Knitting through the stash

Last year I knit myself a hat. I had extra wool in the same Tolkein colorway, so I decided I needed a simple cowl to match the hat. Since I had finished the most recent sock clue, and I had knitting time in the evening, I decided to turn the yarn into my cowl. I used the remaining Chunky Galenas yarn from Three Irish Girls for the Dolores Park owl pattern . It looks good with the hat and wll keep me toasty if we travel north. Our winters here in the SW are not so cold as to demand much use of a hat and cowl. Oh well, it is cute.

Getting my Knitting Mojo Back

Very little crafting had been going on in these parts. I just hadn't felt the knitting love nor the desire to sew. Recently the tide seems to be shifting. I am participating in the Mystery Sock from Through the Loops for Socktober. The Knit A Long is run through Ravelry forums, and I love it. Each Thursday in October, I receive another clue for the sock (cuff, leg, heel, foot, toe). I am knitting both socks at once to avoid second sock syndrome and at the end of the month I will have a completed pair of socks!

Here is my progress thus far:

No More Funk

I have been using a product called Funk Butter as deodorant for over a year. It works very well, but it can be pricey with shipping. I had heard of others making their own deodorant, so I decided to give it a try. My sister gave me a recipe, and it works great. It is so easy and cheap - equal parts baking soda and corn starch with enough coconut oil to make your desired consistency. I added a couple drops of tea tree oil as well. I really like it. I don't stink at all! It even stands up to rowing.

I did it

Since grade school, I have been enamored with something. I never took part in it, but I would watch with envy from the sidelines. I wanted to be a part of it. My friend's older sister did it and oh, how I wanted to as well.

I hoped when I applied to an Ivy League school my dream would become a reality. Unfortunately my dream didn't materialize as I attended ASU in the hot desert southwest. There was no way for me to be a part of what I saw.

Then it happened, the town of my university lost its senses and built a lake in an otherwise dry river bed. I saw a glimmer of my dream when boats started to be launched on it. Babies came and other responsibilities took precendent. I watched those boats for a long while, wondering if I would ever be able to be a part of a crew team.

Then a few weeks ago, I spotted it in the pages of the city park and rec magazine - Intro to Rowing. I waffled back and forth about taking it - could my husband handle three kiddos at bedtime, was it worth the money, could I do it physically, would I have to wear a bathing suit. Finally I hit the enroll button and I waited.

Last night my dream began to become a reality. Last night was my first class. I had to pass a swim test and watch a video. Oh, was I nervous! I had butterflies fearing that I might not pass the test. Then the head of the city's Rowing program told us we only had to stay alive for 10 minutes, she didn't care about form or method - just stay alive. Well, I could do that! And I did. The video was a bit scary outlining all the ways you could be hurt, but I am not afraid. I am ready for Wednesday and my first outing in a boat with others and oars.

Oh, I am so EXCITED!

Take a Stand

(cross posted on family blog)
We try to have toys that are from reputable sources. We avoid products manufactured in China, if we cannot determine the company's standards and policies. We tend to buy from small companies that offer natural products (e.g. Bamboletta dolls, Nova Naturals, North Star Toys, Willow Toys, etc). We have given away/thrown away toys that come from disreputable sources.

thus we were pleased when it became a national issue and Congress wanted to help protect children. However, we feel that the current legislation passed in August 2008 and taking effect in February 2009 will hamper our ability to choose the toys we want. It will especially affect small artisans and handmade products. If you are not familiar with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, please take a minute to read about it. It will require everyone to test. On the surface this appears to be a sound decision, however it will drive independent toy makers and artisans out of business due to excessive cost.

Please visit Help Save Handmade for yourself and contact your Representatives and Senators if you feel as we do.

Leisure Reading

Safe Mom

This is why

we don't want or have plastic toys, sippy cups, plates, cups, etc.

http://www.oregontoxics.org/plastics1.html

Children are more vulnerable to toxic harm than adults because they are smaller, consume more air, food, and water for each pound of body weight than adults, and they put more things into their mouths.

Accordingly, children are more susceptible to damage from environmental threats because their bodies, brains, organs, and central nervous system are undergoing extensive growth and development throughout infancy and early childhood.

NEW RESEARCH on Children’s Exposure from Toxics in the Environmental

Exposure to toxics can cause irreparable damage to a child’s health and cognitive abilities. New research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that chemicals in the environment are implicated in asthma, acute bronchitis and upper-respiratory infections, cancer, mental retardation and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Scientific conclusions about what might be a “safe” threshold of exposure have been continuously revised downward. What ten years ago was considered a “safe” level of mercury for human consumption is now known to be a harmful level. Lead and asbestos, once commonly used and promoted as safe, have proven to be harmful at any level of exposure.

REDUCING TOXICS IN YOUR HOME SHOULD BE A GOAL.