Well, all is calm here. Monday evening and overnight were really the worst for us. We're supposed to be getting more rain tonight and tomorrow, but I'm optimistic that things will be fine. School was back in session today, and it looks like any old overcast day. Anne and I will be attending Mass tonight at 5pm for All Saints, and I'm very excited. We were really spared the wrath of this storm. I know that on the far east coast things are going to be rough for a long time to come. :( Prayers for all of them.
On a totally different note, but something that also went down over the course of this crazy past weekend, our new group belly dance costumes are in. Oh sigh.
The entire time that I've been in the troupe, we've used the same designer from Egypt for our costumes. I've gotten 2 costumes from him, and I'm really happy with both. They're the green one and the blue one I danced in recently at the restaurant, both pictured on this blog. The blue one was a tad long and I needed it taken up an inch or so, but it wasn't a big deal. Others in my troupe were less happy with their costumes and the way they fit, so we decided to go with a different designer this time. Claire had ordered 1 costume from him and it was very nice and fit well. His prices were comparable.
So, we all got measured and picked a costume. Claire gives us the freedom to pick whatever costume design we each want, even for our group numbers. She wants everybody to feel comfortable in their costume. We all just order the same color. The dark green was our previous group color, now we chose gold.
Naturally, I spent weeks poring over costume pictures. I prefer the separate top and skirt sets, rather than a one-piece gown, so I honed in on those. There were at least a dozen that I liked, but in the end I chose a bra and belt set. What that means is that the hip belt is separate from the skirt such that you can pair it with other skirts and change up the look of the costume for very little money. I'm all about maximizing my investment, especially with more restaurant gigs hopefully in my future, so I thought I'd give this a try. With our color being gold, I knew that the bra and belt would match with any skirt that I bought, plus I already own a wine colored chiffon skirt I could wear it with. Win-win. Order submitted.
They arrived last week. Friday night before class, we all sat in the waiting room staring at the box of costumes while Claire finished up with another class. Claire poked her head in and told us to have at it, and within seconds, an explosion of sequins heralded the costume distribution. Costumes were tossed to and fro as we tried to figure out whose was whose. By process of elimination I found my costume. I didn't recognize it because:
(1) It had bronze accent beads, which I didn't order. I didn't care, they're pretty, but...
(2) It's not a bra and belt set.
I mean, the beading design is somewhat the same as the photograph (again, no matter, because it's lovely). But the belt is attached to the skirt. So I can't layer it with other skirts like I was planning.
*frowns*
We'll be using the gold skirt for our group performances, so I can't be taking it apart just because I want to wear it with other colors. It's not just tacked on there, I mean, it's heartily sewn into a gold lycra skirt as a single piece.
That immediately threw me for a loop, but I can even get over that. The larger problems presented themselves shortly thereafter.
Back to our story. Claire's other poor class comes into the waiting room to find a group of half-dressed women shimmying into gold lycra. A surge of gold-clad bodies pressed into the main dance studio to have access to the mirrors.
I hold my top over my boobs and frown again. Amy, my smaller-busted compadre, came over to sympathize. The bra tops are always so inflexible and stiff. The larger busted ladies are always spilling out and having to sew extra material into their tops. We small busted ladies, on the other hand, are always terrified of the ominous "Side Nipple" conundrum. Sorry, does this post need a "You Must be 18 Years Old to Read This" label?
"Side Nipple" is the phenomenon whereby the stiff (and never correctly sized) costume tops gap open and anybody with a side view can see right into your bra cup. Not exactly the view that you want your audience to see.
I've been worried about this with my other costumes, but with some tightening of the snaps in the back and straps they've been ok. This top was not looking promising. But I knew I could confer with my sewing mother-in-law for solutions. Onto the skirt...
Usually my skirts are all lycra that pull up to my hips and zip. This skirt, since it has the stiffer belt thing going on in the hip area, is just open on one side and you're supposed to sew in some hooks to close it. Well.
I wrap the skirt around my body. I quickly realize that it's at least 5-6 inches too small. I tug on it, hoping for some elasticity.
Zero.
I was measured at the beginning of September. I haven't gained any weight. There is no way they correctly used my measurements to make this skirt. It wasn't even close.
Meanwhile, a scene of costume carnage was going on around me. Gowns were slipped over heads, but instead of ending at one's ankles, they were pooling onto the floor. And not just a little bit. I mean, *inches and inches* of excess fabric. Some could barely move their costumes were so tight. Breasts were decidedly NOT covered by tops. Areas of sheer fabric that were supposed to be in non-objectionable areas were revealing...body parts that the recipient had NOT intended. It was BAD.
Claire was horrified (even though it's totally not her fault) and immediately offered to sew for us. GOD BLESS HER. She took my skirt home and sewed in a whole new panel of coordinating copper material to make my skirt fit. We found an arm band that matched my belt that she could close the upper gap with. I haven't seen it yet, I'm hoping it looks flattering. :)
I enlisted my mother-in-law for Operation Gappy Top. First, she sewed hooks into the back and straps for me. Huzzah. Except the gap somehow got worse. This meant a trip to JoAnn's in which I spent an uncomfortable 10 minutes in a crowded aisle holding large foam bra pads up to my boobs to see what would work best. I'm now the proud owner of gel-filled bra inserts in my costume top, and the gapping problem is solved. I mean, the top still isn't perfect, but no nipples show, which is the important thing. This is a family friendly art form, I assure you. I look voluptuous, to be sure, but the top just gathers funny in the middle now.
SIGH.
I'll have bra and skirt reunited again on Friday and I'm hoping that everybody looks nice together. I really, really hope so, since our hafla is in a week and a half.
*eyebrows scrunch*
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
We're Safe!
Most of the local school districts are closed today, including Henry's Catholic school, so I'm home with the kids today. It's been windy and rainy, but we haven't lost power, so we're feeling grateful. About 30-60 minutes south of here lots of people are without power.
We're having a nice, cozy day. Anne is mercifully napping (she spent the morning being grumpy and trying to boss all of us around) and we're about to carve our pumpkin with Henry. I'll report back in tomorrow!
We're having a nice, cozy day. Anne is mercifully napping (she spent the morning being grumpy and trying to boss all of us around) and we're about to carve our pumpkin with Henry. I'll report back in tomorrow!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Stormy weather here = BEE ELIMINATION DEFENSE
Well, the bees are gone. In fact, they may not have been bees at all. A little research has indicated that they may have been yellow jackets. These were pretty large, much larger than the little bees I see in the summertime. I Googled "carpenter bee" since these guys were near a wood fence, wondering if they could be the culprit. Wikipedia tells me:
"In several species, the females live alongside their own daughters or sisters, creating a sort of social group."
Now I'm feeling bad. Well, not THAT bad. Plus, in looking at the pictures (really gross, ugh), I don't think these were carpenter bees. I'm sticking with my yellow jacket theory.
It's gotten quite chilly here, and although we're inland, we are one of the areas that will be impacted by Hurricane Sandy. It's been raining for days, and that is certainly not going to change. We're expecting to get a lot of wind and rain here starting later this evening. I'm hoping that we don't lose power, but there are no guarantees. My sister lives in northern New Jersey, and that area is right in the line of fire. Halloween may be a wash out this year, we'll have to see. I'm thinking that if this fall is any indication, our winter may not be nearly so mild as it was last year. Which is fine with me. :)
I'm looking forward to the feast of All Saints and All Souls this week, and am planning to take Anne to Mass with me on Wednesday for the vigil (weather permitting). Henry will be attending Mass at school ("Mmmmmoommmyy, we have to go to church AGAIN!"). Anne attended Mass with us this Sunday as well, and her favorite parts appear to be:
(1) the light fixtures,
(2) the overhead fans,
(3) the contemporary ensemble at the 10 am family Mass, and
(4) the bells at the consecration.
I can live with that.
Prayers for everybody on the east coast right now!
"In several species, the females live alongside their own daughters or sisters, creating a sort of social group."
Now I'm feeling bad. Well, not THAT bad. Plus, in looking at the pictures (really gross, ugh), I don't think these were carpenter bees. I'm sticking with my yellow jacket theory.
It's gotten quite chilly here, and although we're inland, we are one of the areas that will be impacted by Hurricane Sandy. It's been raining for days, and that is certainly not going to change. We're expecting to get a lot of wind and rain here starting later this evening. I'm hoping that we don't lose power, but there are no guarantees. My sister lives in northern New Jersey, and that area is right in the line of fire. Halloween may be a wash out this year, we'll have to see. I'm thinking that if this fall is any indication, our winter may not be nearly so mild as it was last year. Which is fine with me. :)
I'm looking forward to the feast of All Saints and All Souls this week, and am planning to take Anne to Mass with me on Wednesday for the vigil (weather permitting). Henry will be attending Mass at school ("Mmmmmoommmyy, we have to go to church AGAIN!"). Anne attended Mass with us this Sunday as well, and her favorite parts appear to be:
(1) the light fixtures,
(2) the overhead fans,
(3) the contemporary ensemble at the 10 am family Mass, and
(4) the bells at the consecration.
I can live with that.
Prayers for everybody on the east coast right now!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Is this a sign of the apocalypse?
Before I get into my main story for the day, Henry came home from school yesterday all excited that he was going to be in a class play.
"It's about Blessed Saint Kateri, Mommy."
How precious is that? I'm so grateful that we can send him to Catholic school.
It's all awesomeness and light in that story, but yesterday evening had a darker, downright bizarre pall cast over it as well. We will once again accompany the Catholic Librarian as she goes about the mundane business of her daily life. (I'm just so glad that you're not totally bored by it all). Let us begin as I travel home from work...
I left work early to get a few things done around the house since my in-laws watch our kids Tuesday and Thursday afternoons while Mike teaches. Hence, I would have the house to myself for a short time. This doesn't happen very often.
I arrive home at 4 pm and park in the garage, like usual. I head into the house. I go about my business. At 4:50, I call my mother-in-law to let her know that I'm ready for the kids. She relays that Anne has just had a poo explosion so they will be slightly delayed by the cleanup process.
At approximately 5:15, Mike pulls in the driveway followed seconds later by my mother-in-law bearing the children. As I move through the kitchen I see Mike pause on his way out of the garage. He stares at a corner outside our garage and frowns. Immediately my worry meter goes into overdrive. What does he see? Home and car repairs are always hard on our budget when they come up, but this is the dilemma all families face, so we bear it bravely. But of course, I hope for them to be as infrequent as possible.
Suddenly, the side door bursts open:
"MOMMY!! There's a whole bunch of BEES right by your car!"
Mike comes in at a much more moderated pace behind Henry.
"Yes, there are bees, a lot of them, over by your car and the garbage tote."
Our village has the industrial totes with lids so that animals cannot get inside. This includes bees. Although I'm certain that no bee has ever lifted the lid of one of these giant garbage totes. But I digress. The point is that they really can't be hanging out around the garbage tote because a smell has gotten their attention. It's all locked up tight.
"BEES?!"
I don't wish bees any ill will. Bees are good. But I don't want them right near my house, within stinging distance of my children. I head to the window.
Sure enough, I spy a *large* swarm of bees hovering near the ground around and behind the garbage tote. Other stray bees are spiraling off in all directions from this centered hub of activity. I clutch Anne while Mike and my mother-in-law bravely go to investigate.
"They're mating on the fence. And they're building a nest." (or hive, or whatever).
Fantastic. I don't want anybody or anything mating right outside my side door.
"Don't worry."
He knows me so well.
"I'll spray out there a bit and they'll go away."
I didn't ask what exactly he was planning on spraying. The fewer questions asked the better. I just wanted the bees gone, and they appeared to be multiplying by the nanosecond. And the weird thing is that when I came home from work, barely an hour before, there was nary a yellow and black striped insect to be found. What the heck happened?!
Yesterday was unseasonably mild, as in *nearly 80 degrees*. Related? It's the only thing I can think of.
Mike goes out and sprays an insect deterrant thing near the center of their activity. He runs back to the side door, several angry bees traveling in his wake. We take up watch at the kitchen window.
"There's still a lot of bees out there."
"Don't worry. Let's eat dinner and then I'll go spray again."
We do such, me worrying the entire time. Mike goes back out.
There are STILL a lot of bees out there. This time, he moves the garbage tote to really get at their hot spot.
Let's just say they really didn't like that.
He sprays again, and this time, I did see a noticeable difference afterward. There were, however, STILL A LOT OF BEES OUT THERE. I have never experienced anything like this. It was just surreal.
One more spray session later, things seemed to have calmed down. I was meeting some girlfriends from college out for a drink, and I gave the area in question quite a large berth when I went out to my car later. I had this nightmare scene in my head in which a swarm of bees chase me to my car and a gaggle of them get in before I could close the door.
Right. That didn't happen.
Everything was totally quiet until this morning, when I went to leave for work. As I approached the garage, a few bees perked up and flew over to my car. Clearly, they were looking to initiate a smackdown in retaliation for their fallen comrades.
I realized that I was standing there staring at them with my passenger side door wide open as I stashed my bags inside. I hustled into the car.
I will admit that I actually paused to make sure that I couldn't hear any buzzing before I did anything further. The coast was clear.
As I backed out of the garage I could see a handful of bees buzzing about. One landed right on my windshield and glared at me menacingly. I stepped on the gas and thankfully he flew away.
I called Mike to let him know that we still had some company in the garage. I'm hoping that by the time I get home later, they will have vacated to another destination.
But seriously...CREEPY. We live in a very urban suburb, I have no idea why they would want to live at our house. I just hope they pack their bags and move along without further incident.
"It's about Blessed Saint Kateri, Mommy."
How precious is that? I'm so grateful that we can send him to Catholic school.
It's all awesomeness and light in that story, but yesterday evening had a darker, downright bizarre pall cast over it as well. We will once again accompany the Catholic Librarian as she goes about the mundane business of her daily life. (I'm just so glad that you're not totally bored by it all). Let us begin as I travel home from work...
I left work early to get a few things done around the house since my in-laws watch our kids Tuesday and Thursday afternoons while Mike teaches. Hence, I would have the house to myself for a short time. This doesn't happen very often.
I arrive home at 4 pm and park in the garage, like usual. I head into the house. I go about my business. At 4:50, I call my mother-in-law to let her know that I'm ready for the kids. She relays that Anne has just had a poo explosion so they will be slightly delayed by the cleanup process.
At approximately 5:15, Mike pulls in the driveway followed seconds later by my mother-in-law bearing the children. As I move through the kitchen I see Mike pause on his way out of the garage. He stares at a corner outside our garage and frowns. Immediately my worry meter goes into overdrive. What does he see? Home and car repairs are always hard on our budget when they come up, but this is the dilemma all families face, so we bear it bravely. But of course, I hope for them to be as infrequent as possible.
Suddenly, the side door bursts open:
"MOMMY!! There's a whole bunch of BEES right by your car!"
Mike comes in at a much more moderated pace behind Henry.
"Yes, there are bees, a lot of them, over by your car and the garbage tote."
Our village has the industrial totes with lids so that animals cannot get inside. This includes bees. Although I'm certain that no bee has ever lifted the lid of one of these giant garbage totes. But I digress. The point is that they really can't be hanging out around the garbage tote because a smell has gotten their attention. It's all locked up tight.
"BEES?!"
I don't wish bees any ill will. Bees are good. But I don't want them right near my house, within stinging distance of my children. I head to the window.
Sure enough, I spy a *large* swarm of bees hovering near the ground around and behind the garbage tote. Other stray bees are spiraling off in all directions from this centered hub of activity. I clutch Anne while Mike and my mother-in-law bravely go to investigate.
"They're mating on the fence. And they're building a nest." (or hive, or whatever).
Fantastic. I don't want anybody or anything mating right outside my side door.
"Don't worry."
He knows me so well.
"I'll spray out there a bit and they'll go away."
I didn't ask what exactly he was planning on spraying. The fewer questions asked the better. I just wanted the bees gone, and they appeared to be multiplying by the nanosecond. And the weird thing is that when I came home from work, barely an hour before, there was nary a yellow and black striped insect to be found. What the heck happened?!
Yesterday was unseasonably mild, as in *nearly 80 degrees*. Related? It's the only thing I can think of.
Mike goes out and sprays an insect deterrant thing near the center of their activity. He runs back to the side door, several angry bees traveling in his wake. We take up watch at the kitchen window.
"There's still a lot of bees out there."
"Don't worry. Let's eat dinner and then I'll go spray again."
We do such, me worrying the entire time. Mike goes back out.
There are STILL a lot of bees out there. This time, he moves the garbage tote to really get at their hot spot.
Let's just say they really didn't like that.
He sprays again, and this time, I did see a noticeable difference afterward. There were, however, STILL A LOT OF BEES OUT THERE. I have never experienced anything like this. It was just surreal.
One more spray session later, things seemed to have calmed down. I was meeting some girlfriends from college out for a drink, and I gave the area in question quite a large berth when I went out to my car later. I had this nightmare scene in my head in which a swarm of bees chase me to my car and a gaggle of them get in before I could close the door.
Right. That didn't happen.
Everything was totally quiet until this morning, when I went to leave for work. As I approached the garage, a few bees perked up and flew over to my car. Clearly, they were looking to initiate a smackdown in retaliation for their fallen comrades.
I realized that I was standing there staring at them with my passenger side door wide open as I stashed my bags inside. I hustled into the car.
I will admit that I actually paused to make sure that I couldn't hear any buzzing before I did anything further. The coast was clear.
As I backed out of the garage I could see a handful of bees buzzing about. One landed right on my windshield and glared at me menacingly. I stepped on the gas and thankfully he flew away.
I called Mike to let him know that we still had some company in the garage. I'm hoping that by the time I get home later, they will have vacated to another destination.
But seriously...CREEPY. We live in a very urban suburb, I have no idea why they would want to live at our house. I just hope they pack their bags and move along without further incident.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
A hodge podge of cute family activity, and is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
*flips through animal board book with Anne*
"Woof woof!"
"Yes, that's a Dalmatian on the "Spotted" page, he's a doggie. He says 'woof woof.'"
"Woof woof!"
"I'm pretty sure that's not what the antelope says. But I don't what he says, so..."
"Woof woof!"
"No, the panther doesn't say 'woof woof.' I'm not exactly certain what the panther says, but whatever it is, it's much more sinister." *attempts growling noise*
"Woof woof!"
_______________________________________________________
*Mike readies for his morning*
"That was a good night with Anne, huh? Especially coming off of those 2 tough nights earlier in the week."
"It was."
"I mean, she did fuss that one time at 10:30, but she went back to sleep."
"She got up at 10:30?"
"Yeah, don't you remember? You started crying."
"I did not."
"You did, but I knew it would be fine. You went right back to sleep."
"I don't think this actually happened."
"It did."
________________________________________________________
This happens every year. The week before Halloween comes and I want to break out my holiday playlist. I don't know what it is, I mean, I'm always enjoying the fall and all the fabulous weather and activities that it entails, I don't need to rush Christmas.
But I do it every year. My husband is completely scandalized, because he's all for keeping all holidays within their proper season and savoring them. He doesn't think you should listen to a beat of Christmas music nor glimpse a lighted tree until after Thanksgiving.
I will grant, prior to Halloween is too early. I make myself hold off, but it isn't easy I tell you. However, the instant November 1st comes, all bets are off. I already told Mike to prepare himself for Hank and I starting the Christmas movies in November, because otherwise we don't have enough time to watch them all. We own a LOT of Christmas movies.
And with Christmas gift knitting in full swing, I mean, who can blame me?
I love this time of year. :) That is, until mid-December when I'm cursing all yarn that is destined to still be knit or crocheted into a Christmas gift...
"Woof woof!"
"Yes, that's a Dalmatian on the "Spotted" page, he's a doggie. He says 'woof woof.'"
"Woof woof!"
"I'm pretty sure that's not what the antelope says. But I don't what he says, so..."
"Woof woof!"
"No, the panther doesn't say 'woof woof.' I'm not exactly certain what the panther says, but whatever it is, it's much more sinister." *attempts growling noise*
"Woof woof!"
_______________________________________________________
*Mike readies for his morning*
"That was a good night with Anne, huh? Especially coming off of those 2 tough nights earlier in the week."
"It was."
"I mean, she did fuss that one time at 10:30, but she went back to sleep."
"She got up at 10:30?"
"Yeah, don't you remember? You started crying."
"I did not."
"You did, but I knew it would be fine. You went right back to sleep."
"I don't think this actually happened."
"It did."
________________________________________________________
This happens every year. The week before Halloween comes and I want to break out my holiday playlist. I don't know what it is, I mean, I'm always enjoying the fall and all the fabulous weather and activities that it entails, I don't need to rush Christmas.
But I do it every year. My husband is completely scandalized, because he's all for keeping all holidays within their proper season and savoring them. He doesn't think you should listen to a beat of Christmas music nor glimpse a lighted tree until after Thanksgiving.
I will grant, prior to Halloween is too early. I make myself hold off, but it isn't easy I tell you. However, the instant November 1st comes, all bets are off. I already told Mike to prepare himself for Hank and I starting the Christmas movies in November, because otherwise we don't have enough time to watch them all. We own a LOT of Christmas movies.
And with Christmas gift knitting in full swing, I mean, who can blame me?
I love this time of year. :) That is, until mid-December when I'm cursing all yarn that is destined to still be knit or crocheted into a Christmas gift...
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Winter knitting...
It's still only October and yet I already get the feeling "Mike - Sweater" on my Christmas To-Be-Knit list is going to get the strike out through it yet again. (yikes; reading back through that old blog post makes me realize that some of the referred to projects I *still* haven't gotten to 1 full year later!) And I even have the yarn this year! I am determined to knit it for him this winter, it just may not be this *Christmas*.
The ghosts are coming along. I'm on the foot of sock #1, and I'm feeling optimistic that I may be able to wear them on Halloween night. We'll see, but I'm knitting, knitting along. I'm also working on a pair of mittens for myself to match the hat that I made for this winter. And I have finished up a few gifts.
But yet there's still more. Mittens, toys, socks, dish cloths galore. Lots of gifts to knit. We'll get there.
But some recent additions to our knitted family include:
My fall anklets, the offspring of the ill fated falling leaves socks:
A new crop of hats. Henry:
and Anne modeling her cupcake hat:
A new scarf for me, in a beautiful color gradient yarn:
So I've been busy. I also knit Mike a new hat, knit Anne a sweater and a bunny lovey, and a preemie cap for a baby in need. We're getting there.
The ghosts are coming along. I'm on the foot of sock #1, and I'm feeling optimistic that I may be able to wear them on Halloween night. We'll see, but I'm knitting, knitting along. I'm also working on a pair of mittens for myself to match the hat that I made for this winter. And I have finished up a few gifts.
But yet there's still more. Mittens, toys, socks, dish cloths galore. Lots of gifts to knit. We'll get there.
But some recent additions to our knitted family include:
My fall anklets, the offspring of the ill fated falling leaves socks:
A new crop of hats. Henry:
and Anne modeling her cupcake hat:
A new scarf for me, in a beautiful color gradient yarn:
So I've been busy. I also knit Mike a new hat, knit Anne a sweater and a bunny lovey, and a preemie cap for a baby in need. We're getting there.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A brainstorm for Year of Faith ideas
I've been pondering my Year of Faith activities for a week or so now. I just love themes. Whenever there is a theme year in the Church, or a Jubilee year, or like when JPII announced the new mysteries of the rosary, well...I just about died from excitement on that one. I LOVE stuff like this (and I *heart* John Paul II).
When I first about the Year of Faith, I didn't know what to think. I was excited about a theme, but felt adrift with regard to how to celebrate it. A whole year pondering the concept of "faith?" What does that even mean?
As time went on and I heard Catholic bloggers talk about this more and more I came to a conclusion as to how I wanted to approach this special year. Apparently, this is marking the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, and so to me, the Year of Faith is a year of exploring exactly what my faith means to me. How does being Catholic shape the way I live (significantly) and can other see my faith via my actions?
To start off the year, I've started reading some Catholic non-fiction. I've been reading a lot of fiction (and I still do) but I want to have a Catholic book going at all times. Right now, I'm reading Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church on my Kindle. I love, love, love conversion story books. The stories are so personal and poignant, and it really ignites my own faith to read them. The Surprised by Truth series was *instrumental* in my reversion back to my Catholic faith in law school.
I'm really enjoying the book. The author is a former Methodist pastor who gave up his pastoral career in a gigantic church in the South to become Catholic. He was fairly indifferent to Catholics as a child, not having known very many. But he met a Catholic in divinity school and that started a long seeking process that culminated in his conversion. Good stuff.
I'm not certain what I will read next, but I will keep you posted. :) I'm volleying this with an Amish fiction title and some racing fiction. *snort*
What has everybody else started for the Year of Faith?
As time went on and I heard Catholic bloggers talk about this more and more I came to a conclusion as to how I wanted to approach this special year. Apparently, this is marking the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, and so to me, the Year of Faith is a year of exploring exactly what my faith means to me. How does being Catholic shape the way I live (significantly) and can other see my faith via my actions?
To start off the year, I've started reading some Catholic non-fiction. I've been reading a lot of fiction (and I still do) but I want to have a Catholic book going at all times. Right now, I'm reading Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church on my Kindle. I love, love, love conversion story books. The stories are so personal and poignant, and it really ignites my own faith to read them. The Surprised by Truth series was *instrumental* in my reversion back to my Catholic faith in law school.
I'm really enjoying the book. The author is a former Methodist pastor who gave up his pastoral career in a gigantic church in the South to become Catholic. He was fairly indifferent to Catholics as a child, not having known very many. But he met a Catholic in divinity school and that started a long seeking process that culminated in his conversion. Good stuff.
I'm not certain what I will read next, but I will keep you posted. :) I'm volleying this with an Amish fiction title and some racing fiction. *snort*
What has everybody else started for the Year of Faith?
Monday, October 22, 2012
St. Kateri's big day
Ok, housekeeping first. The ghost socks are coming along. I'm on the heel flap of sock #1. I tried a smaller needle size and once again, it looked like a ghost massacre had just taken place. I'm stuck with the 3.25 mm needles for better or for worse. I'm hoping that the sock won't be too big for my foot but I feel peace in the sense that no other needle option will work so whatever happens, happens.
Also, my new gold belly dance costume shipped. Much rejoicing has commenced.
So that's all good news. We had a very nice weekend with the kids. The fall is really at its peak here and it's just beautiful. We raked up leaves in our back yard which Anne is a huge fan of. She has her own tiny rake that Hank used when he was little, and she toddles around the yard carrying it around. It's all very adorable. Here she is, ready to do some other gardening:
Isn't that sleeper just a crack up? It has pink cat faces on the feet. It just kills me.
In Catholic news, yesterday Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized. This is something I've been waiting for for quite a long time and I was hoping to catch some of the Mass on EWTN but didn't check soon enough. At any rate, that afternoon I logged into Facebook, and once again, I was annoyed. :) One of my friends posted a link to an article about the canonization, and this started off a small flurry of comments. One mutual friend commented that she sees the canonization as a positive thing, but that given some of the unsavory missionary work in those days there is also a negative connotation. Her comment was respectful, so it didn't bother me in the least. And I have read an article about this more negative view of St. Kateri's rise to the top and I guess it's just one of those situations wherein I simply agree to disagree with those that hold that opinion. Do I think that all Catholic missionary work was totally on the up-and-up with no coercion? Of course not. But someone of Kateri's conviction was NOT acting due to manipulation; her faith was deeply held. And this is about her, not about inappropriate missionary activities.
Well, after that, someone that I don't know chimed in with an unpleasant tone and with scathing remarks. That she's no longer a Catholic because of how awful the Church is and how can anyone POSSIBLY think this canonization is a good thing given the circumstances, and the Church is STILL awful, and on and on. I think her bottom line can be summed up as the Catholic Church = No Redeeming Characteristics argument that we often see toted out on any number of issues.
It just brought me down a little bit. I hate to see the Church so maligned like that. But any religious faith with tenets that are challenging for most people is going to take a hit in the court of popular opinion, no way around it. And someone speaking with obvious hatred about the Church is not getting so worked up about a single issue; there is almost certainly many reasons that they are holding the Church is such ill regard. And Facebook is not the venue to get into any of that. It's hard to see such things out there without responding, but no response is going to have a positive effect, so one has to let it go. Which I did. But I felt porky about it.
Has anybody else seen this type of reaction to St. Kateri's canonization?
Also, my new gold belly dance costume shipped. Much rejoicing has commenced.
So that's all good news. We had a very nice weekend with the kids. The fall is really at its peak here and it's just beautiful. We raked up leaves in our back yard which Anne is a huge fan of. She has her own tiny rake that Hank used when he was little, and she toddles around the yard carrying it around. It's all very adorable. Here she is, ready to do some other gardening:
Isn't that sleeper just a crack up? It has pink cat faces on the feet. It just kills me.
In Catholic news, yesterday Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized. This is something I've been waiting for for quite a long time and I was hoping to catch some of the Mass on EWTN but didn't check soon enough. At any rate, that afternoon I logged into Facebook, and once again, I was annoyed. :) One of my friends posted a link to an article about the canonization, and this started off a small flurry of comments. One mutual friend commented that she sees the canonization as a positive thing, but that given some of the unsavory missionary work in those days there is also a negative connotation. Her comment was respectful, so it didn't bother me in the least. And I have read an article about this more negative view of St. Kateri's rise to the top and I guess it's just one of those situations wherein I simply agree to disagree with those that hold that opinion. Do I think that all Catholic missionary work was totally on the up-and-up with no coercion? Of course not. But someone of Kateri's conviction was NOT acting due to manipulation; her faith was deeply held. And this is about her, not about inappropriate missionary activities.
Well, after that, someone that I don't know chimed in with an unpleasant tone and with scathing remarks. That she's no longer a Catholic because of how awful the Church is and how can anyone POSSIBLY think this canonization is a good thing given the circumstances, and the Church is STILL awful, and on and on. I think her bottom line can be summed up as the Catholic Church = No Redeeming Characteristics argument that we often see toted out on any number of issues.
It just brought me down a little bit. I hate to see the Church so maligned like that. But any religious faith with tenets that are challenging for most people is going to take a hit in the court of popular opinion, no way around it. And someone speaking with obvious hatred about the Church is not getting so worked up about a single issue; there is almost certainly many reasons that they are holding the Church is such ill regard. And Facebook is not the venue to get into any of that. It's hard to see such things out there without responding, but no response is going to have a positive effect, so one has to let it go. Which I did. But I felt porky about it.
Has anybody else seen this type of reaction to St. Kateri's canonization?
Friday, October 19, 2012
Brief Friday update
Well, the ghosts are still misbehaving, but they're being allowed to live. I pulled back a bit and re-started the patterning section on larger needles. Now, the ghosts are appearing just fine and they even seem to be smiling, trying to appease me, BUT, the socks are coming out too big for my foot. :(
However, the solution is simple. It DOES involve me ripping back again, but these things knit up so quick I'm not too broken up by it. I have a needle size that is in between the two I just tried and that *should* make my gauge just right. I've never worked with yarn like this before, and I'm realizing that it's quite tricky to keep your tension such that the patterning works out the way it should PLUS the sizing stays such that the sock will fit you. I have developed an obsessive love for the ghosts, so I'm persevering. No photo for today, but if they cooperate this weekend I'll photograph them then.
In my Year of Faith quest, I've downloaded a few books to read to my Kindle and I'll post about that next week. I'm still brainstorming on other ideas, but in the mean time I'm just keeping up with my prayer life, I figure the answers will come.
I have dance tonight, which I'm looking forward to. We're preparing for a hafla November 10th, and have lots of choreography work to do. I've been listening to lots of music, trying to decide on a solo piece. The beauty of improvisation is that I feel no rush to pick anything. I would like it selected at least a week ahead of time so that I can listen to it and become familiar with it, but other than that, there's no specific preparation required. I can't believe I waited so long to move to improv, it's so wonderful and freeing.
A good weekend ahead. I'm hoping to have a knitting update by Monday. :)
However, the solution is simple. It DOES involve me ripping back again, but these things knit up so quick I'm not too broken up by it. I have a needle size that is in between the two I just tried and that *should* make my gauge just right. I've never worked with yarn like this before, and I'm realizing that it's quite tricky to keep your tension such that the patterning works out the way it should PLUS the sizing stays such that the sock will fit you. I have developed an obsessive love for the ghosts, so I'm persevering. No photo for today, but if they cooperate this weekend I'll photograph them then.
In my Year of Faith quest, I've downloaded a few books to read to my Kindle and I'll post about that next week. I'm still brainstorming on other ideas, but in the mean time I'm just keeping up with my prayer life, I figure the answers will come.
I have dance tonight, which I'm looking forward to. We're preparing for a hafla November 10th, and have lots of choreography work to do. I've been listening to lots of music, trying to decide on a solo piece. The beauty of improvisation is that I feel no rush to pick anything. I would like it selected at least a week ahead of time so that I can listen to it and become familiar with it, but other than that, there's no specific preparation required. I can't believe I waited so long to move to improv, it's so wonderful and freeing.
A good weekend ahead. I'm hoping to have a knitting update by Monday. :)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Are these ghosts out to get me?
Last night I cast on for my self-patterning ghostie socks (yarn available through KnitPurlGurl on etsy).
*squeals*
I've been SO excited for these socks, and I knit so often for others that I felt I deserved to just indulge and knit something that I really wanted to knit, and knit it for ME, ALL FOR ME.
*Henry happens by the ghostie kit on my side table*
"Oh! Ghosts will be on these socks? Mommy, are you making these for m..."
"NO! They're um, just for Mommy, Sweetie. I'll make you other socks."
"But..."
"Sorry! No ghosts for you."
After Henry was safely tuckedaway from my yarn in bed, I got out my swift and ball winder and wound the patterning hank of yarn.
I was quite pleased with myself.
Then I got out the pattern.
You need to start the patterning section with a green stripe and I quickly discovered that the first stripe I came to in my ball was orange.
S*%!
It was wound backwards. And I really wanted to pull from the center of the ball, rather than the outside. This meant rewinding the yarn, by hand, back onto the swift in the reverse order, and then winding a fresh ball on the winder.
20 minutes later my back was killing me, but I had my yarn perfectly balled. I happily cast on with the bright orange yarn for the ribbed section of the cuff.
Today at knitting lunch, I picked my cuff back up with much excitement. The colors are just vibrant and beautiful in this yarn. I finished off the orange part and triumphantly cut the yarn to attach the patterning section. I begin to knit.
Once again, I pick that moment to remember to look at the pattern. Prior to the ghosts are 3 stripes of color: green, black and orange. The pattern says that you should get about 2 rows of each color and that means that your gauge is on.
Don't you just love that word: "About."
I knit my green stripe. I begin black prior to getting 2 full rows in, but it's only *about* 2 rows, so we're all good.
I look at the pattern again. Uh oh. "...about 2 rows, give or take a stitch or two."
Crap. I should have read that sooner. I have a lot fewer than 2 stitches where the color turned over to black too soon. Never one to learn a lesson in a real quick-like fashion, I knit on.
I knit the black stripe. Somehow, that one is far too long before I get to the orange. Aaaannnddd once again, the orange is too long before I get to the ghosts. I pray that somehow the ghosts will still match up and knit on. Hope springs eternal, you know.
Right. They don't.
There are eyes everywhere and white body pieces where there shouldn't be any. I'm pretty sure that even ghosts aren't supposed to be quite this disembodied.
Sigh. I pulled back to the orange cuff and have the stitches safely ensconced on stitch holders. I need to change needle sizes. I hoping that on my next attempt the ghosts cooperate, otherwise their lives are about to get a lot more difficult. I do NOT like to rip back my work, and one of them may be sacrificed if things go awry again.
I'm certain their little white bodies are trembling.
If things go well tonight, perhaps I will post a picture of them in progress tomorrow. *narrows eyes in the direction of yarn bag*
*squeals*
I've been SO excited for these socks, and I knit so often for others that I felt I deserved to just indulge and knit something that I really wanted to knit, and knit it for ME, ALL FOR ME.
*Henry happens by the ghostie kit on my side table*
"Oh! Ghosts will be on these socks? Mommy, are you making these for m..."
"NO! They're um, just for Mommy, Sweetie. I'll make you other socks."
"But..."
"Sorry! No ghosts for you."
After Henry was safely tucked
I was quite pleased with myself.
Then I got out the pattern.
You need to start the patterning section with a green stripe and I quickly discovered that the first stripe I came to in my ball was orange.
S*%!
It was wound backwards. And I really wanted to pull from the center of the ball, rather than the outside. This meant rewinding the yarn, by hand, back onto the swift in the reverse order, and then winding a fresh ball on the winder.
20 minutes later my back was killing me, but I had my yarn perfectly balled. I happily cast on with the bright orange yarn for the ribbed section of the cuff.
Today at knitting lunch, I picked my cuff back up with much excitement. The colors are just vibrant and beautiful in this yarn. I finished off the orange part and triumphantly cut the yarn to attach the patterning section. I begin to knit.
Once again, I pick that moment to remember to look at the pattern. Prior to the ghosts are 3 stripes of color: green, black and orange. The pattern says that you should get about 2 rows of each color and that means that your gauge is on.
Don't you just love that word: "About."
I knit my green stripe. I begin black prior to getting 2 full rows in, but it's only *about* 2 rows, so we're all good.
I look at the pattern again. Uh oh. "...about 2 rows, give or take a stitch or two."
Crap. I should have read that sooner. I have a lot fewer than 2 stitches where the color turned over to black too soon. Never one to learn a lesson in a real quick-like fashion, I knit on.
I knit the black stripe. Somehow, that one is far too long before I get to the orange. Aaaannnddd once again, the orange is too long before I get to the ghosts. I pray that somehow the ghosts will still match up and knit on. Hope springs eternal, you know.
Right. They don't.
There are eyes everywhere and white body pieces where there shouldn't be any. I'm pretty sure that even ghosts aren't supposed to be quite this disembodied.
Sigh. I pulled back to the orange cuff and have the stitches safely ensconced on stitch holders. I need to change needle sizes. I hoping that on my next attempt the ghosts cooperate, otherwise their lives are about to get a lot more difficult. I do NOT like to rip back my work, and one of them may be sacrificed if things go awry again.
I'm certain their little white bodies are trembling.
If things go well tonight, perhaps I will post a picture of them in progress tomorrow. *narrows eyes in the direction of yarn bag*
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