Thor's Day is so Long

Today has been a twelve year day.

Went to Mom’s and got the girls ready using a new picture graph (why did no one think of this sooner?). After the Maternal Grandfather took them to Horse Camp, I ran errands for Mom who is feeling much better. She swears I gave her the PM version of whatever aspirin she takes. Either that or she was more tired than she realized.

At lunch, I changed cloths and put on makeup to help the StepPaternal Grandmother with a reception. Turns out the Governor and some other big names in State Politics were coming to hand out certificates and make speeches.

My copy of Helmut Lotti goes Classic Final Edition came in. I ordered it Monday. Thank you God, how many goats and lambs do I owe you for this? Seriously, this is amazing. Of course this means I will not be getting anything in the mail tomorrow, a first since Tuesday. That is quite alright.

The Grasshoppers lost—again. But we still have the cute uniforms. We have a make-up game tomorrow and Monday. I fail to see the point of these games, but someone would complain if we did not. I got hit with one of the bats tonight; does this exclude me for the rest of the season? There I was, double-knotting a girl’s shoe lace, when the stupid tee-ball bat attacks from the side. The worst part was that I could not swear, as there were more than one child under the age of six present. Besides, she did not mean to hit me and I would have felt terrible stating ‘poxed [and loose] greenshirt,’ the kid might have thought I was talking about her. I was ever so grateful that I left Lotti's CD in my purse. The Twins were forced to listen to him sing 'Greensleeves' as we rode home.

On the brighter side of life, I have discovered the wonderful qualities of a real cable needle instead of a double-point needle. It is almost as good as reading R. Browning while listening to Mozart. And how clichéd is that?

A New Book for Me

Why in five hells would anyone want to buy a brand new book? Admittedly, I do all the time. However, with the arrival of my Student’s Cambridge Ed of Robert Browning’s poetry I question my own sanity. This book is obviously well loved (and marked up). And it is gorgeous! Still searching for a publication date, but that does not really matter right now. The seller was kind enough to wrap it up in brown paper before putting it in a box. It was like opening a really early Christmas present.

Mom is better, but still confined to bed on doctor’s orders. In fact, I’ll be driving over there shortly to help out (orders from the Maternal Grandmother).

Long Day...Week

This has not been a very pleasant Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. Sunday was good. In fact Sunday made its Saturday and Monday worth bearing.

Saturday Mom’s car would not start, which meant everyone played ‘musical vehicles’ and somehow I managed to play sister/daughter all day. Yesterday, Mom had a party planned and despite being sick, threw a nice lunch for about 20 people. So yesterday was spent in party mode then daughter. In fact she has yet to truly get better and I spent the day driving her to the doctor, x-ray guy, and store for juice. They think she has pneumonia. Translation: the Twins are sleeping here tonight and my week is booked running her errands so she can get better.

Speaking of the Twins, the Elder informed us at dinner that she wanted to get on an airplane to see her cousins. In Antarctica. She will wear a nice dress and our cousins will let us play and feed their yellow ducks. In Antarctica. Mom told her we would have to email them to compare calendar dates.

The Twins and their BBF are the only three children at Horse Camp this week. The large group which was the main reason it was planned for this week pulled out at the last minute. Everyone is thrilled that they have a week at Horse Camp to themselves. Younger Twin even randomly shouted “Yee-Ha!”

The Maternal Grandfather tracked me down between medicine runs to hand over three packages that came in for me. I told him what was in each as I took them from him. The Sitter laughed but I was right. My new seal came in from China (sold as an antique but I would be amazed if it was). I like it mostly because I have not seen very many of them before. The book 1066 and All That (75^th edition) came in as did the yarn I ordered last week. The book is a nice piece of braincandy. I doubt anyone can tell from here, but I had lots of help winding the hanks into balls. However, I must insist that no more new books or yarn until July. I really have to knit some of this yarn up and get through my summer reading.

Sunday

I really need to work on my ‘keeping track of what color I’m using while in the dark theater’ ability. The single alternating stripe idea did not quite work. Not to even think about starting a row in the same place twice. I was not sure about the color combination, an off-white and gray, yet I find myself imagining these two colors as a shawl. Hmm. At least I was able to knit while watching a movie (Pirates 3) and it bothered no one. I was not even using the quite plastic needles, which I am pretty sure I no longer own anyway. The movie was great, both myself and the StepPaternal Grandmother loved it. She even treated to hot-fudge cakes afterwards.

Tonight was the second night in a row that I have had to go to Mom’s to put the Twins to bed. Mom is still that sick. Not sure how I feel about this.

There is a get-together tomorrow at Mom’s house for the holiday. Afterwards, I might just pretend I am dead. I love all my siblings, even the extended ones and those whom I do not see more than three times a year. However, this does not mean I like how the Twins act after they see their BFF and her little sister (both of whom qualify as extended sisters).

Summery

Four hours of mulching.

Voltaire read.

Cable-Down Raglan ten rows closer to completion.

KnitLit 3 came in.

Can we call it a day yet?

Grasshoppers and Voltaire

The Grasshoppers lost by 5 runs, mostly because we do not know how to get people out. However, we made some pretty good plays. The Younger Twin actually caught the ball and Elder Twin hits really well. Ok, so it does not affect the free market but it matters to us here in are little nook of the world. Besides, we looked adorable in our uniforms. Our official picture will be the best of the lot. Such is the life of summer tee-ball.

StepSister no. 2 was glad to receive her birthday present early; even though it is not as great as its predecessors of the series. There is bound to be a bad book or two in a series, the law of average is a law and not a theory for a good reason. I do hope it picks up for her though.

In book news: I won the poetry book of Robert Browning. For once, I paid the same amount for shipping and the book itself. Not only that, but I have only 20 pages left to read of Voltaire. I am making notes every other paragraph in hopes it will cut down on time in the Fall. This book should be finished by the weekend. I should start looking over the next text on the list…later.

Not much progress on my needles, I find myself unwilling to knit before I have all the yarn I need for the project. Sure, there are five or seven balls I have to go through before I actually run out. Somehow that does not seem to matter. Hence the reason I threw a scarf on a spare set of needles. I should be finishing it sooner rather than later.

It came in!

Milton’s Comus came in today. I nearly squealed in the Post Office. It took all of twenty minutes to savor each and every word. (Mom figured out that every minute cost me approximately $3 since I paid $7.50 including shipping. It was completely worth every half penny.) Take my word for it—do not be satisfied with just the ‘Sabrina Fair’ lines, read the entire thing. Like the majority of Milton’s works, this one has obvious religious tones, ‘Virtue will triumph’ and all that. But for the men to mess up and have a woman be the ultimate savior was wonderful, and slightly pornographic in a Rossetti Goblin Market way.

Now, I need to locate archival tape. There is absolutely no reason I would ever want to resell Comus, however, I would like to keep all the pages together. Realistically, it was published in 1892 and was well loved. Not only did the owner write her name and the date, but she marked her favorite passages in pencil. How wonderful is that? I have this feeling as though I am interacting with her as I read the lines. An obvious question comes forth: do I mark in pencil or pen? Watercolor is out of the question, naturally.

Work and ballgame tomorrow. And I do need to finish Voltaire by Saturday; deadlines are the only way I can finish this list in a reasonable amount of time.

something clever should be here

The Twins and I (notice how often these words are together?) caught fireflies tonight. There must be close to twenty in the Younger’s bug box, granted we started with three in there already. But do they count, since they were already dead?

I have had to put down Orlando Furious, I keep seeing all the books and materials I need to be reading for the fall. Therefore, I have started Voltaire’s Candid. For such a slim text, I have already made many notes in it. Ah well, about 75 more pages before I can read another six cantos in Orlando. For those who have not read it, the book is such an outrageous parody of the chivalric romance genre that it is hard not to like it. At this rate, I should be finished by October. Such things are worth the extended reading time.

In knitting news, while doing some basic arithmetic today I discovered that I did not purchase yarn enough for the Cable-Down Raglan sweater. Short by less than 100 yards, there is only one remedy in sight—just break down and buy another skein. How frustrating. Of course a $4 skein will cost me $25 since I have to put in an order I might as well grab some other things. But that is a tomorrow thing.

A Round of Shots for Everyone

Subbing was not a big deal today. In fact, it was almost fun. I was a buddy to a blind student and we had some problems with the Brailler. The student in question also wanted to talk more than work on math, apparently this is normal for any kid. I know I like being Ms. First Name better than Ms. Last Name. I cannot get by with being called the former when I am watching a large class. Everytime I hear Ms. Last Name, I look around for my Paternal Grandmother. It is just too weird. I might actually have to act like a responsible adult and not an older sister.

The LPN I see gave me a shot when I stopped by after school. She strongly urged calling the Neurologist to move up my appointment. In all honesty, I will not if it can be avoided at all. Once the sinus pressure backs off, life should improve dramatically. The LPN also saw Mom. Turns out Mom has an ear infection among other things I simply cannot spell. She was given a shot and sent home. I believe StepDad was also going to pop into the LPN for a shot.

The Twins have new bug boxes. Elder filled hers up with dirt and worms. As of last I saw them, Younger had nothing. Never fear, it will soon be full. Why did they get new bug boxes? Because we are bribing them to sleep in their own beds, they get a prize for every three nights they spend in their own rooms. Too bad I am too old to cash in on that.

The Grasshoppers (our tee-ball team) tied their first game last Thursday. I was in bed with a migraine and missed it. However, I know we have the best uniforms and are the cutest in them. No competition on that front.

another ending

Thank God the recital is over and done with. The Twins thoroughly enjoyed themselves on stage, especially their last number. StepDad even showed up in a clean shirt (he was working before and after the show); he was wearing a huge smile during the Twin’s three numbers. Recital has become a family event. No one even cusses at each other for the whole two hours.

Mom is now running a fever; therefore we missed church this morning. And tonight. Earlier, I took care of the Twins so Mom could rest. She and the Twins are resting. I needed to break away from everything for a week, however, I will have to settle for the hour it takes to have church.

Despite a running hatred of Milton, I bid and won a text of his on eBay. Comus should be in next week. Sure, I could get the ‘Sabrina fair’ excerpts on the internet, but I want to read the entire work. I continue to feel as though I am missing a vital piece. Bookstores only stock his collections that have portions of Paradise Lost in them. I own one anthology too many with that epic in it. While I was on eBay, I found a collection of Robert Browning at a decent price. That auction ends Tuesday or Wednesday. If this trend continues, I truly will be forced on a yarn diet—until I have more books than I could read. Mom told me (and the Maternal Grandmother agrees) that judging by my trunk stash, I am in no danger of starving of yarn. I can only hope they are right, as I am currently searching for a good collection of Yeats.

who knew?

Which is worse: the melancholy or the migraines? Right now, I cannot honestly say either one is pleasant. Sure, I am no longer waking up crying and getting out of bed is easier. However, there is still an abundance of bile in my system. (Reference: too much bile was believed to be the cause of melancholy up to the 17^th century.) In addition to the overwhelming sadness, migraines are hitting me harder and more often. Next mouth’s appoint with the Neurologist will not be a ten minute chat as it has been for over two years.

On the brighter side of life: the dance recital is over tomorrow. The Twins cannot wait to wear their outfits to church. The rest of us are looking forward to life resuming its normal course.

I posted StepSister no. 2’s gift yesterday. It should arrive in plenty of time for her birthday. The plan to just buy their gifts is looking better every time I think about it.

An Early Post for Once

I loath the week before a dance recital. All that unneeded stress and chaos over a costume, then there is the routine itself that has to be run over and over. We waited two hours yesterday to rehearse a number. Two hours in a room full of five-year old girls and they got tired of coloring after the first hour.

The Younger Twin cannot dance, by any stretch of the imagination. However, she looks adorable on stage in her outfit, three beats behind everyone else. She loves it. Cannot wait for the recital, therefore she will probably be enrolled next year.

Puppy and I have started walking in the mornings; she actually gets up and out of bed this early but only for a walk and breakfast. One of the Matriarchs suggested more exercise might help with the melancholy. As of yet, I am unsure if it is working; other than Puppy’s enjoyment of an extra walk. I have a feeling we will continue if only for this reason.

I miss the DC family being in town. The StepSister no. 2’s birthday is this month and I will not be seeing her. It was pretty cool taking her to a movie for her birthday or just because. My goal is to seen her present tomorrow, provided I dig up the new address. It is wrapped and ready to be shipped with a card; I just need to take it the five blocks to get posted.

The Cable-Down Raglan is making some progress, if only I did not have to tink it every now and then to correct a mistake. I have been fortunate enough to spot them within twenty stitches, but am still frustrated.

another week begins

The diabetes doctor changed the Maternal Grandmother’s meds, took blood, and scheduled another appoint in a fortnight. The trip over there was not as bad as I thought it would be, but the wait was worse. But I did finish a hat. And immediately frogged it.

The Twins have a dance recital on Sunday and practice nearly every night this week. Tomorrow we go from a ball game to ballet, talk about tired and cranky people in about 24 hours. And why do they make dance outfits so hideous? And my sisters are cute.

I get to sub all day, but that is no big—I’ve been in that class before. It is my fondest wish to cast-on the Cable-Down Raglan from Interweave Knits, Spring ’07 issue sometime this week. I’ve gauged it out and will recheck in the morning.

Mother's Day Surprises

Today was defiantly not blah.

First, the Maternal Grandmother’s sugar bottomed out in the middle of this morning’s sermon and she had to leave church early. There was a doctor sitting where Mom could have him come out and check on thins. Turns out, this thing is fairly common after major surgery; the body is readjusting and chemicals go a bit crazy for a spell. She is to see the diabetes doctor this week so the episode can go on her medical record for future notice.

While I was keeping the pew warm, the Preacher gave his official resignation to the church. No one moved. Everyone was in shock. He has an opportunity to work alongside his son in the ministry field and has been in a state of health decline for some time. The man deserves less stress in his life. We’ll miss him. I do not personally agree with all the conclusions he makes in his sermons, yet he is probably the most decent person I know and he genuinely wants to help people. This begs the question: What can I knit his family as a going-away present?

I made a new knitting friend today. She not only showed me her stash but also gave me a ball from it. How cool is that? I forget how amazing it is to knit and talk with a fellow knitter. I must call up my other knitting buddies halfway across the state.

The Twins have been sleeping in their own beds…or trying to at least. The Elder one got a Barbie and Dog (that poops) for her three nights and the Younger finally made it last night. She picked out a horse that smells good. Whatever. Everyone is happy. Except me, the whole Barbie having a Dog that poops just seems odd in a disturbing way.

Grades are in: 2 Bs and 1 A. I feel mediocre.

On the plus side of life, the melancholy is getting easier to deal with. I am hoping this is a new trend.

And the week ends

Blah. That sums up the past three days. Work, family, being sick, family being sick; all of it just blah.

And I have yet to call StepMom back (we talked on…Monday?).

Let’s just write this week off.

May 9th

The Maternal Grandmother is doing wonderful. In fact, she is feeling extremely restless despite the stream of visitors that have flown through.

My Neurologist approved a lower med dosage until our biannual appointment next month. Either it is starting to help, or I am too tired to feel anything. (Strongly leaning on the latter.) I started working for my StepDad’s lawn service today. The Paternal side of the family will no doubt want me to try to find something else but none of my applications have called me back. I pulled weeds, unplanted pansies, and planted marigolds for 6.5 hours today. Next week, I am subbing just about everyday. Between the family and working, I do not expect to feel anything for a few days.

On a brighter note, I am now well into Canto IV of Orlando Furioso. While it is not on the official summer reading list, I have been wanting to read this all semester. Besides, I need to have some light reading before diving into early reading for the fall (it’s called summer reading).

The Elder Twin told the family today that she planted a tree in the back of the Maternal Grandparent’s backyard and it took so long for it to grow. Problem with this: that particular tree is easily 90+ years old. Apparently she has an ego problem we are working through. The other day she told Mom, “I invented dirt.”

Mom’s reply, “You did not invent dirt. God did.”

Not missing a beat, Elder Twin: “Well, he got advice from me.”

May whoever is in charge today give us reinforcement, the kid is only five. Dance recital is next week, I think. I know they have two practices this week and their first tee-ball game on Tuesday.

Time to turn in, tomorrow has no intention of being short.

and the day ends...finally

So where have I been all day? I really cannot recall.

Mom and the Maternal Grandfather were at the hospital all day waiting on the Maternal Grandmother to have surgery and all. It took longer than the doctors thought but all is well. When we (that’s right I went into the hospital for night visiting hours, a big step for me) left she was eating a gram cracker very slowly.

While they were in the waiting room, I stayed on this side of the River and took care of things. Watered the animals, walked the children, yelled at the plants; those sort of things. Things look to be the same tomorrow, except I have a few errands of my own and I don’t have to stand on a field ‘coaching.’ I did manage to knit two washcloths in between the moments of chaos. And I pushed myself closer to the ‘knit too much’ line: I smuggled yarn purchases into the house…when no one else was home. I swear it was only two skeins of some cheap acrylic and I am donating two bags of various yarns to the local public school I sub at. Various yarns meaning the coarse cheap acrylic I refuse to work with anymore, some novelty yarn that no longer impresses me, a skein or two I finally admitted that I will never, ever knit up.

The neurologist and I talked this afternoon. She agrees that I need to half my current medication strength and that we need to wait a few weeks to see how it works out. Maybe this will help with the melancholy. I will not use the word ‘depressed;’ it feels so final. ‘Melancholy’ just sounds fleeting. If fleeting is a measure of time which is coming up on seven months. Right now, I would settle for not waking up crying or having moments when I want to scream/cry/throw things/all of the above at the same time.

Sunday

The Maternal Grandmother should be resting, instead she has been playing house all day. Scrubbing the carport, pulling weeds, moving furniture, and that sort of thing. She has surgery tomorrow afternoon and what is she doing? Cleaning.

The Elder Twin was pushing buttons all morning but finally went too far and got in trouble during communion. When Mom gave her a dollar for contribution, the Elder Twin looked up and said, “What is this for?” Mom told her it was for Jesus. The reply: “Jesus has lots of money. I’m taking this shopping.” She was immediately taken to the dreaded ‘outside’ asking while Mom was taking her out, “It’s not time to go yet. It’s too early.” Once inside the bathroom, Mom told her she was getting a spanking. “Can’t we negotiate this?”

We are playing tee-ball this year. Our name? “Grasshoppers.” Mom finally got me on a tee-ball team, and it only took her fifteen years. I am one of the under-coaches and can think of twenty better things I could be doing. At least the season ends in June.

Knitting is growing intense, as Mother's Day approaches. I bruised my fingers finishing a pair of socks for the Maternal Grandmother to have at the hospital. Now to make a few washcloths and mail them off.

Why do I even try? Shortly before turning in for the night, I got a call asking me to sub today. “Of course. No problem.” Guess I did not want to sleep late anyway.

The Maternal Grandmother’s blood was funny so the doctors delayed the test and are holding her hostage with IVs until tomorrow. Then they will try the whole test thing again. Ah! Don’t these people know we cannot take any more stress? Unbelievable. I expected more from the stars than this.

Last Day of Classes....until Aug

The semester is over…except for the grades. Someone pass the whiskey; it helps the waiting go faster.

Medieval Lit conference went over nicely, the Maternal Grandfather showed up to hear me speak. My buddies were impressed, I was ecstatic. Everyone had 15 minutes to talk and 5 for questions. I talked for 7 minutes. What can I say? I was the first person on the second panel and the three speakers on the first ran out of time. Meaning, I felt that I needed to distill my already boiled down paper. The prof was cool, she allowed us to spend the rest of the time discussing the ideas and what I need to explore later on. During one of the breaks, one of my buddies liked a hat I had knitted up (I did not realize it was one of the Harry Potter house colors) so I gave it to her. My friend who wanted the chain mail loved both of them. That means not one but two people liked my knitting. I am still thrilled over that.

The party finial was a blast. I stayed in one room nearly exclusively, and on the floor. We were eating on the floor, using the coffee table to hold our plates and cups. For some odd reason I stayed there. It was fun. We had a round of pictures taken, I except I shall find myself on some FaceBook or MySpace page this week. Nothing scandalous, all the more pity. What else happened other than the showing of tattoos? Hmmm. Oh! One of my classmates, whom has not seen me spend the semester knitting, said some of his high school students want to knit in his class. He only lets the student with all As do so, but he did not know if she was paying attention or just reading the material intensely at night. Never fear, I told him it helps me focus and it is more than possible to pay attention and knit at the same time—so long as it is mindless knitting and nothing overly complicated. He felt better. Yea! Another teacher converted to students knitting in class.

Now I can spend the summer reading, working, and (in the words of last night) ‘wake up and sleep.’