Poor Katie!

The day started out so well...Katie headed up to the slopes for her first ski outing of the year.

Here she is hours later, sitting in a wheelchair at Holy Family's ER. 

Hopefully, it's just a strained knee ligament.  She's on crutches for now. 

I'm trying to take the positive outlook: if her knee is blown, she can ride in a wheel chair through the airport and maybe we can get front row seats on the plane when we go to Roatan.  She's going to have a really weird tan line if she has to wear a knee brace though...

Hats Hats Hats

I'm on a hat kick!  Must be the cold snowy weather here.  I have finished three hats this morning:

 This is "Skater Baby" for Carson.  Fast and easy!  I started it yesterday.  Can't wait to see it on a baby head, it should look much better than on my hand :0

 This is a colorful little hat for Sean & Beena's new baby girl, Brooklyn.  I like that the colors look very much from India, as Beena's family is from that country.

And this is my 'mystery hat', which is a slouchy beret style.  It is def. 'slouchy', and will fit on my large head no problem at all.

Mittens should be next, judging what the weather is doing...

Happy Turkey Day!

I just polished off a delish piece of pecan pie baked by our resident pastry chef (aka Pia).  Now I'm settling in for the "Man v. Food" marathon.  Hope you all enjoy an equally happy Thanksgiving!

Stuff I'm thankful for this year:

1. First, foremost and forever, my four fabulous children.  I don't know what I did to deserve such terrific kids, but they are THE BEST.

2. A long queue of knitting projects, enough to keep me knitting for years.  And if I have projects to knit and yarn, I won't die. Yay!

3. Sisters and nieces.  The greatest gals I know.

4. RJ, Liam, Alex and Mikey.  They keep me laughing (when I'm not yelling), plus they are such BOYS.  Which is a good thing.

5.  Books.  I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't read.  I've been doing it pretty much non-stop since I was six.

That's all I can think of for right now.  Oh, I'm thankful that P. left a whole pecan pie here.

I'm a Published Designer!

So excited!  Three Irish Girls just sent me the news that my "Al Fresco" sock pattern is now available for sale on their website!  They look so cute in the picture!  I hope I sell a few patterns, it sure looks nice to have a professionally printed pattern :)

History Repeats Itself

Deja Vu All Over Again!  I was dressing Mike P. the other morning, it was cold out so I was thinking "layers".  I pulled a turtleneck out of his drawer and popped it on the little guy.

He IMMEDIATELY fell to the floor, clawing at his neck and gagging "I can't breathe...gasp...gasp...screech!  Get this OFF ME, Wowe!!!!"

I almost couldn't pull it off of him, I was laughing so hard.  Because this is EXACTLY what Katie did (and still does) every time a turtleneck gets near her throat.

We went with a Pokemon t-shirt, and the heart-stopping choking cleared up immediately :-)

Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

Years ago, I bought the boys these coonskin hats (faux of course), and I haven't seen them in ages.  Al decided to wear one to school last week.  The boy is not afraid to take a fashion risk, that's for sure.

7+ Pounds of Love

Here's the only pic we have so far of baby Carson (Pooh Bear, I can hear you now: CARSON! CARSON! POSE IN FRONT OF THE MONKEYS CARSON!)  No word yet on whether there's hair under that hat, but I'm guessing at most a little fuzz.  He looks just like big sister.  Zaide reported that he has his mama's "boats" -- his feet barely fit on the paper when they made footprints.

So happy for Megan, Ryan, Hads and all the grandparents.  This baby is going to be loved like crazy!

Another Reason I Wish I Lived in England

Then I could say that people with red hair are "gingers".  Love that.

One More Day!

Tomorrow is the big day!  Our Megan goes to the hospital to have her c-section (that darn kid refuses to turn itself head-first, I don't think Megs tried my suggestion about inserting a Butterfinger candy bar in the appropriate orifice, which would have turned it around in a heartbeat). 

Cannot wait to meet our new great-niece/nephew!  Hurry hurry hurry Megs!

HP7

Pia, Katie and I went to see the New Harry Potter movie last night.  It was pretty good, I jumped about ten times, damn those scary parts.

I have read all of the HP books, but I can NEVER remember what happens; as soon as I finish one, the entire plot is erased from my memory.  The only thing I remembered from book 7 was the tent.  Don't ask me why.  But I guess that means the movie version is full of surprises.  The girls assured me that the film followed the book closely, so HP fans will be pleased.

Also, I noticed there are lots of cool sweaters in this movie. Yay for the HP costume designers!

The Health Kick

I have finally gotten off the schneid and had a physical (everything checks out fine thus far, us Sundstroms evidently have healthy genes), gotten new specs, and went for a mammogram today.  I will be getting the dread colonoscopy sometime soon as well. 

Now if I can just get my ass in gear to lose some weight, I'll be ready for my golden years.

And in case you don't read Katie's blog, my deafness has been cured!  I thought I was ready for the hearing aid, but turns out my ear drum was totes covered with gunk.  Disgusting, but I can hear everything now!  Look out, no more talking smack about me if you stand on my right side...

Yay!

Finally a royal wedding!!  I love me some Brit royals, so I'm already planning my party -- up at 3 am to watch the wedding, drinking champagne and wearing a big silly hat.  That is, if I don't fly over, just waiting for my invite :0

The Saga of Lois' Car

Since Cara asked...several months ago, us siblings got together and made some decisions about how we could best take care of our mom.  She's a feisty broad, but getting a little fuzzy on some stuff, like where she was going and where she came from...so we thought it was the time for her to hang up the car keys.

We knew it would be a bitter pill for her, she's always been very independent and a good driver too.  Never had an accident in 70 years of driving.  But it was no longer a good idea for her to be out and about on her own.

The car went to sister Jamie's house (where she has a 15 1/2 year old who is itchin' to get behind the wheel).  And Mom has someone with her every day to take her where she wants or needs to go.  That hasn't made it any easier for her to accept the fact that her driving days are over.  And I totes understand that, it's a real symbol of one's independence to have a car.  Not that I wouldn't love to have a chauffeur.  But we keep reminding her that she forgets things so driving is not an option.  Of course, she forgets that we have told her this, so it's an ongoing dialogue. But we love her and we'll repeat the story as many times as she needs to hear it.  And then start all over again telling her where her car is the next day :-)

Another Seattle Weekend

Pia and I headed over for a quick weekend in Seattle.  Weather was pretty typical Seattle in November (gray) but no snow anywhere en route so that was good.

Some highlights:

1. Pia brought along a book on her Ipod for us to listen to: "The Help".  It is SOOO good.  And I'm trying to decide who is going to play the ladies in the movie version.  The trip was too short, we only got to chapter 9.  I'm dying to get back in the car.

2.  Pia was nice enough to stop at TWO thrift stores with me (I'm sure she posted humiliating pix on her Facebook page), plus go to Village Yarn and Tea's closing business sale and brave the huge crowd.  This was a small portion of the rabid knitters waiting to pay for their purchases.  If you look closely, you may see the man in the kilt with his knitting in a pouch at his side :0

3. Lois was much better this weekend, seemed a lot more 'with it' than last weekend.  My favorite moment:  She was (again!) griping about her car being taken away.  I attempted to change the subject and commented about how her young friend Mark and his wife are expecting a baby.  I said "isn't it nice that they are going to have a baby?".  Mimi looked at me and replied "A car would be better."  I give up Lo-bug, you will complain about that damn car until they haul you out feet first.

4. We got to attend a lovely memorial get-together for a wonderful person, Shirley Davis (what do you call your sister's mother in law? We all called her "The Lady").  I'll always remember her smile and her drawn-on eyebrows lol.  She was the world's best grandma hands down, and she will be missed.

AND I managed to complete a trip without leaving "pillowy" behind somewhere, probably a first.  I'm already sweating about our trip to Roatan at Christmas and leaving my beloved pillow on a Honduran island...

My Oh My

Cara just sent me a link to ESPN, announcing that Dave Niehaus died today.   I can't imagine watching a Mariners game or listening to one on the radio without Dave announcing.  He will be missed.

O'Dino!

I finished Mikey's "O'Dino" Sweater, and he was very excited to wear it to school today.  Pretty cute, I think.  The other boys are griping because I haven't knit them anything lately.  Liam has an order in for a LARGE WALRUS.  RJ wants another skull hat (the cool one I made for him got stolen the first day he wore it to school).  Alex hasn't requested anything special yet.  Better get those needles clicking!

Lucy Gets in Trubs

Here's the remnants of my latest knitting project after Lucy Lou decided to chew it up :-(  I don't mind the yarn being chewed so much as the expensive Addi needles being destroyed.

Woofy, I agree the project was kind of fugly and I WAS going to rip it out.  I didn't need your help.

Skull and Bones Society

Mike wore the darling Pirate Sweater that Susna sent to him.  I think it's the last time he can squeeze into it though :-(

The Great White Hunter

After 2 seasons of claiming he was 'going hunting' and never bringin' home the bacon, Jon finally bagged himself an elk.  The boys were of course wild with excitement over the carcass:

And we had to get all the details of the stalking, the shooting, the dragging it out of a bog, the butchering, why didn't he bring the head or skin home etc. etc.

Mike and I made a book about it at the school book fair (where he had to do an emergency hand scrubbing after I noticed his paws were covered in elk blood:

And Sliver has been "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Butcher of Laurelhurst" all week, hacking those haunches up:

Getting Old = Not for Sissies

I'm winding down my weekend visit to see Mom.  It's been both eventful and not...as in, I haven't really done much besides hang out with Lo-bug.  But that in itself is rather an exhausting experience.

First, I have even MORE love and appreciation for my sibs who are taking turns being with Mom on a daily basis.  This is a JOB, people. 

Her memory is definitely of the short-term variety (like about 2 minutes lol).  Friday afternoon, I spent a solid two hours explaining to her (over and over) where her car is, why she is no longer able to drive, how her kids are not 'imprisoning' her in her home, who comes to be with her every day, who lives with her.  She is 'stuck' on the car question, I guess it signifies a loss of independence/realization that she is indeed growing old.  I was in tears by the end of the two hours, it's so hard to see her completely unable to retain a thought for more than a couple of minutes.  Maybe she was just having a bad day :-(  and other times she's more with it.

I tried to get her to go for a walk but no dice.  If she can't go in her own car (and drive it), she ain't going.  She is sure it has been stolen, hopefully someone has alerted the Shoreline PD that they should disregard any missing car calls from her lol.

I head home today glad I came and hoping she enjoyed my visit.  But also to let my own kids know they should put me in the home the minute I can no longer do the New York Times crossword in ink.  Or just use the black needle on me, I'm fine with that. 

This is Darn Clever!

And a cheap way to spin yarn!  Cat Bordhi, who is an extremely innovative knitter, came up with this idea to spin yarn using rubber balls and rubber bands.  Katie, let's try it!

Dr. Evil and Mini-Me

I looked out the window and saw Jon and his little buddy Mike working on the garden.  Both of them are wearing matching camo pants.  They are so cute!  Jon is our local god, the boys are constantly saying "Jon says..." or "Jon told us..."  Mom and I carry no weight with this crew.  Of course, Jon has the power to put them on Death Row and administer the death penalty, which gives him a certain power.  All we can do is yell at them.

"Bob"

I've noticed when reading the obits lately that there are a LOT of dead guys named Robert, whose obituary always reads: Googleheim, Robert "Bob".  Now WHY does the family think we need to be told the guy went by Bob???  It's kind of a given in my world.  I can see the need if your name is say George but everyone knew you as "Crazy Larry" or something.

This led to a discussion between Jon and I this morning.  We agreed we want NO "nicknames" on our obits (in fact, Jon says he doesn't want people to find out he's dead).  UNLESS the family will print his obit as: Sundstrom, Jon "Pinkstapork"...

Mr. Green Jeans

Jon has obviously inherited the green thumb gene.  This is his Christmas Cactus (the buds are a gorgeous bright pink, I couldn't capture it).  My Xmas Cactus has maybe one bud a year. 

I'm Sure I Will be Watching This Show!

I'm pretty much over Dancing with the Stars, so I was pumped when I heard about SKATING WITH THE STARS!