K's Knits and Knotes

2012-01-08T12:15:00.002-05:00

What is Normal?

The past 3 weeks have been far from normal. My father-in-law, henceforth known as The Beard, had knee replacement surgery about 3 weeks ago. Three days after he was home from the hospital, my mother-in-law (The Gaggs) was rushed to the hospital with a perforated bowel. Thus necissitating the upheaval of our and my sister-in-law's (PD) lives during what was to be a normal holiday season.

This required many drives to the in-law's house to take care of The Beard since he was not completely mobile, visits to the hospital, setting up Skype on everyone's computer, picking up groceries for the invalid, and making up schedules as to who was to stay with The Beard since his primary care giver was now in the hospital. Eventually, it worked out for The Beard and The Gaggs to be transferred to the same rehab center so they could see each other, and family members only had one place to go to visit both.

In the middle of this, The Beard's lovely sister Brenda was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on her spine and was operated on to remove the tumor. Because of the tumor's location, she could possibly be looking at permanent paralysis from the waist down.

This is what has had me ruminating on the meaning of "normal". I was looking forward to the holiday break, because it would afford me with much time to knit, an activity many are aware that I am fond of. I even thought I could get some time in with the alpaca fleece. Between running to the hospitals, rehab centers, laundry, trying to make Christmas as joyful and normal as possible to the kids, it didn't happen.

Now, I keep telling myself when things get back to normal, I'll have time to knit. But what is "normal"? Lovely Aunt Brenda who has never married, nor had children, is relying on nieces and nephews to help her navigate her new normal. I realized how dramatically her life has changed the other day as I watched her learn how to put her shoes and socks on using aids since she really doesn't have the ability to bend at the waist and use her hands to do this. I also realized how much longer it will now take her to prepare herself in the morning to go about her day.

In spite of this, her life has not really changed much. She will still be able to perform her same job. One that only required her to sit at a desk and use a computer and telephone. She still has the support of a family that loves her and wants to help. It took every bit of my self control not to walk over and put her socks on her, because I couldn't stand to see her struggle with such a simple task. I knew if I did, she would whack me with her grabby stick she uses to reach things. She's very determined, and that has not changed. She's a scrappy broad, always has been.

I am now in the process of wading through the muck that disguises itself as social services, to see what help is out there for Brenda. This is my normal for the next several weeks or months. Everyone's normal is different, and sometimes it changes. Your normal is what you make it.

Martina Navratilova said it best, "I shouldn't say I'm looking forward to leading a normal life, because I don't know what normal is. This has been normal for me."

2012-01-03T08:09:00.002-05:00

And that is what I thought of 2011. Especially the last bit.

Thank Cheezit's it's over. This year can only get better, right? I've never been a fan of Christmas. There's too much pressure. I never used to understand why, when I worked as a travel agent, people would come in and book vacations over the holidays. They would say things like, "I want to get away from the family". I so get it, now.

I hate people creating drama when there doesn't need to be any. We were smacked in the head right before Christmas with some emergency family health issues. The father-in-law had knee replacement surgery. No big deal, we knew it was scheduled. Three whole days after he is home from the hospital, the mother-on-law has emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. The day after Christmas, the aunt-in-law has emergency surgery for a cancerous tumor on the spine. That was not the drama.

The drama was the chaos created by everyone having an opinion about the care of the invalids. If I learned anything about this holiday season, it's to plan early on where to go. Hotels book up quickly. Oh, and I'll conviently forget to bring my cell phone charger.

2011-11-13T09:04:00.009-05:00

My New Obsession...When I Can Get to It

Several years ago I decided that I wanted to try spinning. A year later I took a spinning class from a fantastic teacher at my local guild. Months later I bought a wheel. I bought this alpaca fleece about a year ago, hence the "when I can get to it" part of the title.

This comes from Hawkspass Farm. The lovely fellow that donated his fleece to me is Tribute.

I am completely enamored of the transformation the fleece takes once it has been washed.

Hopefully, there will be a finished project from all this fleece, when I can get to it.

2011-11-07T11:01:00.005-05:00

Project Mania

I'm so excited I just can't hide it. Well, maybe I can. I've been told that I'm very laid back.

Anywhoodle. The projects. We have lived in this house for 11 years. Most every room is still the same color as when we moved in, plus crayon art...on...every...single...wall. We have second hand furniture through out the house (not the beautiful antique kind, but the found by the side of the road kind), and the house is very unorganized (personally, I feel we have too much stuff, yarn is not included in this definition).

For years I have wanted to do something about it, but lack of money and time have prevented us from doing anything major. Now, I have both! Our list of improvements to the house is long, and it will be a time consuming endeavor, but I am up to the challenge.

The problem is how to tackle it. The Husband and I are of two minds on the subject. He doesn't see any reason not to have multiple projects going on at once. I would prefer to pick one, and see it through to completion in all of it's little steps.

Both of our views are analogous to knitting. He would be the knitter that has multiple WIPs. I am the knitter, that although I have multiple WIPs, I don't like to have too many to the detriment of all. If you have too many, it's possible that one or two could suffer.

You could think you have the pattern memorized to that lacy scarf, but realize towards the 50th inch of it that you screwed up. This does not bode well if you are also a perfectionist at heart. (I was also described as a perfectionist, but that was before having to share my house with those that are not. I gave up on that.)

But if you have multiple projects going on, this would indicate that you are an impatient soul. You want it all, and you want it now. My father always said that if you had everything you wanted, you'd have nothing to look forward to.

It will be fun to see how this all plays out. Keep tuned.

2011-11-02T07:50:00.007-05:00

What a Fall!

Excuse me, I fell down the high school marching band rabbit hole. With the Boy having 2 hour rehearsals three times a week, plus a football game on Fridays and competitions on Saturday (his marching band earned 4 "Grand Champion" awards this year and a superior rating at the state competition), I've been a bit busy. Thank John Phillip Sousa it's over until next year.

All that time sitting in the car waiting for practice to be over, or waiting for the buses to get back to school (after they broke down one hour away from their destination) has yielded some knitting. I am about 50% done with Thing 2's Harry Potter sweater. This is the one I started last winter and had to rip, because he grew. It's not very exciting to look at, thus no picture.

I also have a pair of socks going that I just leave in the car, so I am never without knitting if I suddenly find myself waiting. It's just a plain old vanilla sock pattern which is good for throwing on a few rounds if the wait is short.

Pardon the crappy photo, it was taken with my phone. I'm much further along now. There has been much waiting. I'm using Opal Rainforest in tiger, knit on a 9" circular needle. The wee little needle is fun. I had tried it out before, but didn't like it. I was strictly a dpn sock knitter. I think I didn't like it because I knit with the yarn held in my right hand.

After I learned to knit Portuguese style, it was easier to use this needle. I don't think I'll completely give up knitting socks with dpns, but this is a fun change.

I've also been washing, carding, and spinning an alpaca fleece I've had for a year. This is my first attempt at spinning from fleece to yarn. It's amazing how easy it is. I had always been in awe when I would read about the process on other blogs. Don't let them fool you.

Washing the fleece is no more than picking out the ick, and putting bits of it in the sink with soap or a scouring agent to soak, rinse, and repeat (if necessary). After it's dry, it can be carded while watching television. It's the equivalent of doing garter stitch without looking.

The part that takes the most concentration is the spinning. To me, this is the most fun part and I wouldn't want to miss it by dividing my attention between spinning and something else.

Although I do love seeing the Boy occasionally walk past my shoe box full of clean fiber, stopping to stick his hands in it, and hearing him say, "mmm, alpaca". There's hope yet for that Boy.

2011-08-31T10:46:00.002-05:00

Wan meet fo lunch? We go Buggah King!

2011-08-19T08:38:00.002-05:00

Christmas Knitting/Crocheting

Are you getting ready to start your holiday knitting? I know. Who wants to think about that time of year when it's still hotter than your husband sitting down to knit after first making you dinner and tidying up, but not before he lovingly rubs your feet.

If you would be so kind as to add one more person to your gift list, they would be ever so grateful. How about whipping out a scarf or a hat for one of our military personnel serving away from home this year? Operation Gratitude is asking for donations of handmade scarves to include in their care packages. All the information is there, just follow the link.

If you do this, you will lose 20 pounds over night, your hair will be shiny, and you will find $50 in the pocket of the coat you wore last winter. Well, maybe you'll just feel smug for doing something nice for a stranger.

2011-08-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

Great Googly Moogly

It's August, already? But summer just got here. I need a do-over. Band camp has come and gone for the Boy, Thing 1 and Thing 2 are complaining that we've only gone to the pool once, and the Girl, well, she's been hiding in her room.

It has been a productive summer, knit wise. As far as accomplishing things around the house, not so much.

I did finish the fat green socks that had started out to be for me, but they became the Husband's socks along the way. This the Country Socks pattern from Nancy Bush's "Folk Socks" using Sheep Shop's Sheep 3 yarn (say that 5 times fast). I was a little late to the Sheep 3 party, as it's been discontinued, and I love it. Of course. I finally found a bra that I loved, didn't buy eleventy of them, and now they are discontinued. I know, TMI.

The very next day I cast on the Hair Tamer. The Girl has convinced me that since I have had bangs since 7th grade, that it was time for a change. Hence the need for a hair tamer. The pattern (Cabled Headband by Jennifer Hagen from "The Knitter's Book of Yarn") called for the headband to be the same width for the whole circumference, but some one more brilliant than I on Ravelry suggested tapering the back to make it more comfortable. This is wide enough that on cold days I can wear it over my ears, or I can push it behind my ears if I'm embarrassing the Girl by wearing it over my ears.

I also started and finished my new favorite sweater. This one will be getting a lot of use. Its the Garter Stitch jacket by Fleece Artist. The only modification I made was to leave out the waist shaping. I asked the Girl to model it for Le Blog, and she complained that it was itchy. Good. I won't need to go trawling through her room when I want to wear it.

I'm currently working on the Frisco Whip Cowl (another cowl!). This may end up being a gift for a friend in Syracuse. She gifted me (well, I strong armed her) with 2 jars of her pickles, 1 jar of pickled beets, and 1 jar of her pickled green beans. She is the pickling queen. She has red hair, lives where it's cold 10 months of the year, and gave me pickles. It will be perfect for her.

I've also started on the Dorflinger Tee. I'm not sure if this is "me". The beauty is that it's knit top down, so I can try it on and decide if it's "me" without having to finish it first.

2011-08-15T08:24:00.011-05:00

Camping in the Great Outdoors

Well, duh, I guess you could camp in the living room. There'd be less bugs, and we wouldn't spend the first night sleeping in wet clothes.

This past July, yea, I'm a little late, the kidlets and I did our yearly trek to Watkins Glen State Park for a week of bugs, rain, dirt, and holy poison ivy those birds are loud at day break! Good times.

A sideways photo of the Boy asleep after a night of pouring rain.*

We met up with friends of mine from college and their respective kids and dogs.

We went for hikes,
we visited wineries (one of which was very hippy-dippy and had this Keith Moon autographed drum),
and we had good food, heard good music, and saw a beautiful sunset all at another winery.

This lovely creature rode home with us. His name is Ringo, and he is a service dog in training. We gave him a lift, because his trainer (my friend that lives in Massachusetts) was in southern Ohio, while we camped with the rest of his family in NY. He was a delight, even if he did leave behind a carpeting of hair in my car.

*Crappy photos taken with cell phone. I forgot the good camera.

2011-06-20T09:40:00.004-05:00

A Tribute to My Mom

That is (was) a plate of blueberry muffins. My mom had a recipe for blueberry muffins that I have never seen its duplicate. I've also never tasted its duplicate. Mom used to make these for every church bake sale, and they were the first to sell out.

Luckily, I have the recipe. I have since let the Girl in on the "secret" so she can make them. Whenever they are made, they are devoured within 24 hours. My Mom's name for the recipe was the simple, yet alluring "blueberry muffins". We have changed the name to the more descriptive "Grandma Margie's blueberry muffins". This isn't the first recipe name change I have made. I changed "molasses cookies" to "Mamoo Ruth's molasses cookies".

I think there is no better way than to keep a loved one's memory alive for later generations than through food. Every time we make these muffins, it's a chance for me to tell the kids about the grandma they never knew. By following her recipe, it's like she's there guiding them through the steps to the best blueberry muffin ever.

But you don't need to have a favorite recipe from a long gone family member to remember them by. I had a great aunt named Edna. She was by far the funniest person in my extended family. She was prone to making hysterical statements in her hillbilly twang that would bring tears of laughter to your eyes. Whenever some one starts telling stories about Edna, there would always be a mention of the mouthwatering blackberry cobbler she made in her cast iron skillet, followed by the lament that she never passed on the recipe (if she even used one.)

Not only is food a great way to remember some one, it can also bring great comfort by reminding us of that person. Years ago when my mother learned that the cancer could no longer be treated and she had only days, I asked her if there was anything special she would like to eat. She requested the molasses cookies that my grandmother (her mother) used to make. I had the recipe and rushed home to make a batch. My mother only had the energy to eat one, but at least she had one before she passed, hopefully bringing her some peace.

It's enough for me that some day my kidlets will remember their grandma and great-grandma this way. If I don't come up with something, they'll be telling my grandkidlets that this grandma really knew her way around a box of macaroni and cheese!

2011-04-25T08:21:00.007-05:00

JayZ on a Cracker!

Enough already. The local news reported this morning that we are having the wettest April on record with over 11" this month, and we still have 5 more days to go. To make matters worse, here's the local forecast for the next 7 days.

At least it's warm.

All this rain has been a boon to my knitting. Since I've not been able to get out and work in the yard, I have started and finished a few projects.

The first is a watch cap I knit for the Husband using the Portuguese knitting method. This technique involves very little hand movement. The working yarn can either be carried from your right, around your neck, to your left where it is in use on your needles. Or it can be carried from your right, hooked on a knitting pin, and down to your right. The yarn is to the front of your needles for both purling and knitting, and you only need to use your left thumb to flick the yarn into place.

Here's a link to an episode of Knitting Daily with Andrea Wong explaining the method. It's about 8 minutes long, but pretty interesting.

I didn't take picture of the project, because it's a black watch cap. Boring.

But this isn't boring.

I found myself on a cowl kick. That there is the Ptarmigan cowl by the brilliant Jared Flood using Knitpicks Gloss in fingering. That's not the best picture, but you get the idea. I love this cowl. It's got some extra length to it, but it's not so loose that it flops to the base of your neck like other cowls I've made. This was easy and fast.

The next cowl I made was the Pretty Thing by the ever witty Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I used Plymouth Earth Ecco Cashmere (said with reverence), and I still have have half of the skein left! The only problem I had with this project was that I had Michael Jackson's "PYT" as an ear worm during the knitting of this cowl. Very distracting. Listen if you dare.

Finally, I finished the Audrey Triple Wrap. No ear worms here, thank JayZ. This is made using Audrey by the Schaefer Yarn Company. The colors are beautiful, yet subtle.

Right. I'm off to look at the possibility of moving to Seattle. They can't possibly get this much rain in a month, can they?

2011-03-13T08:52:00.007-05:00

Why the U.S. needs a Royal Family

We need a Royal Family so we can have Royal Family weddings and all of the hoopla and consumerism that surrounds it. Have you seen some of the "commemorative" items for sale in celebration of the wedding of Wills and Kate?

You can have press on nails like these

You can leave a tea ring from your mug

on your coaster

The one I am most excited about is this one. Knitted figures of the Royal Family! Here's the link.

It even includes Her Majesty's Royal Corgis.

2011-02-24T09:22:00.001-05:00

My Night Life

So, I share a bed with what I like to refer to as a 'messy sleeper'. You know the type. They can't just get into bed, fluff the pillow, and go to sleep. When they turn over in their sleep, they flop. They kick covers off, pull them back up, and they somehow end up half off the bed.

When I get into bed (many times before the Husband), I have to put my pillows back on my side of the bed. On the mornings that I arise first, the second I am out of the bed, he grabs my pillows and uses them to prop up his arms and legs, because his four pillows aren't enough. Our bed is never made. The only people that go in my room is the family and the dogs. The dogs can often be found on my bed during the day, further messing it up so there is no point in making it.

Two of my kidlets have inherited messy sleeper syndrome from the Husband. The boy frequently rolls into his blankets like a burrito and sleeps across the bed with his feet hanging off.

I was forced to sleep with the Girl once. Never again. She would sit straight up in her sleep making an 'L' shape, then proceed to fall sideways across me.

Over the years of sharing a bed with the Husband, I have had his arm flop across my face, been punched in the head, and on many occasions had my pillow pulled out from under my head. I even had the cat thrown in my face in the dark as I was getting into bed. (Evidently the cat didn't like being in bed with a messy sleeper either, and he scratched the Husband, causing him to throw the cat out of the bed into my face. The room was dark, and the cat was black. I didn't see him coming until my face was pummelled...by the cat.)

So when one of his many pillows ends up on top of my head in the middle of the night, I take great pleasure in rifling the thing across the room.

Last night was the worst experience by far. He often flops arms and legs across the 'line of death' that runs down the middle of the bed. His hand got caught in my shoulder length hair. He actually ripped out a tuft of hair. A very rude awakening, indeed. I heard the hair popping out of their follicles. My scalp still stings 5 hours later.

What did I get for my injury? A mumbled "sorry" and a snore.

2011-02-23T09:03:00.003-05:00

The Word is Getting Out

This is further proof that knitting can be cool. The British design house Meadham Kirchoff sent gansey sweaters down the runway during London Fashion Week, which had the prime minister's wife in attendance.

They employed 35 knitters to make sweaters, socks and skirts in the gansey style. They made 40 pieces in all. The complete article can be found here.

As one commented on the story, "Whit? Fae Scotland? Canny be trendy. Kin it? Weel done the brae lassies!" I think that's Scottish for, "Well played, knitters."

2011-02-06T09:36:00.006-05:00

I'm Not a Big Fan

of cats. I tolerate her. You can see why I'm not a big fan. She decided to sit on my lap mid-row, while I was in the act.

Settling in...

Aaaaaaaaaand down.

2011-01-30T11:15:00.003-05:00

As Seen at a Kitchy Discount Home Store

A froggy policeman (woman? who can tell with frogs).

An exploding flamingo.

My personal favorite, a biker gnome.

My hand still hurts, so there is obviously not much knitting going on. Obviously.

2011-01-12T11:02:00.007-05:00

Ten Days

That is how long I have been told by my (obviously) non-knitting doctor to "lay off" the knitting. My daughter was in the room and her reaction was a horse snort followed by a skeptically sounding "yeah". She knows me so well.

It would seem that I am suffering from tendonitis in my left thumb. I hope that is all it is. He did say that if it doesn't feel better after 10 days, to come back and he would send me to the orthopedist.

So until January 20th, these projects will still look like this:

and this:
and this:

Those are one of a pair of mittens for Thing 2 (Thing 1's are already finished, but Thing 2 does have store bought mittens he could wear), the back of the Wishbone sweater for me, and finally, the Harry Potter type "R" sweater that Ron wears for Thing 2.

Rather than look at the next 10 days as a prison sentence, I choose to be positive about it. In the next ten days I could finally get caught up on the laundry, or I could get the house clear of all clutter. I could finish all of those books I've been meaning to read, or, dare I say it, practice my crochet skills. Crocheting doesn't require the use of the left hand except as a means to hold the yarn in ready position. Right?...

Lawdy, help me. I'm going through withdrawal. I sound like a strung out addict. I'll say anything to myself to justify holding yarn in my hand!

2010-12-13T10:30:00.002-05:00

There's Gratitude for ya...

At 47 years old I still didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. (I don't feel grown up, but that's a post for another day.) Before I hit 30 there were many things I thought about doing. Some of them were what every other kid wants to be, like a school teacher. I realized that although I like kids, I really didn't want to be around them all day. I have 4 of my own, and I don't want to be around them all day. I relish going to the grocery by my self.

I had thought about being a photographer, but then I realized not all of them reach the status of Annie Leibowitz. I wasn't about to photograph weddings for the rest of my life. Writer! That's the ticket. But I like having a roof and food and heat, and "Harry Potter" was taken already.

So, I bumbled through life without a plan. I studied English Lit in college thinking I would get a Ph.D and teach. I got as far as getting accepted to grad school, but practicality won out and I got a job instead. I would fall in and out of jobs that sounded interesting, married a guy a couldn't stand in college, and 17 years later we have 4 kids and a great marriage. Not having a plan some times works.

Then the Husband sent me a clip about this lady. She's 98 years old and has been knitting for the troops since WWII and has no plans to stop. She has made almost 500 scarves this year alone! She donates them to a fantastic organization called Operation Gratitude that donates care packages to our service men and women. If you don't knit, they could use other donations as well, even money for postage.

After seeing the clip, I want to be Joan when I grow up. Since according to the calendar I am grown up, I should knit a scarf for the troops. So maybe those of us that knit or crochet could take a little time during the crazy busyness of the holidays to knit one scarf to donate. Joan has the other 500 covered.

2010-11-30T07:43:00.004-05:00

NATAFINGA!

This time of year brings to mind all of the great "curses" that Darren McGavin unleashes in "A Christmas Story", especially when after reaching the shoulder shaping on the front of a sweater with a huge honkin' cable design up the front, you realize that the design isn't in the sweet 'flalinglupo'* middle.

One only comes to this conclusion after missing the instruction in the pattern where one is directed to start decreasing for the arm hole shaping, and by "one", I mean "me". So I ripped back a few inches and continued blissfully unaware that I had made a mistake way back at the beginning.

DRADNAFULUS!*

*my own curses

2010-11-23T07:02:00.001-05:00

Look Out!

Art will get you...

2010-11-13T11:15:00.007-05:00

A Public Service Announcement

It has come to my attention that each year hundreds of words regularly fall out of daily use. This is a travesty that must not be allowed to continue. The good folks at the Oxford English Dictionary are asking that we, as users and lovers of the English language, adopt a word.

By using our adopted word in our correspondence, meetings, and even blog postings, we can prevent some good, hardworking words from disappearing from our lexicon. Please go here and do your part.

"Wool stapler". Look it up. Thank you.

2010-11-08T09:01:00.005-05:00

Title Here

As you can see by the title, I'm not feeling terribly creative. I'm still knitting, but following patterns. Every now and then, it's nice to not have to think. Ravelry is helping.

Those of you that are on Ravelry, have you seen the option where you can marry up items in your queue with your stash? It's really cool. You can see what yarn you already have on hand, how much, and what the weight is, and do a search of things in your queue that would use that amount and weight of yarn. You can then attach that yarn to that project. By doing this, I have decided to knit through my stash.

The husband has been complaining that I have too much yarn. So by turning it into sweaters, scarves, hats and socks, it will take up less room in the house. Sounds logical, right? Just go with me on this.

With that said, I found that I had enough Beaverslide Dry Goods worsted to make me a vest. I used this book since the math was already done for me, added a leafy trim (which I think I'm going to rip out and change) around the bottom,
add single crochet around the arms and neck; and, Bob's your uncle, I have less yarn in the stash! Never mind that it just moved from the plastic container in the closet to the cedar chest.

Now I'm working my way through some Cascade 220 to make a Wishbone. It too will move several times. It will move from the closet, to the tote bag while in progress, to the cedar chest. All that matters is that it will be out of the closet, and the Husband will notice a few less skeins of yarn in there.

Maybe. All I see when I look in the closet are his eleventy pairs of black boots. Although, I could start shoving yarn down in his boots. Brilliant! I'll be back, I have to go shopping!

2010-09-26T07:08:00.004-05:00

Someone's Glad it's Fall

2010-09-13T14:22:00.003-05:00

The Summer of Smalls

Yes, I am quite aware that our British friends use the word "smalls" to refer to their underthings, but "The Summer of Little Projects" just doesn't sing. Having knit the same sweater twice this past winter, I was ready for quick and fast-ish projects. Let me 'splain...no, there is too much, let me sum up.*

I made the green cardigan from Malabrigo that I have had percolating in my head for quite some time, but didn't pay attention to what size my body really is. Evidently I believe my self to be built like a San Diego line backer, when I'm really the size of an Oompa Loompa. So I reknit the thing using the Mr. Greenjeans pattern, because I was tired of doing my own math (math turned out not to be my strongest intellectual attribute). It fits just fine and I love it. In fact I wore it for about a week straight in May when we still had spring weather. I also wore it at night while camping in Watkins Glen, NY. It needs a good wash, and I had to pick leaves off of it before taking the picture.

I have yarn and a pattern for a sweater that the Husband wants, but I'm just not in the mood to have something large and hot in my lap. Do you hear that Brunnhilde? You are not a lap dog! Although, it won't be long before I can start, but not right now. We are still having 80 degree days.

Thing 1 had been riding my butt to finish his Sheldon turtle that I realized had been sitting untouched for a year. So, it was quickly dispatched. Suddenly, I had an epiphany. I realized that it's fun to actually finish something that only takes a few days to knit. Duh.

That is when I decided it will be the Summer of Small(s) Things. Nope, still doesn't sing.

I vowed to only knit on little items this summer. Those items being, but not limited to, socks, Sheldons, scarfs, and shawls. (The S Summer? The SSummer? No, absolutely not, too Third Reich.) Although shawls can be rather large (hence, not small) they can be holey, and if knit with laceweight yarn, quite whispery. So in my mind that counts as being small. Besides, I purchased the pattern and yarn for Anne Hansen's Cluaranach, and it's coming along great.

So, I diligently cast on, and finished Thing 2's Sheldon; cast on, and finished thankyouverymuch, the Zakuro cowl, and finished the second of this sock. (Alas, I did not take a picture of it, and it's upstairs and I am down here. Steps are involved. Here is a picture of the Zakuro cowl instead.)

So, what should be next? Should I finish the Husband's Tabi socks that have been languishing for over a year? Or maybe treat myself to using the Flat Feet I just recently purchased? Perhaps, I should finish the shortie socks for the Girl. These are going super fast since she requested ankle socks. I've knocked out 1 1/2 socks in one week.

Today's post was brought to you by the letter "S".

*Mandy Patinkin in "The Princess Bride"

2010-07-16T07:39:00.003-05:00

Lazy Days of Wha'?

Whoever coined the phrase "lazy days of summer" was an idiot, or certainly someone that had no job, home, family or somewhere to be.

Since summer began I have had more laundry than usual. In addition to washing our "regular" stuff you can add swimsuits, beach towels, and sleeping bags that got smelly on our camping trip. I don't even complain when I notice that Thing 1 and Thing 2 have worn the same clothes, usually p.j.'s, for the third day in a row. That means less laundry!

Oh, yeah, the camping trip. I took the kids camping in Watkins Glen, NY. This involved tracking down supplies, purchasing new supplies, and driving 8 hours with the kids (one way) to have a really good time. The weather was perfect (not too hot, low humidity), the company was fantastic, and I didn't blow my top until the morning to pack up and come home. I'd call that a successful trip.

I have also recently acquired a rental property (can you say "slum lord"?). The property I have is not a slum. It's a nice 4 bedroom in a nice part of town. But it had wallpaper in certain rooms that had been there since the 70's. It also had a base layer of wallpaper that had been there since the early 60's. I know this because the house was built in 1963, and there was nothing under that layer except plaster.

So I spent much time getting the house ready to rent. Consequently, my house is in ruins, the laundry has grown exponentially, and I can't see my garden any more for all the weeds. I know I have tomato plants out there somewhere.

I have been knitting. Slowly. By the time I sit down in the evenings, usually about 9pm, I'm too tired to even lift the remote. So I end up watching whatever channel the kids had on. I could probably give you a synopsis of all of the "iCarly" episodes, and Spongebob isn't so bad if you are really exhausted.

I keep telling myself that once the kidlets are back in school, things will slow down. At least I'll have less laundry.

2010-06-03T11:15:00.003-05:00

The Best "Holiday" Ever!

Tomorrow is National Doughnut Day! National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army, so it's not just an excuse to eat a doughnut, like I needed one.

For those of you being careful about your calorie intake, you can knit or crochet a doughnut in honor of the day. These projects could all be great stash busters and depending on the color of your yarn, you could make many different flavors.

You could make this pattern by Matie Trewe. If you don't want to make a doughnut, she is also the creator of the giant squid hat and a knitted digestive system. Those are the patterns that are safe to mention without getting a drive by p*rning.

If jelly doughnuts are more your thing here's a pattern by Kat Lewinski. She also has a cute pattern for Easter Peeps (something to file away for next spring).

And for you crocheters here is Nevadamama's pattern for a doughnut pin cushion where your pins become the sprinkles, because it's just not National Doughnut Day without sprinkles.

2010-05-07T12:12:00.002-05:00

A Sign of the Times

This is what I see on those rare occassions I am with the Husband (his friend, Big Steve, was with us that day).

Phone companies and the internet all use the "stay connected with friends" ploy to get your business, but I'm getting a little weary of looking at the top of the Husband's head over the dinner table during the "we don't have the kids with us, so let's go out to eat so we can spend some time together" moments. What's wrong with staying connected by actually looking at each other during a conversation?

The "technology is actually making us, as a society, less connected" rant is now over. And, yes, I see the irony in the fact that I took that picture with my phone, and am now ranting over the internet. I think I will now let my rant subside by reading a few chapters of my current book on my Kindle!

2010-04-24T08:46:00.002-05:00

One year ago today, I started a new chapter in my life. The chapter is "Living with a Teenage Boy". What a ride it's been.

The house has become smellier, one room in particular, his. I am waging a battle on the smell. Not every day is successful. I've also had to buy extra shaving cream. For the past seventeen years, I've only had to buy shaving cream for one man in the house, now I buy for two. Granted, only one needs to shave every day, and the other needs to use Stridex every day. And I really shouldn't think there are two men in the house; it's more like one and a half.

I also now knock when I see a closed door. In the past the door was never closed, he wanted to make sure he was included and aware of the day to day activities of the house. These days, he'd prefer to be on his own, isolated from the rest of us. He's probably pretending he doesn't have annoying little brothers and a crabby sister. The annoyers and crabby want to buy him a present, because they still feel he's one of us.

The house has become quieter in the mornings on the weekend. That happens when someone sleeps until noon. I am sometimes startled when I hear a deep voice from another room around lunchtime. My first thought is usually the same as the little kids, "Dad's home? I thought he was at work."

Over the past several years, I've had to buy bigger and bigger shoes, and many, many, many sacks of groceries. But on occasion (and I don't think he would want to admit to it), I've been told about a really cool Lego set. I was also surprised the other day by a quick peck on the cheek for no apparent reason, not in public mind you. That would be embarrassing. No one kisses Mom in public. I'll have to wait until I'm shuffling along with my walker before that will happen. I won't hold him to the promise he made to me when he was 7 that he would never be too embarrassed to kiss me in public no matter how old he was. So I'll just have to treasure the memories of the sticky pancake kisses and the hugs made with chubby little arms.

But as he grows older, I'll have more memories to cherish. Such as watching him kick butt at a karate tournament, becoming second chair trumpet in the school band, and holding doors open for ladies without my prompting. I'll never forget finding him sitting at the desk computer with his 3 year old cousin on his lap playing a game that was only fun for the 3 year old.

Happy 14^th Birthday, Weasel. I am so proud of you. I know life's road can be rocky, but I am positive you will navigate your way with confidence in yourself and kindness to others.

What in the Sam Hill was I smoking?

2010-04-04T08:53:00.001-05:00

So, I go to the grocery store yesterday which was my first mistake. Were you aware that everyone on the planet waits until the day before a major holiday to do their grocery shopping? Who knew? I think I knew this, but it was not filed away under "days to not go to the store", so it wasn't easily accessible. It must have been one of the odd ball documents down at the bottom of the page that you are too lazy to click and move to a folder, and your eyes just tend to gloss over when you see them.

I was smug in the knowledge that I didn't need to do any "holiday" shopping. I needed food to feed the family for the upcoming week. It somehow made me feel superior to those with ham and eggs in their basket.

After fighting the ham and eggs crowd, I came home, walk in the kitchen, only to be greeted by a child that is not mine. It's my nephew and he's brought his little brother with him. It turns out that his older brother was taken to the hospital for severe abdominal pain. No problem, I've got my sea legs on, I can roll with the waves.

It turns out that the oldest nephew needs his appendix out, and Mom and Dad will be staying at the hospital with him as good parents do. So the interlopers will be spending the night here. My sister-in-law, aka PD, thoughtfully brought the Easter basket fixin's for her two so all I had to do was assemble.

Fast forward to this morning when I realize my second mistake. What do you feed children Easter morning? The second day of the year where it's all about the chocolate, the first being Halloween? You guessed it. The donuts I bought at the store yesterday!

I am the only adult stuck at the house with 6 children between the ages of 13 and 5, all of whom will be hopped up on sugar, two of which have been diagnosed with ADHD, and a third on crutches. I envy the Husband having to work today.

My third mistake was not stocking up on beer at the store. I think I only have 2 bottles left. They will have to suffice. I need to go, I just heard a kid ask if we have any ice cream in the house and its only 10am.

Happy Easter, Passover, or Vernal Equinox.

Ho Hum

2010-03-29T08:49:00.001-05:00

The Husband pointed out a few days ago that I hadn't updated the Blog in about a month. I came to the realization that I hadn't felt particularly inspired. It wasn't that I just felt that I had nothing to write about, but I felt uninspired in many aspects of my life.

The knitting is still there. It's just not an inspiring knit. I decided that the cardigan I had made of my own design from the Malabrigo I had in the stash would be better off repurposed as a different sweater, because although my gauge was spot on, I apparently think I have a linebacker's physique. I was going for comfortable (I'm not a big fan of fitted sweaters), what I got was comforter. So, I bumbled around on Ravelry and found a suitable alternative.

What I settled upon was Mr. Greenjeans by Amy Swenson. It's a good, basic cardigan with a little pizzazz. I'm sure I'll like it once it's finished. But I feel uninspired because I really don't have to think while making it. I'm following a pattern without making any modifications. Don't get me wrong, sometimes mindless knitting can be a good thing.

I feel uninspired with my choice of reading material lately. I'm currently reading Charles Dicken's "The Old Curiosity Shop". I love Dickens. I love the silly names he gives some of his characters (Richard Swiveller and Sophy Wackles), and the even sillier characteristics some have.

"…had it consorted with Miss Brass's maiden modesty and gentle womanhood to have assumed her brother's clothes in a frolic and sat down beside him, it would have been difficult for the oldest friend of the family to determine which was Sampson and which Sally, especially as the lady carried upon her upper lip certain reddish demonstrations, which, if the imagination had been assisted by her attire, might have been mistaken for a beard. These were, however, in all probability, nothing more than eyelashes in a wrong place, as the eyes of Miss Brass were quite free from any such natural impertinencies."

In spite of that brilliant prose, I'm just not feeling it.

I'm especially feeling uninspired in my job and here around the house. I'm a part time merchandiser. I go into stores and set up displays, and keep them stocked and neat. We have one client that I have been dealing with for years, and I like them (they have a dog as the mascot). But lately, I've been sent to other retailers in addition to my regular stops. While these other retailers don't take much time, they are impossible to deal with. I mostly deal with management, and when I can find one (a manager) they are no help whatsoever. They often vaguely wave me off in a direction, tell me I need to talk to someone else, and then that someone else is impossible to find, and the manager has disappeared. This retailer is often thought to be the reason for the downfall of the Mom and Pop stores, if you know what I mean.

I find that I resent being sent to these other retailers. I just want to go to the one I like, do my job, and go home. Very uninspiring.

When I arrive at home, there are so many things that need to be done, and so many things that could be done to make this a beautiful home (right now, it's just functional), but I go through the house with blinders on.

At this point in the blog, I've lost my inspiration to even find a way to neatly tie up my loose thoughts.

Later.

What Goes Around

2010-02-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

I am a believer in the natural goodness of people, karma, the golden rule, call it what you will. Last evening, my belief was proven to my sometimes cynical husband.

While eating dinner out with the family at a local pizza joint, an elderly woman collapsed in the lobby on her way out of the restaurant. Where we were seated, I had a clear view of the lobby, and saw the lady go down. Several people rushed to her aid, but I noticed that nearly all were just standing, staring and doing nothing. So I assumed she was just slow to get up, until I heard "911" said by someone. So I smacked the Husband on the arm, and said, "Get over there."

I knew that he would be more of a help than those that were just doing nothing but staring. Being a former paramedic and currently a police officer, he is trained in these types of situations. Evidently, the crowd of looky-loo's realized that he knew what to do, because when he pulled out his ever present mini flashlight to check her pupil's dilation, the crowd meandered back to their pizza. I like to joke with the Husband that he is a bit squirrely because he never leaves the house without certain items. He claims that you never know when you might need a flashlight, or knife. I call it "geeky", he calls it "prepared". Although, come to think of it, I hardly ever leave the house without my small knitting bag, because you never know when a knit fight might break out.

Once the paramedics arrived and took the lady to the hospital, the Husband returned to his now cold hoagie from which he had only taken one bite before I made him spring into action. Here's the good karma part, the manager came over to thank him for taking charge, and said that she would take 50% off our bill and she made him a new hoagie since his other one had gone cold. It was an unexpected, but welcome gesture. I think she may even have called him a hero. The Husband insists that he is not a hero, but that is just typical of any man or woman in uniform. If you call them a hero, they will tell you that they are just doing their job. Regardless, hearing the Husband called a hero made the kidlets beam with pride.

They know what he does for a living, but they have never seen him "in action". They only get to see him when he drags his tired self in the door after a long shift. In spite of that poor woman's state (I sincerely hope that she is o.k.), last evening was rather uplifting. My children got to see that there are good people in this world, and that when someone needs help, you should come to their aid without expectation of reward. But sometimes, you may receive a reward, like a warm hoagie.

Uncle

2010-02-15T09:51:00.001-05:00

I give up. You win. After gallbladder surgery, a fatblobremovedfrombackectomy (it is too a procedure), a week of headaches and neck aches, and kids home from school because of snow, a holiday, and the teacher's wanted to combine the holiday with an "in service" day so they could have a 4 day weekend, and more snow, you win.

I'll be in bed. Wake me in April.

Squeee!

2010-01-27T09:56:00.001-05:00

My new obsession is being delivered today! It's a Lendrum.

I had the opportunity to try out other wheels during my class. I worked on a Louet, an Ashford, a Majacraft, and a Schacht. I found that I really liked the Lendrum. The Ashford Saxony was a bit wobbly for my taste. It just didn't feel solid. While I liked the Louet, Majacraft, and the Schacht, I think for the money the Lendrum was the best buy. It's solid, very easy to assemble and disassemble for transporting (if you are into taking your wheel with you), and it comes with a good range of spin ratio's right out of the box. I purchased the "complete" model because it gave you the jumbo flyer for plying or making bulky yarn and the fast flyer. If purchased separately, it would have been more expensive than buying the wheel and adding these later.

I guess I won't get in the shower until the postman arrives. I can't risk missing the momentous event! Yeah, I'm squirrely that way.

2010-01-26T08:17:00.005-05:00

ZZZZZZZZZZ, unh.

That's the sound I make while I recover from gallbladder surgery. Lots of sleep, and lots of grunting. Every one I spoke with that has also had their gallbladder removed tells me that I'll realize how bad I was feeling before the surgery, because I'll feel so much better after. Well, duh. Anything will be an improvement over the soreness and bruising around my multiple (but small) incisions.

I'm rather late in letting all of you know (all 3 or 4 of you that bother to read this) that we made it through the holidays unscathed, and it turned out to be the best (and by best, I mean least stressful) holiday season ever. This year I actually managed to get everything done in a timely manner, so I only had to sit back and enjoy the time with family.

But I didn't get any rest once the new year began. In between doctor visits for me, the Girl, and Thing2, I took spinning lessons! ...with a wheel... I have a new addiction. One that I currently suck doing, but an addiction none the less.

I am lucky enough to live in a part of the country also occupied by one of 5 master spinners in the US. She has rubbed elbows and is on a first name basis with some of the big playas. Gord is one, as in Gord Lendrum, maker of the Lendrum spinning wheel. And let's not forget Judith. On our last day of class she showed us, and let us try, making Judith's "Wolf Yarn". This is a mohair yarn that she said Judith sold a lot of when she first started spinning and selling her handspun. She called it "Wolf Yarn" because it kept the wolves from the door. Judith? Judith MacKenzie McCuin.

And now, possibly the bravest thing I have ever done. Pictures of my first attempts at spinning and plying. One caveat, though, the light isn't the best today...as if that will make up for it's suckiness.

My first handspun from Corriedale fiber.

My modest attempt at spinning ramie. This stuff is so soft. It's worth attempting again, but I think I'll wait until I am way more confident with my skills. Like when I get to the point where I'm proud to show off the handspun.

Finally, my attempt at the Wolf Yarn.

2009-12-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

In the Bleak Midwinter

This morning was the first day of Christmas break, or as the Husband has taken to calling it, "Daddypalooza". The Husband and the Kidlets will be under foot for the next two weeks.

My day started with a headache. This after awakening at 6:30am to the sound of the cat wanting out of the bedroom, a rollicking discussion with the Husband as to who was going to get up and let her out, and the Husband deciding that "his" two weeks were not going to be wasted lolly gagging about in bed. He proceeded to grab his trumpet, flip on the lights and play "Reveille". Hence, the headache.

I know that the next two weeks I will hear a nonstop barrage of "mom,mom,mom, mom, Kaaaarrren, mom, mom, mom, Kaaarrren." Good thing I have a full bottle of ibuprofen and a lock on the bedroom door. Now if I can just find the stash of chocolate....

2009-12-12T10:13:00.002-05:00

Why, yes, science and knitting do mix

Discover Magazine has a post about what happens when science and knitting colide. The sweater would have come in handy while I suffered through high school chemistry.

2009-12-07T11:33:00.007-05:00

I Found the Camera (the house still isn't clean or organized)

...I just got lucky.

That is the Swallowtail Shawl I finished I don't know when. I could click on Ravelry and find out, but well, my clicker finger is being lazy today.

I love this. I made it in the "little" size, so it's more like a shawlette. (goofy word that) It gets out and about on a regular basis. It can dress up a plain black outfit, and it looks good with a denim jacket (which the Girl informed me that no one wears anymore). You can't tell, but it's a pretty pale pink.

The light is crap today, because we got a whopping 1/2" of snow overnight. Naturally, the kidlets had to rush into my bedroom at ohdarkthirty to let me know that there was real life snow on the ground, and will school be cancelled, do ya think?

That there is a life sized shawl. It's called Creideamh (Gaelic for 'faith') from the Embrace the Lace Club. It's made from Miss Babs Yearning, which is a merino/tussah silk blend, and for some reason this pattern by Renee Leverington didn't give me nearly as much trouble as the Swallowtail. I had to start that sucker over about 5 times. It wasn't the pattern, I just wasn't concentrating.

This is a good all around shawl. It's not too frilly that you wouldn't be afraid to wad it in a ball on a long flight or car ride to use as a pillow, but you will still look good wearing it through the airport and not look like you are going to a formal function. Some shawls in my opinion are "black tie only".

These are the socks I finished while 'granny sitting'. Jared just had a nice post about how your knitting reminds you of where you were while knitting. I will always think of "Mother" when I put these on. I think it's a fitting tribute since she always complained of being cold, and didn't like cold feet. These are from Lorna's Laces in a plain Jane 2x2 ribbing pattern, and they are very warm.

My current project* is the latest Embrace the Lace offering called Prudence, a cowl and mitt set designed by Anne Hanson using Lobster Pot yarn. This is going quick. I was even able to work on it while in front of the t.v. without any errors, something I normally wouldn't attempt with a more difficult pattern.

*I do have other projects, like the green cardigan I've been working on forever (I'm on sleeve 2), and a pair of socks in self striping Patons Kroy, but I was so excited about finding the camera, I forgot to take pictures!

2009-12-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

It's Why I Knit

We've been going through a bit of a rough patch here lately. My kind, sweet grandmother-in-law recently passed away. The family (her children) didn't want her to be alone during her final days, so it was my privilege to "granny sit" while she was living at the in-laws and later hospice. I would take a turn giving those that were much more closely attached to her a chance to run errands, visit with others outside of Granny's range of hearing, or so they could take a much needed "emotion break".

Having gone through this with my own mother, sometimes those closest to the person who is slowly fading away needs a little time out of the highly emotional epicenter. All the while, I was knitting.

Not a week later, I had to have Wally the cat put down. He was only 7 years old, and had a massive tumor in his stomach. He was a very independent feline. He ignored the kidlets, tolerated me, and he only really liked the Husband. I was ambivalent towards him. He was just another life form in the house that needed to be fed and cleaned regularly. I still cried when the vet put him to sleep. He died like he lived, hissing and growling. I guess he did this to make it easier on me. Maybe he did like me.

But as I sat at the vet's for an hour and a half waiting for test results and x-rays. I knit.

Wednesday I have to have an MRI for a weird bump that showed up suddenly on my spine. It's probably nothing. Tomorrow, the Gaggs (my MIL) is having surgery to have a defibrillator inserted for her heart.

The Husband mentioned tonight that he's not been able to shake an anxious feeling he's had all day. I know it's a culmination of the stress of the past weeks that doesn't look like it's going to slow down for a while.

My response to him? "Why do you think I knit?"

2009-11-14T09:02:00.005-05:00

Random Saturday

1. I can't find my 'go to' sweater from last year, or the several pairs of socks I made over the summer. I really need to clean and organize this house.

2. Have you ever tried to keep food in the larder while living with a swarm of locusts? It's damn near impossible. Thank goodness for Sam's Club. When we are out of consumables, there is always the eleventy billion packs of microwave popcorn I picked up on the last trip. The house perpetually smells like a movie theater.

3. It's really fun to hold a little kitten to your ear and listen to her purr.

4. There are dog/cat hair tumbleweeds the size of a full grown Chihuahua blowing about in the front hall. I really need to clean and organize this house.

5. Taking my turn sitting at hospice with Mother (granny-in-law) these last two weeks gives me much time to knit and contemplate in the quiet room. I have been able to observe the different grieving processes of family members. Some openly weep, some deny, others put on a brave face. All forms of expressing one's anguish are sincere, and none of these forms are "wrong". We all deal with death in our own way, and we can not look disdainfully on those that express their emotion differently. I went through this with my own mom years ago, and was a little too close to the situation and self-engrossed to really observe the process in others. It has been my privilege to tend to Mother in her final days and spend a little one on one time with a woman that is strong, feisty, and has a killer sense of humor.

6. I'm almost done with the socks I've been working on while "grannysitting". I'd show you a picture, but I can't find the camera. I've really got to clean and organize this house.

2009-10-06T07:44:00.003-05:00

Think Pink

For anyone living under a rock, (that must be some rock if you're able to get internet!) I'd like to remind you that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is always a bittersweet month for me. It is yet another opportunity for me to be reminded of the people in my life that I have lost to cancer. Upper most in my heart is my mother. She lost her battle to breast cancer 12 years ago on June 8th.

Not only do I think of her on that day, but I also think of her on her birthday in August. But October is bittersweet to me, because my husband and I were married in October on my birthday. One of my favorite pictures of my mother is one that my mother-in-law snapped from across the church aisle. It's my mother with tears unashamedly running down her face as I walked down the aisle on my father's arm.

While any form of cancer is flat out one of the worst things ever placed on this earth, I feel it's important to maintain one's sense of humor. What a dark miserable world this would be if we couldn't laugh about something so wretched.

With that in mind, please Save the Ta-Tas! Ladies, you might consider buying this for your husbands.

2009-09-29T13:58:00.003-05:00

Autumn

My daily footwear has changed. The anklet has come off. It usually goes on in the spring once it becomes too warm to wear socks and doesn't come off until it becomes too brisk to go without socks.

The footwear is now handknit socks and Birkies.

By the way, does anyone know what kind of cocoon this is? It's hanging on the back door frame. I did a quick search of cocoons, and this might be a Monarch butterfly cocoon. If it is, we'll know in about 10-14 days.

2009-09-18T07:24:00.003-05:00

Wow, just, wow. I have no words. I love Cate Blanchett. I love her quirky fashion sense, but this...wow. I'm flummoxed.

O.k. I did have a few words.

2009-09-13T09:46:00.006-05:00

What in the Sam Hill was I thinking?

Meet the newest member of the Clan. She's about 3 months old, and I swore on many occasions that she would not come to live with us since we already have two dogs and a mean cat, one that would rather bite you than look at you.

The PD (that's the sister in law) let her cat get out of the house before she had her baby making parts removed. She was able to find homes for the other three, but no one wanted this one. The others were generally thought to be "cuter". There was a grey one, a black one, and a white and black one. Personally, I thought that mug up there was the cutest. It has more character.

She ended up at our house on Labor Day. When will I learn not to have cook outs and invite the in laws? She was supposed to go home with the Gaggs (the mother in law). But when faced with the pleading faces of 3 of my children (the Boy didn't give a hoot), I caved even though I'm allergic to cats. Because that's the kind of mom I am.

I was given the naming rights. Her name is Allegra, which is also the name of my allergy meds.

As a side note - Does anyone know if cats blink? It's a little disconcerting.

Now that the kidlets are back in school, there has been more knitting time. I'm working on these.

That's the first of the Pomatomus sock by the brilliant Cookie A. I'm a little late to the Cookie party, but I like to think of it as being fashionable. This normally is worked on while sitting at the dojo or in a doctor's office. I always try to keep a pair of socks on the needles so I have something portable to keep me busy while waiting.

I also have this wrinkled blob. It's Creideamh from the Embrace the Lace Club. You can't tell, but it's a beautiful shawl from a pattern by Renee Leverington using Miss Babs' Yearning.

I'm having a much easier time with this shawl than I am the Swallowtail. It's just yarn overs and decreases on both, but for some reason the Swallowtail is the petulant child. So it's been put in time out.

I must go...I have to, again, chastise Allegra for trying to chew on my dpns.

2009-08-26T08:15:00.004-05:00

AAHHH

The year is full of possibilities. With the kidlets in school, I can finally organize the photos, closets and drawers. I can finish my knitting projects currently on the needles, and start new ones. I can get the bedrooms painted. Maybe I'd better start with this...

or this...

2009-08-07T09:47:00.002-05:00

So Where Was I?

Oh, yeah. Sorry, I got distracted for a moment. The Boy (who is 13) just asked a rhetorical (I hope) question. "Am I the only one in this family that uses his brain?" For once, I got to do the eye roll thing.

I finished the two pairs of socks that I had been working on since the spring, started the Pomatomus sock using Lorna's Laces in the old rose color, and have advanced to the nupps on the Swallowtail shawl.

Which brings me to nupps. I hates them, I does. Don't get me wrong, they are very pretty. I just don't like making them. If you don't know what a nupp is, the easiest way for me to describe it is that it is a little blob of yarn in your knitting sort of like a flat bobble. So I replaced the nupps with beads. I'm not sure I'm loving the beads, either.

I'd show you pictures, and ask for opinions, but the one camera has a rechargeable battery (which is dead), and I can't find the charger. The other camera uses AA batteries, and we are out. We have a herd of C, D, 9volt and AAA. The AA's have evidently been sent to the slaughterhouse.

I have a serious case of the summer blahs. I'm dealing with some stuff that is very disheartening that I'd rather not talk about in a public place, and I wish it would just go away.

But I've told myself things will get better in a mere 18 days. The kidlets will be back in school.

2009-07-04T06:59:00.004-05:00

Today...

Today we are not Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. Today we are not black, white, yellow,brown or red. Today we are not Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Today we are not SUV drivers, hybrid drivers, or public transport riders. Please take a moment today to remember what makes this country beautiful. It's our differences and our freedom to express those differences and still some how manage to work together for the good of all. Today we are Americans.

2009-06-24T07:51:00.000-05:00

Life with a Cop

Things the Wife of an accountant never has to say:

1. "Dang it, honey, you left shell casings in your pocket, again!" Usually said upon hearing the gawdawful clanging noise coming from the dryer.

2. "It's for you." Mumbled at 2:30am when the phone rings for the umpteenth time in the middle of the night during the past 15+ years of marriage.

3. "You might want to keep your voice down." Said to the Husband while he is speaking on his phone in a restaurant about a serious auto collision that just happened, and the department calls him because he is the accident reconstructionist. You say this because you realize everyone in the place is staring, because the Husband just said, "Is anyone dead?" quite loudly. You later suggest he may want to rephrase that question in the future to, "Are there any fatalities?" I don't know, it sounds a little less gruesome.

4. "Sorry, kids, change of plans." Said to the kids when a family whatever has been planned, and you and the kids are now doing it without the Husband, because he's just been called into work.

Things the Wife of an accountant never has to hear:

1. "Wash that uniform in really hot water. I had to wrestle with a guy with AIDS today, and he was bleeding." This is when you consider taking it out to the back yard and burning it.

2. "He's in the ER. He was in a car crash." You hear this from the dispatcher when you are unable to reach the Husband while he is at work. She thoughtfully patches you through so you can talk to the Husband and find out that he's fine. He was just hit head on by a drunk grandma while he was in his cruiser.

3. "We had something funny happen today. We had to deal with a guy who thought that because he was naked, he was also invisible."

4. "I'll be home late. We just had a stabbing."

5. "Oh, that's were I left it."

Found in the drawer while putting away clean laundry. (Please notice that it is unloaded before you try to call ''child welfare services".)

2009-06-06T07:39:00.004-05:00

65th Anniversary of the Longest Day

Thanks to gentlemen like Hu Riley, we are able to enjoy the lives we lead today. This gentleman was the subject of Robert Capa's famous D-Day photo. If you know a WWII vet, give him hug and thank him. We soon won't have the opportunity.

'It was rougher than hell': A D-day veteran remembers

2009-05-22T07:26:00.002-05:00

Life

going on, right outside our front door.

This Momma Bird (I think it's a mourning dove, but I'm no ornithologist) has been sitting there for about two weeks now. I think if she had opposable thumbs, she would be knitting booties while she waits. At least I'd like to think so.

2009-05-20T07:26:00.009-05:00

In Which I Get Creative, Sort Of

It had occurred to me that, well, I was really stretching of late to come up with something to post. The only way to remedy that was to create something about which to post.

Suddenly, it came to me...I am a knitter! I can take some sharpish, pointy sticks with some yarn, and...wait for it...make something about which to post. (Smacks head, v8 style)

I had finished the Sitcom Chic, which, no offense Bonne Marie, is a rather boring knit until you get to the eyelets, and it quickly becomes boring to talk about. Hence, not much posting other than the "still working on the Sitcom Chic" kind. But this kind of project is perfect for "24" watching. You can pay attention to what's going on with Jack Bauer, and not pay attention to your project at the same time without fear of a horrible tragedy occurring (in your knitting, not on "24"). At the end of the season, Jack has saved the world, again, and you have a lovely little cardigan.

I just really like the Scottish thistle button, that's why.

I also have these going on.

This is the Slipped Stitch Rib pattern from Charlene Schurch's book Sensational Socks using Plymouth Sockotta yarn.

I started these, because I'm not real crazy about that Sockotta yarn up there. The twist of cotton they add to the wool will make them good socks for warmer fall weather, but it doesn't feel real nice while you're working with it. It feels like knitting with twine. So I have these in the same bag as the Sockotta socks, for when I'm sitting for 3 frakken hours at the karate dojo and I get tired of the twine feel. That's not the best lighting there, is it? These are plain Jane stocking stitch with Paton's Kroy that I scored at Michael's for $.99 per ball, baybee! Uhthankyouverymuch. They only had 4, I bought them all. I'm worth it.

I would also like to present to you...cat vomit on a stick. Because that's what it looks like.

It may look like vomitus, but it feels like a whisper. It's the Swallowtail Shawl (originally from Interweave Knits Fall 06) using Misti Alpaca 2-ply. You see that lovely model mocking me? She tasks me.

This is my first foray into lace. I did do a pair of socks with yarn overs, but I don't count that as lace. Those were just eyelets, like in Sitcom Chic. I started this thing over four times. I'd get so far, get cocky and make a mistake that I couldn't fix without ripping back. Then I couldn't figure out how many stitches were supposed to be on the needles. I'd look up, see that mocking, all-knowing smirk on the model, and rip the whole thing out. Finally, after the fourth time, I had an aha moment. Life lines!

For those of you that don't know what a life line is, you simply run a different thread or yarn through your stitches on the needles after a pattern repeat or where ever it suits you. You let extra hang out from both ends of the row, being careful not to catch it in the stitches of the next row. If you need to rip back, the ripping will stop at the row with the lifeline. You simply put those stitches back on your needle and off you go. I'm using dental floss, it works really well.

So, ppffftt on you, you smug model.

2009-05-19T10:02:00.002-05:00

Things I like about Canada (in no particular order)

1. Good beer (Moose Head, Labatts, Molson)

2. They drink the beer in pubs, not bars. It sounds so much more civilised.

3. Using 's' instead of 'zed' in some words, and throwing in the random 'u'.

4. Great Big Sea

5. Great yarns - Patons, Koigu, Shelridge Farms, Fleece Artist for example

6. Hockey

7. Colder weather, therefore more opportunities to wear wool.

8. Feel the need for a little French fix? Montreal and Quebec

9. They have kilt wearing bagpipers too!

10. Mounties look darn good in the red jacket, campaign hat and boots.

11. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

12. Back bacon, maple syrup, and poutine (not all together!)

13. Want cowboys and huge mountains? Go west, young man, to Calgary and Banff.

14. Puffins, moose, and elk

15. Rush

16. William Shatner, Dan Aykroyd, and Kiefer Sutherland

17. They sit on a chesterfield drinking Timmies.

Happy Victoria Day to our neighbours in the Great White North! Please, don't get so pissed on the 24 that you yak.

2009-05-06T08:07:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't like a little Christopher Walken?

2009-04-22T12:14:00.004-05:00

Mommmmm, I'm boooored

Those of us that have kids all know that sound. Those of us that were kids know that sound.

When I signed up for this gig, I don't recall "social director" being on the form. Cook, laundress, scullery maid, and orifice wiper were definitely on the list of duties. Social director, not so much.

So when I heard that keening cry coming from the Girl two weeks ago during spring break, I promptly suggested she knit something. The idea stuck like a lip locked pair of teenage prom dates.

With every ball of yarn she pulled out of my stash, I quickly dashed her hopes. 420m ball of Kauni? Nope, need that for a sweater. Purple ball of Galway? Future sweater.

Her response? Eye rolling and sass.

So we went to the LYS, after an hour and one half, she finally picked out a ball of Malabrigo in a pretty blue. She has 1 1/2 row of her swatch done. Did I mention this was two weeks ago?

Meanwhile, here's a picture of a huge pretzel with the ball of yarn and minuscule swatch thrown in for scale.

2009-04-05T08:19:00.003-05:00

Thank a Cop

It's not often I feel the need to let my feelings be known concerning current affairs, and when I do, I try to do it with humor. But there is nothing funny about police officers being gunned down while doing their job.

In recent weeks, 7 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The first four were Oakland police officers that lost their lives in an attempt to apprehend a man that was out on parole who was hell bent on not going back to jail. This all started with a "simple" traffic stop.

Just two days ago, three police officers lost their lives in Pittsburgh during a "simple" domestic dispute call. The first two officers were shot in the head at the front door of the house. The third lost his life trying to help his brothers in blue. He had just finished his shift and was on his way home when he heard the call for help.

Being the spouse of a police officer for the past 15 years has given me a different perspective on these shootings than the general public. My first thoughts are for the spouses and children these fallen heroes may have had. When I was pregnant 9 years ago (unexpectedly, and with twins), I had a bit of a panic attack.

As I was driving home from a doctor's appointment, I suddenly became worried that the Husband might die in the line of duty with me, a stay at home mother of two young children, with twins on the way, left alone. I quickly realized that this kind of thinking would take me no where except down the road to a nervous wreck. So I have learned not to dwell on what could happen, and just try not to pick a fight with him right before he leaves for work.

In recent years there has been a resurgence of gratitude towards America's service men and women. You've seen the yellow ribbons on cars, and I'm sure a few of you have knitted socks and balaclavas to be sent to the troops protecting us from overseas threats. Please, let's not forget about the men and women keeping us safe here at home.

If you want to show your appreciation there are little things you can do. The next time you get pulled over for speeding, don't curse the police officer under your breath. He's not stopping you because he has a quota. He's stopping you because your speed could pose a potential danger for other drivers.

The next time you see the local constable, wave and say hello. Don't be surprised if he gives you a suspicious look, because no one ever does that. Better yet, you could introduce yourself, shake his hand and say "thank you for your service". Or better still, if you're feeling generous, stop by the department with gift certificates to the local eatery, they'd even be happy with McDonald's.

If you do this, you might get to know your local police officers better, and you'll learn that they are just hardworking people trying to make a living like the rest of us.

2009-03-30T10:20:00.002-05:00

MMM, Purdy

I'm not one for joining as I've mentioned here before, but I really wanted to join this knitting club. It's the Embrace the Lace club. Y'all know how these things work. They suck you in. Even though you pay good money for your monthly (bi-montly, or whatever the case may be) shipment, you con yourself into thinking you got something for free because it is a surprise when it shows up.

It's a surprise because you're not sure when it will get to you, and you don't know what's in the box. The good people at Woolgirl are just sending you this stuff out of the goodness of their hearts. At least that's what I tell myself since I paid for it oh so many months ago, it's like getting it for free!

It's my logic and it works for me. Now, if I can just get it to work on the Husband.

2009-03-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Is it just me?

Or does anyone else this time of year shout out and point while driving, "Look, kids, leaves! There are leaves on those bushes!"

No? All righty, then.

2009-03-12T11:57:00.001-05:00

Maybe we'd be better off...

if all of our politicians had a sense of humor.

2009-03-06T08:35:00.004-05:00

My Eyes!

What is that thing making my eyes want to squinch closed? The sun? You don't say...

Finally, we have a wee little bit of sun around here, and I'm not wearing a coat. Pfffftht, on you, Mr. Winter. I probably shouldn't have raspberried him. I don't want to tick him off so he comes back full force.

Due to the lack of sun, I've not taken any pictures of my current projects. But, now, here they are.

This is sock 1 and 1/4 of the Elongated Corded Rib pattern in Charlene Schurch's most excellent book Sensational Knitted Socks. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in knitting socks and want to learn.

I'm using Austermann Step for these socks, and I love this yarn. It has aloe and jojoba oil in the fiber making it really soft. I can't wait to wear them. I think they could become my favorites.

I started on the Girl's Sheldon. Except, she's Shelly. I just have to finish the I-cord around the shell and sew on the legs. Hopefully this will not sit for a year like the first Sheldon. I have 5 more Sheldon's to go!

2009-02-18T14:41:00.003-05:00

Gams

Sheldon finally has gams (legs) nearly a year later. I sewed his legs on Sunday evening, and gave him to the Middle Nephew when the whole family was here. Middle Nephew is the turtle afficianado of the group.

I've since finished the body on the blue one I promised for the Girl. I have to make sure I get this one done sooner, because I also promised one to Thing 1, Thing 2, the Boy, Littlest Nephew, and, whether he wants one or not, the Biggest (14 year old) Nephew. That's 6 Sheldon's.

If I work at my usual pace (!), I can give Biggest Nephew one for his college dorm room. I'm sure that will go over big.

2009-02-06T07:33:00.001-05:00

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Setting: the car
Characters: Me
Thing 1 (8 years old)

Thing1: I don't want kids meals anymore.

Me: Why not?

Thing1: I'm not a kid anymore. I'm a man.

2009-01-28T08:26:00.006-05:00

Distracted, but Productive

We are on day 2 of the "biggest winter storm of the season". At least that is what the local weather people are calling it. Well, duh. I guess they are having a hard time coming up with superlatives.

It's really rather pretty. We had a bunch of snow yesterday, over night everything received a protective coating of ice, and now, I can barely see my neighbor's house for the Buick-sized snow flakes that are coming down like a hard rain. I'm glad I have no where to go.

I took some pictures before the kidlets were awake, and before they had the yearning to do what kids do. That is go outside and turn the pretty into not so pretty. You know what they are going to do to those icicles. Please ignore the Christmas tree stand in the bottom right corner that is still attached to the tree. I'll get to it, soonish.

div>

Now, the productive part. I started this Monday evening, and finished yesterday. It's Calorimetry using Manos del Uruguay in the Wildflower colorway. I only cast on 98 stitches (the pattern calls for 110) and repeated row 5 twelve times instead of 15. I have a smallish head.

This is a fun and easy pattern. It's a good introduction of short rows if you've never worked them before. I have enough of my yarn left over that I could probably eke out another one. The Girl has expressed interest in it. I can't have nuthin'.

2009-01-23T10:53:00.006-05:00

There you have it

It's been 3 days since the inauguration and I think we've had enough time that we can put it into perspective. I didn't see one unicorn dancing on my lawn the day after. Nor was there a rainbow over my house with a pot of gold. Gasoline is not free, and my mortgage did not magically get paid off.

Don't get me wrong. I hope for nothing but the best from our new president. If he succeeds at his job, we all succeed. But to hear some people rhapsodize about President Obama, you would have thought that this would be the end to all of our problems.

I just hope (there's that word) that some people won't be horribly disappointed when it's the same old song and dance out of Washington.

2009-01-13T13:33:00.004-05:00

Slash

You meet knitters in the most unexpected places, like the ER doc at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Last evening while waiting for 4 hours in the ER (the staff kept telling everyone that they had never been this busy before, ever) I got some knitting done. Quite a bit actually. Thing 1 inexplicably decided to put a marble in his mouth. I guess you know where I'm going with this.

But since he wasn't choking or having trouble breathing, I made the executive decision to consult the Husband later and sent all the kidlets to bed. When the Husband arrived home from the night out with his buddy, he decided that maybe we should have Thing 1 x-rayed just to make sure. I got the short straw.

So while Thing 1 dozed in the exam room, I worked on the newest sock. It's the Beaded Rib pattern from Charlene Schurch in her most excellent book Sensational Knitted Socks worked in Austermann Step. The exam room was the best place to work on the short row heel.

This pattern is worked from the toe-up and the short row heel requires much concentration. For me, at least. This was only my second pair of toe-ups. Luckily I had the forsight to bring all of the paraphanalia with me. I pulled the little table over to my chair, you know, those little tables on wheels that are designed to slide over hospital beds.

So the doc came in (finally) while I had my pattern book and stitch markers all spread about, and immediately said "Hey, you're making a sock! How long does it take you to make a sock? I'm the world's slowest knitter. I made my daughter a blanket, and I knit on that thing forever. When I was done it was no bigger than a doily!"

I immediately liked and trusted her.

Thing 1 is fine. This, too, will pass. I've added a slash to my job description - Mom/laundress/cook/driver/scullery maid/poop checker.

2009-01-10T10:03:00.002-05:00

I don't want to brag or anything...

but have any of you signed up for Twitter? It's pretty clever. It's blog-lite. If you don't have the time or inclination for a full fat blog post, you can tweet. It's a good way to jot down random thoughts and observations or keep in touch with distant (distant in a spatial way, not emotional) friends.

Anywhoodle, you can also follow other twitters and they can follow your tweets just like bloglines and such. There are some well known people tweeting. John Cleese and Amy R. Singer, for example. (Wouldn't you just love to be lumped into the "well known" category with the likes of John Cleese?)

In addition to the above luminaries, I am following Stephen Fry of Jeeves and Wooster, Peter's Friends, and Wilde fame. I've always thought that Mr. Fry (we aren't on a first name basis, yet) was terribly clever. In addition to being an actor/director, he writes (novels and plays), and it turns out that he is now following me! I won't mention what puckered when I received the email letting me know that I had a new follower.

I've not twitted in a few days, because I now have the added pressure to be witty. Talk about twitter's block!

2008-12-25T14:40:00.003-05:00

What is your Return Policy?

Is it possible to return the flu? Sure, I know I can re-gift it (I passed it on to the Husband), but I didn't want it, and I want to return it.

It started about 2am on Christmas Eve. On top of feeling like I'd been run over by a jolly elf's sleigh, I was also worried about all of the things that still needed to be done. I was literally sick and worried, and let's throw in tired for good measure. It managed to get done, but now I have the Herculean task of tidying up. You have no idea how much 4 kidlets without parental supervision (well, a parent that gives a jingle bell about how the house looks) can trash a house in 24 short hours. In the Husband's defense, he did manage to feed the kidlets. Meanwhile, making me more nauseous with the smell of cooking chili.

But I think the best gift I've received is this one: the Gaggs (my mother in law) picked up the kidlets about an hour ago to take them to PD's (the sister in law) house so they can celebrate Christmas with their cousins. I can spend the rest of the afternoon in my p.j.s, with the remote (something I never get, ever), and my knitting, recovering. The house can wait til tomorrow.

Happy Christmakwanzaakuh (or whatever you celebrate), and may you find peace and joy in the small things.

2008-12-22T16:18:00.002-05:00

It's begining to look a lot like...bleah

The annual holiday hurl is upon us. I awoke last night to sound of one of the kidlets yaking. It was the Girl. I gave her my sympathy and sent her back to bed. Periodically, I'd hear her bowing to the porcelain, send her my telepathic sympathy, and go back to sleep. I know, I'm a rotten mom. But, honestly, the Girl is the precision puker in the family. I knew that there would be no mess to clean up.

This morning when I came down the stairs to the family room, all four kidlets looked like death. They had all been up during the night! I had a few spots to scrub on the carpet. My children really are considerate. They didn't want to wake me to let me know that I might want to clean the carpet before it soaked in. The little red buckets have been handed out for the times they can't make it to the vomitorium, and the rule is that the bucket must be with you at all times.

Every year (with the exception of two), the kidlets have had the flu at Christmastime. This is another reason Christmas makes me cranky.

2008-12-22T16:13:00.003-05:00

Lost in Translation

2008-12-15T08:27:00.002-05:00

Groovy

Scene: the living room

Characters: the Husband
Big Steve (former hippie)

the Husband: Hey, do you have a GPS yet?

Big Steve: Nah.

the Husband: You really ought to get one.

Big Steve: Nah, man. I don't care where I'm at.

2008-12-13T09:05:00.006-05:00

I Can Hear My Mother Now

"If (insert friend's name here) were jumping off a bridge..." Now, in my defense, I had every intention of starting the scarf long before she made a few. She just got to it first.

Yep, that's the Noro striped scarf that all of the cool kids are making. I think I did o.k. picking out the colors online when all I had to judge the colors by was a wee little picture. So far the striping is pretty awesome. The greens, browns, and blacks from the two different skeins seem to be coming up at the same time giving a rather muted striping effect. Those two skeins are colors 221 and 245. We'll see what happens when I start using color 279.

I could see making multiples of this scarf, because it's fun and good watchin' t.v. knittin'.

I've also decided that I don't have enough wool sweaters. It's shameful really. I'm a knitter fer cryin' out loud. I really only have two wool sweaters that are good for indoors. One is a Goodwill buy. It's a Woolrich sweater. It's a henley tunic length made out of a sport weight heathered blue wool. It's nice and warm, but not too heavy. The other is my 'go to' sweater.

My other wool sweaters are those really heavy thick cabled aran type sweaters that are perfect for wearing outside when you don't want to wear a coat. I like pretending I'm in an LLBean catalogue! You know the one I'm talking about. It's the photo of the healthy looking model outside in the snow draging a Christmas tree along behind her wearing the rubber snow boots that they are known for with her flannel lined jeans, earwarmers, mittens, and cabled sweater.

So to remedy my problem of not having enough warm wooly 'inside' sweaters, I'm knitting furiously on the Malabrigo cardigan I started in September. I'm doing a modified drop shoulder, and I'm almost done with the back. My goal is to have 7 indoor wool sweaters. One for each day of the week. Maybe I'll reach my goal in a couple of years!

2008-12-09T11:38:00.005-05:00

Christmas Makes Me Cranky

Are you one of those people that really don't like Christmas, but you keep your mouth shut so as not to ruin the fun of those magnificently silly people that are covered in colored sugar like a cookie and wear blinking Christmas themed pins/necklaces/ties? I'll come out of the closet and admit it. Christmas is not my favorite holiday.

Maybe it's because I feel the need to please those that 'get the Christmas spirit'. Yeah, the kidlets want the house decorated and pretty for Christmas, but who does all the work? Mom. Would it kill them to put the empty boxes away once they have decorated the house?

And don't get me started on the presents and the subterfuge that is involved with kidlets that still believe in Santa! Oi, vey.

I'm a home body. I love nothing more that to be at home on a cold winter's evening watching t.v. (even if it is Spongebob, because I never get control of the remote, ever) in my jammies. But, yet, there is another party we have to go to. Bah humbug.div>

I just get done making a lavish meal - all from scratch - for Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, because it's just about the food and being with family and friends without the added bonus of gift buying/wrapping and decorating), when I have to do it again for Christmas! I just got the kitchen cleaned up, now I have to dirty it again? By cooking? Can't we just order a pizza?

The part I do like about Christmas is the week between Christmas and New Years. All of the hoopla is over, and the kidlets and I declare it jammie week. That's right, a week of jammies with nothing to do but eat leftovers and cookies, play games and take many naps. O.k., that last part is mostly me.

2008-11-19T09:59:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, they know just what to do

Having finished the Palindrome Scarf and a pair of mittens that I had to have right now, I cast on yesterday for a hat for either Thing 1 or Thing 2. I was just making it up as I went along. I grabbed some left over Sol from the Husband's aran (every thing is assembled, just working on the neck), and some leftover Plymouth Dreambaby DK from the Spongebob sweater.

I made some 2" ribbing, did a turning row, knit some stocking stitch (all in the Sol), then switched to the red Dreambaby for the remainder, and, Bob's your uncle, Thing 1 (or 2) has a watch cap in grey and red. Incidentally, those are my high school colors. Please try to contain your enthusiasm. Your elation is most undignified.

This morning, while yelling at the kidlets to get ready for school (and hurting my back, again, I'll never learn), I wove in the ends on the hat. A fight then ensued between Thing 1 and 2 as to who got to wear the hat to school.

Now, most rational (and for 'rational' I mean 'good') mothers would have broken up the fight. I, instead, sat there enjoying the calm glow of the knitting goddess that I felt was pouring down on me from above listening to the heavenly choir in my head as Thing 1 and Thing 2 shoved and snatched the hat from each other. I had created something worth fighting over!

The one that triumphed quickly requested that I add his initial to the hat. Cheeky bugger.

2008-11-07T12:50:00.003-05:00

I Can't Have Nuthin'

Sure, he looks all cute and innocent like. Don't let those puppy dog eyes fool you. He's a killer, vicious, I tell ya. Here's the proof.
You should have seen them before I bent them back to their original shape.

2008-10-27T14:26:00.002-05:00

A Life Lesson

So, while I'm screaming at the kidlets that they were going to miss their bus to school (they did), and that I was not going to drive them to school (I did), I threw out my back. Only I could hurt my back while yelling at the kidlets - there was finger pointing and wagging going on also. Maybe that's what did it.

2008-10-23T08:46:00.011-05:00

Wakefulness

Have you ever woken up at 6:00 am on a Sunday, and no matter how hard you try, for the love of Pete (Pete is very well loved, bless him), can not go back to sleep because you can not get the burning notion out of your brain that you must have a new scarf and you must cast on for it right the frak now? No? Alrighty then, it must just be me.

Not only are you driven by a burning passion to have one new scarf, but you must have many new scarves. So much so, that you later in the week purchase yarn for a scarf even though you have perfectly good yarn in the stash to make many, many scarves/smallish wraps.

Does anyone else hear that she-devil knitting goddess cackling? No? Alrighty then, it must just be me.

2008-10-13T13:21:00.003-05:00

Manly, yes, but I...oh, never mind

Scene: my house, Sunday afternoon

Wife: I'm running to the grocery store, I'll be back in a minute.

the Husband: What are you getting?

Wife: Some stuff we need for tonight...green beans, rolls, drinks for the kidlets, and something desserty in case your sister doesn't show up.

the Husband: Hey! You know what I'd like?

Wife: (quizzical look on her face)

the Husband: Some bubble bath! I want to take a bubble bath.

Wife: We have bubble bath. It's that fancy stuff you bought for me.

the Husband: Yeah, I know. But that's too girly. I want something manly.

Wife: Manly? Manly bubble bath? What is manly bubble bath?

the Husband: Mr. Bubble. (pause) This is going to be on the blog, isn't it?

Wife: Oh, yeah.

2008-10-13T12:43:00.003-05:00

I Can't Help It

I'm going to get all political on y'all. I have become increasing concerned with the process of democracy in this country, most especially in my own state. My biggest wish this election year would be that we, the people, would take this election, or any election for that matter, seriously enough to follow the rules (laws) pertaining to our right to vote.

Here in my state of Ohio, which is always a highly contested state during presidential elections, I am very concerned with the actions of ACORN. There is an investigation into whether ACORN bribed one person to register to vote 73 times! There was also a one week period here that allowed people to register and vote at the same time! So there was no stopping someone that was so inclined to register/vote in one county, drive to another county and do it again and again and again, thus devaluing my one vote! Ohio's secretary of state would not validate the registrations until ordered to do so by the court, thus leaving no time in the few weeks before the election to verify them all.

Our right to vote today is a hard won privilege the seeds of which were planted well over 200 years ago in the American Revolution. This far removed from the Revolution we do not pay due reverence to the act of voting, not just the act of voting, but the act of voting without being told how to vote. We get to vote, as a nation, how we dang well please. There is no one strong-arming us at the polls.

Voting is a great responsibility. We owe it to ourselves to be well informed and educated on the issues and candidates before walking into the polling booth.

And one more thing, play nice.

2008-10-07T13:57:00.002-05:00

A Sweater Blank?

It's my own unvention, you saw it here first! I got dibs! Mine, mine, mine! Everyone will be doing it! Erm, not so much. I figured if I had enough exclamation points, I'd get excited about knitting the EXACT SAME SWEATER TWICE!

Nope, still no excitement, even with the yelling. Remember how I mentioned that I underestimated the size of the lady bits? I am well aware of the size of the girls, I didn't really underestimate per se. It was more of a lapse in judgement. I decided that I didn't really need any ease in my sweater. I must have been drinkin' that day. I hate tight clothing. Proper fitting is good, sausage casing clothing, not so much.

So, I've created my own sweater blank, except it ain't blank. Rather than ripping it out, winding the yarn back into balls from whence it came, I'm re-knitting in a larger size straight from the original. It already comes in a color (no dyeing necessary), and here's the best part...you know what it's going to look like when it's finished!

Still not feeling the love. That exclamation point didn't help either.

2008-09-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

Clean 8 Year Old Laundry
The chores are never done. I've got to fold and put away the kid. sigh.

2008-09-20T12:49:00.005-05:00

We are a Rare Breed

What makes knitters the eternal optimist glass half full type of person? This past week when many here in Ohio were (and still) without power, did we knitters get upset? No we did not, thankyavurymuch. I know that I among others thought, "Yea, verily, yea. Knitting time without annoying electronic distractions." Although distractions of a kid type were increased by whines of "I wanna play the Playstation" and "there's nothing to doooooo", "Mooom, make him stop bothering meeeee". My all time favorite is the high pitched girl scream of "Get out of my room!" followed by the slamming of the door.

Maybe we are the optimist (or the fool, I think sometimes the two are interchangeable), because we continue to knit on a sweater that after having laid it aside for a few days, pick it up, double check which size we are working on because we can't remember, realize that we are working on a size too small for us, but continue to knit it because our optimist (foolish) brain thinks it will some how be 'all right'. (How's that for a run on sentence?)

Hence, the non-end woven, armpit ungrafted, Sitcom Chic. Even though I knew that I should have done the bigger size, because there was no way this was going to close over my 'hey my eyes are up here', I kept knitting.

When I finally admitted it to my self I did what any foolish (let's call a spade a spade, shall we?) knitter would do. I cast on another sweater. It's going to be a green Malabrigo cardigan.

I know that this one will fit or my name isn't Edna Krabappel.

2008-09-20T06:51:00.003-05:00

Crochet is Evil

Bad, Crochet, bad! Give the man back his dignity, Crochet.

2008-09-17T08:47:00.002-05:00

I'm Stumped

Here in southwest Ohio we were hit with Ike. Go figure. Evidently Mother Nature likes to shake things up a bit. She likes to screw with us enough to bring us the remnants of Ike. By the time he got here, he was packing sustained winds of about 40 mph with gusts (recorded not 5 miles from here) of 84 mph. Not only was he an unwelcome guest, he hung around for 4 hours on Sunday afternoon ruining a perfectly lovely day with the kidlets (and I had cast on for the Malabrigo cardigan I've been ruminating about for eons), even the Husband had a rare weekend off, for a while...until Ike showed up and he was called into work.

Not to minimize what the poor souls in Texas are going through, but Ike sucks eggs. Over 1 million people in our area had their power knocked out, and about 1/2 that number are still without, and many aren't expected to get it back until the weekend. So those unfortunate few will be without for a week.

So this is what has me stumped, not so much stumped as worried about our society in general. When this first started, those of us with Husbands that are anal about such things (another reason I'm glad I'm married to him), pulled out their 'crisis kit' that contains flashlights, batteries, battery operated AM/FM/weather radios, glow sticks, water bottles,extra toilet paper, and angry eyes (you never know), and fired up the radio to see what the heck is going on. It was then that we heard it could be a week for some before power was restored.

So the next morning, I grabbed a few kids and the cooler and went in search of ice. We found a Walmart 15 miles away open (with no ice to be had). Not knowing how long we would be without power, I decided to grab some non-perishibles. Luckily when we built the house, I insisted on a gas stove (I hate electric stoves), so I was able to light the stove with the 10 (o.k., hunny, it's only 5) lighters the Husband had stashed in the kit. I already had some food in the larder that would last until 2010, but we had picked up a few extra kids (the nephews) along the way, so I grabbed more soup, ramen noodles, bread, etc.

Here is the incredible part: There is an operating McDonald's inside this particular Walmart, with a line 50 deep waiting to be fed! Knowing they could be without power for a week, these people (people with children I might add) chose to spend their cash on fast food rather than stock up on bread and peanut butter. I'm worried about our society.

What happened to our pioneer, can-do, self-reliant attitude that our forefathers had? This was not the only fast food place that had power that I saw huge lines. Every restaurant that was open was packed!

Have we become too soft? I'm sure this is one of the reasons terrorists hate us. We have an entitlement mentality. We would rather be waited on than do for ourselves (Big Macs v. peanut butter, handknit v. store-bought). I found this disturbing. Maybe I've just been married too long to Mr. Survival. Actually, we were a little disappointed when the power came back on. I kept telling everyone it was like camping, but with out the sleeping on the ground bit.

2008-09-07T07:47:00.000-05:00

I Have a Girl Crush

When I started this blog, I made a vow to myself to stay away from political discussions. This was strictly to be about knitting. Seeing as how I'm not the fastest knitter on the planet, and mentioning that I've joined the sleeves to the Sitcom Chic body is, let's be honest now, not the most exciting thing to read. Although it is very exciting to me. This means I may actually have a sweater I can wear the moment it comes off the needles. Unlike the wooly 'go to' sweater I finished in time for 80 F weather.

Any who, politics. I find myself very excited about this presidential election. Look what has happened in the past year. This is the first presidential election in which we have had a woman and an African-American with a real possibility of winning the office of President. For the first time there is a woman on the slate for VP that people can get really get worked up over. I just don't remember Geraldine Ferraro getting people talking the way Sarah Palin is. I seem to remember Ferraro being dismissed by the opposition as 'not a threat'.

But I believe that Sarah Palin has the Democrats worried. Worried that she just might be what the Republicans needed to win the election. Why else would they drag up any little thing they can about her? Good heavens, her husband had a DUI 22 years ago! She is clearly not suitable to be VP (this is where you read that last sentence with a sarcastic tone).

Shame on anyone that infers that she is not a good mother, because she had a Down Syndrome baby and went back to work 3 days later. Shame on you for stating that she shouldn't even be running for VP because of baby Trig or her pregnant daughter. This would be a non-issue if she were a man.

For those of you that feel she should be spending more time with Trig, Alaska's "First Dude" works part time, and as anyone with a large family knows, the older children are usually drafted to do their part. So I'd be willing to bet that Trig isn't missing out on attention.

Her pregnant teenage daughter should be off limits. It is a family issue and should remain a family issue. Even Sen. Obama has said so.

I don't necessarily agree with her position on abortion and same sex marriage, but I do admire the woman. Any woman that can co-helm a family of seven, run a state government, and field dress a moose is o.k. I can't even manage to get to the grocery before we run out of milk.

2008-09-06T07:13:00.004-05:00

Labor Day Weekend

Our local YMCA hosts a 'family camp' over the Memorial and Labor Day weekends. The extended family has made a habit to go either weekend. It's just like kid's camp with all the activities - horseback riding, archery, banana boat riding, crafts. My nether regions are no longer sore from the above activities, and no, I didn't get an arrow in the butt.

The food is just like kid's camp food, also. Gawd awful. They took the leftover chicken nuggets from dinner the night before (that the kidlets pronounced 'icky' - how do you screw up nuggets, fer cryinoutloud?) pour in sweet and sour sauce (the Husband said it was karo syrup) and throw some marichino cherries and pineapple chunks in the bowl. Voila! Chinese for lunch! The salad bar was a big hit that meal.

There was one difference from kid's camp though. I'll bet you wouldn't see a moon this size...

2008-08-24T08:20:00.002-05:00

Making My Own Way

I've been ruminating over something quite a bit the past several months. Surprisingly, out of nowhere, the Husband asked me the exact question a few days ago that I've been trying to figure out.

He asked me how it felt to no longer have parents living. In odd quiet moments this thought has popped into my head. I'm only in my mid 40's and like everyone else that has lived this long with parents still walking the earth, your rational mind tells you that someday they will be gone, but you never really grasp the reality of it until they are gone. I'm assuming here of course that one has a healthy relationship with their parents.

I've been trying to put it into words in my own mind so I could catalog the feeling, and file it away under that heading. But I'm finding it very difficult. Simple adjectives like 'sad' just don't describe the complexities of the emotion.

My parents were the prow of the ship, cutting the waves for my brothers and I to follow more easily behind. We have taken over that job, being battered so our children can easily follow. Even though I have been doing this job for my children since they were born, it seems harder now, more important. It feels as though I have now become the elder, the wise one. The one with the wealth of life experience. It is a heavy burden.

I just hope that I can live up to the example set by my parents.

2008-08-20T07:13:00.002-05:00

Just What I Needed

This past weekend fit the bill. The Husband and I went to the Great Big Sea concert in Akron. It was bloody brilliant. I think if you had never heard of them and happened to bumble by, you still would have had a good time. But I'm a fan.

I did knit all through Jeremy Fisher's act (the opener), but it wasn't out of boredom. His set allowed for that type of behavior. He's just a guy with a guitar but still very entertaining.

I was able to cast on for the Husband's Tabi socks he requested for Iai-do during Jeremy's set and complete the ribbing and about two rounds of the stockinette before the headliner.

After a late night watching HBO at the hotel (a real treat since I refuse to get cable or a satellite over the family's objections) and a nice breakfast with family that lives in Cuyahoga Falls, we were back home.

Back to reality after a weekend of feeling like an unmarried woman without kids who has the whole world ahead of her. Needless to say Monday was a bit of a let down. It's just an "ordinary day, but it's all your state of mind." - "Ordinary Day" by Great Big Sea

2008-08-13T14:45:00.003-05:00

Random Wednesday

For what I just spent on school supplies for 4 kidlets, I expect good grades. That would be a good return on my investment.

Looking forward to a little time away from the kidlets. I'm dragging the Husband to Akron this weekend for an outdoor Great Big Sea concert on Saturday and brunch with my aunt and uncle on Sunday morning. Then a nice quiet 4 hour drive back home. I hope he doesn't drive too fast. I really want to stretch this weekend out.

Not knitting as ferociously on socks. I guess I can do about 7.5 socks in a row before I start to loose steam. I've been working on Sitcom Chic more in the past couple of days than socks.

The front room is almost done. I wish the Husband would quit saying that it's finished. Since he believes in his mind that it's finished, he has moved on to other projects. Him moving on to other projects involves him asking me to make phone calls and run errands while he's at work. I know that this will end in arguments and hard feelings, because he'll feel I'm not moving fast enough. Never mind that I still have day to day running of the house hold.

2008-08-02T08:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Walmart

As I was standing in the express line (which was moving at a turtle's pace) to purchase the Husband's contact solution, I realized that the customer that was checking out was giving the cashier suggestions on good wines. A quick glance into his cart showed a 24 pack of beer and one of those two gallon jugs of wine with a screw top.

I guess every oenophile has to start some where.

2008-07-30T18:29:00.003-05:00

It's What We Do

Monday morning the Husband called me to let me know that Miley Cyrus' tour bus would be at a local shopping center. He suggested I take the Girl seeing as how she is just one of the horde of screaming pre-pubescent girls that, like, think Miley is the best, ever.

I wasn't going to say anything to the Girl, because I had, like, laundry to do, lots. The Husband thwarted my plans by coming home from work early and telling her. Did he take her? Hail, no.

This is what we saw when we arrived.

You can't tell from the photo, but this line snaked around three times. We waited in line, in the blazing sun while standing on asphalt, for 3 1/2 hours. 3. and. one half. hours.

To see this..Miley's bed on the bus.

And this..Billy Ray and wife's bed with actual costumes!

Guess who the hero of the day was? Dad.

2008-07-24T08:35:00.004-05:00

Another sock

I've started Summer of Socks 08 pair number 4! Can you hear the fanfare? Yeah, neither can I.

Its Yarn Treehouse yarn in a kicky orange. I said 'kicky', sheez. I'm attempting the Bluebell Rib pattern from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks.

Funny story about this stitch pattern. Well, not really LOL funny, it's more like a 'huh, you don't say' funny. Several months ago I decided that it can't be too hard to 'design' a sock pattern. I came up with the Husband's aran out of my head after cobbling together several cable stitches I thought would look good together.

I have this Sockotta yarn that I started to use for a utility vanilla-like sock, except I didn't like the way the color was pooling. A stitch pattern is what was needed to break up the pooling. I bumbled across a stitch pattern in an old book I have, and started using it for the sock. It was perfect, except I kept forgetting what row I was on in the pattern repeat. I kept thinking that if I could work through it and it turned out o.k. I would submit it to knitty.com or something.

Guilt of not working on the Husband's aran took over, so I decided to frog the sock and start over fresh after the sweater was done. Then the Summer of Socks took over my soul...

I finished pair number 3 yesterday, and needed to cast on for pair number 4. I grabbed this yarn and started swatching. I grabbed Charlene's book to see what would work with my gauge since I had such good luck with the other socks I worked from this book. I wanted something lacey.

The picture of the little swatch of the Bluebell Rib was beautiful. I read the chart for the pattern and I realized that Charlene had the same idea I had about this pattern. She just managed to get hers published in a book. All of my modest dreams about being a 'designer' were deflated.

I guess it's just as well, I wouldn't want all that fame and fortune to go to my head. The next thing you know, my marriage would have fallen apart because the Husband and I would have been at 'different places' in our careers and rumors would be swirling about my alleged affair with George Clooney. Why can't the media leave us alone, already?

Yeah, I think it's all for the best.

2008-07-24T08:14:00.004-05:00

40 Days and Nights

This past week has been rather trying. Thing 1 started with some viral thing that gave him a fever and sore throat (tested negative for strep). He passed it on to Thing 2 and the Girl, and I've had a bit of it on top of insomnia.

Today Thing 1 has done nothing but whine and complain, and it's only 9am. He asked for a bagel with ham and melted cheese for breakfast. Once it was ready, he decided he didn't like the cheese and wanted something else. He's complained that his twin won't play with him, he doesn't like anything anyone is doing. Now, let me ask you something. Is it really illegal to choke an 8 year old? Really? Merde.

I awoke with a headache and immediately had to take a hit on the inhaler. The Husband had the fan set to 'full on wind tunnel' blowing the cat hair (to which I am allergic) into a swirling vortex of death in the bedroom, thus my condition this morning.

Let's look on the bright side shall we? 40 more days and nights until the kidlets are back in school!

2008-07-09T08:21:00.002-05:00

He Still Surprises Me

After nearly 15 years of marriage the Husband still manages to pull one out of his hat and do something totally unexpected. Yesterday I had to go work my silly little part time job (merchandising). It was going to be a little project so I was only going to be gone 3 hours.

As I was leaving the Husband and the kidlets were sitting in their usual summer positions - in front of the t.v. I yelled on my way to the garage that I would like to have the load of whites in the dryer folded and the kitchen clean by the time I got back.

I returned to an unclean kitchen and underwear and socks dropped in intervals from the dryer across the kitchen floor to the family room. I suppose they were leaving crumbs so they could find their way back to the laundry room seeing as how I'm the only one in the family that knows where it is.

I only had an hour on my return before I had to drag the kidlets to karate. So I knuckled down and took a 1/2 nap. When I got up I grabbed the Araucania that I have in the stash to start on pair number 3 for the Summer of Socks 08. (Here's completed pair number 2)

I got out the ball winder (I have no swift - must remedy this), cut off the label and proceeded to cuss because I had cut the yarn at an inconvenient place. Now I was going to have 3 balls of yarn from this hank!

I wound two of the balls, started on the third and ended up with a pile of yarn vomit on the table but could go no further because it was time to leave. Again, on my way out the door with the kidlets I yelled to no one in particular in my most sarcastic voice, "Thanks for cleaning the kitchen,guys!"

During my two hours at the dojo the Husband called wanting to know what we were doing about dinner, and to let me know that he straightened out the yarn vomit and wound it. Wow. He said he knew how much I hated it when the yarn got tangled, so he finished for me. Wow.

And the kitchen was clean when I got home.

2008-07-01T16:25:00.003-05:00

Very Busy, Very Busy

I've finally finished my first pair of SoS08 socks. I was hoping to get one pair per week done, and I went a little over a week on this pair. I started them June 21 and Kirtchnered the final toe this morning. Note to self, using a purplish yarn with purplish needles (Knitpicks Options dpn's) in low light leads to mistakes. This is why it wasn't finished till this morning.

This is Trekking XXL on 2.75mm needles using a basic sock pattern. I love the color.

This is the way they will most likely be worn...

This is currently on hold while I work on socks, socks, socks.

This out of focus blob is the Sitcom Chic.

Remember this picture?

How about this for a change?

They now have 2 coats of primer, and one wall has one coat of primer. Tomorrow I hope to have all of the primer done (including the ceiling) and at least one coat of paint on it. All this while getting ready for a family party for approximately 30 on July 4 and knitting on SoS08 pair number 2.

2008-06-20T16:00:00.002-05:00

They Just Don't Get It

Tomorrow starts the Summer of Socks 08, and I can't believe I'm actually getting excited by it. I have such a small life.

I'm not one of the crazed knitters that is popping up in the forums on Ravelry asking if anyone else is staying up just to cast on at 12:01am. But if you are one of those crazed knitters, more power to you, you go, girl and all that stuff. No offense meant by that 'crazed knitter' thing.

I would, however like to at least have the Husband's aran off the needles by tomorrow morning. I only have about 2 inches left to do on each sleeve (I've been doing both at the same time). Two inches doesn't sound like much, but when there is moss stitch and cabling involved it takes some time.

Our book shelves were installed in the front room on Wednesday. I've spent the past several days patching the teeny holes in the dry wall caused by who knows what, but there were a lot of them. I guess that's what happens when you abandon one room to the free reign of the kidlets.

I've then had to sand the little teeny patches and the shelves. Once that was done came the removal of dust from the surfaces (using bucket and damp cloth). It's now 5:10pm on the day before the start of SoS08, and the Husband has called from work 3 times today wanting to know if I've started with the primer. The kidlets are pestering me, because they think that painting will be fun. Ignorant fools.

I have more important things to do right now.

2008-06-13T09:16:00.002-05:00

Lazy Days of Summer, wuh?

Really? June 13th? Happenings (in no particular order): finally have grandparent's house cleaned out and ready for demo, two mammograms (every thing is fine), fridge repair (he has to come back Tuesday - waiting for parts), tag sale, electrician installed lighting in the front room (book shelves to be installed next week), dentist appointment for 2 of the kidlets, doctor's appointment later today (just a check up), babysat neighbor's kidlets for 10 hours yesterday (without a working playstation, DVD player or cable), attended Masonic ceremony where the Beard (father-in-law) was installed as the Grand Poobah (not official title) of his lodge, birthday party for the Girl (for her friend Lucy).

Not happening: knitting or blogging. I did do a quickie weeding of the garden. I thought it was time considering the weeds were taller than the tomato plants.

Still to come: dentist appointment for me, extra merchandising calls (covering for someone while on vacation), aunt's company picnic at Coney Island, turn off fridge and buy ice for cooler in preparation for fridge repair. Thankfully, my calendar is quite blank after June 18th. Unfortunately, I'll be spending that time painting the front room, before we install the floor, recover the furniture, find a window treatment...

This isn't how I pictured my summer to be. I saw myself sitting on the swing on the deck with a glass of lemonade knitting away on sock after sock. Curse you, reality!

I did however find a few minutes to cast on the Sitcom Chic cardigan. I caved. I'm weak. All this while trying to finish the Husband's aran. I've lowered my expectations. I don't think I'll have it blocked and seamed before June 21 when the Summer of Socks begins. I figure if I just have it off the needles by then I can block and seam it this September and it will still be ready for him to wear by the time it's cold.

I'll have pictures for the Sitcom Chic later. I'm working on the Husband's work laptop and I don't want to download any knitting pix to it. We gave our desk top to my brother and bought a new one. We're waiting to connect it until the dusty work is done in the front room. Which reminds me, I need to buy some of those plastic tarp thingies to cover my desk.

2008-05-30T09:27:00.002-05:00

I Must Be Stopped

I'm sitting here with a nasty headache that was present and accounted for upon awakening. I only have 4 more blissful days until the kidlets are out of school for the summer, and I'm feeling too bleh to enjoy it today.

I need to update and balance the checking accounts, do some laundry, tidy the house, and run some errands. Instead, I'm playing on Ravelry. I happen to go to my queue and I notice the Sitcom Chic.

"I really need a summery sweater for those times I'm in overly air-conditioned places which is practically every where, because, Heaven forbid we as Americans should ever sweat! We are after all a nation of consumers, so let's consume some energy!"

"Will you shuddup already? You can't be starting a new project right now! You've got to finish the Husband's aran before June 21, because you've signed up to do the Summer of Socks. You're already committed to making socks this summer. If you're cold, just throw on one of your ratty sweatshirts."

"Yeah, you're committed alright. You're just cranky from the headache. Go take an aspirin. Listen, you've got to go pick up a prescription and some graduation and thank you cards, and Michaels is on the way home. You could run in and just see if they have enough Cotton-Ease (that's what is recommended) since you don't have a suitable alternative in the stash. Besides, it's supposed to be a quick knit."

"I think the aspirin is helping. Maybe Michaels won't have a color we like, and that will stop this yearning we have to start something new. Besides, Sheldon still doesn't have any feet."

2008-05-29T08:26:00.002-05:00

I Have a Confession

The best way to do this is just to jump in with both feet. I'm going to let you see something that most embarrasses me. It does not reflect well on me either. I hope y'all appreciate the size of my cahones after you see this picture. Here it goes...

That, my friends, is our front room. It has been in some form of that state since we moved in 8 years ago. Yes (hangs head in shame). This is what greets visitors to our home. Let me tell ya, the rest of the house ain't much better.

But, it's about to change. That one wall will be covered in built in book cases. The other walls will be covered in paint, not crayon drawings. The floor will be covered in wood laminate (it has a 30 year guarantee - we need it with this crew). The lego covered table will be moved to the basement (you're next basement - I'm coming for ya!). The antique settee and matching chair that currently resides in the garage will be recovered and moved to this room.

I'm glad that's off my chest.

Finally blocked the 'go to' sweater (we don't need no stinking segues). It's amazing the amount of dirt that came out of this thing. Dirt that was picked up just by schlepping it around while it was in process. If you look closely, you can see the Jamieson and Smith DK that I picked up in Dogrose for the hem lining.

I've got to shovel out the front room. An electrician is coming to install track lighting to shine on the soon to be installed book cases.

2008-05-03T07:05:00.003-05:00

What I need is a Deadline

I was reading Polly's post this morning. It' all about her monthly goals. God bless her, she usually manages to meet her goals. I, on the other hand, don't set goals. Well, I do in a vague sort of way. I set goals like "I will do laundry this week", or "I will get around to calling the dentist about this painful tooth".

I did promise the Husband that I would have his sweater done by the time the weather turned cold...in 2007. I just realized the other day that I have been working on his sweater for over a year. At least I'm not spinning the yarn for it myself, right, Steph?

Polly has signed up for a KAL of sorts. I was intrigued. I don't like KAL's. I don't like knitting something that everyone else is doing. I know that with these cyberspace KAL's the chances are pretty darn slim that I'll run into someone wearing the exact same scarf, but the possibility exists. O.K., I did knit a warshrag and a bathmat from that book, but lest the world has gone barking mad, I don't plan on wearing any of those out and about.

This KAL is the Summer of Socks hosted by Zarzuela. You're not told or sent the yarn to use, and you're not given a pattern. All you have to do is knit socks between June 21 and September 1. Quelle facile! (I have to use my college required language credit some how.) Her that knits the most socks wins. C'est bon. There are some 'side' contests, so if you're not a fast knitter you could still win something.

I'm not it for the prizes. Really. It's an honor just to be nominated...I figure that I need to get the Husband's aran and my 'go to' sweater (which is at the pick up and knit the hem stage) finished before this contest begins. Voila, I have a deadline!

2008-04-26T08:51:00.002-05:00

I see shopping in my future

Thursday was the Boy's 12th birthday. The twelve years that he's been on this earth have been joyous, loud, frustrating, and funny. We gave him his present on the day of his birthday, but since it was a school day and there were karate classes after school, we are having a celebration today.

I have to bake a cake, and I've been trying for days to get out of the Boy what he wanted for dinner. Since he hasn't decided, we made the decision for him. We're doing homemade pizza. I don't have the fixin's here. I'll have to hit the grocery.

Before I go to the grocery, I'm going to the yarn store! I don't have that big of a stash, and I don't have a dk weight wool yarn in order to do the hem linings on my 'go to' sweater. I want to use a lighter weight wool to reduce the bulk at the cuffs.

I misspoke. I do have the correct wool, but its my Koigu. I really don't want to dip into the 3 skeins I have. And it's orange. There are shades of pink in my brown sweater, and I was hoping to use a pink for the lining. Although the orange would be pretty, also. I'm waffling.

Don't need waffles from the grocery, I have plenty, thankyouverymuch.

2008-04-25T13:51:00.002-05:00

Not Quite Done

I've had time to let my thoughts about the previous rant percolate, and I decided that I came across as anti-charity. Not true. If celebrities want to lend their face and name to do good, why not go with an established, proven charity?

Feel strongly about providing health care to those that desperately need it? How about Doctor's Without Borders? Feel strongly about helping to feed the hungry, and provide ecological ways to sustain and protect the earth's resources? How about Heifer International? Are you an eyeglass wearing celebrity? How about donating your used eyeglasses, and lending your voice in support of Luxottica's Gift of Sight? Years ago I went on a Gift of Sight mission to Mexico. It was fabulous.

I was privileged to see the look on some one's face when they could finally see well. Priceless. We had some specs there donated by famous people (Whoopi Goldberg and Crystal Gayle come to mind - thanks Whoopi and Crystal!) I actually got to fit Crystal Gayle's used specs on a amazing little Mexican woman that was thrilled to have them. Working a mission was one of the most uplifting and depressing experiences I've had.

Uplifting because I got to witness the joy of good vision. Depressing because there was so much more these people needed. We helped literally thousands of people in the two weeks we were there putting in gruelling 14+ hour days, but there were many more that got turned away simply due to man power and our exhaustion.

When is the last time you heard of a famous person helping in a soup kitchen on a regular basis? I'd like to think it's because they do it quietly, and they aren't in it to keep their name in the media.

Now. Done.

Speaking of done...I'm on the neck band of the 'go to' sweater. I decided to raise the back by doing short rows in the ribbing, but I had to rip it because I didn't hide the holes properly on the turns. Live and learn. I'll post pictures later. I'd do it today, but to paraphrase Franklin the sweater is over there, the camera is over that way, and I'm here. The powers of the Force aren't quite working for me today to bring them all to me here.

2008-04-25T06:50:00.002-05:00

Friday Morning Rant

Is anyone else sick of the rich celebrities and their sycophant followers trying to push their beliefs and politics down our throats? I just read this article about Madonna's shenanigans concerning Kabbalah and Malawi. I have no doubt that she means well, but I wonder if it isn't just a big scam. Per the article, her charitable foundation isn't even registered.

I wish that Madonna, Tom Cruise, et al. would just shut up. Yes, it's wonderful that we have the freedom of speech, and that we can say and do anything as long as it's legal, but I suppose my beef is with the media outlets that give them air time to spout their views. Yes, I'm spouting my views on the world wide web, but realistically I command an audience of few while they have an audience of millions. God bless Paris Hilton's vacuous, shallow heart. Her only charitable foundation seems to be to keep the bartenders and nightclub workers employed.

Done.