I have fallen......(photo heavy)

Clearly, I have fallen behind on my blog updates! These months that Rambo was deployed have been filled with insanity, softball, baseball, home disasters and so much more. I am sure I have more than likely blocked alot out, as a self defensive mechanism. :) That's my story, and I am sticking to it!

Happily, Rambo is home safe and sound. Perhaps another deployment in a couple years, that seems to be our pattern.

I have of course been crafting mad to keep what little is left of my marbles. Since I have not posted since mid July... we have some catching up to do! Just look at my FO and WIPs list for 2009 in the sidebar! Lots of photos follow. The Item titles are linked to my Ravelry project pages, if you want more detailed info.

Hopefully it won't be another 4 months til I update again!

PHOTO HEAVY!!!

Mystic Star Shawl




Helena Baby Cardi



The Happy Recipient~a youtube video that her parents made. :)



Watery River Rapids Socks





Lime Lelah Top




Bridal Bag Mock Up




John Deere Tractor Pillow




John Deere Baby Ghan




Beaded Bridal Bag




Lacy Bridal Bag




Sassy Susan Socks




Wicked Wisp Scarf




Jaywalker Socks




Rambo's Hat




Autumn Ampersand Socks




Socktober Mystery Sock 09




One Skein Charity Scarf




One Row Charity Scarf




Plain and Simple Charity Scarf




WHEW! I have been a yarn tangled mess! No photos yet of the Red Hot Socks, The Spicy Ampersands, or the Test Knit.

Mid July...le sigh

It's mid July. I am not a summer person, not by a long shot. I hate how hot and humid it is before 10 am. It is so hot, which makes it no fun for me to outside in that weather. Which also makes it no fun for any poor soul who happens to be with me or within ear shot of my incessant bitching of "how damn hot it is out here". In the evening, a human could easily be eaten alive by the bugs. Ick, no thank you! I do however, quite enjoy the passing thunderstorms.

Up til now, I have not had to spend much time out in the yard. Mainly due to the fact that we are usually at the ballpark, in the car or at some training facility or sleeping. My next door neighbor has been ever so kind to be taking care of the lawn mowing while Rambo is deployed. It is so nice to not have to wonder when I would be able to get around to mowing said lawn. Although, I think he may secretly just want to mow. He mows the lawn at least twice a week. He also probably doesn't want my shabby overgrown field of wild grasses to be next to his well manicured lawn. Whatever his motive may be, I am ever so appreciative! I am even in the process of making him a Thank You Ghan, in patriotic colors.

Unable to sleep more than a few hours the past few days, this morning I decided I would tidy up the back patio/porch area. *hindsight...what the hell was I thinking* Headed out there, swept up, moved a few things around, pounded the chair cushions and thought a good pass with the power washer would really be nice. That was until the damn thing decided not to work for me. Arrrgh! WHY!?!? After my fit, I turn to other projects...like mind wandering....

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT HUGE PLANT?!?!? Why is it so huge...it must be a WEED...or better yet...it kinda resembles poison sumac! Oh CRAP...if it is poison sumac, how the hell am I gonna get rid of it without being overcome with itchy rashes?"









Upon further inspection of the grounds around the porch/patio area...I notice that this HUGE plant has a couple relatives nearby...


Any of you out there who can label this plant? If it is poison sumac, how do I get rid of it without becoming one huge itch?

Wholly Invisible Blogging Wonder!

WOW! Like 2 months since last entry, can ya tell I haven't had time lately?!

It's been crazy around here. Baseball 2 teams going for a bit along with practices for Boy Wonder, add to that Teen Queen and her high school team. Playing and practicing for Freshman, Jv and Varsity! Many nights I could be seen zipping along quietly in my hybrid car across town...speeding from one park to the other in hopes of being able to cheer one or the other kids on...even if it was for only a quick minute before the game ended.

The gutters have been cleaned out and guard installed. I am hoping this will lessen the times I will have to leap myself up on the 2 story brick home to clean out the damn gutters. Not typically frightened of heights, I just have this fear of falling off while Rambo is gone and the kids are at school. There I would be laid in a mangled pile in the yard and the poor kids would be wondering why I was late picking them up from school. Why, yes I am paranoid...why do you ask? Sometimes I wonder about these crazy thoughts that pop into my paranoid brain at times!

The exterior trim has been painted. Ahhh, it looks so much better. I still have to sand and stain the back deck. I just know that if I put it off much longer (ie another year or 2), I may as well just get out the chainsaw and rip the damn thing down.

School is finally almost over with. With the way that Mother Nature whooped up on KY this past fall and winter, it has added many days to the school year. Typically out by mid May, it is major suck that school is still in session.

Boy Wonder's school baseball team lost the first round of their final tournament. They ended the season, heading into the tournament second seed. Not too shabby for a bunch of kids that have never played together as a team before. Still playing and practicing though. Recreation ball has begun, different uniform, team, coaches and park. Same game...love the game!

Teen Queen's high school team 2009 record was 32-8 (Varsity)! Man, they wiped the field with many a team this season. They went into the District Tournament and came out District Champs. Next came Regional Tournament. Won the first game pretty handily. Next day was final game of Regional...it seemed we apparently had left our A team elsewhere, because they certainly were not the team on the field that evening. The bats were not hot. They did play some good defense though, despite the opposing team being super slow to get ready to pitch as well as bat. It is a well known trait of this opposing team. Regardless, our girls should have been able to smack down some runs. Alas, State Championship was not in the cards this year. With the end of school scheduled season, brings off-season training as well as competitive travel ball team play! One of the best things about our travel ball season is that the team is comprised of girls from all different schools, whom play against eachother on school teams; but when summer ball starts, there is no rivalry. Here's looking forward to a summer filled with tournament weekends with our travel team!

June is here...

For me it means only 2 more days of school then the kids are out!!! YAAAY!
I am odd, most parents complain about their kids being home for the summer; I LOVE IT! Too bad this will be a shorter summer than usual. Typically we are already out for the year.

It means I need to stop thinking about cleaning out the garage and actually DO IT. (ugh)

It means we are closer to Rambo coming home...still no exact date, just the vague 'end of summer' timeframe.

It means competitive travel fast pitch softball tournaments every weekend. We love being at the ballparks.

It means more time with my kids...(cough) TEENS! every now and again it hits me that they are both now in their teen years.

It means before I know it, summer will be a distant memory and the kids will be heading back to school...

Yarn in the Mail!

Any day is a good day when there is yarn in the mail!
YarnBearer!
Third month's installment arrived yesterday... it is the green one.
In the photo.... February....January....March

Soooo soft and squishy!!!

Ready for Winter to be Over

Yes, I said it! As much as I like winter, I am ready for it to be gone. Especially after all the storms we have had. Jan 27th brought snow, and lots of it...then it also brought ICE. I could have done without the ice. Even though it sure was pretty to look at.


The snow storm came and brought with it an ice storm. Which left a couple inches of ice on everything! Needless to say the trees and power lines could not stand the added weight and snapped! Leaving us without power and more importantly… HEAT! We hunkered down in the one room with a fireplace. Day 5 and the house at 40 degrees, with sub zero temps coming; I wondered how much longer the firewood would last and if I would be able to keep the kids and pets warm. Thankfully day 5 around noon the power was back on!

The next week brought a high winds storm. 30-40 MPH with 65 MPH gusts…just enough to knock whatever the ice hadn’t and with the water drenched grounds, whole trees toppled over. We only lost power for a couple hours this time! Sheeeesh!




The kids and I did some yard clean up after a neighbor was kind enough to cut the HUGE limbs into carry size chunks. It took a couple of days, but most of it has been dragged out to the front curbside. Supposedly, the town is going to have debris collection. I hope so! No truck here, so if they don’t come get it from the curb…that’s where it will stay. :)

Of course I have been busy taking the kids to all their practices and activities! Teen Queen has practice 6 days a week lasting 3-4 hours. Boy Wonder has practice 2-3 times a week. Thank goodness for our Hybrid car!!!

The school year will be ending later this year due to all the days we missed. We missed a week of school in Aug/Sept due to the hurricane...yes, you read that correctly... hurricane in KY! We missed another 5 days or so due to the snow and ice storm that wiped out power in over 300,000 homes and businesses. While the roads were clear for travel, no one could very well send their kids to school when the school's have no power or heat! It's looking like the first week of June will be our last week. Unless, of course we have another severe weather issue!

Knitting and yarnie stuffs~ I made and sent off 2 more pairs of team knit Socks for Soldiers. I have made a couple pairs of leisure socks and a gazillion washcloths. Also moving right along on my Mystic Star Lace Shawl. I am on the last clue, which has a squigillion stitches, so each round takes quite a while. It will be stunning once it is complete!

Boxes are being sent off to Rambo at the rate of about one a week. I try to have on on the kitchen counter in progress at all times. He enjoys the little stuffs from home as well as the necessity stuff, like soap. :) Of course, you do know he gets some handmade washcloths too!!!

Yarnie happiness in the mail....2nd edition in the 3 month club from YarnBearer...as always if you like yarn or want to send ME yarn, go check out her EtsyShoppe!

Whew! First Post for 2009

First off..... one word

OBAMA!

I was thrilled during elections, but the Inauguration....amazing! With it being such a significant historical inauguration, I had my kids stay home to watch it in it's entirety. The teachers flat out told them they would not be watching it. I would have assumed it would have been streamed throughout the schools...what do I know!? Granted we live in a red state, but c'mon...no matter who you voted for; this was history being made! Which brings me to a gingerbread house we saw over x-mess.....




There was a entire village of gingerbread houses. It was quite impressive! It was in Indianapolis. We took a detour on our way to IA. The trip to IA was snow filled fun! Initially, I was missing the thought of my 4x4 Chevy Trailblazer, which was traded in for a more economical car last spring. Which has been FABULOUS!!! However, the thought of snow and my lil Toyota Hybrid Camry gave me the shivers. Of course having grown up and learned to drive in snow country up in New England sure helped in how my car would perform in the snow. One stretch of highway we counted no less than 28 cars slid off the road and into the ditches. I asked Rambo (yes he was able to spend the holly-days with us...yaaay!) to check the weather on his phone, I had feared BLIZZARD... and not the fun, yummy kind from Dairy Queen! Sure enough, blizzard warning! **eeep!** At times seeing the road was damn near impossible, there was blowing snow and cars were zipping off the roads at alarming speeds. One point we were driving 20 mph on I74. Once we were on I80, the roads were in much better condition.

We ate lots of food in IA! My SIL and I made a wonderful xmess dinner. We stayed warm in the farmhouse, even though the temps were typically below zero. The coldest was -22. When it was above 0, the kids went out and played in snow drifts, building tunnels and forts. They had a blast! Time was short and before we knew it, it was time to drive home. Time flew by and then it was time for Rambo to head out again. No matter how many times we do this, it never gets any easier.

Of course for sanity's sake I keep busy with the kids insane schedules and my yarn. In previous posts, I made flip top mittens for Boy Wonder. Well, Teen Queen had to have a pair! I finished them right before we left for IA!




While in IA, I worked on Soldier Socks for Rambo. He wanted them taller than the usual patterned socks...so instead of 12 inch legs he got 15! Took 4 skeins of yarn, but I did it!



I have since completed 2 team knit pairs and sent them in. I finished a beanie/skull cap for Rambo to wear under his kevlar helmet. Last but not least I am working on 2 more pairs of team knit soldier socks which will be sent out shortly.

Sock clubs were my gift of choice this year! I enjoyed them so much this past year, I decided to repeat it. This way, every month I am getting wonderful yummy yarn in the mail! I love surprise yarn in the mail! Of course the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rawk club will be shipping it's first edition out this month. A new sock club I joined was through one of my LSG gals; The Yarn Bearer. If you like yarn, or want to send ME YARN... please check out the link to her Etsy shoppe! This is my first skein from UberSock and it's so pretty and smooshy!



Speaking of my LSG gals.... Chile had to be chic and go bald. So, we are all making and sending her hats! It is so amazing to me that we are seen as a bunch of rough around the edges, don't give a shit kind of gals by those who scorn us LSG'rs. Yet we are a very close group, especially for an online community! Here are a couple hats I made for our girl Chile!




And last but most certainly not least....a MYSTERY SHAWL! I did my swatch for Mystic Star. If you dig on shawls, are addicted to lace knitting, or want to learn...there is still time to get in on this KAL! GO HERE for details!

Here is my swatch. Size 6 needles, Jaggerspun 2/8 color is Amethyst. The color is darker in real life, my flash washed it out. This is what I get for taking pictures at 2am!



WHEW! So... that's been my 2009 so far.
Well that, and I had a birthday in there...39 baby! Sneaking up on 40, yes I am.

My wishes for you (and myself) this New Year

My usual New Years Wishes for the bloggity blog....


May you tread lightly on the Earth
May you see the glass as half full
Know that others have it worse than your worst day
Commit random acts of kindness, so that you may receive them
Smile, even when you feel like crying
Scream when you feel like screaming
And know that tomorrow is yet another day, you have the power to choose how you will react to the day...choose to be happy
Last but not least...JUST BREATHE!

Namaste

Winter Weather Advisory my Ass

What a HUGE disappointment! All the weather stations told of forecast wintry mix, lots of ice and snow...not even a school delay, let alone snow day. Bummer. What we did get was some cold temps and slickery wet roads. boooo-hissssss!

While waiting for SNOW, I did complete a few items!
For your viewing pleasure...

Flip Top Mittens for Boy Wonder~
Teen Queen has decided that she also needs a pair! Apparently, they are quite a hit. Even Boy Wonder says that kids at school are liking them and are jealous of his kickin flippin mitts!



More Socks for Soldiers, Inc socks!~
These are actually Team Knit with a CSM knitter from TX. She made the legs on her machine and I hand knit the heel, foot and toe. In fact I completed 2 pairs of these and they have been shipped out!

RIP BETTIE...missed but never forgoton

Take the Quiz... Which Famous Pin Up Are You???

You Are Bettie Page

Girl next door with a wild streak You're a famous beauty - with unique look And the people like you are cultish about it

What Famous Pinup Are You?

Two of My Favorite Things...

APRONS and GIVEAWAYS!!!

I know, again with the aprons! I cannot help it; it is a new obsession after all!

Much like my last apronista post, this time it is MAPLE LANE!!!

Holiday apron giveaway. Adorable aprons, both half and full. My faves are the coffee time full apron as well as the candy cane full apron...you know in case you are wondering what to get me! *hint hint*

Photos are clickable and take you straight to the shop!

Why, yes I have been crafting!

I totally dropped the ball on posting these!

Teen Queen wanted to be Lil Red Riding Hood, well actually Lil Dead Riding Hood. You know, after the wolf attacked! She needed a red cape. Momma to the rescue!

Taken right after it was completed. Red Boucle yarn. Crochet. No pattern, I just winged it.


Taken just before heading out for Halloween!



Next item is the Woolly Wormhead Meret aka Mystery Beret.

Work in Progress~ Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha
Completed Hat! I love it. Although, the next one I make I will do an extra clue 2 set to make it a bit slouchier. I knew I was taking a gamble since I was using yarn in my stash, rather than getting the recommended yarn.


Next up is my very first completed pair of Socks for Soldiers, Inc Socks and Beanie! I am thrilled that it took me just over a month to finish these up! I have already cast on a desert sand beanie while I await more sock yarn to arrive.

Pattern is SFS copyright, members only
Socks Yarn is Regia Stretch
Beanie is KP Essential


Freshly completed. Literally in one day. Only due to the fact they are crocheted and used thick yarn *wink*

Ribbed Scarf
(not so much a pattern as it is make a chain then SC in back loops only until desired width)
Yarn lion brand wool ease thick n quick in denim
P hook



Finally, but certainly not least...
Lion Brand Earflap Hat
Yarn ~ wool ease TQ charcoal, simply soft gray, patons classic wool merino in Autumn
Q hook



Since the weather here got chilly fast, the kids have requested the scarf and hat. Much like last year's fingerless mitts and gnomie hat. I have also cast on for convertible mitts! I hope they turn out well.

My Newest Obession!!

Being the Wicked Happy Homemaker that I am...I have discovered that I do not own enough APRONS!

Yes, you heard me.... I said.... A P R O N S.

I have always loved the tvs shows of the 1940's and 1950's. Puttering about in the kitchen, making home baked and home cooked goodness. Very comforting to me. While I do not wear my high heels and pearls while cooking, aprons are quite useful! I have ruined far too many shirts to mention by splattering foods and or grease stains. Being a good cook does not mean one must be a tidy cook! Never trust a stain free cook... or a skinny cook for that matter!

One of my newest bloglines additions is THE APRONISTA!!! They often have fabby giveaways. This time it is a Originals by Lauren Giveaway. My fave apron is the plus size Michael Miller apron. It has fruit and bottles of wine. Very Tuscany if you ask me. Of course I am a huge fan of the Retro aprons as well!

Who knows...one of these days I may have to try the high heels and pearls with my aprons to complete the look!

Sack Lunches

This was sent though one of my online groups Socks for Soldiers, Inc. Being a military wife I feel the need to re post it here!

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat.

It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read
Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all
the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?'

I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base.
We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq'

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches
were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned
to buy lunch.

'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably
wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to
the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she
thanked me.

'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were
seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the
front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is
your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for
the rest room.

A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here,
take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the
aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a
booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone
bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when
applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man
who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake
mine.

He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.

Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to
the base.

I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take
you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless
You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow
travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.

These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a
couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,wrote a blank check made
payable to

'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no
longer understand it.'

Hey! Check This Out!!!

No, it's not knitting. Although I have been doing plenty of that. I am *so* close to completing my first pair of SFS. I have also been working on the Mystery Beret from Woolly Wormhead at Rav.

While I was perusing my usual blog haunts ... I came across THIS! Wholly Cow!!! It would be super great to win this computer. I would immediately gift it to my teenage daughter. She is going to need her very own computer one of these days.

Feel free to check out the awesome photography within the website... you can even enter to win the computer.

Shawls to be put on hold...due to the war

This past year I have become a Mystery Shawl addict, I am well aware of it, and it is no secret that I have a love of lace. However, I have soooo many of these KALs saved to my computer. Simply due to the fact there are not enough knitting hours in my day for lace knitting. With all the kid corralling I do, I need portable knitting. Lace is not very portable. I have many mystery lace projects in different states of done-ness (if that;s even a word). With so many lace WIPs lying about Wicked Manor, it has taken every fiber of my being to *NOT* sign up for any more lace shawl Kals, free or otherwise.

The making of Rambo's socks, I felt the need to make more! Not just for him but for others. Not just others, but other soldiers. I have been yearning to add charity knitting to my list, but had not found one I could be committed to. Then it came to me... SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS!!!


Partial Description from the site~ Socks for Soldiers, Inc.
This organization is about sending gifts of love to our soldiers in the Middle East. We are not interested in the politics in this war, but in showing support to our troops by each sending love in a special thoughtful way. When we knit a pair of socks for one soldier we are sharing part of ourselves. "Support our Troops" means more than a yellow bumper sticker.

With my Special Forces Rambo man off doing his thing for duty, honor, and country... I need to do my part. Well you know, besides running the home and kids of course!
I may not be Rosie the Riveter... but I can be Wicked, the Special Forces Sock Knitting Wife! I am passionate about this, and will be blocking off a good portion of my knitting hours to this charity.



You do not have to know or even care about the reasoning or agendas behind the war/s, you do not have to be a Democrat or like Republicans, you do not have to even know a soldier; to show those who are deployed and putting their lives on the line everyday and night that you care about them and are thankful for their duty. I have met many people who thank Rambo for what he does. I have also met many people who thank Me and the kids for what we do and endure as a military family. Support the troops means also supporting the troops families. There are families attached to those soldiers. These families who continue on with their day to day activities while their loved ones are half a world away. If you should come across a military family in your day to day activities, thank them. Offer help for anything at all. It could be something as small as mowing the lawn. It could mean much to them and one less chore on their plate. (anyone who loves painting eaves and overhangs... boy do I have a job for you!*wink wink nudge nudge*)

All joking aside. It used to really tick me off during our first war deployment, when people would give all the praise to the soldier, without even taking into consideration what the military family left behind goes through while the soldier is off fighting the fight. So many people are effected by the war deployments, and yet; so many people, day to day while out grocery shopping, or driving through Starbucks for their daily venti latte forget that we are a country actually at war.

It is not fame, glamor, power, political agendas, or wealth that made this country great, it is honor, duty, courage, and love of country.

The Girl Effect.... Girl Power like you have never thought of...

There are a lot of charitable organizations out there. All clamoring for your money. All wanting in on your cash. Even though you can't give to all, perhaps choose just one. With the US economy as it is now, gas and food are probably taking up all your extra money.

If you’re interested, go to girleffect.org and click on “Do something”.

Change the course of history... CHANGE THE WORLD!

Toe Up Campfire Socks for Rambo

Toe Up Campfire Socks
Originally uploaded by Wicked Stitch

Started and completed in the same week!

*WOW* So that's what it feels like to be monogamous with one project!?!?!?

Too many things on the needles these days, too far behind in mystery shawl KALs and pretty far behind in my holiday giftie knitting as well.

What's a girl to do?
Guess I will just keep knitting!

Sitting on my ass, watching tv...

Yes, there I was watching CNN as Ike barreled his way toward the gulf coast.  This was Sept 10-12.  

Sunday the 14th he whooped up on KY and IN for a while.  No one expected that so much damage would have been caused so far inland.  Sure some winds... but 60-70 MPH gusts all damn day?  Debris flew for HOURS.  Trees snapped, others were uprooted, some just had the tops bust off, branches and downed lines everywhere.  That day, one death due to a branch falling on a young boy mowing the lawn.  Since then, many more due to trees and branches falling on people and electrocution.  

We of course were not to go unscathed.  Nothing fell through the house, so that's always good.  The top of one of our pine trees, the size of half the tree itself,  snapped off.  It busted through a portion of our privacy fence.  The one small area of our brick home on which we have siding... yah, it flew off and INTO MY CAR!  Paint is scuffed and dings are all over it from debris smacking into it.  Insurance had better come in handy, I  cannot have my 2009 Camry looking like poo!  The power lines that go between our home and right side neighbors snapped when one of his trees uprooted and went into the lines and another tree on the fence-line.  BOOM!  And just like that we had no power.  Much of Jefferson county was without power.  By Sunday evening everyone was out assessing their damage and wielding chainsaws in an effort to help cut out cars that had been gushed, and clean up yards that are now trashed by mother nature and her tool Ike.  In the days that followed; Rambo, the kids and I were cleaning up our yard, fixing the fence and re attaching the siding.  The car is still not happy.  (Waiting to hear back from ins adjuster)  Hundreds of dollars worth of food was tossed out and into the trash.  Before we knew it, it was time to leave to take Rambo to his mobilization for deployment.  *UGH*  Not exactly the ideal last family week we had planned.

Seven hours later we are in a hotel room that has power.  We, being the dumb-asses we are, totally forget to plug in the cell phones.  Funny how you get used to not having power!  Days later, Rambo is safely at his starting point and the kids and I are on the way home... to a house with no power.  As of Saturday, 9 days later there are still 53,000 people without power.  Drained from the workhorse week of clearing debris and chopping trees, and now emotionally drained from seeing Rambo off , yet again; I get all psyched up for a 9 hour drive home.  No matter how many years we do this deployment thing, it never gets any easier.

So, there I am zooming along, thinking of how much ass my home is going to smell like after not having any power for ten days, how the kids are going to get ready for school in the dark, write absence notes, pay bills, how I need to call the insurance adjuster about my car, and about a gazillion other things....

**woooooooooooooo**  Flashing lights.... are you effing serious?  

Yah... no matter how much suck can happen to us... the universe is always there to remind me how much more it can suck! 

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ Ma'am do you know how fast you were going?  

Me~ I am gonna guess, 80?  

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ I have you lasered at 74.

Me~ Fabulous.

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ Can I ask why you are in a hurry?

Me~ Just trying to get home after dropping off my husband for deployment, sir.

(hand my info over and Highway Laser Happy Cop walks off to his cruiser)

Highway Laser Happy Cop is in his vehicle for what seems an eternity....

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ Here are your documents, your ticket and your warning. I have your court date set for .... 

~~This would be where I blank out... thinking to myself oh shit I have to go to court?

he continues, the warning is apparently for not signing my registration.  

~~ again to myself, really???  I'm supposed to sign my registration?  How come I have never heard nor done this before???

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ Ma'am are you ok?  

Me~ Yes sir.  ( I must have either looked really confused or sick to my stomach)

Highway Laser Happy Cop~ Be careful pulling out into traffic.

Me~ quietly to myself... yah in order to do that, I have to drive FAST!

The kids are slightly freaked.  They have heard stories of their momma getting busted by the coppers for her infamous lead foot.... however, this was the first time they were to experience it with their very own eyes!  I tell them not to worry about it, I just have to pay a fine.  I have yet to get REALLY busted hard and go to jail!  With that levity, we laugh and turn on the radio and head the very small distance home.  ( I got nailed just across the river in Jeffersonville, IN... I could see the Louisville skyline!)

We drive up to the neighborhood and see a few lights... does this mean we have POWER???

Into our driveway, and porch lights are on!  Sa~Weeeeeeet!   We DO have power!  

Perhaps it was the universe's way of giving me a little back?  Yanno since I have handled this whole shitty month with such a superb sense of humor and gusto!?  

Getting Into the Swing of Things~

As many of my friends with school age kids are just starting school this week, we have begun the fourth week.

We are still not fans of waking up at the crack.

Sporting scene... 

Teen Queen~ Magic Softball has wound down until spring training for next year.  High School Field Hockey is going strong.  Runner up in the Apple Tournament, and so far undefeated in regular season play.  Season runs all the way through October 10th. 

High School Fall Ball (fastpitch softball) also begins this week.  

Boy Wonder~ Fall Ball (baseball) begins this week.  In October he will try out for his Middle School team.

Busy time again for the Wicked/Rambo family.  As we brace ourselves again for mobilization.  Here's hoping the ride is not quite as wild as last time!  Not sure how much excitement I can handle in one lifetime!

With Ravelympics over, I have been able to catch up on some regular ole knitting.  

For Halloween~ Nothing like dressing up the kitchen with some Spooky Dishcloths

Green is a bat, Orange is a Jack o Lantern, Black ones are Cat and Raven (even though it is impossible to see in the photo).  The duo color ones are called ball band dishcloths.  I have named the black and green one "franken-cloth"

I have also cast on for Terra.

It is my dream to be able to make and wear it to CT this fall.

My yarn is Beaverslide Dry Goods McTaggart Tweed in Mountain Mahogany. Unfortunately, being the tight knitter I am... my gauge is off and I have since had to frog out the ten inches in this photo!  Chatting with the designer, I will have to go up another needle size or so.  

I would rather frog it, and be able to wear my hand-knit pullover this fall. 

Below is some lace knitting!  Secret of the Stole 3.  

Size 3 needles circular of course, yarn is knit picks shimmer; color is called cumulus and I am using silver lined crystal clear beads.

Close up of the stitches and beads, using flash.