She's Crafty!

And yes, yes you should be singing the title of this entry as the Beastie Boys in your head.

I've been working on a crocheted pillow for CoasterGirl for the last week or so. It's a medium-sized project, I guess, and I wanted a little instant gratification. So, I took a night or two out to crochet a cotton bath puff.



Isn't that just the cutest little thing? I modified this pattern by Priscilla Hewitt by eliminating the last round to make it a little less bulky, in the hopes that the cotton would dry out between showers.

What's that you say? What about my knitted scarf for my class? Oh, it's turned into just a really long practice swatch, with different stitch patterns and techniques at varying intervals. I'll be taking it out and salvaging the yarn for something else after our class ends, I imagine. I found some nifty yarn that I'm planning to knit into a scarf once class is over. And the teacher gave us a simple, cute knitted shrug pattern we can work on once we learn increasing and decreasing next week.

And then there is this adorable lacy cropped cardigan on the cover of the latest Crochet Today! magazine that I really want to make for myself. So many projects, so little time! I think I may be a little obsessed.

Coraline

Wow, wow, wow. I do so love Neil Gaiman. Coraline has always been one of my favorite books of his, and W. and I have been looking forward to the movie for months.

I took CoasterGirl to see Coraline in 3-D this afternoon (yes, she's only 6, and I might not have taken her at this age if she weren't as mature as she is), and again I say, "wow". It was aesthetically beautiful and unsettling, as it should be. CoasterGirl jumped once or twice, and told me afterwards that it was "awesome" and that it "kinda creeped her out". I'll second that emotion. The black button eyes that gave me the willies when I was reading the book were possibly even creepier in all their shiny, stop-motion, 3-D glory. And Teri Hatcher has the perfect "Other Mother" purr of a voice.

If you've never read Coraline, I urge you to seek out a copy. It's written for children, but it's definitely more Grimm's Fairy Tales than Stuart Little. And what a great story: a little girl, unhappy with how things are going at home, is delighted to discover a secret passage to her "Other Mother", who showers her with all that she could want, until it becomes clear that the "Other Mother" wants to keep her and love her forever...

Read it, and then go see the movie. Even if you don't have children. You won't be sorry.

Hooking Redux

I finished CoasterGirl's shrug late Wednesday night - I really like how it turned out. It fits her fine, as long as it's over a tank or a thin shirt. I was a little worried about that, because the pattern is for a girls' 5/6, and she's definitely a 6, almost a 7. I think this project would be even better in a mercerized cotton (rather than acrylic) in a fun color - maybe a variegated pink or purple. I may wait until I get her a new spring dress, then pick a complimentary color and make a second shrug.

I got such a boost from completing a project! It's gotten me all excited about crochet again. In fact, I went out and bought a book and a crochet magazine with lots of great patterns today. So many great projects, so little time! I found a listing for a local yarn store in the next town over - I can't wait to go check it out.

But for now, it's back to practice, practice, practice on the knitting. I can tell I've gotten better (or at least more consistent) - my stitches look more even, and I'm getting quicker, too. Looking forward to class on Monday.

W. thinks I'm weird.

I'm a "Happy Hooker"!

All right, settle down. NOT that kind. I'm talking about crocheting...you know, with a hook?

My mother and grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a little girl, and though I've started (and stopped) several projects over the years, I've never really completed much besides some potholders and washcloths. Oh, and about 8 squares of a 48 square afghan. Ha!

Over the past few months, I've noticed that several of my imaginary computer friends are avid knitters, and I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing their beautiful finished projects. Inspired, I asked W. for knitting lessons for Christmas, and last week was my first class meeting, where I learned to cast on and to "knit". On Monday night, we were supposed to learn to "purl", but alas, the teacher was not feeling well. So. Now I have approximately 40 rows of a very boring, single color knitted scarf.

I joined Ravelry, an online networking site for knitters and crocheters, and as I was browsing patterns, saw the cutest little pattern for a little girls' shrug. I started looking at the pattern and thought, "Hey! I could do that!"

So here I am, knitting abandoned for the moment, working on a crocheted shrug for CoasterGirl.

I don't love the yarn, but it's a skein from that never-finished afghan that's been sitting in my bedroom closet for years, so it was free. If I like the way the pattern works out, and CoasterGirl likes it, I'll get her to help me pick out a "cooler" yarn and make her another one.

Thanks to Ginny, who kindly posted her pattern for free on Ravelry.

One Word

The "One Word Reply" meme has been spreading through Facebook and a parenting site I frequent like wildfire, so I thought I'd share my answers here. I'm lazy, so I'm copying my note from Facebook, and these answers are from Sunday afternoon.

1 Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? role-playing
3. Your hair? brown
4. Your mother? awesome
5. Your father? confident
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? unremembered
8. Your favorite drink? lemontini
9. Your dream/goal? organization
10. What room you are in? office
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? flying
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? bed
16. Muffins? pumpkin
17. Wish list item? iPhone
18. Where you grew up? Prattville
19. Last thing you did? debated
20. What are you wearing? t-shirt
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets? napping
23. Friends? distant
24. Your life? busy
25. Your mood? depressed
26. Missing someone? Mom
27. Car? paid
28. Something you're not wearing? sweater
29. Your favorite store? book
30. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
34. Last time you cried? Thursday
35. Who will resend this? Meredith?
36. One place that I go to over and over? home
37. One person who IMs me regularly? Melinda
38. My favorite place to eat? Provino's
39. Why you participated in this survey? bored
40. What are you doing tonight? knitting
41. Favorite animal? unsure
42. Beach or Mountains? beach
43. Cake or Pie? cake
44. You? tired

You know what I just realized? The numbering on that list is off. Huh. Weird.

Did You Ever Just Have One of Those Days?

You know the ones...where you feel yucky for one reason or another, and things just don't seem to go right, no matter what you do?

Yeah - today was one of those days. Mild stomach issues and dizzy spells took care of the feeling yucky part (I have an appointment with the cardiologist on Friday, Mom, I promise!) and the general whining from the CoasterKids, combined with poor service at a local restaurant at dinner time, took care of the rest.

Now that the CoasterKids are in bed and the house is quiet, I'm thinking some mindless TV and chocolate might be in order.

What's your standby cure for those days?

Couch to 5K Update

As of Friday, I've officially completed Week 1 of the Couch to 5K program - woo-hoo!

Surprisingly, even though it's been about 6 months since I've done any kind of regular running, Week 1 was fairly easy for me. It wasn't until my last interval that I really had to push - and that's probably due in large part to the fact that my route takes me uphill during that last 60-second run. Several times, I didn't want to stop running when my little podcast friend said it was time!

I remember the first time I attempted this program, more than a year ago - I couldn't even complete the first day's workout without feeling as though my lungs would explode. It's nice to know that I'm in better cardiovascular shape these days, even if there's huge room for improvement.

Here's to staying on the wagon, and to Week 2. And to friends who keep me motivated, just by kicking butt themselves. Cheers!

Afternoon Delight

No, not THAT kind. Get your mind out of the gutter!



Just the sweet sound of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers singing "Sleep Like a Baby" from Sonoran Hope and Madness. This was CoasterGirl's favorite song when she was younger. She still loves it.

Back in the Saddle Again

Yep, I'm back in the saddle again. Counting those Weight Watchers points and following the Couch to 5K running plan.

Have you ever noticed that when you're dieting or trying to start a new exercise routine, you find yourself obsessing? Thinking about it all the time, and planning your meals and snacks meticulously? Or is that just me?

At any rate, I feel pretty good about the running. I was doing great last spring/summer, but fell off the wagon when we went on vacation in San Francisco. I can't wait to get back to full-on 3 mile runs!

The dieting? Not so much. I mean, I know the plan works - I lost 20+ pounds 2 years ago following it. I just don't like doing it - mostly because I obsess, as noted above. At any rate, I've only got about 10 pounds to lose (actually, closer to 5 after last week on plan) and I guess I just need to power through it and get it done. And get better about passing up the temptation to eat fast food all the time.

Maybe I need a personal chef - or hey - I never did get that housekeeper for Christmas. I totally need Alice from the Brady Bunch to come live with me.

This Is a Bit Embarassing

60
I should really be able to do better than that, considering there are over 200 more countries out there.

I see some practicing in my future...

So I Don't Really Have Anything to Say...

But it's been a while since I posted.

Life has been very busy for the CoasterFamily. We've been preparing to host W.'s office Christmas party as noted previously, we re-decorated our living room, CoasterGirl has had 2 birthday parties plus a Christmas parade to participate in, and work has been...well...busy.

Thankfully, the Christmas party was postponed so that more of W.'s office mates can come, so I'm not nearly as panicked tonight as I would be otherwise. Still, there's plenty of work left to do, and of course the baking will need to wait until next week.

Speaking of baking, I managed to ruin a double-batch of cookie dough earlier this week by adding an extra stick of butter. Which wouldn't be so terrible, except I used 6 sticks of butter and 2 bags of sliced almonds in the batch - an expensive mistake! W. thinks it's funny that an accounting major screwed up the conversions for doubling a batch of cookie dough. Being the super-nice guy that he is, though, he waited to spring that one on me until after he'd consoled me about the cookies.

We did get a substantial chunk of our to-do list accomplished this last week. Christmas presents have been purchased, wrapped and shipped to the in-laws, the Christmas tree was procured and decorated, Christmas cards were designed and ordered, the living room was finished, and most of the rest of the Christmas shopping is complete.

I'm not sure I want to think about how busy we'll be this weekend trying to get the house clean and in presentable shape, though. It's amazing how messy it can get when you're super-busy with work and doing other things during non-work time.

Maybe I'll ask Santa for a housekeeper for Christmas.

'Tis the Season

For peppermint mochas from Starbucks. Having already consumed half of a grande non-fat Peppermint Mocha Twist, I discovered the following:




Looks like I need to get crackin'!

Haul Out the Holly...

Wow. The Christmas season snuck up on me this year, even considering I've been planning a party for W.'s office-mates. Maybe it was the late Thanksgiving this year that did me in. Regardless, I need some help getting in the Christmas spirit. I still have a wooden pumpkin on my front door, and not a single bit of tinsel in sight.

I'm waiting to haul out the holly until after tomorrow, when we'll have new carpet installed in our living room. Until then, I suppose I'll just have to make do with the ultimate get-in-the-Christmas-mood song (at least for me): "We Need a Little Christmas". Here's Johnny Mathis singing his heart out about candles in the windows and carols at the spinet:



Enjoy!

I Can Live With That...

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Carlisle's awesome!

The Tooth Fairy Cometh

Today after school CoasterGirl proudly announced, "I'm growing up!" The latest milestone? She lost her first tooth today. As she grinned to show me the gap in her smile and held up the zip-lock baggie containing her first lost baby tooth, I felt my heart clench and my stomach roil.

Neither feeling was unexpected; this fresh evidence that my first-born is no longer my baby girl was sure to tug at my heartstrings, and me being me, make me nauseated. For whatever reason, the mere thought of a tooth wiggling around in a kid's mouth (much less being pulled) leaves me squeamish and faintly green. W. is getting a big kick out of this, I assure you. I have informed him that he is, from now on, in charge of all things related to loose teeth and the tooth fairy.

How on earth did I manage to make it through my childhood with such a phobia, you might ask? Easy: it didn't bother me when I was young. In fact, I have memories of pulling my own teeth and exploring the gaps with my tongue with no ill effects. Ah, well. Good thing I never considered a career in dentistry - I would never be able to complete an extraction!

CoasterGirl shows no ill effects from having lost the tooth, though; she's happy to be able to eat again, and anxious to catch up with her best friend, who has already lost five teeth!

Good grief. This childhood thing really does go by quickly, doesn't it?

Today's Earworm

As I was taking CoasterBoy to daycare this morning, I caught Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" on the radio. But I was disappointed - the music I caught first was the snippet from Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London"...and no offense to Kid Rock, because he obviously has great taste in music, but I had to search YouTube for the real thing.




Of course, now I've been singing "Werewolves of London" all day, and I can't get it out of my head. So I figured I'd share the love.

Enjoy!

So, Umm...Yeah

I totally got sucked in. I finished New Moon in about a day and a half, and I'm on to Eclipse.

And I made the mistake of watching the Twilight trailer online. I will definitely be going to see the movie, as soon as I can convince W. to hold down the fort long enough for me to go.

Yes, I'm a total dork.

So, I finally read Twilight

"What on earth took you so long?" you might ask. Or perhaps you might ask, "Why?"

Unless you've been living under a rock, or just paying no attention to anything media-related but political coverage, you've heard of the series of novels by Stephanie Meyer, the first of which has been made into a major motion picture which debuts this month. This Friday, to be precise. Which was supposed to be the release date for the sixth Harry Potter movie. But no, I'll have to wait for summer for that one. Not that I'm bitter or anything. Stupid movie executives.

At any rate, there's been so much hype about the movie and the novels that I finally broke down and purchased a slightly used copy of the first of the series, Twilight. I'll tell you up front that I'm a bit particular about writing style and dialogue - if dialogue isn't natural, it tends to grate on my nerves. So I didn't have high hopes, given the reviews I've read.

Still, I got sucked in. I read the thing in 3 nights, which is quite an accomplishment these days, when the kids aren't in bed and asleep before 8:30 and if I go to bed after 10:30 or so I'm a zombie the next day. I'm a sucker for a love story. And even the angst-filled emo dialogue and sometimes awkward writing didn't distract me enough to want to put it down. It was a total guilty pleasure.

Even so, I'm not sure I want to read the rest of the series. I've heard the series finale was controversial with the fans, and I don't want to be disappointed. I've already wanted to smack Edward and Bella repeatedly. Perhaps I should just let the Twilight bandwagon roll on by. No sense getting invested in characters and then getting ticked off about where they end up.

But, I hear Robert Pattinson is quite the hottie in the movie. Combine his good looks with the practically-perfect-in-every-way-except-for-that-whole-vampire-thing Edward Cullen, and I'm betting every teen girl (and quite a few of their moms) will be lined up at the movie theater Friday night. And Robert Pattinson was great as Cedric Diggory in Goblet of Fire.

I wonder if it'll be less crowded on Saturday afternoon?

Oh, no. I'm talking myself into it, aren't I?

Well, THIS Comes as No Surprise

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Martha Stewart, I'm Not

So, it's official. We're hosting W.'s office Christmas party here at Chez CoasterFamily. We have a few weeks (the party's on Dec. 13th), but this is the largest get-together we've ever hosted in our home, and I'm already starting to get nervous.

I've been scoping out holiday party planning tips online and flipping through Christmas-themed magazines in the check-out line. I think we're doing noshes instead of a full-out dinner, and having everyone bring something. So, maybe this is doable. Right? Right??

I have quite a few Christmas albums in my iTunes library, so I'm thinking I'll put together a playlist for background music. I'm also planning to make mini pumpkin-spice bread loaves to give as party favors. A fire in the fireplace is a must. And I need a holiday punch recipe - maybe some wassail? And some non-alcoholic punch for the kids. Did I mention that we'll be inviting families?

Oh, dear. What have I gotten myself into?