Still My Life, With Knitting

Cue Fanfare for the Common Man

2010-02-13T17:10:00.005-05:00

Once again I am proud to say I'm an Olympian! Yes, I'm competing in the Knitting Olympics with Yarn Harlot. Also on Ravelry as part of Team PA (just because I had to pick a team to participate there. Whatever.) Anyways, my project is Rib Waist Cardigan in Waterlily (Rav link) from Curvy Knits Vol. 2. I'm knitting it in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Kettle dyed in Soot (which has been discontinued). Here is my progress after the first half day of competition:

Can you see the snow on my knitting? It's still snowing here. Today the sun was shining and it was still snowing. I'm living in a giant snow globe!

This looks really big to me. I quadruple checked my gauge and I'm right on, the width is even what the pattern says it should be, but it still looks too big. I'm just going out on a limb and trusting Jillian Moreno here. I can always rip and reknit later (after I complete it for my gold medal, of course.) I know some of you out there are also competing -- I can't wait to see all the projects!

My Spidey Sense is Tingling

2010-02-11T21:06:00.003-05:00

I had this conversation with Older Son recently:

OS: After putting on his glasses and waving his head from side to side This is really weird...
Me: What's weird?
OS: I have this kind of proximity alert thing going on that's somehow linked to the bridge of my nose and my glasses are setting it off.
Me: What?
OS: It's an alert that's telling me someone's close to me and it's going off because I'm wearing my glasses...
Me: You mean your glasses are setting off your Spidey Sense??
OS: Well, yeah....

I've been knitting footie socks (aka "No Show Socks") for me in brown (I have no brown socks) and tonight I spun up some Wensleydale from Spunky Eclectic in "Cold Front" (blues/greens) -- the December fiber club selection. I'm trying to perfect my low twist singles, but I think I'm overtwisted. Even w/ slooow treadling on my slowest whorl. Don't know what's up w/ that. No pics because everything (camera, knitting, spinning wheel) are all downstairs.

Needling and Snowmageddon

2010-02-09T20:00:00.009-05:00

Remind me of this photo the next time you hear me whinging about how I can't find any of my knitting needles.

You say you can't find your size 6 double points, Laurie?

Yeah. I didn't put them away when I was done with them. There's a pair of 10-1/2 straights on the floor next to this couch right now, too. Notice my cool spinning bag, though? Spunky Eclectic.

Also, you may have experienced or heard on the news that we had a bit of snow here. I like the term Snowmageddon (stolen from Knitterly Things. Here's a picture of Older Son shoveling.

He's standing on a step up from the ground. That's 27" of snow.

We were snowed in over the weekend. Dave and Younger Son were camping (I know! They were in cabins, but still...Must be a guy thing.) The guys will have their third day of no classes tomorrow. I was told that if I don't go in to work tomorrow I will have to use a vacation day. I'm still undecided about going in or not. Monday my commute took 2 hours to work and 3 hours home. The roads in the city looked like they hadn't been cleared at all. Several inches of hard packed snow/ice. Today was better. I blame this on panic. I think the city panicked because there are several more inches of snow forecast for tonight and so finally cleared the roads today; and everyone else panicked about the threat of snow and left work early so that when I finally got out of work after 5:00 there was very little traffic and although it was snowing the roads were mostly just wet.

Belated Belated Roc Day

2010-01-12T22:20:00.005-05:00

Several other beautiful fiberistas and I celebrated Roc Day belatedly on Sunday. Since Roc Day fell on Thursday this year and my employer doesn't acknowledge that day as a holiday (I know! Go figure), we celebrate on the closest Sunday. Heather hosted, as usual. We all brought our wheels and had a wonderful time, and I even managed to get some spinning done.

From left to right in this picture: Julia, KnitLust, Heather, and Celtic Queen. The empty wheel is mine, I was behind the camera.

This baby is sooo knit spoiled, we're always making something for her! But baby things -- who can resist? They're so little, so cute, so quick to make! Julia knit this most adorable bear for her.

Holiday Goodies

2010-01-06T21:33:00.004-05:00

I didn't quite make the Epiphany deadline for my knitted gifts. Younger Son gets half a sock (or one quarter of a pair, which sounds even more depressing). But I'm cranking away on it.

It's a little more than half a sock now after I knit on it this evening.Yarn is a Wee Skeins kit from Knitterly Things

I received this Christmas a new Butterfly Girl spindle from my BiL's SO (she's a fiberista too). It's even Steeler Colors! I immediately started spinning some 100% Merino that I had got as a gift from Julia at Knitterly Things last year. The colorway is "For Laurie" (in case you can't see). Yummy! (This may have in some small way contributed to YS getting half a sock for Christmas.) I was so inspired by knitting Ishbel that I've decided I want to do a big shawl. I think this fiber when spun up to a 2-ply will be perfect, enough color variation to give it some texture, not enough to make it stripy or not show a pattern. Mmmmm. Stay posted.

What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate

2010-01-05T21:43:00.004-05:00

Knitting -- I'm so totally in love with my Knitterly Things Wee Skeins Vesper Sock kit. I can't wait to get another one. LOVE.IT.

Non knitting, and really apropos of nothing much except that we're talking about men, can I just say that I had a big arm pump "Yeah!" moment yesterday when I heard a (male) psychologist say in an interview about James Ray and the deaths during his "motivational exercise" in October that he was "in a state of testoterone induced psychosis" at the time. We all knew testosterone poisoning makes you crazy, right?? But back to the knitting. I'm sitting next to Dave just a few minutes ago having the following conversation:
Dave: "Did you notice I found your babbaloo?"
Me: "Huh?"
Dave: "You know, your babbaloo." Waves arms about.
Me: "Wha??"
Dave: "Your babbaloo, your babbaloo, that thing you use." More waving of arms.
Me: "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Older Son: "Yeah Mom, your babbaloo!" He had no idea either, he was just making fun of us.
Dave: Still waving arms."That thing, you know, the babbaloo. I put it in the bedroom." (Have you figured out what it is yet?)
Me: (Having been in my bedroom and noticed the new addition) "You mean my niddy noddy? Yeah. Where's the rest of it?"

He didn't know, he'd dug it out of the attic (actually a finished fourth and fifth bedroom that we use for storage) while he was up there setting up a server for work.

Poor Babbaloo is missing a leg

Socks and Frustration

2010-01-04T20:48:00.005-05:00

Knitting-wise I've finished a pair of socks (Knitterly Things Vesper Sock yarn, colorway "Hellfire")

and started another (Knitterly Things Vesper Sock yarn, Wee Skeins kit w/ Pavement, Stormy, Lumber Jack, and Twitterpated -- I wanted something manly.)

I'm cranky and frustrated. Last year we went through this thing with Older Son where he wouldn't register for classes. We went through all this aggravation w/ the insurance company threatening to cancel his health insurance and having to rush him out there to register at the last minute, it was a nightmare! And he did it not once, but twice! So I kept after him all this term. Register, I said. Remember to register before the end of the term. And he told me he did. Over and over and over he swore to me that he did. But I'm trying to pay his bill and there's no bill. Did you register? Yes. Well guess what? Finally it comes out that he's not registered. He still insists that he registered. I don't know what the problem is. All the kid has to do is register -- that's it!! Now he has to rush out there tomorrow (classes start and registration ends on Wednesday) and talk to his advisor and try to get things worked out. Arrrgghhh!!!

Epiphany

2010-01-02T19:31:00.011-05:00

So I didn't get all my gifts knitted by Christmas. But I've decided -- and I'm making this a new rule, feel free to adopt it -- that a knitted Christmas gift isn't late if it's completed before the Epiphany. It's the Twelve Days of Knitting rule. So, want to see some of the things I DID get done for Christmas? Sure you do.
A Noro Striped Scarf for my sister (details on my Ravelry projects page).

Another scarf for my sister-in-law

along with Ishbel by Ysolda Teague. (That's Older Son holding it for me. I make my minions do the dirty work.)

Bella's Mittens and a matching neckwarmer for my boss -- she's a HUGE Twilight fan. Loved the pattern and the yarn (Knit Picks Cadena). Two thumbs up!A couple of other things too, that I'm waiting for someone else to blog. Check my Ravelry projects page for the full details.

Gleeful

2009-09-14T20:29:00.003-05:00

I'm totally obsessed with Fox's new show Glee. I've watched both episodes (and the web exclusive clip) three times already. I even visited the fan site (I know!) I highly recommend it. Really funny, without being slapstick; and all the characters are totally over the top charicatures. I hope they don't ruin it by making them more "human" as time goes on. I don't know how long it will last, I imagine that it's got to be expensive to produce since every episode has 3 or 4 music videos in it. But I like it. So go watch the episodes and be prepared to discuss at knitting group on Friday night. Speaking of knitting, I'm knitting a toddler dress right now in some (truly) vintage (from like the early 60's) baby wool from my stash. 100% wool and I'm totally digging on the spit splice. Finally I'll leave you with this pic I snapped from my car. I was driving along crying and just looked up at the red light and saw it.

Lost in High School

2009-08-26T18:53:00.004-05:00

I realized today when I saw his picture on the front page of the paper that I don't like the way Ben Bernanke looks. I think he looks entirely too smug and condescending. It's a pretty strong gut reaction. Obviously he resembles someone I've had a bad experience with.
Back to school today, and we didn't get off to a good start. Older Son called me at work at ~1:00 PM (college classes start for him next Monday) saying that the high school had called and Younger Son was absent. What?! I sent the kid off there this morning. Immediate panic set in as I frantically called the school to confirm whether he was really there or not. I told them I was ready to call the police. They found him. Turns out they'd just misplaced him. So now the homework wars start again. I hate school. I've been having nightmares about it for a solid week now.
But there has been some knitting. Unfortunately I can't show it to you because my camera and computer are having a failure to communicate. I want a new camera. I'll edit and add pics later if I can (they were cute baby pics, too!) I got pictures!
I finished this cute little romper for BabeE last week. Isn't it cute? (And not pink?) There's sparkly buttons for the butt too, but I didn't have thread to sew them on so her mom will have to. (Hey, it's not a free lunch, you know?) Pattern is "Florence" from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Collection. Here's the front:

We liked the retro feel of this pattern, and mom's a big fan of the seed stitch. And there's this beauty too:
(I can only take full credit for the sweater. I'll take partial credit for the baby. It was my birthday celebration that put that glimmer in her mother's eye.) April Baby. I subbed out the Gull pattern as I'm wont to do. Can't remember the name of this one, only that it was a six stitch pattern so I had to do some math to make it work out right. And her mom dyed the yarn, so I guess I can give her partial credit on the sweater too.

Coming Back

2009-08-10T19:41:00.002-05:00

First off -- thanks everyone for your condolences. It means alot to me. I'm trying to get back to the business of life. I told my sisters that I don't know what to do with myself. I've been taking care of my parents for the past 15 years. My sisters were in town until yesterday morning, so yesterday evening and today have been a little hard since it's the first I've been on my own. I talked to everyone today and none of us are sleeping well. Then there's the issues around any kind of gathering, good or bad. Can you believe that one of the visitors at the viewing for my dad gave a family member grief because she didn't feel that she was paid enough attention while she was there?! Just thinking about it boggles my mind. "I was at this funeral home and the grieving family just didn't pay enough attention to me. They're all snooty and stuck up." Sheesh. (For the record, everyone did talk to her, someone was talking to her the whole time she was there, and she left because she said she had to be somewhere else.) Work has been very good, and it's helpful to keep busy. Unfortunately, though, I now have no excuse for putting off the housework I've been neglecting. Well, I did today because it's eleven thousand degrees out, and I'm not moving from my bed because any movement at all makes me break out in a sweat. Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow...

Goodbye Pap

2009-08-03T18:06:00.010-05:00

My dad passed away this morning. He slipped into unconsciousness yesterday morning and didn't wake back up.

I sat with him throughout the night and he never showed any signs of distress or discomfort. The last time I spoke to him was after a visit from Celtic Queen. His face lit up when he saw her and he was happier than I've seen him in weeks. It was a blessing.

We were very grateful that his end was peaceful. I imagine that he's enjoying a long-awaited reunion with his "Honey Bea" (his pet name for my mom) right now.

I was also fortunate that the nurse on call was a neighbor who knows me well, and so I knew he was in good hands.

As he himself said, he "lead a good long life and was really blessed."

He will be greatly missed by my sisters and I, (this is one of my sisters, not me in case you're wondering)

And all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone who met him liked him, and I've heard over and over "He was a really good man."

Burn Me

2009-07-31T19:10:00.006-05:00

I love Burn Notice. I was just saying to the boys how much better my life would be if I had good looking people with guns and plastic explosives on my side. Those hospital and nursing home people would straighten right up. And then they could start on my boss. The boys say that that world isn't the real world, but whatever! A girl can dream, right?
Anyway, there has been some knitting -- I finished an object, even.
I'm so-so about this sweater. It's Bad Penny from Knitty. I modified by using only one yarn, adding short row bust shaping, longer arms, and waist shaping. I love the mods, but they only went so far. I should have cast on fewer stitches (it's knit top-down) and done an increase after the ribbing for the neckline. My neck/shoulders aren't that much bigger around than someone w/ a 34" bust, but to get enough stitches for my size at the end of the raglan shaping (the distance from neck to underarm is about the same, too) I had to cast on waaaay too many stitches. It's ok at the beginning of the day when the yarn is still tight, but by the end of the day I'm like Carmen with my sweater drooping off one shoulder. Which surprisingly isn't all that attractive a look for me. Also, I've lost ~20 lbs since I started this sweater, so what was close fitting then is a little baggier now. Overall ok, but I may rip and re-knit over the winter for something better next summer. And today? For the first time in a long time I was too tired to knit, or spin, or do anything fibery. I'm watching TV and drinking beer. (Well, one beer and a couple fruity "malt beverages". I have a story about the beer.)

Birthday Link-Fest

2009-07-11T11:02:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again. Time to shop for your favorite forty-something fiberista (Apparently I'm all about the alliteration.) So here's a list of links to stuff I covet. So as to make the shopping easier on you all.

I love Etsy! Here are some of my favorite vendors:

KBShimmer One of my favorite indugences recently has been hand made soap. I am seriously lusting after some of these soaps (love the kaliedo-soap! And Caravan!)
Sparta Soap More handmade soap. I've bought from this seller, and was very happy. This is a local seller, too.

Fiber:
Dicentra
Jazz Turtle (love those batts)
Enchanted Knoll Love the sparkly batts and rovings (I've been looking out for Gold Dust Woman.)
TerraBellaSpun More batts
Butterfly Girl Designs Batts and spindles.
Zebisis Designs More batts and spindles.

Another recent find was varietal honey. I bought some from Bee Folks when I was in Maryland, and loved it! One of my fave "little indugences" is an afternoon cup of herbal tea with honey at work. (But I didn't care for killer bee honey.)

Knitterly Things is a favorite. I love all of Julia's fiber and yarn. (And it's really nice to get stuff from someone I know!)

Also, Amy King, aka Spunky Eclectic has a New Book (buy it from Amy at the link and she'll autograph it!) that I really want. And you know, you could order up some Custom Dyed Fiber while you're there. (For the uninitiated, choose the fiber here then state what colorway you want when you place the order. Yeah, I think it's a little clunky too, but I didn't design the website.)

A gift certificate to Bloomin Yarns wouldn't go amiss either.

A yogurt cheese maker. Homemade paneer! Yum!

And an an immersion blender. Soups and smoothies, here I come!

Whew! Enough choices for you all? I may update with more later.

TdF Day Two

2009-07-05T20:47:00.005-05:00

I wound off the bobbin from yesterday (this wheel has only one bobbin) and started spinning a fresh bobbin of the same fiber for today's installment of the Tour de Fleece. I split my 8 oz. of fiber into two lots and will put each one on a bobbin (the bobbin will hold 4 oz of fiber). The plan is to mix and match the six lots while plying to get a more even distribution of singles.

My other TdF project at the moment is this spindle project with some wool from a vendor I can't remember at MDS&W. They're in one of the barns at the very end closest to the sheep barns, and they have lots of baskets of loose fiber in lots of colors stacked up on the walls. Anyone?

Here's a picture of the whole lot of this fiber, -- I think I have 2 and a half pounds of it or so. It's a wool/mohair mix maybe 50/50? I should have enough of this to make a sweater for myself, if I ever get it all spun up. The spindle is a Bosworth in tulipwood.

TdF - Day One

2009-07-05T09:32:00.004-05:00

ONE of my projects for TdF is to spin up this fiber:
purchased at MDS&W in 2006. I had 1.5 lbs of it, and this
is the end of the first 8 oz. I'll start the second today. I also spun some of the blue fiber I bought at the same time on the spindle I bought then too. (It's like a MDS&W 2006 reunion.) Actually, that's just the stash bin I happened to open. Yeah, my stash is stratified by years, so what? Anyways, this yarn is destined to become a 3 ply which I will knit into either a sweater or vest, depending on yardage.

It's Been a Hard Day's Night

2009-07-02T20:02:00.007-05:00

::sigh:: I'm not asking for life to be easy, just a little less hard. I ended up crying at my desk this afternoon at work. Not fun. Not much knitting going on. I forgot, until I downloaded the pictures from my camera that I'd met Ysolda Teague at Bloomin Yarns. She was very nice and charming and now I want to get all her patterns. As soon as I have some money I'm ordering Otto, Elijah, and Sophie. They were unbelievably cute in person. (Birthday alert! These patterns would make great gifts!)
Then at knitting last Friday Terri brought these cute balls stuffed with lavender -- they're for her mom who can't see very well, but she can hold them and feel the nice squishy wool and smell the lavender. What a great idea! I might make some for my dad, who has to exercise his hands for his OT.
And I also taught Janice to spin with a hand spindle. She was going like gangbusters using the park and draft method. Fiber by Spunky Eclectic in the colorway "Eclipse" -- it was a club color last summer. Romney, so super easy for a beginner to learn on.

And finally here's my Brown Penny. I've got the sleeves done. Mods to the pattern so far are longer sleeves, more room in the bust, some short rows for the girls, and some waist shaping. I'm hoping to finish this in the next week or so. Hopefully it fits. (It looks big, but I could just be underestimating my size, which I do frequently. I can always rip and re-knit.)

Tentatively Hopeful

2009-06-18T20:45:00.003-05:00

I did hear back from the VA today and the man said that they have approved my dad's claim! So complaining and stressing out about things really does work! I'm not going to totally believe it (or stop gathering medical evidence) until I see something in writing, but I am tentatively hopeful that this is going to work out alright. I must have sounded sufficiently frantic on the phone yesterday. (I always try to remember how I sounded for future reference, but it never works.) They called me today when I was with my dad so I was able to share the news with him right away. I still have a couple of cards up my sleeve, though, including Dave talking to our State Legislator about it (Dave serves on the church board with him). So I'm less stressed today, and I got to visit Heather too because my work was cancelled due to the severe storms yesterday. I was even destressed enough to knit a little (I hadn't felt up to it for the past couple of days). Hopefully pics tomorrow in the daylight (I'm knitting short rows to give the girls a little extra room).

New -- With Tornadic Activity!

2009-06-17T20:43:00.003-05:00

We had some wild weather here in the 'Burgh this evening. It started out with just lots of lightening and thunder. Older Son and I sat out on the front porch and watched it. Then all the local emergency vehicles came screaming down our street and turned at our corner. Except for this big rig, which parked in front of our house for about 20 minutes. OS scampered up the street to see what was on fire (nothing this time -- but there was a fire up there somewhere yesterday) and came back to report that he thought it might be a downed tree or something and that it was really tight space-wise so he thought there just wasn't room for this truck. Eventually this and the other emergency vehicles all left. I was too shy to ask a fireman to hold a sock for me.

On a personal note I'm strangling in red tape. My dad was denied his VA benefit for Aid and Assistance (Geez, he can't feed himself, bathe himself, dress himself, or go to the bathroom unassisted. What do they think constitutes requiring Aid and Assistance??) The letter I got says that he has to be examined at the local Veteran's Affairs facility. Now, I had gotten a call from them a month ago (coincidentally on the day my dad fell and broke his hip) wanting to schedule an exam. I called them back and told them they could do any kind of exam they wanted, but they would have to come to him seeing as how he was in the hospital. They told me it wasn't necessary. Yesterday I got a letter saying that his request had been denied because the medical records didn't substantiate his claim (I'm also suspicious that either the doctor's office or the nursing facility he was in didn't send the records they said they did -- but the VA won't tell me what they have or don't have. Double ARRGH!). So I called them back. The conversation went like this:
Me: I got this letter denying my dad's claim, they say that he has to be examined at your facility.
VA Person: Yes, I see that we spoke on May 18th, and he broke his hip. You don't need to come in.
Me: You don't understand. I got this letter (reads letter) yesterday saying that his claim is denied unless it is substantiated by an exam from you.
VA Person: Well, he can make the claim based on the medical records...But wait, you're saying that the claim was denied with those...
Me: Yes. I need to know when the exam will be scheduled because I have to arrange a wheelchair transport and if the exam is going to require him to get out of the wheelchair you'll have to have someone there to get him in and out of it because I can't lift him.
VA Person: This sounds like it's a hardship...I don't think you need to come in.
Me (frantic): Well, if this is the only way to get this claim approved I'll get him there. I'll do whatever it takes.
VA Person: Well, I don't know what to do...I have to talk to my supervisor and get back to you.
ARRGH!! Needless to say she didn't call me back. I'm frantic. The expense of keeping him in the assisted living facility he's in is just over $1000 a month more than his monthly income. And guess who's on the hook for it all? The facility has been willing to wait for their money until his claim was processed, but what happens if it's denied? I feel like I was taken for a ride by the nursing facility who told me he "had" to go to an assisted living facility, and the director of the personal care home he's in, both of whom told me that there would be "no problem" with him getting this benefit. I can't take him out of the facility because as soon as he leaves that means he'll never get reimbursed for the money he's out so far. (It's taken almost 5 months to get to this point.)

She Who Dies With the Most Stuff....Dies

2009-06-15T20:56:00.003-05:00

One of the difficult things I had to do in the past several months was finally deal with all my mother's things. While my dad was still living in their apartment I put it off, but we had to move my dad to an assisted living facility because of the complications he's having. Which meant that we had to empty the apartment. My dad took a few things with him, but the rest...My sisters were here and they were absolutely ruthless. We didn't have the time to pack up and deliver anything to a charity (the Salvation Army had said they would come and pick things up but then cancelled at the last minute) so that meant everything went into the dumpster. My mother wasn't a collector, quite the opposite, so the things she kept were things that she really wanted or used. All I could think as we made trip after trip to the dumpster was that these were the things that my mother had accumulated over her lifetime, that meant something to her, and in the end it was all so much garbage. Very sad, and not a comfortable thought. I keep thinking about all the things I have and love and wondering if they'll end up in a dumpster or sold for a fraction of what they're worth. I salvaged what I could, but still... Maybe it's because I'm a very visual person so seeing things makes me remember. It was like I was throwing away my memories. I tried to explain this to my sister who I could tell was exasperated by my unwillingness to get on with the job and throw everything out. "When I see this," I said, "it brings back my memories of Mom. I'm afraid I won't be able to remember her anymore once it's all gone." She didn't have any answer for me.

Knitting Now

2009-06-11T21:31:00.004-05:00

Here's what I'm currently working on. I couldn't get the picture to show accurate color (that's what happens when you don't get home until 10 PM to take pictures of your knitting). I posed it on the skirt I'm knitting it to match and since its color is off as well you can see that it matches perfectly. The pattern is Bad Penny from the fabulous Knitty which is now my favorite knitting magazine. (Yay! It's a new issue!) I've modified and am not doing the YO increases and I will have add some shaping in the body (when the arms are big enough for me, I still need 3" for my bust, and I also want some waist shaping.) The yarn is CotLin from KnitPicks. I love this yarn. I'm already considering what other color I can make a summer sweater in and if it would be possible for me to finish two sweaters this summer (they have short sleeves -- that should make all the difference, right?) And I've also knit up something fun and summery in this yarn. Do those colors scream "Summer" or what? (It's a bit brighter IRL).

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2009-06-10T17:25:00.004-05:00

I'm back! Long time no blog, I know. Let me explain...No, is too much I sum up.

The Good -- we have a new baby in the family! Meet ConMan, my evil twin's grandson. Born March 11.

The Bad -- The little guy was born with severe Spina Bifuda, which required surgery within hours of his birth, and is further complicated by hydrocephalus which has required two brain surgeries so far to relieve the pressure on his brain. On a positive note he has had a much better outcome than expected, he has some movement in his legs and the hydrocephalus didn't develop until after birth so we're optimistic that there will be minimum if any brain damage as a result. Little guy has had some swelling and scarring from the brain surgeries though, so I had to make him a hat. I'm hoping to make him several more. (It's good to be related to a knitter!)

The Ugly -- And this is the main reason I haven't been blogging. My father is dying. It's not tragic, he's 87 (almost 88). But it's sad. And hard and painful (physically) for him and (emotionally) for me. It's been a slow drawn out process, none of which is pretty or uplifting. I'm not really sure how much of it I want to share, and it's a lot of what's going on with me right now. I even gave up knitting altogether for two weeks. But it's come back with a vengeance this week and I'm working on a sweater for ME! (More on that later). I'm trying to find and/or restore some small pleasures in my life and knitting and writing are part of that. So I'm going to try to blog some about my knitting and maybe about finding some good in an otherwise bad time. Because I can't find it if I don't look for it, right?

No Cake For You!

2009-03-09T22:00:00.004-05:00

The Blog has spoken -- No cake for the boys. And it's not that bad, Older Son doesn't even like cake. He just wanted it because he couldn't have it. He got the left over icing, which is all he likes anyways. And Younger Son...He's an indiscriminate eater. He should be satisfied with the close to a dozen pieces of pizza he ate for dinner last night.
Did you know that you can watch videos at IMDb? They have 56 episodes of the Twilight Zone, old CBS commercials and all. I watched "Nothing in the Dark" (with an absolutely dreamy Robert Redford as Mr. Death. I hope I get him when the time comes.) So be sure to tell your husband about it (you know who you are). I myself couldn't get the full screen to work, but I'm sure I'll figure it out soon. Makes me wonder what other shows are there. Of course, this does cut into my knitting time, though.

Let Them Eat Cake?

2009-03-07T23:06:00.004-05:00

Well, I finally got my cake. I had to make it myself, but there it is. I'm having a party for myself. Seems as though I've finally made it to menopause. So it really wasn't PMS last week, after all. I decided a momentous event such as this called for a cake. Right? When I informed Dave about it, that's what I told him. "I think I need to have a party for this." I don't think he got it. Next week I'll compare notes with my evil twin and find out where she is on this road. Anyways, I'm feeling surprisingly good, and sleeping a bit better so maybe things are finally on the up swing. The big question now is...Should I let the boys have some of my cake?? Younger Son dropped my first one (and the worst part of that? The whole house smelled like cake and I couldn't have any.) Older Son promised to make me another cake and didn't come through with the goods. And neither has done his chores completely. Weigh in in the comments. BTW, YS did not want to throw himself on the mercy of the blog, while OS thought you'd go for him having cake. Finally,no knitting I can show pictures of, so I'll leave you with this. I think the yarn shop should get one.

I'm a Woman on the Edge

2009-02-27T20:24:00.004-05:00

I'm batting about -1000. This week my bank (Dollar Bank, big boo hiss) decided to charge me six (!) non sufficient funds fees and my account was never overdrawn. Even after they sucked out over $200! So yesterday while I was on the phone fighting with the bank I got a phone call that my dad had fallen at the personal care home he's at right now. Then my sister calls and wants me to solve a crisis with my niece. Heather tried to cheer me up last night but I seem to be back in that tunnel today and I don't think that light approaching is the end of it, either. Dave's working out of town and keeps trying to get home, and getting called back before he gets here (this afternoon he made it all the way to the Liberty Tubes.) My dad had digital cable installed because that's the deal right now. But they didn't show him how to use it so I had to go online and download all the setup info myself. Which I left at work. Yeah. Came home and tried to get some fried fish for dinner, and the two places Older Son and I went were not having fish fries this year. What's up with that? When I got home I demanded that Younger Son make me a cake. So after much let's say, "intensive", negotiation he finally got with the program and put a cake in the oven. Which was set on broil -- even though I told him to make sure it was set on bake. I caught that in time, I believe. But then in some monumental teenage moment of spaciness he dropped my cake on the floor. I lost it. Not my finest moment as a mother, but what can I say, I'm a woman with PMS. (Why do you think I demanded a cake in the first place?) Someone come over and put me out of my misery.

Over and Under

2009-02-16T21:26:00.002-05:00

I'm still here. Just overwhelmed, or under water, as the case may be. Just about every aspect of my life right now has come to a crisis point that requires some kind of intervention on my part within the past week. I'm overstressed, under pressure, overworked, and under appreciated. Not much knitting getting done, and nothing much to show anyways. I always thought that in situations like this I would knit to relax, but you know what? I have no desire to knit all these bad feelings into something. Maybe things will start looking up tomorrow. I have been visiting yarn shops for the past two weekends, and made some purchases. I'll try again tomorrow.

Predictable

2009-01-26T21:38:00.005-05:00

I am so predictable. Have you ever gone rooting around in your stash and realised that you'd bought the same yarn over and over (and over) again? Check this out. I thought this blue and brown combo would make great guy socks. (Apparently I really thought so.)
Lion Brand Magic Stipes, Trekking XXL, and Shibui. It'll be interesting to see how they all knit up.
And look at these beauties. Bright rainbow yarns are a personal favorite of mine. Celtic Queen will point out (and rightly so) that she gifted me with the Trekking here, but she only did it because she knows me so well and knew I would covet it (which I do).
Hmmm, do you think if I made something like the Spectrum Scarf (scroll down) with the fuzzy yarn and some gloves with the Trekking it would look like a "Set"? (I may have become hyper aware of this matching set issue.)
And did you see what clever Heather did? She kitted up her own sock kits from stash so she has a surprise sock to knit every month that she knows she'll already like! I may have to use this idea myself. Maybe for all the spinning fiber I'm accruing. Speaking of which, here's my latest Spunky Club, CQ. Much different than yours:
Different than each other, too. If you've got a murkier one and want to trade for my lighter bump (on the right) let me know. But organic merino...mmmm soft!

New Start

2009-01-07T22:11:00.004-05:00

I like New Years. It's always nice to make a fresh start, clear the decks, take stock of things and keep what's working and discard what's not. Sometimes all we need is an opportunity to make a new start to really turn things around. I've made a few resolutions, as it were, this year myself. Nothing I'm going to beat myself up about "keeping", just things I want to focus more of my energy on. I've resolved to work at getting healthy. Exercise more, eat better, take better care of myself. You know the drill. (I've had salad for dinner two nights in a row -- I think my body might be thinking it's the end of the world!) I'm stealing Nike's slogan and making this year's slogan "Just Do It!" My previous slogan was "Try It" and I've tried alot of new things. Some I liked, some I didn't. But trying new things has become a habit (a happy one) so I decided it was time to go with something new. I tend to dither about making choices (way too much) so I'm hoping this will get me to think less and do more. More fiber related resolutions are to knit more stash (I bought it because I liked it, right?) and to spin more. I did spin some over the weekend while I was not knitting (actually I plied up the sock yarn on the bobbin on the wheel). And finally to blog more. Look! I even have a picture today! That's my version of Ziggy which is slated for Older Son.

Have You Seen My Mojo?

2009-01-06T22:17:00.002-05:00

I've lost my knitting mojo. I'm embarrassed to say it, but I've knit only one round on a sock since New Year's day. I knit nothing over the weekend, nada, zip, zilch. I haven't been seduced by other interests, I'm just sitting and doing nothing. On the shuttle to and from work, at home, at my mother in law's -- everywhere. Not even the lure of super cute baby knits can get me going. Did I over do with the Christmas knitting? Maybe I just needed a little break to cleanse the palate. Knitting is on Friday so I'll at least sit and hold some knitting then. In other news, Dave is almost home from Erie (again) and may be going to Florida. I'm working lots, and the boys are getting by for the most part.

Holiday Recap

2009-01-05T20:32:00.007-05:00

Let's see...
The Sons were a couple of Wise Guys,
We got the tree up and decorated (thanks to Younger Son).
The Sons waiting to come downstairs on Christmas morning. I knit Older Son that hat when he was in 4th or 5th grade, I don't know where he dug it up from.
OS with his knitted gifts (he says the blue flame hat is "lucky"). Notice that Younger Son is now wearing the knit Santa hat.
YS with his knitted gifts (two pairs of socks. Cotton Socks (again) and Vesper Socks Yarn "The Holly and the Ivy".) He's worn them both already.
Dave and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, which was very nice. Even though I didn't get to drink champagne. I still have both bottles in my fridge. I'm a woman in search of a party.
Finally, one of the Sons' gifts was the game Bananagrams and although I didn't win with this play I was very proud of myself for getting both knit and purl in the same hand!

New Year

2009-01-01T22:49:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! I'd like to do a holiday recap, but it's just too much. I don't even have any pictures today. Just wanted to do a little post to say that I'm still here, just busy (I was off today, but have to work tomorrow.) We had a nice Christmas and New Year, but everything was very subdued this year. I have mixed feelings about that -- In some ways it was good, in some ways not so good. I mean, if you can't go to excess during the holidays, when can you?? Anyways, more tomorrow when I'll have my camera and can give you pictures.

It's Almost a Sappy Sentimental Holiday Happy Ending

2008-12-09T21:42:00.005-05:00

I'm feeling better today. Heather e-mailed me out of the blue today (I don't think she'd even read my blog post from yesterday. Let's pretend she didn't -- it makes it more miraculous) and offered me tickets to the Holiday Pops! Isn't she the best friend ever? Then, I went to the yarn store (Natural Stitches). Always a good pick me up. And, I got my new furnace installed today. No more worrying that the house was going to blow up while I'm out!

Here's some holiday goodness -- Miss E with the holiday dress she knit for her daughter. How gorgeous is that??

And can you stand the holiday cuteness here? The Celtings helped Michelle at Bloomin Yarns decorate her Wuletide tree.

And I've been a regular Mrs. Claus here knitting away on these socks (The Holly and the Ivy from Knitterly Things) for Younger Son. Look closely, though and you'll see not one, but two dropped stitches. Both from the same needle -- I think it has a hole in it. I've ripped back and picked up again. A little set back, but time is in short supply this month. Also, my bathtub drain is clogged and Dave is heading out of town tomorrow (to Erie) for an indefinate period.

I'm Broken

2008-12-08T23:04:00.003-05:00

I don't know what the deal is with me. I just can't muster up alot of enthusiasm for the holidays. As CQ would say, I'm broken. I used to love this time of year. Living with the Grinch and the Scroogelings has sucked the joy of the season right out of me. (When the boys were small I'd tell them the Grinch in the special was their dad. Honestly, his holiday shrt says "Bah, Humbug" on it.) I've been watching holiday movies and specials (Charlie Brown was on tonight) like mad to the derision of the rest of the household. It occurred to me as I watched yet another miraculous happy ending in yet another sappy, sentimental Christmas movie that I was in serious need of a Christmas miracle. Not a big one, just a small one. So if you have any extra send it on over.

Lots of knitting going on -- hopefully I'll get some light and can take some pics tomorrow. (There's subtle colorwork involved.)

Obsession

2008-11-19T20:03:00.005-05:00

I am obsessed with this Noro Striped Scarf. I thought that maybe after Yarn Harlot made hers that I was the last knitter in North America to make one, but Celtic Queen hasn’t made one yet so that would make me the Penultimate Knitter. I love it. It has everything I want in a scarf – black to go with my winter coat, pink so the guys won’t steal it. Changing colors to keep me interested.
The colors are Silk Garden 282 (pinks and green) and 252 (black, dark blue, green). I was concerned that the greens would align, which they did for a couple of rows in the first two balls. But I’m even enamored of these muddled bits where I can’t tell one stripe from the next. I find myself wishing for someone on my Christmas list that I can make one of these for.
I started this Saturday afternoon (after meeting up with Celtic Queen, Heather, DPUTiger, and Julia at the new location of Bloomin Yarns). I finished it last night and wore it today.
In other news, it turns out that I really do work in the salt mines, or might as well. There was a water main break outside our building so we had no water. They shut down the restrooms and told us we couldn't leave. Two and a half hours later they brought in Port a Johns. Seriously. I'm planning on going in late tomorrow. I hope the bathrooms are back in service by then.

November Day

2008-11-13T17:36:00.004-05:00

Today is one of those gray, weepy November days. Dark, overcast, and dripping rain. Thoroughly depressing. Most of our foliage color is gone now. There are still a few painted maples (I believe that is the variety from my 3 minutes of research on the subject) that are breathtakingly beautiful. These are always spectacular in the fall. If I were planting a tree, this is the kind I would plant. Our color this month is the deeper fall colors of dark gold, russet, and the occasional intense red. And the more and more visible dark brown and gray branches. On sunny days the contrast with the blue sky from deep indigo to that clear deep autumn blue is fabulous. It’s inspiring me to a Fairisle colorway. Leaves in the golds, russets, deep reds with all the shades of blue as background. Hmmmm. I should maybe work up some charts…
Yes, Heather, Sidelines has been sidelined, at least temporarily. I’ve been inspired to work on gifts (They’ve had a Christmas tree on display at Wal-Mart for the past two weeks! Not that I go in, but I can see it in the entry way when I go into the grocery store next door.) And speaking of the grocery store, another, happier sign of the season is that my favorite Christmas Tree cakes are on the shelves. Mmmm. I’ve gone through two boxes in almost three weeks, which I believe is a display of considerable restraint on my part. Finally, Younger Son’s birthday was yesterday. I forgot to tell him happy birthday before I left in the morning (Celtic Queen said it was like Sixteen Candles) and Dave ended up working extremely late. But I tried to make it up to him by bringing home a dozen chocolate chip cookies from Nancy B’s Bakery (the best chocolate chip cookies in Pittsburgh). I thought he would like them better than a cake (which he did).

Hey Now

2008-11-05T18:59:00.004-05:00

So here's my current WiP. It's Hey, Teach. Knit with vintage Cotton Ease from my stash. A very quick and easy knit. I started on Saturday and have the back and both fronts done. I might get a sleeve done tonight. I hope the finished sweater looks ok.
In other fiber news I've also gotten my first batt from Loop's "Seriously Spontaneous Spinning Club". Yummy! You know me, all tonal neutrals or screaming brights. And white is my favorite color! Can't wait to see how this looks spun up. I just have to shovel out the living room so I can set up the wheel there. Turns out the furnace really is broken, but since the weather has warmed, there's no sense of urgency for the guys to clean up. ::sigh::
I voted yesterday. I spotted Dave walking across the parking lot as I was driving out after voting. I tried to tell him that republicans were supposed to vote on Wednesday, but he didn't buy it. He was not very gracious in defeat, though. Now I feel like the day after Christmas. All that build-up and now what?

Uninteded Consequences

2008-10-29T17:30:00.003-05:00

As of yesterday we had not turned the heat on Chez G. I'm cheap, and it costs alot to heat this big old house. Sure, it's a little chilly inside, but we're saving $100 a week by keeping the furnace off. This has prompted Older Son to make hyperbolic metaphors about how cold the house is ("Mom, the house is so cold that when I took your dinner out of the oven it froze." Whatever. I don't know what he's griping about anyways, the reason I won't turn the heat on is because I need the money to pay his college tuition. He could get a job and pay for the heat himself. But I digress.) Well, if you follow the weather here in Pittsburgh, we had snow last night and today. Unbeknownst to me, OS and Dave had concocted a plan to turn the heat on in the middle of the night while I was asleep. But they were foiled in the attempt by my ally The Furnace which refused to come on. I discovered the plot this morning when OS let it slip while he was complaining about the cold. I told Dave he could call a furnace repair shop on the weekend (I had vowed not to turn the furnace on until Nov 1st.) Then I went on to say that there was no way a repair person (or anyone) could come into our house until it was clean. Yes! I practically rubbed my hands with glee. Not only would I keep the furnace off until Nov. 1 or possibly later, but I would finally motivate the Slacker Boys to clean up their mess! A lovely dream. Unfortunately, all I did was motivate Dave to go downstairs and fix the furnace. It's on now. Curses! Foiled again!!
(This is my attempt to get a picture of it snowing. You can't see it, but I wanted a pic for the post.)

Weekend in the Country

2008-10-20T19:51:00.010-05:00

Doesn't that sound posh and sophisticated? In reality Dave and I were the "poor cousins" at a family wedding. But we did have a very good time. I didn't really get any good pictures on my camera of the bride and groom (Dave got some with his big camera, but he doesn't share them with me in a timely manner. I tell him the blog waits for no man, but he doesn't seem to understand.) Speaking of Dave and his camera, he made a new friend of the photographer at the wedding. Here they are discussing camera stuff.
His name is R. Alan Adams and he was very gracious to Dave.
Here's another picture from the wedding - my mother in law and her two sisters.

Yesterday morning I was up before everyone else and went outside to a heavy frost. And another peculiar thing, I guess because of the freeze, the leaves were just falling off the trees in a shower.

I'd never seen anything like it. I took some video of it, but haven't figured out how to upload it. If I can, I'll add it on. There were some beautiful trees, though. We stayed at the Coal Miners Cafe (we stayed in the Apple Patch room), and the wedding was right down the road at Green Gables Restaurant (which looks much less impressive on the outside than it really is).

WEE!

2008-10-16T17:18:00.005-05:00

I got a Halloween Wee Skeins kit from Julia last week. So nice! I can't wait to make myself some cool super stripey Halloween socks! The skeleton is going on my keychain.
And also, because I can't resist the call of the beautiful superwash merino I got this roving in the colorway "Runaway".

And because it's so beautiful and hard to photograph I flipped it over and got this picture of the other side (I think it looks different) and the neighbors already had the impression of me as "That weird lady who takes pictures of stuff on her front porch."
Sorry for the break in blogging, I was really trying to get a post in every day this month, but the cold I got (from Older Son, thank you very much!) really threw me for a loop. I was able to go to work, but I pretty much came home and went straight to bed after work every day. (It also didn't help that Tuesday was grueling 12 hour day). Last night I made it through the first question of the Presidential debate before I conked out.

Stuffy But With New Shoes

2008-10-12T20:36:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling very stuffy and congested. I either have a cold or a seasonal allergy. Either way I'm feeling pretty miserable. I took a decongestant and it didn't seem to help much. Bleah. I spent the weekend touring Pittsburgh and looking at Pittsburgh real estate with my sister. Lots of driving around. (We even saw Heather when we drove by her house looking at a house that was for sale on her street.) We also went to the casino last night where I found that $5 is more than enough money for me to gamble away on the slots. (None of us came out ahead on the night.) I actually lost $8, my original intention being to gamble on $10 and either quit when I'd won $20 (had doubled my money) or lost the $10. I was really ready to go before the $8 were gone, but didn't want to cash out 27 cents, so hung on to the end. I originally though my congestion was because of the smoke in the casino, but it's hung on all day and gotten worse, so I don't think that's the culprit. Anyways, I've been very busy and no knitting has happened this weekend. I did however, manage to get some new shoes (at the new Tanger Outlets) and a nice dressy suit to wear to the wedding I have to go to next weekend. So that's good.

E-Mailing Tomorrow

2008-10-10T20:02:00.006-05:00

I was working away from home last night and apparently there's a time disconnect between my home computer and the network because my emails were received "Tomorrow". Call me a geek, but it amused me to get emails from the future.

I also sucked it up and put together my sweater. It's still not completely done, but much closer. The seams are all sewn and the edging is knitted. I just have to sew on the buttons (I meant to knit them on, but forgot to string them on the yarn when I started knitting the border. I didn't remember until it was too late to knit them in even if they had been strung. Dang!) I should have no problems finishing this up by Friday. And it's so cute I could just die.

Languishing

2008-10-09T17:50:00.005-05:00

So many of my projects are languishing. My Mod Pods haven't seen the light of day since June.

But apparently this was an Idea Whose Time Had Come -- I've seen several blankets in the works like this, (most of them more attractive). A couple with Noro that are gorgeous (but I can't justify a Noro blanket!) and one with sock leftovers (I faved it on Ravelry) that is To.Die.For. I'm wondering if I can get Heather to go out on the town again with the Mister. I can't be responsible for what might happen to all her sock oddballs while I'm babysitting. Do you think she'd be suspicious if they all disappeared? I should try to come up with an explanation. Yarn burglars? Yarn Pirates? Hmmm, that might need some work. Then I'll coerce the Celtings to give up their mother's oddballs. (I think I can bribe them with candy. Or do their homework for them.)

My other project has been languishing in a bag, too. I've got to finish this one up by next Friday. I just have to sew a seam and do a bit of finishing on it. I just need to make time to sit down and do it. It's too fiddley for me to work on it on the go. So what have I been working on?

My Sidelines sweater. I'm almost ready to start the arm hole shaping on the front (the back is done). I love how the cables swoop in and then back out at the waist. I still really like this sweater and think it will be a great year-round staple. Especially in this yarn (Comfort DK).

One Last Kiss

2008-10-08T17:25:00.002-05:00

I am contemplating my last Pumpkin Spice Kiss. I got these with my Pumpkin Spice club yarn from Knitterly Things. Very yummy. I've been savoring them, eating them one at a time. I think I will have this last one tonight after dinner. Otherwise, nothing of note. Dave and I still haven't made up, but that's more from not having time to speak to each other than anything else. I'm still trying to get ready for my sister's visit this weekend. Worrying about the economy, about how we'll handle it if Dave or I lose our jobs. Fortunately, I have enough yarn and fiber saved to see me through for awhile.

Exhausted

2008-10-07T20:28:00.004-05:00

I was exhausted today. I did not sleep well last night, then didn't get to drink all my coffee on the drive in this morning (which because I'm cutting back on my caffeine is only 2-1 decaf/caf anyways.) I felt sleepy and logy all day long. I got home at about 4 and went to bed! After sleeping for 3 1/2 hours Younger Son woke me up for dinner and I ate and then watched Heroes. I think I'm ready for bed again! The guys kept asking me if I was ok. Maybe they really do care. Either that or I was snoring too loud.:)

I've begun contemplating my Christmas knitting. I was e-mailing Celtic Queen yesterday and she got me going by talking about her holiday knitting. (Which she's already started, btw.) So I'm like "I'd like to make a sweater for YS for his birthday (Nov.) and then one for each of the Sons for Christmas and I really should make one for my sister who is moving back to Pittsburgh because you know she'll need some warm sweaters, and one for my friend, and another one for a friend..." And she was like "Laur. No offense, but that's like six sweaters and none of these people are really tiny." So I scaled it back to one, possibly two sweaters and socks for the Sons. I only need to buy yarn for one of the sweaters, and I've chosen the yarn from KnitPicks, I just need to pick a color. And I'm definately getting some books at 40% off. In other news, they resurfaced the road up to my driveway (I had to leave early today so as not to be blocked in.) Dave and I are barely speaking to each other because we had a fight over the causes of the financial crisis. (Are we geeks, or what?) Of course, I was asleep all afternoon/evening so it is possible that may have played into the barely speaking. (You think?)

Weekend Activities

2008-10-06T20:22:00.004-05:00

We finally got around to celebrating Celtic Queen's birthday on Saturday. We had a witch cake (it made my lips black) and pumpkin ice cream. (As I told CQ -- the candles here mean absolutely nothing, they're only meant to be aesthetically pleasing.) So what do you get a fellow fiber fiend? Fiber! This is Spunky Eclectic's "Mars" from the Galaxy series, some soy silk from the Happy Hippie in the "Haight Ashbury" colorway, more Spunky Ecletic merino/tencel in "Goblin Eyes" (she loved the name!) and some Spunky Eclectic SW Corriedale in the "Toronto" colorway (so her colors.) I wanted give her a mix of colors and fibers to practice spinning on. And she could even tell the Celtic Consort that she didn't get "more yarn" (yet).

Laundry Day

2008-10-05T19:57:00.002-05:00

I did laundry today, as I do most Sundays. I got to hang a few loads outside on the line to dry. It's kind of neat seeing all the hand knit socks on the line drying (if it's not outside, it's in the basement - I have a line down there I use for all my 'delicates'.) Otherwise, not much of anything new here. I watched a couple of movies, knit some, logged in and did some work. The usual. My sister is coming to visit from North Carolina at the end of the week, so I have to get ready for that. She's decided to move back to Pittsburgh after almost 30 years of living elsewhere so we're going to take her SO around and show him the town (he's never been to Pittsburgh) and do some house hunting. This is going to be a long week.

Palettes

2008-10-04T13:12:00.004-05:00

I've spent quite a bit of time this afternoon playing with the tool at this site. Way cool. It was interesting to me which pictures came out nice looking palettes and which were disappointing. I will say though that the color choice seems to shift heavily to the pink. Maybe it's just the month.
Here's the September Spunky Club fiber. This is my favorite so far (but I tend to think that every month.:) It's called Acadia. Can't wait to spin some up.
I was paying bills this morning (I try to make this my Saturday morning routine, not always successfully) and I found in this week's mail not one, not two, but a total of six (6!) applications for credit cards. The credit market is frozen?? No one can get credit for running businesses?? Dave says they were in the mail before the market tanked, but I want my 700 billion dollars back. :/

Squeak

2008-10-03T22:43:00.003-05:00

Squeaking in under the wire with another post at virtually the eleventh hour. But I have a picture this time! We had a knitter's shower at my knitting group tonight for Darka who is expecting a new boy next month.
Yay! Baby knitting, and I don't have to have the baby! Double YAY! Well, one of my gifts was this little outfit. (I can't resist the primary colors for little boys.) Forgive my bad picture, but it was late last night and I was pretty dang tired. Long hours of work today, more tomorrow and Sunday. More tomorrow - we've got lots going on here Chez G. Spunky Fiber, CQ's birthday party, and babysitting Chez Mayhem. Stay tuned!

Slogging

2008-10-02T22:51:00.002-05:00

I'm slogging along here. Julia at Knitterly Things posted a challenge to make a blog post every day for a month. I've been slacking on the blog so I'm going to try. I realized I had just a few minutes to post before midnight so I'm making this quick (no photos, sorry!) I'm up burning the midnight oil working. Don't ask. It's that bad. Hopefully more tomorrow.

Honey, You Smell Great

2008-09-16T16:41:00.006-05:00

The street repair thugs came with their truck that makes loud beeps and has super bright flashing lights to remove the road barriers and cones this morning at Five Thirty. AM. Ask me how I know. Still knitting Sidelines. I'm hoping to watch some STNG dvds and knit more tonight. I got alot done on Sunday watching several hours of dinosaurs and dinosaur-like shows on the Discovery channel. I got much flack from the guys about it, but there's just something about those animatronic/cgi creatures that fascinate me. I especially like the more recent ones where they have the creatures interact with the camera (the giant centipede that stikes the camera and cracks the lens, and then they have some lumbering thing that bumps into it).
I also got some goodies today! Julia at Knitterly Things sent me some rovings I bought. YUMMY!

Their pictures don't do them justice! So much more beautiful in real life. The Hot Tamale Superwash (Left at top) will become socks, and I have something special in mind for the rest of it. I thought I'd bought her out of all the sale rovings, but I see one escaped me. If no one else grabs it, it's mine next week! And I might need to get something else, because you know it's more efficient to fill that mailer box all the way up with fiber...
And finally, while I was cooking dinner tonight with Younger Son (he's my cooking protege) I knocked the garlic powder against the wall to loosen it because it was clumpy (it's been a bit humid here lately) and the lid flew open and I was showered with garlic powder. YS helpfully tried to brush me off, but I definately have a certain, let's say Italiante air about me. I'm hoping that this makes me extra appealing to Dave. Who knows? I might get lucky.

The Odd Couple

2008-09-15T18:46:00.007-05:00

I finished this pair of socks for me on Saturday. They were my travelling knitting last week, my secret knitting having gotten to a point where it was no longer convenient to schlepp around. Felix there, on the left is knit with an oddball Heather gave me because it reminded her of baby poop so she couldn't stand to have it in her stash. Oscar, on the right, includes some of a generic self-striper oddball left over from my first pair of Socks-in-Socks. I like these, though, and will wear them with my tan and chocolate skirts. Oscar's mess will be, as it was in the show, hidden behind closed doors in my shoe.

So then, instead of going back to my secret project for the finishing, I answered the siren song of new yarn and cast on for Sidelines from the lates IK. (Don't you love how the yarn matches the magazine cover?) The yarn is Comfort DK, and as I said to CQ today, it's knitting up into a nice comfy sweater. I'm hoping that this will come out to be wearable. Cross your fingers for me. In other news, I cam home on Friday to this:
A big hole in my street. That's our garage/driveway there on the left.

Here's a close up of the hole. I don't know if you can tell, but it's a good six inches deep, and almost as big as a car. I don't know what the issue was, but why would you dig a hole like this and then leave it all weekend?? Older Son was home and said there was nothing with the water on Friday. Whatever the issue, it was filled in when I got home today, but it's still quarantined off with the cones and barriers.

WiPs and Wants

2008-09-04T19:57:00.004-05:00

I'm currently working on a kind of secret WiP so I won't show it here (I debated, because it really is beautiful, but decided against it) . It's funny, I've become somehow by default a monogamous knitter. Lately I've found that if I put a project away at all, I tend to abandon it. Even if all it needs is just a finishing touch. I have at least two pairs of socks that only need the toe grafted to be finished, and four, make that 5 baby sweaters (no, it's six!!) that just need some small finishing (three only need buttons, and three need trim/collar finishing and buttons). What's up with that? Anyways, I have about a gazillion things I want to knit, there's yarn and projects, and books and magazines stacked everywhere in my bedroom. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. And old. Don't know why or how that snuck up on me, but I'm really feeling my age and then some this week. Whatever.

Let's see if I can find a pic that doesn't give away the store on this surprise... Ah, here's one of my latest Spunky Club -- "Thermograph". Very hot, hot, hot! I'm trying to think of what I'm going to do with all of these. I'm thinking spin to a consistent grist and start another hexagon blanket.

Road Trip

2008-09-03T17:31:00.010-05:00

I took a road trip this weekend to Ligonier. Dave and the Sons were staying at a local camp (it's sort of a G family & friends reunion thing.)
I opted out for the whole weekend this year, but drove up on Saturday to pick up Dave and we drove to the nearby town of Ligonier. Of course, I visited Kathy's Kreations. Kathy Zimmerman was super nice, and this is a great shop! I was too shy to ask for a photo (Do you think that having Dave take my picture outside the shop was a tip-off that I'm a blogger, though?) I enhanced my stash with these purchases: Purely on impulse, some wonderfully fluffy rainbow yarn for a purely decorative feather and fan scarf for me! (I'm such a sucker for rainbow yarn. But I think it will look nice with my black coat.)
Enough of this yarn to make the sweater pictured. (A toddler's hooded cardi.) This is a new to me yarn called Jeanee, which is a cotton/acrylic blend. Less than half the price of the Bamboo yarn called for in the pattern, machine wash/dry, and softer, too! I'm interested to see how it works up.

With lunch and yarn shopping out of the way (Dave didn't actually go yarn shopping, he did enter the shop, but then left to go browse the photography store.)
we proceeded to the fort. Have fun storming the palisades, Dave!

And a word to the wise, they have these mannequins in the fort buildings. This lot in the Officers' Mess just about gave me a heart attack when I walked in. After our tour of the fort we drove back to camp, I said hello to all my in-laws, and then drove back to Pittsburgh to meet CQ and the Celtings for dinner.

At dinner I added to my stash (from my fave yarn shop Bloomin Yarns enough of this Comfort DK to make Sidelines from the latest IK. (CQ and Heather were there on Saturday and CQ picked it up for me.) I'm envisioning this as a great all-season "Go To" sweater that will go with all my wardrobe staples (black, navy, chocolate, denim, tan). We had a nice dinner, and then it was home and bed for me. (Another tip -- the Key Lime pie at Outback isn't worth it. I speak as a connoisseur of Key Lime pie. Go for the Chocolate Thunder Down Under.)

They're Backstabbers, Backstabbers!

2008-08-28T20:53:00.006-05:00

Oh the dangers of carrying around double pointed needles in a felted bag! I stabbed myself in the back (very painfully) twice ('cause I just can't seem to learn that lesson the hard way the first time) today. But what about that knitting I've finished?
One BSJ, needing only buttons to finish it. This is so cute I can hardly stand it. But wait, you say -- what was that I saw peeking out of the top of your porcupine bag above? You're absolutely right, Sherlock, it's another BSJ (This one needs a collar and buttons sewn on.) Both are made with Moda Dea Sassy Stripes which may be the perfect yarn for this sweater if you're looking for machine wash/dry for your sister-in-law who couldn't be bothered/trusted to take care of a real wool sweater. Size 5 needle makes for about a 6-12 mos size, it took two skeins almost exactly. I can't tell you how much I love this sweater pattern. I have more of the Sassy Stripes in the stash (they were from a yarn store that went out of business, I got them for $1.50 a skein with the thought I'd make baby things from them) and I'm trying not to go stash diving right now for two more skeins to make another little sweater. Not to say that cute little sweaters are completely off the menu. This is Vesper Sock Yarn "Lovely Lollipop Sky" (from the Summer Sock Club) with a coordinating solid. Hmmm. Whatever could I be thinking of?

Updating

2008-08-26T20:42:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been awhile since I updated the blog. I was going to update with some pics of my latest FOs, but Older Son has lost the cable for my camera so I can't download any pictures. I'm not pleased. Blogging will resume when I can get pictures.

Antics!

2008-08-16T18:11:00.005-05:00

I'm so glad that I decided to do Antics! Looking for humanitarian oriented things to donate my time and money to has really made me find things I'd overlooked before. So far I:
1)Donated these two books to Read! 365 (they were thrilled to get them -- they said that there was a real need for books for older kids.)

2)Made a financial contribution to The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This organization came up this week first as an informational seminar at work (which I had to miss because I was in a meeting) which put it on my radar, and then I just happened to get a solicitation in the mail! Kismet!
3)Contribution to UMCOR - The United Methodist Committee on Relief. I was discussing the Antics with Dave this morning and saying how I was looking to donate to a charity geared towards helping children globally and we discussed UNICEF. Well, Dave doesn't like their politics lately, so he wasn't keen on that (I have no issue with their politics, and I didn't ask for specifics from Dave. We don't see eye to eye politically and this was something I decided it was better just not to know). So I asked him for an organization he would be happy with (it's his money too, you know) but he really couldn't come up with one. I thought of UMCOR and asked "What about UMCOR?" He had no problem, so I went to their website to find out how to contribute. And look at THIS, you can send them relief kits. The Layette Kit includes a baby sweater! They specify button in the front, and I'm also assuming (though they don't say) machine wash/dry. So I'm using this yarn (Moda Dea Sassy Stripes) to knit a BSJ. I'm also buying supplies for a Back to School Kit or two (Celtic Queen says they have the crayons at Target for 19 cents!) while the supplies are out there on sale. And I think I know some people who might have some fabric in their stashes that could become a Sewing Kit. Anyways, here's the deal. If you send me your hand knit sweater I will pony up the rest of the supplies to make a layette kit and send it off to UMCOR. I'm going to say until I get some kind of confirmation that the sweater has to be machine wash/dry so that means synthetic or cotton blends. Button up the front -- how about the 5HBS (which is supposed to be knit for charity anyways, right?) or Tulip & Rocketry (Heather knit a gorgeous Rocketry using Cotton-Ease), or Babies & Bears. That's just a few, there are tons out there.

I Was on Fire! (Till They Put Me Out)

2008-08-14T21:25:00.006-05:00

I was finishing up my stuff today at work in record time. I was firing off e-mails left and right saying things were done! One of the Project Leads sent me an e-mail teasing that I was showing off. I replied that I was on FIRE and that I was about to run out the door before they told me I had to re-do everything. You guessed it - within minutes I got an e-mail from one of the other Project Leads saying I had to re-do my stuff (not my fault, though!) So there's tomorrow gone. But when I did finally manage to stagger out the door it was to sunshine and rain which meant - you guessed it - a rainbow! I snapped this pic from the shuttle window. You can barely see the rainbow if you look really hard. When I got home I dragged my wheel out again to spin -- I got Dave to take a pic of me this time. He spent a fair bit of time trying to get my point and click camera to do fancy stuff. "It's just point and click, Dave." "No, I think I can adjust the flash." (He thought the pic was too flashy.) "I don't think so." "I'm sure I can, there's an adjustment for some other thing." (Dave presses buttons on camera for awhile. Laurie grows impatient.) "Let me see the picture." Dave hands over camera. "That's fine." "You think so?" "It's good enough for the blog." Sheesh. And here's my progress for the day (I had to turn off the flash so the colors wouldn't fade out.)

Still Spinning

2008-08-13T20:26:00.008-05:00

I set my spinning wheel up on the front porch again today and spun some more sock yarn. I really like spinning out there -- but it does get warm. That bodes well for later this fall, and for the past couple of days (the weather's cooled off nicely here). I listened to Market Place again (Kai!) and then Dave came out and chatted for awhile. When he left I spun a bit more and listened to some jazz. Here's my work so far. A very pleasant evening. Pictures from this weekend. Celtic Queen and I went to Bloomin Yarns (where I ordered yarn to make Sidelines from the new Interweave) and we met up with Heather. I let the Celtings use my camera. Love this! Elder Celting immediately took a picture of himself! Then of me and CQ (behind the plant). Younger Celting wouldn't let his brother get a picture of him, but he let me snap this one.
When Younger Celting got the camera he took this picture of the giant felted mitten (both Celtings and Heather's son were intrigued by this. I think it's a boy thing.)

Sushi and Spinning

2008-08-12T18:39:00.003-05:00

I had to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work today, and because it's a Giant Eagle Market District they had sushi. I was hoping to score some sashimi, but no luck. There was some nigiri sushi, but it looked like it had been sitting there awhile (no demand for sushi in Pittsburgh? Heather, I'm sure you're shocked) so I passed on it and instead picked up a dozen California rolls. Rushed home with them and gobbled them down before Dave got home. Well, I offered to the Sons. Older Son unequivocably refused, but Younger Son tried one, decided he like it, and snarfed down three more. As I was eating it I said to them "Don't tell Dad we had sushi when he gets home, because I'm eating it all." Dave gets home about ten minutes later, and after being in the house for all of five minutes says "So I guess you're just having sushi for dinner, then." I don't know which one of them gave me up (but I'm suspicious of YS). See if I cover for either of them.

Then, full of sushi, I decided that I really needed to spin. So I set up my spinning wheel on the front porch and spun some more sock yarn while listening to Market Place (I heart Kai Ryssdal). Sushi causes an irresistable urge to spin. Who knew?

B-day Stuff

2008-08-05T20:28:00.006-05:00

I got a couple of gift certificates to bookstores for my birthday. So in round one I got these. That's all 5, count 'em FIVE Planet of the Apes movies there, and Seasons One and Two of The Outer Limits. 'Cause you know we're all about the 60s & 70s sci fi around here! (And you know I watched all those movies already. I'm trying to pace myself on The Outer Limits, though.)
Tonight I was headed out to the bookstore to pick up a copy of this for a co-worker's baby shower (she knows she's having a boy). I love this book, but could never read it to my sons on account of I was crying too much by the end. I had a couple of gift cards from Heather and a 40% off coupon, so Heather, this is what you got me! As soon as I'm off-line I'm going to dig into it. Can't wait! Oh, and I found my first charity for my Antics! Yippee!

The Antics

2008-08-04T19:20:00.003-05:00

OK, I'm with Yarn Harlot on this one. I'm NOT doing anything for the Summer Olympics. I am completely boycotting these games. I think the IOC was wrong, wrong, wrong to sanction the games there, and think it's wrong, wrong, wrong not to mention hypocritical of the US to participate after their boycott of the 1980 games for less provocation, IMNSHO. I refuse to acknowledge these games at all. Needless to say I won't be participating in any "Olympic" knitting. I've decided I'm going to be doing the "Anti-Olympics", or "Antics". So what does that entail? Hmmm, haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm thinking something community/human rights oriented. I'll keep you posted. And a sad note: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn passed away over the weekend. I could revist some of his works for the Antics. Maybe you could too, lest you forget.

Shopping With Laurie

2008-07-30T18:55:00.005-05:00

I squeezed in a little shopping on my trip to Maryland, too. I was very good and didn't buy much (and none of that was for me). We visited an old railway station that has been converted to a local arts and crafts mall. This spinning wheel wasn't for sale, but I took a pic because, you know, it's a spinning wheel. There was handspun yarn for sale, but I was very good and didn't buy any (even though I generally do like to support that kind of business venture). I don't think the wheel was operational anyways, it looks like the footman as well as the drive band was missing. Here I am with a real train car. A train did pass while we were shopping, but I wasn't quick enough to get a good picture. We also looked at lots of antiques, but if I wanted old stuff I'd stay home or go visit my mother in law. There were several "Hmmm, we have something like that at home, so it's [only] worth that much?" moments. I snapped this picture of the sign for a local yarn shop thinking I might visit on the way home, but as I said, I was being good, so I didn't. Besides, if I was going to buy souvenir yarn it would have been the handspun. (No, I forgot to write down the name, it was from a local farm.)

Laurie Looks At Her Roots (Which Are Decidedly Gray)

2008-07-29T19:19:00.005-05:00

So Dave and I travelled to Deep Creek. We stayed here, at the Alpine Village motel. When I stayed at Deep Creek as a child, it was at a friend of my mother's cottage, which was decidedly rustic. As in no indoor plumbing. As in you have to use an outhouse. Yeah. So when we turned off the highway there was Alpine Village in all it's splendour and I used to think "When I grow up and have lots of money I'm going to stay at the Alpine Village because they have real bathrooms." And in a strange twist of fate, I think we had the same experience I would have had staying at the Alpine Village in the 70's, because I don't think the decor has been updated since then. (And the place is for sale - all that retro decor can be yours for just 5.75 million dollars!) But there was further to travel down memory lane -- let's not forget that rustic cabin! Sorry for the blurry pic, but it was the best I could do from the car. We were at the end of a private lane and the guy inside looked like he was about to put down his beer can and come out and see what the &(^% we were doing on his property. I forgot to check for the outhouse (but that wasn't really visible from the drive anyways). And finally, a truly infamous site in our family annals, the miniature golf course where Celtic Queen got her head split open (we believe that my Evil Twin did it) by an incautious back swing. I still haven't quite gotten over the fact that although I was the first to notice her injury and rush to her aid, and the one who picked her up and sprinted the entire width of the golf course with her dripping blood the whole way to where my mother was waiting for us, that I wasn't allowed to go to the hospital with her when she got stitched up. In fact, she may even have asked for my Evil Twin (the one who conked her on the head) to go with her.

Sure He Looks Cute Now

2008-07-28T19:51:00.007-05:00

I came home today from work after being off for a week and saw this. Sure he looks all cute and fuzzy, but you know he was checking out the fiber stash. So what did I do on my summer vacation? Dave and I went to Deep Creek Lake, MD. The sky looked like this when we left: and I did have that little run in with a bear, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. We enjoyed the lake vistas (Dave taking lots of pics with his new expensive camera {toy}). We drove out to see
Swallow Falls. I snapped this pic while waiting on Dave, who had hiked over to get some pictures from the base of the falls. I tried to call and tell him the kayakers were coming down, but couldn't get reception and so he missed them. I did a bit of knitting and shopping, but more on that tomorrow!

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-18T22:04:00.004-05:00

What a great night! I celebrated my birthday with my friends, which is the very best kind of celebration! Heather, Celtic Queen, and J helped me celebrate. We had dinner (Chinese) and then went to see Mamma Mia! Great movie, absolutely hilarious, and way better than I thought it would be. Round up your girlfriends and go!
That was birthday gift enough for me, but I also got my next installment of the Vesper Sock Yarn Club. I can't show the yarn, because I get it straight from Ms. Vesper so I have it before everyone else, and she asked me not to spoil it. So I won't. Except to say that it matches the ribbons it was tied with. And the chocolates it came with. I can't wait to knit this up. I AlSO got (from J) a ball winder (yay! I really, really wanted one. I was just thinking about it the yesterday! I'm resisting the strong urge to start winding yarn cakes at 11:30 PM) and some Borders gift cards from Heather which I think I will use to get myself an ABBA cd....

Gratuitous Knitting and a Survey

2008-07-15T20:05:00.003-05:00

Last Friday was Knitting Night! Yeah! Ms. E brought this gorgeous sweater to show us. She made it for a little guy, and it is Knit Picks Shine, iirc and I think it's the DK. She had just started it at the last meeting two weeks ago. "Based" on a pattern, but I'll say she designed it herself, even if she won't. She chose the colors, came up with the stripe pattern and added the front pocket too. Are those not the perfect murky man colors? This is one fabulous sweater, what an amazing knitter. Makes me humble. Everyone else there was working on more great stuff, and there I was with my lousy dinky little Mod Pods and a sock. I need to get more productive. I'm thinking of buying a new chair. (Part of the prob at home is that I have nowhere to sit comfortably, so I end up laying down and reading, computing, or watching TV. Great for my back, but not the best knitting position.)
Moving right along though, I'm thinking about my anniversary this year. So here's the question (and I'm going to try to do a poll). How should I celebrate? It's still six months away, but if we're going to do something we'd have to book now, because it's a date that fills up (New Year's Eve). And it's a big anniversary, too -- Twenty Five Years. (Whew, I think we deserve a couple of medals just for not killing each other!) So, what should we do? Here are the options:
1) Dinner out (this is what we do every year)
2) Dinner with 50-100 of our closest friends (like a second wedding reception)
3) Romantic get-away to a local resort or bed and breakfast
4) Full on second honeymoon trip (I'm thinking Europe, but maybe Australia or China)
5) Ditch the husband and take a trip with a friend. (His anniversary gift can be the digital camera {toy} he bought himself that cost as much as a two week trip for two to Europe.)

Spinning Around

2008-07-10T20:31:00.002-05:00

I decided after work today that I was bored with laying around and watching dvds, I wanted to do something, so I dragged my wheel out to the front porch and spun for almost an hour and a half. I was pretty sore afterwards (I need a pillow to support my back in that chair), but I feel like I've accomplished something! I had to work for about two hours, and I was able to do that in a prone position so I feel mostly better now. Now if I can just continue with that schedule I should be good. My goal is to spin up the yarn I need for a pair of socks (I have half done already) and then move on to my Spunky Eclectic fiber. Moving the stash around always makes me feel better. In other depressing news, I got my first review and pay increase. According to the Dept of Labor I'm only 1.7% behind after adjusting for cost of living increases. Nice, huh?

Keeping My Cool

2008-07-09T20:49:00.004-05:00

I thought I would pass this along in case you're the other person without air conditioning in North America (or in case your husband turns up the thermostat on the air conditioner when he thinks you're not looking.) This picture shows (in addition to my feet and a very rare glimpse of my knees) what I call "Sheet Floating". You place a fan right next to your bed, so it's blowing directly across the bed. Then pull your top sheet up so it is just level with the edge of the bed. The sheet will act as a giant sail and grab all that air and circulate it around you. Deliciously cool. If you do it right, it's self-sustaining and the sheet will just float over you practically indefinately. You may need to hang on to the top corner of the sheet -- it sometimes wants to fly away. It's been my experience that my higher thread count (300) sheet is more effective at this than the cheapo set so if you can't get it to float on it's own or just needed an excuse to indulge there it is.

I Need Medicated

2008-07-07T20:50:00.002-05:00

I think I'm broken. Yesterday I didn't want to knit. I haven't really been in a fiber-ish frame of mind for about a week now. Sure, I still knit every day, but it's just a few desultory rounds on my travelling socks. This past three day weekend I was looking forward to knitting my heart out and maybe finishing up Mod Pods, but I barely touched my knitting. Maybe I'm depressed. I don't feel particularly sad, though. Just not like knitting. But still, I think I need to call the doctor and get some kind of medication for this. I want the good stuff, too. So I either want to knit again or don't care about knitting or anything else. Soma all around!
PS We had a good time on the 4th, I kicked the boys' butts at Wii Boxing, we ate lots of picnic food, and we did the Mentos and Diet Coke thing (pictures may follow. Dave took them with his new very expensive camera and said he would send them to me but he hasn't yet.)

Hey 19

2008-07-01T20:02:00.003-05:00

Well, it's that time of year again. Only 19 more shopping days until my birthday! Because my family and close friends read this I'll get the listing out of the way up front. So what do I want for my b-day this year? Well, I always like the surprising and unusual. Not enough to go on? Ok, here's a more detailed listing:
DVDs. This is a whole sub-genre. Star Trek TNG Season 3, Northern Exposure Season 4, The Monkees, Quantum Leap Season 3.
I like books but books are really a personal choice thing. A gift card to Borders will give both the pleasure of a book to read and of shopping for a book (twice the bang for your buck, there.)
I heard These guys on NPR this morning and now I want their cd.
Christmas cds. (I have the standards, I'm looking for the unusual and sublime. Or anything released in 2007/2008, I didn't get any new cds last year).
Chanel perfume. I'm jonesing for Cristalle or No. 29, but anything in the Chanel line would be well received.
Sparkly hair ornaments.
Dinner out and a movie would be perfect too.
Hmmmm, not more stash, I think. The amount of stash around here really is getting out of hand, and though it pains me to say it, it's starting to get me a little down. I'm having some performance anxiety with all the stash. I feel as if I need to be using it more quickly. Whatever. But speaking of stash I got my next installment of the Spunky Club. It's called "Flowering Weeds". I like.

Unfortunately, She Was Also Wired For Sound

2008-06-25T20:57:00.003-05:00

I'm wired up. I finally got my remote access account and token for work. Or as Dave puts it "Laurie told her boss she couldn't get all that work done in 40 hours a week, so they gave her remote access and now she can work 24/7." It's a bit of a mixed blessing. More convenient in some respects (I'm not waiting around late in the afternoon for stuff, I can leave and log in later from home.) Less in others. (I'll end up working alot more hours.) I've been discussing this with Dave and CQ lately, I think the 40 hour work week for white collar workers in the US is a thing of the past. I know in my current job I'm exected to put in at least 2.5 hours of extra time every week, usually more. And that's just to be considered doing my job. If I were in a union, that wouldn't be the case. I've never had a salaried position where the work week wasn't 45-50 hours a week. But what can you do? Pretty soon we'll all be working for Wal-Mart, one way or another, right?
I found my notions bag! I was doing a bit of weaving in the living room (I've been a bit hit or miss with that, I haven't been feeling up to it, but I did pretty well tonight) and I adjusted my chair a little and there it was! It was weird too, because I know I'd looked there before. (In the living room near the loom.) I'm happy to be reunited with all my notions, and I wanted to let CQ know I had it back, in case she was worried about how I was going to make it through life without my Chibi, tape measure, and Swiss Army knife.

Phenom

2008-06-24T21:31:00.002-05:00

While making the exchange of the Celtings on Saturday, Celtic Queen and I went to Bloomin Yarns, which was right around the corner from where the party we were going to was. Did you know they have Berocco Comfort yarn in both DK and sock weight? I couldn't resist. I also picked up a skein of Opal Hundertwasser yarn. Hmmm. What do you think I'm considering knitting with my purchases??? CQ got some yarn too, but I was so enamored with my own yarn that I can't remember what she got. She has her own blog anyways (not that she updates much. Tell her she should.)

The Celtings had a great time. Turns out Eldest Celting is a volleyball phenom. Never having played the game before, by the end of the day he was the only kid playing with the 18 and above crowd. Halfway through the day my BiL came over and said to me "Did you know Eldest Celting can play volleyball?"
I thought he was joking and said, "Well, he never played before today..."
He interrupted me. "No, I'm serious, he can really play -- I kept hitting the volleyball to him and he kept hitting it back, every time." He seemed a bit shaken. Easy enough to understand when you consider that the Sons are...let's just say a little challenged when it comes to sports.

The Celtings are Coming

2008-06-20T19:25:00.006-05:00

There has been some knitting going on here, although at a snail's pace. I finished another couple of Mod Pods, and turned the heel on my latest Travelling Sock. I have also received the first installment of my Vesper Sock Club which is Fab-U-Lous! I can't show the yarn because I got mine early (because I know Julia and she gave it to me at knitting last week) and I promised not to spoil the surprise. This might be the best part of being in the club: I feel like such an "insider" -- like I've been invited to sit at the cool kids table at lunch! I have plans for mine already (and the color's perfect!) Julia also gifted me with this Firestar nylon. mmmm Multi-colored sparkly stuff. I think I've died and gone to heaven.

The Celtings are coming to stay with me tomorrow evening so their parents can enjoy a well-deserved evening alone. We will be attending a graduation party in the afternoon where we will eat lots of junk food and drink plenty of sugary soda whilst running around until we get so overheated we fall over, then we'll retire to my place where we'll eat more junk food and watch Star Trek TNG whilst laying around on the big bed in our jammies, followed by sleeping and then going out to breakfast on the way home in the morning.

You're 19 and Limber

2008-06-10T19:34:00.009-05:00

What I said to Older Son when I made him look under the bed for my camera cord so I could download some pictures for this post. Lots to post about. Not really because I've been doing lots, I just waited long enough so the usual slothful pace around here looks busy.

First up, I love Spunky Eclectic. I want to adopt her as my sister. I got my order, and this green stuff? To. Die. For. It's sparkly (you can't really see in the pic, sparkles are so hard to capture in photos). I'm thinking a lace weight to make Muir. And this merino tencel? Love it! Even Celtic Queen can't dog me too much about it. I walked all over MDS&W looking for just the perfect merino/tencel roving for making socks. (Color is "Tie Dye"). My next door neighbor saw me photographing these and came over to admire them too. She wants to see what I make from them. And then last week I got my May fiber club shipment which is called "Rose Garden". Yummy! I was telling CQ about it and she felt compelled to remind me that I got the double fiber club so I would have enough to share.
In between we travelled to Dayton for Dave's neice's wedding. This is the view from our hotel room.
And here's the bride and groom. Don't they look great? And sooo young?
We went to the Air Force Museum while we were there (Dave's sister's SO is an aeronautical engineer and worked on a UAV they have there.) Dave and his sister made us stop at at Cabela's on the way home to see the stuffed (as in taxidermy) animals. When we were just about ready to leave Older Son walked over to me and said, "I've had enough of this grisly display, I'm ready to go." So we sat waiting for someone to round up Younger Son and listened to them playing Staying Alive on the muzack. OS remarked it was an ironic choice. I worked on Mod Pods in the car on the way there and back. And I've also started another new project this weekend. Yep. Finally set up the Tri-Loom.

Waiting

2008-05-22T20:39:00.003-05:00

I'm still waiting for my order to arrive from Spunky Eclectic. It's not late (4-10 days to ship because I ordered a custom color) but everyday I sit at work daydreaming about my new fiber and hoping that it's arrived early. I know, I'm lame. Nothing much else to post about -- I'm at the toe decreases on my first green sock. I've decided to try and adhere to a more strict and equitable sock knitting system here. We'll go by age. So this green pair is for Dave, then a pair for me, Older Son, and Younger Son. I am considering dropping Dave from the rotation because A) I'm not really pleased with him at the moment, B) He doesn't really wear the handknits too much, and C) Did I mention I'm not really happy with him? Although, to be fair, I'm not really happy with anyone here. I could maybe be having hormonal personality issues with everyone, but still.
I'm trying to decide what to do for WWKIP Day. We have knitting the night before so I don't know. Maybe I'll round up some of my knitting posse and we'll just hang in the hood. Cause we roll like that. Yo.

Sundays Are For Spinning

2008-05-19T19:44:00.007-05:00

I've reinstated the Sundays are for spinning program here at the G household. This week I plied up my yellow green single. I finished the spinning Friday night at Knitting and then used the generous Heather's ball winder to make a center pull ball for plying. A few tangles, but sooo much easier than the one I wound on my own. Eventually I'm going to have to break down and get a ball winder of my own. Anyways, I skeined up my bobbins and finished off my yarns. Wanna See? Of course you do. As I said, I am considering these two yarns together for a BSJ. Here're the money shots:

The blue/green multi, and

the yellow-green. They're not quite dry yet, when they are I'll reskein and estimate my yardage. I might consider the yellow green for an "Our Favorite Baby Sweater" by EZ if I have enough yardage. That leaves the multi hanging, but I might be able to think of something for it.

I've also finally finished my Noro socks. As I was finishing them up at Eat N Park Saturday night (I took Older Son out to dinner for his birthday, more on that in a minute) an older woman approached me. "I see you're knitting socks. What yarn is that you're using?"
"A Japanese yarn, it's called Noro.."
"Oh, is that the Noro sock yarn? What do you think of it?"
"Well, it's a little harsh and goes thick and thin, but I love the colors."
"Oh yes, the colors, I knit a whole coat out of the Noro last year."
She left, but I heard her say to her dinner companion "That's the Noro sock yarn." Knitters, we're everywhere.
And as I said, Sunday was also Older Son's birthday. He's 19. How did that happen?

We Need to Talk

2008-05-15T19:20:00.002-05:00

Celtic Queen called me to chat during her drive home from work tonight. Surprisingly, I was home already. So she asked what I was up to.
Me: Ordering stuff online.
CQ: WHAT are you ordering?
Me: Just some stuff from Spunky Eclectic
CQ: Like what?
Me: Well, some fiber. She had this fiber and it's sparkly I couldn't resist so I got it.
CQ: Right, and this after you bought all that Angelina fiber so you can blend up your own sparkly fiber. See, this is why you have so much stash.
Me: Yeah, well it's worse...I joined the Spunky Club. I'm getting fiber every month.
CQ: (Explodes) Laur! This is why you're never going to use up all your stash! You've gone beyond just a knitter with a stash, you've become a collector of fiber! You've got fleece to finished yarn and everything in between! You're never going to use it all.
Me: Well, I figured I could gift you and Heather with some of the fiber, that way it won't all be piling up around here...
CQ: Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, but you know it's not going to happen. You'll just keep piling it up.

Whew! Good thing I didn't mention the merino/tencel fiber I ordered or that it's not just the regular club but the double fiber club... I think she would have come over for an intervention!

And you know, originally I just wanted one of the cool stone spindles she has on the site. I forgot to order one. You know what that means -- I'll have to go back again!

The Haul

2008-05-14T19:51:00.004-05:00

Here's most of my goodies from MDS&W. Down there on the bottom is my black t-shirt,and you can see the little packets of Angelina fiber. The roving is from Gale's Art and I am totally enamoured of it. The multicolor is a "Potluck" so it's one of a kind, and when I saw it with the merino ("Lime") I had to get them. CQ and I hit her booth late, we'd seen lots of people in there earlier. I'm hoping she comes back next year because I think I want more of her stuff! I also got some roving from a youth organization that I can't find the card to tell me what their name is right now. I got two four oz bumps. The blended color you see here (showcased by Older Son who is trying out for the job of wool model this summer) is spun and plied already. Two ply, spun long draw. The other bump was this yummy yellow-green which is on my wheel right now. I tried spinning this long draw but the roving is just a bit too sticky for it so I'm using a modified short draw (worsted) technique. This will be two plied as well, and the two together (hard to tell from the photos, but the colors do coordinate) are being considered for a Baby Surprise Jacket. (Inspired by Brooklyn Tweed's handspun BSJs.)

I'm Back

2008-05-13T20:05:00.003-05:00

I'm back. I survived Maryland. I only have one picture because I spent my time taking pictures with other people's cameras. I took pictures of Celtic Queen with Casey and Jess at the Ravelry get together. (Which she hasn't posted yet.) And of Heather and Heather which she did post.
Sunday I realized I had no pictures so I made CQ snap this one of me. I did not purchase any fiber from this vendor, but CQ did. (It has sparkles in it.) I got some roving (some of which I've already spun up, Heather and I met to spin the Monday after Maryland), and some Angelina fiber for blending, a stand for my tri-loom, a double pointed needle holder, and a t-shirt. I bid and lost again on the shawls from the sheep to shawl. I got Heather's boys some stuff too. Her youngest loves red, and spinning with a drop spindle, so I got him some red roving. He was so cute when I gave it to him - he hugged it to him and ran off immediately to put it in his stash! I don't think I even bought any yarn! I was very tempted at Tess', but I had no particular project in mind, so I passed. I guess I'm serious about knitting down the stash! I'll try to post more pics tomorrow of the yarn I'm spinning now, and the rest of the fiber I bought. It's all downstairs right now and I'm too tired to go and get it.

Bleah

2008-04-30T19:39:00.002-05:00

In the words of the immortal Hans Solo*, "I feel terrible." I can't decide if I have a cold or a sudden onset of allergies. I'm not really congested, but my coughing is definately caused by a persistent post-nasal drip. So far all my secretions are clear, so it's not an infection. Just a ginormous pain. I had to leave a meeting today because I was coughing so much. Still working like a dog (but did I tell you, the owner of the company came in and saw me slaving away on Sunday?) Sleeping is problematic, as soon as I lay down, I start coughing and choking, but if I prop myself up it hurts my back. I HATE BEING SICK!! Gosh, I hope I feel better by Saturday.

Celtic Queen, you are absolutely correct! That is the Trekking you got me, prominently displayed because I found it in the attic stash when I was up there looking for my Color in Spinning book and decided to use it for my next pair of travelling socks. (Rainbow Noro, then rainbow Trekking. Everyone on the shuttle will think all I ever knit is rainbow socks!) And, you do get what's left. I had to have the brakes fixed on the Wooly Express (aka my minivan) in preparation for Maryland this weekend. When we picked it up, Dave reminded me to drive carefully "just in case."
"If I have a catastrophic brake failure," I said, "make sure the lawsuit covers the boys' college expenses, and give all my yarn stash to CQ."
"Don't worry," he said. "I definately won't be hoarding any yarn." (Hmmmph, see if he gets another sweater!) Then he asked "What about Heather?" (See, Heather, Dave's got your back!)
"CQ will share it with her," I said. Jeesh, was he expecting me to spout off my whole last will and testament? I trust CQ (but you'd better stay on her good side, Heather, just in case.)

*When I typed this out it suddenly struck me "Hans Solo" "Single Hand" as in single handedly saves the day. Duh. Am I the last Star Wars fan in America to make that connection? Ah well, I can't be brilliant all the time, it comes and goes...

The Gauntlet is Thrown

2008-04-29T20:08:00.004-05:00

Did you hear it? Back a couple of days ago? Celtic Queen threw down the challenge that I couldn't spin/knit up all my stash in my lifetime. I think I can. I usually don't like to post pictures of my environs, but just so you can see what we're dealing with here, this is one of my smaller stash repositories. (The smallest is in the attic and is really just a clothes basket Dave filled with the overflow from this repository and carted to the attic). This one is what I keep on hand in the bedroom. Most of this is recent purchases. Both the containers are stuffed. There are I think six more containers in the basement and eight more out in the garage. I think I'm going to have to get seriously to work on proving her wrong. Just after I get back from Maryland. (That usually makes most of a container itself every year.)

In our regular State of the Knitter update, my back is much better, I was able to go a whole week without having to take any pain medication. I am however, suffering from a horrible chest cold, as are both the sons, but neither as bad as me. I think I was also maybe a little bit delirious the other day too because I was looking at the light fixture in my bedroom and decided it looked like a mean face. I remember thinking it, and I was so struck by it that I took this picture of it to share on the blog. But for the life of me, I don't see it now.

What do you think? Can you see the mean face? Maybe I'll make this my new avatar on Ravelry.

Remember

2008-04-28T19:49:00.002-05:00

Remember when you were a kid and the days were longer? When you had time to walk places? Spend an afternoon laying on your bed reading a good book? Stay up late to watch television after everyone else was asleep? What happened? How did the days get to be so short? An afternoon used to be plenty of time to read a book, play a game of basketball or four square, maybe walk to the store for some candy and still be home for dinner. And then there'd be time for a game of sardines before going to bed. Remember when an hour was a long time? A week was forever. I want those long days back! Seems like I exhale twice and the day is gone now. Anyways, just something I thought of on drive home today (after working another 12+ hours.) They don't pay me enough.

Hello Goodbye

2008-04-24T21:03:00.003-05:00

I've been incredibly busy at work. The long and the short of it is that the project I told my boss I would need at least two weeks to set up and 2 weeks to test was handed to me late Monday with a deadline of next Monday. Of course, when we had our original conversation over a month ago I was assured by her that No, I was not going to get this project... So I worked twelve and a half hours yesterday and 14 hours today. And it looks like it's going to be 12 to 14 hour days through next Wednesday, at least. [sigh] So when I went out to move my car (we have free parking, but it's off-site and the lot closes at 7:00, but I can put my car in the on-site lot after 5:00) and grab some dinner a block down the road I ducked into Natural Stitches for a bit of a breather.
Still feeling self-indulgent, I bought myself some superwash roving to make some socks. I probably shouldn't have, because I'll be going to Maryland next week, but I needed a little pick-me-up. Which got me to thinking, exactly how long would it take me to spin/knit up all my stash....

Mod Pods

2008-04-22T19:16:00.005-05:00

Friday night I purchased Knitting Nature by Nora Gaughan. I'd been looking at it for awhile, and trying to decide if I wanted it or not. Friday I was feeling a little self-indulgent, so I got it. I love it! I got as far as the first chapter (hexagons) and I had to start knitting. I admit to having a certain fascination with hexagons for quite some time.
Here's my first attempt, knitting from the center out. I ripped this out and decided that maybe the designer knew what she was talking about (you think?) when she knit hers (the Snapping Turtle Skirt) from the outside in. Furthermore, it was a cinch to pick up and knit the next hexagon from the cast-on edge.
So I gathered up some old acrylic from the stash to experiment. I call them Mod Pods. Totally addictive. These will probably be a baby blanket done in 6 x 6 Pods. But, imagine these done with lots of oddballs of sock yarn (looking at you, Heather.) I'm thinking Grandma's Flower Garden here. How cool would that be? And a great stash buster, too. I'll keep you updated with progress.

Card Me

2008-04-21T16:44:00.008-05:00

Last week was Heather's birthday, so we had a little party for her at Knitting Knite. (You know me, any excuse to eat baked goods!) So off I went to the store in search of a birthday card....
First up, Pirates! Ok, but not really Heather's style. (But you know, Johnny Depp is nice to look at.) Still, not quite what I was going for.
Next, a round up of cowboys. I definately had to consider these for awhile. But, after some serious observation I decided they weren't quite right, either.
So I moved on to... A birthday Pickle? This really appealed to my quirky sense of humor, but Heather is a bit more mainstream than me. (And it just seemed a little too weird coming right on the heels of the cowboys.)
What else can we find here? How about a princess? Definate possibilities. Heather's a princess, and there are some sparkles on the card... Heather really likes sparkles! But the inscription was just a little too juvenile. So what did I finally settle on?
It's sparkly, and it said some of the nice things I think about Heather. And I got some flower cookies and "Happy Birthday" candles too! Heather brought cupcakes, as well. So there was much celebration and we did feast on the yummy baked goods. Isn't that how everyone's birthday should be?

Icy Moonlight

2008-04-16T20:57:00.004-05:00

It's completed! I said as I was knitting this that it could be the most beautiful thing I've ever knitted. The picture in no way does it justice. (And it's freaking hard to take a picture of yourself in the mirror!) It's so sparkly in real life! Knit with Kid Silk Night in Moonlight with Swaroski crystals (also Moonlight). Mmmmm. Just in time for the warm weather. Not sure if it suits me or not. I think I'm going to see if they want to use it as a shop model at Bloomin Yarns over the summer.

And I Need to Knit got her Absolutely Fabulous afghan kit she won here! Yay! The yarn looks yummy, I can't wait to see it in progress. She picked the "Knitted Scallops" version, which is I think the one I would pick.

In your State of the Knitter update I have to say that I'm feeling much better! My good days are getting better and my bad days are not so bad. Work is still a challenge, and the guys are still...guys. What can I say? Oh, and Dave didn't make it to the Post Office last night. This is the first time he's missed, but I'm still mad. I told him I was going to do the taxes next year. (He worked late so as to avoid me today.) Next up -- Lawn Wars!

Ding!

2008-04-15T20:46:00.006-05:00

I think you're right with your first guess, Heather! Celtic Queen didn't quite get it, I explained it to her via email today. Although to be fair to the parties involved here I think it may just have been brought to their attention that they were vulnerable. Not that I have any kind of vested interest in this one way or another. I'm not suprised that IK as a business is acting like a business. I've managed to get one way or another just about all the patterns I wanted from both IK and MagKnits, and those that I missed, well, I'm ok with it. I was not happy, I told the party involved I wasn't, and that's that. What gets me is that no one (and there are over 500 posts to the thread) has put the things I mentioned together. I was wondering if it was just me.

As to why I'm not participating in forums anymore, it's because it's the same old same old, and I had enough of that in the old Knitlist and r.c.t.y. days. (Interesting aside -- Did you know I wrote the original (maybe only) FAQ for r.c.t.y?) Also, I felt that the news groups (particularly r.c.t.n.) were ruined when designers started showing up because then everyone started getting all fangirly over them and you couldn't express any kind of criticism about a design without starting Flame War 2000. I'm seeing some of that in the Ravelry forums, along with threats to "pull the plug" if we don't all get along. I don't care for flame wars, but I don't think anyone benefits from having all criticism squashed in a forum, and there's only so much reading of "You're so wonderful, it's so great that you're part of this forum, we'll do/say anything you want, just don't leave!" that I really care to read. Bleah.

Anyways, I've finished my first Noro Sock(again!) It fits like a glove. (Fits like a glove, Hee! I'm easily amused.) I'll cast on the second tomorrow. I also finished my Moonlight Ice cowl, but I'm waiting on blocking for good pics. And I'm up after 11 PM because Dave is still doing our taxes. He cut it pretty close this year, he had to enlist me to help and he's still just going to squeak by at midnight.

Puzzling

2008-04-14T20:24:00.003-05:00

There's a big bruhaha going on in the Ravelry forum now about Interweave's decision to pull many of their free patterns from the web. I happened to get in early on in the fray and posted several times. But as things played out, it seemed that everything may not have been as it seemed at first. (Isn't life always that way?) For various reasons, I've decided to lay off the forum posting for awhile (and just stick to my FO stalking, which I find extremely enjoyable. Different things, and all that.) I really don't have the energy to argue with twenty-seven thousand people who haven't read the entire 40+ post long thread, so I'm going to post it here. And tell me, can you read between the lines here? Or is it just me? Ok, here we go:
1) IK pulls down free patterns from their site sometime Friday
2) IK's rep on Ravelry confirms the patterns were pulled (less than an hour later) and says that it was because IK re-negotiated contracts with designers.
3) Lots of negative feedback from Ravellers
4) Designer states that IKs first digital rights contract was unfair but second much better. Goes on to say that the original contract gave IK the right to put up a pattern online in perpetuity without getting any consent from the designer.
5) More complaining
6) Designer posts that in pattern publishing the publication rights return to the designer (depending on contract) in 6 months to 2 years.
7) More complaining
8) IK rep posts again and says that under the "new contract" with designers that certain patterns had to be removed from the site by a certain date.
9) IK rep posts again and says they could not make any exceptions, nor could they give warning that the patterns were going because of "legal/contractual issues". Goes on to say that she brought up the issue of notifying the knitting community that the patterns were going and was told she could not because of "legal/contractual issues."
10) IK rep posts again and reiterates that the "new contract" replaces any older contract because of "contractual/legal issues" and that the old contracts were not written with the internet in mind.
11) IK rep posts again and says there was a "very short period of time" between drafting contracts and having to implement them.
12) IK rep posts and says she can't give all the answers and that "Possibly, I have already said too much."
13) Links to a designer's blog where she details the IK contracts. Highlights are: the ORIGINAL (old old?) contract did not give IK rights to distribute patterns on the web.This changed a few years ago (dated by referenced design to post-2004). IK was soliciting designers to sign a new contract (the "old contract" referred to above) giving them (IK) digital rights to distribute previously published patterns with no further compensation to the designer. This was in late Dec. of 2007. Understandably, not many designers signed on. In late January of 2008 IK was still at it, trying to get the designer to accept the agreement for her design to be in the e-book "Best Of" collection as voted by KD readers. Terms were still the same. Late Feb. the new contract comes out that is way more fair, giving designers choices and better compensation, etc. etc.
14) People begin listing patterns that were taken down from the KD site and some of them were originally published by IK in 2000 and 2001.

HMMM. Lets look at all the pieces and mix them up a bit, shall we? What, what could have made IK change the terms of their contract so drastically between Jan. 20 and Feb 20? Sure there was a sort of grass roots organization of designers asking for more rights, and there was that contest going on, but...Look at numbers 6,9,8,10,11,13, and 14 in that order. Does anyone else see what I see? Or is it just me?

Real Love

2008-04-09T19:30:00.006-05:00

See the couple in this picture? (Sorry about the blurriness, I was far away.) I don't know who they are, or even anything about them, but I've been seeing them for I guess about two years now when I pick up prescriptions for my dad. The woman has leg braces and crutches, and she's struggling along on the sidewalk of the shopping plaza, walking up and down. Over and over. I've seen them every evening I've been there, so I assume they must go every night and spend a fair amount of time at it. The man walks with her, slightly behind, and gives her a little support every now and then (you can see his hand on her back here.) I saw them today and it struck me that this, this is real love. It makes me wonder if my guys would be as patient with me? (Some days I think they can't wait to just kick me to the curb.) Would I? How about you? Count your blessings!

I have my first daffodil bloom! My daffodil has a nice baker's dozen of blooms this year. This is the first, it looks like there will be a few more open by tomorrow morning.

Vanilla

2008-04-08T20:05:00.002-05:00

Since I haven't posted an update pic lately, here's where I am with my Noro sock. I'm hoving in on the toe, slowly but surely. I get about 5 or 6 rounds a day while riding the shuttle to and from work, and the occasional needle when I'm waiting for a script to finish running at work. Still really liking the yarn and the socks. I've come to the conclusion that I really prefer knitting these plain vanilla socks. I should start a group "Plain Sock Knitters". Otherwise, I'm still obsessed with the Ravelry. I've spotted Heather and DarkaKnits in the Faves, so I've managed to convince myself I'm on the fringe of popularity. I think that different people find different things from this site. Currently I'm like the Fairy Godmother of the Favorites. For the past several days I've been clicking through all the FOs and when I see something I like, if it's not already a favorite, I'll favorite it. I'm endlessly intrigued as to why one version of a pattern gets 27 favorites, and another only 1. There's some great knitting/crocheting out there, and no one's looking at it! And, I've found some great patterns this way! But the flip side of that coin is, Geez, everybody's making the same things! The Koolhaus Hat, the Hemlock Blanket, Fetching; you know the drill. Makes me want to knit just my own designs. And, of course, plain vanilla socks. Oh, and by a freak coincidence, my sister is in Charlotte tonight where Yarn Harlot is. But she wouldn't go and get me a book signed.

My Hair Hurts

2008-04-07T20:21:00.004-05:00

A couple of things to share. My cubemate found out Friday she is having a boy. So that's a blessing, I can make a nominal hand knit (I'm thinking a hat) and I'm done. Of course I'm going to go for the screaming-est multicolor I can find! Another friend I work with (we went to school together and worked together at my last job, too) is going to be a dad also, so I have another venue where my knits will be more appreciated.
Saturday was Bloomin Yarns birthday party. So I went. I got there late because I had to work - it was a carry-over from Friday night, when I was late to knitting, too. Friday did not go well for me (and, not my fault!) at one point I looked at my co-worker who was trying to help me out and said "I'm in so much pain I think my hair hurts." She just looked at me like "You're so wierd." Anyways, I was telling CQ this on Friday and we were talking about yarn (btw, her Adult Tulip! Yummy! You have to come to our Knitting group and see it in person, pictures just don't do it justice (and she doesn't update her blog enough anyways. But go look now, she's making fun of me!))
ANYWAYS, and I was debating buying more yarn and she said, "You should get something nice! You deserve it, you hair hurts!" So I did. Carol Martin of Farmhouse Yarns was there and of course there was a ton of her yarns. So I started rummaging around in the bins, pulling out skeins and keeping in mind what DPUTiger had said about the differences in skeins even within the same colorway. I wanted a sweater's worth of yarn, not just a single skein project. So this is my solution, and I'm thinking stripes, starting with the dark green (Balsam Fir) and moving up to the green/burgundy (Autumn) then to green/burgundy/gold (Indian Corn) and ending in the green/gold/cream (Harvest).
That's my tentative sequence, I'll make final decisions when I'm getting ready to start knitting at which time I'll untwist and lay out the full skeins and get a good read on total colors and values. I've queued up the "Hurry Up Last Minute Sweater" by EZ for these. (The yarn is Andy's Merino II.) I heard later that Carol Martin was very excited about my idea and was going to try pull some more groupings like this together. Yay me! Even if it's me who says it, I really do think this is a good way to get a sweater's worth of yarn when you're buying multi-color individually dyed skeins (and easier on the wallet, you don't necessarily have to get them all at once!) I also like the dark to light thing (it's flattering).
And speaking of my hair, I came to the sudden realization this weekend that my hair is now grey. No longer greying, but grey. [sigh]

What's a Knitter to Do?

2008-04-03T21:31:00.002-05:00

I'm thinking about baby knits. My cubemate at work is expecting. (She should find out tomorrow if it's a boy or a girl.) I would like to make something for her, BUT (you knew there'd be a "but", right?) here's the thing. I gifted her with a multi-directional scarf knit in yarn I got especially to match her coat for Christmas (she even noticed and mentioned when I gave it to her "Oh, this is the same color as my coat!") and she never wore it. Never. As in not at all, even though she wore another scarf (from Gap) almost every day. So, not a big appreciator of the handknits. I'm thinking, though, that she's kind of expecting (dreading?) that I'll knit something for the baby. And truth be told, I kinda want to knit something for the baby. But I don't really want to invest alot of time or money on something that won't really be appreciated. And it's got to be machine washable. I have some yarn in the stash that would do, foremost among them Cotton Tots, Cotton Ease, Moda Dea Sassy Stripes, and Jamie. But what to make? As much as I would like to make Hemlock Ring or something else vintage, realistically, it would be a waste of my time here. I'm currently leaning towards a 5HBS in the Cotton Tots (what I have most of in the stash) in either a pink multi and white with a bonnet (girl) or a blue multi and white hooded (for a boy). But then I think this might be the perfect opportunity to design a baby something. I have enough cotton/hemp yarn in natural to make a blanket, but I don't think I really want to make that kind of effort here. Ah, it's a losing battle here. I'm thinking whatever I make won't be used. Maybe I should just stick to a couple pairs of booties and call it a day. One of my knitting friends needs to have a baby!

Killing Time

2008-04-02T19:29:00.003-05:00

Well, I've been killing time hanging out over at Ravelry checking out all the New FOs. (That's how I spotted Heather's Cobblestone. I was just clicking along and said "Hey, I know that guy.") Wonder how long I can keep it up? Oh, and I'm LaurieG63 on Ravelry. And Lisabee wins for being the first Raveler I know to have a favorite pop up when I look at the "Random Selection of Faves". It's kinda cool seeing what everyone's making. But I have to tell you, this is seriously cutting into my video watching schedule. I've got seasons of Quantum Leap, The West Wing, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, and Stargate Atlantis in a holding pattern here. Not to mention that Steven sent me off to Hulu.com. WKRP in Cincinnati! (Older Son and I watched the Turkey episode yesterday. "Oh, the humanity!") Original Battlestar Galactica! Outer Limits! Way to much video viewing. So needless to say, I haven't been knitting much. Still knitting my Noro socks. Yesterday I did a little ripping and adjusting on my Icy Moonlight cowl. I should be done -- I took things a little too far (can't tell you how many times that has happened to me!) so I have to rip back a bit more and then do the finishing rows on either end.

I've Decided

2008-03-31T16:45:00.004-05:00

Well, I got sucked back into Ravelry this weekend. (I hadn't been there since my fall in November.) To be honest, I have mixed feelings about Ravelry. I keep getting the same vibes I had in High School, to whit: I'm not really part of the "In Crowd". Am I the only knitter on the planet who finds it just a teensy bit...cliquish? Anyways, back to my point, I spent several hours over the weekend looking at "a random assortment of Favorites" (which brings me back to the clique thing again. Not one single Raveler of my acquaintance had a project show up here. What are the odds of that? That's alot of little hearts to skip over. And before you ask, I was seeing repeats of other projects.) OK, ok, back on track. One of the projects I did see, and put in my queue was the cardigan I'm going to use all my skeins of Highlander to make. Yeah! You can see it here. Now I just have to decide on the range of my stripes (I'm thinking 1-15 rows) and then assign numbers to the colors and do a couple of random draws to set up the color sequence and the stripe widths. I've already decided the edgings will all be in the Blackthorn color, and in seed stitch. But gosh, I've got alot of balls to wind. Wonder who could help me with that??
Here's how far I got on my Green Cotton Sock over the weekend. This yarn definately gets a thumbs up from me. IMHO it may be the ideal cotton sock yarn. (I hear rumors that someone makes a variegated version. Be still my heart.) (And notice how I "posed" it? I'm trying.)

Pictures

2008-03-28T18:01:00.007-05:00

Still trying to include the arty pictures. It doesn't help that I visited BrooklynTweed today either. I finished the Grey Cotton Socks last night. (What do you think of this picture? I'm thinking maybe a C). I thought the grey sock would show up nicely against the cool yellow color my hallway is painted. But it was too dark for the picture without the flash, and I couldn't back away enough to soften it out because I had to hold the sock myself. (I think this one is definitely a D.) I need better lighting and an assistant. (This would be true in all aspects of my life. I can't think of a single situation that wouldn't be improved by better lighting and an assistant.) Since I finished the grey sock, that meant that my favorite set of 2.25mm double points were free so I cast on immediately with my new cotton "sock yarn". (Also known as 8/4 carpet warp.) I chose this green color as the antithesis of the grey cotton socks I was struggling with for so long. So far I really like the yarn. I got some for dyeing, and some Procion MX fiber reactive dyes. The mind boggles. (How about this picture? Not as good as the first, but better than the second. I'll give it a C-. I guess I could have done something more artistic with the loops of yarn. It occurs to me I need better props, too.)

In other news, I was punished for leaving work early yesterday by being rear-ended on my drive home. The impact was hard enough to make my head snap back, but other than a slight headache when I got home, I seem to be none the worse for wear. And it doesn't look like there's any damage to the car. We're probably going to take it and have it checked over the weekend, though. Is it wrong that I'm secretly hoping they don't find anything, because I really don't want to be bothered?

I just had Younger Son get me a hot water bottle to put on my foot because I have a cramp. I remember my mom getting bad cramps in her feet when I was a kid, and I'd have to massage them out for her (I told YS how lucky he is.) Come to think about it, my mom would have been the same age then as I am now.

And finally, I had an absolutely delicious dream last night. It's been cheering me up all day. It's been years since I had such a happy dream. Usually my dreams are either 1)Anxious, 2)Apocalyptic, or 3)Just weird.

Daffodils and Devastation

2008-03-27T17:34:00.005-05:00

Here are my daffodils I got for Daffodil Days at work. It's not quite the same as my last job, where virtually everyone got some daffodils and the whole floor was scented with them, but still nice. They've been brightening my desk since Tuesday.
I admit it. I was reading Yarnstorm today and I started thinking to myself, "Why don't I have arty pictures on my blog? I could probably get a book deal, and start working from home. I could finally do a real deep cleaning and decluttering so I could invite people to my house. Older son would invite a girl home to meet us and friends to study with and that will lead to his successful independent life. I would be here with Younger Son after school and turn him from the path of delinquency he's hurtling down. I'd make dinners every day and the guys and I would sit around the table smiling and happy. Everyone here would love me and no one would ever argue with me about doing the laundry or the dishes, they'd all be happy to help out."
So here's the picture of my devastated Easter bunny. I started with the ears and all that's left is his bottom. What do you think? Maybe I need a new camera.

Pillows of the Earth

2008-03-26T19:06:00.001-05:00

When I got my new bed I had to get new bedding (because this bed is bigger than any bed I've ever had. Ever!) and so I got one of those "Bed in a Bag" things with the skirt, comforter, sheets, pillowcases. I also got two extra sets of two pillowcases (four total) in a coordinating solid because we like alot of pillows. So that's six pillowcases in all. I sleep with three, I figured Dave sleeps with three, we're all set. NO. I don't know where Dave is pulling these pillows from, but everyday when I come to bed there're more pillows in need of pillowcases. And I know that Dave had them squirreled away in some secret lair known only to him (I'm beginning to be suspicious of the attic, though) because they're just here when I get home, which means that he's digging them out in the mornings after I leave for work. I swear that the one laying next to me now is one I got rid of in 1999 (or it's that one's twin.) I told him to buy new ones, which he did, but now he's unwilling to part with any of the old ones. Pretty soon he won't be able to fit in the bed anymore (you think I'm giving up my half for him and his pillow fetish?) That's my Noro sock in the front there, to give a bit of scale to the picture. I've turned the heel and am starting my gusset. Excitement! Still haven't finished the grey socks, maybe I'll do it tonight. And I'm starting to get psyched for MDS&W!! I think I might try to score some Kauni yarn. Anyone know for sure of a vendor who will be there with some?

And the Winner Is...

2008-03-24T18:39:00.005-05:00

Drumroll please... I tallied my "Good Deed" comments and used a random number generator on the web to pick a winner and it's....Deborah at I Need To Knit. Who only entered once, but that's all it takes! Congratulations, Deborah! Contact me via e-mail with your color preference and address and I'll get on the phone and order your kit asap! You must blog about it extensively, so I feel like I've knit one of these, but don't have to make any kind of effort :) And I think this will make excellent recovery knitting. My mom was in and out of the hospital several times before she died, and after the initial crisis was over, and we knew that this time she would be ok, I used to go and sit with her in the evenings and knit. She'd watch her TV shows, and we'd sometimes chat, sometimes just sit in companionable silence. It was pleasant for both of us; the boys were very young, and I didn't have alot of opportunities to just sit and knit, and my mom was happy just to have someone there with her who was happy to be there. They're some of my best memories of time spent with her.

My new bed was delivered on Saturday! Yay! It ginormous! It feels like Dave's over there in a whole other country. I've slept great these past two nights, too. I love it.
Speaking of the new bed, when we took out the old bed, guess what I found? (Well, lots of dust buffaloes, but besides that.) Yes! The mate to the Grey Sock. Right where I thought it was, and had even looked for it several times, but it had gotten wedged between the bed frame and the wall, so I couldn't spot it until I moved the bed out of the way completely. And joy of joy, the second sock is close enough in size that I'll call them a match! I'm working the toe decreases on it now.
And lest we forget the Noro sock, I'm almost done with the heel flap.

Sprung

2008-03-20T19:45:00.004-05:00

Spring has arrived! I saw about 10,000 robins while out driving around today, and the bulbs in front of my work building are definately coming up (I keep forgetting to check on the progress of my daffodil while there's enough daylight to see it). Easter on Sunday, I think that wraps it all up. I wore my sweater today for Fred's Birthday. And I am off work tomorrow! Too bad I'm going to spend the whole day cleaning my bedroom in preparation for the arrival of my new bed on Saturday.
I'm feeling better today, it was a good day. Probably because yesterday was a bad day and I woke up this morning convinced I'm going to have to have back surgery in the near future. That's the way my life goes.
So I was feeling good, I don't have to get up for work tomorrow, why didn't I get to the knitting at Bloomin Yarns tonight, as I told people I would? Well, I got lost. I tried to go that way that I went with Celtic Queen those times that's so much shorter and easier. I was running late, it was almost 7:00 and the knitting group is only there until 8:00...Well I guess I should have made that right there where I wasn't sure if I should turn or not, because I ended up making a big huge circle and was back where I started from at 7:25. (But I did find out where that road goes if you follow it all the way to the end.) So I just headed home instead and consoled myself with a DQ Blizzard on the way. But I will make it to Borders for knitting tomorrow night (I think I can find my way there, and even if I can't, I'll have CQ along to steer me right!) I'm working on heel of my Noro sock.

I'm Here

2008-03-18T17:50:00.006-05:00

Sorry for being absent. I've spent the last three evenings reading this book, which was lent to me by Julia one of the regulars at my Friday Night Knitting group. A good book, not my usual fare, but I recommend it.

Things are a little better here as well. I'm feeling surprisingly better pain-wise. After a couple days of being a little panicky about taking anything for the pain, I've settled into a routine that works well for me. I've been taking it easy, and I bought a new bed (KING size!) as several people mentioned that that may help (most particularly my sister, who had actually slept in my bed while she was staying with me, and therefore knew how old and saggy it was -- I got it about fifteen years ago from my mom when she decided it was too worn out for her to use any more.) The guys still don't really "get it" that I can't do stuff and whinge and moan about helping me (as if I would depend on the lot of them if I had a choice!) and my house looks like it should be on Mission: Organization. But hey, I'll take what I can get, and a little less pain today than yesterday is cause for celebration. And there's a glimmer of hope for the guys. Yesterday Dave and Younger Son went to the library and they checked out this book for me:
I've just skimmed through it and it looks like I was doing all the wrong things to deal with my back. (They're not really keen on chiropractic care at Johns Hopkins. And gee, since I stopped seeing the chiropractor twice a week I'm starting to feel better. Hmmmm.)

Knitting continues, my ball is pink now, and I'm feeling that I'll be starting my heel flap sometime tomorrow. And I've started down the foot on this wonderful grey sock. Grey knitting. In March, I know.