UFO's

It's an illness.  We have here a cabled fingerless mitt that I hate because the cables are shlumpy due to the alpacaness of the yarn, a baby mitten which will be ripped out because I like the yarn too much and wish to make myself some socks, a scarf for Will which I am taking on vacay with me, my Clapotis which was boring me to tears and had to be put to sleep for a few months, and my sexy cardi which is in the works as we speak (well, it will be sleeping whilst I'm on vacation because I can only take so many needles as I keep getting stopped at airport security).  

I shall be posting about Disney world shortly.  That's right, Disney World.  I love it.  Anyone who doesn't love Disney World doesn't have a soul ;).  We're leaving tomorrow (ack, sweat drops, sweat drops!).  So I shan't be reading many blogs for a bit (I know, shocking), nor shall I be posting (now for something different).  

I hope everyone has a great week!  

London '99

Is this not the cutest group of girls EVER?  I'll answer that.  It is.  This is my adorable BYU London Study Abroad group.  Well, the ones I liked ;).  There were about 35 of us total (I think), but this lot here was the cream of the crop.  We arrived in London 10 years ago this month!  INSANE!  I still keep in contact with these girls.  Some more than others (some I thought were dead but, like Lazarus, they came back).  

The "Foundation" at Lake Windermere (Krista, Ather, Marie, me, Emily, Amanda, Melissa, Lis, Jessica).

My time in London was unbelievable.  Some of my greatest memories are from those 4+ months spent there.  Let me list some reasons why...

1)*  We had two stellar professors who made our experiences so memorable.  They planned trips outside of London each week so we were able to see more of Britain than is humanly possible in such a short period of time.  We also had one crap professor.  He provided us with comedy and anger.

   

2)* The "BYU London Centre" is two row houses in Notting Hill (27 Palace Court Rd. W2 4LP, to be precise). You couldn't wish for a nicer neighborhood.  Even if you wished for it, you couldn't afford it.  BYU bought them in the 70's.  Praise Heaven.

3)* I met some of the greatest girls alive.  Yes only girls.  Boys don't tend to apply to this program.  Ather, Emily, Amanda, Marie, Jessica, Melissa, Lis, and Krista are some of my favorite people on earth.  Still.  

4)* I learned A LOT.  Seriously.  If you live in London and can't find something to keep your mind busy every day, you are officially an idiot.  Either that or you have a torn meniscus that keeps you in the centre (this happened to poor little Anne Marie). 

 

5)* I FELL IN LOVE with British literature.  Mostly with Jane Austen.  Really, really in love.  It's amazing how much more you can love something or someone when you actually see where they lived, or get to exist for a bit in the modern day version of their world.  I'm giddy just thinking about it!  

6)* We got to be mean girls for one last time.  Don't inhale sharply!  EVERYONE knows that when large groups of girls get together they fight.  It's the law.  There was just something about our particular coven that really ticked some of the others off.  We never started anything.  Swear.  But we were really good at finishing.  Mainly we just talked under our breath.  A lot.  We conquered by our wits.  It's the only way.  Also, the professors (two of them) liked us, so we got away with a good deal.  Yay us!

7)* I got to have my hair cut at Vidal Sassoon and Toni and Guy.  To the average human being, this may not sound like much.  To me (a hair freak), this was astounding.  They have innumerable hair schools in London (duh) and the students need people to practice on.  I was only too willing to oblige.  My cut at Sassoon was done by an instructor for a class and was the BEST, most precise cut I've ever had in my life.  My cut at Toni and Guy was done by a hair "grad student" (it's a thing), whose name was Robin and he was literally from Nottingham.  Like Robin Hood.  Also, that location was in Sloane Square.  As in "Hair Dresser on Fire" Sloane Square.  Hilarious.  

8)* I discovered some of the most delicious food on the planet.  Anyone who tells you British food is crap is a moron.  It's wonderful.  Nowhere on earth can you find such an amazing array of foods.  We're talking Indian, Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, French, Greek...  And English food IS great.  Give me a ploughman's lunch any day of the week and I'll be a happy girl.  Or a pasty!  Oh I love me a pasty.  And do NOT get me started on the sweets.  Don't. 

 

9)* It gave me a new appreciation for the fact that just because things are different, it doesn't mean they're inferior or less.  I had this notion that my way was the very best and all the other ways were crap.  Not so.  Once I realized that it was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders.  Does that sound crazy?  It sounds a little crazy.  I LOVE that other cultures do things so very differently than I do.  Ultimately we're all after the same thing.  We ARE all after the same thing, right? ;)

10)* I realized that I have a serious crush on Britain.  It's become and illness.  I am the biggest Anglophile you'll ever meet (maybe a few readers of this blog tie with me).  When I continue my education it will be to get a Master's degree in Humanities and will likely be in some Britishy thing of my choosing ;).  La di da.  It makes me smile to think of it.   

Below are some of my favorite pictures of my time in England (the greatest of all the lands).  

What else?  Abbey Road.  We never did get that shot quite right.  (Me, Amanda, Marie, Ather)

Hilarity in the North Country.  There is nothing more worth while than putting the camera on auto timer ;)  (Krista, Marie, Ather, Amanda, me).

Rain Forest Cafe.  Not one of the finer culinary choices London has to offer.  But fun, nonetheless.  (Ather, Amanda, me, Krista, Emily, Melissa, Lis, Marie).

Some abbey.  I REALLY should have written on the back of those photos.  (Emily, Ather, Jessica, Krista, me, Melissa).

More hilarity in the North Country.  (Krista, Ather, me, Amanda, Marie).

Hampton Court.  Very cold.  Very.  I adore the Hershey's Kiss trees.  (Lis, Krista, Emily, me, Amanda).

Our last night in the Centre.  Packin' up.  It was cargo instead of luggage at this point.  (Amanda, me, Melissa, Krista).

What a fabbity fab experience London was.  What a fun post to write.  Now I shall have it forever remembered in my "journal".  Huzzah!  To my girls-I love your stinkin' guts!  Always.  Love, the Pres.  

Gift

A friend of mine bought me this shirt and I thought the knitters would appreciate it.


I know Oprah has told us all to stop saying the word "ho".  And we know we must hearken to the words of Oprah ;).  But when it comes to yarn...  Well, honestly.  

Blogging Failure!!!!

I feel that I am failing in my blogging duties.  To quote my favorite Luchador (Nacho), maybe it's time for me to get another duty.  

Of course I won't actually get another duty because this is sort of how I "journal" and if this goes then I will have NO recollection of my life when I am old ;).  Also, I love my friends in Blogland and would miss them terribly if I got another duty.  I've made my decision.  Decision made.  Blogging stays even though I'm crap at it.  

Reason one why I'm a Scheizeblog, I was given some awards (a really long time ago) by Hege and Marit, and I've never posted them or passed them on.  There's probably a Blogger's Hell somewhere for me.  I suppose I'll find out someday.  

This first one is from Hege.  I've been reading her blog for quite some time and love it.  She is an amazing Norwegian Super Knitter.  You should definitely check out her blog (hegeshobbykrok.blogspot.com). 

I shall give this award to...  Oh I honestly can't choose!  I love ALL the blogs I read.  They are wonderful and unique and entertaining and I wouldn't be reading them if I didn't love them!  HA!  Oh for crying out loud, I suppose I'll choose, this award goes to Marit.  She is another amazing Norwegian Super Knitter and you should also check out her blog (marit-ontheneedles.blogspot.com).

The second one I received from both Hege and Marit...

I'm supposed to write this little blurb with it...

This blog invests and believes in proximity-nearness in space, time and relationship.  These blogs are exceedingly charming.  These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.  They are not interested in prices or self-aggrandizement.  Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prices are cut, even more friendships are propagated.  Please give more attention to these writers!  Deliver this message to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their awards.

I'm very flattered to have received this kind award.  I LOVE getting new readers and in turn, reading their blogs.  The world is such a fascinating place, yes?  I must admit to thinking the "cleverly written text" is mildly odd but perhaps it just doesn't translate well from Spanish (is that what that is?).  

I hereby give this award to...

Um, no one.  Here's why.  Many of you that I'm thinking of have already received it and the others are "private" bloggers who probably don't want me sending a bunch of new readers your way.  Odd, I know!  However, I shall respect your privacy.  If you DO want some new readers, let me know and the award is yours because let's face it, I don't read stupid blogs and you all deserve it.

Reason number 2 that I am a Scheizeblog.  I have not posted knitting for a really long time.  OKAY here we go for the Christmas knits.  See, I TOLD you this was still a knitting blog.  I have sworn never to have a knitted Christmas again.  It was a stupid idea.  Wait, not that stupid.  It saved me justalittlebit because with the Horrendous Back Saga of 2008, shopping was sort of limited anyway.  

My first gift was for Scott, brother-in-law and gentleman...

What does one knit a brother-in-law?  A scarf, of course.  Any idiot knows that ;).  This is a masterful pattern called "cast on some stitches, do a 2x2 rib for a bit, knit for a REALLY long time in garter stitch and then end in another 2x2 rib section".   It was genius.  I actually almost gouged my eyes out with this one because I started the Boyfriend Scarf from LMKG and it rolled so horribly that I ripped it out and did this lovely.  Simplicity aside, it's very masculine and he claims to wear it all  the time.  Scott is not a liar so I, for one, believe him.  

Gift number 2, Cottage Slipper Socks for sister-in-law Brooke...

Aren't they cute?  

Pattern: Cottage Slipper Socks by Lion Brand Yarn

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick (Pleeeease change this name!)

Mods: I did some of this pattern magic loop because I don't love dpn's but things got a bit wonky and the decreases ended up being in the wrong place.  Ahh well, you can't win 'em all!

Time: They only took about 2 days.  Woot woot!

Prezzie number 3 for my sister Brooke (yes I have a sister AND a sister-in-law named Brooke Bendixen.  It's very confusing)...

The ridiculously simple, the I-have-knit-27-and-plan-on-knitting-more, the looks-good-on-everyone, Unoriginal Hat by the Yarn Harlot.  

Pattern: Unoriginal Hat

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande (yes, it is wonderful).

Mods: None

Time: A few hours.  Lovely, this one.

There are some other Christmas knits but I still have not acquired photos of said knits.  

Lastly, I must show you what I got Steve for Christmas because I love them with all my heart.  A friend of mine has a brother who is a professional artist and does animation on Disney's video games.  He's super talented so I employed him to do animations of my savages.  

Here is Will.  I had him done as a knight because you will rarely find him without a sword in his hand.  He is constantly fighting something.  He once asked Lizzy, when she was crying, if she needed him "to save the world".  Yes Will, please do.  

Here's the Lizzard.  She is "scaring".  This is Steve's favorite thing she does.  She puts her hands by her face and roars at us.  It's terribly frightening.  Also, she is dressed like a princess and in pink because she loves pink (I seriously have no idea where she gets it from, I am NOT a pink person), and she never fails to tell us that she's a princess.  "Wella" (Cinderella), to be precise.  


Steve gave me many wonderful "relaxation" minded gifts such as a new camera, a spa package, lovely books (oh how I love books), a pad for my lap top so I can blog in bed on my heating pad (not laziness, just less painful).  He is v v thoughtful and I would likely gouge my eyes out with my needles were he not in my life.  Seriously.  

Christmas Insanity!

We had a wonderful Christmas, as, I hope, did all of my friends in Blogland.  I LOVE this season's constant stream of parties, food, and general "togetherness".  There's never a lack of something to do.  We had festivities from the beginning of December until Boxing Day (aka the Feast of Stephen).  Steve loves having a plan for the Feast of Stephen as a way of extending Christmas.  

I knit myself into a frenzy but forgot to take ONE picture.  Yes, I am the newly crowned Queen of the Idiots.  I shall get pictures shortly and update soon.  Since the camera is always in the diaper bag (must be prepared), I have just a few Christmas festivities to write about...

The first is my extended family's annual Christmas party (mom's side).  I have a bit of a love/hate with this party as most of my family members on this side are fabbity fab but some are incredibly odds bodkins (as extended families tend to get).  I will NEVER say which are which but there we are ;).  Example (which is going to give things away): an entire branch of this family tree went on strike this year and didn't show up.  What?! 

The below pic is of the littles singing Jingle Bells.  Very higgeldy piggeldy but very  cute nonetheless.  They were each given a jingle bell for the song and later turned said jingle bells into weapons, as you do.  

We have a pinata at this party every year.  Pinatas cause a crazed frenzy.  Anytime you give a child a stick and tell him to beat something until candy falls out, you will create armageddon.  Oddly, this activity is usually kept pretty well under control and we have not had a child broken or stitched to this date. Where is some wood?

Here is the Lizzard with a savage gleam in her eye.  I feel certain she was seeking out a child to hit.

And now Will, bound and determined to smash the poor snowman to bits until he offered up his candy stuffing.  

Our next party is our annual Linton Family Christmas Bash held at Steve's parent's house.  This has become such a fun tradition.  We have appetizers, a cookie exchange, and an insane talent show in the basement (think Dan in Real Life).  It's all very wonderful.  Will insisted on singing two songs and I felt the tiniest bit like Mr. Bennett telling Mary to "give the other girls a chance to exhibit".  Oh well, he was humored and remains one of the cutest children in existence ;).  This picture is of him singing Jingle Bells very off key.

Lizzy loves nothing more than to dance.  Her favorite song in the world is the Hot Dog song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (she asks me to sing it to her before bed).  For her talent, we set up a CD player and let her fly.  She was a dancing fool and there was never a happier girl.  She mainly stomps her feet and flaps her arms like a chicken but it cracks us up and was absolutely perfect.

So here we are at Christmas morning.  For many months Will has asked for nothing but a Buzz Lightyear and and Emperor Zurg.  These he got.  Simple pleasures.  Lizzy also got a Buzz and a Woody since she loves him with all her heart.  Now, being the smart mom that I am and knowing that children two years apart are interested in the same toys, I got Will a Woody too.  We got the two Woodys at separate times and from different places.  Will's talks, Lizzy's does not.  Yes, Lizzy noticed.  She's not particularly fond of her Woody and usually plays with Will's.  Ahh, well.  You can't win 'em all.  

 



As I said, we had an absolutely fabulous Christmas this year. Kids make Christmas so much more fun for us. They have brought the magic back. I love having little people in the house who fully believe that a man is coming down the chimney to bring them toys and that if they're good enough, they'll get what they asked for. I only hope they never ask for something I can't (or won't) get them. Like another kid, or another dog ;).

Coming soon, Christmas knits (yes, this is still a knitting blog, I swear!), and my gift to Steve (it was really cool).

I've Become a Noblog

I have no idea what's wrong with me lately.  I CANNOT summon the desire to blog.  We've done Christmassy things.  We've had parties.  We've decorated.  I've knitted.  I don't really care to write about it.  I'm taking laziness to a new level. I've been knitting quite a bit but as said knitted items are gifts, I can't very well bandy them about on my blog for the recipients to see, can I. 

 So, with a terrible lack of blogging creativity, I took a picture of my Christmas tree.  The one I claimed was so pretty.  Well, pictures of lit Christmas trees are crap.  As you see...

It really is great.  I swear.  It's 12 feet tall and has about 12 million lights and wonderful purple, gold, red and green ornaments all over it.  But this is the best I could give you, so there it is.

On my birthday we had some family pictures taken.  Always an adventure.  Steve's cousin is a photographer and does a bang up job with these photos.  She's the one who took the pics of the kids on my sidebar.  She is not a parent at the present time and is still under the impression that all children are hilarious.  She never gets impatient with them and they respond very well to her.  Therefore, she has excellent results.

The above is one of my faves and looks like a J Crew catalog page to me (you look hot, babe).

This one (forgive me, Steve) was just too hilarious not to display.  This is Lizzy in full rotten mode.  Steve was caught unawares and thus looks a wee bit mental ;). 

In my previous post I told you about my hideous pain issues.  Well, my poor little 3 year old is concerned.  Far too concerned for a little boy.  I suited him up yesterday to play in the snow with his friend.  He couldn't be bothered to wait inside so I sent him out to wait on the front steps.  When I opened the door to check on him and this is what I found him doing...


Poor little man!  What 3 year old feels the need to shovel the walks?  He has no clue how to shovel!  Look at his little hat.  He was just chucking snow everywhere.  It was v v cute.  

Okay.  That's it.  That's what I came up with because I was boring MYSELF with my blog.  I hope it's mildly interesting to some.  

32 Reasons I Like Being Me.

I just had my 32nd Birthday on the 6th and was not going to do a Birthday post but decided that I've been on a bit of a whinge so I needed to list the reasons it's great to be me.  

First off, I'd like to announce the winner of the "drawing" which didn't end up being a drawing because only one person said what they were thankful for... Julie.  Ta da!  She wins!  However, since she is a Noknit I will have to invent a prize for her as yarn would be a stupid gift for a non knitter.  Watch out Julie, a really cool prize is coming your way!  

Now.  I have become the most hideous whiner of late because of a long standing back injury that has decided (after two pregnancies) to rear its ugly head.  Its REALLY ugly head.  However, this gives me NO reason to be a chronic complainer and become the bane of my family's life ;).  SO, I've decided to list 32 fantastic things to remind myself that the good outweighs the bad in my life!  Honestly, just look at the above picture.  How could I not laugh hysterically every time I see that?  I have two hilariously rotten children for whom I don't even have to buy Christmas prezzies due to their level of naughtiness and hatred for Santa.  Kidding!  Will actually did like Santa, I just think he didn't know how to react to Lizzy's Christmas induced fit.  

Here goes...

32 Reasons it's great to be Heidi

1) I've got the best husband in the world

2) I've got the funniest/cutest little boy in the world

3) I've got the silliest/cutest little girl in the world

4) We have amazing families (Steve and I)

5) We live around great people

6) I can knit!  

7) I have a home (and I really like it!)

8) We have two really cute and really bad dogs

9) We have great friends

10) I get to read all the books I want

11) I live in a pretty great country

12) I live in a place that has 4 seasons

13) I get to watch 30 Rock (and it's stinkin' funny)

14) I'm surrounded by amazing people who will pick up the slack when I can't do it anymore

15) My husband is the self proclaimed "Captain Surpriso" which means he likes to surprise people (mainly me) with gifts

16) I have a newly organized pantry!

17) Even though I gained 50 lbs with each pregnancy, I know how to lose weight!  Phew!

18) I can swim.  Like a madwoman.

19) I can do Weight Watchers.  Like a madwoman.

20) I get to watch A LOT of British movies and TV

21) My husband has a job

22) I get to go back to school someday to get my MA.  Whenever I feel like it :)  And study whatever I want!

23) I'm 5'10"

24) Will only wants Emperor Zurg and Buzz Lightyear for Christmas.

25) Lizzy only plays with toys Will plays with!

26) I have husband who likes to cook

27) I have a husband who likes to travel. A lot. Just like me!

28) I have a really pretty Christmas tree. Really pretty ;)

29) I am the proud owner of a yarn winder and swift (as of two days ago)

30) My kids say REALLY funny things

31) My kids smell REALLY good

32) I still like birthdays and don't worry about getting older! Woot Woot!

So there it is. The 32 reasons I need to shut my gob and go to physical therapy!