knitigator

With Our Army Brothers and Sisters

 
Over the course of my husband's 20-year career, I spent my share of time on Navy bases.  After being waived through the front gate "on-board" a base, I've always felt a sense of security.  I've never really given a lot of thought as to why until now -- I think my sense of security has been based upon everyone's common experience and commitment. 

I'm so sad for those men and women Ft. Hood who are gone and for their families.  As the President said, it's horrible to lose Americans oversees, but at home -- it's unthinkable.  I'm also so sad for the whole Ft. Hood community and greater Army community.  We are thinking of you.

Thankful Thursday

Carole (by way of Kate) suggested Thankful Thursdays for the month of November.  I have much to be thankful for, including that Thursdays in NaBloPoMo are now set!

This week's Thursday is dedicated to friends.

1. I am thankful for my friends that are near.  It's fantastic that so many of my dearest friends live  in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Whether it's meeting as a group for dinner or for a quick coffee, I love getting together with my friends!  I was having dinner with two friends last night and we all agreed that email, while great and convenient, isn't a substitute for sitting down together -- laughing and sharing stories and connecting.   

2. I am thankful for my friends that are far.  While I don't get to see them often, I think of them all the time and wish they were closer by.   Like so many of you, blogging has brought virtual friends who have become real friends.  While I love reading your blogs and "seeing" you on Ravelry and Facebook,  I really cherish those times that we're together!

3. I am thankful for my friends that are gone.  Especially my friend John who was my friend and hairdresser for close to twenty years.  Because he knew my family, he was a great confidante.  Interestingly, he had a barn with two sheep (one named Penelope -- I forget the other one) and would have been thrilled to hear about my fiber adventures.  John was a great gardener and was involved in raising exotic chickens (we used to joke about his Martha Stewart barn).  Every spring, when the irises he shared with me come up,  it's like a smile and hug from above.

Random Wednesday

It's Wednesday again and randomness reigns.

• In Massachusetts, we are in the midst of a special election to fill the senate seat long held by the beloved Senator Kennedy.  Last night, the phone rang and I looked at the caller id.  It was the 202 area code -- Washington, DC.  I picked it up and it was a telephone town meeting for Senate hopeful Mike Capuano.   Sadly, I somehow got disconnected before I asked my question, which was how municipalities can cope with the lack of funding for federal mandates such as No Child Left Behind.  Anywho, I found Rep. Capuano's answers to the questions to be responsive and intelligent.  When asked about "don't ask, don't tell" for military service, he said that he considered the right to openly serve as not just a civil right, but a human right.  What's great about this race is that there are four good candidates and I'm still listening to what they have to say.   Massachusetts readers -- who do you like in this race?  (If you don't want to comment, shoot me and email -- I'm interested in your thoughts.)

• I'm reading "In Defense of Food" and am finding it fascinating.  I love the idea of "Eat Food.  Not Too Much.  Mostly Plants."  This makes a lot of sense to me and I'm slowly integrating some of the thinking into our family meals and my diet.  As the say, the devil will be in the details.  As I posted on Facebook, it's hard to eat "real" food with all the Halloween candy lurking in every corner! 

• And speaking of food, here is an easy hors de'oeuvre courtesy of my sister.  Not" seasonally appropriate" right now, but keep this in mind for next summer:  

 
 Cut cherry or grape tomato in half.  Make little sandwich with fresh mozzarella and basil.  Spear with toothpick.  Drizzle the platter with balsamic vinegar.  

Ten on Tuesday

This week's theme is 10 ways to waste time on the internet.  Oh, to narrow it down to 10!

1. Facebook.  Facebook.  Facebook.
2. Ravelry.  Ravelry.  Ravelry.
3. Bloglines.  And where bloglines leads.
4. Posting here every day.  Ha!  Actually, looking for interesting posting ideas.
5. Viewing yarn. Thinking about yarn.  Okay, obsessing about yarn.  Clicking off the sites and blogs of yarn retailers.
6. And then clicking right back on.
7. Reading the Weight Watchers success stories on etools (Weight Watchers' internet site).  Tracking on Weight Watchers.
8. Reading boston.com and nytimes.com.
9. And then there's Zappos.
10. Depending on what's going on, it could be looking at soccer scores or hotel reservations in Yellowstone or menus or locations of Sonic in California (thank you, Carole!)

Happy Boo-thday to Me!

There is a reason -- a scientific reason -- why my love for chocolate and gumdrops has no bounds.  Preordained even.  As many of you know, my birthday was this past Saturday.  October 31st.  Yes, Halloween.  When I was a kid, it was a great birthday.  Really fun and cool.  Of course, that's before Halloween became HALLOWEEN. 

For the last several years, it really hasn't felt like I had a birthday.  Between getting ready for the treat-o'-treating and passing out candy, my birthday seemed to be a non-event.  So much so that I have joked about changing my birthday to October 30th.

I didn't change my birthday and just decided to go with it this year.  I decided to enjoy the fact that I'm one of the few who qualifies for those "Halloween Birthday" cards in the card aisle at CVS.  Also, this year, my husband's cousin (who I adore) was visiting from Mexico, so she went out with me and my son -- it was fun to show her our Halloween routine.  I also loved the cake this year -- autumnal and Halloweeny.

I also got into the spirit this year.  It was the Year of the Cat!

Meow!!
 

NaBloPoMo!

 
  
I realize that it's November 2nd and I went back and forth this morning about joining late (I am such a rule girl!)  But, I decided to go for it!  I'll post twice today to get on track. 

I'm also going to add a twist and I'd love company.  From time to time, I'll post about something "New for November" -- something that I'm trying for the first time or rediscovering. 

See you later today! 

Random Wednesday

Quick post today.  Have you noticed that I've posted THREE days in a row!  Anywho, just a couple of quick things:

• It's Hillary's 40th birthday!!  Go over and wish her a happy one.  (And she's having a little celebration!)

• If you haven't already, read this post.  I just picked up my red yarn today -- there is still plenty of time and there's plenty of need.   

• I did a little redecorating around here and made the banner on Picnik.  I've wanted a cuter banner for a while and I'm happy to have one! 

• If you find yourself west of Boston on Route 20 in the Sudbury/Marlboro area, stop in at the  Madrid bakery by the Wayside Inn stores (the area with the candy store and Stephen Anthony's). 

Ten on Tuesday

This week's Ten on Tuesday is ten favorite movie moments.  I love movies, but found this topic a little challenging!  In no particular order are a few.  (And I'm following Carole's lead with a pretty picture.)

1. Any scene in Jerry Maguire with Cuba Gooding Jr. in it.  Especially the "help me, help you" scene.

2. The angel/devil scene in Animal House.  And, of course, the parade and captions at the end.

3. The "candy bar" scene in Caddyshack.

4. The closing scene in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy wakes up.  "And you were all there . . . "

5. Any scene in Best in Show.  The dinner scene at Cookie's old flame's house is hysterical.

6. The scene in Elf  in which James Caan's character (the dad) asks Buddy if he's a signing telegram and Buddy delivers the big news while making up a song.

7. The Saltzburg-festival scene in The Sound of Music.   

8. The courtroom scene in A Few Good Men -- "you want me on that wall; you need me on that wall."

9. Although it's pretty violent, Samuel L. Jackson's speech in Pulp Fiction.  Also, his description of his wallet -- "mine is the one that says . . . "

10.   And the last scene in It's a Wonderful Life.

(There are so many more though -- the cooking scenes in Big Night and Like Water for Chocolate; the going-insane scene in The Shining; the parting of the Red Sea in The Ten Commandments; the scenes after the switch in The Parent Trap.)

Going to Court!

One of the parts of my job that I really like  is going to Court.  Nothing like sitting in the courtroom to feel like a "real" lawyer!   I enjoy traveling to different courthouses and often find something else fun close by after my mission is complete.

Last week, I had a hearing in the East Boston District Court.  I brought back a delicious pizza to the office. When I have a case in the Norfolk Superior Court, I might duck into Black Sheep Knitting if I have a minute.  And then there's my case in Western Massachusetts.

Last Friday, I had an early morning motion at the Brockton District Court.

 

Once business was done, it was time for coffee with Sharon and Carole!!

(And then lunch.  We didn't move for hours!)

Still Thinking About Those Hats!

A quicky post to tell you that Rhinebeck was super fun, but the ride home -- not so much.  I took one picture while there, so I'll have to take a few of the goodies that I picked up.  In the meantime, I keep thinking about these amazing hats!  Take a look!  I may have to save my upcoming birthday pennies to buy one -- she'll be at several craft fairs in the Boston area next month.