I'm Home

I'm home, and look at what I finished on the planes. And I love it!

The flight from Boston to Cincinnati gave me time to finish the hat. And then onto LAX gave me enough time to finish the sweater. Now, I'm a little concerned that the hat will be too short. If anyone has made this before, what did you find with the finished project? Please share. This is the one thing that I dislike about sending gifts so far away from California - I can't see how they fit up close on the recipient. However, picture has been sent to the parents and they like it. So after a bit of a wet block, and some dry time, off to the post office it will go. And I'm thinking there will be plenty of growth room with this size 2-3 years old.

Details....Sirdar book 332, Little Sweet Peas, pattern A-Girl's Lacy Cardigan and Hat. Baby Bee, Sweet Delights Baby, Berry Jam, 1.28 skeins (147 g), (US) 6 (4.mm) addi turbo needles. I changed the pattern to keep the button band attached to the body of the sweater, rather than having to sew it on after the sweater was knitted.

While I'm unpacking, sorting through mail (meaning feeding the paper shredder with junk mail), and doing laundry, check out what was waiting here for me! Aren't they cute?

They're Goddess Guards, stitch markers from Susan over at www.zenknit.com. She sent them to me to thank me for my patterns. What a very sweet surprise...I love 'em! Now, to decide which project to start next, after my secret scarf project and BSJ are finished so I can use them! Go find a set you like! She's got angels, too!

It's that time.

I guess it's that time. I've changed flights home at least 3 times already, but the truth is ...



Most everything has been moved and the closet's filling up...

Dinner was FANTASTIC.....

the roof-top pictures have been taken, and one last 'sleep-over' in the old apartment...

The kids have 'staked out' their TV spots...

A couple of more pictures taken this morning...

And the banana cake is cooling on the stove top now.

The kids are home now in their own homes. It's time for me to go home.

Can I go back when they were all little?

We're heading to the finish line!

Silly me, I thought my Olympic feat was to finish the 3 major knitting projects that I brought along with me on this trip. It finally dawned on me the other day...duh! woman...your 'Olympic accomplishment' was to move your kids and filling the freezers along the way.

Looks better-no? Two cheeseburger pies (one's already been demolished), macaroni saute, spaghetti, and beef stew here folks. [Cheeseburger Pie and Beef Stew recipes over there <-----]

Healing from splashed hot oil (don't try this at home kids!) and cut fingers. Now, while that cut doesn't look too bad, it did interfere with knitting time. ( that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!)

Tempting oh, so tempting at times here folks!

Here's your shopping tip of the month. The Fabric Place in the Woburn Mall, Woburn, MA is about to announce that they will be closing at the end of November. Their knitting books are on sale this week for 20% off. And they have LOTS of books that are on clearance for 50% off as well. What a crying shame, I tell you. Had I had unlimited supply of money and space left in my bags, I would have LOVED to have brought home some of their Classic Elite yarns and their Reynolds yarns to knit baby things out of! But, alas, It's Momma week here, so we did the cooking on the stove rather than off the needles. *Sigh* don't know when I'll be back and I'm certain it'll be all gone when I am. Tough call! And this is one of those stores I found late in my last trip, and I thought it was the perfect shop! Sewing, knitting..oh so many things that just aren't available in Southern California! So all you Massachusetts knitters...enjoy for me!

Now, let me introduce you to "Cali". She's the Build-A-Bear that daughter's co-workers brought her while she was a patient in the hospital right after son's graduation! Isn't she just adorable?

Check out her sandals, suntan lotion and flip cell phone! Not to mention her own beach ball, sun hat and sun chair! Almost makes you wanna be a little girl again, doesn't it? ('cuz I certainly don't wish a hospital visit on anyone.)

Now, check out the lower, right hand corner of this picture..that's the "Boys in Blue" Kitchen Hanging Hand Towel in use! I love my kids! But I'm whupped tired here, and tomorrow we're moving the big, heavy stuff out of the old apartment into the new, truck has been secured! Please go knit some for me. I've not had much time lately. And I'm feeling it, big time. Saturday am will be here far too fast, and I'm sure I'll need lots of tissues on the plane to go home to a very quiet house. Good thing I can knit without looking. I'm pretty certain I won't be able to focus on individual stitches for quite some time.

Think about it, all my kids are moving this month. What are the odds? I guess it's good they are all participating in a 'group' project together! It's been a long time since all 4 of them did a project together/at the same time! It just would have been nice if they would have been able to get some type of group rates on this whole schebang.

And if you would...send some healthy, healing thoughts to my Canadian friend, Norma with me! She's the one I met up with from AC4C last February. You remember, she's the 'lightening' fast crocheter!

Leg 4 is at hand...

I have arrived at my son's apartment....and not a moment too soon, I think.

First order of business....the grocery store-ya think? Ya, Momma's here.

2nd order of business...Cheeseburger Pie!

Baby daughter due back tonight so we can start moving her in. Her closet echos in here, but I'm certain it won't last for long!

Real Moms Wear...

OK, it's getting down to crunch time...so while I take a few minutes to copy pictures to leave with my daughter, here are a few from the past few days between unpacking boxes.

We've had the chance to have the first cooked at home dinner. Grilled Salmon, spinach salad, couscous on the end tables still in their shrink wrap from Target.

Hmmmmm..this felt like....last week! (ha ha)

Now, besides Wegman's (oh baby! love that store!), Target, Sam's Club,the furniture store, and Lowe's, we finally made it to the campus!

And 'proper' things were purchased...

She's had the first plumbing problem...hopefully to be fixed on Monday-something is leaking from the shower, under the floor, into the bedroom (oh the joys of being an adult!)

And now, the rest of the 'Mom' food has been cooked/baked and the dishes have been washed. (see a particular dishcloth that was used all week?) Lasagna, Rice Krispy treats, Banana Cake today!

'Secret' notes have been left.

Plants have been potted.

the kid crashed...

The freezer has been filled.

It's time to go finish packing my bags and make my flights.

Check out what she surprised me with, and picked up from the bookstore when I wasn't looking. Oh, ya, I'll be wearing it on the plane! Just cracked me up!

and carry tissues as they board the plane. Next stop? Boston! and two more kids to hug!

I'm an 'Orange Mom' now, too!

We made it!

The last part of Oldest daughter's trip to her new city, state, and University and been completed. All that's left now is the unpacking, oh and the homework.

Prettier than words can describe. The American Falls seen from the Canadian side.

Now, where'd we park the car again?

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, Canada.



A Niagara Mist, while watching the Niagara Mist



The Falls at night under the lights.

Things to bring home; cute and tasty things.

Welcome to your new home state, my daughter! Oh, and it really rains here-hard. You'll get used to it. And then it's going to snow. Big.

New home. Looks kinda empty. But not for long!

First visitors-even before the moving cube arrives! (baby sister and her roommate stopped by while driving through to California stopped for quick hugs and a tour)

Baby Sweater showing a bit of promise, finished the sleeves and now on the collar.

The moving cube has arrived...

Ever so carefully, she opens the door...praying that it all made it safe and sound...

only 2 things moved...the tiny box and the bag on the floor....

Can you see the upside down, purple computer chair in there? Not much air space in there at all!

This girl can pack!

Today we got our fortification on before heading to Sam's and Target for all those things she DIDN'T pack...and yes, there were many!

Most of the cube has been unpacked...can you remember where you put the napkins? Pizza is on it's way!

Next stop for Mom...Boston with the baby daughter and the son and their new apartment!