Knit One Quilt Too

Meme Time

 

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?  Having a great time with 5 year old Chloe and 3 year old Ryan.  Getting together with our Mom's Group friends.  Barely quilting and not knitting really, though I do remember teaching Chloe to knit at about age 5.   

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?  Scrabble gets groomed (mobile groomer, so I don't have to do much!), Chloe goes to a movement class, Ryan goes to occupational therapy, finish the binding and label on blue bento box quilt, get some quilting done on the blue and yellow quilt.

3. Snacks I enjoy.  fruit, dark chocolate with almonds, cheese, popcorn, any homemade treats made by Chloe.

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.  Give money to cancer research, National Public Radio and environmental organizations including the bird observatories I've worked with over the years, travel the world, live abroad.  Make sure my family is comfortable.

5. Places I have lived.  Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, California (San Diego, Orange County, Bay area and Davis), Maui and Oregon.

6. Jobs I've had.  Associate at a clothing retailer, associate at LeeWards Craft Store (a family tradition), research assistant for Biology professors at UC Irvine and UC Davis, accounts receivable (only survived that because I was working with my hubby), research assistant studying captive California Condors and wild California Gnatcatchers, biology teaching assistant at San Diego State, banding biologist at Coyote Creek Riparian Station, knitting teacher.

PS:  That photo above is just because you can't post without a photo and because we all did the Heaven Can Wait walk for breast cancer on Sunday.  It was lots of fun!  I'm wearing my new blue survivor's hat and pin.  Over 3000 people participated, raising over $90,000!  Thanks to Linda at Colorplay for the meme tag!  Anyone who wants to play along is invited, just let me know if you do it!

43 and a little contest!

Well, I've lived to the ripe old age of 43 (ha!) and been treated for two cancers (so far)- yuck!  My doctors tell me that, of course, I'm not immune to getting others as I age which is rather a bummer.  This one really makes me thank my lucky stars for each and every day I have to spend with my friends and loved ones.  When you face your mortality it really makes you appreciate the little things.

For one, I have the adorable little Santa that Chloe made for my birthday. She made him at one of the camps she went to this summer.  It's unglazed and was fired right in a fire pit.  Most of the other items that were fired broke during or after, but this Santa survived and is so solid that I'm sure he'll be treasured for many, many years.  Chloe knows how much I love Christmas, Santas and all things handmade! 

I love how the colors of the books on the table looked so nice with the little Christmas table topper.  Anyone recognize the Sanna book above?  It's by one of my readers and favorite bloggers, Roxie at Sanna's Bag.  This is the first Sanna book which we just received and haven't started yet.  Roxie just told us the second one is available now as well.  Sanna's story involves a lot of knitting, so be sure to check it out!

Here's my other present and no it's not a small one!  I just love my new Bernina.  There are still many things I need to learn to do with it, but I've been using it for lots of things.  I have yet to use the Stitch Regulator, but it's the main reason for buying this machine.  My dear husband finally talked me into getting it for my birthday.  I stalled when he suggested it for Mother's Day, but now I'm glad he persisted.  Isn't he great!

Now, onto the contest.  My favorite holiday has always been Christmas.  The lights, the songs, the chill and possibility of snow (I grew up in Massachusetts) and of course the presents. Though as I've gotten older it's much more about the giving than the receiving.  It's been important enough that both my kids have middle names that reflect a love of Christmas.  Now, I'll tell you right now that they are pretty normal American names, not something like Jingle Bells!

So, here's the contest.  Guess Chloe and Ryan's middle names by commenting on this post.  I'll award prizes to two lucky winners.  One will be for a randomly selected person among those (if any) who guess both names correctly.  The other will be randomly selected from all the guesses.  If no one guesses correctly at all, then I'll pick two from all the guesses.  Now, anyone who knows us closely is exempt from the guessing, so don't even try!  The prizes will be whatever I come up with in the next few weeks.  I'm thinking something handmade by me and perhaps some other little goodies, but you can guarantee that they will have a Christmas theme!  Deadline for entry is Sunday, December 2nd at midnight.  Good luck and Merry Christmas!

PS:  The last three photos are from the Sisters Christmas Parade on Saturday.  It's a very small home town parade- my favorite kind!  There are always llamas and alpacas.  Scrabble got a lot of comments in his little striped shirt! 

Thankful

I sure have a lot to be thankful this year!  Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays because I was born on Thanksgiving.  My birthday this year is not until Monday, but we are celebrating today with my parents as they are hosting the Thanksgiving dinner. 

I'm thankful that my cancer was found early and that the worst of the treatment is over!  Yippee, yahoo!

I'm thankful for my incredible family who supported me and loved me in the worst of times this year.

I'm thankful for my dear husband, Mark, who has been there every step of the way for 27 years!

I'm thankful for the love of my children.  Chloe and Ryan make everyday special!

I'm thankful for friends near and far who helped us, sent encouragement, brought over meals and cheered me up on days that seemed bleak.

I'm thankful for my sweet puppy, Scrabble, who is always happy to see me!

I'm thankful to live in such a fabulous town with lots of community spirit.

I'm thankful I have a warm and cozy home as the weather turns to winter.

I'm thankful for my art and craft and that I can still do those things that make me happy.

I'm thankful for the inspiration I get from all the great blogs, magazines, books and other resources out there. 

I'm thankful for all of my readers and commenters, even those who are only lurking.  You make this all worthwhile!

Happy Thanksgiving if you are celebrating!

Tagged by Tammy

This photo has nothing to do with the meme, but I thought you might enjoy another photo from last week!  This meme came to me by way of Tammy at Lavendar Knits.

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night.  My hubby.

2. What were you doing at 0800?   Just waking up after a night of not sleeping well.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?  Watching Frasier.

4. What happened to you in 2006?  Well, I guess the SCENIC Tour of the southwest was the big event of the the year.  I took the kids out for a month long tour of CA, AZ and NM.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?  Goodnight to my daughter.

6. How many beverages did you have today?  OJ, coffee, water, tea.

7. What color is your hairbrush?  Green, but it's not like I'm using it now :-).

8. What was the last thing you paid for?  Bread at the bakery- yum!

9. Where were you last night?  Out to dinner with my family.

10. What color is your front door?  Brown stained wood with a big glass window.

11. Where do you keep your change?  In a blue ceramic pig or a little thrown pot I made years ago.

12. Whats the weather like today?  Our first day of nasty winter weather- rainy, windy, cold- brrrr.

13. What's the best ice-cream flavor?  Mint Chocolate Chip, of course!

14. What excites you?  Color and pattern, the look of happiness in my children's eyes, travel.

15. Do you want to cut your hair?  What is it with the hair questions?????  There's no hair, there!

16. Are you over the age of 25?  Yes!

17. Do you talk a lot?  It depends on who's around. When you get me going on my favorite subjects I can be quite talkative, though I can also be terribly shy.

18. Do you watch the O.C?  Never have.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?  Yes.

20. Do you make up your own words?  Sometimes.

21. Are you a jealous person?  Not too much.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'A'.  Andrea

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'K'.  Kim

24. Who's the first person on your received call list?  Don't have one.

25. What does the last text message you received say?  I've never texted in my life.

26. Do you chew on your straw?  No.

27. Do you have curly hair?   More with the hair!  Actually, yes I do and I hear that after chemo hair often comes in curly even on those with straight hair.  We'll have to wait and see.

28. Where's the next place you're going to!  Hot tub and bed!

29. Who's the rudest person in your life?   Well, I don't know, but if I did I wouldn't say, now, would I?

30. What was the last thing you ate?  Pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

31. Will you get married in the future?  I already am.

32. What's the best movie you've seen in the past 2 weeks?  I haven't seen a whole lot of movies lately.

33. Is there anyone you like right now?  Well now, this is a weird one.  I like lots of people! 

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?  This afternoon.

35. Are you currently depressed?  No!  Life is full of possibility!

36. Did you cry today? No.

37. Why did you answer and post this?  Because Tammy asked me to!

I think I'll tag Chloe and anyone else who might want to do it.