Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I have just returned from a short visit to my parents in Naples Florida. weather was super mostly warm and sunny and we crammed LOtS of stuff into a 5 day trip. We arrived Christmas day in time for dinner @ 7pm. I generally visit alone but this trip I
Was joined by my husband, John and daughter Abby. we enjoyed a terrific holiday meal and then exchanged gifts. My sister Tracy lives nearby so I spent a lot of time with her, too.

Monday morning after water aerobics (during which I sat in the sun w my knitting) we ventured out for some post holiday shopping. shopping. The day after Christmas. Someone needed to exchange something. Someone who does not enjoy wearing matching pajamas. Pajamas that match ones worn by mom, aunt, and grandmother. Mine are red and white stripes. Tracy,s are red with kitties. Grammys are blue stripes. VERY CUTE, but I am not allowed to post the very cute photos. Very cute photos of grown women in matching PJ's. just use your imagination.

Tuesday Tracy and I drove to Tampa to visit 3 yarn shops and YES I did buy yarn. I did my best to support some local yarn shops! after another wonderful meal we all went downtown to see the Christmas lights and decorations.

Wednesday Tracy drove John and I to Corkscrew Swamp, a local sanctuary. John enjoys spending time outdoors and enjoyed 2 hours of looking at birds, bugs, plants,etc. we did not see any adult gators this trip but enjoyed watching 6 baby alligators cavorting in the swamp. I think we saw more heron & egrets along the road returning to Naples.

Thursday morning we flew to Atlanta and home to York. Tomorrow will be busy with laundry and grocery shopping before returning to work on Saturday.

Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays!

And the Earth Moved

We have lots of pretty new yarns.  Pictured above are some of the new Mountain Colors Yarns.  Lots of pretty colors!   We are waiting for a big shipment from Skacel:  opus, Nimbus, Urban Silk, Trekking Sock Yarn!!  

Luckily nothing was damaged in the "local Earthquake" felt in Central PA on Tuesday.   My family has a theory about the cause of the "tremors" on the East coast.  Less than hour before the earth moved our Sara received a proposal.   While vacationing in Hatteras her boyfriend Chris presented her with a ring and asked her to marry him.  We are all very excited and when Sara called me she was still processing everything.   John and I are gearing up to be "parents of the bride."   When I asked Sara if she had any ideas about the wedding she said,"  I don't want to wear shoes,  and i can wear a tiara, and Karen can bake me a chocolate cake."  It will be an adventure!!

turning over a new leaf

Several weeks ago I decided to "turn over a new leaf".   I am frequently told that I am "too nice."  I usually laugh and think to myself "one can never be too nice.  Wouldn't it be a much better world if everyone were nice?   I don't think of this as a fault.  i have always taken pride in the fact that I am a "nice " person.  My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  I used to think she created the phrase but as a young mom I heard it on the Disney movie Bambi.  Even if she didn't originate the phrase I thought it was a good idea.  I taught my children to be" nice."  I helped my students learn to be "nice."

This summer it has come up at the yarn shop a couple of times.  I was told by customers and employees that I was "too nice."   I have spent some time thinking about this.  Sometimes others take advantage of my  "niceness."   I am always surprise when someone is unkind to me or does something "not nice."   This is especially true when i feel like I have gone out of my way to do something kind or helpful for them.  A couple of weeks ago I stated that I was going to "turn over a new leaf" and be "bitchy."  I'm not sure I ever used that word out loud before and certainly never thought of acting that way.  Think about it.  Think of women you know who are powerful, assertive,  strong and successful.  they didn't get that way by being "nice."  Do you think Martha Stewart is "nice."   Not so much.  

It's hard to totally change one's personality and I am basically just a nice person.  I have had some "bitchy" moments in recent weeks.  My idea of "Bitchy" is probably other women's way of being assertive or in control at work.  My son, Noah would probably say I was "bitchy" as a mom.  He once said to me "You use up all you nice at school with other people and then you are grouchy at home."  I am sure I was just being Mom and trying to get him to do his homework or chores.  My husband has probably been the recipient  of lots of "bitchy" at home.   To be honest "Honey can you please put your dishes in the dishwasher" does not work as well as a stern"  "John George get in here and clear off the table, NOW!"   He laughs, but he does it!   Sorry mom, sometimes it doesn't work to be nice!!

Yes, Mom I am still alive!

It is a lively Sunday afternoon at the yarn shop.  We have 7 friends gathered around the table knitting and chatting.  Kim is helping Charlotte put the finishing touches on her toddler's blanket.  Jean is working on the "Mystery Shawl by Steven West" using Madeline tosh Light ( a yarn we are working on ordering!!!   YUMMY YARN!   Nancy is knitting a sock with Scarlet Fleece Sock yarn in pinks and greens and choosing buttons for her Sublime cardigan.  Kim is paging through the new fall issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine while Elaine is starting a summer shell out of Misty.  (we have a sample on the wall at the shop --really cute!!)  Adrienne is working on her second pair of socks.  Conversation is lively ranging from "out of control teens"  (lots of opinions about this!!) to healthy eating which has led to a conversation about celebs with MS  and some advice from Dr Oz.   This conversation is interupted frequently with comments about knitting projects currently on needles and plans for future projects as well as suggestions for ordering lunch!  

Big Boy Toys

Baby Riley is now starting to toddle and was clearly enthused with all of his birthday gifts but most especially his Kawasaki four wheeler (motorized).  His cousins (Selena and Addy are pictured)  were quick to remind Sabrina that he needs to wear his helmet. 

There is just something not right about riding a Kawasaki with a diaper, but he was very cute and really excited when he managed to push the "GO" button.  Uncle John already has plans to show Dave how to put up a safety net of some type so Riley doesn't make the trip down the long steep driveway unsupervised!  Aunt Lisa feels better about the safety of the baby swing in the front yard!  

Shortly after the gift opening the party started to disband when the birthday boy needed another nap to recover from the excitement of opening all of his birthday gifts.