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Back to the Grind

Posted on January 6, 2009 by auburnchick

Well…it’s Tuesday.  Things could be worse.  It could be Monday.

The kids went back to school today, which meant that I had to get up to the sound of the alarm.  I have come to the conclusion that alarms should be outlawed.  Especially after two-week breaks!

I’ve also discovered that I’m a night owl.  I have totally enjoyed staying up late, knitting into the wee hours of the night, and sleeping in until 9 or 10am.  Yep…that’s the life for me.

Alas…the world does not run on my schedule, now does it?

Soccer Chick once recorded a song at Disney that was titled, “If I Ruled the World.”  I’ll see if I can find the CD.   The song is really quite funny, and it reminds me that we all have things we would do differently.  Of course, those things really wouldn’t suit everyone else, but it would be fun to be the boss one day.

Anyhow…the alarm went off, but I barely heard it.  Knowing I didn’t have a subbing job today gave me little incentive to get out of bed.  The only thing that did, though, was the routine the kids and I have of reading devotions each school morning.  We just started reading Romans.  What a fabulous book!  It’s very convicting and humbling.

After the kids left, I watched a few minutes of the Today Show before deciding to head back to bed.

Yes, you read that right.  Back to bed I went.

And that’s where I stayed for three more hours.  Wow!  I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my tasks, which did not include much.

I had an interview at noon for a part-time bookkeeping position.  The interview went well, but I quickly recognized that the job is not for me.  I need to keep myself in the school system at least a couple of days a week, and the job wasn’t flexible enough to allow for that.  So, I continue to search for a way to supplement my income.

After the interview, I saw that I had a missed call from Chicky.  She was requesting that I bring her something to eat.

Boy, can this girl eat!  She’s so tiny,  you would never expect that.  Of course, I complied with her request and took a sandwich to her.

Insert personal musing…

Does Chicky really get how lucky she is — that she can call up Mom or Dad, and that they would even consider going out of their way to bring her something to eat, even though she already ate her packed lunch?

She needs to remember this the next time she fusses at me.

Back to the ramblings of this post…

After the visit to school, I had just enough time to run home, change my clothes, scarf down my own sub, and head out the door to Rooster’s game.

My week is one from you-know-where.  The kids are playing out of town three days in a row…each game being a two-hour drive…each way.

Crazy.

So I drove, observing the speed limit so I wouldn’t meet the law face-to-face (remember my first ticket ever this summer?).

I arrived at the game only a few minutes after kickoff and caught the rest of the game on camera.  Rooster and I then made the drive home, chatting pleasantly the entire way.

And now here I sit…

A long day.

I want to knit.

I need to wash dishes, sweep, pretend like I know how to take care of a house.

Back to the grind.

I can’t wait for retirement.

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

AuburnChick Discovers Facebook

Posted on January 5, 2009 by auburnchick

And let me just say…

Oh

My

Goodness

I’m thinking that Time, one of the words I want to focus on this year, just flew right on out the window.

My sister got this whole doggone thing started.  Yep.  It’s her fault.  I bear absolutely no responsibility.

You see, somehow Sister has gotten semi-computer-literate.

Say it ain’t so!

She’s moved beyond turning the thing on to actually knowing what to do with the cursor!

Somehow, she got herself signed onto Facebook.  She then encouraged Soccer Chick to ask me about letting her have an account.  I said no, figuring that she doesn’t need yet ANOTHER thing to waste time on.  She’s taking four AP classes this spring, so her schedule is going to be quite busy.

I, on the other hand. took a quick peek.

Of course, you can’t peek without signing up.

Mistake #1.

When I registered my name, the auto-setup thingy put things into motion.

I put in my high school name, and VOILA!  Out pops a list of names of people I haven’t talked to since…um…graduation day?!

Within a few hours, I had been friended by several people.

I’ll admit it.  I’m hooked.

This is WAY different than other sites.  You can actually connect with people who knew you before you were who you are today!  They saw you when you had zits all over your face, made eyes with the boy across class, and fell down the stairs on your butt.  If you went to my school, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.

Oh yes…the glory days.

My head feels tired from all of the memories that are rushing in right now.

And of course, being the computer nerd that I am, I’m already thinking of ways to link my blog to my Facebook.  I want to customize my Facebook to look all snazzy.

Sigh…

I don’t need this.  I really don’t.

I have socks to finish knitting, a house to clean, a job to find.

Sigh…

We won’t even talk about Plurk.  That’s another story for another time.  When I have time.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 5 Comments »

Knotty or Knice Socks

Posted on January 4, 2009 by auburnchick

Woo Hoo!  These socks are FINALLY off the needles!

First, the pictures, and then the info…

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

The pattern is called Knotty or Knice Socks from the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits.

I cast these on 9/28/08 and bound them off yesterday (1/3/09).  The main reason why it took me so long to complete them is because I put them down many times to work on other projects.  Yes, I am a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal, but I had obligations…Guy Friend’s Beanie, charity blankets, stockings for the soldiers…

Plus, the yarn was so thin that I had to use a cable needle.  Argh!  Once I got the hang of the way the cables worked, I flew through the pattern repeats.

The yarn is Trekking Pro Natura, colorway #1545.  I used size 1 (2.50mm) needles.  I knit these using two circular needles…my favorite method.  I worked five pattern repeats on the foot and five more on the leg.

If I were to change anything, I would have left more stitches across the toes.  I do not have pointy toes, and these definitely go to a point.  This is the neat thing about making your own socks is that you can customize them to fit your own feet perfect.

Ok…a note about the yarn.

I’ve gotta say that when I started working with it, I found it splitty.  The needles kept poking through the center of the strands, making it difficult to cable.  However, I got used to it and eventually didn’t have a problem.  I also found the yarn a bit rough.  The yarn is 75% wool and 25% bamboo.  After putting them on for the pictures, I have decided that they are going to be warm.  I’m sure they’ll soften up with a few washes.

Another thing I’ve decided is that I want sock blockers.  Sister, if you’re reading this, make a note of it for my birthday.  These are the ones I want (click on the link to go to the Etsy store to purchase):

Oh, and I just had to comment about the pictures of the socks.  Soccer Chick took them for me.  That’s her room.  We’ve taken a couple of pictures against the green wall before.  There’s just something about the green that makes for good knitting pictures!  She was so funny too!  She had to lie down on her stomach to take the pictures.  Every time she took one, she got up to show me.  Of course, something was wrong with each picture…the sock was wrinkled, my foot wasn’t positioned correctly…you name it, we did it wrong.  She was fuming by the end, claiming she was not a photographer.  She still managed to get some GREAT shots, eh?

Ok…I’ve just cast on for my next pair of socks.  I’ll post some pictures of the progress another day.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Word of the Day

Posted on January 4, 2009 by auburnchick

Skechers.

Simply put.

I went back to Kohl’s to return the pair of Dockers I purchased a few days ago…this pair:

They were a Wide instead of a Medium.  I have a brown pair just like them, only they are a medium and fit much better.  The new pair was just too loose on me.

Fortunately, I had not worn them outside yet…only back and forth in the house a few times to test-drive them.  I got store credit (fine by me) and returned to the shoe section to shop again.

I knew that I wanted a pair of black shoes.  I knew that I wanted slip-ons.  I also knew that I wanted something I could wear to work (i.e. pretty casual but no sneakers).

I have to tell you that shopping right now is so much better than the few days after Christmas.  There were hardly any shoppers.  Of course, it was only about noon, so most people were probably just getting out of church.  Soccer Chick and I had attended the 9:20 service.

The lack of shoppers made it easier to think and try things on.  I probably tried on ten pairs of shoes before settling on these:

Yes, it’s another pair of Skechers.  You might remember that when I went shopping before, I had purchased two pairs of shoes…one of which was a white pair of Skechers.  I have worn them almost every day!  I think it’s the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned.

So, when I saw that many of the Skechers shoes were on sale, I had a field day trying them on.  My enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.  When I took the shoes to the register to pay, an older gentleman ahead of me in line asked me if I had finally made up my mind on a pair.  I had to chuckle.  I had actually made up my mind on several pairs.  Alas, my budget only allowed for one though…given that it was a gift card to begin with.

Yay for gifts, twice enjoyed!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

AuburnChick Cleans the House

Posted on January 3, 2009 by auburnchick

What better way to start the new year than with a clean house?

Rooster and I worked our hineys off to get the house clean.  Soccer Chick and the Mr. are on their way home from the tournament, and I wanted the house somewhat sparkling clean when they get here.

I know it’s strange that I took pictures of the house, but, as you’ve probably experienced, clean houses don’t stay that way for long.  When my house starts looking like a tornado hit it, I’ll visit this post and drool over what once was…

Notice the lack of dishes in the last picture?  Rooster washed a small stack of them last night…nothing like the mountain of dishes he usually faces.

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

Caught in the Act

Posted on January 2, 2009 by auburnchick

An interesting thing happened today.  I don’t expect you to be surprised, though.  Interesting things seem to happen regularly around here.  But this time, I have proof.  Just you wait and see.

I was in the garage, hanging clothes to dry. I had the side door open to let the air circulate through the garage for faster drying.

All of a sudden, I heard a noise that sounded like someone pulling in their garbage can…except that trash day was the day before yesterday, and I knew my neighbors already pulled in their trash cans.

The noise stopped, and I resumed what I was doing.  Then I heard a different sound…a dog collar jingling.  Next, I saw Molly, my youngest dog, AKA Escape Artist Extraordinaire, running down the side yard.

I ran out, but I didn’t see the tile that I had placed under the fence (from previous escapes) disturbed.

As you know, if you have been reading my blog very long, Molly’s escapes often leave us scratching our heads.  I am constantly plugging holes with various items around my home.  For several months, I haven’t been able to locate her newest route to freedom.

This time, I was determined to figure it out.  For this, I enlisted Rooster’s help. We got a hold of Molly and put her in the back yard again, setting her up to escape again.  I know, I know.  If this was a court of law, the case would be thrown out for enticement.  However, this is called Life, so I don’t think those rules apply.

At that moment, Rooster’s Florida Virtual School teacher called.  It was his Welcome call…a requirement before beginning a new class.  We put her on speaker phone (I had to participate in the call) and ran back around the front, focusing our eyes on the fence…all the while trying to maintain a coherent conversation with the teacher.  I felt the need to share with the teacher what we were doing…just in case we busted out laughing at an inappropriate moment.  She didn’t seem amused.

We continued the conversation.  And we watched Molly escape.  We busted out laughing.  The teacher understood, kind of laughed (she could not fully appreciate the moment, I guess), and we quickly ended our conversation.

We grabbed Molly’s collar, put her back in the yard (yes, setting her up again), and ran to get our cameras set up so we could record the action.

Here’s Molly…caught in the act…

Can you believe it?  She is jumping from the ground straight to the top of the fence!  There’s nothing behind the fence for her to stand on!

Smart Bad dog!

Oh, and just so you know…Rooster and I will be cleaning that fence tomorrow.

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

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2009 by auburnchick

Wow!  I can’t believe it’s 2009 already!  Time flies when you’re having fun, eh?

Today is New Year’s Day.  I’ve declared it Pajama Day in the AuburnChick home!  Rooster and I worked so hard yesterday that I figured we deserved the break.

So, here I sit, in my jammies and fluffy robe, pondering what New Year’s means to me.

I’m not sure that I’m big on resolutions.  They never amount to much for me.  I guess I just have a bad way of following through with them, despite my good intentions.

Between this post on the True Woman ’08 blog (make sure you read this list in the middle of that post) and this post on Mrs. Pivec’s blog, I’ve been more reflective than past years.  Both blogs offer much food for thought.  I like that Mrs. Pivec selects one word to focus on during the year.  I also love the ten questions that are presented in the True Woman list.  They are not for the faint of heart.

I pondered the words I had read.  Over and over, I kept hearing the themes of time and debt in my heart.

I think I need to do a better job of managing how I spent my time.  I’m not dedicating much, if any (I’m ashamed to say) quiet time reading God’s Word.  I’ve used the excuse that the kids and I do devotions on school days.  However, that’s no way to build a relationship with God.  Relationships require an investment of time to truly get to know the other party involved.  A man and a woman who desire a serious relationship do not spend all of their time together in the presence of other people.  They spend time one-on-one, listening to each other, speaking the words that are deep within their hearts.  Sometimes, they are content just to be together, not even saying a word but simply enjoying the quiet presence of the other person.

The same can be said of growing a relationship with God.  Yes, we need corporate worship time.  However, we also need one-on-one time.  I think of some of the greatest people in the Bible.  Men like Abraham, David, and Jesus (I’ll count him even though he IS God) spent many, many hours in solitude, praying and desiring to be close to God.  I need to be more like them.

The other issue that’s been on my heart is debt.  With the down-turn in the economy and the severe cut in my pay, I’ve felt very convicted for the financial choices I’ve made over the years.  I think I’ve confused wants for needs.  Somehow, as salaries have increased, my savings have decreased.  More money in the paycheck?  Now I can up my cell phone plan, subscribe to more channels on the cable box, and maybe even buy more yarn.  However, I should have been putting more into savings, paying down things like the car payment and other debt, tithing more, and looking for more ways to give.  Putting God first.

Ugh.  How I wish for a clean slate – someone to come along, pay off everything for me – and let me start over.  But I think that I wouldn’t learn my lessons well that way, now would I?  I would probably revert back to my old ways.  Metal cannot be purified without going through fire; nor can I be changed and molded into something new without bringing the impurities of my life to the surface so that they can, ultimately, be removed.

So, those are the things I’ve been pondering lately.  I didn’t mean for the post to sound depressing.  When I reflect, I often do not focus on the good things I’ve done.  I look for ways I can grow, and this usually involves peeling back the superficial layers in my life to reveal the blood and guts of that lie beneath…not a pretty picture but present all the same.

Oh, and a few last words before I end this post.

Last night, while watching THE ball drop on TV, I was struck by something one of the hosts said.  He said that people are happy to see ’08 go and are looking forward to the new year and the HOPE that it will bring.  It was a reminder that each new day presents a fresh ray of hope to start anew.  God, in His infinite wisdom, did not make life on earth one long, endless day.  I think that would be rather depressing.  The rising of the sun each day symbolizes the chance to start over.

God is SO good!

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

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