daughters

Posted by ann

D#1 arrived home on Saturday for a surprise visit! She hatched this plan with her sister. The Boar and I were chatting with his mother (who was also In The Know) at the kitchen table early yesterday afternoon, when in strolled D#1. What a great surprise to see her and it is a real treat to have her home for a few days. She is officially done working for the college at the beginning of August and will be home for 2 weeks before her fall semester starts.

I am constantly startled at the mature young adult she has become. This is more surprising to me than the first tooth, step etc. I suppose because it changes my role – I have gone from Mother/Enforcer to Mother/Adviser and it seems to be an overnight ~~demotion~~ transition. As I have said, it is startling and bittersweet, but also wonderful. I am enjoying these teen aged/college years more than I ever expected.

Although, it is a very bad sign indeed that they are now successfully conspiring against me.

High School Memories ……

Posted by ann

thank God for Maryse otherwise I’d have nothing!

Fill in the blanks about your senior year. The longer ago it was the better.

1. Who was your best friend?: Mary & Tina

2. What sports did you play?: no sports – I spun the rifle in the marching band. one time at band camp….

3. What kind of car did you drive?:My parent’s old wood paneled Ford LTD Station Wagon – with those flip up seats in the way back.

4. It’s Friday night, where were you at?: making out with my boyfriend, probably somewhere in Valley Forge Park.

5. Were you a party animal?: no. really!

6. Were you considered a flirt?: I don’t think so. maybe.

7. Ever skip school?: yes.

8. Ever smoke?: yes.

9. Were you a nerd?: I don’t think so, but probably very, very close.

10. Did you get suspended/expelled?: I am alive today aren’t I? If I had been expelled, my parents and grandmother would have killed me.

11. Can you sing the Alma Mater?: I don’t think there is/was one.

12. Who was your favorite teacher?: Ohhh, Mr. Rittenhouse. Way cool biology teacher. Mary, who had him for another class, and I used to leave each other notes wedged up underneath the lab table. He knew the whole time and once even took them out, got a red pen and corrected any grammar and spelling mistakes and then put it back.

13. Favorite class?: greek myths.

14. What was your school’s full name?: Upper Merion High School

15. School mascot?: viking

16. Did you go to Prom?: yes

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?: no. It was great and all, but no.

18. What do you remember most about graduation?: anticipating Senior Week. Which entailed all the graduating seniors renting houses at the shore. I cannot believe we did that – that anyone would rent us a house.

19. Favorite memory of your senior year?: senior week. I think – I will have to consult with Mary and Tina who have far better memories that I.

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall?: ???

21. Did you have a job your senior year?: Yes, I worked all through high school – fast food, DQ, camp counselor in the summers.

22. Who did you date?: I dated one guy all through high school and into the beginnings of college, with only a little break here and there for dating other guys. It was mostly that one and I sometimes wonder what he’s doing now.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?: our school had repealed their open campus policy and so we ate in the cafeteria.

24. Have you gained weight since then?: oh yeah.

25. What did you do after graduation?: Went to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA

26. When did you graduate? 1981

knitting spring cleaning

Posted by ann

Kathleen asked me what is on my knitting line up …. I am in the process of finishing the Diagonal Rib Socks (remember those? can’t believe I never finished them!) and that will clean my knitting slate and make room for working on the Irish Diamond Shawl and the vest for Boar. I have officially abandoned the Chinese Sweater. It is in a holding pattern while I mull over the likelihood of ever wearing it.

I am in the mood to tidy up my knitting – mentally and physically. Before I begin the next round of projects I want to take stock of my inventory – needles, books, stash etc. Get all the needles back in their cases, books on the shelves, all the flotsam and jetsam out of the bottom of my various knitting bags. Things have a way of accumulating in corners and my mind starts feeling the clutter too. A little cathartic cleansing is in order.

The biggest news from here is that D#1 is coming home for the week. She got some time off from her summer job on campus and is rushing home to her mother’s sweet embrace. Or she will be rushing right past her mother’s sweet embrace and off to fun adventures with her friends …… I think we all know how this is going to play out! In any case, it will be good to see her running in and out of the house!

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

walking along country roads with my boar

Posted by ann

dearest Ones,

You might think that I had expended my weekend fun quotient on Friday with my trip into the city. Yukking it up with Cara, Kay, Bakerina, Wendy and all the other yarn chicks. As luck would have it, I did not. (don’t hate me because I lead such an exciting life – hate me because I’m beautiful…)

The Boar and I were carefree this weekend with D#2 away on a weekend school trip. On Saturday, we hopped into Onslow and went motoring around LI due east. We meandered. We held hands. We were reminded that we really do enjoy each other’s company. And don’t even hint around about wild sex. My daughters sometimes read this site! Suffice to say, those two didn’t fall from the sky, they got here the old fashioned way! ; )

We ended up in Greenport. As if a romantic day with the Boar wasn’t enough perfection, I managed some fiber purchases! Greenport is home to Now and Zen which has been on my radar as a shop I wanted to check out. Here’s a look at what I bought …..