Like music to my ears.

Happy Thursday! Today has been busy. Number 4 child had an end of session program for pre-school. (I refuse to call it graduation because they're only 5-years old .) There were tropical themed decorations. The kids all had on grass skirts and they "yell-sang" really The basic pre-school songs with such style. Face it 3-5 year olds are just hilariously cute.

My birthday will be in a few days. I don't mind getting older, its fun. To a point. My hormone levels feel like they are all over the place and I find myself crying over silly things, like my "baby" losing her first tooth, and my oldest getting ready to graduate HS.

I was checking out a swap partners blog, she follows Crazy Aunt Purl. It had been so long since I had read that blog. I went and had a peek. Crazy Aunt Purl's blog lead me to this video. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. Some days i wish life could really be like a musical. With people breaking out in song and dance, sharing the joy of music and life. I hope you enjoy it too.



Id forgotten how much I love reading that blog. She seems to find joy in everyday.

My swap partner in the Manic Purl kit swap has not received her package from me. I am going to give it until tomorrow. Then start putting together another package to send out. I feel bad and should have mailed things out earlier in April. I had no idea that it would take a month to get to Argentina. I feel bad . Hopefully the second package will get to her.

Happy day after Cinco de Mayo!

Always a day late and a couple dollars short.  Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo , the 5th of May. This holiday commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over French forces  at the Battle of Puebla.  It is not a state recognized holiday in Arizona, most fair and celebrations occur the weekend before. In my dd's grade school they taught the kids about the significance of the day.  they even taught the kids how to may the tissue paper flowers....guess what my craft -driven creative daughter wanted to do last night? Now  my kitchen has all different sizes of colorful tissue flowers all over.  I usually go all out and make an American style Mexican dinner, I wasn't organized this year and kind of bailed out on the idea.  

I was listening to the Doubleknit podcast today , and Jessica mentioned a funny Twilight parody called Twilight Cheeseburgers. 

I showed this to my 18yo son.  After dealing with Twilight crazed girls at school all day, this provided some good comic relief.

I recently started a couple of new projects, some baby items for friends and this

The Featherweight Wrap from Crochet Today Spring 2008 

I got this far on my first attempt at crocheting this a couple months ago.  This time the yarn is softer and the hook is bigger.  I feel good about it.

Spring Garden

Now is a peak time for gardens in the low-desert gardening. especially the Phoenix area. We've been picking radishes and carrots for a couple of weeks. Tomato and pepper transplants are continuing to grow as are the Sunflowers and watermelon from seeds. It looks great. My only concern now is that the average daily temperature is starting to hit 100 degrees. I am hopeful that we will get some tomatoes before it gets too hot.

the entry about a friend , nothing about knitting

I went to visit a friend tonight. She has been in pain for years and never have been able to find relief or a Doctor that has been able to diagnose a definite illness. She has been told to lose weight, exercise more, and just deal with the pain.

In the last few months she started to lose her balance, experience numbness down her left leg. She found a Doctor that listened and she was able to get into a neurologist. She is being tested for Multiple Sclerosis, the Doctor is 90% sure that's what it is , but more test need to be done for a definite diagnosis.

I love my friend, and will be there for her as much as she and her family will let me. I just wish it wasn't her being the one diagnosed with a degenerative disease. After leaving her home tonight, I thought of another friend, of my mom and my nephew, people whose' bodies have failed before they were "supposed to". People who despite adversity and trials have carried on and done their best to live live as well as they could. I know no mater what I do for them it can't make up for the examples they are to me.

I've tried to be there to help when they've needed a smile, encouragement, a trip to the doctor's office, even a silly stupid joke now and then. I know I can't take away the pain, and I can't take her place. I just wish I could.

My friend is okay with the diagnosis, a little discouraged that the first round of treatments didn't show a huge improvement in her life . I am grateful that after so many years of suffering and going to doctors that there is an answer and a treatments for her. I am glad she is still here and is my friend.

Spring Flowers

For the short period of time that we actually have "spring-like" weather (its supposed to be in the 90's today). I really enjoy the fact that I can have flowers in my flowerbeds year round.

Here is what started blooming yesterday.

Because Bams' did...

...i will too.
I just finished reading the blog of a Ravelry friend BammerKT, she is funny and a wicked good spinner and knitter. In her latest post she admitted she hadn't posted a lot lately. Yet there she did. I haven't posted much of anything lately, mostly because of time, I'm tired and forming a complete thought is nearly imporssible let alon writing down a good paragraph with pictures. Because Bam's will take the time to post something. I should be able to do it too.

On the needles :

• Autumn Shawl- Entrelac Shawl in Jojoland Rythmn for this I have figured out how to knit backwards.
  





• Cluaranach scarf -Anne Hanson Pattern
  



• Super secret baby project for a friend
  

Spring break ended last week. This is the kids first full week of school. We had a great break just relaxing and getting things done around the house. We did take a trip to the Zoo. Because it was just me tand the three younger kids, we went in the afternoon and stayed until closing time. It was FUN. The kids rode a camel and pet the stingrays.

Saying good-bye to Winter

Okay full disclosure I haven't really had to experience "real" winter weather for an extended period of time since we moved the family to Arizona 16 years ago. If we are lucky it might rain alot during February but this winter I didn't have to put on anything heavier than my well worn acrylic sweater from Target...until the Chirstmas trip to Utah but that was only a weeks worth of coat wearing.

I joined the "Say Goodbye to Winter Swap" hosted by the High Fiber Diet Podcast. I had drawn Lorrieu for my partner and had a great time picking out some fibery treats for her.

My upstream partner was Kim from GA. She spoiled me greatly :

Thank You notes
seasonal pens One with a cute bunny on top
Sticky notes!!!!
Project bag with springy flowers all over it from MessieCraftie
yummy salty snacks my favorite, along with a well sealed bag of Hershey Kisses…yeah!!! they didn’t melt.
mmmmmMalabrigo Sock yarn in the Caribeno colorway
Newton’s Yarn Country Happy Feet Print

it was a lovely treat and wonderful way to celebrate the first day of Spring. BammerKT mentioned on the podcast how suprised she was that the swap had brought members of the Ravelry group together. I think its great it gave us a chance to get to know each other, do some cyber sluething, and help each other with clues, It was fun to joke and tease each other too. I believe when you try to do something kind for another person , without expecting anything back from that person friendships even cyber-friendships , can be built.

I'm sure I'll think of something better to say later.

Happy Spring!