Friday, November 24, 2006

Black Friday Shopping

Well I did it! I shopped on "Black Friday." I got up early (7:15) and washed my face, threw on my shoes (bunny) and sat at my computer to shop. Did I brave crowds and parking nightmares, and set alarms to wake up before dawn - NOPE! My theory this year is if I can't buy it online - I don't need it!

Believe me the $9.00 shipping I paid this morning was worth being able to sit at home in my jammies and bunny slippers and NOT deal with people. I bought this for Anna, and these for each of the kids. I'll do more shopping tomorrow after we decide our final list for everyone. Connie is still getting a quilt, and several others are still getting the embroidered dishtowels, but I'm not too worried about anything else. I've already gotten many gifts taken care of and I've got good ideas for everything else, so I think I'm in good shape.

I do have to make a trip to Harry & David (damn! I'm all broken up about it) to use an instore only coupon but I can do that next week - anyone like pears?

airplane park
I am thankful!

We had homemade vegetable soup and good sandwiches for our meal yesterday. My Daddy and my brother came over and we had a nice time. I just wasn't ready to make my Mom's meal this year - not yet.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if anyone went out shopping today I just have one thing to say to you...

SUCKERS!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

"Chicken Pops" Redux

Turns out it isn't Chicken Pox at all. As I looked at it I told Casey I thought maybe it was something else - so he went to the doctor yesterday and it is a skin born infection. Not sure how he got it - it's bacteria that's on the skin all the time, but once it breaks the barrier it can go crazy and cause the sort of breakout he has. FUN! I know - you all wanted to know that. Anyway some major antibiotics and a few days and he'll be fine - PLUS it's not contagious!

On to things more pleasant. Andrea and I spent 8 plus hours working in the shop on Sunday. We cleaned and we moved furiture and we cleaned out storage and we CLEARANCED tons of yarn. We worked very hard and while there is still more to be done, the shop is looking great. Our December calendar is almost ready and looking great as well.

I'll get lots of things done today crafty wise and have some pictures for posting tomorrow - didn't think you guys wanted pics of the rash (eeeewwww)!

Everyone go wish Katey Happy Birthday today!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Saturday, November 11, 2006

"Chicken Pops,"

as Anna would say. Breakthrough Chicken Pox is the official title of what we have - we've all either had Chicken pox or been vaccinated, yet we have the rash! We're all feeling fine and I am showing no symptoms, but the kids and Casey all have a very very mild, but definitive, case of Chicken Pox. It sucks!

I had to cancel a crochet workshop this morning and bail on 3 people waiting for me to teach them to crochet - I'll rescedule, but it sucks to bail out at the last minute. I figure the students would rather reschedule than be contaminated though so I'll be scrambling this week to get things together for make up sessions.

On a positive note our December class calendar is looking great and we have lots of new things in store for the shop. I am so excited.

Now, if I just weren't contagious!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Long Days...

I am so tired, but I am also mentally energized. I worked last night until 11 p.m. at the shop with one of our favorite yarn reps and the night before that I was there until 9:30. We have so many new and exciting things coming up for the shop and I can't wait to get started. I've got about 1000 ideas running through my head and I'm chomping at the bit to get moving.

I'm going to be working more for the next few weeks - both on shop things and on Christmas stuff that I still need to take care of. Here's a photo of the Sock Tote I sent out as a prize for Socktoberfest: Sock Monkeys!!!

Sock Monkey ToteSock Monkey Detail

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

A Literary Journey

We've been at the Library a great deal lately and it always makes me realize how little I read anymore. To that end I've made some lists:

A) Books I haven't read, but want to: Pride & Prejudice, Look Homeward Angel, Of Mice & Men, Emma, Little Women

These books have been on my list for sometime and I never get to them - that's a good goal for next year.

B) Books I have read, but wish I hadn't: The Jungle, The Federalist Papers, Grapes of Wrath, Animal Farm, Catcher in The Rye

Most of these I had to read - for school or should have read in school, but Cliffed - so I went back and read them - why I'll never know - perhaps I'm more educated for reading them, but I was happy ignorant too!

C) Books I'm glad I DID read: Anne of Green Gables, As I Lay Dying, Great Expectations, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, The Giving Tree (Anything Shel Silverstein)

These are just some of my favorites. I've read Anne at least 3 times and I never ever get tired of it. I LOVE Dickens (who doesn't) and unlike many I LOVE Faulkner.

D) I am currently reading: Lots of children's books (best books EVER) and The Body Farm

What are your favoties and what are you reading?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Monday, November 06, 2006

Little House in The Suburbs...

myhouse.jpg
(that's googlemap satellite imagery of MY house)

"Knit it All!" There's a goal for you! Christina, AKA 'Knitty-D' has a goal to knit all of her Rhinebeck 2006 Fiber Festival purchases BEFORE Rhinebeck 2007. Considering what Knitty-D purchased that is a reasonable, yet big, goal. I like the concept though - the "use what you have" BEFORE getting more idea. I want to do this as well - use it all.

I have so much and I find myself constantly wanting, driven to, more. I think about our pioneering American history and how people "made do." I know I romanticize the life - because it was no doubt truly harsh - but I can't help but believe that it was also happier.

The world today beeps, and buzzes, and whirs at a dizzying pace and no matter what I have - in over abundance - I always want newer, better, more. Being bombarded with ads from every side, T.V., billboards, magazines, radio, the beloved internet - it's EVERYWHERE - I constantly am presented with more ways to seperate me from my (ok my husband's) hard earned money.

Don't get me wrong, I love and thoroughly enjoy my very modern lifestyle I just think sometimes it would be easier without cell phones, and answering machines, and email, and instant access, and TiVO (ok NOT TiVO - that's just crazy talk). Anyway, more life with less - that's the ultimate goal; less stuff, less running, less spending (or at least different), less disconnect - more time, more family, more laughter, more contentment, - happier.

The pioneering Americans and many generations that followed understood value, they understood usefullness, and they understood hard work in a capacity I will never know. My life - just the daily survival part - is easy by comparison and while I take the bad with the good (I do love me some TiVO) I wonder what I'm missing by having everything.

So, a goal - "knit it all!" - or in my case - "Use it All!" is adopted. not a "don't buy anything" binge (because everyone knows where most of those lead), but a new way of thinking. I am "thinking home" first and asking myself "do I already have something I can use or make work? Do I really need it? Do I really want it?" I am working on projects I already have and gifting to others those I am never going to complete. I expect using materials I have and completing projects I am already mentally, and finacially invested in to bring me great joy and contentment.

So I set off with the American Pioneers as my role models and a hopeful, expectant attitude to "Use it All" and seek More with less. Who will join me?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

p.s. Speaking of TiVO: Thank you BS Galactica writers for giving us back Lee with the bod and for the gratuitous abs footage this past week - truly - Thank You!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Snarky Sneaky Pals Q & A

1. What kinds of things do you like to knit?
Anything really, I am knitting lots of socks right now and have plans for lace and kiddo sweaters all winter so...

2. Is there any one thing that you are just dying to have and haven't/won't purchase for yourself?

I'm bad that way - if I want it I buy it, but I'd love to have more roving - for spinning - or wool felt for sewing, and I like blank lined journals for keeping lists, oohh - or those knitpicks circular needles for socks

3. What scents do you like?
Cinnamon, citrus, vanilla, I wear Shallimar (but that's too pricey - we'll make hubby get it!)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an Amazon wish list.

5. When is your birthday?
May 4

6. Do you celebrate Chrismas/Hanukkah/Kwannza/Yule?
Religiously Christmas, but hey - I'll celebrate anything if gifts are involved!

7. Do you have a favorite color?
RED!!!

8. Any colors that you absolutely hate?
I don't dig blues too much, but both my babies look great in it so...

9. Any allergies to fiber?
Nope, but not too crazy about the mohair

10. Anything else your pal should know?
Plain White Chocolate GOOD! I also sew and quilt and lately embroidery. I am allergic to coconut and cherries.