G is for...

Gray Hair! It would seem everyday I find another, but on my birthday? I think they multiplied last night. Now, don't get me wrong, I actually like my gray hairs. Every one. I will never color them. They way I figure it, I've earned them. And as someone who often marches to the beat of a different drummer, I can appreciate that they seem to have a mind of their own; they kink and are unruly. They will not be tamed. After a lifetime of mostly straight hair that doesn't like to do much but go flat before I've even left the house, I look forward to the adventure that a full head of gray hair will provide.

Birthday Bangs, with Grays

So, do you flaunt or deny your grays?

F is for Flyboy!

F is for Family. With every passing year I appreciate my family more. My parents have never told me how I should live my life, raise my son, treat my husband. They have never pushed, guilted or judged. They appreciate me, and have no unrealistic expectations. They and my little brother mean the world to me.

And Flyboy. What can I say? Motherhood is the most amazing journey. And most of the time Flyboy makes it rather painless. He's a great kid with such shining optimism and enthusiasm he truly brightens my life. I cannot imagine life without him.

E is for...

Can you handle another nickname? Somehow, over the years, the ubiquitous "Anne Banana" morphed into Eenie Bean. And it stuck. I've been answering to it for at least 30 years. Gotta love family!

A Finished Object:

Solstice Slip socks
STR lightweight in colorway Firebird
June 2007-August 2007

I enjoyed knitting these and hope to have the opportunity to wear them this week as we head into fall here in New England.

As soon as I opened the Fall issue of Interweave Knits, I knew I would knit the Minimalist Cardigan. Having recently catalogued most of my stash over on Ravelry, I decided I had no excuse to buy new yarn. Shocking, yes, I know. However, I think I found something suitable. I'm using some Hemp Yarn that is 55% hemp, 45% cotton. I scored this yarn at the HCSS Yarn Swap last year (or was it the year before...?) and thought it would add some interest to my wardrobe with the bonus of being machine washable. Of course, gauge is vastly different, but I think I've got it under control.

I'm 5 inches in and while I can only knit with this inelastic yarn in short chunks, I'm loving the results so far.

D is for...

Duluth, MN where I was born.

Diamonds. When I was 22, I had a really, really bad break up with my first post-college boyfriend. I realized I didn't need a man in my life to feel complete, that I could be complete and be by myself. Around this time I moved to California. While exploring San Francisco one day, I found this simple, elegant, beautiful estate wedding ring in a little jewelry store in Union Square. I bought it for myself, my first diamonds, as a symbol of my independence. I wear it always.

C is for Connecticut

C is for many things....

Connecticut, my home since February 2004. I'm still warming up to living here.

Cloquet, MN, the town where my mother grew up and lives again. My grandparents' Cabin is there, as is my parents' retirement home. I have many wonderful memories associated with summers at the cabin on Big Lake and love to return with Flyboy whenever possible.

Cambodia, the last overseas trip I took. I still get teary-eyed seeing pictures of Angkor Wat, remembering the first time I saw its towers. At the time, I was pregnant with Flyboy but early enough on that I had no idea. Someday I want to take Flyboy to see the temples and tell him the story of his beginning.

B is for Bridges...

B is for...

Bridges. Bridges fascinate me. It began as a child, going down to the Duluth, MN harbor with my grandparents to watch the iron ore boats come in (think the Edmond Fitzgerald, but bigger). The boats had to go under the aerial lift bridge to enter the harbor. To this day I get a little thrill watching the bridge rise as these giant barges glide silently in and out. As an adult I lived in the San Francisco bay area for eight years. For a good part of that time i commuted over the Bay Bridge while my husband, the Golden Gate. Every crossing of the Bay or Golden Gate Bridge, I found something to admire or relish, if only for a moment.

Bangkok. Bangkok is where I learned just what I am made of, and that I truly can handle whatever life throws at me. Two months in on a five month Pacific Rim trip, I woke up in the middle of the night. With a fever. 105 F to be precise. And having auditory hallucinations. I was alone, in a thatched hut, on a tiny island, a 24 hour journey by boat, bus and train to Bangkok. I found the strength to get myself to Bangkok, find a decent place to stay and off to an Emergency clinic. Fortunately, it was just a nasty upper respiratory thingy topped off with a touch of dehydration. But anytime I feel stuck, helpless or weak, I remember this journey and know I can get through.

On lighter note, B is also for Broadway. If I had the time and $$$ I would see everything that hits the Great White Way. Most recently I saw Legally Blonde during previews. Just don't ask how many times I've seen Les Miz, OK?

A is for Annie

I have been watching the alphabet posts over at Bev's place all this month and thought I would jump on the bandwagon. Since I never did a "100 Things" post I realize that there might be one person out there curious about me (hi, Mom!). So here goes nuttin'!

ETA: Thanks to Cassie for the idea! (click for link to her original post)

A is for Anne, my given name, along with a few nicknames: Annie, Annabelle, Anna Banana, Annimol.

A is also for Arlene, my beloved maternal Grandmother who passed away August 20, 2007. She was nearing 93 and not doing very well. I am very happy that she is with Grandpa Fred again, and I'm sure she's mixing up a batch of ribbon brownies for him at this very minute. She was the second telephone operator in her small town of Cloquet, MN and the only woman to hold the position of Mayor there as well. She taught me to never take myself, or life too seriously, and the importance of laughter in a marriage. I feel so fortunate to have had her in my life for so many years.

A is for Australia. In 1992 I took my first solo overseas trip to Australia. I met people from all over the world, on these amazing one and two year long adventures around the world. This trip set into motion the next three years of my life...To be continued!

I managed to finish CeCe, some Regia Bamboo ankle socks, my RSC Solstice Slip socks, a pair of Wendy's Eyelet Rib socks in Lisa Souza's Wild Thing but have NOT managed to get any photos. Sigh.