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The Last Piece of the Puzzle

Posted on June 29, 2008 by auburnchick

I have to say that I shed some tears on Saturday, and it wasn’t even Soccer Chick’s fault.

I saw a big envelope on my front porch and noticed the return address. The envelope was heavy. I just knew what was inside

I went into the house and gathered the family for the grand unveiling. Soccer Chick had three friends over from the night before. They were invited to watch.

When I opened the envelope and peered inside, I had to pause a moment. This is what I have been waiting for ever since I started the journey. The tears flowed as I pulled it out and saw the cover.

I was almost too nervous to open it. But I did, of course…

Yes, it’s my college diploma! At long last!!

In my mind, I quickly went through the journey, step by step:

Making the decision to go back to school.

Requesting my transcripts from other colleges and completing the registration process.

Registering for my first class.

Signing up for financial aid.

Signing up for more classes.

Papers that were written in the wee hours of the morning.

Books toted around the country as I followed my daughter to soccer tournaments…studying during each trip.

Mid-terms, finals, and other exams sprinkled in-between.

The joy of taking that last final and walking out the door…free at last.

I peered a little closer at the diploma..

Yep…they spelled my name right. The last name is there too (just covered up for obvious reasons).

If you look closely, you’ll notice the Magna Cum Laude.

:::Sigh:::

Bliss.

I thought that my commencement signified a finality to the process.

I was wrong.

Receiving this piece of parchment was the last piece of the puzzle that I had been putting together for 20 years. A complete picture at last.

I lost my high school diploma during one of my many moves. You better believe that this one will be kept in a safe place…proudly displayed but never left behind.

I am humbled and awed by how much it means to me. I am appreciative of my friends and family who supported me through the rough patches and absentmindedness that I went through. This paper symbolizes the sacrifices I made as well as those others made to help me reach my goals.

Most of all, I am grateful to the Lord, who has a grand plan. I am thankful that He allowed me to go through this experience. I learned a lot.

:::Sigh:::

Bliss…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

AuburnChick Goes to the Beach

Posted on June 28, 2008 by auburnchick

I really love living in Florida. I mean, to be so close to this…

What a blessing!

I did not plan on going to the beach though. It’s funny how you think you’re going to settle in for a quiet, peaceful day at home…and then your plans change.

Can you say teens???

Soccer Chick has had friends over at the house non-stop…ever since she got grounded. It’s funny how we put our children on restriction…only to find ourselves grounded too.

Part of Soccer Chick’s restriction is that she is not allowed to go places without either Mr. AuburnChick or myself accompanying her. Exactly what has this meant?

Well, Mr. AuburnChick went to see the movie Wally last night. I begged off so I could stay home and knit. Today, it was my turn. Chicky wanted to go to the beach with a friend.

:::Sigh:::

I really wanted to work on a Lace Scarf, from the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk book. Here’s my progress so far.

The camera does not do justice to the colors. It is a very rich colorway.

I also wanted to work on my sock. Instead, the sock took a trip to the beach.

It was actually too hot to knit, though, so the sock went back in the knitting bag. Instead, I read a couple chapters of The Friday Night Knitting Club. It’s a good book so far. I’m just sad that I haven’t been able to devote more time to it. I usually devour books, but ever since going back to school, I found recreational reading to be…um…not quite my favorite thing.

When we left the beach, I found myself way too tired to do much. It was much hotter than I expected, and I didn’t stay hydrated enough. I wanted to go home and take a nap, but we had promised to take Mr. AuburnChick out to dinner to celebrate his birthday. He had been waiting all day. So we went back out to the beach for dinner. Soccer Chick then proceeded to have a few friends over afterwards, so that took care of the rest of the day.

:::Sigh:::

Guess I’ll have to knit during the NASCAR race tomorrow. 🙂

Oh, and before I sign off for this post, a teensy bit of yarn porn…

I received this yarn in the mail. The yarn is Naturally Vero from Fiber Trends, color #18.  I purchased it from this site.  It’s for a hat for Soccer Chick’s teammate. A special request. I found the pattern I’m going to use in the Creative Knitting, January 2008, issue.

Ahh…I love the UPS man!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

A Busy Week

Posted on June 26, 2008 by auburnchick

Whew! What a busy week!! I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday!

I work at a law firm. Part of our business is real estate, and today we attended an condo auction. I sat, for eight hours, in one room, keeping a watchful eye on the computers. Fortunately, the room had a great view. I was able to watch the approach of a storm…common for this time of year in Florida.

I got nervous when I saw several bolts of lightning, and I quickly unplugged all of the machines so we wouldn’t get zapped.

The storm passed, and the sun came out.

Oh to be rich and have a boat…

After a few hours of severe computer problems, everything straightened out, and the rest of the day progressed smoothly. I finally left for home about 5:30 — a long day since I’m usually home by 2:00.

Despite the crazy week, I have been doing some knitting, although not too much.

On Sunday, I finished my portion of the Forest Greens Baby Blanket. I used Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby, which I found at Hobby Lobby. The yarn is unbelievably soft. It’s a DK weight. I had a little problem with yarn puke, though. Oh well, it all worked out.

Here’s a close-up of my portion. The stitch is called Farrow Rib. I really like it. It was simple and looks nice on both sides. It’s probably one of my favorite stitches that I’ve used on these blankets.

I made the Summertime Spa Cloth, from the Creative Knitting, July 2008, issue as a gift for the next knitter on the blanket.

I used Sugar ‘n Cream. The color is Potpourri Ombre.

I really like this pattern. It’s pretty easy, although a chart would have been better. As you can tell, my blocking skills need work.

Next, I finished the Black Sheep Booga Bag that I’ve been working on for a friend. I used Noro Kureyon #149. I bought the yarn during my Vegas trip. I think this is one of my favorite colorways…very natural and soothing.

After felting it, I let it dry for a couple of days.

Just when I thought I was almost done, I realized that it wasn’t sitting up properly, so I threw it back in the machine again and let it shrink a little more. The extra effort was worth it. Here’s the finished product. I can’t wait to give it to my friend.

I’ve also managed to start the Froot Loop socks. I’m using Fiesta Baby Boom yarn. If I had to describe this yarn in one word, it would be “squooshy.” The colors are fantastic! It’s a dream to knit with.

Here’s the progress so far.

Oh, and a shout-out to Littlest Chicklet. Look at what he brought me the other day…

He and Mr. AuburnChick went grocery shopping on Sunday. When he passed the flower section, he asked if he get them for me…”For Mama’s graduation.”

::::sigh:::

I really love that boy. How nice to come home after a long couple of days and spy those flowers, which are still alive (yes, I remembered to water them). They are a reminder that no matter how busy I get, I always come home to my family.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

AuburnChick Goes Shopping…

Posted on June 24, 2008 by auburnchick

…but it wasn’t for yarn…

If you’re a male, feel free to skip this posting.

If you’re a female, read on…

Let me first preface by saying that I fully expected this to be a stressful week. There is a special project going on at work, and your’s truly is responsible for making sure the computers are at tip-top working order.

Great…

Today, I went on-site to set up the computers, so I was not very close to home. Testing revealed that one of the computers was not working properly, I left to pick up its replacement. That was when I discovered that Mother Nature had wreaked havoc on my life..in a very obvious way. You’ve probably been there once or twice in your life, so you know what I’m talking about.

For the record, I don’t believe in “Mother Earth” and that sort of thing. However, I have a difficult time believing that the Lord, merciful as He is (and I know that He has his judgment side too) would allow such a travesty to befall me. Of course, I’ve been fighting with Soccer Chick an awful lot lately…maybe this is punishment for that.

Regardless, it happened. As “together” as I seem to be in my life, appearances can be deceiving. I do not think quickly on my feet. This latest event proved to be no exception to the rule.

I did a waddle/shuffle step back to the office that I had just exited, found my button-down sweater, and tied it around my waist, with Mr. Computer Guy (who was helping me) giving me the eye.

“Don’t ask,” I tell him with a look that silenced him…a difficult task if you know this man.

I get in my car and promptly call Mr. AuburnChick. He’s a man. He’s supposed to have the answer for everything. At least that’s what he thinks.

“Drive home,” he tells me.

Um…easier said than done. Mr. Computer Guy is waiting back in that office for me and is expecting a computer to appear in the next 20 minutes.

“Go buy yourself some new clothes. Dillards is right down the street,” says Mr. AuburnChick.

Are you kidding me? You think I should do the waddle/shuffle step into Dillards with a sweater tied three or four times around my waist? And to make it even worst, I had to turn that stupid sweater so the tie was hanging down the side of my body so everything was covered adequately. No, I wasn’t exactly in the mood to start a new fashion trend today, thank you very much.

Walmart happened to be really close, but I’m a dummy. I’m at the beach location, and I get lost here. Why in the world do you have three roads that run parallel with stores in-between…all within 1/2 of a mile from the beach? I can’t remember what is where. I get lost when I go to that part of town. And now I have to find a Walmart, pray it has pants to fit me, go back to our beach office, pick up a computer, and take it back to Computer Guy to set up…all within 20 minutes??

Mr. AuburnChick was nuts.

We’ve been married a long time. He knows how I am. He patiently gives me directions that, for a change, happen to be right on. I’ve never been so happy to see that blue and white sign in my life.

Out of the car I go…

Waddle/shuffle…waddle/shuffle…

Of course, I parked at the food end of the store…dang it. And now I’m getting a blister on my left foot. Stupid dress shoes.

Waddle/shuffle/limp…waddle/shuffle/limp…

All the way to the juniors department, which I know is going to have clothes that are too big.

I really wanted a skirt, but guess what? I didn’t shave my legs today. I have shaved my legs every day for about a month, and out of all of the days for this to happen, it has to be today. It’s much easier to fudge on sizes when it’s a skirt.

Great.

I’m trying to hurry as best as I can while looking for something to wear that meets our company’s dress code. Grrr…I’m totally missing the job where I could wear blue jeans to work. Grrr…

At some point I quit looking at styles and focus in on sizes. I’m desperate to find anything…the clock is ticking.  Size 14 seems to dominate the racks. What is up with this store? Don’t they know that little people shop there too? C’mon Walmart! You have got to do better than this.

Then, my eyes spy a size 4. It’s the smallest size of anything remotely business-like that I can find. I’m very petite…0’s and 1’s are what fit. I don’t say this to brag but so you understand the complexity of the situation. The pants are Capris. It will be okay if they are a little long. And they’re in a color that semi-matches my shirt.

I grab it and don’t even bother to try it on, rushing through the self checkout lane as best as I can.

Waddle/shuffle/limp…waddle/shuffle/limp…

I’m so glad they put the bathrooms at the front of the store. I ease in one of the stalls, change my clothes, and walk out of the store. This time, the walk is different…

Walk/limp/pull up pant…walk/limp/pull up pants.

I eventually arrive back at the site with another computer in my arms. Mr. Computer Guy doesn’t even bat an eyelash. He better not. I would have slugged him.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

AuburnChick is Officially a College Graduate

Posted on June 21, 2008 by auburnchick

Today was Graduation Day!!! Even though I finished the end of February, the commencement ceremony wasn’t until today.

As any girl would do, I had to prepare. The biggest question? How was I going to wear my hair?

I have thick, naturally curly hair. Wearing hats is very difficult cause I have such big hair. So, I decided to get my hair straightened. Not permanently but with a hot iron at the hairdresser.

Here’s the before picture…

I had my hair fixed yesterday (Friday) after work. Here’s the after picture.

And here’s what I looked today like with the cap and gown…

I have to stay true to my promise to my family not to put my face on the internet…hence the shots from behind. Sorry…it’s actually my best side, so think of it as me doing you a huge favor. 😀

I’m sure that many of you have already graduated from college…probably a few years ago. For me, this was the conclusion of a long-aspired dream. After attending college for two years immediately after high school and then putting it on hold to have my children, I desperately wanted to finish what I had started. Plus, I want to teach middle school, and you can’t do that without a degree.

I had always told my kids that I wanted to go back and finish. That’s just what I did. Many of you read of my adventures…at least during the last term since I only started blogging in November.

I wasn’t sure I was going to do the Commencement Walk. There was a possibility that Soccer Chick would have a soccer tournament. I went ahead and ordered the cap and gown…taking the advice of one of the female attorneys at the law firm where I work. She insisted that it would provide closure to this long process.

She was right.

We got up bright and early this morning, heading out around 7:15.  Along the way, I periodically checked my hair in the mirror.  A wee bit vain.  I’m allowed.  Today was my day, after all.

Once there, I got my family pointed in the direction they were to go, I nervously made my way to where the other students were gathered. I did not know a soul. Because I attended online classes, I had never met any of my classmates. We were a conglomeration of IRL attendees (in real life) and virtual students. We were lined up several times according to the whim of our fearless leaders. Actually, that’s probably not fair. I think it took a bit of time for everyone to get on the same page. Once we were lined up correctly, we waited…and waited…and waited.

I became buddies with the next person in line…a lovely lady who, like me, had returned to college when her children were teenagers. We had much in common. We were both nervous wrecks and emotional.

Finally it was time to enter the auditorium, walking in, of course, to Pomp and Circumstance. I felt tears in my eyes. To see all of those people there supporting their loved ones and cheering when we came in. Wow. I saw my advisor who smiled and gave me a wave and an encouraging word.

I was fortunate to have the best seat in the house…front row.

I was able to observe the Color Guard’s ceremony of presenting the flags. That was so amazing and a reminder of all of those serving so that I can have the freedom to pursue my education and eventually teach in this wonderful country. The members’ precision and dedication to their task touched my heart.

After the guest speaker, we were officially “cleared” for graduation. Changing my tassel from the right to the left side — while a simple act — was very special to me. A single tear rolled down my eye, prompting a “Don’t start that” from my new friend. She was on the verge of losing it. The gal on the right cried almost the entire time. She was a real sweetie

It soon became time for us to walk across the stage. This is where I wanted to upchuck. Redneck girls in pumps are not accustomed to walking across stage with several hundred people watching. I prayed the entire time that I wouldn’t trip.

“Don’t trip, Nathalie, don’t trip.”

Little did I know that Soccer Chick was praying the same thing. In her words to her father, “Mama would do something like that.”

Thanks for the vote of confidence, dear.

I got through it and actually smiled. I have video that proves it. Wow! I actually looked normal!

After sitting down, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was finished.

After the undergraduates were presented, it was time for the graduate students to get hooded. Have you ever seen this done? I had not. How totally cool! The look of pride on their faces…wow! I have almost decided that I want one of those. 12 more classes and I, too, could be hooded. We’ll see if graduate school is in my future…maybe in a couple of years. I simply love the pursuit of knowledge…too bad you have to write long papers on the process!

A quick plug…I attended classes at Troy University. I had compared programs and fees very carefully. My experience with the college was 100% wonderful! My adviser was a dream to work with, and the professors were diligent in their jobs. The University is determined that everyone have the opportunity to be educated — hence they are very popular with the military. Many of my classmates were stationed overseas. It was a neat opportunity to get their perspective during my political science and history classes.

With the ceremony under my belt, it was time to have more fun. Knowing that I was only a couple of miles away from a nice yarn store, I headed out to the car, springing my plans on my family. Boy were they mad! Their idea of fun is not petting yarn.

Too bad for you. Today was MY day, and I was selfish. While I shopped, the kids and Mr. AuburnChick waited in the car, air conditioning keeping them comfortable.

Here’s where I shopped…

And here are photos of the inside…just in case you don’t believe me…

What an array of yarn! There was lots of Lamb’s Pride, Noro, Tilli Tomas, Tofutsies (a very good selection), and even Malabrigo. It was so hard to decide what to get.

Here’s what I bought…

The last photo is Tilli Tomas…100% silk with glass beads spun in. It was ridiculously expensive. I’ve had my eye on it for a couple of weeks and decided to splurge. I don’t know what I’ll make with it, but I’m sure Ravelry will provide some ideas.

So, although my family didn’t exactly make this day the special day I hoped for, I made my own special memories.

If you have ever considered going back to school or doing something that seems, at first, overwhelming and unattainable, GO FOR IT. The 23 classes in 21 months with a 3.8 cumulative GPA was worth every bit of effort. I reached my goal. I got good yarn afterwards.

What more could a person ask for?

Filed under: Knitting, This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

AuburnChick Masters the I-Cord

Posted on June 20, 2008 by auburnchick

This week, I have been working on the Black Sheep Booga Bag. I have to say that it’s one of my favorite patterns. This one is my fourth. I’m making it for a friend who has been ogling the two bags I made for myself. I finally caved and told her that if she would pay for the yarn, I would make her one.

When I went to Las Vegas, I found the Noro yarn I had in mind. It’s a bit neutral, but I still like it. It’s knitted up nicely.

This is the bag pre-felted. I’ll measure it before I felt it and provide dimensions.

When I sat down to start on the i-cord, I cringed. This has always been my least favorite part of the pattern. I have never understood, nor found a way, to make the stitches on the back of it even.

Yesterday, something clicked. I googled for ways to make a good i-cord. All of the instructions were the same. How hard is it to make one of these boogers? Well, for AuburnChick, everything is difficult.

However, either I accidentally discovered this or I might have read it…but I figured out that if you give the previously knitted part of the cord a tug after knitting across your stitches, the stitches become more even. So, that ugly, back side becomes almost indistinguishable from the front side. I am so thrilled! The i-cord I made for my sister’s bag was noticeably odd-shaped. I think that this one will be much better.

I have about two and a half feet done so far. I’ll probably knit it to six feet.

A close-up…

I believe I’ll be able to finish this today because progress is proceeding quickly due to my new-found confidence.

I’ll felt it tonight and cast on for the socks I posted yesterday! Isn’t it exciting when you “get” a knitting technique. You feel like you can tackle the world. Bring it on, baby…Bring it on! (said quite brazenly as I still fear the Lacy Jacket pattern I have tucked away for my Bamboo yarn…a story for later).

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Martha Stewart Would Faint

Posted on June 18, 2008 by auburnchick

As you are all probably aware, I’m not exactly the most suave gal. My cooking skills are…well…lacking. Actually, I can’t stand to cook. My cleaning skills are…well…lacking. I can’t stand to clean. My gardening skill are…well…lacking. Just take a look at my yard.  I’m sure the neighbors wish I would grow myself a green thumb or hire a gardener.

I think you get the point (and you’re probably wondering exactly what I do with myself when I get home).

You see, when you walk into your house after work and find this…

in your dining room…

…you know that Martha Stewart hasn’t been decorating your home.

Youngest Chicklet decided to relocate his drum set out of his room. He wanted more space…to do what, exactly, I have no idea. So, he decided to redecorate my dining room. The dining room table is no longer centered below the light fixture. Oh no…it’s almost in the middle of my house now.

Although I am a very strict mom, for some reason this type of thing does not bother me. I mean, we’ve already put this…

…in our den.

What in the world is it? Well, it’s the ping pong table we bought for Youngest Chicklet’s birthday last month. Of course, Mr. AuburnChick couldn’t buy some cheap-o brand. Oh no. He went out and bought one of the finest. We wanted something that could be folded up and tucked away in a corner.

Somehow, the more $$ you spend, the bigger the table.

We tried putting it in the garage. No go. With Soccer Chick driving (with only her permit, though), we never know which vehicle we’re taking out of the garage. She prefers to drive the Jeep. I take the other car to work. Plus, the instruction manual clearly states that the table must be stored indoors.

Great.

So, I rearranged a bit of furniture to make room for the table. At least it’s accessible when the Chicklets’ friends come over. That was the main reason why we shelled out the dough for it.

So now we have a drum set and a ping pong table centrally located in our not-very-big house.  When you add a knitter’s stuff to the mix, you have a problem.

Throw in a little yarn here…

…and there…

…And here…

…And here (this one is messy…it stays hidden in the bedroom)…

…And here…

Well, you get my point. Martha Stewart would pass out at my audacity.

Oh, she’d like the yarn, at least some of it. I have some fine skeins in there. But it’s obvious that I do not have the gift of interior design. My goal is to keep the yarn as far away from the dogs as possible. Beyond that, I don’t really care too much what the arrangements look like.

Yep…living in my house is like digging into a box of assorted chocolates. Always an adventure. You never know from one day to the next what you’re gonna find.  But who cares. The fun is in the tasting…or in our case…the living. What’s the good of having things if you can’t have them out to enjoy them.

I can say this and mean it since the Chicklets are at church and not banging away on the drums (one of the advantages of having them in the bedroom was that you could shut the door to drown out some of the noise).

I’ll just turn up the volume on my laptop when I’m listening to KnittingRose or Stitch-It and live my somewhat happy-go-lucky life.

Martha Stewart can have her pristine house. I’ll keep my lived-in, not-so-fancy, redneck home.

Filed under: Knitting, This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

AuburnChick Finishes Some Projects

Posted on June 17, 2008 by auburnchick

With the kids out of the house last weekend, I was able to get a couple of projects finished…rather quickly too.

This is the Embossed Daisy Washcloth from Creative Knitting, May 2008. I used Sugar ‘n Cream. The color is Cornflower. I made it to accompany one of the Oddball Baby Blankets that I finished working on…as a gift for the next knitter. It was an easy pattern. The chart is a great intro for those who have never knit from charts before.

The next picture is my fourth completed pair of Greenaway Fingerless Gloves. I used Alchemy Sanctuary. The color is Ruby. I altered the pattern slightly by knitting the beginning ribbing for 35 rounds instead of the 28 mentioned in the pattern. I gave them to my friend, who was really surprised.

My friend, KnittinMitchie, just started The Fuzzy Lamb. It’s a web site where she plans on hosting online knitting classes. I will be teaching a dpn class, using the Greenaway Fingerless Glove pattern…since I’ve kind-of become an expert on them. I think we’re going have these classes in July. She’s also got some other neat classes planned. The classes are very reasonably priced, requiring Skype, which is free. Check out her site!

I currently have another Black Sheep Booga Bag on my needles. I’m using Noro Kureyon…the skeins I bought in Vegas. The bag will be for a friend who has been admiring the two I made for myself last year. Here’s the yarn…

I hope to have the bag finished by this weekend so I can cast on a pair of socks. I’m thinking about making Froot Loop, a pattern on Knitty.

I’d like to use the yarn I bought last week:

We’ll see, though. I haven’t visited Ravelry yet…which means I’ll get sucked in and disappear for a while. I’ll let you know what I decide on when I resurface…

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AuburnChick Remembers Her Father

Posted on June 16, 2008 by auburnchick

It’s Father’s Day. I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect on my dad.

I didn’t know my dad very well. He and my mom divorced when I was about four years old. It was a nasty affair, and as a result, I didn’t see my dad for most of my childhood. My mom remarried and moved across the country. As often happens, my mom made my dad out to be the bad guy. When you’re a child, you tend to trust the adults around you, so I grew up with a less than favorable opinion of him. He didn’t attend my high school graduation, and he did not walk me down the aisle during my wedding. I don’t think I talked to him for at least ten years.

I married at the young age of 19, and by the time I was 22, I was the mom of a wee one. Some time between the birth of my two children, Dad wrote me a letter. It accompanied a gift he sent to my daughter. I have no idea how he got my address. I remember agonizing about my response to his letter. I prayed, my heart very heavy. In the end, I decided to forgive him for his absence during my youth. I wrote him back.

We began corresponding, and eventually we spoke on the phone. Honestly, I don’t remember what that first phone call was like. I’m sure I was a nervous wreck. Shortly after the birth of my son, my dad made plans to visit me. My sister and I lived in the same city.

I will never forget that moment in the airport when we were reunited. Picture two 20-something year old girls, toting babies on our hips, Soccer Chick toddling beside me, running into the arms of the father they had not seen since they were in elementary school. The tears flowed, as they are right now as I type this.

My dad greeted Soccer Chick, who was a little overwhelmed by all of the adults crying, in what would become his trademark expression…making duck sounds by pulling on his cheeks. Every visit after that would include many “duck” sounds.

Dad made about three more visits to see me before I moved to south Florida. With each visit, more healing took place. Dad filled in a lot of the missing pieces of my childhood. My childhood was difficult, made more so by the absence of my dad. It became very obvious how much he had missed me and my sister during those years. Many tears were shed during our time together.

I was fortunate to be able to fly out, with the kids in tow, to see my dad one summer. He graciously paid a good portion of the airfare…without telling his wife. That was very much like him…doing for others “under the table.”

Dad lived in Euless, Texas, which is located between Dallas and Fort Worth. He worked during the day while the kids and I swam in his pool and snoozed the days away. At night, he cooked up some delicious meals. He was a trained chef and well-known in the wine industry for his know-how. He sold fine wine and spirits to some of the nicest restaurants in the area.

We visited the zoo (for the record, I hate zoos cause we always seem to go during the hottest time of the year). He tried to imitate the animals. My kids laughed a lot. We also visited the Stock Yards. This was so cool. He bought Soccer Chick a cowgirl outfit, which she wore to dinner that night. Dad had become this Texan with a French accent. A weird combination, but he made it work.

One night, Dad pulled out a bunch of liquor bottles for an impromptu taste-test. How strange to be sitting around drinking with your father. It’s not like I had my childhood and teen years to transition to that point. My Grandma from France (Dad’s mom) was visiting at the same time, and she didn’t speak much English. However, getting tipsy is the same regardless of what language you speak. She got tipsy, and I laughed the night away.

All was not rosy, however, It’s not easy trying to forge a relationship with someone you’re related to when you don’t have the history that typically accompanies that relationship. Dad and I struggled. He didn’t understand my Christian beliefs. I desperately wanted to see him come to know the Lord. I don’t know if he ever did.

Early in April 2001, I got a late-night phone call. My dad had died that afternoon while training for a triathlon. He had participated in numerous events over the course of his life. He was training with a friend, biking that day, when he suddenly collapsed. He was gone…immediately.

My sister and I flew out together to attend the funeral. For us, it had a sense of sadness that most of the attendees could not understand. We don’t know where Dad stood with the Lord.

The get-together at his house afterwards turned into a wonderful time of remembrance. His wife pulled out his best bottle of wine, and we drank it in celebration of his life. Dad’s step-son handed me the empty bottle as a keepsake. I treasure that. Wine was a huge part of my dad’s life. He was from France and made trips back to the wine country.

I grieved for almost a year after his death. I grieved for the lost time and memories that should have been a part of my life.

Now, I can remember him and smile. Dad taught me quite a few things during our few years back together. Dad was a silly man. His job was sales, and it was a hard business. Yet, Dad didn’t let that stop him from being goofy. He didn’t take himself seriously. How can a Frenchman, living in the South, wearing cowboy hats, take himself seriously?

Dad taught me not to buy cheap wine from drug stores. One New Year’s Eve, I called him to get a recommendation for a good brand of champagne…one that wouldn’t break me. In the process, I told him that I love Arbor Mist. “Oy, Nathalie [said with a French accent], you’re giving me indigestion!”

I never drank the stuff again. 😀

Dad taught me to do for others. After he died, I found out that during the winter, he used to buy gloves and hand them out to the homeless. I would like to think that my charity knitting is due, partially, to his influence. He was generous…to a fault at times.

Dad also truly appreciated nature. He went to the Hill Country down in south Texas as often as he could, despite the distance from his home. In fact, when I went out to visit him, I flew in to Austin. He drove us to San Antonio, where I got to see the Alamo. We then spent a couple of days in a cabin in the Hill Country. It was beautiful, although I couldn’t fully appreciate it with two toddlers in tow. He spent many hours beautifying his yard. His backyard was beautiful.

So, on this Father’s Day, I remember my dad. I’m glad I took the leap of faith, trusted God, and responded to that letter. I would have missed so much if I hadn’t.

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AuburnChick Enjoys a Quiet House

Posted on June 14, 2008 by auburnchick

Do you hear that?

What? Can’t hear anything? Neither can I. Ahhhh…the blessed sound of silence (except for the tapping of keys on the computer).

My house has been without the presence of teenagers since early Wednesday morning. Usually, when the chicklets go out of town, I can hear the audible longing of my heart wishing for them to be home. Not this time. After what happened on Tuesday, it was almost a relief to have them gone for a few days.

Let the record show that it was NOT my decision to let them go. Mr. AuburnChick said yes. His reasoning was sort-of sound. I have to tell you that I’m really glad he did. The last few days have been a pleasant respite. To be quite honest, I had not even thought of the disciplining that we will have to do when the kiddos come back home. We have some heavy-duty things going on…since a bit more happened after the kids ganged up on me (which I really don’t want to go into detail about here). This stuff will require a heavy hand, unfortunately. My mind didn’t even go there until yesterday, giving me three whole days of bliss.

Ahhhh…so refreshing.

Do I sound mean? I hope not. For the last 16 years (not counting the time I was pregnant with Soccer Chick), my life has been centered around those kids. Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re not really supposed to do that. However, my own upbringing was lacking in many areas. I have always been determined to be a better parent. That is one reason why I stayed home for several years and only work part-time now. That has been fine and dandy up to this point.

Having teenagers makes you realize that there is life out there…life that doesn’t always revolve around children. There’s light at the end of the tunnel of this long, long journey. You begin catching glimpses of it every time your child wants you to just “drop me off” at the movies or a friend’s house.

So, this week has been good for me.

On Thursday, my friend (Soccer Chick’s friend’s mom…who just started chemotherapy) came over to watch me juice and taste the finished product. We had a wonderful time! We talked a lot about our girls, with me confiding in what Soccer Chick did after the phone thing. She empathized, drank her juice, which she found delicious (told you so, but I didn’t say it), and we visited for a little while afterward. I gave her the hat I made her, along with a knit pair of slippers. Someone gave them to me, but they were a tad too small. They are the same color as the blanket I made her. She was almost in tears, wondering why I was spoiling her. Um, because I love you and want you to know I care. This is a friendship in the making, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Yes, this week has been good for me.

I haven’t been a very good housekeeper though. I thought I would be able to get caught up on cleaning. But you know what? I didn’t want to! Every day, I came home from work, caught up on blogs and online forums, and after juicing, I just wanted to sit and knit. So I did.

Ahhhh…how refreshing…

My free time gave me the opportunity to finish up two Oddball Baby Blankets.

This one is called Beach Party. I used Lion Brand Microspun. The color is Mango. The pattern is Dotted Chevron, from the pattern book knit & purl.

This one is Jewelry Box. I used Carons Simply Soft, and the color is Mango. The pattern is the Caterpillar Stitch, again from the knit & purl book that I own. I was the last knitter, so I cast off. I’ll be sending it to another gal who will crochet a border on it.

I’m going to knit an Embossed Daisy Washcloth from the Creative Knitting magazine (May 2008 issue). I tried to find a link to a picture of it, but I couldn’t.

After that, I’m going to start on the Greenaway Fingerless Gloves for my friend.

Two more days of quiet…I better get knitting!

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