Knitwit

I went to my friend's yarn store today and learned how to knit. It was an interesting experience. Her store is really nice, except it's meant for people with lots of knitting background and experience. I had to admit that I was a knitting "virgin." I bought inexpensive yarn and needles (until I get good enough for this to become a hobby, that's all I can really afford to get). Then my friend and some of the ladies working at her store showed me how to knit. I thought I had the hang of it. Then it all unraveled at home. So my husband sent me an online video on the basics of knitting. From that, I learned how to cast and start my first row. I was able to get through that much before one of my needles BROKE! I am not giving up though! I reminded myself of how I learned to ride a bike when I was 12 years old (yes, it took me that long not to be afraid of falling) and my determination not to give up till I got it right. I know I can do this. I just need someone who is patient enough with me to get me to a good spot where I can really take off. I don't know that I'll take it on as a future hobby, but I want to at least make one thing. I'm going for a scarf for my older son. It probably won't be ready until next winter at the rate I'm going, but that's okay! It's funny how I feel so out of my element in the knitting realm. It almost seems like discovering a new religion that everyone else gets except for me. There's a huge learning curve. Wish me luck!

Say "Uncle!"

A friend introduced me to Uncle Jay last week. He's funny and explains the news in an interesting way. Enjoy!

I've converted my parents!!! Bring out the tzitzis and sheitels!

Just kidding, but I really think that my growth with Judaism has inspired them in their own ways. They found a shul that they really like attending. They go to services more than just on high holidays. They made a pact with their Rabbi that they would light candles, make kiddush and eat challah every Friday night for Shabbos. (We got them a kiddush cup for their anniversary to celebrate this decision they made.) And tonight, for the first time ever, they baked their own challah! I don't expect them to get two sets of plates or give up their Saturday shopping trips, but I also think they are less likely to roll their eyes at the stuff we take pleasure from in our observance of Judaism. I am very proud of how much they've grown over the last few years and that it brings them even closer. I got all verklempt hearing how excited they sounded over making the challah. It was just beautiful to hear it in their voices and know that it was something they enjoyed doing together. Mazel Tov, Mom and Dad!

The "Ugly" Truth

I was watching "Ugly Betty" tonight and it was about Betty feeling like her boyfriend was smothering her because they spent all their time together and he was sending her flowers and cards with his voice in them when she wasn't there with him. So she decided to get his art in a show in order to inspire him to rekindle a lost interest. However, that backfired for both of them. The good news is that her boyfriend realized that he did need to find other interests aside from just Betty.
I totally agreed with the premise of this episode...it is so important that two individuals in a relationship still be able (and allowed) to pursue their own interests or engage in their own hobbies. There is nothing wrong with having some separate interests. I am a book-aholic and my husband is a video game addict. That's something that helps us unwind and also keeps us connected because it is healthy to have separate interests. A few weeks ago, I went to see a play that I used to be addicted to. He got to watch "Star Trek" (the recent one that came out) with another guy friend. When I got home, we had a lot to talk about and were happy that I didn't drag him to do something he didn't want and that I didn't have to see a movie I had no interest in. We do have things that we love doing together such as observing Shabbos, bowling, watching movies (we're both interested in seeing), playing board games, eating cheese fries (from our new favorite pizza establishment), going mini-golfing and, of course, being with our kids. I feel that since we moved out here, we've been able to explore our own interests even more and still have fun together. It helps us feel even more connected at the end of every day and week.

What's wrong with the world? I mean, really?!?

There are a lot of sweet, pretty, intelligent women in this world who have trouble getting so much as a date, and yet some guy out there is actually interested in this girl!

My BFF told me about this show called “Tough Love”, which I was able to access through VH1’s website. This girl, Taylor, is a piece of work. That’s all I’ll say. I basically told my BFF that if I were around Taylor at all, I’d slap her just for being completely nauseating. And that’s putting it nicely! Some people should get a license to be an adult!

Hoarde fest

I inherited a trait from my late maternal grandmother….being a pack rat. When she moved out of her condo into assisted living in 2000, we spent days cleaning out the place to make it livable for me. She had so many chotchkies, little papers with notes on them, things she had put aside “for good”, etc. I hoped I would never become this way.
However, I was trying to put aside some baby clothes for a family in need and had a hard time parting with a lot of the items. I plan to eventually have one more kid (nothing in the works yet, I promise!) and I’m guessing it will be another boy, so I want to hold on to the stuff until then. I also like being able to loan clothes to friends who have new babies. I just worry that after I’m done with them a third time, will I want to keep them in case my sister one day has kids? Would she even want the clothes? I was also looking through books to see if there were any I wanted to give away. I have all these books in boxes in case I might someday want to read them. Why wouldn’t they be on my shelf, if that were the case? I should remind myself that I can get them from the library if I really want to read them. Third thing is my own clothes. I have things I never wear and I can’t seem to give up. I keep thinking I’ll need to wear them someday. Finally, I am so disorganized with papers that I receive. I try to put them in easily accessible places, but they still get out of hand. I keep thinking I’ll need to refer to them at some point or another. I don’t know why it’s easier to pick and choose what to keep from my kids’ artwork than it is to pick and choose from my own stuff. You’d think that would have the most sentimental value.

Too many board games in one week

I make lists in the blog about my kids about all the cute things they say or do. I figure I can make some here to recap the past week. I probably wouldn’t include any personal inside jokes between my husband and myself, as no one would get them anyway and someone would probably be offended. So, here goes:

*Hot dog fingers!

*The Rachel and Leah card always wins

*Is it Axel or Axle?

*“Pocahontas” in space

*Hearing someone refer to lingerie as “lingery.”

*Is “blog” a noun or verb?

*It’s Cameron Frye!

*Free pizza for doing my job

*Hot cocoa and ice cream should not go together!

*Freecycle “fails”

*Mixing up “The Shawshank Redemption” with “Remember the Titans”

*Lower traffic rate this week giving me a false sense of security