You're Gonna Miss This

Fonzy had to work late last night, so Elijah and I decided to go out for dinner, nothing fancy just a burger, chili cheese dog and fries. While we sat at our booth eating, a little boy about 3 sitting behind Elijah kept jumping up and looking over into our booth. Elijah pretty much ignored him, but I couldn't help but smile every time he popped his little head up to see what we were doing. His mom told him several times to sit down and stop looking over the bench, but being the curious 3yr old he was, he kept right at it. If he wasn't peeking over the booth, he was wrestling with his slightly older brother while his Mom and what I assumed to be his Grandfather looked on. I could tell the Mom was getting frustrated, so she asked the boys if they wanted ice cream, to which they gleefully yelled yes! So off the 3yr old and his Mom went to the counter to order ice cream. Once ordered they returned back to the booth, but before the Mom could get him seated, the little boy took off running! Mom yelled for him to come back and took off after him, but he was a shifty little bugger and off he ran BEHIND the counter! Elijah and I both sat watching the fiasco, along with everyone else in the restaurant. Elijah just shook his head, because he knew if that had been him as a little boy he probably would have gotten whooped! The Mom snatched up the little boy and tossed him in the booth. You could tell she had just about had it. I chuckled to myself and told her, one of these days, you are going to miss this time and wish you could have it back. It doesn't seem like it now, but take my word for it, you will. She looked at me as if I had 2 heads and said she had heard it before, but right now she couldn't see it. I pointed to Elijah and told her, this is my baby and I smiled as we gathered our things to go. As I walked to the door, she smiled at me and said thank you so much for understanding and sat next to her two little boys happily eating their ice cream.

Life

I've been wanting to come back to this space, to write down life like I use to, but I felt like I had to play catch up before I could start again. And there is a lot to catch up! So this space has languished, until I finally decided enough! I'm going to start where I am - today.

So today we are smack dab in the middle of a move!

When we bought our house a little over 7 years ago, we swore this was it. We would never move again. Well, you know what they say - never say never! In the beginning of July, we decided to put our house on the market and it sold on our first open house. Houses right now are selling like hotcakes, some only on the market for hours before being snatched up! It's madness! And that's the madness we entered looking for our new home. We viewed over 20 homes, put in offers for three and lost all three! The searching continued and we finally found "the one" and our offer was accepted. We were too excited, but then reality slowly crept in. We were really moving! Leaving our first home and all it's memories.

There are so many emotions. Excitement, uncertainty, wondering if we did the right thing. We walk around our house now, filled with boxes and messes and mutter we can't believe we're moving. Its bittersweet.

If all goes according to plan we close next week on August 29th. We still have tons of packing to do, and moments of what in the world have we done, but I feel once we move and get settled, we will be happy we embarked on this new journey.

"and suddenly you just know it's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings."

Little Old Lady

I shared this on Facebook and Instagram last week but wanted to share here also.

January 7, 2016
After work today I had to go to the grocery store to pick up some cheese i had forgotten for dinner. I was rushing through the store because I was so ready to get home out of the cold, into some pjs. I got in the express line and a little old lady was in front of me. She was hunched over and moving ever so slowly chatting to the cashier. I kind of sighed because I always seem to get in a slow line, even if it's the express line, but as I stood there, I saw myself as that little lady. Sooner than I think I will be that little old lady, and I would hope a younger person would have patience with me. As she paid for her groceries she asked the cashier if someone could help her load her groceries in the car. The cashier said she would help and shut her light off. She finished my items since she had already started and asked the person behind me if they would mind going to another line. That person caught an attitude and got loud. I told the cashier not to worry about it, I would help her. So off we went, very slowly to her car. She chatted the whole way. Once I loaded the groceries she thanked me. I took her wrinkled hand, gave it a squeeze, and told her she was a blessing to me and reminded me to be patient and slow down. That one day, I too will be older and slower and I hope people will be patient with me also. She squeezed my hand back, gave me a smile, got in her car and drove off. I hope someone was home to help her bring her groceries in.

Ordinary Days

We are in the last week of October. This month has flown by. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are right around the corner. I have dolls I need to knit for Christmas, and a few other things I want to knit for the holiday. I knew I wanted to knit this stuff the beginning of the year, but as my normal fashion I have procrastinated all year, and now feel the pressure to get it done! This is on my list for holiday knitting. If I have time I want to knit it for me. Yes, for me. I think it's the cutest and perfect for the holidays. The orange knitting was this, also for me. I have yet to wear it, hasn't really been cold enough, but I plan on wearing it as soon as the weather cooperates. I have 3 dolls I need to get done before my reindeer cowl. The next few weeks will be filled with knitting, lots and lots of knitting.

My obsession with soup and pumpkin continues. I've made a few pumpkin recipes and soup, but not as many as I like. The males in my house are not fond of my pumpkin and soup obsession. They liked the Mexican chicken corn chowder, but I have yet to find another. I'll just have to keep trying. I have a pumpkin pasta recipe I want to try. It probably won't go over so well with Fonzy and the boys, but I'm going to try it anyways.

Is it too early for Christmas music? I'm feeling the urge to play some.

Daily

Day in and day out, we go through the motions. Work, school, home...work, school, home. But you know what? I'm ok with that.

Life is good.

Breakfast Was Good

I love avocados! I can eat them with anything. This however, was my first time eating them with breakfast but it won't be last! 

I wonder if the boys or my grand kids, or heck even great grand kids will read my blog and wonder why the heck I posted my breakfast. They will probably think I was crazy, but at least they will know I loved avocados. And on this date in history, what I had for breakfast. 

I would like to see a meal my Mom prepared, what she ate on a certain day. her thoughts, dreams, fears. Everyday little things. Maybe generations from now, my kids, kids, kids will want to see some of my life too. And through this blog, they will get a glimpse. 

So for those great, great, grand kids.....breakfast was good today! And if you happen to love avocados, this is where you got it from! 

Sunshiny Day

The sun is back! And it feels so good!

Today Instagram was filled with snow pictures from the blizzard in NYC and surrounding areas. It's all so pretty. I miss the snow sometimes. Growing up in Dunkirk, NY I hated it, never thought I would miss it. Trudging through the snow everyday to school was no fun....then. But now that it's in the past, nostalgia sets in and I long for it. I'm hoping before the winter is over we get at least one snow day. Please.....

Little Things

It's truly the little things.

Grating carrots, cheese, whatever is so much easier when you have a grater like this. I had a little cheese grater that took forever to grate things. I complained about it and this showed up for Christmas. No need for any fancy food processor. Just a good, old fashioned grater like my mom had.

Simple - yet so appreciated.

Bread, Puppy Paws, and What to Knit

 I'm sitting here at the dinning table stuffed mostly on bread. Today's loaf, rosemary and olive oil. It was very tasty and with only crumbs on the cutting board, I guess everyone else agreed.

I had to post these pictures of Azul. Whenever he is sleepy, he wants co cuddle up next to Fonzy and sleep. He will get in that corner of the couch and snore away. I was just reminded of the picture of Titus and I like that when he was puppy. Awwww...he grew so fast. He wasn't a puppy for long.

Maybe all the bread making was due to not knitting anything right now. I can't decide what I want to knit. I thought maybe I wanted to knit a doll, but couldn't decide on which one. It's been chilly here this past week, so I was thinking mittens, but I searched and didn't find anything that said knit me. Another hat, cowl, maybe work on one of the two blankets I have in progress. I can't decide, but I will have something on the needles tonight. I'm going into withdrawals since I haven't knit in a few days.

Our Perfectly Imperfect Life

When I started this blog I wasn't sure what I wanted this blog to be other than a place to document our life and keep family updated.

It's been 6 years and my life and blog have gone through many changes. Blogging became an outlet when my oldest son was killed - a  place I could pour my heart out when I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry the pain away. It holds my inner thoughts, joys, sorrows - Life!

I haven't been updating as regularly as I use to. The boys and hubby mention that at times. "Mom - you don't blog anymore" and I think they kind of miss it. And so do I. I keep telling myself I'm going to start blogging again, but then I feel I have to have the perfect picture and something great to write. And when I don't have the PERFECT post, I end up not posting. But life is not perfect, so why should my posts be perfect? When my boys are older, they aren't going to care if the post is perfect, or if I had something great and profound to say! They will be happy just to have the memories, and my words, jumbled and imperfect as they are.

So here's to getting back to documenting our perfectly imperfect life!

Freezing!

It is freeeeeezzzzzing!

And I have tons of knitting to do!

Happy Weekend!

Starting Again

I was on a roll with my 365 project, but as soon as Manuel and the grandbabies came to visit, the 365 went right out the window. I didn't do much knitting during their visit either! Having all my boys and Grandbabies together took all my time and attention.

Since they've gone, I have slowly got back on schedule. The house is back in order, and I picked up my knitting last night. I have so many projects in my queue I want to start, but I'm the type of knitter who likes to finish a project before starting another one. I still have Carmen's babydoll on my needles. I don't know why this is taking me so long! I'm ready to be finished with it. I have legs and her dress to do still. I will be so glad when I can post her on FO Friday! Maybe next week.

Even though I fell off the 365 project wagon, I'm picking up my camera and starting again. That's the great thing about living - each new day gives you a chance to start again.

365 - Pizza Night

Forgot to take something out for dinner, so it's pizza tonight.

365 - It Has Happened

It has happened!

After so many years of discouraging video games for the boys he's been sucked in with xbox and Madden!

Ugh!

When I'm not knitting

If you've been a long time reader of my blog you've probably noticed its being taken over by knitting, yarn and all things crafty. I kinda just noticed that myself. When did my blog turn into a knitting blog?

I have been knitting alot lately, but believe me, it's not all I do. I still have a husband and 2 boys who are in the midst of basketball season. One of the busiest times of year for us. It seems every evening I am at someones game or practice. Which sometimes is good knitting time! I know, I know! Enough with the knitting already! This post was about basketball! Moving on.....

Hubby is still head coach at the school he teaches at, Elijah is playing on 2 basketball teams, and Ezekiel is manager for his Dad's team and also playing on his own team! Our weekdays are long and busy, but we love this time of year.


We especially love going to Hubby's games! The boys and I try to make it to at least all the home games and any big rival games.

I love to see Fonzy coaching. He is truly in his element when he coaches. He gets so excited and into the game. His games are actually the only time I don't bring knitting with me.



Tomorrow is a big rival game. The team they are going against is undeafed. We hope to give them their first defeat in their house!

Can't wait - Go Wolves!

Christmas Break

Sorry looking gingerbread house, huh?

This was our first year doing a gingerbread house. They always look so pretty on the box, but not so easy once you get it home. And really, what is the purpose of a gingerbread house anyways? You make a huge mess, snap a picture, than eat it. Is there anything else?

Luckily we took a picture - because this was our first and last time making a gingerbread house!

So today is our first day of Christmas break. We slept in, ate a late breakfast and now just lounging around the house. My kinda break!

Mohawks Rock!

Did you know Mohawks rock?

They do!

I am so happy with the way Ezekiel's mohawk hat came out. And it's even better that he loves it and is wearing it right now around the house. He keeps saying we need to go somewhere so he can show it off.


I see a few improvements I can make with other hats, but overall I'm happy. I even plan on making myself one. Pink and grey sound good! But first I have to make Fonzy and Elijah a hat. Elijah insists he needs a hat NOW! I think he's a little jealous of Ezekiel's hat.

Weekending

This weekend, I plan on finishing Ezekiel's hat, starting Elijah's coffee monster for his teacher, and maybe even knitting up a few ornaments, snowman, gingerbread man, and a tree.

And in between all that knitting, I plan on reading more of The Help....really liking it. I haven't seen the movie, but like to read the book first. The book is always so much better.

Weekends....don't you just love 'em!

Pink Power!

"He's gonna help me scare all the bad stuff away" ~ Becky

So the secret is out. My special monster went to Becky, my cousin. This past year she has been fighting breast cancer. Fighting being the key word here. Cancer is NOT going to win with her!

I've always looked up to Becky. She is what a Supermom and Wife look like and if I am half the woman she is, I'm doing good.

I love you Becky!

{Little bit of this - Little bit of that}

Today is a dreary, rainy day. Kinda day I wish I was home KNITTING!

I had a knitting breakthrough yesterday! Ezekiel has been asking for a mohawk earflap hat since LAST winter. I have several patterns and tried a few of them, but could never figure how to join the earflaps correctly. Kept twisting stitches, messing up on casting new stitches. It was a mess! I've ripped out several hats and finally gave up! Well, this week I was determined to make Ezekiel's hat. I got this pattern from Ravelry(see lots more hats on Ravelry) and started again. First try I had to rip out! UGH! Put it aside for a few days and started again last night and got it! No twisted stitches, no issues of any kind. The pattern was actually pretty easy! Maybe I was just making it hard. I should have the hat done tonight and then all I need to do is add the mohawk! Yay Me! Of course I will post pictures when I'm all done!

So everybody gearing up for Thanksgiving? I am. My Daddy and stepmom are coming for the week. I'm excited! They came for Thanksgiving 2yrs ago, but we didn't have enough room in our apartment, so they stayed elsewhere. We have the house now, so we will all be together! We plan on decorating our tree and house Friday after Thanksgiving, so lots of pictures to be taken!

I have so many projects I want to knit. The list just keeps growing and growing! I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break to work on a few of them. Elijah has asked for a monster for his teacher - a coffee monster. He said she LOVES coffee and drinks it all day. I would probably need coffee all day too if I had to deal with 27 9-10yr olds! I can't wait to see how the monster is going to turn out since I LOVE coffee too!

Speaking of monsters, my surprise monster is out for delivery today! Once the recipient receives it, I will post a picture in all it's awesomeness!