Ma Familia

I can't believe this photo was taken just one year ago!!! The little kids have grown so much since then.

This photos has my two kids, my oldest brother's five kids and my youngest brother's little daughter. It represents the first time all the grand kids on this side of the family were together at once.

Christmas Race

It's a new tradition. Started last year when these decorations went up at the school where I am in admissions.

My co-worker (a teacher) and I are both 5'9". These decorations hang down to about 8 feet. Sporty Girl and I race each other to see who can slap the most the fastest....

Don't worry, we make sure no students are around.

Sporty Girl kills me each year.

Photo Bomb

MooMoo and MeeMee took down the kids' pics and Mini Me's artwork. Naughty cows!!!

I've Been Busy!

I made five hat and scarf sets in the last month. The first set I made is pictured under Husband Hat and Husband Scarf. They were all Christmas Gifts for the people I love.

Gingerbread House

That MooMoo & MeeMee!!! We awoke to this mess. My sweet children worked so hard to build these.

The Naughty Little Cows broke the gingerbread houses. Sigh deeply.

A King in Our Midst

Last month, one of the other swim moms told me that one of our kids' swim coaches, who is studying to be a paramedic, was writing his papers and doing his school work on his iPhone because he did not have a computer. I talked to J about it. We decided to let him come over to use the kids' computer. 

Within a week, King had become a part of our family. He ate dinner at our home, slept over when he studied into the wee hours of the morning, was a regular fixture. King tried to teach the kids and me how to dance. That didn't go so well. But the three of us had fun dancing with King. 

One time, J and I scared King SO bad! J and I hid outside the bathroom and jumped out at King. We got him GOOD. There is a video on my YouTube if you want to see. It shows his reaction afterwards. And a second scare...Bahahahaha!

King is hysterically funny. J and I have gone to bed with sore stomach muscles from laughing so hard. J doesn't like playing games with me b/c I'm so strategic and competitive - J plays for fun. King is competitive as well. I enjoy beating the pants off my formative opponent. 

It's been fun helping King with his paramedic work. J and I were both used as testers for his IV skills. 

We all have friends but very rarely does someone come into your home and really becomes family.

Restroom Break

What do you do while waiting for your kid to finish their bizness in a public restroom?

Me...? I DANCE!!!

Gingerbread Houses!

Moo Moo and Mee Mee brought Gingerbread houses for the kiddos!!! It's a tradition.

I'm really glad that Santa sent Mee Mee from his Christmas Farm at the North Pole. Mee Mee is just wonderful to have with us. It's like our family is finally complete with a Christmas Cow for each child. Good job, Santa!

Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

Moo Moo and Mee Mee brought hot chocolate and marshmallows for Motor Mouth and Mini Me!!!

Bring Your Cow to Work Day

Moo Moo and Mee Mee hid in my big bag. They got to school before I found them. We had a great day. The office ladies enjoyed seeing Moo Moo again and listening to them sing.

Baggage

Moo Moo and Mee Mee tried to go to school with the kids.

Caught in the act!

Place of Comfort

Where do you feel warmest and safest in your home? Do you have a place you can go to that is comfortable and feels like "home," or your "sanctuary" in your home?

For most of my life, our family "rec room" in our basement was that place for me. When I think back to the room, it seemed huge. Multiple big sofas, a big TV, stereo system, a table, more chairs. Brown wood panelling until we wall papered over that in later years. (We are talking the 70's, 80's & 90's.)

This is the room where I used to watch TV, do my homework, entertain my friends. Many of my birthday parties were held there. Bridal and baby showers for friends and family were held in our rec room.

It's the place where my dad would listen to his music and I would stand on his feet, dancing. My dad found solace here as well.

My family gathered there after Mom's fabulous dinners on holidays to watch the Ten Commandments and Sound of Music. We also are known to gather to watch Young & The Restless (even the boys).

It's where I spent much of my rehab time after a car incident. And where I would watch the game with my uncles instead of cooking in the kitchen with the women.

So many great memories of our rec room. No pics. Just great memories.

Widney Woman Birthday 2012

My wonderful husband and kids made my birthday sweet and wonderful! I was content to let the day slide by but J reminded me that we celebrate our birthdays for our kids - not us. LOL!

J and the kids gave me beautiful flowers. Love the flowers, love the kids! Mini Me helped pick these out.

Each year, I like to go to the Museum of Science and Industry to see the baby chicks as they hatch. They share the same birthday as me!

My favorite cake from Whole Foods...Yummy!!! Mini Me INSISTED I have a candle. But we only had leftover candles from their birthdays. So....I turned 5 on my last birthday! LOL

It was great to see the Annual Christmas tree. The museum always has trees from various countries. We searched and searched and finally found the Canada tree. 

And then, after the kids went to bed, J surprised me by watching my three favorite movies with me!

It was an amazing birthday. Sweet and simple. Filled with a lot of love.

Strep Rash

Strep Throat + Rash = Strep Rash
AKA Scarlet Fever
Treatment: Antibiotics and Patience

I was sick for several days with a REALLY sore throat. Knives. I knew what it was but hoped beyond hope that I was wrong. Sadly, it was, in fact, strep throat.

Normally, it's not a big deal for me. Go to the doctor, get meds, done. But we, like so many other hard-working people in America that work over 40 hrs/wk, do not have medical insurance. Sadly, it boils down to a choice between going to the urgent care for $140 cash plus the cost of testing and $75 for an antibiotic or getting your kids' Christmas presents and risk getting complications that could affect your heart.

We got lucky. I got antibiotics. Rash and symptoms gone. Hmmm...ObamaCare doesn't seem so bad after all....

Husband Scarf

I made a scarf for my husband that is long, thick, warm, and EASY to make!!!

Husband Scarf Crochet Pattern - Free!

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
Yarn Weight: Super Bulky, 6 oz, 106 yards
Color: 149 Charcoal
Balls of Yarn: 3.5
Needle: I-5.50mm & N-9.00mm

Husband Comments: I love this scarf because it is long. Most scarves are not long enough.


Husband Scarf Pattern:
Row 1: With N hook, Chain 275, Chain 3, turn (it's REALLY long. You could stop at 225 for an adult or 175 chains for a child.) Chaining with a larger, looser hook prevents the scarf from curving - keeps it straight b/c the first row of chain tends to be tighter.

Row 2: With I hook, Use the Chain 3 as the first double crochet. Double crochet in next stitch (front loop), then double crochet until end of row, chain 3, turn.

Row 3: Double crochet in next stitch. Chain 2. Double crochet in next 2 stitches. Repeat to end of row. Chain 3. Turn. (This added a simple design element - see close up photo.)

Row 4: Double crochet in first 2 stitches. Double crochet in the space. repeat to end of row.

Rows 5-8: Double crochet in each stitch (2 loops) to end of row. Chain 2. Turn.

Row 9: Double crochet in each stitch to end of row. Slip stitch to end. Cut end and thread through.

Good Luck and Have Fun!!!

  

Modification One:
For my son who has a gray and orange coat, I chained Row 1, did 3 Double crochet rows, then did Row 3 as above, followed by another 3 rows. Then I chain stitched orange thread and passed through the loops (as in Row 3 above). At the ends, I wrapped around the edge and threaded through.

Modification Two:
For my daughter who is just six years old, I skipped Row 3 (as above) and only did 6 rows. I also added 3 crochet flowers.

Modification Three:
My husband wanted another scarf that was thinner. I skipped Row 3 and just did a total of 6 rows and used a lighter weight yarn. The effect is a "dressy" scarf instead of a warm weather scarf.

Moo Moo & Mee Mee Hanging High

Kids woke up this morning to Moo Moo and Mee Mee hanging off light fixtures 8 ft in the air!

Don't these crazy cows realize how dangerous that is???!!!

Moo Moo & Mee Mee Hiding High

The kids couldn't find Moo Moo and Mee Mee today! Bahahahaha!!!

They looked EVERYWHERE. Mini Me asked if I put the cows in the fridge b/c if I did, we'd get milk!

Office Pic A Day

Each day, I take a pic of myself at work and send it to my best friend, Usher. I also send the same pic to J.

I'm not sure why I started doing it. But now it's just this fun thing I do at the office now. And one can never have too many self pics of oneself.

Mini Practice

Mini Me has been having a hard time staying seated during rug time and not being patient to raise her hand and wait for teacher response.

I should mention her school does NOT require the kids to sit perfectly in rows and rows of desks. They work at tables in a community environment and can stand or sit when completing desk work.

To help Mini Me, J taped a square on our living room rug. This is where Mini Me now does her homework. If she has a question during homework time, she has to raise her hand. Sometimes, she has to wait a minute or two if I'm working on a tough math concept with Motor Mouth.

Her teachers report that it's working in class!!!

Each day we get a good school behavior report, Mini Me gets a check mark. Ten check marks and I will teach her to either crochet or sew.

Moo Moo & Mee Mee Wii

Seems Moo Moo & Mee Mee were playing Wii while we were at school. When Motor Mouth found them, he checked the Wii to see what game they were playing (Family Game Night).

Moo Moo & Mee Mee Cookie Caper

Moo Moo and Mee Mee got into King's cookies overnight!!!

In the morning, when Motor Mouth and Mini Me discovered the smashed cookies, Motor Mouth asked if they could have the "leftovers."

Moo Moo & Mee Mee 2012

Moo Moo is back in town!

Some people have an Elf on the Shelf. We have Moo Moo the Christmas Cow!

This year, Santa sent Mee Mee, Moo Moo's sister.