Monday, November 28, 2011

games and fun

Raine and I did a little bonding the past couple of nights. We played Monopoly. Well, the Pokeman version of Monopoly. Considering all the time she's had the game, even before she was ready to play it, and playing different "kid" versions with her friends and her cousin, it was amazing that only a few of the property cards were missing, and we easily took care of that with some hand written ones. Not a big deal.

So, we played until her bath time last night and left the game out to continue tonight. (I know, how awesome was that?) Tonight, right before bath time, we counted up to see who was ahead. It doesn't really matter who won by the points (even if it was me) because we both won. We had a good time playing, being silly, and going round and round that board. One of us even practiced some good math skills (and did a pretty darned good job with them, too).

Monopoly is one of those games that I like to play, but I hate to start because it can Just Go On Forever. I'm so glad she picked it out this time though, because we had a great time together, playing.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

thanksgiving

Here we are at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday long weekend. I've enjoyed the time away from work. I managed to get pretty close to being caught up with my grading, and posting grades. I can print out lists of missing work for my students tomorrow, as we continue with our poetry unit.

Today we moved Carl over to Roxanne & Harold's house. There were 5 vehicles loaded up and emptied. It wasn't everything, but it was the major stuff. The big stuff. It is a good thing he works near here (at least for the mean time) so that makes it easy for him to come by after his shift and take care of some more of it. Then will come the cleaning, and the rearranging, which will mean (of course) MORE cleaning and rearranging... and it just goes on. The final goal will be - with all the cleaning and rearranging - that Ron will be moving back in. Then we will see the next step in relationship rebuilding. Actually, I think the cleaning and rearranging is part of that next step, so I hope it goes well and gives us a "fresh" start.

I managed to get sick over the break. Yeah, my old stand-by sinus infection. I realized about halfway through this week that I hadn't been taking any allergy pills, and by the time I realized, it was too late. Sinus infection is how my allergies let me know they are still around. Nice, huh.

Even with all that, I managed to get a good ways on my current knitting project. I'm wondering if they will all be done by the time they should get mailed for Christmas. I'm only on the second one of the planned four. Ahhh well. I should know to get started earlier, but I can never plan that far ahead.

At any rate, I'm thankful that things are progressing in so many areas. That life can change in a good way.

Monday, November 21, 2011

anniversary happy

Today is the anniversary of Ron's & my wedding. Our eleventh anniversary, in fact. It hasn't been the easiest year for us as a couple, and I wondered whether the anniversary this year would be moot.

It isn't. In fact, with the work we've been doing on our relationship, it is rather a celebration. A quiet celebration, but a celebration none-the-less. We've been doing our work, talking, taking responsibilities. Progressing.

Rather like eating healthier/loosing weight, it is a lifestyle change, to an extent. Making the right choices. Conscientiously making choices that are good for the relationship. The conscientious part is key. It is so easy to get in the place where accusations and "I told you so" live, but that is not a good place. What we are doing is about the future, not the past. I've had to put effort into that, some issues are harder to get there than others. Some things still hurt. It encourages me that to look towards that future, and deal with issues in that way feels more successful, like progress is getting made more than dwelling on the past hurts.

So, here's our anniversary. With actual hope for more.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

black friday blues

I've been reading here and there about retailers who are opening earlier and earlier for black Friday. Earlier. You know, the day before black Friday... and that would be... Oh, yeah. Thanksgiving Day. The Holiday.

I am SO glad I don't work retail right now. Argh.

I'm not and never have been a big black Friday shopper. Too many people, too crowded, and there isn't much I want bad enough to put up with all that hoo ha to get. Especially for someone else. Not that all those people are shopping for someone else... but we'll keep up the pretense that its all Christmas shopping they are doing. Yeah.

I enjoy a nice gift. I won't pretend that I don't. I enjoy getting people I care about something that I know they will like. A gift for just a gift's sake is - well - sometimes just done. Yeah, I know. The maddening crush of black Friday? Nope. not for me.

So, all those working retail, you have my sympathy this Thanksgiving. I will probably not see you at work. I will be home, enjoying my family, and my dinner. Maybe some knitting and sewing as well. My money will stay in my pocket where it belongs.

Oh, heck, who am I kidding? My money will go towards my bills, where it belongs...

Monday, November 14, 2011

knit knit knit

Second present well under way. A little over a third of the way done, in fact. It goes fast and slow at the same time, each row taking only a few minutes to knit, but it takes a few rows to equal an inch, and this scarf is going to be about 6 foot, all told. And there are two more to go. At least.

I have to admit that I like the way this one is looking, and I hope the person who receives it feels the same way. The first one has roll up issues, and this one does not, which is a plus. (maybe I'm actually learning something along the way? hows about that?) The first one is still pinned out, in hopes that will train it not to roll up so much. Not much hope, really, but I'm optimistic. No. really.

Have to admit that I'm enjoying the making. Yep. I sure am.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

this sunday cut it out

This year is a make the gifts Christmas for me. Roxanne, too. I don't think that is a bad thing. the time and effort and creativity that goes into made gifts makes them - to me at least - worth much more than spending the amount for supplies would otherwise get. Sometimes, we can even find the supplies in what we already have.

Take, for instance, the footie pajamas that I cut out at Roxanne's today. I cut out three pairs of pants, and one shirt from some flannel that I'd had in a box for a long time. We'll use another piece out of some more that I've had even longer. We'll applique a monkey on the pair for Landon, because that is what he's been asking for. Kelly & Tyler will also get some kind of applique so they can tell their jammies apart.

The pattern is a relatively recent find, and has two piece footie pajamas, not just the one piece jumper kind. Yeah, the kids can pull the pants up and down for ease of going potty. Important for young children, I think. Old people too, actually, but I won't be making either of us footie pajamas because that pattern only goes up to a size 6, darn it!

upheaval

Ron and I have been working on our relationship, going to see a counselor, learning to talk to and listen to each other better. It has been helpful, and I don't think we would have come as far as we have without the counseling.

We have a plan and a schedule for him to move back in, and he should be back in time for Christmas. I think that will be a good thing, and I'm looking forward to it. Many aspects of the relationship will be easier once he's back in the house.

The sad - for me - part is that it will mean Carl is moving out. Ron and Carl haven't been the friends I had hoped they would be. I think I've turned a blind eye to the stresses between them, because I didn't want to see them. Everyone that _I_ like should like each other, too, and get along, right? I wish.

On the one hand, once the annoyance and upheaval of moving is done, and things settle, I hope that things will be better all around. Carl has applied for some jobs, and I hope one of the good ones will work out for him. I would really like to see that for him.

On the other hand, I'll miss him being here, and getting to have him as such a close part of my daily life. He's a good cook, and it has been so awesome not having to come home and make dinner. He's also made breakfast for me before work most mornings as well. He's been here to talk to. Raine has been lucky to have her Uncle Carl around, too, to show her all the ins and outs of computer games like minecraft, to make her cool stuff out of popsicle sticks, and tease and play with her. All the things that a good Uncle does.

He's not going away forever, or even far, on the grand scale of things. He'll still be around and a part of our lives. It just won't be the same. For good or bad, and I hope for more of the first, it just won't be the same.

Friday, November 11, 2011

thank you veterans

Thank you for serving our country. Thank you for doing an important yet undervalued job for your country. It is important to appreciate it every day, and I do. It matters that you make that choice. It matters that you get remembered on days like today, Veteran's Day, as well. To the soldiers I've known and loved: family, friends, neighbors and even those who are someone else's family, friends, and neighbors. Thank you.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

coat building

Over the past few months, Ron has been building a coat. It seems he has a talent for that, as this is the third coat he's worked on. The first one, was a period coat that we made out of wool. We started it while we lived in Colorado where - you know - it gets cold. We created it by looking at pictures of the coat he modeled it after, making a mock-up, and then creating a coat. I thought it turned out pretty well considering it was the first coat experience for both of us.

The next one was also a period type coat (although a different period). We made that one out of denim. It wasn't as heavy weight as the first, but still a little warm for our weather.

This coat is more of a jacket weight, and a design from Ron's imagination. It looks rather industrial/military. He constructed the main body without my help, but I have been assisting in the detailing. We worked on shoulder patches and straps for buckles. There are a lot of those, so they will take a little while to finish. The coat is going to look awesome when it is done.
strap & buckle placement

Monday, November 7, 2011

ren faire finale

If Saturday at the Ren Faire was windy & wintery, Sunday - while still having a little chill - was much more the expected fall weather. The crowds were up. We listened to the rat-a-pault shpiel over and over. Raine never did catch a rat, though. She tried.

She got to do some of the fun stuff that one does with the SCA, though. Like trying on armor.
chain mail coif

gauntlets


 Yes, we had a good time hanging out, enjoying the day.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

pepperoni mystery

Before we left for the Ren Faire today, we ate some lunch. I made quesadillas for everyone, and Ron suggested putting pepperoni slices on them. It sounded good to me. Raine, evidently, thought differently. Or something. The conversation went like this:

Me: Raine, do you want a quesadilla with pepperoni?

Raine: What? (this is not a hearing problem...)
Me: Do you want a quesadilla with pepperoni?
Raine: What?
Me: (more slowly) ...Do you want a quesadilla...
Raine: Yes!
Me:... with pepperoni?
Raine: What?
So I made her a quesadilla. Cheese only. No problem. She ate it, and when she was done...
Raine: Can I have another quesadilla? This time with meat.
Me: So you want a quesadilla with pepperoni?
Raine: What?

She got a quesadilla with pepperoni, and ate it, happily. I had to laugh. Evidently, pepperoni on a pizza is fine. Pepperoni on a quesadilla - however - just defies all sense...

Saturday, November 5, 2011

windy ren faire

Christian
The day was windy. Blustery and cold, in fact. There weren't as many people thronging through the booths as there usually are. I was happy to be there, though. Happy that the SCA was present and included. I knew going in that it wouldn't be the experience "of old," with my familiar friends to make the day. Still, it seems that several people from that time made a special effort to show up. Many - like me - have not played in a while, and are testing the waters again.
Dev & Shannon

The cold was rather biting, and after being out in it for several hours, tiring. Of course we were not all bundled up like people in some parts of the country would be. It's southern NM, and the temperatures should still be about 80 during the day...

bundled up
But they aren't, this year. There was a fighting field, and a few tents, and we walked around to check out everything, as we usually do.

Ron
It was nice to see old friends. And Raine even braved the cold for a trip around the pond in a canoe.
canoe ride

Thursday, November 3, 2011

november ember ember

We had a good Halloween. It took us a good bit of work to get Raine's minecraft costume made, but we did it, and she enjoyed it. Limited movement and even more limited seating were involved in wearing it, but she had a good time. Even better because her friend Ezekiel came over to trick or treat with her. I love living here on Halloween. Our neighborhood has lots of families with young kids, and that is who we get for trick or treaters. Not even many teenagers. Maybe a third of the houses give out candy, and we are done by 8:30. We see Raine's friends and classmates, they get to see her as well. We all have a good time.
Halloween costumes, 2011

This upcoming weekend is our local Renaissance Fair. The local SCA group is trying to get involved again, and we are trying to pull it together again. There was garb making at Dev's this evening, and Raine and I went for a while. I taped Dev up to make a bodice pattern. When you want something to really fit YOU, get taped up and make your pattern from that. It works.

I also sewed up some pants, while Raine finished up her homework. Got to meet some people, that hopefully I'll get to know a little better at the Ren Fair. Looking forward to it, actually. It's been a while.