tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335541672024-02-03T04:06:26.377-08:00Such as it is...My life, my loves, my interests, and anything else that sparks my creativity.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-500219081052330432008-10-25T21:27:00.000-07:002008-10-26T10:14:56.149-07:00Ribbed for her pleasure? I think not.Yeah. I have decided that I hate ribbing. <div><br /></div><div>After almost 6 months, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnitMum/mommy-snug">the sweater</a> is finally all knit and is being sewn up (Hallelujah, praise Jesus). That said...</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't realize how difficult seaming the shoulders would be. I had no problems with the sleeves, so I felt pretty good about my ability to sew the rest up. (I believe that was my mistake--never think you're hot stuff until you have the finished product in front of you. At that point, gloating is good--not before. Pride goeth before a fall, after all. *sigh*)</div><div>Now, I have always been of the opinion that you can find ANYTHING on the internet, as evidenced by YouTube, but apparently that doesn't include "shoulder seaming hand knit 2x2 ribbing". My plethora of knitting books were no help, and after several failed attempts, many exasperated sighs, and a couple of internal temper tantrums (don't want to give the daughter the idea that throwing things and screaming obscenities about certain knitwear designers is okay, after all) I was ready to poke my eyes out with my darning needle (or at least give it up for a bad job) when, all of a sudden, the clouds parted and angelic voices could be heard coming down from Heaven and they placed in my hands the answer to this and every possible knitting conundrum....</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, no, not really. But I did finally find a website that offered instructions that allowed me to sew a passable 2x2 ribbed shoulder seam before I went completely nutso. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I have learned my lesson...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Ribbing is not my friend.</span></span> </span> </div>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-72910080694246513772008-10-23T08:41:00.000-07:002008-10-23T11:32:27.038-07:00We wants the Precious!Ok, I have just come across <a href="http://www.opalsockyarn.com/HarryPotterSlideShow.html">this</a>, and I am SO EXCITED! (It's a slideshow, for the yarn-inclined among you who wish to drool over it along with me.) I'm thinking of setting this page as my homepage.<div><br /></div><div>Now, this probably just solidifies my old-lady status with my mother, but I have to say that I don't even stinkin' care in this case. I love all things Harry (that sounds much stranger out loud than it does written down, doesn't it?), and Harry combined with knitting is my idea of heaven. (Maybe that's what my Heaven will be--knitting endless items inspired by J.K. Rowling's universe.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I called my local yarn store and asked the very nice owner, Kathy, about the status of said yarn. I had read rumors online about flooding and mass destruction of much of this pretty and coveted wool, and wanted to know if this horrific scenario was, in fact, true. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, it will probably be December (!!!) before we get any here. Curses. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I guess it's just another item for my Christmas wish list, and until I have my very own squishy skein (or 2 or 5...) in my trembling little hands, I will just have to live vicariously through others' <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/zwerger-garn-opal-harry-potter/projects">enviable acquisitions</a>. </div>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-48861227953679713082008-10-01T19:35:00.000-07:002008-10-02T20:18:32.617-07:00Bun in the Oven12 weeks now, so officially into the second trimester. <div>We had our first appointment with the midwives yesterday, and everything is looking great. It took a while to find the heartbeat because the little shrimp was swimming away from the doppler. Can't say I really blame him/her--I wouldn't want to be poked and prodded with a pokey wand thingy, either. </div><div><br /></div><div>This stage of pregnancy is kind of strange and abstract--I can't feel the baby move yet and am not obviously pregnant (just fat)--so I have hours when I forget that I AM pregnant, especially when Bridget is having one of her "individualistic" days and I can't focus on anything but keeping her from climbing to the top of her bookshelf and killing herself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll feel those first baby flutters in the next few weeks, though, and the abstract days will be over. I'm really looking forward to that moment. And, contrary to popular opinion, pregnancy is not any less exciting the second time around. </div>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-71300623319736685062008-04-25T08:54:00.000-07:002008-04-25T09:13:08.916-07:00My Music ManK. received the last bit of his recording setup two days ago--the keyboard. He wasted no time in setting up his various accoutrements in our front bedroom, AKA "the storage room", and promptly left our reality for his own very special one where nothing exists except the almighty MUSIC.<div><br /></div><div>I am in awe of people who can create music of any kind, and the fact that one of them happens to live in my house is awesome. This musical inclination is probably the most attractive thing about my dearest. Watching him play, especially songs he's written himself, always gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we started dating he was still playing in his band and told me that he would write me a song. That was six years ago, and I have mentioned this promise periodically ever since. He always said, "When I get my setup, you'll get your song."</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, he's got his setup. I figure I'll give him a couple of days before I ask for my song. </div>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-47743069024557640752008-04-11T21:51:00.000-07:002008-04-11T22:09:01.418-07:00It's been so long....We're finally back up and running with our new MacBook. It's been a little aggravating trying to acclimate to a new system, especially since Apple doesn't like to coddle their customers by doing silly things like including a nice, comprehensive owner's manual with their products, but I digress. At least I have my internet back. <div>I've had some time to get some serious knitting in, at least. Well, serious for me, anyway. I've (basically) finished Bridget's sweater. All it lacks is the lace edgings sewn on to the sleeves and blocking, but I'm not in any real hurry to finish it up because we're coming up on West Texas summer, during which time wool/cashmere sweaters don't really come in handy. (Also, I might have had a slight problem in the gauge department resulting in a sweater that will probably not fit Bridget until 2012, but we will never speak of that again.) </div><div>I finished my first pair of socks, light purple, and am 3/4 of the way through Bridget's first pair, pink, yellow, orange and white variegated that I picked up in Ruidoso a few weeks ago. Very girly and pretty. I'm also working on a couple of other things that I can't mention specifically here due to the fact that several of the recipients will probably be reading this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bridget is growing like a little weed. She is almost 19 months old now (not a baby anymore!) and has such a little sassy personality. She is nothing like me in temperment, so I guess she gets that part of her from K. Or her Aunt Sassy. </div><div>Wherever it comes from, I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm so blessed to have such a sweet, outgoing, loving child, even if she sometimes aggravates me so much that I want to toss her out in the yard like a can opener or stirrup pants. (Only 2 people will understand what I'm talking about here.)</div><div><br /></div><div>My brain is tapped. "Happy Feet" is making me comatose (for the second time today).</div>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-60623373597017964602007-09-20T07:22:00.000-07:002007-09-20T07:31:28.151-07:00Busy meI haven't posted in a while, but unfortunately, daily life tends to intervene in my perfect plans for myself.<br /><br />My baby is now a year old, which is unbelievable for me. It just seems like yesterday that she was a tiny, 7 pound pooping, drooling machine, and now she's walking (practically running!) and interacting just like a little person! Crazy...<br /><br />In knitting news, Bridget's sweater is coming along, but I've come to that place in a bigger project where other, new projects look oh so appealing. So, and I'm deeply ashamed to admit it, but I've cast on my first pair of socks--dark, beautiful purple ones. I assuage some of my guilt by telling myself that it's okay because they're for Bridget, but I don't think I'm fooling myself. Oh well. The sweater will be finished, though. I promise that.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-16727652874958106852007-07-20T11:15:00.000-07:002007-07-20T11:29:47.370-07:00Countdown to Deathly Hallows...The final Harry Potter is here and will be mine at midnight tonight. Very excited. Plus, this time I won't have the ending spoiled for me, because until I finish reading it (which I estimate will take several days owing to the Care and Feeding of Bridget factor) I will be avoiding like the plague all forms of media remotely resembling news of any kind.<br /><br />We're going to the Midnight Magic release party at Barnes and Noble tonight, and I know Mama would just shudder at the thought of that many people crammed into that small a space. I find it all very exciting, though. Hopefully Kent and Bridget will make it to midnight, but if not, I told Kent he gets to go home and have Bridget duty. I was hoping to have the Gryffindor scarf done before tonight, but I should know better than to set myself deadlines of any kind with a demanding 10-month old. I plan on taking it and knitting on it a little while I'm there, though.<br /><br />Speaking of knitting....<br /><br />Remember Bridget's sweater that I was working on? Well, I hadn't gotten very far on it, but then I realized that my stitch gauge was off by 2 stitches, and if I had kept going on it it would have been very not-fitty. So, I ripped it all back and started over. Hopefully I'll have it finished in time for Bridget to actually wear it this year.<br /><br />That's my exciting life for the moment. Enjoy.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-43083487940742064152007-07-16T17:15:00.000-07:002007-07-16T17:19:44.942-07:00Settling inMama asked for more updates, and her wish is my command.<br /><br />We're getting settled in to the house, slowly but surely. The living room is done, hubby has finished painting the hall ceiling and master bedroom, and he's now ripping up the carpet in the hall and master bedroom. Things are coming along, and I'll be very glad when we're done with the big renovating and can get back to just LIVING.<br /><br />Until we start redecorating, that is...<br /><br />*sigh*MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-60722525667394070652007-06-14T11:54:00.000-07:002007-06-14T12:01:51.774-07:00So much to do...I feel guilty even taking time to post, but it'll just be a short break...<br /><br />We have so much to do still before we can move in to the house, but I think I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the first time, I don't think it's the train.<br /><br />We have 2 rooms ready to paint, and then all that will be left to do in them is pull up the carpet.<br /><br />Things at the apartment aren't moving quite as fast, mainly because until we can get rid of some of the boxes I've already packed, there's nowhere to put any more. Just waiting on hubby to get home to do that.<br /><br />All in all, I think we can get it done. Especially since Mama took B. for as long as we need her to so we can get all this crud done. (Thanks, Mama!) I don't know how long I'll be able to deal without her, though. I've already started missing her, and it's only been about 24 hours. I've definitely gotten more done in that time than in the last week, though.<br /><br />This moving thing was just rotten timing. Of course, when is it ever convenient to move?MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-58261789760734739642007-05-12T14:43:00.000-07:002007-05-12T14:47:57.121-07:00Closing!We close on the house Tuesday! It's so exciting! Of course, we have to go in and scrub everything down before we move in, but our lease on our apartment isn't up till the end of June, so we have time. It's perfect.<br /><br />We bought our first major purchase the other day--a stove. It's funny how as you get older your priorities change and you get excited about buying appliances and laminate flooring.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-64038569486194015652007-05-04T20:23:00.000-07:002007-05-04T20:30:18.551-07:00Bridget's sweater/cardigan and recent developmentsI've started knitting a sweater for Bridget. It's my first foray into knitting clothing, so I figured I'd start small. ;)<br /><br />So far so good. My gauge seems to be pretty on, so we'll see how it looks in the end. I'll update as I progress. If I stop talking about it completely, please take that as a hint to never mention it again, as I will most likely be trying to forget it ever existed.<br /><br />Bridget is really starting to get fun now. She's happy more often than not now, and she is so animated and funny. She's starting to "talk" a lot more now, and is making "dddd" sounds. Any day now I'll be hearing "dada". So exciting.<br /><br />Time is short, and Daddy is walking around with Bridget outside Starbucks, where we have "escaped" for the evening, so this is the end. Not much in the way of earth-shattering news, but such is my existence. 's alright. I'm used to it. :)MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-8085156699893640712007-04-06T11:06:00.001-07:002007-04-06T11:10:32.465-07:00What's with this weather?!?Are we coming to the Apocalypse, or what?<br /><br />The high tomorrow is only 30-someodd degrees! What the heck is going on here? It's April, for crying out loud! Where are we--Chicago?<br /><br />Bridget is going to freeze in her baptism dress. Good thing Jeannie bought her that sweater.<br />Actually, she's a little heat generator, so I'll be the one turning into a popsicle. Hopefully the heat from the candles will keep us warm. ;)<br /><br />Yeah, I'm starting to think differently about this global warming thing now...how 'bout global cooling?<br /><br />Maybe we'll have a mild summer...MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-12062537277079696712007-03-28T14:50:00.000-07:002007-03-28T14:56:47.089-07:00This is why!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(Note from the author: For the DCF Ladies, this is copied from my "Doctors---GGGRRR" post in FF.)</span><br /><br /><br />I now remember with full clarity why I went with a midwife instead of an OB.<br /><br />I had an appt. with my old OB/GYN for a second opinion about my cervicitis. He was my GYN back 4 years or so ago, but I haven't seen him since Kent and I were dating.<br /><br />He checks me and says that everything looks fine, he thinks it is "probable columnar eversion" where the normal cells of the inner lining of the cervix "evert" into the outer os. No biggie. Nothing to worry about, and I'm good to go.<br /><br />So....<br /><br />The problem comes after he finishes up and is writing his notes. He starts asking me about using a midwife and why I chose to do that. I thought, "Oh, great. Here it comes. Lord, give me patience and guard my lips against saying what I really want to say about the medical profession in general". (Bear in mind, I was already extremely irritated, having sat in the waiting room till 5 after 12 when my appt. was at 10:30 and being the VERY LAST ONE sitting in there even though I was NOT the last to arrive.)<br /><br />So I explain about wanting an intervention-free, hospital-free delivery where I could move around as I pleased and have more control over things. He's looking at me with barely-contained disdain, and starts in on how he goes to Guatemala every year and how so many of those women have babies that die in childbirth and blah blah blah, and that "that's the risk you take when you choose to go about it that way".<br /><br />What?!?<br /><br />I guess he just thinks I picked some women off the street, hauled them to my house and told them to catch the baby when she came out. I don't know.<br /><br />So after he said that I looked him square in the face and said, "Well, I didn't go into this blindly. I did lots of research and got their statistics for hospital transfers, which is very low, and I knew what I was doing."<br /><br />He still looked at me like I was a loon, but I really could not have cared less at that point. Whatever.<br /><br />When I left I was so frustrated and infuriated that I could hardly see straight. I called my mother and vented (loudly, now that I think about it. I must call her and apologize) for about 20 minutes.<br /><br />And people wonder why I used (and will continue to use, as long as God permits me low-risk pregnancies) a midwife.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-5191644717941947892007-03-22T20:23:00.000-07:002007-03-22T20:29:19.283-07:00So close!Easter is almost here!<br /><br />We had a meeting tonight to go over the specifics of the Vigil and what's going to happen, etc. Not too much, though, because apparently Father B. doesn't want us to know everything involved. Just the basics...where we'll be sitting, the order, stuff like that.<br /><br />I really hope Bridget makes it through the entire Mass. I really don't want to put her in the nursery (and I don't know how she'd react to that, anyway), but the only other option would be for someone to take her out, and then they'd miss the rest. Hopefully she'll be good. We plan on having bottles and pacifiers at the ready.<br /><br />I'm getting so excited and anxious. This is so huge, and I can hardly believe it's time already. I'm also glad the families seem supportive. Of course, most of them are probably talking behind our backs about how insane we are, but I'm not worried.<br /><br /><br />Oop, hear Bridget crying. Guess that does it for now.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-55751328722446130692007-03-15T08:02:00.000-07:002007-03-15T08:11:03.319-07:00Life as a mamaIt's tough. There are moments, sometimes even days, when I think to myself, "What was I THINKING?!?!?!" She won't stop crying, she won't sleep, on and on and on......<br /><br />But...<br /><br />Then she'll look at me and grin. Or I'll leave the room for a minute and when I come back she'll glance at me, and it's as if she's never been happier. She'll kick her legs and squeal, and when I pick her up she'll lean back so she can see me and she touches my face and smiles.<br /><br />And all the sleeplessness, irritation and loneliness is gone in that one second.<br /><br />I understand now why my mother can't really remember whether or not we cried a lot or not. All the bad seems to be completely overshadowed.MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-1157469769792773782006-09-05T08:18:00.000-07:002006-09-05T08:22:49.800-07:00Great Labor Day weekend!Albeit, with no labor, but you can't have everything you wish for.<br /><br />I did get to spend all weekend being lazy with the husband, which was really nice. Made me realize how little time we actually get to spend together. We didn't really do anything of note but just being together and getting to stay up late and play Guitar Hero till 1 am was so much fun.<br /><br />So, nothing of note and nothing too interesting, but that's how I like my life most of the time--no surprises or shocks.<br /><br />I have a feeling that all that's about to change, however...MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-1156888793530728792006-08-29T14:57:00.000-07:002006-08-29T14:59:53.530-07:00Lazy...<span style="font-family: arial;">I've been extremely lazy the last couple of days. I did some laundry and actually cooked supper last night, but aside from that, all I've done is sit (or lay) on the couch, crocheting and watching Court TV.<br /><br />You know, I'll be really happy when I can lay on my back again, too. This whole side-lying business is getting really old, but as it's the only way I can breathe comfortably, so be it.<br /><br />At least for the next 3 weeks. Ya know, I'm starting to understand why some women have inductions...</span>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33554167.post-1156886709285509172006-08-29T14:15:00.000-07:002006-08-29T14:25:09.293-07:00Closer and closer...<span style="font-family: arial;">Only 3 weeks now until we welcome Baby into our lives. This thought thrills and terrifies me. I've been wanting and waiting for this for...well...my whole life, really, but now that it's actually here I don't feel grown-up enough for it.<br /><br />I'm confident in mine and hubby's ability to care for a child, but I also know how selfish I am with my time, and I hope that will just magically disappear when this jumping bean makes his or her appearance and shakes our lives up forever.<br /><br />I have to say, though, that I am SO excited and ready for this birth. I can't wait to see if we have a son or a daughter, and who he or she looks like, and whether or not there's a chance for another blonde in this family!<br /><br />It just seems that a day lasts a week nowadays. I've told hubby several times over the last week that I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up in labor! I'm tired of being pregnant!</span>MamaCaudlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852265414307771271noreply@blogger.com0