I almost tried to name Girlfriend Wren. And then it was going to be Lily. And then, Willow. HWWV absolutely put the kabosh on those so we settled for something simpler. Her big sister, now gone, was Eden and he agreed to that. So, why not Wren, Lily or Willow?
I feel for that boy, Blanket, the one whose father is Michael Jackson. I can see someone naming their kid all sorts of things, but Blanket? If you open the door to Blanket, then you might want to try Fishbone, Knob, Multiply, or worse: Elevator. I happen to like LaFawnduh, or whatever her name is on that movie, Napolean Dynamite, because the actress is just so sparkly and friendly. If she smiled at me the way she smiles at Kip in the movie, I'd want to run away with her, too.
We named Miss Fitz on a whim and now she has an alter ego. Call us nice because we are. We realized that the folks might get the wrong idea. You know, that she's somehow a misift. (But aren't we all?) Anyway, she has a heck of a lot more spunk than someone named "Fitz."
So, from now on, we'll call her Loretta. Miss Fitz will still be on her name tag, though.
Moving onto knitting. I have been working on a few things--mostly homemade bias tape for what reason, I don't know, and plugging along, thinking of a few patterns for the fall/winter season. I have been smitten with bonnets--I mean, who wouldn't be? Ha!--Still; I've been looking at them, the few that are out there, and designed one sized for young and old. Girlfriend wore hers out today in spite of the warmer weather. We will have a proper shoot when the time is right and after I've blocked this one and another that I did in "grellow." I'm happy to say that this is a quick knit and something you can whip up before the holidays.
Not to mention, it is practically seamless and will hide major roots.
If you are wondering, this was knit up in Lorna's Laces Honor in two colors. I think the blue is called Island Blue and the purple is simply, "violet." I will fill you in on all the particulars soon.
P.S. I have a friend with the last name, Ball. Every year we receive a Christmas card that says: "Happy Holidays from the Balls."
Oh, and yeah, I have to tell you something really, really funny. I got a call from my dad the other day (he reads the blog) and he said, "So you named your new dog Miss Fitz?" and I said, "Yeah." And he said, "So...you remember me telling you about Mrs. Fitz, the one who lived down the street when I grew up?"
"No, dad, I don't."
"Oh. For some reason, I thought that you got the idea for her name from my stories about Mrs. Fitz down the street in Omaha."
"Nope. It just came to us, dad."
"Oh. It's just that she'd lay in a hammock in her front yard and fart all day; that's all. Thought you remembered the story."
thanks for the laugh! I have been thinking of names lately, randomly speaking out loud to the little being kicking my internal organs right now, and than researching to make sure I am not naming her after someone or something ridiculous. I keep running into names that I know my family used on dogs in the past, which I am sure they would relentlessly remind me of if I chose them....
Posted by: melissa | August 15, 2011 at 09:26 PM
QUICK! Change her name back to Miss Fitz...STAT! :-) Love the hat. I'll have to show it to T2; that's the kind of hat she asked me to make for her. And I cannot BELIEVE how grown-up Girlfriend is looking! Sheesh, I remember when she was still in diapers and wearing her Disney Princess nightgown four days in a row as a dress (SO normal!)...
Posted by: Erica | August 15, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Our milkman is called Mr. Bullock. He thinks it's funny and always makes a point of saying that you can get milk from this Bullock.
But when you meet people with really weird names it kind of makes you wonder why they haven't changed the name when they could.
I think Ms. Fitz suits her well, but then does Loretta!
Posted by: Katya | August 16, 2011 at 02:43 AM
Girlfriend does look so tall! And Miss Fitz is really cute! :)
Posted by: Katrina West | August 16, 2011 at 04:10 AM
Girlfriend is growing up! What a beautiful kid. :) My own 10 year-old apparently grew 3 inches overnight and can now wear my shoes -- how does this happen?
Jon Heder (Napoleon himself) worked for my FIL's company for about 3 weeks in college, but was let go because he didn't finish some mandatory training in time (this was all before the movie).
Posted by: Katinka | August 16, 2011 at 05:20 AM
Love, love, love the bonnet. I've been wanting to make something just like that for my little girl. That's the cutest pattern I've seen.
Posted by: Jenn | August 16, 2011 at 05:34 AM
Funny names were a godsend when I was working in interlibrary loan in college. One of my friends worked for the science library doing their reserves and got to have such fun things like "The Masculine Motor" by Professor Cox.
Yup, my friends and I are simple and we like it that way!
Posted by: Seanna Lea | August 16, 2011 at 06:50 AM
I love that bonnet. I don't wear hats; I hate the way they feel and they always make my bangs go weird and my forehead itch. This bonnet though? That I would wear. Looking forward to the pattern!
Posted by: susan | August 16, 2011 at 07:37 AM
I would like your dad.
Posted by: Deborah B. | August 16, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Love the bonnet, love the dog. Your dad's story sounds just like something my dad would have said. Your story brought tears to my eyes, I sure miss those stories.
Posted by: Cheri | August 16, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Wow. First, the hat is super cute! Second, I can't believe how much girlfriend has grown! I'm sure you feel the same ;)
Posted by: CambriaW | August 16, 2011 at 11:59 AM
My sister's name is Maggie Magnifico, but she's not in the circus, she's just really cool to take her husband's name.
Posted by: Ellen | August 16, 2011 at 12:20 PM
I went to school with a kid named Gary Gray, people had trouble with that, Gray Gray or Gary Gary. Cute dog with a cute name. Hope she doesn't take up your dad's neighbor's problem.
Posted by: jomamma | August 16, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I went to school with a guy, last name Butts; and a girl, last name Bunds. We wanted them to get married so she could hyphonate. True story :)
Posted by: Richelle | August 16, 2011 at 03:53 PM
I hear you abt Blanket. I think wine was involved. Your wine escapade turned out MUCH better. Ms Fitz is adorable!!
Oh and my dd looked over my shoulder while I was reading and has informed me that she LOVES the bonnet and I need to knit one for her. Looking forward to your release of the pattern!
BTW Girlfriend is beautiful!!! I read the comments and I also remember when she wore her Princess nightgown as a dress for four days. My Baby Girl used to do the same thing!!! Now it's all bling all the time. GOtta love 9 y/os!!
Posted by: Lynn | August 16, 2011 at 05:04 PM
That's my last name, too, and it led to many unfortunate jokes during my childhood and early adulthood, especially when my best friend's last name was Cox.....
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport | August 17, 2011 at 06:20 AM
"Blanket". Hmm. When I was expecting our 4th baby, my 4 year old son suggested we name the new baby "Fishsticks." We elected not to and she is very grateful!
Posted by: Susan | August 17, 2011 at 08:31 AM
But...Blanket is a nickname. His name is Prince Michael Jackson II. Our last name is Ware--was thinking about naming our daughter, should we ever have one, Silver. Had a boy instead. Probably for the best.
Posted by: Carol | August 17, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Oh my God, you are always witty, but this post takes the cake. I laughed SO hard. I love it... "Loretta Fitz." I hope she does not lay in a hammock all day and fart. And the holiday card from the Balls, I would die laughing and then FRAME it. That is so perfect. I love the bonnet, too! What a great idea, and it's beautiful!
Posted by: Sara | August 17, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Oh. Sorry; you're right. His name is Prince.
That is almost as bad as Blanket, unless you're short, wear high heels, and are smokin' hot.
Posted by: wendy | August 17, 2011 at 04:56 PM
I just have to say - girlfriend is growing up to be quite a beautiful young lady! (And I think she looks jut like her mom.) My own "girlfriend" leaves tomorrow for college. I am torn!
Posted by: andi | August 17, 2011 at 10:13 PM
I was working in interlibrary loan in college. One of my friends worked for the science library doing their reserves and got to have such fun things like "The Masculine Motor" by Professor Cox... I've been wanting to make something just like that for my little girl.
Posted by: | August 18, 2011 at 12:24 AM
My 11th grade English teacher was Mr. Butts. His wife's first name was Gay. Sometimes she would be his substitute. She made sure to always write her name on the board, in whole, "Mrs. Gay Butts." Good sense of humor, that. :) (this is a true story).
Posted by: christen | August 21, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Girlfriend is growing so fast!
A co-worker likes to write that she is bringing her favourite dish to any staff events. Her husband's name is Dick. For obvious reasons she can't say she's bringing her favourite Dick.
Posted by: Dorothy | August 21, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Went to high school with a kid named Rusty Pipes. He had a brother named Smokey. I kid you not.
Needless to say, I was not all that surprised when I saw ol' Rusty's mug shot in the newspaper a couple of years ago for drug possession. According to my DH, Rusty was never the sharpest knife in the drawer.
P.S. Also had a classmate by the name of April Love.
Posted by: Mel | August 22, 2011 at 01:58 PM