Welcome to the Nut House

What to do, What to do...

2011-11-28T10:34:00.004-05:00

I've been hesitant to take down this blog since it was such a huge part of my life for a long time. Grad school sucked the life out of me but now that the end is only one semester away, the oxygen has been returning slowly. Well, not slowly because I'm all kinds of ready to run for the exit at this point.So a friend suggested I make this into a cupcake blog. And a knitting blog. And maybe even a

Empathy for the Partnered Parent

2011-02-02T10:27:00.002-05:00

crossposted here.I should be reading for class, creating a confidentiality form or maybe even knitting one of the 4 projects I have on the needles, but I’ve got a venue for parenting stuffs and it’s been a while so… When my son was just two months old, I told my now ex-husband I was leaving. Four months later, I moved out of his house and in with my parents. For two years I worked and muddled

Allow me to Introduce Myself

2010-10-02T10:25:00.001-04:00

crossposted here.(Is anyone else singing the song by Digital Underground?) I am thenutfantastic on Twitter and of the blog Welcome to the Nut House. I chose the name ‘nuthouse’ because at times, with anywhere from 3-6 dogs, a kid and myself, that’s what it feels like. I am a single mom. I have been a single mom since my son, who is now 11, was 4 months old. Technically I was a single mom since

What kind is he?

2010-07-29T13:50:00.004-04:00

I rescue pit bulls (sometimes they’re pit bullish). Further, I am a foster mom to up to four furbabies at a time and countless bottle babies, Bandit being my current. Of the little ones, always I am asked, “What is it?” (Sarcasm answers, “A dog.”) Notice the picture of Bandit in this post. Can you tell what he is? Better yet, how come it matters? Am I going to change my mind about helping him

You Gotta Take the Hetero Out of It...Like This

2010-04-09T16:18:00.005-04:00

Yesterday evening, 3 classmates and I presented to our class for an hour on GLBT families, more specifically, Gay Men Wanting to Become Dads and Gay Women Wanting to Become Moms. Each of our slides had various rainbows throughout, they were very colorful. We began our topic with the video below, I’ve Got You by Mélange Lavonne:We touched on the roles within gay/lesbian families, which come with

Something to Get off my Chest II

2010-02-25T20:27:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, my day started waking from a dream I would rather not have had. It was and still is considered a “sweet dream” that only succeeded in providing me with a deep longing for what isn’t my reality. I find those dreams much harder to recover from and it takes me a few days to shake off the feelings experienced during that short time frame. While still attempting to recuperate from said

Something to Get off my Chest

2010-02-24T18:47:00.005-05:00

Weeks ago I read the series from The Sexist on groping. They talked about why men grope, women's reactions to being groped and so on. They did a thorough job covering a topic where men seem to think they have indeterminable rights to a woman's body, that our bodies are without boundaries, seen or unseen.I have been dating a guy-type ( J*) for almost a year now. J* likes to pretend the world is a

What did I miss?

2010-02-08T22:48:00.003-05:00

Since mid-December, we've gotten a total of 26" of snow. That's virtually unheard of around here. Thankfully we finally figured out the world doesn't have to come to an end every time it snows so life got to carry on as usual over the weekend. I don't have any pictures to share this time since, eh, it's old news now. We're supposed to get more wintry stuff tomorrow through Wednesday. Yay us.But

Justice Schmustice

2010-01-26T14:37:00.003-05:00

One of the painful and frustrating things about interning where I do is the extreme ball drops that happen from time-to-time, and usually from the social worker. Take this case for example.Imagine 4 kids being severely sexually abused by their uncle. The older kid tells his teacher, the school nurse but no one helps him or his siblings. Or so he thinks.Come to find out, those mandated reporters

A Whites-Only Basketball League?

2010-01-20T13:14:00.005-05:00

Wow. Just wow. The fact that this "whites-only" league would be comprised of teams from 12 southern states makes me laugh in the ironic sense.But wait, there's more:'I don't hate anyone of color,' he told the Augusta Chronicle. 'But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like.'And that's as far

My 2nd Job

2010-01-17T23:37:00.005-05:00

Or would you consider it my 3rd? Maybe even 4th?Anyway, On Tuesday's and Wednesday's I've been interning at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). I've been learning A LOT about the court system, how CPS (Child Protective Services) and in turn DSS (Department of Social Services) work and that abuse and neglect of children happens Way. More. than. Anyone. Can. Imagine.I have also learned that I

Knitting has been On Hold

2010-01-17T23:06:00.003-05:00

About 2 or 3 weeks before Christmas, my right elbow started hurting. A lot. But it wasn't your typical smash and bruise. When I asked a physical therapist I work with what it could be, she said tendinitis. So I iced it, took lots of ibuprofen and still it hurt. Here I am nearly a month later and the pain has ebbed yet hasn't gone away completely. The problem?I had to stop knitting.Which I did and

So it's been a while

2010-01-12T19:11:00.005-05:00

I've been contemplating what to do with this space I have reserved for myself. Should I make it a knitting blog? Should I scrap it altogether?Then I had an epiphany.Why not make it a political mommy knitting blog? You'll get to see pictures of the projects I'm attempting and/or have finished, hear their stories, as well as experience the frustrations as I trudge along in my 2nd year (of 4) in

Consuming Kids?

2009-09-30T12:20:00.002-04:00

I haven't watched the whole series yet, but I'm partial to marketing being heavily geared toward kids, they know it and it's only getting worse. Unlike what many in the comments have said, I don't think its the parents responsibility at all unless they choose to begin a call for real reform.Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood

When Domestic Violence is a Pre-Existing Condition

2009-09-15T13:21:00.002-04:00

Again, this proves why we need health care reformIn 1994, then-Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), now a member of Senate leadership, had his staff survey 16 insurance companies. He found that eight would not write health, life or disability policies for women who have been abused. In 1995, the Boston Globe found that Nationwide, Allstate, State Farm, Aetna, Metropolitan Life, The Equitable Companies,

Why I Won't be Voting for Bob McDonnell

2009-08-31T09:52:00.003-04:00

In this article from yesterday’s Washington Post, it is purported that though Bob McDonnell, in his 1989 thesis, thought working women and feminists were detrimental to American families, he has changed since then. Right. Let the record show he hasn’t changed much. He hails from Virginia Beach and graduated from CBN University, now known as Regent University. If anything should worry

District 9

2009-08-30T21:45:00.004-04:00

Friday evening I treated myself to District 9 and was not disappointed. It had a viable plot and the CGI graphics helped me quickly forget I was watching something another human being made up. Peter Jackson has been making quite a name for himself and this movie did not disappoint. However, when discussing the movie the following day with the boy, he asked, "Can't you just watch a movie for

Narcissists R Us

2009-04-22T10:10:00.001-04:00

It is interesting that this article would be published when I’ve been noticing a rash of narcissism in my personal sphere. My new roommate has narcissistic tendencies especially when she’s been drinking (she also has alcoholic tendencies but that’s for another discussion), my ex-husband thinks my world should revolve around him and the United States seems to have been run by a handful of these

Workin' Workin' Workin', Keep Everybody Workin'

2009-04-09T23:36:00.004-04:00

(Sadly, the title of this post was done to the tune of "Rawhide" for whatever reason. My mind is a human jukebox.)So I'm on page 9.5 of a 12 page minimum paper. Tomorrow and Saturday it will be finished then I need to begin on the other one, which I am currently on page 6 of. The first is harder because it is also going to be presented so I have to construct both in my head almost

Is this regret?

2009-04-05T10:59:00.003-04:00

When I pulled up yahoo’s website this morning, I saw this tagline: Racist makes public apology. I clicked on the link mainly because I was curious, wondering what sort of apology a racist man could make. I will admit I am skeptical when someone begins repenting their sins, especially when you find out they’re dying. One has to wonder if they are truly sorry or do they think the only way they

Come on Charlie, Move your bloomin' arse!

2009-03-26T23:37:00.003-04:00

Maybe if we beg him enough, he'll post the awesomeness that he emailed me the other night on the AIG debacle and the fact Geithner is playing with his friends. Who wants to start?

Every Day is Straight Day

2009-03-26T22:40:00.003-04:00

Last Friday night, Peanut and my One Conservative Friend were eating dinner at River City Diner and overheard this conversation between a waiter and his customers (who he apparently knew). Keep in mind he was wearing a rainbow belt and seemed happy to be a young gay adult male:Waiter: I just found out Kings Dominion has a Gay Day. I didn't even know they could do that, isn't it discrimination.

Banished Words of 2008

2008-12-31T12:06:00.004-05:00

This doesn’t have to do with anything currently in the news such as Governor J’s appointment of IL Attorney General Burris to fill Obama’s vacant Senate seat despite being warned not to do so. Or how Israel is getting pummeled again. Or that they had to close the food/weapons road (sue me, I can’t remember what it’s called) into Afghanistan because it’s been pirated so much and is now considered

I wanna be snarky about this

2008-11-20T23:26:00.004-05:00

but I'm just too tired.Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced yesterday that they are temporarily suspending foreclosures and evictions during the holiday season in an effort to keep people from losing their homes.Okay, so maybe I'll snark a little.Awwww, isn't that nice of them. They're going to double-check to make sure people aren't spending more then 38% of their pretaxed salary on their

Peanut, the 9 year old who knows all

2008-11-18T12:38:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, while brushing our teeth, Peanut looked up at me and said, with great distain, "My school doesn't know anything."Me: Explain.Peanut: Isn't Daylight Saving Time over?Me: Well, sort of.Peanut: My school set their clocks ahead an hour! (now scowling)Me: (chuckling) Do they have it straight now?Peanut: Yeah, but it took them a while.Me: You didn't say that to anyone who works at your

this is old, but....

2008-11-11T16:42:00.004-05:00

appalling nonetheless because I'm sure they aren't the only ones to have done this nor will they be the last.Afrobella presents, "I Have no Words."Maybe someone should remind him that black people aren't really black. *sigh*

Overheard at Work

2008-11-11T16:28:00.004-05:00

I'm going to start a new series titled Overheard at Work because some of the stuff heard here would crack you up, leave you appalled or gross you out. Heck, sometimes all 3 might happen.2 of my co-workers were standing at the copier talking about a referral source who, according to them, isn't very nice. The part I will be repeating is only the section my brain began to listen in on.CW 1: She

The Return of the Peanutism

2008-11-05T10:10:00.004-05:00

A group of us, 5 very liberal women to be exact, hung out in my kitchen last night, eating, drinking and being merry while awaiting the results of the election. We had no doubt Obama was going to win, but it was nice seeing the results as they strolled in. It confirms in your mind what you knew all along: America is ready for a real change, one we can actually believe in and stand behind. Obama

Busy obsessing over the election

2008-10-31T12:36:00.002-04:00

So I leave you with these:

Palin as martyr?

2008-10-25T20:30:00.003-04:00

I'm glad Palin has 5 children as that's her choice. However, I don't like this "martyrdom" she and others have created for herself because she has a kid with Downs. Is it really admirable for a woman to choose to carry a child with a disability to full term? Or is it their own personal responsibility to do what is right for themselves, their family and their particular situation at the time

What I would really like to do....

2008-10-21T22:22:00.008-04:00

is create a post on this falicious rumor that Obama's campaign is consistently throwing out the race care. Because he isn't, at least not in the purporseful manner McCain's campaign has been.Obama is black. Actually, he's biracial if you want to get technical. But our society reminds him, his wife and their 2 kids everyday that they are black. So yeah, race comes up in his conversations quite a

Things are much clearer now

2008-10-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

Wouldn't you say?

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-16T16:41:00.003-04:00

You can call it a lot of different ways, but in my mind the surprise star of last night's debate had to be Joe the Plumber. In case you missed it, Joe isn't just a metaphoric stand-in for your average small business owner -- though he serves that purpose too. No, Joe the Plumber is an actual real guy in Holland, Ohio named Joe Wurzelbacher. Before being featured prominently in last night's debate

Noteable Reading III

2008-10-15T20:45:00.002-04:00

The Choice brought to you by The New Yorker:Never in living memory has an election been more critical than the one fast approaching—that’s the quadrennial cliché, as expected as the balloons and the bombast. And yet when has it ever felt so urgently true? When have so many Americans had so clear a sense that a Presidency has—at the levels of competence, vision, and integrity—undermined the

Noteable Reading II

2008-10-15T20:44:00.001-04:00

The Class Warfare Before Palin

Noteable Reading I

2008-10-15T20:42:00.001-04:00

What Right Wingers Mean When They Call Obama a Socialist

Being Raised up Biracial

2008-10-15T09:31:00.007-04:00

Monday, during recess, a schoolmate went up to Peanut and proceeded to call him a “white n*****”. Peanut and his friends immediately launched into the, “But I’m/He’s not white!” defense, to which I agree. Then I told Peanut that is when you tattle, to let the teachers be aware this phraseology and supposed insult is being used and hopefully a talk with the child’s parents will come out of it.

I'll take the high road, You take the low road

2008-10-11T23:11:00.006-04:00

So yeah, McCain is finally getting smart and attempting to climb up the hill with Obama, leaving the muck down below.It's about fucking time.When I asked my One Republican Friend his thoughts on the defense of Obama by McCain, he stated the latter was attempting to take the high road. When I stated it was about damned time, 1RF said, "Well Obama's been doing it, too."I stopped then asked how old

Mean Mom

2008-10-10T13:32:00.004-04:00

This morning Peanut tells me, but only after I asked to look in his agenda, that he needs $12 for a field trip on the 24th.He needed the money by today.I told him too bad.Then I added how I don’t have the time run around the morning of, rushing to the bank and back to him as I have to work. We leave our house at 7:25, are at the daycare by 7:45 then I’m at work by 8, which is me being on time.

VA now projected to go blue!

2008-10-07T16:40:00.003-04:00

Could it have anything to do with the shoddy campaign McCain/Palin are now running?(via)

Veep, Veep Veep, Veep

2008-10-06T12:47:00.003-04:00

Finally, my notes on the VP debates. I know it's been, what 4 days, but I can't help that I left my flash drive at work over the weekend. Okay, so I can help it, but don't judge! My comments are in bold******palin comes out wearing a black shiny power suit, looking goodbiden is wearing a black suit, white collared shirt, light blue/purple tiecan I call you Joe? hah, that is funnyfirst question

False equivalencies hurt Obama more than they hurt McCain

2008-10-06T03:17:00.003-04:00

Hi! Our hostess, The Nut, has graciously invited me to be her co-blogger. I used to write Shades Of Grey, but I suppose that I've been out of this "blogging" thing for long enough that I should probably write a decent post to properly introduce myself. Unfortunately, I'm not really feeling the self-love at the moment. So instead, you get my name -- I'm Charlie! -- and them I'm going to jump

Saturday Night Live does it again!

2008-10-06T00:21:00.003-04:00

With Queen Latifah as Gwen Ifill and Tina Fey as Governor Sarah Palin, it's worth watching.

23/6

2008-10-03T21:27:00.001-04:00

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

Wednesday is Hump Day

2008-10-01T23:23:00.004-04:00

And unfortunately, not the sexual kind either, at least for me anyway.This evening in class I realized how great it was to be around people who actually think and do it well. We were presented with a group in-class exercise and beefed about how to define "community boundaries" and "organizational boundaries" rather keen-like because, only when you define what a boundary is can you decide what a

Say it ain't so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home

2008-09-30T08:43:00.006-04:00

Back to never never land where people don't reject decent bills out of spite. Seriously.This is the only piece of her speech that implicated the Republican Party. The rest was a call to arms if you will.It is a number that is staggering, but tells us only the costs of the Bush administration's failed economic policies: policies built on budgetary recklessness, on an anything-goes mentality, with

The Debates

2008-09-27T22:11:00.002-04:00

I promise I'll do something with this tomorrow. Tonight I'm just too tired. I'm also hoping my good friend Charlie will help me out, too.

Miscellany

2008-09-27T21:45:00.003-04:00

What we have here is the top 106 books most often marked as "unread" by LibraryThing’s users. As in, they sit on the shelf to make you look smart or well-rounded. Bold the ones you've read, put in blue the ones you read for school, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish.Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellAnna KareninaCrime and PunishmentCatch-22One Hundred Years of SolitudeWuthering

Gotta read this

2008-09-21T23:10:00.001-04:00

Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet by Maureen Dowd

They don't think she can debate!

2008-09-21T22:06:00.003-04:00

At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates.See?

Fuck 'im

2008-09-19T14:03:00.001-04:00

I have decided some dude who doesn't like telling the truth when it really counts and will only talk to me via text message now isn't worth pining for.So fuck him.

You know what fucking sucks?

2008-09-17T21:59:00.003-04:00

Thinking you found the guy you could really settle down with who then decides, a month and a half later, that he's moving back to his hometown.And instead of exploring options such as those of the long distance kind, he breaks up with you.But not really because he avoided you and pretty much ignored you for 3 days then told you. Via text.Granted I knew he was going to be moving at some point,

Fun Sucker Outer

2008-09-15T16:54:00.002-04:00

The idea of being one sends me into a panic. I have a kid, school and a full-time job that can be a fun crusher for most anyone I am trying to date because they have to work around it thus limiting their own freedom. I’m sure it can get frustratingly simple at times.I worry about holding someone back from their full potential because I have these particular responsibilities in my life,

Overreacting? I think not.

2008-09-14T12:37:00.003-04:00

Words, such a wonderful weapon when chosen to hurt someone. Here is an example:"Why are we still sitting out here when I still could be having fun instead?"Nice, eh?

I don't want to be a mom anymore

2008-09-11T20:56:00.002-04:00

I don’t want to be a mom anymoreAt least that’s how I’m feeling today. It’s a contradictory position to take I’m sure, but I’ll bet there are others out there like me, having a bad mom day that is.Nothing spectacular has happened; I’m just tired of being chained to a 9 year old. One I will be chained to for the next 9 years and then a lifetime after that, just not as explicit.I am aware that I

What's that Palin lady about, anyway?

2008-09-04T11:49:00.004-04:00

While I was impressed by Sarah Palin's speech last night at the Republican Convention, as she did carry herself well, spoke articulately and even managed to relay to her peeps she has not forgotten her meager beginnings, she won't entice me to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.Not even a little bit.And here are a few reasons why:I honestly don’t care that her 17 year old unmarried daughter is

See if you know what any of this means

2008-09-03T13:38:00.002-04:00

Preconscious AwarenessOne begins to realize that he or she is not self-aware.Simple Conscious AwarenessFor the first time, one experiences awareness.Reflective AwarenessOne thinks about and reflect on what has happened in simple conscious awareness.Reflexive AwarenessOne pays particular attention to and understands how personal history and one's personhood affect the situation.Social Constructive

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-09-02T17:30:00.000-04:00

Yep, today is my 33rd birthday and I treated myself to a facial and massage; both were fantastic!

The Democratic Convention

2008-08-28T11:31:00.003-04:00

As much as I love politics, watching Obama speak and smack myself for missing Michelle Obama's speech, I've had tons of reading to do. So the TV has been off, music on and I catch the highlights on the Today Show the next morning.My education is quickly becoming paramount. So I really don't have anything to say on the matter.

So about my classes....

2008-08-28T11:25:00.001-04:00

Can I just say I’ll have a lot of reading to do?I think the highlight of my evening yesterday was when the prof was telling us to do it right the first time, write professionally, read, read, read, check behind yourself, etc. So I started psyching myself out.And then I read this:Please read the Preference, Introduction and Chapter 9 of Social Welfare: A history of America response to nee.dI

Information Overload!

2008-08-19T22:57:00.001-04:00

I attended the Masters in Social Work (MSW) Graduate School Orientation today. The first half was boring, the second half did nothing to assuage my fears.

Hey you, retard!

2008-08-18T15:42:00.007-04:00

I’ve already made mention of this word and subject before, but in light of a recent movie being released into the wild soon enough, much is being made of this one tiny supposed innocuous word.Let us begin with the origins and meaning of the word versus its current usage and new slang-like meaning shall we?From the Online Etymology Dictionary:1426, "fact or action of making slower in movement or

Pardon the mess

2008-08-13T22:33:00.002-04:00

I upgraded my template because blogger made me and of course that wiped all my stuff out. Then I tried cutting and pasting only to be told my previous coding was ill formed. Argh!So while I recruit a friend to help me out, bare with me while I straighten things out.

How could I forget?

2008-08-13T22:15:00.006-04:00

Me, along with 4 other people that make up the Church Hill Dog Park Committee, have officially opened Richmond's 2nd dog park:Here's a birds eye view but you get the point. Me and my dogs can be found in the larger section to the left.It was last August when we started the process and this August when we finish it as our Grand Opening will be this Saturday, August 16th. Can you believe it?There

Rummaging

2008-08-10T00:23:00.003-04:00

Today Bernie Mac died. He was only 50.Then halfway across the world the Olympics are happening and Americans have so far kicked ass in fencing, swimming and maybe even men's gymnastics for at least the individual portion anyway.Meanwhile I've been sitting back wondering how all this goes on and we somehow not remain ambivalent. Or maybe even patriotic? Two contradictions in terms I know, but

Has it really been that long?

2008-08-08T08:57:00.003-04:00

It's much harder to produce posts worthy of a readership when you're working full time, getting more involved in various outside activities such as pit rescue, spay/neuter programs, YWCA hospital advocacy, trying to have a life, etc. Not to mention I get in trouble for spending too much time on the internet at work.Needless to say, I really want to get back into this so I'm going to make a

What would you do???

2008-01-24T23:17:00.000-05:00

Recently Mrs. FedEx Nut (formerly Mrs. NASCAR Nut) came to me with a look of worry on her face. She is having some medical issues, ones that made her nervous enough to worry about what would happen if she was no longer with us. She and I have 2 daughters (13 & 6) together. They both live with her, but I am still very much a part of their lives. I also have a son (19) from a previous marriage

Lady Eleanor Stole is finished!

2008-01-21T10:07:00.000-05:00

Sort of. She's got the fringe completely finished on 1 side and with the other side just hanging on. It's really hard making all the pretty knots as well as it taking way more attention and time; it needs to be spread on the couch to complete such a deed and the dogs are intent on sitting on Lady Eleanor regardless of my shouts to get off, don't do that, knock it off, etc.

No front runners yet!

2008-01-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

With Hillary winning 3 primaries thus far and Obama just 2, the latter has his sights set on South Carolina which will tie them yet again.McCain and Romney seem to be duking it out and Huckabee only won the 1 primary though I would love to see him get the nomination because I believe him to be highly unelectable therefore Democrat would be easily elected.But people, with the way votes are going

BWAH!!!

2008-01-07T16:44:00.000-05:00

My staunch republican of a co-worker thinks Stephen Colbert is a "comedian who's republican so he has a republican slant on things." I LOVE IT! Just thinking about her saying it sends me into fits of hysteria due to the intense irony of her declaration. "...Colbert (playing the blowhard pundit)" How can I not relish in this very simple display of my co-workers intense lack of intelligence?

Here I Am!

2007-12-31T16:03:00.000-05:00

Don't I look different? The hair is longer and brown again. I still wear the same glasses but that's because they're so damned expensive. Peanut took this picture at my request so I could have some doggie and me pictures of my very own.Peanut is covering Memphis' eyes because he thought I was taking pictures to show potential adopters. I had to reassure him that I was simply taking them to show

Behold la Scarf de Boobie

2007-12-31T15:54:00.001-05:00

I got the idea from Knitty (.pdf) and gave it to my roommates mom, who just so happens to be a breast cancer survivor, for Christmas.Isn't it great? It knit it up in only a week and it was so fun. It was great seeing the look on her face when she unwrapped it, too.I can't remember the exact name of the yarn at present but it was a 50% Llama and 50% wool blend knit on size 6 needles, giving it a

The Assassination of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto

2007-12-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

Horrible news.She was shot in the neck and back by an assassin who then blew himself up. Coward.

We wish you a Happy KwaHanuMas

2007-12-26T17:09:00.000-05:00

It's still in between each of these holidays so Happy Holiday of your choice!Or not at all is what I was (and still am) feeling like this year.Up next: The Boobie Scarf, : ).

Holiday Knitting

2007-12-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

Here is my mom's Christmas present.It's called Thinking of You and is knit in 100% pure silk that was hand spun and dyed. It turned my needle and finger tips red, : ).I used Tilli Tomas yarn purchased from a store in Oregon called Knit Purl. I had to buy new size 7 needles as my dog decided my old ones made a great snack. (I would buy this yarn several times over, in case you were wondering.)

The busiest time of the year

2007-12-20T12:51:00.000-05:00

If you believe in all this Holiday hullabaloo that is. In light of me trying to go back to posting daily, occasionally life gets in the way, such as a developer trying to put 33 condos in the space of 4 homes in an Old and Historic District, that just so happens to be next to my house. At the end of a street. A street that is stopped because it ends at a bluff overlooking Gillies Creek.There are

Don't let PETA fool you

2007-12-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

Sure they were out demonstrating yesterday before and during Vick’s sentencing, but they have gone on record to call for the eradication of the pit bulls and other species like them. Ingrid Newkirk calls for all impounded pit bulls (and eventually all of them) to be killed as soon as they walk in the door. Her other suggestion is to ban pit bull breeding, which is definitely something I can

Vick sentence too light?

2007-12-11T11:26:00.001-05:00

For those of you questioning whether or not Michael Vick, who is currently suspended from the Atlanta Falcons indefinitely and the large paycheck that goes w/it, got a tough sentence yesterday for "just killing some dogs," let me remind you of one important fact:Animal abuse has been linked to the abuse of humans for almost the same.exact.reasons.I think he didn't get a harsh enough sentence, but

Michael Vick sentenced to 23 months

2007-12-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

When I drove by the courthouse this morning at 7:40am, there were protestors already lining the streets. Included was a guy who put up 5 or 6 Vick jerseys w/various signs on the back and fronts, one of which said something like, "Make sentencing fair for Michael Vick."What is fair about him being the financier for an illegitimate kennel where only pits were bred for fighting purposes? And who is

Working with a bunch of Women

2007-12-07T16:04:00.001-05:00

Unless you're all working for the same side and can keep it down to approximately 5 individuals in office, it can really have its downfalls.Take today for example:I jokingly said my co-worker could help me find a chart. She said, "Ah, no," and hung up.Later, when walking up the hall, I heard her rehashing the conversation to her co-hens, except at the end she said I had told her to find it

What are you reading?

2007-12-06T16:51:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading The Golden Compass (an AWESOME book btw), have been reading The Bell Jar off and on (I love the way Plath writes; it's very aggressive and matter-of-fact) and have currently picked up Woman's Best Friend and The Dogs Who Find Me. All equally attention getting, the latter 2 being about humans who are owned by dogs.It is these books and knitting that keep me away from the

A scarf for my co-worker

2007-12-05T15:37:00.000-05:00

It's one of the many projects I've finished in the last month and it really did turn out well.It was knit in Rowan soy yarn using this pattern. I used size 6 needles which the yarn called for and used slightly over 3 balls and w/4 repetitions of the pattern instead of 3. The result was a thinner scarf which was the desired effect.

Oh the weather outside if frightful.....

2007-12-05T15:23:00.001-05:00

It's finally dipping into the high 30s and it even snowed for a bit.And they finally caught the dumbass fugitive Alonzo Logan, who broke out of prison after serving only a fraction of his 45yr term. He was spotted very very close to my house last week as Fulton Bottom is a mere 5min walk from my house, just down the hill. So of course I was freaked out and have been. So much so that I think my

A brief history lesson

2007-12-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

Just 10min ago my co-worker asked me who Elizabeth Cady Stanton was.Seriously.And she's a 24yr old white woman who has graduated high school and had a brief stint in college.Seriously.Then I mentioned my other co-worker, who is an African American/Black woman, didn't get the right to vote until 1964 (the full and non-exclusive right mind you) and she had such women as Ida B. Wells to be thankful

And on to Senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho

2007-10-15T14:23:00.000-04:00

I honestly don't care whether he wanted to engage in same-sex intercourse (or oral for that matter) but what I do mind is the Republican Hypocrisy that has repeatedly shown itself these last few years.I say let him withdraw his guilty plea and run for re-election next year so the Dem's have an even better reason to desolate him and ruin his career forever.Which of course he has already done to

69th Annual National Folk Festival

2007-10-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

I went with 2 friends yesterday from noon until 4pm and it was great. I got to hear such wonderful folk artists as VishTen, some Persian as well as Chinese traditional music, Elana James, Cindy Cashdollar, the Junkyard Band as well as many others as we walked to various venues and checked out the One Thousand Villages Marketplace. There were at least 2 I'm sorry I missed (the other being Linda

Speaking of Dog Parks

2007-10-07T14:39:00.000-04:00

Here is the video of the news report linked in the previous post.NASCAR Nut

Here's what I've been doing lately

2007-10-07T00:22:00.000-04:00

Planning for a new dog park. This, along with several other projects, are requiring a lot of my time. Plus Peanut was quite a shithead for the first few weeks at school but now seems to be doing okay.Surprise here: he's very good in English, History and sort of Science, but not so good at Math.

Aren't they the cutest couple?

2007-10-03T17:03:00.000-04:00

This is Peanut and our dog friend Charlie.

Catching up on some knitting

2007-10-03T17:01:00.000-04:00

I knit this for Peanut's teacher as an end of the year present as he was The Kid from Hell last year. Doesn't it look charming on Penelope?

Meet Memphis Blue

2007-10-03T16:54:00.000-04:00

He's our foster pup for Ring Dog Rescue and he's been the greatest dog. I got him at the beginning of August because I had an open space for a dog but wanted to do something good so rehabilitation/fostering was a great fit for us.Memphis was approx 20lbs when he first came to the shelter, had lots of missing patches of fur and was heartworm positive. He now weighs 45-50lbs, has a beautiful coat

When the hell is November 2008 gonna get here?

2007-10-03T16:47:00.000-04:00

So we can stop having a president veto a much needed children's health care plan but plans to enthusiastically sign a bill for another $190 billion for a war we need to get our asses out of, thus bringing the total price tag for 2 very crappy "Wars on Terrorism" to $650 billion.Which our children will have to pay back, by the way.

A Month of Moves

2007-09-28T07:19:00.000-04:00

What a crazy month! At the beginning of the month, the Nut moved. On her birthday no less. Lol. Last weekend it was Fedex Nut moving (Mrs. Ex-NASCAR Nut) along with my 2 daughters. Today it is I and my beautiful MRI Nut! M-Nut is closing on her first house today! We are both really excited. But tons of work to do in a short time. My girls are coming Saturday, and we really want to keep

What year is it again?

2007-07-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

Congress has finally decided protecting the rights of Indian women is a good 21st Century action to show solidarity with the 1st Nation people's since we are in it's 400th year of creation (well, it's really Virginia but you know what I mean). Now Indian women get to be made a little more visible and hopefully their voice will begin to be heard throughout the U.S. so all you people who think the

Virginian's be aware

2007-07-20T14:16:00.000-04:00

Did you know there are 8 Native American (or as I like to say, indigenous) tribes here in Virginia? Can you name them all? I could only name 5 a few days ago but now, thanks to google, I can name all 8:1. Rappahannock - not recognized federally2. Pamunkey3. Mattaponi - pronounced mat-ta-poe-nigh4. Upper Mattaponi - not recognized federally5. Chickahominy - not recognized federally6. Eastern

Duh

2007-07-20T14:09:00.000-04:00

A new study produced by the Sentencing Project in Washington, DC came out with the following results:Blacks in the United States are imprisoned at more than five times the rate of whites, and Hispanics are locked up at nearly double the white rate, according to a study released Wednesday by a criminal justice policy group.Now see why the title of this post is a very simple, "Duh"?What I would

A little less veraciousness please

2007-07-03T13:17:00.001-04:00

Dooley was placed over the Rainbow Bridge 2 weeks ago this Friday and I haven't felt like doing much sense.But before that, my neighbor's husband, M., lent me, The World According to Garp by John S. Irving. M's words to me when it was placed in my hands were, "I think this is the most feminist of his books and possibly any male writer ever."The dad, T.S. Garp, is conceived in a most

What do you say when you've been MIA for almost an entire month?

2007-05-29T21:08:00.000-04:00

Except that life has been happening a bit too eagerly the past few weeks.Let's see, Penelope came down with what ended up being a salivary gland infection to which she proceeded to scare the heck out of me since, let's see, a 7month old puppy went from running, jumping and frolicking happily to sleeping 75% of the day and had a swollen neck that looked like she swallowed a tennis ball. She had a

Impressions

2007-05-03T08:50:00.000-04:00

Just checking in to say I've been impressed with Hillary Clinton as of late. She's starting to really shape herself into a formidable opponent and she kicked ass on the debates last week. She's also taking hard stands on issues she played the middle woman to not that long ago which is equally impressive to me.And I've always loved her health care plans and strong drive to get us to a place where

Angry much?

2007-04-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

Peanut was suspended Friday and Monday for shoving desks/chairs, slamming the classroom door repeatedly and being an overall ass because he got 3 minutes on the computer when the classmates before him got 5. So Friday he went to work with me and below is what he drew and pieced together:At first I didn't think anything of it, but I have to admit I got a little worried when I truly looked it over