Sunday, October 29, 2006

Weekly Cartoon #4


Boyfriend curse. Fact or Fiction. Could it be in their DNA to not appreciate the art of handmade gifts, much like their inability to pick up their socks and replace the toilet paper? This mysterious phenomenon needs further investigation.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Yup. Another purple shirt



Pattern is basically the Rusted Root with eyelet lace instead of leafy lace down the side. I removed the puffs on the sleeves, and added a crochet edge to the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt.
Yarn is Cotton Classic that Ana sent me.
I am so in love with the top-down raglan pattern; I was able to finish this in 9 days b/c it's so stinkin' easy. I may never do another seamed sweater again.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The best part of every day

When the sun goes down, and the curtains are drawn, it is time for FLASHLIGHT RAVE!!!! John, Perrin, and I turn off all the lights in the house, crank up the tunes on the radio, and shake our booties while running around with flashlights. I'm sure it looks like Watergate going on over here every night, but it is what I look forward to every day. All the troubles of the day are washed away by our silly ravin'. Right before bedtime, we climb under the covers of our bed and chase each other's light beams until Perrin giggles himself into a stupor.
My boys are my biggest joy. Even though there are times when it may seem overwhelming, and I feel utterly inept, these times of pure happiness strip away all the moments that made my head want to explode and make it easy to look forward to the adventures of the next day.

Monday, October 23, 2006

I just remembered this is a knitting blog

Prepare yourself for massive purging of TMI, which as many of you know is my specialty. But if I pour it all out here, you're all spared having to listen to my bitching in real life. You're welcome.
I have been knitting....quite a lot actually. The chunky green sweater was done in a week (check out the flickr for the pic), I'm almost done with Christmas knitting (minus Brian's hopefully awesome sweater), and I'm more than halfway done with a cute little lacey raglan for myself. Right now, knitting is the only thing keeping me from crying my eyes out.
This has been a very tough week for us here at Casa de la Wright. Perrin has officially become the schoolyard bully, and I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on with him. Is it normal 2 yr old behavior or am I the world's worst mom? It's nearly impossible to find another mom who will admit that her kid is ever anything but perfection, so it's difficult to gauge what "normal" is. Although normal for any offspring of mine is definitely subject to interpretation. My one major insecurity is always worrying that everything I do as a parent is screwing the kid up. I pretty much rock at everything else :) My own mom was so extraordinary that it's almost impossible to live up to those standards.
In other news, I am socializing. Helen and I have started our own little knitting group, and it's a very much needed opportunity to get out of the house minus toddler and talk to a grownup. I dig her. I realize that after I hang out with a new person, I go home and replay the entire dialogue in my head and critique myself on whether or not I was inappropriate. A habit I formed back in the day when I totally offended every person I encountered. I find myself trying so hard to keep conversation safe and small-talky that I don't really show my true personality. I'm now understanding that holding back a little bit might actually be a societal norm I didn't pick up. Maybe we're supposed to save our truest selves, the part of us that can be dark or just a little too weird for public, to the people we know will accept us in all our forms. And that keeping these social experiences light and fun doesn't mean we're being fake. I'm learning that telling someone my entire life story isn't necessary for them to know who I am or to decide if they want to be my friend. I'm still learning, still developing these social skills that I never really acquired growing up.
So......I will have knitting pics up soon. No cartoon this week just cuz I didn't feel like drawing one. Try not to cry yourself to sleep in disappointment. I must go do laundry. Good day.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Happy birthday to my one and only

Today is my husband's 28th birthday. He is my hero. My one true love. Most people spend their entire adult lives trying to find that one person who sets them on fire and makes them feel safe and loved. I was lucky enough to find that person when I was 21. John is an extraordinary person. Kind and selfless. He carries himself with the confidence and dignity of a man twice his age, yet he can tell the dirtiest jokes that would have a 13 yr old blowing soda out of his nose. The night that John and I revealed our feelings for each other, my best friend told me that he would take care of me for the rest of my life. I truly believe that he would leap in front of a bullet for me and our son. I believe that he would run to the far end of the earth to make us happy. So, today I honor the love of my life. The man who makes me tingle still and folds me into his big arms every night to keep me warm. I love you, babe.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

The first snowfall

Not even Halloween, and we've seen our first Chicago snow. Perrin thought it was the coolest thing in the universe and just had to go play in it. It snowed furiously (or in my southern opinion) for over an hour, but by the afternoon the sun had melted it away, leaving only these pics as proof to my TX clan that it ever existed. I've been reassured that this is yet another freakish weather event, much like the heat wave just a couple of months ago.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Ana Rocks!!!!

Last week, I ordered some gorgeous stitch markers from my friend, Ana. Today, I check the mail and lookeeeeee!!!
Not only did she send me the markers I ordered in a lovely wooden box, but she so generously and awesomely sent me some extras and some yummy yarn. Ana is the bee's knees.



Thanks Ana. I love it all.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Weekly Cartoon #3



My kid sister, unintentionally promoting a band she despises all in the name of comfiness and boyfriend loyalty.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Some Chicagoing pics

Me and my darling boys from the skydeck of the Sears Tower.



Me and Jason laughing hysterically at the bronzed Bob Newhart at the Navy Pier. It was his idea. Aren't we cool?



Perrin not quite understanding the concept of the telescopes.



My absolute favorite painting at the Art Institute. The Eventuality of Destiny by Giorgio de Chirico. I was practically hypnotized by this painting, even though the gallery also contained several Monets and Picassos that I had never seen before in real life.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Tattoo vs. Yarn

The never-ending saga of two over-the-top obsessions (borderline addictions) that are constantly threatening to steal all my money. I have 9 tattoos and have been debating getting a new one - a half sleeve of a phoenix flying out of the fire on my upper left arm. A stunning work of art it would be. A $400 or $500 work of art. The process of getting tattooed is a major high for me and the finished product makes me insanely giddy.
And then there's yarn. I have a weakness for cashmere. And it's sweater weather. The combo is enough to make my heart race with excitement.
So, let's face it. Part of being a red-blooded American is mind-numbing, crippling debt, so I'm fulfilling my patriotic duty by racking up the digits on my credit card.
Well, we'll see which addiction wins the battle.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Chicagoing, Christmas knitting, and basement flooding

Oh, so much has been going on in the last several days. Our best friend for like a million years came up from Austin to visit us this last weekend. We took him to oodles of touristy places like Sears Tower, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, Field Museum, and the Navy Pier. He loved it, but he did admit it was a bit chilly for his liking (it was in the 50s and WINDY!) We gorged on Chicago-style pizza and italian beef sandwiches and hung out at the Irish Pub in downtown Downers Grove. Pics will have to wait b/c of the next craptacular event....the rainstorm from hell.
Last night, from 9:30 to 6:30 this morning we were without power b/c of a killer rainstorm. Due to the power outage, the pumps in our basement that prevent it from flooding were not working. This morning we found our basement in 6 inches of water. John's childhood mementoes were destroyed in this flood. Apparently, the layout of our (rented) property is such that when it floods, the water is siphoned into the basement INTENTIONALLY and then pumped back out into what we have now learned is our neighbor's basement. When the electricity goes out, so does the pump. Shittiness all around I tell ya. Our landlord came by this morning and helped John get the rest of the water out and installed some fans to dry it out. Anyhoo, b/c the power was wonky, John's computer is off, which means I can't access our album's website for photos.
In other news, I've been working on Christmas knitting and developing my own pattern for a top designed to wear over a longer sleeved shirt. I'm making it with this adorable lilac paper yarn that an old SNB bud gave me a year ago. We'll see how it goes. I have finished a pair of socks that will have an owner this Xmas; I just don't want to reveal who that person is b/c she reads this blog.
I also wanted to say a big Thank You to those who have been amused by the cartoon. I have so much fun drawing them up, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets a giggle out of my warped sense of humor. I've decided to do them twice a week - one knitting and one non-knitting for my sister who loves my drawing but doesn't knit. Jen, hope you dig 'em cuz they're all for you, babe.

Sunday, October 01, 2006