Kiwanis Convention Time

Not much knitting time lately [I did finally finish an IK sweater-have to take photo] cause there have been a lot of things going on with Kiwanis. Both my husband and I are quite active in Kiwanis [what is Kiwanis you ask...let's see if I can post a link Kiwanis International ...seems to work]. At any rate this past weekend was the Ca-Nev-Ha [that's California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis clubs] held it's annual convention. This year it was in San Diego, close enough for us to attend. This is the first time I have been able to attend the full-on convention. I love meeting other Kiwanians, hearing their ideas, the ways and things their clubs do to "Serve the Children of the World". There is so much need, but I also know that there are so many ways to help - both big and small ideas. Many of the San Diego clubs support Children's Hospital, clubs up in the Sacramento area actually have a house where parents and family can stay when a child is sick in the hospital up there. More groups are trying to make a better life for the thousands of orphans in Romania, and the list goes on and on [makes me so happy to be part of such an important organization].
We attended seminars, socialized and generally had a great time.

It was also the time to elect the person to lead our district for the year 2007-2008 [2006-2007 was already elected]. This person is called the Governor. This year for the first time [I think] there were 3 persons running for the office. Usually who ever is going to be the Governor is basically pre-selected by the established leaders, not this year! This year a man from our own Division [Division 31] also ran. Oscar Knight - he was an incredible driving force to help re-build Crest & Harbison Canyon after the devastation from the Cedar Fires of 2003 . The established guard thought he had no chance to win, but they did not count on the rank and file and our ability to SEE the true leadership that Oscar will bring ...as you can probably guess I am a HUGE supporter of Oscar Knight. It was nerve racking as the election went on and they had to have two voting sessions to receive a majority vote but OSCAR KNIGHT did win and he will lead Ca-Nev-Ha in 2007-2008.

This may be a boring post to many, but I do encourage you to look at what you can do for your community...and maybe even consider joining a Kiwanis club in your neighborhood.

I'm Bored ---- or the teenager's lament

No I'm not bored [don't I wish I had time to be bored] but

Yep, we have a teenage grandson visiting with us [one is still here] and yesterday I heard it....yep I knew it would be coming...that teenage lament "I'm Bored". I will grant you that where we live it is quiet, rural and there is basically nothing to do. But I had to laugh cause I know even if we were in the middle of all the hustle & bustle of a big city it was only a matter of time before I heard "I'm Bored". I resisted my usual response which is "What I wouldn't do to be bored; you really ought to enjoy it while you get the chance". I know now that myself and every other adult I know would love the luxury of being bored..of having NOTHING to do. Ahh just sit back for a minute and dream upon the thought of nothing to do...I mean NOTHING, not that little nagging voice that says you need to..clean something, file something, work on something..you know whatever, just imagine NOTHING. For me, at least, that little voice never shuts down. I digress..back to the bored grandson

I am trying to remember it is his vacation and we have tried to give him things to do and even a few people his age to met. But inside myself I have to chuckle cause I knew it was just a matter of time before I heard the old "I'm Bored". Ah well it is just about the weekend..so we shall see what we get up to in the next couple of days.

Gifties from my Secret Pal!!!!

Wow look at all this COOL stuff I received from my Secret Pal. What/who is a Secret Pal? you ask [jealous aren't you]....I belong to "Knitty Coffeeshop" which is about the neatest bunch of folks on-line..anyway periodically they have what are "Secret Pal Swaps" and this time I got to play. So these are the gifts sent to ME by my secret pal. Now I don't know who she is but I think she lives in Arizona

There is a little notebook with a band to keep it closed which will go right into my sock knitting bag [love the band for closure, cause I am always wrinkling up note pages otherwise]; some wonderful Burt Bees Lip Gloss which has already found it's way into my purse and onto my lips mmmmmm; some gumdrop pops bound for the local Bible School kids [yeah let's get them hopped up on sugar; a pencil case with more zippers than I have ever seen - will be great for holding little notions; then also the coolest pattern book "Last Minute Gifts" - I've already mentally picked out several patterns that just need to be knitted.

AND..AND..AND can you say PURPLE..yummy, yummy purple yarn
Gonn'a have to think on what is just the right pattern for this loveliness. Gee I might have to just look at it and pet it for awhile. My mind loves to knit up several possible finished projects [so much quicker than actually knitting them]. Ah but this yarn deserves the right pattern!

SO THANK YOU TO MY SPECIAL PAL [cause I know you check my pathetic blog from time to time] and I still have NO CLUE as to who you are. I am terrible at figuring out coded names; I never can figure out what someone has on their car licenceplate -- so if your name is anything like that [and I think it must be] I will remain clueless. Anyone out there that can interpret Doaner82to7 ??????

How much food can one Teenager EAT!!!

Oh. My. God. I was warned, I thought I was prepared, I thought it wouldn't be too bad....but oh my, oh my.

O.K. what is my problem...well we have not one but TWO teenage grandsons visiting us right now [one for 4-5 days and one for about 3 weeks]. We picked them up on Thursday and since then have spent over $200 on groceries [mind you my husband & I probably only spend about $250-300 per month for ourselves] and I have to go shopping again tonight. To top it off they eat an entirely different diet than we do, so we are having to buying stuff that isn't in the pantry. We are low-carb eaters but I don't think that is good for growing teenagers, especially ones that could eat me out of house and home. Bad for the budget, bad for the diet [cause I fix dinner and we end up all eating together] but GOOD FOR BONDING WITH THE BOYS. I guess I need to remind myself that this is the most important part - GETTING TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM. In a while they will be gone [visit over] and then they will be grown-up and off on their own. This little shock time will be over and I am sure I will look back and laugh at myself.....but Oh.My.God can they EAT


p.s. I still need to take pictures of them [cousins that don't see each other except every few years] so I can post them. Try to get pictures tonight. [after I get home from the grocery store!]

Before & After

I mentioned in an earlier post that we had been doing alot of work on the house. Well my husband sent me these two pictures.

Before






After

The painting continues and we have since changed the trim from the dark brown to a very light yellow. But the biggest change is covering up the front of the mobile home...and we did such a good job that several of our friends have come over, notice that we have changed something but can't figure out what it is. This addition of the wall is something we have wanted to do for a LONG TIME.

[Wow ... two post in one day---my gosh what is wrong with me?????]

Ummmmm Where did JULY go???

O.K. I lost a month. Where did July go?? No really I mean it where did it go? I can't believe I lost a whole month. I did go on vacation but that was only one week. Oh I suppose you want pictures from the vacation alright I'll upload some pictures [if blogger will let me] .


These are from Crater Lake, Oregon. Isn't the water beautiful.




This is my husband posing as a tourist and this is me.




We drove from San Diego to Vancouver Wa, took a week off and had a great time taking the back roads and stopping at out of the way little towns. We are always playing the "could we live here game" so we enjoy crusing off the beaten path.

Purpose of the Vacation was to attend the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assoc. National Meeting in Ridgefield Wa [just north of Vancouver]. Had a great time there, saw lots of different antique engines and tractor, saw lots of people we only see at these events and in general had a great time. I have more pictures on my other camera, I will try to get them uploaded at another time [camera is not with me]. I guess if you know me, you know there is no reason to hold your breath on me posting something again in the near future.

Really I have plenty to say, just never enough time to say it....yeah what ever. Well I don't want to use all my stuff up in this post. So bye till next time [when ever that might be]