This Is SO Not Right!

People, I have been knitting for 40+ years. And when the temp in Spokane dipped to zero, what did I have to put on my freezing hands? A PAIR OF STRETCH GLOVES I BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR AT THE DOLLAR STORE. Wrong in EVERY way.

10 Great Things about Jon

Our baby Brother Jon has moved to Spokane, thanks to a clever bit of match-making by me :-) Seattle/Everett's loss is our gain, and here's a list of the many reasons we LOVE Jon (ps, I haven't snapped a pic of him yet, you'll have to make do with this one from Chase's Facebook page. That's Jon in the snazzy orange shirt).

1. He's not afraid of color. Despite the neighbors' comments, he's fearlessly painting Lorraine's house a "Browne's Addition" color combo of green, rusty red and blue.

2. He is a great cook. Who knew? Last week, he made a crab in lettuce wraps that was TDF. Once my mouth stopped burning from all the hot sauce.

3. He tells Lorraine her house is "too loud and too emotional".

4. He makes up songs for the boys. Mikey's special song is "Mike P." as sung by a trucker. It's as funny as you'd expect from Jon, I will try to get it on video.

5. He makes my friend Lorraine very very happy.

6. He has taught the boys everything they need to know about 'narding' (punching each other in the nuts), how to give a good heart massage, limpy, Buddhist Palm, and various wrestling moves, how to make a bow and arrow out of stuff you can find in the woods, how to make a 'switchblade' from two pencils and a rubber band (thank you St. Brendan's Catholic School for that bit of knowledge), how to use an ax, a hammer, a knife and a saw, and how to be a real man.

7. He is still 'shaky' and crabby in the morning until he has had some sugar and some caffeine.

8. He is totally happy with the simple things in life.

9. He's still the funniest guy I know.

10. He's HERE, and I love it!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Gah! It's COLD today! While the temp isn't so bad (around 20), there's a nasty wind that is making it feel like it's arctic here. A good day to stay inside and knit, and dream of a tropical getaway :-)

Christmas Convos

Here are a few of the Christmas conversations I've had with the boys:

Alex: I know who Santa REALLY is.
Lavs: Really?
Al: IT'S MOM.
Lavs: Shhh! We don't want Mikey to hear!
Al: Yep, Mom brings the presents.
Lavs: Hmmm.
Al: Do you believe Santa is real?
Lavs: of course I do. Do you?
Al: Santa's not real.
Long Pause...
Al: IS HE?

Way to hedge your bets, Alex!
Lavs: What do you want Ho-Ho to bring you for Christmas, Mikey?
Mikey: Everything! (he's been lugging around the Toys R Us catalog for weeks)
Lavs: Maybe Ho-Ho will bring you a puppy! (not happening) What would you name it?
Mikey: YOU KNOW.
Lavs: Tell me!
Mikey: BAKUGAN!

RJ: I know what I want for Christmas!
Lavs: What?
RJ: (pulling out the Cabela's catalog) THIS!
Lavs: A REVOLVER?
RJ: Yes!
Lavs: You can't hunt animals with a revolver.
RJ: Yes you can! Jon, can you hunt animals with a revolver?
Jon: Yeah, you can.
Lavs: thanks for having my back, Jon. I'm NOT buying you a revolver RJ, and I don't think you should look for it under the tree either.
Jon: You are SO not ready for a weapon.
Lavs: Gak.
RJ: RATS.

My Dream Xmas Gift!

Thank you Helen Killer (Regretsy) for posting this fabulous vintage tea towel, which you can purchase for me on Etsy, make an offer and it will be mine!

Di's expression pretty much tells the story, doesn't it?

Let The Games Begin!

Stole this pic from Pam. As part of her "World's Greatest Auntie" duties, B-Z plays a mean game of cards. No mercy! She challenged Tate to a game during our cabin stay. This must be before they started playing, because once the cards were dealt, these girls were all biznazz. No smiles, only fierce concentration. And you shoulda seen them battle each other for "Sorry" domination.

Up a Lazy River

The New (new new new new new, as Mikey calls it) YMCA has a fun water feature, the 'lazy river'. Sadly, there's no bar you can float into, a la Silverwood. I went to my first water exercise class in the lazy river this morning. One hour of slogging against the current. Muscles were definitely worked! The perfect workout for fat ladies :-)