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Happy 1st Blogversary to Me

Posted on November 21, 2008 by auburnchick

I can’t believe I let the day slip by without posting about it.  I had the best intentions…even wrote down the date in my calendar.  But did I bother to check my calendar yesterday?  Nope.  Sometimes I wonder why I even carry it around. What is even funnier is that last night’s Prize Puzzle on Wheel of Fortune was “blogger.”  It just didn’t register.

Anyhow, yesterday was my 1st Blogversary!  I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.  What would I do to mark this important milestone?

First off, I thought I take a stroll down memory lane.

One year ago yesterday, November 20, 2007, I was in San Diego.  The family had flown over for Soccer Chick to partipate in a tournament.  We left a few days before the first day of play so we could do some sightseeing.  I was still taking college classes, so I didn’t venture out of the hotel too much.  I missed the trip to the San Diego Zoo, and I also missed the showing of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  I had books to read and papers to write.

Meanwhile, in internet land, I was awaiting my invite to Ravelry.  It arrived on November 20th.  Of course, I had to take a break from my hard work and check out what Ravelry had to offer.  In the process, I got busy setting up my profile.

Now, remember that I am a computer nerd through and through.  I couldn’t help but notice an area on my profile for linking your blog.  This perked my interest.  I began researching blog web sites and decided to use WordPress.  I quickly set up my blog and proceeded to write my first post.  It wasn’t the most clever, but it got me started.  I did manage to get my school work done that weekend, but I was forever changed.  From that point on, I would, in the back of my mind, consider all happenings as possible fodder for my blog.  If you crossed my path, you were not immune to being written about.

Along the way, I have blogged about my pets many times.  This and this and this are a few of my favorite posts about them.  In fact, my second post was about my darling critters.

Another favorite topic is my children.  I wrote about Soccer Chick’s athletic feats in this post, and this one, and this one.  This post, however, is my favorite.  It was like I dug out the very core of my heart and put it out here for all to see.

Rockin’ Rooster has been the topic of several of my posts.  This one and this one and this one are my favorites.

Of course, I’ve had many posts about my knitting.  That was the factor that drove my interest into this thing we call blogging.  What a difficult task to pick out my favorite posts, but here are a few…

Who can forget my first real yarn splurge in Vegas?  This post drew one of the highest number of views.  This post contains pictures of a project I semi-designed.  I was real proud of it.  And who can forget my Lace Leaf Scarf, detailed here.

Now, I realize that my blog doesn’t generate the kind of stats that might rival the Yarn Harlot’s, but for someone who hasn’t written a book or isn’t an expert in knitting, I can’t complain.

Throughout the year, I’ve written 176 posts, including this one.  Y’all have commented 392 times!  My blog has been viewed 9,397 times.  This stat humbles me.  I never actually expected people to be interested enough to read, let alone comment, on my posts.

I’m proud of the way my writing has developed.  I’ve always fancied myself a woman of letters.  Somehow my spoken words get jumbled together, but when I write…well, the words just seem to pour forth so much easier!

Thank you for the support and encouragement over this past year.  I’ve made some wonderful blogging friends.  I believe that God put us here to glorify Him, first of all, but also to support one another.  You have given back so much more than I ever expected or hoped for.

Here’s to a GREAT year!  May the next year of blogging be even better!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

AuburnChick Scares the Mailman

Posted on November 20, 2008 by auburnchick

As you know, I have been participating in a Cold Weather Hot Drink Swap, hosted by a Betzi, over on Ravelry.  My partner, Figaro, and I have been teasing each other with hints about the gifts we would be exchanging.

The other day, Fig informed me that she had mailed a package to me.  I waited with anticipation.  Yesterday, I ran home during my lunch (I was subbing) to retrieve Rooster’s shoes for practice.  The boy had pulled one of his usual stunts…forgetting to take a key item to school for his soccer practice (can’t play without the proper shoes, you know).  As I drove into my neighborhood, I noticed the mailman’s vehicle.  It had just begun its route.  I figured it wouldn’t reach my house before I left, so I paid it no mind.

I ran inside, loved on the dogs for a few minutes, and ran out again, shoes in hand.

Lo and behold!  There was the postal truck…headed around my cul de sac!!  I started the car, allowing it to warm a bit while I waited anxiously.

The mailman (actually a lady) stopped in front of my mailbox and turned around to retrieve my mail.  I stepped up to the mailbox…waiting with outstretched hand.  She turned to put the mail in the box and visibly gasped in surprise!  She had not heard me approaching.  I think I gave her a mini-heart attack.

I didn’t see a package in her hand..only stuff that resembled bills.

“Honey,” I wanted to say, “Take this stuff back and bring out the REAL mail!”

I didn’t, though.  She turned back into her truck, saying that she thought she had something else for me.

Uh huh, I thought so, I wanted to say.

She emerged with this package in her hand:

It was heavy.  I got more excited!

I put it in the car, making myself wait until I got back to school before opening it.  I wanted to savor the moment by myself.

And that’s just what I did.  Here’s what Fig packed into that envelope:

Here are close-ups of the contents:

What a thoughtful gal!

Mr. AuburnChick looked over everything with a quizzical look.  “Why would you want to send stuff back and forth?” he asked.

He doesn’t get it.  It’s a SWAP.  It’s a wonderful way to get to know someone better and stay connected.

I love knitting, and I love the internet.  And I love that they have opened up new avenues to friendship.

Mr. AuburnChick may not “get” it, but I sure do.

Thanks Fig!  You made my day.  What a sweet friend you are.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

I’m a Ding-a-Ling

Posted on November 18, 2008 by auburnchick

Ok…had to post really quick.

A gal over on Knittinghelp.com read a post I wrote about the movie Twilight.  She pointed out that the review I posted a link for is the WRONG movie!  It had the same title but was WAY different!

What a ding-bat I am, eh?

I couldn’t find a review (Christian-based) of the NEW movie, so I read reviews about the book instead.  I think I’m going to let Soccer Chick go to the movie under the admonition that she leave if there’s anything funny going on.  I’ll offer to pay her back if she makes the choice to leave.

According to the book reviews, abstinence from sex before marriage is one of the underlying themes.  Hmmm…interesting for the current day, eh?

I’ll give Soccer Chick the good news when she wakes up in the morning.

Sure is a good thing I didn’t call up her friend’s mom earlier, like I thought about.  I can just hear tongues wagging at my dumbness.

“Yeah, AuburnChick has been hitting the bottle a little too hard these days.  Gotta watch that one.”

I should probably go to bed now.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

World’s Meanest Mom

Posted on November 18, 2008 by auburnchick

Ok…I think I’ve cemented the title as World’s Meanest Mom.

Soccer Chick asked me what our plans for the weekend entailed.  Rooster will be playing in a tournament, and she wanted to make sure the games didn’t interfere with her plans.

“Plans to do what?” I inquired.

It would seem that a bunch of her friends are going to see the movie Twilight.

I know, from my recent subbing jobs, that this book is all the rage among the teenagers.  And of course, Hollywood has capitalized on a good thing by making a movie based on it.  Note the word “capitalized.”  Remember that this is always about money.

But I digress…sort of.

I know that the movie has something to do with vampires, and I believe it involves a love story.  My antennae immediately went up.  As a mom, I feel it is my duty to help my children learn to make good choices…choices based on our Christian beliefs.  This is not always popular.

I told Chicky that I would need to review it.  I heard her groan and say, sarcastically, “Of course you do.”

I visited this site, which I feel does a good job with its reviews.  It is Christian-based, but I like the summaries.  It did not let me down.

The summary appears in the yellow column on the right side of the screen.  It’s hard to argue with the facts, stated so simply.

I’ll admit that the violence doesn’t bother me too much.  Now, don’t go taking a stick to the computer to beat me.  We all have to pick our battles, and for the most part, that’s not where I come out fighting.

I do take issue with bad language and sexual content.  I absolutely have no tolerance for bad words or taking the Lord’s name in vain.  I cringe when I hear it on TV and purchased a TVGuardian (bought it on eBay) to block it from movies we have at home (yeah, I shouldn’t buy the movies in the first place, but it’s hard to find movies that don’t have any).  As I told Soccer Chick (anticipating her argument), I know you can walk through any hallway at school and hear the foul language, but why pay for it?  Why further desensitize yourself to it?

Sexual content is another very important consideration when screening movies.  Twilight has several scenes that contain nudity and other stuff.

It was like alarms went off when I read the review, and I hollered out the findings to Chicky.  She was not happy.  It seems that she is the “only” person who can’t go to movies.  I assured her that she may be one of the few in her crowd who won’t be going, but she’s not the only teenager in the world who will be sitting this one out.

It’s tough to walk a different path.  As Christians, we are mandated to make different choices.  It can be a lonely journey.  That’s why we are told that the path is narrow.  Not many have the courage to walk it.  I hope that Soccer Chick understands that I’m trying to train her to make these kinds of choices on her own…when she leaves home.  And I hope she understands that she is NOT alone.  God is walking that path with her, and His heart swells with pride for standing up for good morals and truth.

Please pray for her and all of us as we strive to live in such a way that people would look at us and wonder what makes us different.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

Honoring My Commitment

Posted on November 18, 2008 by auburnchick

Grrr…

Sometimes I hate having a conscience.  You know…the times when you know what you’re SUPPOSED to do, but you WANT to do something else?

Rockin’ Rooster has a game today, and it’s two hours away.  This normally does not pose a problem; however, because he’s on JV, he plays earlier.  In addition, he’s playing in a city that’s in a different time zone, so that makes the game one hour earlier my time.  Yeah, weird, I know, but Florida actually has two time zones, and it can wreak havoc on scheduling.

So, instead of playing at 5, he’s playing at 4.  I have to sub until 2:30 today, which makes it impossible to get to the game in time.  Who wants to drive two hours to watch 30 minutes of a game?  It’s a bit of a waste of gas and time.

I have to be honest here.  I considered calling in “sick” to my subbing job.  Boy did I toy with that.  But then I thought of the teacher who I’m subbing for.  She had left me the nicest note telling me she was out for a medical reason and how much she appreciated my being here.  It’s part of what made yesterday so much more rewarding.  I just didn’t think I could let her down today.

So, I obeyed my conscience, and God’s Word about doing what you say you’ll do, and I decided that I would sit out this game.  Mr. AuburnChick will be driving to the game, so at least Rooster will have one parent supporting him.

I’m totally bummed.  I do not like feeling torn.  But, I know that I made the right decision.

Soccer Chick and I will have a quiet evening.  Woo Hoo!  An evening with a hormonal, grumpy teenaged girl.  At least my conscience will be free of guilt.  Plus, I will know that I’ve set a good example for my children.  When you make a promise, you need to see it through.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

An Interesting Comment from a Student

Posted on November 17, 2008 by auburnchick

Today I subbed at a school I’ve never been to before.  It was a high school, but I was nervous…about everything.  I don’t like the unknown.  I’m sure you can understand.

God showed me He was with me.  When I parked, I had no clue if my car would be towed.  A teacher exited her car at the same time as me, and I told her I was unsure of where to park since it was my first time there.  She asked who I was subbing for, and I supplied the name.  She looked at me in amazement and told me that I had parked in that teacher’s spot.

Don’t you LOVE when that happens?  I call them God-incidents…not coincidences.

I went into the office where the staff was not exactly eager to help.  I managed to get some information out of them, and their parting words to me were, “Just keep the kids quiet.”

Um, excuse me?  Not exactly the best way to start my Monday at a new school.

I went to the building only to find it locked.  Great.  Fortunately, another teacher happened by at the same time, and she unlocked the door for me.  She even walked down the hall to the teacher’s class, which also needed to be unlocked.

What kind of school was this?  Buildings and classrooms locked 15 minutes before school was to begin?  I was even more nervous.

The teacher’s parting words to me were, “Dial XXXX if you need to send anyone out of the class.  No reasons necessary.  You know how it is…when the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

Um, okay.  Just what I wanted to hear.

So, needless to say that when my first student entered the classroom, I eyed him warily.  He did the same.  We were probably sizing each other up.

My first class had four students, I think.  It was an ESE class.  They were wonderful students.  As I loosened up, I began joking around with them.  They loosened up and started laughing.

My day just got better from here.

My third class contained mainstream students.  What an interesting bunch!  I’ve gotta tell you that most of them were not from the same economic background as me.  However, their personalities were diverse and interesting.  I think they were surprised by me.  We experienced a bit of initial confusion as I tried to figure out what work they had already completed; however, we got things straightened out and proceeded with their assignments for the day.

Near the end of the class period, one of the students came up to me and said, “You should sub here more.  You don’t know what you’re doing.”

Huh?  I’m not sure how this is a good thing, I thought to myself.

She went on to explain herself.  “You’re funny, in a confusing sort of way.”

Honey, I wanted to tell her, you’re not making it any better.

I think I understood what she was saying though.  I went with the flow.  Sure, I was a bit thrown off at first, but I quickly adjusted, and we got things done.  We had fun, I think.

Tomorrow I go back to the same school for the same teacher.  However, I’ll have a different set of students because of the way the schedules are set up.  Should be an interesting day.

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

Rockin’ Rooster Scores a Goal!

Posted on November 16, 2008 by auburnchick

I told you I’ve been busy, didn’t I?  Saturday proved no exception.

I got up early enough to run some errands.  Look where I went:

Why did I go to the post office?  Well, I had to mail this:

And proof that both were in the same place at the same time:

Thank goodness for camera phones.  You see, I wanted to torture my swap partner, Fig, and I had a stroke of genius (this happens occasionally, you know).

I got home from my errands just in time to take Rockin’ Rooster shopping for some Under Armour.  If you’re not familiar with this line of clothing, click here.  Anyone who plays sports outdoors knows how vital this clothing is.  Players wear it under their uniforms, and it helps insulate them from the cold by acting as a barrier between the sweat and their clothing.

Rooster and I had about five minutes to shop.  Yeah, not a lot of time.  We actually ran through the store.  We considered ourselves lucky to find one adult large shirt (for those broad shoulders, you know) along with some shorts.  We paid (thank goodness nobody was in line ahead of us) and ran out to the car.  Rooster thought he would be late.  He was wrong.  I knew the best way to get to the fields, and we got to our destination right on time.

Don’t you know that I totally appreciated the rare day that things were going right.

I got myself set up on the bleachers, wearing my brand new Palindrome Scarf, made out of the heavenly Mmmmm.  My head was warm under the Koolhaas Hat I completed a couple of months ago.  I’m sure other parents thought I was overdoing it.  It didn’t take them long to realize just how smart (and talented) I was (and am).  Yeah, I was the object of envy, and I just loved it!

The game was an easy one for our team, and we quickly gained the lead.  Rooster was sent in to sub for a starter.  We were thrilled because we weren’t sure how much playing time he would get after being gone from the game for so long.  He wasn’t as nervous as the first game.  As he got in the rhythm of the game, he started making a few moves that surprised us.

And then his big moment arrived.

Rooster scored one of the prettiest goals I’ve seen.

I had been a good mom up until this moment, obliging his request to not yell (even good things) while he’s playing.  He told me it’s distracting.  However, when he scored, I had to yell, “Go Rooster (ok, I used his real name)!!!  I can yell now that you scored!”

Everyone laughed.

Apparently that goal was the shot of confidence that he needed.  His moves improved in complexity.  Soccer Chick was watching the game, and she was incredulous!  “Did you see that move?!  Where did Brother Rooster get those moves!  Oh wait…I taught them to him.”

Duh!  You guys are related, my dear.

All-in-all…a fine afternoon!  We stayed and watched the varsity team win its game.  I had a chance to use my camera and took over 1,000 pictures.  Of course, once I culled them down, I wound up with about 600 good ones.  It was the perfect day for soccer and cameras.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

A Whirlwind of a Week!

Posted on November 15, 2008 by auburnchick

Oh my goodness!  Where did the week go?  When last I left you, it was Wednesday, and Soccer Chick was running off the field to go to the bathroom!  The weather was rainy, but the team managed to pull out a win.

I’ve been subbing every day, which is good when the bills come in.  I figured out, though, that I’m working more hours than I have in a long time!  Because the games have been so early, I’ve only had a few minutes at home after work before leaving for the fields.  So, I haven’t had much time to be online…updating the blog and keeping up with Ravelry and oddball blankets.  I’m playing catch-up this morning.

Things haven’t changed as the week progressed.  Rooster played a game on Thursday.  His team won.  I can’t remember the score.  Rooster got to play, which was a pleasant surprise.  It’s been a couple of years since he played soccer, so he’s been working hard to make up for lost time.  Rooster used to play travel soccer as the goalie for his team.  He was amazing to watch…quick feet and courageous in the face of oncoming players determined to score.  He got burned out though and needed a break.

So now he’s back, and I’m really proud of him.  It was thrilling to see him back on the field.  He was nervous.  I could see it in the way he played, but he gave it his all, almost scoring a goal at the end of the game.  I know that he will improve as the season progresses, and his confidence will grow along with it.  That’s the best part about watching your children participate in activities.

On Friday, Soccer Chick had a game.  Her team was up by a couple of goals before the game got called because of bad weather.  I made the short drive home, but it seemed to take an eternity because the rain was coming down so hard!  I was exhausted when I got home.

The knitting is still happening whenever I can squeeze out a few minutes.  I’ve been working on the mini stockings for the troops.  My goal is to complete 20.  I’ve finished 12.  A friend of mine asked if she could stuff them, and I gladly accepted her offer.  I’m hoping to finish them this weekend or Monday.  I’ll take a group photo of them as soon as they are ready to be mailed off.

I also got a little something extra made up for my Cold Weather Hot Drink Swap partner.  I’m going to try to get it in the mail today.  I’ll post pictures AFTER she receives the package.  Wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, right Fig?

I guess that’s about it for this morning.  I’ve got to get a few things done before layering up for my afternoon outside.  The temperature is supposed to drop a lot today, and the wind is going to make it seem colder.  Hello, Mr. Heater!  We’ll be sitting together at the game.

😀

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Soccer Chick Scores a Goal!

Posted on November 13, 2008 by auburnchick

What a rainy afternoon we had yesterday!  And of course, Soccer Chick had a game.  Murphy’s Law (or rather AuburnChick’s Luck).  Here’s what it looked like when we arrived at the fields:

I felt so bad for the girls, but it’s part of what you sign up for with this game.  Sometimes I wish that Soccer Chick had picked a different sport to participate in…table tennis, for instance.  You’re almost always inside and dry and warm with table tennis.  But, she picked soccer, so outside is where we stay…rain or shine…hot or cold.

Fortunately, the rain stopped before the game began, and I got to see this:

It was beautiful!  It reminded me of the double rainbow the whole family saw two years ago when we were on our way to the city where Soccer Chick had her  knee surgery.  That was the most incredible sight I’d ever seen, and the timing was perfect as we were all dreading what we were facing.  I love that God created the rainbow as a reminder that He loves us and remembers us in the midst of the storms of our lives.

Anyhow…back to my story…

The game began, and the opponent really did give a valiant effort.  It’s always interesting to watch games against local schools.  We know many of the players.  Such was the case last night as we watched a couple of girls in particular.  They are bright shining stars on their team.  One of them played soccer with Rockin’ Rooster.  Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve secretly determined that he will marry her.  She’s such a cutie.

Despite their best efforts, Soccer Chick’s team was too much for them, and we scored one goal after another.  Soccer Chick was hungry for her own goal.  She is a very unselfish player though, often passing the ball to the person who has the best shot.  But she got off a few shots of her own.  You could see how badly she wanted it.  Defenders do not get many opportunities to score.

Soccer Chick did, though, and boy was it a beauty!  She kicked a hard shot that I would have ducked from, and there was no way the keeper was going to stop it from going in.

I yelled so loudly and jumped up and down.  What a great feeling!  I was so happy for her!

The game continued.  The parents were watching from behind our team’s bench…unusual, but there was a covered shelter behind us, and we wanted to be able to take cover in case the rain made another appearance.

All of a sudden, I heard someone say, “Soccer Chick is hurt.”

Oh no!  This is my biggest fear when she’s out there playing.  After all she went through, emotionally and physically, with her torn ACL, I would be devastated if she was sidelined again.  I anxiously looked for her and finally spotted her sprinting off the field.

Well, at least I knew her knees were okay.

She announced, as she ran off the field, “I really have to go to the bathroom.”

Oh my goodness!  The relief I felt was overwhelming.  Everyone laughed hysterically.  It was the first time she’d ever done this.

However, she proceeded to stay in the bathroom…five minutes, ten minutes.  I went in to check on her, and she was sick.  Poor baby.  The game ended, and still no Soccer Chick.

Finally, about ten minutes after the last whistle, she hurried out of the bathroom, saying, “Mama, take me home now.”

She had a desperate look in her eyes.

Poor baby.  After scoring her goal, she couldn’t even enjoy it.

She’s still not quite better, but she did get up and go to school.  Fortunately, I’m subbing at her school, so if she needs anything, I’m right here.

It was an interesting night, to say the least.  At least she got her goal and validation from within and those around her that she still “has it.”

You go Baby.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Saving Money

Posted on November 12, 2008 by auburnchick

Ok…so most of us hate getting bills, right?  Of course we do.  However, some bills are a necessary evil…the electric bill, the water bill…you get what I’m saying.

I’ve signed up for e-bill with several companies, and I received my electric bill via email today.  I almost fell out of my chair when I saw it.

$87.89

Yes, folks, you read that right.

Two months ago, my bill was $177 plus change.  Last month, the bill went down to $122.  Do you remember how I had been experimenting with hanging clothes on clotheslines in my garage?  If you missed the post, click here.

I’ve gotta tell you that hanging clothes to dry is a lot of work!  It also requires planning.  After we saw the electric bill drop the first time, it was hard for Mr. AuburnChick to deny my request for a third line.  We know how much room we need to park the cars in the garage, and we could fit in one more line.

The other things we’ve been doing seem to be helping as well.  We’ve turned off the air conditioner.  It had been set on 80 during the day and 78 at night.  Yeah, I know, I like to torture people.  It really wasn’t as bad as it seemed.  Of course, I’m cold-natured, so I wouldn’t exactly be the best person to say.

We also limit the time we spend in the shower so we don’t use up all of the hot water.  We have the hot water heater on a timer, and I recently wrapped an insulation blanket around the water heater.  THAT was no fun at all.  If you ever do this, wear gloves and clothes you don’t care anything about.  The fiberglass got in my skin and hair and covered my clothes.  Not good stuff, I tell you.  But, it keeps the water inside the tank heated for longer.

I also had blinds installed in my house, and now that it’s cold, we’ll leave them open during the day to warm up the place.  While it was hot, we left them closed.  We could tell a difference immediately, and the air conditioner came on less frequently.

So, those are the changes I’ve made.  They’re not big changes, but they’ve resulted in reducing my bill almost $100.  That’s totally worth the effort.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

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