It's a BOY!

My daughter went for her ultrasound last Thursday. I had been dreaming of knitting little sweaters and dresses, Pink blankets and bonnets! Sweet little booties etc.

I was surprised, however, that when she told me that my new grand baby is another boy, I wasn't the least bit disappointed!! I do have a ton of girlie yarns and patterns but that is ok. I am sure I will find someone with a girl.

My new grandson, whom will be named Hendrik Ray, will arrive in June. Just in time for Grammy to help out during Summer vacation. Ryan will be 2 1/2 so it will be nice to have two boys close in age.

Things are still crazy here. Between school and my mom and the stresses of life in general and DH still looking for work, there has not been blogging time. I hope everyone is well and I do enjoy reading everyone else's blogs!!

This girl is a Keeper!!

I hope Santa was good to each and everyone of you! We had a very nice Christmas. It was different for us but it was still very nice.

DH has been out of work for 10 months and finally got a part time 24 hour job as an independent contractor. The ironic thing is he is working at the company that laid him off last February! They called begging him to do this work for them. Time will tell if it leads to a full time job there or if he decides to just go into business for himself as an Independent Corporate Credit Solutionist!

Needless to say, my Christmas budget was quite small. Small for me but still large to others probably. We spoil our kids rotten at Christmas and ourselves. This year I went with one large special gift for each of my kids and a few small items. DH and I decided on no more than $50 with the promise of sometime next year a new laptop if he gets a job. I did well on not going overboard with our grandson which is easy as he is only 2 and loves anything! I was able to finish wrapping, decorating, baking, cleaning etc long before the family party on Christmas Eve!! I was a bit disappointed NOT to give my kids the numbers of gift cards I usually do to supplement their likes but it was a very nice holiday!

We face the New Year with three ill family members. My mom is failing more and more. We had a rough few weeks of UTI's and Pneumonia and test after test with her. My BIL has been in hospital now a few weeks. Long story, 'nuf said there. My future SIL is battling Testicular Cancer, seeing Oncologist today. He has a rarer type and will need more surgery, chemo, etc. God was working though when he let them conceive their second child BEFORE he found the cancer. Now I just pray the baby will be perfect as they won't be getting another chance at another baby.

The coolest thing of my Christmas was that my oldest son's new girlfriend gave me a wonderful gift. You will all understand why I say, "This Girl is a Keeper"! She gave me two skeins of Cascades Chunky Baby Alpaca Yarn! One is cream and one in baby blue!!! No one else could understand how I loved it so much but you will all understand! I guess she made my son go with her to a LYS in Boston to get it and she asked the proprietor to pick it out for me!! I love her already!!

I wish you all a Happy New Year! May health and wealth be on your plates this year.

Merry Christmas Season

Another month gone by and crazy events in my life have kept me from blogging. I do however read all of your blogs every post you make!! I will have more time after the holiday and plan to return. I wanted to make sure to wish you all a very Merry Christmas Season and I wish good health for the New Year!!

I truly believe!

I truly believe that all things happen for reasons. Sometimes we don't know what the reasons are but eventually we figure them out. As you know my DH has been looking for work since February. Still nothing on the horizon for him yet and it has begun to make me a wee bit nervous to say the least. Between my wonderful job that has turned into a stressful nightmare, taking care of my Alzheimer's mom, and natures way of reminding me I am now in my 50's with night sweats and hot flashes, I have a hard time sleeping and a lot to deal with. Christmas is looming and we are afraid to spend money so it will be a different holiday for us this year.

However, just when I felt doom and gloom, God came along and blessed us with great news that I am going to be a Grammy again!! My adorable grandson Ryan will be two in December. Remember my "Judge Judy" daughter? Well she and her boyfriend are giving Ryan a sibling! For once in her life something worked out for her and her little one will be born in June. A perfect time between school years for her and for Grammy to help out this Summer!

Needless to say, I am ecstatic. She wants to wait until Thanksgiving to tell everyone else so for now I have the secret I want so much to share. I figured you were all safe to tell!!!

You won't tell, will you???

Once a Month now it seems

After reading several blogs where I am finding my friends are all saying goodbye and giving up their blogs, I have decided to take a look at mine. It surely isn't what I had intended it to be when I started out but I am not quite ready to give it up yet! I love to still check out my favorites on my blog roll so I will remain for a bit longer and see if the blog bug can bite me again!

Knitting wise I am in a good place but so tired at the end of the day that I can't even pick up my needles most of the time. Healthy non-processed foods is coming along well. I typically now make everything from scratch and it not only tastes better but costs less in the long run. I am saving every penny possible as DH is still out of work. I think I've read every tip on how to cut my budget and finally I am at the point where there seems to be no more to learn so even my blog reading of frugality has diminished.

My new job is really keeping me busy and exhausting. I am not complaining, just trying to learn a whole new curriculum with new frameworks. I was in my last teaching job for 9 years same class, same grade etc.

Well...off to work for me. I hope you all have had great day!

Knitting Patterns save the Day! (along with cooler weather)

For months now I have been searching for the copy of my mom's will. I know the lawyer has it but I really did not want to pay to get it. I switching her to an elder care lawyer and we just wanted to peruse the will she has on file. It is of no substance as far as any monies to inherit since I have used all of the equity in the house and most of her minimal investments to keep her home until we can't take care of her anymore safely. The issue came up because evidently although I have Durable Power of Attorney, Health Proxy etc, if she should die, those end immediately and the will takes over. It was made so long ago, we had no idea what it said.

Anyway the weather changed yesterday and got quite cooler. Made me decide to find that sweater I was going to make for my grandsons second birthday. I had some time so I spent it looking through old patterns. I figured the old ones are just as good as any new fancy ones for a little boys sweater. Recently I brought home all of my mom's old old old knitting things. Needles, started projects, yarn, and her old patterns. She was like me. She had a million different books etc.

I was going through one of the unfinished sweaters she had started for me when I was in high school (I am 50 now!)and lo and behold...there it was!!!! Now I have the peace of mind to know where it is and that I am the executor which is going to make life so much easier when the terrible time comes that we are fear most about our parents. (Although, Alzheimer's has already taken her away from us already.)

So...lesson learned. KNITTING FIXING EVERYTHING!! :-)

When did that happen???

I can not believe it is September already!! When did that happen? Same issues going on in my house except I've been getting a lot of knitting done in the evening. I am making Slouchy Hats, neck warmers, and wrist warmers for all of the girls on my list at Christmas. I am also planning a few scarves for the boys!! DH still has no luck with work and now will look into something temporary if it comes along.

I started back to school this week. Monday was already a "snow day" due to Hurricane Irene's arrival on Sunday. We were spared at my house but others were not so lucky.
I've been moved to 8th grade ELA and today was the best first day with kids ever in my whole career!! I just have to maintain a coolness around DH because I don't want to brag that I went to work today.

Happy September!!