Dear 2008 (Part 2)

July is when things started to get unexpectedly exciting. Emily turned 2, I discovered new things to be allergic to, I broke my rib while Wayne was in Nicaragua and also managed a little knitting.

In August I went to the beach, made some huge life decisions and even though the first week only ended up being 2 days, Alison started Kindergarten.

September started off with an amazing FO, we left for Mexico and in our first week there we celebrated Alison's 6th birthday and I finished my first project in another country.

October was spent entirely in Mexico, which just made for more interesting things to write about. Like visiting scenic places, going to Nicaragua and having my heart broken for the people there, pila-ing lots of clothes and knitting calcetines.

In November I voted from Mexico, went on the grand adventure of trying to get my haircut with a pretty big language barrier, came home from Mexico and had a lovely Thanksgiving. O yeah, and I caught the cowl bug.

December brought my first cowl, a new job and a lovely Christmas with family and friends!

Thank you 2008 for all the blessings and memories you gave me. Thank you dear reader for sticking around, even when it got a little lame. I'm excited to see what 2009 has to offer!!

Dear 2008 (Part 1)

You've been good to me in ways I could not have even imagined last December.

In January I saw my youngest sister marry the love of her life and got new floors!

In February, Alison wrestled an alligator, I finished some socks and my longest bike ride ever!

In March we celebrated Wayne and how much he loves us.

In April I made a Sweetheart, Alison made me laugh and I won some prizes!

In May I finished another pair of socks and Ali graduated Pre-K!

And in June I somehow managed to post 31 times! I celebrated my birthday, finished some socks, came in 2155th in a balloon race across the Internet, got the best haircut ever and spent a relaxing weekend at the beach.

Merry Christmas!

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

Luke 2:1-14

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!!

What are you listening to?

My Christmas CD, which has been playing almost non-stop since the day after Thanksgiving, contains the following songs:

1. Carol of the Bells - Barenaked Ladies
2. Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans Siberian Orchestra
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies, with Sarah McLachlan
4. Do They Know it's Christmas (Feed the World) - BAND AID
5. Carol of the Bells - Trans Siberian Orchestra
6. Jingle Bells - Barenaked Ladies
7. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
8. Give a Little Bit - Goo Goo Dolls
9. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen
10. Christmas Canon Rock - Trans Siberian Orchestra
11. Breath of Heaven - Jessica Simpson

I've got a few more favorites on the iPod, but this CD has been my go-to collection of holiday music for the last few years. What's your favorite get-in-the-holiday-spirit tune??

Poser

While some children chose to scream and cry in his face, Emily thought Santa deserved better. So she chose one pose and stuck with it.

Cacophonous Life

Teaching Mrs. Tingle

I got a job!

As a knitting instructor!!!

I'm really excited!!!!!!

:)

I'm like the fastest knitter ever

Just kidding, these socks are still on the needles...

But in the meantime I've finished two other projects! Since we just got back from Mexico, I'm not going to kill myself trying to knit a bunch of Christmas gifts. So while everyone else has top secret posts, I'll be sharing it all.



Project: Felted Mittens & Hat for Penny

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted

Needles: US4 & US7 DPNs, 16" US 8 circular

The mittens turned out great, the hat may have felted too much. Quick project for warm hands.



Project: Gloria Cowl by Orinda5

Yarn: The YoYo Plies in Futurama <-- gorgeous handspun! :)

I loved, loved, loved knitting this baby up. Since it just so happens to be cold this week here in sunny Florida, I can see myself churning out a few more cowls. My neck has never been happier.

Easy Kids' Craft: Dyed Pasta Necklaces

While I was busily cooking on Wednesday and Thursday I kept the girls occupied with this cheap and easy craft. Here's what you need:



White vinegar
Ziploc bags
Food coloring
Rotini or other pasta with holes
Wax paper
Yarn/string

What to do:
Put 1/3 cup of vinegar and lots of drops of food coloring in Ziploc bag
Fill 3/4 of bag with dry pasta
Shake it until pasta is covered (you can add more vinegar or coloring if needed)
Remove from bag and lay a single layer on wax paper to dry overnight



The next day, have the kiddos string the pasta into necklaces, bracelets, tree garland, whatever. :)

Baby It's Cold Outside

Maybe not today so much, but the other night I had to run to Publix for some pasta noodles and my coat alone was not cutting it. I assessed the situation:

Arms: warm
Legs: warm
Torso: warm
Neck: not warm

Solution: Cowl!

I've read countless blogs about the amazing cowl with nary an interest. Until that night and my chilly neck. A cowl is not only a practical item, it is also a fairly quick knit and I have lots of stash yarn that would be perfect for it. Here are some of the contenders for Cowl #1 ('cause from what I've seen, they're addictive and I'm just going to commit to wanting to make more than one).

Gloria Cowl

Darkside Cowl

La-la-love-you Cowl

Give thanks

It's been a lovely day with friends and family. I successfully made a great dinner. I played some Wii and even won a few rounds.

I'm thankful this year in a way that I don't think I've ever been before. God has blessed our family abundantly and I am super thankful!

13 Things I Don't Want to Forget About Mexico

* The sound of a traffic jam outside the gate
* Fresh cut roses for sale on the side of the autopista
* Windy rides in taxis
* Saying "Hasta luego", whether you will or not
* Everything-arias
* Mountains of fresh produce at the market
* Brightly colored buildings and graffiti
* Being in the middle of a thunderstorm as it comes down the mountain
* The taste of fresh bread
* Fresca toronja
* Tipping everyone and buying toilet paper
* Gorgeous old churches and buildings
* Mariachis for rent

New-er Hair

As some of you know, I was highlighting my hair pretty hot and heavy over the summer. It turns out that the Paul Mitchell school down the street has some really great prices. Well, it occurred to me when we decided to come to Mexico, that I may not be able to highlight anymore. So before we left, I dumped a box of brown on my hair and figured it'd been a good run.

That was until Deborah found this great little salon in town. And their prices are even better than the Paul Mitchell school! I went a few weeks ago with the other ladies here in the program, but I just got a pedicure.

Yesterday I went back with Jacqueline for a trim, but the "mechas" or highlights were such a good deal that I decided to get some. The language barrier was a little difficult at times, but armed with photos of this haircut, I think I made out pretty good. :)

Sisters

I come from a family of all girls. I've been blessed with two sisters who I'm sure I've devalued at times in my life, but who now I appreciate very much. One lives far away in Colorado, the other closer, but she's about to move. And we're about to move, so I guess that's a moot point.

As the girls get older I find myself reminiscing more and more about when we were little. Little things like the way they help each other, or tell on each other, or try to fix a problem that will get them both in trouble before I find out are daily reminders of my childhood.

I've said before that I'm very happy with their age difference and that's not just talk. Alison got a whole year with Emily before she started school. She was already quite a person herself when Emily was born, so she was really quite helpful. As Emily's getting bigger, I love watching how they care for each other and assert their personalities.

Yesterday we went to the Zoologico de Chapultepec in Mexico City and they were all about the adventure. I was really pleased that I got to snap this photo:



It makes my heart smile to know that as we embark on this great adventure, they will not be alone -- they'll always have each other.

James 1:26-27

26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this:

Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

---

Lately I've been spending a lot of time thinking about this adventure we're about to embark on. There are details to work out, monies to raise and lots of other things, but I feel an immense peace.

God is good and He will make it happen for His glory. :)

I voted

I sent in an absentee ballot from Mexico.

Tuesday is a very important day for the history of our nation -- not be apathetic, don't count anyone out -- just go vote.

Don't know where your polling place is, click here.

Calcetín Tejido

The socks took a rest while we were back in class this week, but we're off until Monday and I have high hopes. Our classes this week focused on public speaking and it was a little nerve-wracking to say the least. My hope is that with this training, even though it'll be awkward, I'll be able to deliver an update in a church or at a lunch without sounding too crazy or rambly. :)

Here's the Amps this morning -- I've already knit on an additional inch or so and may be able to start sock 2 today...

And then she asked how long it would take

I finished the birthday surprise for my sister a few days ago and as a lazy weekend was upon me and a fit of sneezing and stuffy noses consumed me, I started a pair of socks.

I'm knitting another pair of Ampersand socks, this time out of some delightful Socks that Rock. O, so soft and squishy. :)

Julie, one of the other interns here, asked how long it takes me a to knit a pair of socks. I explained that some have taken months, some weeks, but never days. Then I cast on, and here on day 2, I'm halfway through the first sock.

Maybe this is the pair of socks to take less than a week. Maybe I'm going to get eaten up by public speaking classes this week and won't be able to work on them again until the weekend.

Maybe.

Very, very

While I was in Nicaragua, it seems like Emily grew up.

I've heard from my parents and sisters who see her on Skype every week or so that her hair has gotten longer and she looks taller. Those things were true for me to. Even after just 5 days.

In the midst of just plain growing though, she's also learned some new words. Most noticable is her use of the word 'very'.

In the shower she'll tell you to be careful because it's "very, very slippery", except it sounds more like va-wee, va-wee swiper-wee.

The same is true for very, very delicious food or times you need to be very, very careful.

It's adorable and I love it, but it's also a pinch sad to be seeing my 'baby' grow up.

Cultural Experiences: A tale in two parts

On Saturday morning our water went out. This was surprising for a few reasons. One, we're from the Estados Unidos and typically as long as you pay your bill, you have water. Two, we have several large cisterns all over the base that we pump water around to. Turns out we hadn't gotten water from the city for almost a week (they only turn it on every few days) and the cisterns were empty.

In addition, our washer and dryer had gotten fried in a power outage the weekend prior (just as we were leaving for Nicaragua).

I had a suitcase full of dirty clothes from my trip, plus eight days of the girl's clothes that needed washing. On Saturday night the team returned and Wayne brought eight days of dirty clothes home. Also, I hadn't showered since Thursday night.

Water was necessary to say the very least.

Mike & Deborah invited us over to their condo where they not only had water, but also two showers and a pila. A pila is a cement sink used for washing clothes in most Latin countries.

I spent almost two hours "pila-ing" our clothes, but only got through about half. It was a learning experience nonetheless -- I know for sure now that I need a washer and dryer in Nicaragua, albeit with a pila backup. Plus I know that I'm a lot tougher than I thought I was.



----

Saturday was kind of a frustrating day with the no water situation, so at around 7PM, I volunteered to run to the grocery store for some ice cream reinforcements. I opted to take Ali with me and we stood outside the gate waiting for a taxi.

After about 10 minutes we were in the taxi and on our way. It was easy to tell him where we were going, there's only one Bodega in town. We found the ice cream and paid the cashier.

As we exited the market, we went to the taxi area and were ushered into a car. I gave the driver our address, but due to my crummy Spanish, I actually confused him quite a bit. We ended up about 5 miles out of our way before I figured out he thought I was going to give him directions. I stammered out a few "Lo siento"s (I'm sorry) and kept a jovial attitude. Alison and I were actually laughing about the whole thing.

In the end, he got us home, and even was so gracious as to not charge us extra.

----

Central America is definitely a different place, but even with the bumps in the road, I'm enjoying the adventure.