Katidids

Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It's learning to look past life's imperfections





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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Workin Wednesday!

Custom Order of 3 matching sets for "Mothers Day"
Blocked, bundled & ready to be packed & mailed.
Lisa, they will be on the way to you tomorrow morning!



After all the pink of late, the boy prints have been fun!
Just need to add the touch tape,
and call them done......
now where is that truck print.......

So, what did you do today?
Hope you found joy in what ever it is!

Whats Up Wednesday!

Lots of "stuff" goin on around here!
I haven't shown many projects lately, as I've been working on an order. 3sets of the Antropologie dish cloths.
They are done. I just have to package up.

I have on the needles a few pair of shorties, here is a sneak peak of "Grappel" & "Bliss".
I should finish these in the next few days.
Were going camping this weekend & rain is in the forecast, (of course)
so I'm sure I'll have plenty of knitting time!
And to fulfill the sewing addiction..........
A friend of ours is expecting baby #3 & has decided to go with cloth diapers.
She is more than willing to use recycled fabrics but.....
I just had to pick up a few new cute prints
Can you guess the gender?
Ahem....did you notice the wooly sheep? How about the camping flannel...what self respecting R.V. Dealers wife could/would pass that one up! Might even make a few for Evie from that one!

And a few solids for inside the dipes. Well, they were on sale.
I figure if you have to do a dirty job you might as well have fun with it!


So tell me, what are your plans for this fine day!
Hmmm....... wonder if I can move the table outside to sew!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Invasion into the country that is Laundry

Wow, what a great weekend! Weather wise it was our first true summer days, over 90! I made a major invasion into the country of Laundry, got it broken up into small villages and decimated them as I worked my way through the continent.
With the weather so nice I rigged a clothesline on the back deck & things were dry before the next load was ready to hang.
I would LOVE a real a clothesline, there is nothing like the smell of wind & sun dried sheets......OK, I have to stop thinking of that or I will crawl back in bed. With almost 2 acres I should be able to find space for one...you would think.....
Ever hung damp clothes (whites) under trees? You end up with little black stain spots..... from the tree poop.
Who knew trees poop. Loosing so may trees this past fall from the wind storm I thought, oooh, now we have clear spots!
Ahem, no.
Whats that I hear? The country of laundry calling in re-enforcements ...
better go head them off at the stairs!
Have a good Monday!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Baby Faces

Miss Evie had her first cereal today, I think this face express' her thoughts.
After the first bite she was ready for more!
She has also found this "thing" in her mouth

She will play quite a while with her new toy!
We love watching the faces she makes.
Our Neighbor across the field have their Granddaughter on the weekends.
Today was her birthday & they said she could have one of those BIG blow up toys?
They let her choose which one........

The slide is as tall as a 2 story house
l
l
V

She could not decide, they could not tell her no,
so they rented both!?!
I told her to ask for the car now.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Another Wedding in The Family

Our son Aaron James & new daughter Ania.

They were married this Spring....on paper.
Neither consider it a "marriage" as it has not been Blessed
The formal wedding will be this August
in
Poland!!!
Ania is everything and more that we could want for our son.
I'm so excited!
We have spoken with Ania's parents a few times via Skype,
but are so looking forward to meeting in person.
I've been on line trying to find all the information I can concerning Polish etiquette.
On the off chance any one knows of a good info source PLEASE send me a link.

I wonder if Poznan Poland is ready for this crazy American family

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Cleaning up, Shoveling out & Sewing up

Its one of those days....
nothings wrong, just cant get myself motivated.
It may have a bit to do with my house looking like.....
it was ransacked...
a nuclear explosion would be neater......
I'm not joking.
Wish I were
The pathways through fabric & yarn in my living room
are blocked.
The laundry has been breeding
and has created its own Country in my basement
no, not a village or town...
an entire Country.
I told myself....no knitting for a few hours
until I at least make a dent in it.
So I'm sewing up a few wips.....It's not knitting
2 pair of booties needing sewn since Jan....
yes, of this year.
I'm telling myself its a step in cleaning out the wip pile
to the completed bins
Off to start a load of laundry downstairs,
but first
I need to find a rope...
in case it sucks me in.
If there are no posts for a few days......
send help.
But tell them
to tie on a rope first.
I'm not joking

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Gods Pharmacy

This past year or so, we have been trying to be better stewards, in the use & care of the gift that is our body.
Changing eating habits, like using the salad plate for meals. It amazing how much we were over eating. Switching to whole grain breads & pastas.
Were not 25 anymore...and although both of us are very healthy,
it's long past time we paid attention.
Knowing we were making these life changes, a good friend passed this information to Larry & I not to long ago.
It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human.
He made and provided what we'd need before we were born.
These are best & more powerful when eaten raw.
We're such slow learners...
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.


A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food


Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys


Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocado's, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (mo dern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.


Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.


Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.


Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Didn't Last Long!

Last night I completed 2 more pair of Shorties.

A small pair of "Frogs n Snail Remix"
And a "Tropical Goodbye Remix"
Both were fun to make, mixing with coordinating colors. I listed them at 5pm, and both are now sold.

I was having marathon knitting session's to buildup inventory....So much for building up stock!

I love Etsy!



Monday, April 20, 2009

Shorties For The Small Fries!

Grrr... "Tiger Stripe" Purewool Small Shorties!
I love Purewool for new babies, so soft and luscious for tender skin.
And the "Crew Girl Remix"
Small Shorties
The remaining bits of Crew Girl Shorties striped. I picked up the light Olive shade as a coordinate. I wasn't sure at first how they would turn out but, I'm pretty pleased with these.
I should have these listed in Etsy this evening.
So, whats on your needles?
Come on...Don't be shy!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

How to Give Yourself A Heart Attack

Myrtle is a pretty fast girl. Shes thankfully very forgiving.
I dumped an almost empty cup of coffee on her today
The baby I have my first credit card in over 20 yrs to buy, (excuse me adopt)
when the beast died
I know, I know..the cup should not have been near it. I've heard it!
I ALWAYS have my cup on the side, way away from her.
Danielle was visiting, as I stood up to get more coffee, my finger hooked in the handle an that little bit of coffee went all over the keyboard.
I yanked the plug, shut her down and grabbed a towel.
My heart nearly stopped & I almost wet my pants.
I think I said 1 or 2 well, the same word over and over.
Not a word for Sunday .......or any other day.
Think I better hurry up and send in the first payment.
Forgive me Myrtle!

Sunday Night Out..Sheep Light Show!

Just had to share this one, its AWESOME!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Finishing up Friday!

It looks like today is for finishing a bunch of working projects!
First up is a custom order of 5 pair of booties for Heather. I'm working on the last pair which are Brown.
Its been nice using neutral colors, a change from the traditional Pink & Blue!
Also Completed a pair of large "SunRise Shorties", a fun unisex colorway, ready to be embellished. Just need to decide what I want to add.
I've been trying to use up a lot of the partial balls, leftover yarn. It's been fun seeing what combinations I can come up with.
This is using the remnants of Frogs N Snails, for a pair of small shorties.
Almost done, just need to finish the legs in Green & add the Brown Cuffs.


Also on the needles is a small pair of shorties made with 100%Purewool.
I love this for Newborns and smaller babies. Super soft & great colorways.

I should have these completed tonight. Everything else is already posted to Etsy!

The Kentucky Derby Festival Kickoff , Thunder Over Louisville, is tomorrow.
30 minutes of nonstop, chest pounding fireworks!
See you on the Riverfront!


Thursday, April 16, 2009

Thoughtful Thursday A Little Late...The School Answering Machine

This is hilarious - no wonder some people were offended!
This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School California staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine.

This is the actual answering machine message for the school. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework.

The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.

The outgoing message:
Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection:
To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1

To make excuses for why your child did not do his work -Press 2

To complain about what we do - Press 3

To swear at staff members - Press 4

To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyer's mailed to you - Press 5

If you want us to raise your child - Press 6

If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7

To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8

To complain about bus transportation - Press 9

To complain about school lunches - Press 0

If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!

If you want this in Spanish, move to a country that speaks it!

How sad it has come to this....and we wonder what happened to our children......the Leaders of Tomorrow

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

What WINDFALL!!

Windfall Tax on Retirement Income
Adding a tax to your retirement is simply another way of saying to the American people, you're so darn stupid that we're going to keep doing this until we drain every cent from you.
That's what the Speaker of the House is saying. Read below................
Nancy Pelosi wants a Windfall Tax on Retirement Income. In other words tax what you have made by investing toward your retirement. This woman is a nut case!
You aren't going to believe this.
Madam speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to put a Windfall Tax on all stock market profits (including Retirement fund, 401K and Mutual Funds! Alas, it is true - all to help the 12 Million Illegal Immigrants and other unemployed Minorities!
This woman is frightening. She quotes...' We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income, (didn't Marx say something like this?), in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest.' (I am not rich, are you?) When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she replied:
'We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed and minorities. For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long way to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as 'Americans'.' (Read that quote again and again and let it sink in.) 'Lower your retirement, give it to others who have not worked as you have for it'.

Whats on The Needles Wednesday!

Well, Not sure what is on your needles but I can show you what's not on mine!Here are a few FO's from the past few days...
Using the Sheepy Time Knits Pattern, Medium Shorties of 100%Purewool, Colorway is Happy Rose ubersoft!
Sheepy Shorties on Merino, my "Frogs & Snails" colorway. Board short length. These I finished on the way to Rachel's Easter morning....the 2 hour drive comes in handy at times!

"Spring Greens", hand dyed using Cascade 220 Waist & Cuffs also Cascade 220
Started on the way home.....making good use of drive time!
"Simple Booties"
100% Wool, Cascade 220
Custom for Heather, one of 6?

Its been a busy & productive past few days...made easier by all the rain, and cold, did I say rain? Did I mention the pea sized hail? Mother Nature...
IT'S SPRING!!!!




Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Brats At Easter

There are few times in life when a parent can GET EVEN with the children.
Those of you with sweet little ones may be saying get even? These sweet innocent babies? HAH! Your day will come when you too will plot and plan....
What would be more simple than taking a photo of your adult daughters...
This was photo 15!
After they heard the time aged.....
GIRLS, alrightnow..(used this way it is one word)..from Dad...
Yes, he still has that power!
The Crossed eyes,

Someone just haaaas to talk


Oh, the best shot of them all! They will love seeing this ! Soon to be framedPhoto 16, My Girls, Danielle, Erika & Rachel


And, I was out of batteries.

Good thing I already had photos of the Grands!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Give Away Winner!

After getting home from Church late Friday night, Isaiah fell asleep on us...so, we did the drawing on Saturday.
And the Winner is ....
(drum roll please)
Which is great as she lives local to me. Better yet, she works part time in our Local Yarn Store "Grinny Possum Fiber Arts!
So Sonya, let me know your schedule & I'll drop these off to you!
Again, sorry for the delay, we ended up spending Easter with Rachel & Adam in Indy....Mr. Hayden sang in a children's program & we couldn't miss it.
Post photos tomorrow
I know BAAAD Blogger!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Spring Iris' Capri's

Colorway "Iris'" from "Mandie at Sheepy Time Knits"
She has such a large variety of colorways. Stripes, colorwash, sock & worsted... you name it.
It's hard to decide sometimes!

"Spring Iris Capri's"
The details; 100% Merino Wool, size Medium, 18in hip & 18in rise. Leg length is 6 inches
Listed on Etsy this afternoon


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Tidying Up

Has the Spring Cleaning Bug hit your house?
Everything all nice and tidy?
Don't forget you computer, clearing all the old files and unnecessary things. Yes, I have computers on the brain lately.
Just in case you need it here is a great tool for cleaning your screen.
Go ahead, try it out, I'll wait.
Comes in handy don't ya think?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Happy Rose is HAPPY!

Sewing is put on hold while waiting for size labels. I know me and if I start cutting things out they will get jumbled. I prefer assembly line sewing as it much less time consuming. So...I have to wait, forever it seem!
But, I grabbed the needles and cast on a pair of "Sheepy Time Knits" Shorties.
Using 3ply Purewool, ummmm wonderfully soft!
This color is "Happy Rose"...it sure is bright, cheerful & very Happy!
After high 60's for the past few weeks, this cold snap is Mother Natures way of saying...NaNa nu NaNa! I need the cheerful Spring Pink!
Sure glad I waited to plant those Pansies!

I've been going through the painful/time sucking task of recreating all of my files & folders.
All my photos, patterns purchased & free gone in a blink. At this point I think I would feel a great deal of satisfaction using my old laptop for target practice!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Saturday Spotlight & A Give away!

How often do you find a great product and, at a great price?
Not very often right? Well, I wanted to share an Etsy store I found last month

TinaB Designs

I had been on Etsy the looking for a fun treat for myself. Our 25th Wedding Anniversary was coming up and I wanted something new & fun to wear when we went out to dinner. Our oldest Danielle & youngest Erika wanted to take Larry & me out. It’s rare with Danielle’s work schedule for us to get together so we were looking forward to the time together.
These are what I wore


I had so many compliments I ordered another set as a gift. Well a few others & I’m stashing as Christmas gifts.

How fun are these earrings! Tina obviously puts a lot of effort & creativity in to creating a quality product. And the shipping? Talk about fast! I placed my order on Saturday and had my Gift wrapped package on Tues!
Can’t ask for more than that.
After sending a note to Tina telling her how pleased I was with her designs, She gifted me with this pair. They are such a versatile design and will complete any outfit.

As much as I like them, I’m going to offer them as a
Give Away
Each comment will be one entry.
Become a follower & you get another entry!
(be sure and let me know)
Be sure and visit her Etsy Shop
and tell me what your favorite item is.

The drawing will be held on Good Friday, 9 April.
I'll do the drawing scientifically......Isaiah will pull a name from a hat, bowl, pot..what ever is handy.
I'll post the name here Friday evening!

~Any questions, feel free to email~


Friday, April 3, 2009

Fabric + Sale = Crack

For years we have been using the slogan "Just say No!" Well, here is a example of why it doesn't work..
Just like a junkie...I have NO will power in a fabric store. Yesterday I drove past a shopping center with a fabric store, I saw the sign and.....O.K. Just keep on driving....paaaast the store ....you can do it.....remember, your re purposing fabrics...you have a lot at home...oh, well, you can get .....Just a few.....oh my gosh....it's on SALE! $2.49 a yard...Oh, MONKEYS! Erika & Chris like Monkeys!...and its all so cute....3-12 ft rows of flannel prints...(by now I'm positively drooling)..OK, so, just..... half a yard.......of a few...well, NOW you need coordinating solids for the inside..so, just a few of those.....well....... only as much as one cart can hold ......Fabric on sale...I cave.
So, I now have enough flannel to keep Evie in Diapers until shes potty trained or, 21.
Which ever comes first!
I spent most of today making diapers....so, its not all bad.

Meet My New Baby Myrtle!

I have a new Baby....I named her Myrtle.



Oh, the things this baby can DO!
Testing her last night I had 15 windows, email & 4 folders open and she baked a cake too!!! It almost makes up for loosing all my e-mail addresses & other info...The "Dearly Departed" Laptop (I have to be nice as Larry is trying to recover all the patterns, photos and files I have/had) would not let me have anything else open if I was up/downloading photos.
Blog Posts took nearly an hour! No more cords and cables to download photos, My memory cards will slide right into a little slot in the front! Normally it would take me about 5 minutes to download a photo to a blog post.
Well, let me tell you Myrtle is a fast girl.... Hmmmm Have to watch her around the boys at the coffee shop!