success!

The kids and I ventured to a sampling of garage sales this morning. I'm not often a buyer, but always a lookey lou. Today, however, I found something different that I wanted to purchase. It is a knitting container, which appears to be hand made. The top has a hole for yarn to exit and the body is blanketed in a fun fabric. Inside, lies a knitting magazine from 1959 and the beginnings of what looks to me to be a black sweater. Although I have an untrained eye as having only been the maker of 2 hats in my lifetime and a few scarves. Oh yes, and there was a wash cloth or 2..... These things count to a novice knitter.

Anyway, the find is delightful to me. I wonder what stories lie within this canister. Who started this sweater? Who was it being made for? For now, it sits on my buffet table, giving away a smile. This winter when I pick up the wooden needles again, maybe I will use it to house my own unfinished masterpiece.

My Best Friend

8 chickens and no eggs....

Our 7 littlest ladies are 1 - 2 months from laying eggs of their own and "senior" hen Harriet has mysteriously discontinued laying eggs. I believe she's willed herself to stop laying. We have made havoc of her hen house. Her 2 story, 2 nest box and roomy yard "condo" got 8 times more crowded. I think she's withholding eggs in exchange for more real estate. What else could the reason be? Maybe like Farmer Brown, I will get a note on my door. (If you don't know what I am talking about, you must read Click Clack Moo Cows That Type - it's a picture book, of cousre.)

new message ideas

A few weeks back, I called our former neighbor to see if she could babysit our kidlets. I got her message and here's what it said. "I can't come to the phone right now. I am probably off expanding my knowledge."

Oh my word, I LOVE that!! So, I have brainstormed some creative message options for my own cell.....

• Sorry I can't come to the phone, I am probably off reading Cat in the hat for the 10, 476th time. Please leave me a message.
• Sorry I can't come to the phone right now, I have temporarily forgotten how to speak to adults. In my discomfort, I will need to formulate some adult thoughts and call you back.
• Sorry I can't come to the phone, I am busy raising 3 future leaders of America.
• Sorry I missed your call, I most likely did not hear my phone ring over the robust chorus of Old McDonald had a Farm.
• Sorry I missed your call, I am probably on a mommy time out right now and am savoring gulps of silence. I will call you back after bedtime, between nap time or before 7 am.

a cold....

It hit me last night. A relentless attack of the sinuses and so with nothing in my arsenal I say welcome spring cold. It's a nasty one. I'm sure you can relate as I KNOW I caught this bug from the airplane on Saturday. Can I get a witness for colds and airline travel? It beckons one to wonder, what happens to germs at high elevations? I think they get deprived of oxygen and then they get a wee bit crazy entering into full on attack mode. Kleenex with lotion, you are once again a dear friend.

The cherry on top.... I worked out on Monday, I was naive to the inner war within. I did cardio and legs for weights from memory. A trainer friend set up a weight workout for me a couple months back. Turns out I did more reps and sets than I needed too. Bigger better faster stronger? NOT! Yesterday was painful, I knew today would be brutal and it hasn't disappointed. Simple tasks like tying shoes stepping up a single step, going to the bathroom and so on are now painful ones I dread. Advil, you too are now my friend.

Tulips

"Mom, look at me! I'm a scarecrow."

On Saturday, we journeyed to the Skagit Valley's Tulip Festival. It's a family tradition and this was our 12th year. I like the word journey as car ride doesn't encompass the "adventures" of traveling with 3 little kids.

missing chick

Early this morning, Natalie set out to do chicken chores. Soon after, she came inside to report that one of the yellow ones, who lives in the garage, was missing. It seems the chicken wire wasn't positioned on top of the box. We searched the garage high and low, no Lilly. I told Natalie we needed to check outside. We searched for about 15 min, and were about to give up. Natalie heard the chirps first and then my ears caught the sound. We followed it to discover Lilly inside the tire of the tire swing. Lilly had spent the night outside! Wet, cold and terrified I am sure. Thankfully, she is ok and has been rejoined with Lilac. I'm sure she will be honored by her peers for her great demonstration of bravery and she will have tales to tell of her grand adventure.