat. My new job has me outside with the kids a few times a week and since I've been riding my bike to work, I am not dressed appropriately for standing in the cold. So, I am now keeping a second set of outer wear at work. But, I needed a second hat.

So ... after one aborted attempt that was about 4 inches long before I realized that it was also 4 inches too wide ...
we have a double knit hat. The bicycle is from Lucy Neatby's bicycle socks (sadly still uncompleted) with the execution entirely my own.
Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash left over from Squidette's blanket. (Expect to see lots of yellow hats and mittens this winter ...) Size 5 circular Addi Turbo needles using "magic loop."

Monday, November 17, 2008

Magic!

Mike purchased the Instructables book last weekend and the kids immediately got busy making magic wands.

Paper, hot glue and paint (spray and acrylic).

Magic!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Danish Tie-Shawl



Finished: 11/13/08 Started: Somewhere around 11/1/08 for the knitting. Handspun, Blue faced Leicester from Blue Moon Fibers.

Yarn is roughly sport weight, Navajo plied. Pattern is from the Spring 2008 Spin Off. I liked it and might make it again if it lives up to its promise of being easy to wear. I really like shawls, they make for easy on / off in a school where heat is an all or none proposition -- mostly all -- and temps are regulated by how open one's window is and how briskly the wind is blowing.

It needs to be blocked but I am saving that for Saturday night, after I return from a work "retreat."

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Still Alive and Kicking

I compose brilliant blog posts. Full of details about New York, my kids and my school fill these posts. The posts themselves, however, are composed while I bike to or from school and never make it into the computer. By the time I arrive home, most evenings, I have barely enough time to change out of my biking gear before dinner is served. Then talking to the kids and Mike and general unwinding take priority. And before you know it, it's bed time.

I used to post in the mornings, before going to work. These days, however, I am leaving the house around 6:30 a.m. and am only awake for a mere hour before climbing on my trusty bike and pedaling into the sunrise.

All that is a long winded way of saying I'm sorry and I'll try to post more often.

Today I give you a catch-up post in pictures.

A couple of weeks ago there was apple picking with this lovely specimen. We put pants on it to emphasize the resemblance to a part of our anatomy.
Then there was a rather important bit of elephant surgery. We called it a hat-ectomy. Dumbo's original hat was in tatters so Little Squid crafted a new one and I added snaps to Dumbo's head so we could change hats if we so desire.


There has been some weaving. This one is making me really happy! it is my first real excursion into color and pattern play. It is not coming out as I envisioned it from the draft but this is a good thing as it is coming out even better!
Then there is my shawl. It is the Danish Tie-Shawl from Spin-off Spring 2008. The yarn is home, spindle-spun from Blue Moon roving purchased at Rhienbeck two or three years ago. The yarn has been aging in the stash until just the right pattern came along.
The edging will take a little bit of time to finish ...
There has been more. I finally did my back to school shopping and, thanks to mom, netted four, yup FOUR, long sleeve white shirts. Please don't faint. I had ... wait for it ... zero long sleeve white shirts. One short sleeve, one three-quarter sleeve but no long sleeve white shirts. Now I have four. Until I spill something on them.

Upcoming events include a work "retreat" this weekend. I might be able to finish Little Squid's latest pair of socks since someone else is driving. Squidette still has school interviews and auditions in two weeks but seems to be less stressed then she was before the SHSAT. Little Squid is practicing 3 instruments right now, two in preparation for a camp audition several weeks away.

And there you go, all caught up.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Squid on Wheels: Contest Winner!

And the October 31 mileage was ...

745 miles. Exactly the same as last year!

So, the winner is ... Ikkinlala!

Congratulations! If you send me your snail mail address and favorite color I will put together a prize package.

***

Now that that's taken care of ... we actually did some riding yesterday. It was a balmy 51 degrees in the morning and I managed to convince the kids to ride up to band practice instead of my driving them up. The ride is an easy one -- at least for me. The boro-wide band practices in my school building, so it is a ride I've been doing 3-5 times per week lately.

While there, they played and I continued cleaning up a bookroom so I can clear the textbooks out of my office. Then we all rode to the west side to check out a newly opened piece of park and Mike rode up to join us there.

The ride home was glorious! We rode from 130th Street to 26th without stopping once! No traffic lights, no crowds of pedestrians. It was great!

14.5 miles

And the kids? They both got first seat in their instruments and Little Squid was told that he could do the Pops program this year in flute and then next year in oboe once he has a year of it under his belt. Squidette was invited to do the Pops program again even though it is supposed to be a single year thing. Way cool!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Halloween

Once again it is time to reveal the annual Halloween Costumes.

May I submit for your approval, Hermione and The Swedish Chef.

And ... Elwood Blues.

Needless to say, a good time was had by all.