Dancing Queen

No idea where she gets the dance moves from, but she definitely makes it work. The outfit was a Christmas gift and right now, a bride is just as good as a Princess in Peanut's book.

Shedir is Shedone!!

It only took me 8 months, but I finally finished Shedir this morning. It's definitely the most complex pattern I've completed to date. It was the first time I've yanked the needles out of something other than stockinette and ripped back. About 10 rows had to be undone because I opted to only follow one line of the pattern when it came to shuffling stitches around. Some of the double decreases could be a little smoother, but I'm quite proud of it. I used the Rowan Calmer the pattern called for, but in an off white color. I bought a spare ball just in case one wasn't enough. Maybe I'll do a second one with it. I need to check my gauge on this. I'm thinking it might be a little on the small side. It is pretty stretchy, though. I love it and I think it's beautiful.

Peanut started at her new school last week. It's tradition for us to take a photo on her first day. She wasn't overly excited about doing it, though. Her new school is proving to be a great place for her to be. She actually woke up on Saturday and asked if she could go. That never happened with the old place. They have a different them each week. Last week's was the States. On Thursday, they talked about Mt. Rushmore. On Tuesday this week, they're tie-dying shirts. I can't wait to see what she comes home with.

The divorce is final in 4 days. That's crazy to say. I know my checkbook is thankful this is all coming to a close. As I'm reminded constantly, it won't come to an end until October 2021 when Peanut turns 18. I'm thankful for the wonderful friends and family who helped remind me that dignity and grace are way more important than anything else. I'm celebrating with friends after the court appearance on Thursday. On Friday, I'm off to a much needed weekend vacation. I cannot wait!!!

12 Days and Counting....

I have my day in court on the 28th. It can't come soon enough. I'm so over all of the emotional crap and this is just the last stop in the journey to divorce. I might even have a little summer fling ready to start soon after. Nothing serious, just someone coming out of the woodwork after a long time. Surprising to me, really...but the best things tend to be that way, right? As my good friends say, I deserve someone nice who will treat me with respect. After all the drama, I'm so game for that. We'll see what happens.

I finished another hat for Dulaan. I'm working on a third. I have photos, but they're trapped in the camera. All the USB ports are in use backing up data and charging Grace at the moment.

The last two weeks have been kind of upside down here. Peanut's school had to unexpectedly close. As if the poor kid wasn't dealing with enough change right now. I had to do an unplanned day care center tour of all those close by. In the end, she was the one that chose which facility to switch to. None of them offered everything I wanted and they each had their own cons. She's super excited to start at her new school and she already has a little friend that attends there. It's quite a bit more for her to go there, but we always make do with making the budget work. It's a much better program education-wise and they also make sure to include community service work in their curriculum. That was a big selling point with me.

I'll close with a photo from our last trip to the zoo. They're opening a new giraffe viewing area where you can feed them crackers. I'm hoping we can get back again soon to see that.

31 R O C K S ! ! !

I don't think I have ever celebrated a birthday as much as I have this one. It started Wednesday night. Some of my family came to watch Peanut's swim class. After class I got presents and a trip to DQ. I had forgotten just how good a blue raspberry freeze was. Thursday was the actual day. I got taken to Claddaugh for lunch. During my department celebration, flowers from Peanut were delivered. They are beautiful! I've never seen carnations arranged so well and I never knew they could be as fragrant as these are. You could smell them from the hall before you even got to my cube. They are now gracing our dining room table at home. The Fabulous Neighbor Family had cake and presents for me at their place that night. I had 9 little kids circled around me singing Happy Birthday. It was a great moment. I got a little teary eyed. Friday night, a group of us went to The Melting Pot. Heaven, pure heaven. It took us 4 hours to get through dinner. It was awesome. So relaxing. I felt like an adult and not just Peanut's Mom. They had Sinatra playing. The lights were dim. The drinks were awesome and the food was amazing. Highly recommend it. Saturday, I got more presents and taken out to dinner to TGIFridays. More drinks. Great food. If you go, get the donuts. They're so worth it!! Saturday night wound down with a party at my house. Good friends. More good food. Lots more drinks. Not too many, but LOTS more drinks. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, but with fewer drinks and ending quite a bit earlier.

And the presents!! Holy cow!!!

By far the biggest present I got was from FNJ. She used my house key without my knowing to let herself in. She spent several hours doing the Spring Cleaning that was put on hold because Mister was ill and unable to visit Peanut. The woman loves to clean. It makes her happy to clean. Initially, I was a little mad because I don't want anyone cleaning up after me....but then she told me how she wanted to do something nice for me and this was something she was good at and she knew I was stressing about getting it done. I have never had anyone do something so nice for me. Never. The house is beautiful. I can't thank her enough. And yes, I got teary eyed over it. I am so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors.

On Wednesday night, my family gave me a gift. It's something I never expected or thought I would need, but I am thankful for it. I am now the proud owner of a tent. A camping tent. A 10x13x72", sleeps 5 people camping tent. Let me just say that I've been camping exactly twice in my life. The first time was 5th Grade Camp and we stayed in cabins with running water and electricity. The second time was in high school when I went to Girl Scout Camp as a PA. We stayed in platform tents with cots that were very near the bathroom/shower facility. So, camping is generally not high on my list. Now FNJ, they camp. They love to camp. They've invited Peanut and I to camp with them this summer. I called up Aunt and asked to borrow their tent as I know they are well equipped for this sort of thing. She agreed and I figured I'd be done with it. Nope, now I have my own tent to camp whenever I want. 31 is my year to have fun and try new things, so we're starting with camping I guess.

On Thursday, I got to open my gifts from Peanut. She, Grandma and Aunt Peanut went to the new Dollar Store to shop. Aunt Peanut tells me she insisted I needed the yellow flyswatter with the giant flower on it. Kid's right. We didn't have one. Now I have one that's pretty as well as functional. I also received a cool magnet photo frame, a new magnetic shopping list and four coordinating magnets. A personal fan with the American Flag on it that lights up when it's run. Some cool hair clips and a bath scrubby on a long handle. There were many more goodies in the bag, but I can't remember off the top of my head. Thursday night, I opened the gifts from the neighbor kids. I've developed quite a little fan club. They each painted a container and a figurine for me. They are darling. They will soon be gracing our mantle. I'll post a photo soon.

And the yarn....I got some beautiful yarn from Knitpicks. I got two skeins of Memories in Rocky Mountain Dusk. Two skeins of Dancing in Hula and two skeins of in Campfire. I also got some new circs for Magic Loop and the new Harlot book. I'm about halfway through it and I'm really mixed on it. I'll save my comments for when I've finished it.

I really needed this weekend. Peanut was visiting Mister, so I didn't have to worry about anyone but myself. Friday night, I finally felt like Janette again. Janette's been missing for a very, very long time. Sunday morning, I was reflecting on the last few days and felt so much lighter. The world seems brighter. The divorce will be final in June and life moves on...and it's a such better happier life! 30 was all about transition and growing. Quite honestly, it sucked and I was glad to see it end. 31 is the first year of the second third of my life. I am so blessed to have people that love me and appreciate me in my life. The last year has has some really dark times, but now the sun is shining and "Tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun".

PS A drunken trip to the grocery store Saturday night netted me a bag of Hershey kisses in the new confetti flavor. Love them! They are white chocolate with candy bits mixed in. I have a thing for Hershey kisses and all the different flavors, so these were an extra special birthday treat.

Settling Dust

Wow! What a crazy few weeks it's been. I don't think it'll truly end until this weekend, either. Lots of BIG plans for this weekend!!

Peanut has continued with her swim classes. I swear she's part mermaid. At her second class, she didn't bother to wait for the teacher to come back to give her another turn at trying to swim. She hopped right off the side of the pool and into the water. They pulled her out and she acted like it was no big deal and she did it every day.

We participated in WalkAmerica on Sunday with our family team. This year we raised $1,170! That brings our 3 year total to over $5,000. I am in total awe of that. That's just a few of my friends and family. The March of Dimes is near and dear to my heart. I know for a fact that if it weren't for them, I would not have the pleasure of being a mom to Peanut. Walking 3 miles and bugging people for money once a year is the very least I can do. (Also my 007 April Photo)

Not a whole lot has been going on with the knitting. I get in a few rows here and there. Mickey is still coming along. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it. It really doesn't look any different, so I'll spare you the photo. Erin and I start the Clapotis KAL on Thursday. It's my birthday and it's all about second chances. 30 was my year of transition. 31 is my year to start enjoying life again.

Speaking of enjoying things again...I've started branching out from SpongeBob in the evenings. Of course, I returned to The Sopranos when it came back. It should be an interesting ending. I've also become addicted to The Tudors. That totally feeds right into my love for history and trashy romance novels. Well, I'm a reformed trashy romance novel reader. I have a total crush on George from The Hour. Smart, cute and hip. Yeah..I think I'd make a run for the border for him. Big Love is returning in June. I can't wait to see where they take that show. The Easter Bunny brought me Season 1. I'm planning to rewatch it before it comes back. Dexter won't be back until October.

That's it from here. Thanks for checking in. My good news from before was compounded with even better news (about something totally different). I'm still not ready to share, but I will as soon as I can.

To apologize for the tease, here's a Peanut photo. That's wool in her hand from a freshly shorn sheep. When you ask her what they do with the sheep's hair she'll reply, "Um, make it into yarn!"

Super Fast Drive Thru Post

Peanut had her first swim class

The Easter Bunny paid us a visit. He has great taste in yarn, dvds and chocolates.

The weather finally cooperated enough for Peanut to try out her new two-wheel bike.

And, I just got the best news yet this year! Can't share just yet...but it's no coincidence that it's timed along with the tax deadline.

Pediactric Algebra

4 days with a rollercoastering temp +
refusal to drink chocolate milk +
"mommy, my mouth hurts" +
1 trip to the pediatricians =
1 diagnosis of strep +
1 prescription +
10 days of antibiotics +
1 new Barbie toothbrush +
1 'nilla shake from 'Donalds

She's never too sick to not wear the "blue Princess dress", though. This ensemble is completed with a pair of butterfly embroidered cowgirl boots.

Promised FO Pics

What do you do with a sock you really don't like, but can't bring yourself to rip it out? Improvise! Good bye sock! Hello Peanut's bracelet! Every Princess must have one for this Season.

Here are two completed hats for Baby Logan. They were finally gifted to him on Friday.

Gifted to Logan's brand new cousin on Friday, a little girl we'll call LV was the following take home set. She was 8 lbs 5 ozs, so it really is just a take home set.

All Grown Up

Peanut got her very first haircut this week. I think these photos say it all...

We've been sidelined at home today originally with pink eye and then a stomach bug scare this afternoon. Turns out the fever may be due to a molar making it's way in. The upset tummy due to the new Tylenol melt away tabs she got for the first time. I thought she was all done getting teeth in. Guess I need to turn in my mommy card.

New FO photos coming soon. I promise!

Lovely, Quiet Weekend

Peanut's off visiting Mister this weekend. The house is very quiet, but that's not really a bad thing. I spent most of Saturday working on the promised take home baby set. I'm so happy to say the sweater and matching hat are finished. Photos soon, I promise. It's definitely a newborn size, so the little one needs to be little. While working on the set, I was able to catch up on some TV that I've been wanting to see but aren't exactly "Peanut friendly." I watched Dark Water, An Evening With Kevin Smith 2 - Evening Harder and The Magdalene Sisters. All were time well spent. I actually didn't finish Dark Water. I won't give anything away, but the bath scene at the end was getting to be enough for me...the phone rang and scared me to death and I turned it off. I think the whole storyline might have hit a little too close to home with recent life changes. Excellent movie, though. The Magdalene Sisters was really good. I had seen a documentary on the laundries in Ireland a few years ago. I hadn't actually planned on watching the movie, but it was starting on IFC just as I'd given up on Dark Water. An Evening with Kevin Smith was something I'd seen onDemand and had been waiting to rent it. I've had such a crush on him for years. Friends and I would load up on alcohol and spend Saturdays watching Kevin Smith movies (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy) while at CMU. It was well worth the wait. It was a 2hr Q&A session with him in London. It was really interesting. It also made me want to go back and (buy) watch all of his movies again....and it reignited my crush.

Friday, I had my 6 week checkup with my doctor. I last saw her the day I filed for divorce. My blood pressure was pretty high at that time and she told me if it was that high the next time I saw her, she'd be putting me on BP meds. My BP on Friday was well within the "normal" range. I was so relieved. It's amazing what stress does to your body. She was also thrilled with the weight loss. To celebrate, I visited Old Village Yarn Shop ** in Plymouth. I needed to stop by to get some coordinating yarn to go with the blanket of the coming home set. I also picked up a new row counter, a skein of Lorna's Laces, a bottle of my favorite lotion and Sensational Knitted Socks. Many people have recommended this book to me and I've had it in my hands to purchase before, but just hadn't. I know why people love it so much. It's a wonderful resource. Since I've done socks for Peanut already, I think the next pair will be for me. I'd forgotten about the beautiful heathered sock yarn I bought from Laura. I think that will be the next project. I've promised to finish some of my UFOs before starting them, though.

I'll leave you with cute Peanut photos...

In an effort to help keep her Baby Cousin happy, she resorted to silly faces.

Last Monday was her very first picture day at preschool. We spent a lot of time Sunday night trying to find just the right thing for her to wear. She was very opinionated in what she liked and didn't. We originally settled on an embroidered peasant top because I wasn't able to find a shirt to go under the cardigan she'd picked. Monday morning I found her white turtleneck and she was thrilled to wear her chosen cardigan. She just looks so grown up here! I can't until we get the photos back.

**Just a quick note about Old Village Yarn Shop. Previously, I'd discussed how much I disliked this shop. It was overwhelming to walk in to and the staff was less than pleasant. I have to say, they've done some major straightening up and the woman manning the store that day was incredibly nice. She said they're getting ready for a major reorganization of the store by gauge/weight rather than what they've got going on now. If you've had a negative experience with them before, I'd suggest going back again. I'm glad I did.