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A Week Without the Kids

Posted on June 8, 2009 by auburnchick

I’m in a bit of a fog today.

It could be due to the fact that I just saw the kids off at the church…bright and early this morning.  They are headed to camp and won’t return until Sunday evening.  Because they are “leaders,” they had the privilege leaving two days early for a side trip to a lake.  They worked hard last week and deserve it.

Watching them pack during the last couple of days made me a little sad.  More so because I know that next summer, Chicky will be packing for a trip that will last for much longer than a week.

Ahhh, but the look of eagerness in their eyes far overshadowed my sadness.  They were almost bouncing in their seats as we drove the short distance to the church.

I delayed leaving them but finally asked each of them for one last hug.  Chicky grudgingly obliged.

And then I left, looking back to see Rooster’s big bag of Funyuns sitting by the curb, waiting to accompany him to his seat on the bus.  The Funyuns are a tradition.  I always buy a bag of snack-bagged Funyuns for his trips so that he can share with the others.  Everyone has come to expect them.

Still, my heart was a wee bit heavy.  I don’t know why, but even though the kids are older now, and they’ve been away from home several times, I still feel sad when they aren’t near.  It’s not a control issue, although Chicky thinks it is.

Nope.  There’s simply a contentment when your loved ones are under the same roof.

When I got home, the Mr. was still asleep.  I played around on the computer for a bit and decided to go back to bed as well.  Might as well make the most of the quiet!

Now I’m up again and trying to decide what to do with myself.

I don’t know what I’m going to do this week, but you can be sure that I will be knitting.  Look at my latest project, started a couple of evenings ago…

Leyburn Socks

Leyburn Socks

I’m using this yarn…purchased recently…

Rio de la Plata

Rio de la Plata

My goal:  to finish this pair before they come home.

Lofty?

Perhaps.

I’ve also going to work in the yard, watering my flowers faithfully.  I wonder how much taller my sunflowers will be when the kids get home.  They, like the kids, seem to grow a little every day.  Here’s their progress so far:

It should be a good week…for all of us.

I will be praying that God will use this time to draw us all nearer to Him.  I know that I am often guilty of focusing on the tangible things in my life…people and material items…rather than keeping God at the center of my attention.

Edited to add:  Today’s Revive Our Hearts program dealt with just this issue!  Here’s the link for the website.  Or, click the link below to download the audio version (you’ll be hooked after listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss):

Revive Our Hearts: God Comes First

I am praying that the kids will grow in their desire to have a deep fellowship with God.  When they eventually leave home for the last time, He is the one possession I want them to carry with them throughout the lives, whereever they may venture off to.

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

Two Thumbs Up

Posted on June 7, 2009 by auburnchick

For the movie Up.

Last night, I took the kids to see this movie.  Guy Friend tagged along.

We opted for the 2D version because the 3D tickets were $3 more per person.

We don’t feel like we missed a thing.

The movie was FANTASTIC!!!  It had something for everyone…cute animals for young children, action for pre-teens, and a story line for older teens and adults.  Everyone can identify with something in this movie.

If you go, make sure you take a hanky.  I laughed and cried through the entire movie.  One could chalk that up to my getting older, but I think it was the superb story.

Here’s a clip, in case you haven’t seen one yet:

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

A Savory Treat

Posted on June 6, 2009 by auburnchick

Last night, my doorbell rang.

Ok, so this is not an unusual occurrence…especially with my kids being teens.

However, what was unusual was that when I opened the door, I saw one of my neighbors…the one who had planted the beautiful Knock-Out Roses between our yards.  In her hand was this:

It’s Jerk Chicken Salad.

I could immediately smell it, and I started salivating.

She explained that she had made way too much for her family to consume, and she asked if we would be interested in finishing it off.

Are you kidding?

Free food…that someone else prepared…that actually looks edible (as opposed to the dishes I regularly prepare)?

It was all I could do to keep myself from grabbing that plate and slamming the door on her.

Yeah, that’s how eager I was.

The kids weren’t home, which was good.  More for the Mr. and me.  He came into the room to investigate, took one look at the plate, and saddled up…armed with a napkin.

The easiest way to eat these is as if you are holding a taco, with the thick stem end held away from your body.

That first bite was AMAZING!  The blend of fruits and jerk seasoning combined for a delectable eating experience.  The second, third, and fourth bites were equally delicious as we discovered the flavors of the other ingredients.  We each scarfed down one and looked longingly on the others.  We were full but wanted to be able to walk away from the table, as opposed to being rolled back to the couches.

I totally understand the phrases that food critics use on the Food Network.

I decided that we couldn’t return the plate empty, so the Mr. ran to the grocery store for brownie mix.  We baked them up right away and loaded the plate with fresh, hot, chocolaty treats.

Ultimately, I was on a mission…to get that recipe!

She’s a gracious lady and gave me a Pampered Chef recipe booklet, turning the page to the recipe.  When I got home, I wanted to see if the recipe was available online, and it was!  I found it at this site.

Check it out, along with some of the other recipes there.  If you’ve ever been to a Pampered Chef party, you know the food is ALWAYS good!

Guess what I’ll be having for lunch today?

LEFTOVERS!!

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

Belle Epoque Socks

Posted on June 5, 2009 by auburnchick

Several months ago, I was gifted this yarn by a knitter of the West Coast Oddball Blankets…

Regia Silk - Color #2

Regia Silk - Color #2

Oh yeah…it’s as soft as its name implies.  I fondled it a bit and then added it to my stash.  A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to start a new project, and the yarn literally jumped out of my basket imploring, “Pick me, pick me.”

Gee, twist my arm, why don’t you.

For some time now, I’ve been wanting to tackle two-at-a-time socks.  It must have been a year ago when I made a pair from this book, but I struggled the entire way:

The socks got finished, but the journey had been difficult.  Completing the gussets had, in particular, given me fits.   So, I put the book on my shelf and completed many other projects.  Somewhere along the way, I made several hats and socks using Magic Loop.  Magic Loop is the method by which the above book’s patterns are based, only you’re completing two socks on the one needle.

I decided to give it another go, nervously selecting the Belle Epoque Socks from the book.

Now, maybe you’re a more advanced knitter than myself, so my next advice might not come as a surprise to you.  I’ve learned that it is a good idea to check Ravelry for comments by others who may have encountered difficulties with the pattern.  I found the Two-At-A-Time forum here, and I eagerly searched through all of the threads pertaining to my pattern.

I also searched for pattern errata.  Sure enough, I found this site, which contains corrections.  Lo and behold, the original editions contained mistakes in the gusset instructions!  I had not been going crazy on my own!  I’d had help!

Woo Hoo!  I wasn’t crazy!

My kids would beg to differ with the above statement.

Anyhow, if you own this book, go to the publisher’s site (same link as above) and download the pattern errata.  Print it and stick it inside your book.  If you have a problem downloading it, send an email to the contact provided on the publisher’s site.  I did that, and a representative replied within 12 hours.  She even sent me the corrections as a PDF because my computer was not cooperating with me.  There are a few patterns that have corrected charts, so make sure you get those as well.

Doing your homework BEFORE starting projects saves loads of heartache later on.

Armed with all of this information, I began the project on May 25.  I decided to use size 1 1/2 needles and cast on for the medium size.

Starting the socks was a nightmare.  I did as the book suggests and placed each skein in its own separate baggie.  This helped keep the yarn in check, but I had a dickens of a time sliding the cords back and forth.  I also marked each sock with a different colored stitch marker (green was Sock A, and orange was Sock B).

Add to that, the picot edge, which just about threw me over the edge of knitting sanity.

However, I persevered, messed up the picot on half of the first sock before the instructions clicked, and I worked the rest of the edging properly.

Once I finished the edging, I proceeded at a rather fast clip.  The pattern was pretty easy after a few repeats, and I started sailing through the project.

I worked eight pattern repeats on the leg and then “customized” the repeat on the instep…opposite of the heel.  Ok.  I messed it up…got my row count wrong and squashed the cable, but it’s the both on both socks, so at least they match!  I only knit 26 heel flap rows instead of the 36 recommended by the pattern.  I could tell the yarn was stretchy, and I know that recommended heel flap sizes are always too long for my legs.

The instructions can look intimidating…a factor that had led me to delay working socks using this method.  And I’ll admit that when I began working the heels and gusset decreases, I had to tink back a couple of times.  I like putting puzzles together and trying to figure out how things work, so this type of project is right up my alley.

I learned, though, not to over-think the instructions.  You work them for one sock, and then you work them for the other.  Trust the instructions (most of the time).   It’s like doing yoga.  You don’t think you’re going to be able to put your body in a certain position, and you want to shoot darts through the instructor (or pattern’s author).  But then, without even realizing it, you’ve turned yourself into a pretzel, and you’re better for it.

After turning the heel, I worked six more repeats and then completed the toes as instructed.  I’m probably the only person who loves the Kitchener Stitch…breezing through it in record time.

And the end result?  Take a look for yourself…courtesy of Chicky’s wonderful photographing abilities (even while she complained the entire time)…

Belle Epoque Socks

Belle Epoque Socks

To say I’m pleased with these would be an understatement.  I’m absolutely delighted.

Sure, I probably could have gone down to a size small since the yarn stretched more than I anticipated.  However, the socks are a good fit without being overly stretched, and they are warm as all get-out.  The yarn was a DREAM to work with…not splitty at all and smooth as could be.

I only used 80 grams, so it wasn’t quite two full skeins.

Another project done…on to that Mexican Rainbow Shawl!

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

Anybody Want a Book?

Posted on June 4, 2009 by auburnchick

The kids and I recently started using a new book for devotions.  As a result, I have two books just sitting around my house…unused.

We only went through about half of the Total Devotion book.  We stopped using it because it is geared toward younger children, and my children were beyond the lessons.

We thoroughly enjoyed Daily Grace for Teens.

Both books are in terrific condition.  The only thing I did was write the dates that we read each devotion at the top of each page.  That was to help me keep my place.

The books are free for the taking…first-come, first-served.  The only thing I ask is that you pay the shipping, which can be done media mail to save the most money.

It’s a small investment with big dividends…time with your children learning life-lessons.

If interested, just post a comment, and I’ll send you an email.

Filed under: children, Christian | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

I’m a Sucker for Pretty Colors

Posted on June 4, 2009 by auburnchick

What is it about me and pretty colors?

Take a look…

AuburnChicks Nail Polish Collection

AuburnChick's Nail Polish Collection

I don’t know why, but every time I go to the drug store, I tend to gravitate toward the nail polish.

Is it the pretty colors?

I think it’s the colorful names:  Chapel of Love, Purple Crush, Violet Vision, Swizzle Stick, Moonlit Madness, Senorita Rose-Alita, Coney Island Cotton Candy, and my newest, purchased today – Iced Spice.

I also have favorite brands…OPI is #1 in my book.

I think my love of nail polish goes back to my luxiourous days as a full-time stay-at-home mom.  My one indulgence (other than staying home to raise the kids) was  a standing date with my nail technician.  I had acrylics in those days and loved to try new colors.  Being cheap (and poor), I couldn’t afford a pedicure very often.  But, being anal, I wanted to match my toes to my fingers, so I wound up buying the polish so I could paint them myself.

Hence, my love for OPI and Essie which, by the way, Target began selling not too long ago.

Woo Hoo!

Nowadays, I rarely paint my fingernails, but my toes are always colored up.  Today I’m sporting the Iced Spice (a Revlon color) I bought when I ran out to get a prescription:

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

Lopsided

Posted on June 3, 2009 by auburnchick

Today was interesting.

Don’t give me that look.  I know, I know…most of my days could be classified as “interesting.”  Nothing ever runs on an even keel here.

What was so different about today?

Well, Rooster had an eye exam.

Big whoop-dee-doo, eh?

Oh yeah.

As you might remember, he got his drivers’ permit on Monday.  One of the things he had to do prior to getting the card was pass a vision test.  It was during this test that we discovered that his right eye wasn’t up to par with the left.  In fact, he had quite a bit of trouble reading past the second line of the chart.

In the middle of trying to read the letters, he looked over and said, “Mama, don’t you remember the time when I was in 6th grade and ran into the other kid while playing football during PE?  I told you my eye was blurry.”

Oops.

Now that he mentioned it, I did remember.  I also remember telling him that his brain had probably gotten rattled, and things would clear up.

I should have known, by looking at the other kid’s broken tooth, that the collision had been much harder than Rooster made it out to be.  The appearance of a dark bruise on Rooster’s brow was also dismissed as being anything serious that I needed to worry about.

Yeah, I know.  Not good.

I was surprised when the lady at the DMV still allowed him to get his permit.  Without going to a doctor first.  Kind of makes you wonder about the people behind the wheels of other cars, eh?

I’d like to think that as the kids get older, we get better as parents; hence, my immediate action this time.  I quickly got him in to see an eye doctor.

Rooster was mad.  He didn’t think he really needed to go, and he especially didn’t want to because he and Chicky have been busy at church.  They will be attending a church camp next week and, as leaders, are helping with the preparations…video production, creation of curriculum materials, etc.  He didn’t want to miss out.

I told him his eyesight was more important…end of argument.

We showed up 20 minutes early only to have to wait one hour before being called back.  I nearly showed my ugly side by walking out.  That place is more like an assembly line than a professional office.  I know because Chicky has been a frequent visitor since she is near-sighted.

You go in, you get called back under the false pretense that it’s your turn to see the doctor.  They put drops in your eyes, and you return back to the sheep’s pen to let your eyes dilate.  Eons later, you get called again to read a chart for a nurse and then wait eons more for the doctor to come in.

You literally have to set aside half a day to visit this office.

Hence my aggravation and their good fortune that they called us in when they did.

The nurse was awesome, making me feel comfortable with her knowledge and concern for Rooster.  Score one for the office.

She had him read the chart with his right eye covered.  No problem.  He could read the bottom line.

When he covered his left eye, I knew we were in trouble.  He couldn’t even read all of the letters on the second line.

The nurse paused in confusion.

I hung my head, telling her that I am a bad mom to have waited so long to take him in.

She assured me I wasn’t, and we waited for the doctor.  He took measurements and told us that Rooster’s right eye is 20/60.  His left eye is perfect.  He also confirmed that the collision in 6th grade most likely damaged the eye.

Poor Rooster.

We were given the option of him wearing one contact or glasses.  I made the executive decision to go with the contact.  As a former contact wearer, I know that his peripheral vision will be better with the contact on…an important thing with him learning to drive.  I also know how active he is.  I don’t think a pair of glasses would make it long during a game of ultimate frisbee.

Thirty agonizing minutes later, he had mastered the art of inserting a contact lens, and we were officially released from the warehouse that poses as a doctor’s office.  We had spent a grand total of two hours in that place.  We were more than ready to leave.

Interestingly enough, he is now having to adjust to being able to see fully with that right eye.  I think the left eye is doing a happy dance as it won’t have to work so hard.

Rooster will thank me one day…maybe.

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

Gardening, the AuburnChick Way

Posted on June 2, 2009 by auburnchick

And before you say anything, no, I’m not so addicted to my computer that I feel the need to take it everywhere with me.

Yesterday evening, I innocently went outside to water my flowers.  However, I got distracted (go figure) by the weeds in the yard.  So, I sat down to pull a few.

Pulling weeds is a bit like eating potato chips.  You can’t stop at one.

When I realized that I would be there for a while, I decided to get the computer and listen to Revive Our Hearts.  I’m catching up on last week’s broadcasts.

I’m so glad I didn’t skip them because she’s been talking with Randy Alcorn.  He began Eternal Perspective Ministries, which focuses on the message that Christians are to be focused on our eternal home.  Everything we do should be geared toward furthering God’s Word.  He stresses that there is joy in giving…whether it is financially or in some other manner.  He challenges us to ascribe to the fact that this is not our home.  We’re here temporarily, but we should be laying up treasures in heaven.

I encourage you to listen to this broadcast from Revive Our Hearts.  My jaw literally dropped.  His personal testimony is an incredible witness to how God provides…in the most dire of circumstances.  His financial principles are Biblically-based and are quite contrary to the things the world puts emphasis on.

It was good listening and kept my thoughts off of the mundane task of pulling weeds.

Afterward, I went around watering my new plants.  They are coming along nicely.  Look at my up-and-coming sunflowers:

I’m sparing you photos of the other flower beds.  Trust me…the sunflowers are progressing along nicely there as well.

I never realized that plants like water so much!!

Maybe that’s why I’ve been so unsuccessful in my previous attempts at gardening!

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

Another Chicklet Driver

Posted on June 1, 2009 by auburnchick

I love my readers.

As such, I consider it my duty to offer this warning:

Rooster obtained his Learner’s Permit today.

By my calculations, you have two weeks to safely navigate your roads.

During this time, he will be undergoing rigorous training within the confines of our neighborhood.

You see, we only have stick shift cars, so it’s an AuburnChick rule that one must learn how to get out of first gear without causing whiplash before proceeding to a real street.  Our neighborhood is the perfect place to conduct this training as it is blessed with an abundance of stop signs.

If you’ve never driven a stick shift, then allow me to explain that one must put the car in first gear after coming to a complete stop.  The tricky part is coming out of first gear without popping the clutch (i.e. conking out).

I’m readying the heating pad as I’m sure I’ll need it from the bumping the car will be doing along the road.

Oh sure, it’s funny if you’re on the outside looking in, but things are quite different from the passenger seat.

So, make your lists now…get everything done that you need to do.

When you see a car with the following magnets on it…

Yes, I really did have these specially made and will sneak them on the car after hes in the drivers seat.

Yes, I really did have these specially made and will sneak them on the car after he's in the driver's seat.

Go inside your home and stay there.

Or else, you can be like Pele and just not worry…

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

Am I Skinny Yet?

Posted on June 1, 2009 by auburnchick

Thirty two minutes on the treadmill… two miles and 317 burned calories later, I ask myself, “Am I skinny yet?”

The mirror begs to differ.

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

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