Adventures of a Busy Mama

Well...damn.

2010-10-05T19:09:00.004-04:00

So I came here, and posted that I would start posting. Heh.

My life has changed drastically since Feb 20, 2010. I guess you can say I'm a stronger person, but honestly I just feel a little beat down.

Sometime around Thanksgiving last year we found out DH was deploying again. Since I was in nursing school I knew it would be a challenge but not impossible. The boys were in school the same time I was and as long as no one got sick I was good right? Things were good, until February 22nd. When I wrote my last post, Jaylen was really down. He told me he missed his daddy and that was understandable, but then he started acting really weird. He was always thirsty and started wetting the bed. This is a kid that never had accidents, so I made him an appointment for Tuesday the 23rd.

Monday morning he threw up all over the floor (again, not like him to not make it to the bathroom) and just looked...bad. I made an appointment for that morning and took him in. The doctor we saw told me it was probably psychological, and wrote the vomiting off as a stomach bug (the other kids were sick the week before). We went to the lab to leave some urine and she sent us home. I remember looking at how skinny he was and thinking "something isn't right"

It wasn't. There was glucose in his urine. We got the call to come back in for a blood test and his blood glucose reading was 458. He was in DKA. That's how we found out that my 9yo was a type 1 diabetic. His pancreas had probably been on the decline for a while, but people usually don't show symptoms until it can no longer compensate. He went straight to the pediatric ICU where he stayed for 3 days. He was so dehydrated they had to put an IV in his neck.

I had one kid in one school, one kid in another, one kid in the hospital, and a deployed husband. I had no time to 'think', I had to 'do'.

The boys stayed with a neighbor for the first few days. The hospital was across town, so I spent a lot of time driving back and forth. Jaylen would cry every time I left. DH was able to come home for 10 days emergency leave and my sister flew from NY to help because I hadn't slept a full night in 4 days. Thank goodness.

Well DH went back overseas, my sis went back to NY, and the dust settled. We tried our best to settle into our new lifestyle. Jaylen had (has) to account for everything that went into his mouth. We counted carbs, and weighed portions. He was taking at least 7 shots a day. My kid is a trooper, he never complained.

Very soon we talked with his endocrinologist and diabetes educator about an insulin pump. We got him started on an Omnipod and never looked back!

Just when I think 2010 gave it to me good, we get orders. With DH still deployed that leaves me to get the house market ready. Remember I'm still in school? Ugh!

So now it's April, and we're MD bound so I have a lot of work to do. I've rambled enough though so I'll tell y'all about that next time.

coughcough

2010-02-20T22:17:00.002-05:00

Whew! I think it's about time I blew the dust off of this blog.

Things are busy as they always are, but I'm still spinning, knitting and mothering and I miss talking about it all. That is, if anyone is still around to listen...

Progress? Not so much.

2008-09-04T13:02:00.003-04:00

I've done 2 more pattern repeats on my sock, not that you can tell...
How sad. Looks like the same picture from last time, huh? I need to be studying for a test today. I need to work on a project. I need to step away from this computer.

the daily grind

2008-09-02T08:49:00.014-04:00

When you're a kid, you think it's gonna be so much fun once you grow up. What you don't realize is that grownups do the same thing, just about every.single.day.

Yes many of us, myself included, are to some extent creatures of habit. I like my coffee a certain way, and I like it in a certain mug. I prefer to knit my socks top-down on DPNs and don't really care to do it any other way.
But the other stuff? If I could have a day where no one would make a mess? It would be amazing...no one would dirty a dish, create and laundry, need to eat. Hell in my fantasy, just for the day, the cat wouldn't even need to use the litter box.

I really can't complain, though. When DH was first deployed I would always ask him how things were and he would say 'same old same old'. He told me that his days were like the movie 'Groundhog Day'. I thought about it, and he has a point.

The kids not only drive me nuts, they keep it interesting. There is always someone around to sing me a song, show me a dance or tell me a joke (even if it's not funny). Then there is school, which is nothing if not a new adventure every night. Tonight I am in the postpartum unit. There is always drama in the postpartum unit.

So when I'm done with this post and go upstairs to switch out a load of laundry, and then empty the dishwasher, I'll try and remind myself of all of the excitement in my life. Maybe it will pump me up to go to the grocery store and get my oil changed, and come home and do homework.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though I have a preferred way to knit my socks, I'm always on the lookout for DPNs to love. Those in that picture up there are the Knit Picks Options. It's my first time ever knitting with metal and I don't know how I feel about it yet. I think they make my hand cramp up, and I'm not a tight knitter. I'll use them, but I don't love them. I have a set of the Harmony but they are just too dark for my tastes. I do like to knit with them though.

BTW, those socks up there? They are the Maelstrom socks from Twist Collective. I joined Sock Knitters Anonymous on Ravelry and the sock is for the September installment of sockdown. I'm also still working on my failed Olympic project, Loppem from Norah Gaughan Vol. 3.

This sweater had two false starts. I'm also annoyed with the amount of errata but it's coming along nicely now. One thing I do like is that the pattern gives you the height of the model. In this case the model is 5'2'', and the sweater comes down to about her hips. Well, there was no way that 9'' from the armhole dowm was going to be anywhere near long enough for my 5'7'' frame. So I added length. A lot of length. Also, the sweater is very green...the yarn is Andean Silk in 'leaf'. I couldn't get the color to come through in the picture.

I still spin, too. Unfortunately I usually only have time for knitting or spinning here as of late, but I did recently finish some stuff...

I really do hope that when DH gets back (less than two weeks to go now. Yay!) that I will be able to drag the wheel out more often.

Well it is time to finish off my coffee and get started with that daily grind because before I know it it's time to go to school and my day is OVER!

Had to take a break...

2008-07-31T11:52:00.008-04:00

and a rest...

We had a party with cake...

and even ate some...

Now we're ready to get back to this blogging business!

Sorry I've been slacking folks. With hubby deployed and school in full swing for me I've been (heh) busy. Not to mention the total time stealer that is Ravelry. I love Ravelry. I will be back later this afternoon with some blog housekeeping, you know like adding links and deleting others. Now we must tackle the monster better known as shopping for school supplies!

Coffee Swap!

2007-10-16T10:13:00.000-04:00

Here are my answers for the coffee swap 3 questionnaire...

1. Whole bean or ground?

I'm partial to whole bean, but wouldn't turn my nose up at ground.

2. Fully-loaded or decaf?
And the point of decaf would be...? Fully loaded for sure!

3. Regular or flavored?
Both have their place. I really like all of the flavors that come out this time of year though...pumpkin spice, gingerbread, etc.

4. How do you drink your coffee?
Cream and sugar.

5. Favorite coffee ever?
I don't necessarily have a favorite, I like a nice medium roast for everyday. The dark french stuff very rarely.

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do?
I'm not too fussy, but I don't buy Folgers or Maxwell house.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee?
I have a serious sweet tooth, and a weakness for chocolate. I'm not a big fan of nuts in my baked goods.

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences?
Not that I can think of...

9. Yarn/fiber you love?
I like blends...cotton/wool, wool/silk..stuff like that. Laceweight and sock yarn are always crowd pleasers!

10. Yarn/fiber you hate?

I don't like most furry/flashy/synthetic yarns.

11. What's on your needles?
A garnstudio jacket in Berocco Ultra Alpaca, the Secret of the Stole in Skacel laceweight, a baby dress in O~Wool, and the Josephine Top in Rowan 4ply cotton. Oh, and a Monkey sock but I might rip it because I don't know that I like the yarn/pattern combo.

12. Favorite colors?
I love to knit and spin all colors! My favorites come and go depending on my mood and the season. I'm loving all the fall colors...colors of the changing leaves. I have to pretend, since where I live it's hot as hades 10 months out of the year.

13. Allergies?

Smoke and dust. Looks like I'm allergic to mountain cedar too but that is really irrelevant!

14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? No, not really. Any questions just ask but I'm pretty easy!

It's a gloomy day around these parts. Thankfully this means a slight drop in temperature but it's still humid as all get out. I should be reading for class tonight but I'm knitting on my Drops jacket and surfing the web. I might even spin for a little bit. I'm such a rebel ;p~

Because we're high-tech like that...

2007-10-12T17:49:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you can read that name in 8-year-old scribble, but it says Claude. Yay Claude! Claudine is blogless, but she now has $10 to spend any way she wants at Dame Candle Co. Thanks to everyone who commented!

Amy, your yarn has been soaked and skeined (is that a word?). It's ready to go...

I hope you like it! Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Monday

2007-10-09T09:58:00.000-04:00

What? It's Tuesday? Well whatever, it feels like Monday to me.

Yes, I had school last night. A test even. But everyone else was home so I didn't have to get up at 6am and get 2 out of 3 kids on a schoolbus, and that my friends is a vacation. Because let me tell you, children can try your patience at 6am before coffee.

Take today for example. Some of what I am about to tell you is my fault. No one looked in the kids' backpacks this weekend. The conversation last night went something like this...

me: did you go through the kids' stuff?
dh: no, I thought you did.
me: that's ok, I'll do it in the morning.

yeah, I know.

Anyway, this morning I stumble out of bed and grab the backpacks while the boys are getting dressed. I stick my hand in my 6yo'd bag and straight into some mush. Ack. My mind does a quick rewind to Friday morning when he told me he wanted to bring a BANANA to school. Remember, today is actually Tuesday.

my 6yo: hey, what's that doing in there. I thought I threw it out!
me: why didn't you eat it?
my 6yo: when I got to school on Friday it was squished so I didn't want it.

Those of you who know me (in RL and on this blog) know about my aversion to bananas. You also know it's a texture thing. So sticking my hand into a brownish~blackish mashed up funky banana first thing in the morning is so not cool. He ended up going to school today without a bookbag and I spent 30 minutes cleaning off a library book and the inside of his backpack (which wound up just having to go through a cycle in the machine).

After this I needed coffee. But my kitchen was stinky!!! This is why I must give a shout out to Wendy from Dame Candle Company. A while back she sent me a couple of votives and some tarts to try out. I've got one of her 'buried treasure' tarts in my little burner on my stove right now and let me tell you it smells SO GOOD! I've always been a Yankee Candle girl but soy tarts are so much better. The burn cleaner, they smell stronger and longer, and clean up is easier. Believe me when I say the entire downstairs of my house smells divine. No more funky banana and that makes me smile. And you know what? I want you to smile, too! So....leave me a comment by midnight Thursday, October 11th, and I'll pick one lucky winner to recieve a $10 gift certificate (or a credit...not sure how she does it) for Dame Candle Company. That way you don't have to take my word for it, you can smell for yourself :)

Rosa left a comment and asked if I've been spinning. I have, a little. I just finished up some handpainted roving from Spunky Eclectic. I'm afraid I'm not sure I remember the colorway OR the fiber...I'm sure it's around here somewhere! This is an attempt at trying to spin thick 'n' thin. I think it came out quite well and once it's in a hank it will be going to my friend Amy. If she wants it of course ;) Right now I'm working on some merino/tencel that I got from MDS&W. It's pretty...blues and greens. It's spinning up really thin, so I'm thinking maybe I can get a shawl or something out of it. Depends on how much there is.

Knitting? I'm in the Secret of the Stole KAL so I'm working on that. My first time with beads and so far it's fun! I'm still working on the Garnstudio jacket but it's so hot out it's hard to work on it for any length of time. Oh, and I don't know it I told you guys but I'm making the Amelie dress from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms out of O-Wool. That O-Wool is some good stuff. Someone I know thinks it smells like curry but I don't know about that.

That about wraps it up. So...Go! Comment! Trust me, if you could smell my house right now (and what it smelled like before, ick!), you would wish your house smelled the same :)

Ok, let's face it...

2007-10-02T11:54:00.001-04:00

There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to post everyday. Not to mention my life just isn't that exciting. I did finish Rusted Root though...

No modeled pics just yet (the baby can't work the camera) but it fits and I like it. It could stand to be a little longer so maybe one day when I'm feeling ambitious I'll add to the ribbing at the bottom. Don't hold your breath.

I also started two more projects. A jacket from Garnstudio in Berocco Ultra Alpaca. Doubled. Yes, I know where I live. It'll be more like a coat! I'd show you a progress pic but it's pretty boring right now. I'm cruising along though! The second project is the Amelie Dress for Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. I'm using o-wool and I LOVE it! I want to use it to make something for me!

I'm still plugging away on Josephine but the little needle/skinny cotton combo is taking forever!

In nursing school news...I'm still there. Ha! Seriously, I won't be rushing home at the end of this quarter to put my report card on the fridge or anything but I'm passing. Perhaps I'm aiming low but as someone with three kids under the age of 9 I'll take it!

Looking around it seems as though my sidebar could use a little housekeeping. There are a few things that are over with and a couple more things I've joined.

Around here? Busydaddy has settled into his Mr. Mom role quite nicely. After finishing up with homework and football practice (they both practice on different days, so he gets to do this M-TH), they come home for dinner and bedtime routine. The baby just goes with the flow, when he's not doing his own thing that is...

Rainy Day!

2007-09-05T11:25:00.001-04:00

Rainy Day!
Originally uploaded by busymamaof3

Ok, so maybe my blogging will be every five days? LOL!

Actually it's been a rough weekend. DH was out of town and I had to deal with the boys, the rain, and a presentation on the Mormons. Today I have a test on the muscular and skeletal systems, and the properties of blood so I've gotta get going to study some more. I'll be back before the weekend with knitting and pictures :)

Almost Done

2007-08-31T23:53:00.000-04:00

I'm almost done with my Rusted Root. Just need to finish the neckline. It seems like it's gonna be a little short, but I might be able to block it longer. Pics tomorrow...

I pretty much have nothing.

2007-08-30T22:36:00.000-04:00

Day two. Yay for me, kind of boring for you (hey that rhymes). I could show you another pic of my monkey sock, but it would look just like the pic I showed you guys yesterday.

DHs cousin just got home from Iraq, so he went to spend the weekend with his family. Unfortunately this meant I had to take him to the airport @ 4.30 am with kids in tow. This also meant that since they catch the bus @ 6.45am there was no going back to bed when we got home. This resulted in exhaustion-induced shitfits this evening. The 8 yo had a shitfit because I wouldn't help him (read:do) his homework. The 6 year old had one because the 8yo wouldn't let him play with his PSP. And the 2yo? Well shitfits are his thing but he totally lost it when I told him I didn't want to watch The Muppet Show.

The ultimate shitfit was when I put everyone to bed a half hour early and poured myself a glass of Bailey's :)

I should go read about the muscular system but I'm thinking I might cast on for something new, because you know I don't have enough UFOs laying around. Thanks to Ravelry there is all kinds of new stuff I want to knit; stuff that I didn't pay any attention to until I saw FOs from actual folks.

See y'all tomorrow!

27 days...right?

2007-08-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

I read somewhere that it takes 27 days of doing something to establish it as habit. Well my plan is to post (something) everyday for the next 27 days and hopefully get posting to become part of my routine. Because let me tell you folks, my routine has seriously changed!

I quit my job and I'm in nursing school now. It's an evening program (so that I can be with the kids during the day) and it's supposed to be geared toward the working adult. However, there is more reading required than is humanly possible. I like it though, and I'm in class M-Th.

School has started for the boys...YAY!

So now Isaiah has to make due with Phoebe...

And boy have they been busy! Isaiah somehow managed to get tangled up in my sock-in-progress. Phoebe, apparently sensing Isaiah needed rescuing, made it her business to chew through the yarn to free her partner in crime. Thank goodness it was only one spot and the yarn isn't all tangled!

The yarn is Tess Designer Supersock that I got at MDS&W. I like how it's coming out.

Oh, yeah...I'm on Ravelry too (busymamaof3). Boy can you lose a few hours poking around there, huh?

Ok, well it's time to start getting my stuff together for class and maybe try and do something with my hair :)

Seven

2007-05-30T19:21:00.001-04:00

I have a lot of things to catch up on. Lots. Have you ever had a friend that you haven't seen or spoken to in weeks, for whatever reason? Maybe you don't live in the same city or you both had just been really busy or whatever. So now you've got catching up to do, but you have so much to catch up on you don't know where to start. So you put off that phone call or email (or blog post) until you have the time to properly catch up and now it's been a month or two and you realize you need to take baby steps if you ever want to get caught up like you should be. Like you want to be.

So here I am. I haven't blogged in a couple of months. I'm behind in my knitting, my mail, my blog reading, my spinning...all my *stuff*.

We've been doing lots of stuff to the house and have lots more planned. Not to mention working outside of the home. I've been busy, a busiermama than usual. However things are starting to settle into some seblance of a routine~the hubby and I even made up a chore chart!~and I WILL start regular blogging again. I hope everyone hasn't removed me from their bloglines. It was a rough patch is all. I'll be around with more pictures (I plan to load up my new Flickr account) and more knitting and spinning talk. For now? Baby steps.

I know there is one person who is still checking over here, because I got tagged! Calling Kahlo asked me to reveal 7 random facts about myself. Here are the rules:

The particulars - Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog. Here we go...

1. I never dated a guy younger than me until my husband, who is three years my junior.

2. I don't bother with manicures, but I MUST get my toes done every two weeks.

3. I've recently become addicted to those house flipping shows.

4. I'm very peticular about how the bed is made. One rule of our new 'chore chart' is that whoever gets out of bed last makes it, and that is usually the hubby. Problem is, the way he makes the bed drives me nuts! I try to look the other way but one time I couldn't help it and he caught me re~making it...LOL!

5. Crowds (like the one at MDS&W on Saturday) can sometimes make me want to choke the sh*t out of someone.

6. It takes me forever to make a decision.

7. I'm currently planning my escape from my current job and current career to go back to school full time and get a new career and job.

Let's see....I tag Susan, Amanda, Michelle, Kerry and Roz.

Prize pa...er, scratch that!

2007-03-13T10:13:00.000-04:00

I still need addresses for a couple of winners (Daryl and Rincaro) , and a pattern choice for another (Anne-Caroline). It's my fault since I thought I had an email link up...oops!

So just email me at busymamaof3ATgmailDOTcom with your infoand I'll get you set up ASAP!

Contest winners!

2007-03-03T11:38:00.000-05:00

Yay!

Ok, in the past I pulled names out of a hat. This time however there were so many of you I used a random # generator!

Let me first say thank you for all of the support. I'm not as upset anymore because I don't think about it. As a matter of fact, I plan to delete the post with the story. It's ugly. Maybe I'll replace it with a picture of some kittens or perhaps some puppies...where was I? Oh yeah, ugliness. It was brought to my attention that I am no saint. Well of course not, never claimed to be. However there is no excuse for what happened. Actually it was also brought to my attention that firing one employee to be fair to other employees who 'need the money' or have that job as their 'only source of income' is illegal. But whatever. Here I go again and I said I was done. Here's a pic to change the mood...

Now on to the good stuff!

Prize #1 is a hank of sock yarn from Lone Star Arts in the Burn colorway and it goes to.......Trillian42!

Prize #2 is a set of stitch markers made by Susan and they go to.....Rincaro!

Prize #3 is a pattern by the small or indie designer of your choosing and that goes to....Anne-Caroline!

Prize #4 is a skein of Fleece Artist sock yarn in the Forest colorway and it goes to.....Daryl!

here is a pic of the sock yarns...

I don't have the markers in hand yet and I'll let you guys know what pattern Anne-Caroline chooses. Thanks everyone for playing! I've always said there's nothing like a contest to bring lurkers out of the woodwork ;o) Everyone send me your addresses and I'll get your prizes in the mail.

Remember I said I'd been knitting? Well here's some progress on Wicked...

I was on a roll but fatigue and illness slowed me down. Now that I'm on the mend (though my voice is nowhere to be found)I hope to be finished before the end of the coming week.

Have a great weekend!

Contest Update!

2007-03-01T20:30:00.000-05:00

I'm going to pick the winners on Saturday morning, so you have until midnight on Friday to comment on my last post. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, 'hi' is ok :o)

Yes, I said 'winners'. My friend Amanda was nice enough to donate a skein of her beautiful sock yarn from her new Etsy shop, and my friend Susan is throwing in some of her PixieFish stitch markers. I also plan to give away a skein of Fleece Artist sock yarn and I will buy one winner the Indie pattern of his/her choosing. So there will be FOUR winners...YAY!

There will be pics of the prizes when I announce the winners on Saturday. Good luck!

Hi! My name is (insert scratch) Slim Shady!

2007-02-22T22:30:00.000-05:00

I promised you guys a story, and here is it. No, it's not about Eminem. However it is about some shady business.

Once upon a time there was a girl. We’ll call her, um…Cruella DeVille, C for short. Well C had a dream to open a yarn shop, and she did just that. However being a small business just starting out she called on her friends for help. Luckily for C she lived I a city we’ll call Santino Applebottom. Santino Applebottom (from here on in known as SA) has a large population of knitters and these knitters are always willing to do what they can to help someone out.

So C approaches these knitters and asks for help. Says that she’ll pay them in yarn. The knitters think this is cool, and there is a buzz among the group about how cool the new store will be. Then something happened. C sent out an email that said she’d allow the knitters to buy yarn at cost in exchange for working for her. Now the knitters are confused, this is not the deal that they remembered so most of them decided not to do it if they weren’t going to get paid. There were two knitters though that decided to help out anyways. We’ll call them Uniqua and Veruca Salt. I can’t speak for Veruca, but I know Uniqua quite well. She didn’t mind not getting paid, because she liked working there and figured she was helping her friend.

Time went on and the gals started getting paid. C even hired another employee, we’ll call her Blossom. Everyone was working and teaching classes and it was all good.

Then one day, Uniqua get a call about a job. She had submitted her resume about three months before so she had all but forgotten about it. It was a good job, so Uniqua decided that if they made the offer she would take it. Uniqua told Cruella about the interview. C said she understood and wished her luck. C asked ‘you’re still going to teach, right?’ and to this Uniqua answered ‘of course’. Well Uniqua got the job and they wanted her to start right away. She talked to C about continuing to teach, even brining up an idea about an all day Saturday workshop where people could come and go and we’d teach a different skill every hour or so. Uniqua even offered to help with shop samples, knitting up a teeny sweater to display at the shop.

Fast forward to Uniqua’s second day at her new job. She’s supposed to teach a class that night, beginning knitting, so she heads over to the store straight from the office. When she gets there she notices C isn’t there, which is odd because she’s always there on Wednesday nights. Veruca is there instead. Veruca tells Uniqua that ‘they’ decided to do things a little differently and the new schedule was up. Uniqua looks at it and doesn’t see her name but she figures C didn’t know when she was available to teach and was waiting to get with her. But THEN she sees that Veruca is teaching HER sock class on HER night. She asks Veruca what the hell is going on. Veruca says she’s not getting into it, but she thinks maybe Cruella ‘wasn’t sure you still wanted to be an employee’. Uniqua calls bullshit. Veruca plays dumb. Uniqua is ready to just walk out but she doesn’t want to do that to her students, so she waits. They arrive and she helps them pick out yarn and needles suitable for a beginner. Uniqua walks them up to the register and that’s when she sees them…business cards all lined up. Everyone has one but her. Final straw.

At this time Blossom walks in. Uniqua calls them both to the side and tells them that she’s going home. By now Uniqua is crying and just wants to get out of there. She can’t understand how C could be such a cowardly bitch to someone who did nothing but help her out. The other two women hug Uniqua and tell her to take it easy and that it will be ok and they are sorry. At this point Uniqua has no reason not to believe them.

Uniqua calls her friend Tasha, who say C is a mean asshole and she can’t believe it. The two discuss it for a bit and hang up.

Later on that night Uniqua has a voice mail on her phone from C. C says she is sorry, and that she probably could have handled the situation better. She says she felt that since Uniqua has a job with a good salary now it was only fair to give all Uniqua’s classes to Veruca and Blossom since the shop was the only job they have and (get this) they need the money. Then she says to ‘remember, she’s new at this manager stuff’

Yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking but this happened. Seriously. And it gets worse. C goes on to say how she discussed the issue with Veruca and Blossom. What? She discussed it with the two who acted like they had no idea? And the three of them thought it was a good idea to do something this cruel to another human being? One that was there to help since day one?

By now Uniqua has discussed the situation not only with Tasha, but with Tyrone, Pablo, and Austin, too *and it's only a matter of time before Dora, Boots, Backpack, and Diego catch wind of the situation). They all agree that C is a triflin’ ass bitch who didn’t have the balls to approach Uniqua and handle the situation woman to woman. Really Uniqua would have felt better is C just said ‘I hate you working here. Leave.’ At least it wouldn’t have been cowardly. There is nothing worse (in Uniqua’s mind anyway) then thinking everything is business as usual and then find out you were being ‘discussed’ behind your back. Is this how to run a business? To treat your employees? Your friends?

And as for Veruca and Blossom, who’s lying? Did you know or didn’t you? If you did you are just as shitty as C. All of the Backyardigans hope that the one or two hundred dollars extra a month that you snatched out from under Uniqua’s nose was worth alienating yourself from the group of friendly knitters I spoke of previously. I hope C realizes how many people will never set foot in her shop again.

Did y'all like my little story? F*cked up, huh? Well I know firsthand how f*cked up because it happened to me. I was the one who had her classes stolen out from underneath her nose. I'm the one who had her cowardly ass 'boss' call and leave a half~assed excuse on her cell phone after firing her without notice, making sure she had left the shop yesterday before I got there. I'm the one who had the two 'friends' who helped plot behind my back, smile in my face and tell me it was gonna be ok. I'm the one who stood there staring at the schedule trying to figure out why I wasn't on it.

I'm the one.

Whew. Now I'm tired. If you got this far I thank you. Post a comment and I'll put your name in a hat for some yummy sock yarn. I'm feeling generous tonight :o)

upside~down

2007-02-21T23:01:00.000-05:00

That's how things have been around here, but that's not always a bad thing.

I got a job. A full time one. With benefits and whatnot. Woohoo!

I sent my resume back in October. By the time they contacted me I had forgotten about it. It all happened really fast. I interviewed and was offered the position the same day. I was able to secure after~school and daycare the next day. I had a week for things like last minute appts and stuff before I started yesterday. It's been an adjustment for everyone. I now get up at 5 and DH gets the kids ready, making sure everyone is where they need to be on time. The boys LOVE the after~school program but Isaiah is unsure about daycare. I think the biggest adjustment is for him and me since we are used to being home together all day. But he's doing well and making new friends.

Another thing that has turned my life upside down is carpal tunnel. I found out that's what's been making my fingers numb and cold, and it's imposssible to spin. I can still knit though, and have been knitting a lot.

I wanted to show you some progress pics and some new pics of the kids today but something happened that (once again) kinda turned everything upside~down. Sometimes it's really amazing how shitty people can be, and even more amazing are the shitty excuses these shitty people can make to try and explain away their behavior. So my head hurts and I can't even begin to think about putting together a proper post. It's just that I looked at how long it's been since I posted and wanted to give a teeny update. It's been a rough month (the baby was sick) and a busy month (DH and I celebrated 10 years of marital bliss(!)on the 15th and the boys have a joint BDay party on Saturday)so I haven't been around as much as I'd like. Thing will change once we all get settled.

Either tomorrow or Friday I will be back with a story. A story of ridiculously shitty behavior and how some people feel like it's ok to treat others like crap because they pretend to not know any better. A story of why my head hurts.

I'll also have some knitting and maybe a little more on my job :o)

Am I blue?

2007-02-02T01:16:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of Project Spectrum v2. Ok, technically it was yesterday but I'm still up so in my mind it's still February 1st.

I've got a couple of things in honor of the color blue. Blue is a pretty important color around here. I'm sure I have lots of blue stuff I can take pictures of, I definitely have lots of blue yarn. And fiber. Wanna see what I did with some of my blue fiber?

Sorry the picture is a little blurry. It's the third yarn I ever spun up on my wheel. It's a merino/silk blend. I was able to get it pretty thin and I'm very happy with it. So happy, a bought more of the merino/silk in a couple different colors. I think this skein might be a gift for someone :o)

Here's my first* wheel spun yarn...

It's BFL from The Spunky Eclectic plyed with commercial mohair. It's the hugest.skein.ever. I have no idea how many yards it is and no idea what I'm going to do with it.

My second ever wheel spun yarn is orange merino (and still on the bobbin) but since this month is all about blue/gray/white it'll have to wait for it's turn in the spotlight.

*technically I spun about a quarter of an ounce of white corriedale before I did this but I'm not counting that. You can see it on my wheel a few posts back.

I'm also knitting a pair of green socks (Go with the Flow...IK summer '05) in CTH for Lolly's green sock KAL...

Since that picture I've gotten a little further on the leg and traded out the plastic needles for Crystal Palace bamboos.

Thanks for the nice comments about my new design. I've cleaned up the sidebar a bit, joined a few new KALs and opened a Flickr account. I've still got some work to do, like figuring out my some of my rings look all funky. Right now I'm just happy that most of what I want is in place.

In knitting news I've got a Central Park Hoodie, a Manly Sweater, two pairs of socks and a shawl on the needles. The shawl is a simple rib, for DHs grandmother who had to have heart surgery. I need to get it done and in the mail ASAP. It's moving along though since it's on us15s!

Almost forgot...there's two baby sweaters languishing as well, each one waiting for a sleeve.

That's not too bad, right?

New and 'improved' blogger

2007-01-31T16:32:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late. I've been spending some time trying to improve the blog. I've been trying since November.

First I tried to go with a separate domain, which was proving to be a real PITA. I finally got it figured out yesterday after a couple of months of trying and now I find out that you have to be some kind of high~tech computer programmer to import your new (and improved) blogger posts to wordpress.

So I thought maybe going with the flow and staying with blogger was the answer. Well customizing a new template is making me cry in frustration. It took forever to get the header situated, but now the sidebar won't cooperate. Bloggers 'widget' are hampering me from just importing all the codes for my sidebar buttons and whatnot, but if I revert back to the 'old blogger' template I lose the ability to have categories. Categories is one of the reasons I went looking for another host.

The ideal situation would be to stay here, since now I can have my domain name point here, and my rings and KALs all point here. Not to mention it's free. Has anyone had success with this new platform?

I have not knit in two days messing around with this crap. I did dye some roving though. I'll have pics later this week because right now I have to step away from the computer.

A winter blast!!

2007-01-16T12:01:00.000-05:00

That's what the news is saying. Welcome to southern TX winter I suppose. I don't know, but where I'm from 30 degree temps and a little freezing rain don't shut the city down. Not only are the boys home from school, but the hubby is at Blockbuster right now picking out some movies since the base was shut down as well.

All this whoopla is hampering my blog updates. The weather has been too crappy to get any good pics of what I've been up to. Not to mention how hard it is to take pictures of yarn and fiber when everyone is home.

I've been knitting. I finally finished my Madder Ribbed socks out of the Claudia's Handpaints yarn. I've started a pair for DH...the Gentleman's Plain Socks out of Vintage Socks using Mountain Colors Bearfoot. I have some other stuff going on too, and some (sort~of) knitting resolutions.

I've been spinning. I *heart* my wheel and spinning is so.much.fun! I've got lots to play with in loads of colors from The Spunky Eclectic, and I'm waiting on an order from Crown Mountain Farms. I still don't really have any idea about ratios and whatnot, but the stuff I'm producing looks like yarn so I'm happy. Maybe I should get a book.

I do have a picture for you all, though not fiber related.

How does this happen, really? After this picture was taken I found another sock~a black one. Maybe the dryer heard me bitching about laundry duty and decided to teach me a lesson?

weirdness

2007-01-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

So tomorrow turned into next year but here it is!

1. I won't eat bananas. Not because I don't like the taste, but because I can't stand the texture of them. I love banana bread and muffins and stuff just not actual bananas. I don't even like unpeeling them for the baby.

2. I can't stand to eat meat off of a bone. Mostly chicken but spareribs are on my list too. I can do pork chops but prefer boneless. Boneless buffalo wing are the best.thing.ever.

3. I prefer to use a long tail cast on when I knit. Before you say 'wait, that's not weird'...the length of my tail tells me how well my project is going to go. If it's way too long I know in my heart I will (at some point) have to rip back and start over. If the length is just right it'll be smooth sailing! Luckily the more I knit the better I get at estimating how much yarn I'll need for casting on. Not to mention the more you knit the less (usually) you have to rip back anyways.

4. I cannot stand to have wet socks. Like of someone drips water on the floor in the kitchen and I walk through it? drives me nuts.

5. I would rather scrub a toilet than do laundry. Sorting then folding and putting away the family's clothing (and sheets and towels and whateverthehellelse) is my most hated household chore.

6. I'm a procrastinator and a perfectionist. Sometimes if I know I don't have the time to do something perfect I won't do it at all. But then I think about how it needs to be done and it'll hang over my head and I'll worry about it.

7. I watched both seasons of Flavor of Love, and I fully intend to watch I Love New York when it starts Monday. I'm pretty selective when it comes to my trash TV though. I don't care for stuff like The Bachelor, The Real World, Big Brother or Survivor, but I'll watch other crappage like Bridezilla, My Super Sweet 16, True Life and Dog the Bounty Hunter (hi Kim!).

How many was I supposed to have? I think it was seven.

I need to show you all some pictures but I haven't taken any yet! I've been doing laundry all day. Oh yeah, and watched Snakes on a Plane. So next time I'll tell all about my plans for 2007, and show y'all what I've been working on.

No sir I don't like it...

2006-12-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I was coming on here to do my weird meme, but it took me so long to log on that I don't have time now. I am so through with blogger. I know lots of people use this platform with no issues but I guess it just doesn't like me or something. I know this is the reason I don't update as much as I could, because everytime I sit down to write a post I have a problem.

And now, with the 'new' blogger my header is cut off. No sir, I don't like it. Not one little bit. I'm still in the process of switching somewhere a little more user friendly.

Anyhow I'll be back this afternoon with my meme, and some other stuff too! Until then...

Hope you all had (and are having) a great holiday!

imagine creative picture here

2006-12-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

because in my haste to get the Christmas gift scarves done for the boys teachers I forgot to take pictures! Here are the stats...

scarf #1: Opera scarf pattern, Elann's Baby Silk in Mulberry, US9s.
scarf #2: Vintage Velvet from Scarf Style, Classic Elite Waterlily in purple, US8s.

I'll give you a sec to create a vision in your mind.

Sorry it's been so long. The holiday season is taking it's toll on me. I'm still not done with my shopping, but the bulk of the important stuff is done so I can relax a little. I prefer to stay out of the stores, but the baby likes to shop until he drops

Another reason I've been MIA is because not one, but BOTH of my computers took a dump and we wound up having to buy a new one. Merry Christmas!! It came at a bad time, but our desktop was a dinosaur and it's probably the only way I was going to get anything new out of DH. In his world technology only advances when it comes to Playstations and John M@dden football. Anyway, he told me that this was one of my presents since I'm the only one in the house who was 'ready to hyperventilate from withdrawls'.

Wanna see what else I got for Christmas??

It's a Kromski Minstrel! I got it from Bubbie's Farm and I couldn't be happier with her service. The shipping was fast (and free), she sent some extras, and has even helped me out with an assembly problem already.

I don't really have a clue what I'm doing yet but I have managed to produce something that looks like yarn

so it's all good. I've been using double drive but will switch it over to scotch tension when I get a chance to compare the two. I need to get a book and maybe take a class so I can get the most out of my wheel.

The baby seems to think the wheel is a superhero tower, as I find all his little men hanging from various locations. He is completely fascinated by it, and has to touch it even if I tell him no. So, she (he? I haven't decided yet) has to live behind closed doors for now.

In other news I got my coffee swap package from Monica and I LOVE IT!

She sent me a hank of Cherry Tree Hill and one of Shaefer Anne, Holiday Blend coffee from Borders, creme brulee chocolate crackers from Lindt, some DPN keeper caps, a tiger tape measure, and a Y@nkee Candle tart that made everything smell great! She even included some goodies for Phoebe, who spend yesterday afternoon showing her new mouse some love :o) It all came packaged in a lunch box type tin that has sparkly kitties in all different girly colors. Girly is great because (as you may well know) Phoebe and I live in a house full of boys.

Thank you so much Monica! I hope you like your package as much as I do. This coffee swap was a great idea. I like that it wasn't secret, and that I got to know my pal over the course of the swap.

I'm knitting. Really I am! Now that I've finished the scarves, I started Shedir for DH. Yes I know I have like 50 projects going, but they are all big projects and I've never made a hat for the hubby. Not to mention I keep seing all these great manly versions of Shedir popping up everywhere. Hopefully I won't go blind from all the tiny cables and black (Crystal Palace Creme) yarn.

I've also been tagged by Janna for a meme. Since this has already been a long winded post I'll save that for tomorrow.

One last thing for anyone who is interested...Seaport Yarns is offering free priority shipping through today. They've got some stuff on sale, too.

Today is the first day of the winter break. The kids are off until January 2nd. May the force be with me.

Success!

2006-12-02T21:50:00.000-05:00

It's the Asymmetrical Cable Hat from One Skein. He's been wearing it since I pulled it off the needles. Yes we're inside and he's in his PJs. Considering when he was little he'd pull off any hat placed on his head and throw it I consider this a small victory. Nowadays he's more interested on taking off his shoes and socks :o)

In the mood...

2006-11-30T15:00:00.000-05:00

..for finishing!

My youngest sister's birthday is right around the corner and what better way to whip out a quick gift than to use three different yarns held together on US15s?

I based it on the Purl Scarf from LMKG, but didn't add any fringe or use any of the called for yarns. As for the yarns I used, well, the only label I have in front of me is the Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted. I also used some sparkly Feza yarn that came in one of the biggest balls I've ever seen, and some mohair that has something like a 450yd put~up. I've got enough to make a whole 'nother scarf, which is good since Christmas is coming and my SILs favorite color is blue :o)

Normally I wouldn't have given the sprakly, er...sparkly stuff a second glance and mohair is definitely not a favorite but together it works. I really like it! More than I thought I would actually.

I'm thinking that a FO was just what I needed to push me to finish my holiday knitting. I still have to finish a Swallowtail Shawl and a baby sweater for the boys teachers, a cabled scarf and some fetching for my middle sister, and figure out what to give the little one since she's getting a scarf for mer birthday. Add my SIL to that list and I'm going to be kind of busy for the next few weeks. The men folk (the BILs) will be getting gift cards or something.

I'm starting to feed my new hobby. No I didn't buy a wheel (lol), but I did but a new spindle and some fiber from The Spunky Eclectic. It seems as though bottom whorl is not my thing, as I'm having the worst time with the little spindle I got from Kid n Ewe. I like the Ashford but it's really heavy. Hopefully I'll like the Little Si.

In other news...I'm tired (hey, I didn't say it was breaking news), I need to start my holiday shopping and get my house decorated since my B&SIL are coming for Christmas. I got a coffeemaker AND a microwave. Oh, and Phoebe is coming home today!!

Some of you may remember way back when reading about my cat. Well when we came out from DC she stayed behind because it would have just been to difficult with the hotels and temporary housing and whatnot. My friend Donna was her foster mom for a few months (thank you Donna!!!) and I love her for helping me out. She's on a plane as I type, headed this way! Yay! I can't wait to see her :o)

Next time hopefully I'll have more FOs for you!

The littlest hank

2006-11-28T17:17:00.000-05:00

Please excuse the blurry pic, not sure what happened.

Speaking of not being sure of what happened...how did this happen?? I'm discovering just how many types of spindles there are out there, all the pretty roving that's available...y'all know where this is going right?

Coffee maker, you're killin' me

2006-11-18T09:21:00.000-05:00

Now? Now you decide you don't want to work? And with absolutely no warning. Thanks. Thanks a lot. Not only do I have to get a new microwave (the last one suffered some sort of trauma during the last move), but a new coffee maker as well. Just wanted to let you know that it's over between us. Even if you decide that you'd like to go back to producing coffee it'll be too late. The next time you see me I'll have a shiny new appliance in hand, maybe even one with a handy~dandy timer! You left me in my time of need. I'm so over you.

Proof that we went trick or treating...

I know it's a little blurry. Do you know how hard it is to get three boys to stand still long enough for a picture on the biggest candy day of the year? In the dark??

Proof that I've been knitting...

Yes, they don't match. I've been working on the mates though. Ok maybe not working on them, but I've been carrying them around in my new little bag. Wanna see?

Isn't it cute? I got it as a raffle prize at Kid n Ewe. Christine's mom makes them, so let her know if you'd like one of your very own! Not only is it good for sock projects, but it's perfect for carrying around what is fast becoming my newest habit...

Not sure why it's glowing like that, must be the way the sun was coming through the window.

I've been knitting on my Edie cardigan. I'm almost done with the back. I had to make some provisions for my larger gauge. Knitting math doesn't scare me nearly as much as it did when I first started :o)

Thanks for all your suggestions about how to handle comments. I've decided to move house, and have something in the works. I'll be here for a minute though...

Almost forgot! Look who's been knitting...

with Brooks Farm no less!!

Comments

2006-11-12T09:33:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have another question for you all to think about while you are deciding if you want to knit with me. What's the best way to handle comments?

When I get comments I want to answer every single one. I get them emailed to me, but then if the commenter hasn't entered their email address into their blogger profile I can't reply. So then I say I'll do it in a minute because by now the baby is probably doing something he has no business doing. Then I forget. Then a week goes by and I figure the commenter probably forgot they ever commented in the first place!

So you see, I need a system. How about Haloscan? Or should I just move all together??

Care to knit with me?

2006-11-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

Well we're back from Kid n' Ewe and a fun time was had by all. There was food and prizes and of course YARN! More about the outing and pictures of my haul (and boy did I score!) to come but for now I just have a question...

Would anyone care to knit this...

with me? It's the Edie Cardigan from the book Yarnplay. Leave me a comment or send me an email and we can get something started

A month??

2006-11-09T23:31:00.000-05:00

Has it really been almost a month? Time flies when you're having fun I suppose. First off, Blogger hates me. There have been a couple of times when I've gone to post and I couldn't. Frustrating. Anyhow, I'm thinking of taking a friend up on his offer to help me move on over to wordpress.

Secondly, the cute kitty in my last post has got to go. My oldest son spend 2 days in the hospital last week after a particularly severe asthma attack. Now we've always known he's had asthma, had it since he was a baby, but it's never been this bad. He was on O2 for 2 days. Rewind about a month. We had him allergy tested and the results came back when he was in the hospital. He's got a pretty bad allergy to cats, which I find weird because he's been around them all his life and his asthma has never really been a *big* issue. We spoke with the Dr about it at his follow up and said if we want we can watch him closly and see if the cat sets him off (allergy wise). Since Phoebe the cat is the love of my life, the kitten has to go. Besides, I'm wondering if the kitten isn't causing a reaction that Phoebe never did?

*sigh* Anyone want a kitten??

I've got good news. I've been knitting AND I have pictures. However there is also some bad news...I can't find my camera. LOL! Since everyone is asleep and I don't want to chance a wake up by rustling around for it you guys will just have to wait until next time. I promise next time won't be another month. I WILL start posting more on a regular basis, especially if I move my blog.

For Soctoberfest I managed to finish 2 and a half socks. Too bad none of them match each other! I've also done a vest out of a Sirdar book, and Dumpling out of Rowan Babies. I've really got to finish some of this stuff I've started around here. Maybe that can be my New Year's resolution? I'd probaby be amazed at all the needles I own if I actually freed them all of their UFOs.

I've joined the Knitter's Coffee Swap and I'm pretty excited. I really like coffee. Coffee is right up there with yarn and chocolate :o) There are a few questions that were posted on the swap blog to make our partners' life a little easier so I'll go ahead and answer them here...

1. Whole bean or ground? ground. I would love a grinder of my very own!
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded.
3. Regular or flavored? Depends on what I put in it. Flavored creamer? Regular. Half and Half? Bring on the flavor!
4. How do you drink your coffee? With cream and sugar.
5. Favorite coffee ever? I don't know that I have a favorite. A friend bought me some Godiva once and it was really good.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? Not really fussy but I just *can't* do instant.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Muffins or cookies.
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Bold flavor, but not too bold!
9. What treats do you enjoy with your coffee?
10. Yarn/fiber you love? Smooth natural fibers that will give you a good stitch definition. I also like cotton and acrylic blends.
11. Yarn/fiber you hate? Novelty, nubbly, synthetics.
12. What's on your needles? Oh all kinds of stuff...a sweater, some socks, another sweater...
13. Favorite colors? Anything that's not flourescent.
14. Allergies? smoke, pollen.
15. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? Nope, just looking foward to getting something fun in the mail.

Kid n Ewe is this weekend. I'm pretty sure it's no MDS&W, or Rhinebeck for that matter, but I'm looking foward to it. The Brooks Farm folks are going to be there, and we're having a knitterly meet up with a lot of the same people from the Harlot's book signing back in July. So even though it's not one of the fancy~schmancy big name fiber festivals I will have a report for you complete with pictures on how it went.

Those of you that are off tomorrow, enjoy your long weekend. Get some knitting done and maybe have a beer :o)

Pretty irritated...

2006-10-15T21:14:00.000-04:00

with blogger. I had a whole long post, and when I was done and hit 'publish' Blogger asked me to log in again. Of course everything was gone. I'm guessing this has something to do with the comversation I had with Janna and David tonight at Candlelight.

To summarize (since now I'm out of time), we adopted this guy...

much to the delight of this guy...

and I've been knitting.

Hi

2006-09-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

I'm here. We've just moved into the house and things have been crazy. Yes, there was drama. Yes, I'll tell you about it. But now, I only have a few minutes while the alarm guy sets up our system. DH went to get the last of the stuff out of the apartment and I made the (selfless) decision to stay here until Mr. Alarm Guy was done.

There has been some knitting, though not as much as I would like. I haven't found all of my knitting books yet, but I've unpacked most of the stash. Boy was I happy to see my yarn!

Y'all have a great weekend :o)

Balls of gray

2006-09-15T19:52:00.000-04:00

This post may be a bit random since it's been hard to organize my thoughts these past few days. My knitting has been random and sporadic as well. I've got way too many projects on the needles and I continue to start stuff. Maybe if we had some progress on the house situation I'd feel a little better.

We were supposed to close today at 4. We didn't. What pisses me off in this whole situation is just the lack of communication. Believe me, I understand that things happen. I just want to know what's going on and WHY it's going on. There were just way too many little things that should have been taken care of before today. I truly believe that we could have gotten it all done today if the right hand knew what the left was doing. Now we are scheduled to close on the same day that our household goods are to be delivered.

Enough of that. After a couple of glasses of wine (and some pizza) I'm much better able to deal then I was this afternoon. Now where was I? Oh, yeah, my knitting...

I've decided to measure DHs sweater progress by balls. I mean, what better way to track the progress of a 'Manly Sweater'? Two balls down, 13 (I think?) to go. This is slow going people. I think I'm going to have to mandate a certain number of rows a day or something. Perhaps a two ball a week minimum.

The Ballet Camisole is *this* close to being done, and I have all but lost interest. To the point, even, where I was thinking about ripping it. I don't know why.

I'm also working on Picovoli, , Orangina, the Child's Placket Neck Sweater, Sesame, a 5~hour Baby Sweater, and a pair of Jaywalkers. What's wrong with me? I might need an intervention.

Thanks for all the kind comments on my shawl! I really enjoyed knitting it, and fear I might also cast on for another lace project to add to the Mountain of projects that are in various stages of completion. I think someone asked how I liked the KnitPicks Gloss? I liked it a lot. I'm pretty sure I'll use it again. I hope they plan to broaden their color range.

Have any of you guys signed up for Socktoberfest? I have!

Flower Basket Shawl

2006-09-06T09:21:00.000-04:00

That little crumpled pile in my last post is Evelyn Clark's FBS. These photos are the best I could do considering my 'help' was trying to grab the camera.

Oops! Baby fingers...

Hey! Get back here with that!

Okay, that's better.

Here are a couple of close~ups...

and here...

I used way less than 2 hanks of KnitPicks new Gloss in Dusk. I probably could have added another repeat, maybe even two. I followed the pattern as written and used Inox circs in a US7.

I'd call this a pretty easy pattern. It was really easy to identify any mistakes, and fix then without having to frog. Thank goodness because I was a rebel with no lifeline.

We have a meeting with our house builders today. I'm not a happy camper because they keep pushing our closing date back and, well, I'm in a one bedroom apt with three kids (and one husband). I've got to get up out of here. Yesterday I went to the office and heard the same song and dance about not wanting to skimp on quality for speed. Well they can kiss my a s s because I've seen no action in or around Chez Busy for the past couple of weeks. I told DH he has to do all the talking today since I'll be too busy biting my tongue.

We've also got not one but two flag football games later on today. The boys are super excited :o)

Impressed?

2006-09-02T14:05:00.000-04:00

No? Okay, how about now?

Yeah, I'm not really either. Well be back though, after a bath and a good stretching!

Do you know what today is?!?

2006-08-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

No, it's not my anniversary (remember that song?). Today is the day my husband has been waiting for. Maybe your husband has too? I've already been reminded of my mission for today about 3 times and I'm expecting a phone call any second. Today is the day I go to make my yearly contribution to John Madden's retirement fund...

Between the PS2, the NFL Sunday Ticket, and the boy playing flag football it's all football ALL the time at the Busy house. Someone hold me.

OutKast's new CD 'Idlewild' comes out today also. I'm looking foward to checking it out :o)

Can I get a minute?

2006-08-18T13:44:00.000-04:00

Goodness! Has it really been two weeks since my last update? You'll have to forgive me. School has started and after getting up at the crack of dawn and getting the older boys out of the house..

first day of school

and explain to a certain someone why he can't go too...

I'm the one~woman entertainment show for the baby. By evening time I'm exhausted and my knitting is suffereing. Not to mention it's hot.as.hades. Maybe I'm a wimp, but for the love of pete could you throw a girl a breeze or something? I tell ya, both boys had flag football practice yesterday and I thought I was going to die. Yeah, yeah, so what I complained about the cold, rainy weather back in Maryland. Truth is I could use a raindrop or two right about now.

I have been knitting some though.

I'm at the point where I'm ready to separate the front and back. If I could ever get a minute I might actually finish. I just need a solid hour or so of knitting time. I've also started on what I fear is going to be a seriously boring knit.

That us there is the Manly Sweater (or Very Manly. Or whatever) from Stitch n Bitch. In gray without the stripes. Just miles and miles of ribbing.

*sigh*

But what can you do? At least I can take my time because I can guarantee he won't be wearing a wool sweater anytime soon :o) Oh, a note about the yarn...it's the new Swish superwash fron Knitpicks. So far so good. I swatched (Hi Amy!) and ran it through the washer and dryer on a ragular setting with some towels. Still looks great! It's nice to knit with too, although I'm not sure I'd want to use plastic needles.

I've also been shopping! When it's so hot you spend a bit more time online and then you start checking out yarn sales and before you know it there is no more room in the apartment to stash stuff (Luckily for me the house should be done by the end of the month!). So my 'to knit' list is growing. Maybe I'll update my sidebar this weekend with a list of stuff I have waiting in the wings?

Oh well, the boss is up from his nap and ready for action. Hope you all have a great weekend. We're going to see Monster House and attempt to stay cool.

Lots o' pics!

2006-08-01T14:29:00.000-04:00

It's been a very knitterly few days around here! I got to see the Harlot, shop (and drink beer)at Hill Country Weavers, and rediscover some (old) yarn for new projects. First off, here's my Honeymoon Cami...

I gave you all most of the particulars in my last entry. It's very slinky and soft! I'm still on the hunt for the perfect bra ;o)

On to more exciting stuff~my trip to Austin this past weekend! It was my first time and it was hot (go figure). Seems like it would be a pretty cool place to hang out for an afternoon in, say, January when it's not stifling. Anywhoo, Jana, Mary, Amy, Claudine, Susan, Kim, Enid, Ken and I arrived early enough to sit right up front! Ken was super excited...

He was trying his hardest to get everyone to join in and do the wave with him, but we were all too busy knittng...

and taking pictures of each other knitting.

Stephanie took a picture of us all with her sock

and then she spoke to us for about an hour, answering questions at the end. She was great! So down to earth and everything she said was so true.

The book signing was held across the street at Hill Country Weavers, complete with beer and snacks. Really, does it get any better? After I got my books signed (one for me and one for a friend) I sneaked in for a pic...

After we all got our books signed it was time to do some shopping. I bought some Inox circs to try out (which I like, BTW), some Silky Wool and some Royal Silk...

Mary and I have decided on a mini KAL for Picovoli with the Silky Wool and I think I'm going to make a Counterpane bag from Handknit Holidays with the silk (yes, I bought more than one skein of each...LOL). I wonder how much $$ HCW weavers made on Saturday?

Then, after the shopping we walked on down to Guero's for lunch. Only about a block and a half away but in the heat felt like a couple of miles!

There we met up with a bunch of knitters (thanks Christine!) for margaritas, bloody marys, and (well in my case anyways) lots of cheese.

By the time I got home Saturday I was exhausted! Thanks Jana for driving and thanks to everyone else for making the weekend such a fun one :o)

The Queue
I'll talk more about the queue in my next entry, but the two projects that will be started right away are Picovoli and the Ballet Camisole, without the gathering. I plan to use Knitpicks Shine Sport in Sky that's been in my stash for a while for the camisole. And guess what? Amy, you'll be so proud...I swatched!!

Not only did I swatch, but I washed and dried it. Not to mention the extra durability testing the washed (and dried) swatch recieved from a certain little crazy person...

So now I know if anyone attacks me, scrunches up my camisole and tastes it while I'm wearing it I'll still look pretty good!

The Honeymoon is over

2006-07-28T22:03:00.000-04:00

Well maybe not over but it's done! Yay!

I started it back in June but had to set it aside because I was missing a whole page of the pattern and had no computer access. It was a pretty quick knit though. While I liked the finished product I can't see myself using that yarn (GGH Mystik) again. Ever. If I looked at it wrong it snagged. Hell, if someone in the same room as the tank top farted the yarn snagged. I've got almost two full balls left over...lucky me! I made the 38" size and used my Denise needles in a US6.

The only real change I made was to crochet around the neckline border and straps. I'm thinking I might have to wear a tank underneath or find a bra with *really* skinny straps. Although ample boobage+skinny bra sraps=shoulder dents so I don't know. I'll have to give it some thought once it's done blocking. I know the pattern says it wasn't necessary but some of my stitches were looking a little crazy and I think it looks much better now :o) Pictures to come this weekend. I went to get the camera and realized the batteries were dead. There will definitely be fresh batteries in it tomorrow morning though because...

I'm going to see the Yarn Harlot!

Tomorrow. In Austin. And I'm gonna get my book signed. And I won't hear 'mommy!MOMMY!MOMMY!!' for at least five (count 'em...five!) hours. Nor will I have to hear, 'stop it or I'm tellinnnnnggg', 'leeemeeealooonnee', or 'quit touching me'. At least I don't think I'll hear those last three. I'm pretty sure the ladies I'm going with don't get down like that ;o)

And the winner is....

2006-07-22T13:33:00.000-04:00

Erica!!

Congratulations to you! I've checked out your blog and will be joining the Military Web Ring. Looks like we have some things in common...the military thing, the SAHM to boys thing, and especially the trying to stay sane thing :o) Email me your address and I'll send you a (knitting related, of course!) surprise!

Now the name picking thing was a family affair as are most things I try to do anytime the boys are awake. My oldest wrote the names, my middle guy folded them up and shook the pot (I couldn't find a hat this morning), and the baby got to pick the name. After dumping all the names out and running off with the pot he got the hang of it and chose two names after Erica so my little contest has a 2nd and 3rd place! WooHoo! Congratulations to Kerry and Janna! You'll both be receiving a little something as well. Kerry, I have your addy and Janna I'll see you in person so I don't need yours. Unless you *want* me to send it? Or I can come by for coffee...

I promised a finished object didn't I? Here she is~Crumpets!
The front...

and the back..

Yes, that's a Swiffer handle. I didn't have a hanger small enough :o)

The pattern is Crumpets from chiagu.com. I made the smallest size (6mos.) and used Sinfonia yarn from Hobby Lobby on US5 Crystal Palace circs. I started out with my Denise interchangeables but the cable was too fat and I was getting too much of a workout forcing the yarn along. I worked the pattern as written except I added another row of crochet before the decorative loops at the bottom. Oh yeah, and I changed the length of the loops.

What's that? Who am I knitting a little dress for? LOL! We're going to a baby shower later on today. Out of the three couples we've met by way of DH job two are expecting! We've also got a cousin due in Sept., and two good friends that just had babies. I bought Rowan Babies last week and see much knitting of little garments (and maybe a toy or two) in my future.

Speaking of little garments, I'm working on the Striped Tank Top from Adorable Knits for Tots. I'm using three different shades of blue Rowan DK cotton. I didn't buy as many colors as the pattern called for so I'm making up my own striping sequence as I go along. So far so good~I'm almost done with the front.

Other things on my needles? Still working on my Hill Country Yarns socks. I'm really trying because I love the yarn and the pattern, but it's like 100 degrees everyday. Do you know how hard it is to think about putting wool on my feet?? My Honeymoon Cami had stalled because I hadn't printed out half of the pattern. Duh. Now that my internet connection is back I will pick it up again. I'm also still working on Ruby and Orangina, Ruby more so than Orangina. Orangina just doesn't seem to be getting any longer, no matter how much I knit. I believe I'll give her a time out for a bit.

There's so much for me to catch up on! New patterns! Blogs! Pictures of yarn and knitting!! Boy did I miss my 'puter And you guys! I missed you too...kisses to you all

Back in (almost) full effect!

2006-07-20T19:53:00.000-04:00

Anyone still out there?

We're still waiting on the house. We've got an apartment and rented some furniture to get us by until we close. We've got borrowed pots and pans, and a borrowed TV for the kids...which didn't do us much good before Tuesday since that's when the DirecTV man came.

The plan was to wait until we moved to get online but I need my internet connection (along with my knitting) to keep me sane. So DSL it is and so far so good. Now maybe I'll even get to use that iPod I got last month :o)

I have been knitting and I'll tell y'all all about it this weekend. But first, a contest!!! I know I haven't been able to update the blog as much as I'd like and I want to thank the people who still take the time out of their busy days to see what's going on in my life. So....leave me a comment! Anyone who leaves a comment between now and Saturday morning will get their name put in a hat for a surprise!

I'll be back on Saturday with a finished object, an almost finished object, an an update on what been going on in the life of the BusyFamily :o)

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-06-23T13:47:00.000-04:00

We made it! We stopped over first in Mississippi and then again in Dallas. We got to San Antonio on Wednesday. It's pretty hot. The accommodations are nice. Free wireless, but only in the lobby. So that means no blog checking in my PJs. We've got a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. There are two TVs and pots, pans, dishes and utensils. Oh, and free laundry facilities. Not to mention the playground is within sight of the room so I can't complain.

As my title reads, today is my birthday. Im 32 today...as my children like to keep reminding me at the top of their lungs. I made out pretty well so far~I got an iPod Nano and a bottle of Baileys (my favorite booze. I mean really, you can mix it in hot chocolate, coffee, make milkshakes with it or drink it straight. What's not to love??). Jaylen calls it 'drunk' and is saying, 'Mommy got drunk for her birthday'. Maybe he's on to something...

The iPod is a little scary just because it's so tiny. I need to knit it a day glo orange cover or something. And learn how to use it ;o)

I swear to you guys this is still a knitting blog. There is some knitting going on, but it's been hard because the baby sleeps with us and once everyone is asleep there's really no where to go to turn a light on. I actually knit on my Honeymoon Cami for about an hour last night by the light of the TV. Never fear though, once I get it together with my new knitting group I'll get back into the grove. DH says I'm starting to have knit group withdrawls! Ha!

Ok, I need to get back to the room and see what's up for the day!

A little math for you

2006-06-13T11:02:00.000-04:00

GA in June + no central AC = crucial business.

It's hot people. My hair is a frizzy mess and forget makeup...even mascara will slide off your eyelashes. I took the baby to the mall yesterday in search of some central air...oh, and bought myself some new clothes in hope of looking less like a sweaty, makeup~less frump.

The boys are having a blast! Ripping and running from sun up to sundown. Isaiah is not sure about all these strange people that keep trying to snatch him up. Poor kid has been hearing, 'but I'm your (auntie, uncle, cousin...fill in the blank)!!' since we got here.

The plan was to have some knitting pictures. One sock down and one to go. But of course it's all cloudy and threatening rain outside today. At least it's cooled off a bit! Maybe I can sit outside and knit without melting. Anyhow, I'll have pictures before the week is out.

People keep asking me how I'm going to survive in TX if the heat is killing me now. Well I'm not quite sure but I do know we'll have central air*!

*in my brother-in-law's defense this is an older house. He and my sister-in-law are in the process of buying a newer home...with central air :o)

One day down...

2006-06-05T20:11:00.000-04:00

three more to go.

We survived day one. All our stuff is packed and ready for pick up tomorrow. We're in the hotel and I'm enjoying the free wireless internet access! We hit a little snag when the first suite we were given was *smoking* but now we're breathing clean air in a new room so it's all good.

Got to work on my springtime socks today while the movers were packing us up, and the plan is to take a shower and knit some more after the rugrats are asleep.

Tomorrow, day two...the pick up. Wednesday is the day I'm least looking foward to~the clean up. But it will feel so good on Thursday to hand over the house keys to the to the inspector (we live on a military base) and not have to worry about it any longer!

I'm going to get ready to knit now :o)

So tired!

2006-06-04T22:51:00.000-04:00

Well the time has finally come. The movers will be here tomorrow! We've been consolidating crappage all week. Laundry all day today. Do you know how hard it is to project what we all will need for the next 3 months (our house won't be ready until around the end of August so we'll be in a hotel) or so? We've got a 'no pack room' with clothes, toys and other essentials including of course YARN! I've got one of those huge ziplocks full and some books. Should keep me busy for a minute.

We'll be in town for another week until school is out. Then it's on to GA to visit family before heading off to TX. I can't wait until the end of next week when the actual 'moving' is over and I can relax a bit. Maybe even knit??

I want to say thanks to everyone for reading here and leaving such nice comments! I'll still be blogging during the move even if my internet access isn't what it is now.

Happy June everyone! I've even got blue toes to commemorate this month's Project Spectrum color :o)

Short Snorts and Doo~dads

2006-05-29T21:12:00.000-04:00

Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a doo~dad around these parts? I knit up the Short Snort Girlfriend Tank out of the Cotton Fleece I had leftover from Green Gable for my friend's daughter (you know, the one that was in the pic with my little man?). The knitting was a breeze. I knit the entire body Thursday night and did the straps Saturday morning. I waited until the last minute because all I need is one of those little round numbers to bring it all together. So off I go to Hancock Fabrics and ask.

*blinkblinkblink*

Ok, so they have no idea what I'm talking about. Wendy got her doo~dad at Joann's so I figure I'll just go there.

*blinkblinkblink*

Do you have any idea how hard it is to explain what a doo~dad is exactly? I even tried thingamagiggy. Nothin'.

So now it's like an hour before my friend has to be at the airport (they are going to Vegas to visit family) and I'm driving around with an unfinished birthday gift.

In a last ditch effort I hot tail it over to another Hancock's in the area and what do you know? One lone package of doo~dads in the purse making isle. And they were half price...score!

So I sewed it up in the parking lot and snapped the pic in my friend's driveway. Cute, no? It's a rare opportunity that I get to knit for a little girl :o)

I definitely recommend this little instant gratification project. I scaled it down a bit since the recipient is just a year old (went down a needle size, did some extra decreases) and it was still a piece of cake!

I decided on the Oak Ribbed socks from Knitting Vintage socks for my Springtime yarn. The colors are so vibrant! I'm making them a couple inches shorter than the pattern calls for and I'm almost to the toe on the first sock so I hope to be done soon. I'm also working on Orangina in Debbie Bliss Cathay. I'm really enjoying the combination of the pattern and the yarn.

Movers will be here next Monday. I've been doing some thinking about what projects I'm going to take and what I'm going to have packed away. This is an important decision considering we probably won't see our stuff until the end of August, and you know that the one thing you don't have with you is the one you'll have the urge to work on (even if you hadn't touched it in months!). Right now I'm thinking Picovoli, Ruby, Raspy from Denim People, some linen for towels (thanks Mason~Dixon!), and some sock yarn. I hope to be (at least almost) one with Orangina by the time we leave the area on the 10th. Of course this list is subject to change between now and then, and doesn't include any yarn purchases that are made after out house is packed up :o)

Next time I'll have some pics of the thoughtful going away gifts I got from my knitting group. Those girls are the best!

So much to do this week! The busy household will be just that.

So done

2006-05-22T15:11:00.000-04:00

that she's already been worn...

Not the best picture but hey, it was really windy and that was like take 7. Did I tell you my photographer is 5?

The specs~
It's the Green Gable pattern from ZephyrStyle. The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Wild Sage (a little less than 3 skeins) and the needles were Addi Turbos in a size 6 (Addi Naturas in a 4 for the ribbing). I used the long tail cast on which apparently was an 'alternate method' (who knew??) but my neckline is plenty stretchy, purl ridge and all. I made the body longer and did an extra row of ribbing. I made the 36 but probably could have done the 34...I did a LOT of waist shaping! If I were to do it again I'd knit a smaller size, but I am happy with the way it fits.

Would I recommend the pattern? I'm not sure. While I love the finished product, if you ask me there was some significant stuff left out...a lot of people had problems. You can read about a lot of it here. I was able to tailor mine to fit, but if I was brand new without the help of any other knitters I'm not sure it would have been such a quick and easy knit. If you're comfortable with making your own mods then go for it!

*~*I got mail!*~*

Look what I got...

It's a skein of Sweet Feet Sock Yarn from Hill Country Yarns. They put out a call for test knitters and I happily obliged! The color is Springtime and that's exactly what I thought of when I opened the package.

I plan to cast on tonight during the season finale of 24. Something simple, to showcase the colors. Maybe the Dublin Bay socks, or one of the ribbed patterns in Vintage Socks.

I still have a Madder Ribbed sock in progress as well as a Bijou scarf for my mom. The sock is on hold because I want to get going on this sweet feet!

Two weeks. Two weeks and I won't be living in this house anymore! It seems weird.

Anyway, here's a pic of my two big boys because you guys haven't seen them in a minute :o)

From a land far far away...

2006-05-13T14:09:00.000-04:00

came my socks!! WooHoo!

I'm sure the mailman thinks I'm crazy. He asked what was in the box and I shrieked, 'SOCKS! From SPAIN!!'. So he said, 'wow, those must be some socks.' I explained the exchange to him, most likely telling him more than he ever wanted to know and then I signed for my box.

My pal's name is Betty and she lives in Barcelona. See all the cool stuff she sent me? First let me tell you all about the little guy standing on my socks. He came out of a Kinder Surprise egg. It seems as though I'm behind the times on these little gems because I'd never heard of them. But a quick google search produced a cult following! I can see why. The kids were super excited to see what was in their eggs, and can't wait for me to open mine :o) I must find a way to get more of these.

Also in the box was some red Katia sock yarn. It told me last night that it would like to become either a pair of Diagonal Ribs or some Go with the Flow socks. I also got two very pretty postcards and a wonderful letter telling me how she ordered the yarn for my socks from Germany(without being able to speak German and the site having no pics). So my socks were knit in Spain with yarn from Germany now living in MD and will soon be moving to TX!

(yes, I'm laying on the floor in my entryway)

They are the Elfine socks, knit with Rohrspatz und Wollmeise. Aren't they pretty? I love them!!

Betty's blog is all in spanish, so mostly I was just able to look at all the pictures of her great knitting. But I was able to see that even with recovering from an injury she was able to produce socks with such perfect stitch definition...

Nothing makes me happier than nice, even stitches...just ask Kerry!

Betty, you are awesome! I love the socks and your package made my weekend :o) Since you say the sock yarn pickings are slim where you live maybe we can do a swap in the near future? For Kinder eggs!!

To continue on with the sock talk, I cast on for one last night and I need opinions. First I cast on for some Jaywalkers using self~striping Regia. I was getting some funky little holes at my increases and was getting irritated so I tossed it aside and cast on for some Madder Ribbed socks using Claudia Handpaints in 'Donna's Favorite' I didn't realize that the yarn would have such a nice striping pattern an am now thinking it would make a groovy pair of Jaywalkers.

I don't know that I want to rip out all my ribbing, but I'll make the sacrifice for a kick~a$$ pair of Jaywalkers*

*not that this is my only sock yarn, I have a bin full of it for crying out loud!! Just thought I'd ask though :o)

I know, I know...I promised you guys pics of yarn. I just haven't had the time to pose it properly...LOL! I will as I'm packing it all with tender loving care for the movers.

In still more sock news, Purly received her socks! That's right, she's who I knit for. Go say hi and check out her shop, Sundara Yarn. Beautiful stuff, and she's even got a new sock club!!

2006-05-08T08:52:00.000-04:00

We went, we saw...

We ate, and we shopped!!

And then? We were tired!

So much walking! Good thing I was wearing the right shoes. And of course the yarn! Of course by choosing to go on Sunday we missed out on the 'hot' stuff like Socks That Rock and Koigu mill ends but that's ok with me. I had so much fun just hanging out with my knit buddies and chatting that in the end the yarn was secondary (don't get me wrong though, the yarn was still important as was the funnel cake...LOL!). I'm going to miss them when I leave next month. We've already planned for me to fly back out here for next year's festival :o)

It raining and very dark today and I want to show off my purchases in pretty sunlight so I'm leaving y'all in suspense! I'm still working on Green Gable though I'm a little anoyed with the pattern. I have to tink back a row that I did last night when I was too sleepy to be knitting. So sleepy in fact that I fell asleep on the Sopranos. The Sopranos!!! Not only that but I totally slept through Grey's Anatomy.

Yup, that Sheep and Wool fest was a total (tiring) blast!

Yay socks!

2006-05-03T13:58:00.000-04:00

Here are my finished Sockapaloooza socks...

The yarn is Dalegarn Baby Ull and the pattern is Hedera from the newest Knitty

The pattern is great...very stetchy and seems like it will be comfortable to wear (forgive me pal for trying on your socks but it was the only way to get a good pic of the lace!)and is the perfect color for Spring!

Here's the heel...

I took a picture of everything packaged up but afterward I noticed that my pal's name was COMPLETELY visible...duh! Anyhow, I used one of the really cute Sockapaloooza labels and also sent some stuff native to the area AND the military. I hope my pal gets her package soon and that she likes what she finds inside :o)

It's May and that means green for Project Spectrum! Guess I started the month off right by posting pics of my very green sock pal socks. Now that those are done I've got another green project in the works....Green Gable. In, well...Green! LOL! Going well so far. I cast on last night and I'm halfway through the lace in the front. There seemed to be some collective confusion on the KAL about the neckline/cast on edge, and then the designer told us the pattern said something that it most certainly did NOT (hence the collective confusion). Some ripped, some didn't, but all of them look awesome!

BTW I'm in the 'didn't rip' camp of course.

Sheep and Wool this weekend. Who's going? I most certainly am, they're gonna have funnel cake

The Homestretch

2006-05-01T11:27:00.000-04:00

~*~EDIT~*~
This just in...
I'M DONE!! Pics to come when the boys and I return from running errands :o)
>
>
>
I'm just about to the toe on sock #2. I'll do a 'hooray I'm done!!' post when I actually bind off but I wanted to get my update in for Knitalong Tuesday :o) I'd show you all a pic but, well, it looks like the first sock did last week. And I'm pretty much sitting in the same spot that I was last week. I guess I could put it on my other foot to prove that it is indeed a different picture but I'm sure you guys trust me. Besides, I've got one kid happily fliging CD cases about the living room and the other is outside riding his bike. This is PRIME before lunch knitting time...why interrupt it by fiddling with the camera?

Anywhoo...
My socks will definitely be in the mail tomorrow on the way to my pal!

I aslo wanted to say thanks for all the nice comments about the picture in my last post. I can only take credit for one of the little boogers. The little girl belongs to a good friend of mine. They are just about the same age so watching them together is pretty funny :o)

The halfway mark!

2006-04-24T11:38:00.000-04:00

WooHoo!!!

Here's sock #1 without a toe...

So I've got about a week to knit sock #2. Since I did the first one in a week with pretty much no knitting while I was in TX (about 2 days) I should be fine. DH has also been nice enough to give me a little extra uninterrupted knitting time since he knows I'm on a deadline :o)

I wanted to be sure to get my sock pal update in, but I've got to get going. Since I got up this morning and pretty much did nothing but feed the kids and graft my toe I've got dishes and laundry calling my name. I want to tell you all about my trip and I still need to show you what I got in NY so I'll be back. Until then, how about a cute baby pic to destract you?

Time Out

2006-04-17T11:07:00.000-04:00

That's where my sock pal sock is.

I should have seen it coming. Friday afternoon I tried it on and it was a little snug but I pressed on and turned the heel. It all went downhill from there. My pals feet are just a teench (hubby's word) bigger than mine and if I couldn't wear them comfortably then, well, you know where this is going. I can't figure it out! This is one of the times I actually checked my gauge..LOL! I took the sock, the needles...even the book, and layed them off to the side and tried not to freak out.

I didn't think about socks again until Saturday morning. Too painful. *sigh*

Saturday afternoon I cast on for the Hedera socks (ok, so the fake leg is a little freaky, but check them out on a real live foot) with the Baby Ull I had bought for the Spring IK lacy socks. This is what I had by Sunday afternoon...

And by the time the Sopranos came on I was completely done with the first leg. Here's a sort~of close up of the stitch pattern (upside down but hey..)

I'm absolutely loving this pattern. Easy enough to memorize but not boring. I really like working with the yarn too. Also, the pattern is really stretchy so it doesn't look like I'll have any problems :o) I'm going to make a pair of these for me too!

My lacy Nancy Bush socks aren't forgotten. I'm sure I can do some math and rework the heel to make them fit but unfortunately I don't have time for all that right now. I can always just give them to my mom, her feet are smaller than mine.

The baby and I are headed ot to San Antonio in the morning. Design studio stuff for the house. My sock will be coming with and hopefully I'll have some knitting time after the little guy falls asleep at the hotel. Wish me luck that I can keep a 9 month old occupied during a 4 hour flight.

Other projects?
I've set Somewhat Cowl aside until I'm done with my socks. Same with the brown project I've been working. At the rate the socks are progressing though I should be done in no time so I can finish these other two. I joined the Green Gable KAL and hope to work on that along with Orangina next month. The orange blanket? Yeah, it's not getting any longer.

On my trip to NY I managed to hit Purl, Morehouse Farm, and a little out of the way place that does everything in house...shearing (and all the stuff that goes with cleaning and carding and whatever...I have no idea), spinning, dyeing...all that. They actually gave me a peek at how it all works. Interesting.

I'll have picks of my haul next time. Right now I need to get off of this computer and get ready for my trip while the baby is sleeping. It's so much easier to sit here and not think of all the stuff I need to do.

See y'all when I get back.

Something old, something new...

2006-04-07T00:22:00.000-04:00

...and sometheing brown.

In honor of Project Spectrum's color theme for March, I've decided to (attempt to) tackle The Orange Blanket. Some of you may remember TOB, and how it went from being the Hearts and Stars blankie from Adorable Knits for Tots to being known as the orange monster. I tell you no matter how much I knit on this thing it doesn't get any longer.

I'm thinking I may call it quits after this month. I mean just bind off on the 30th and give the baby his stubby little blankie.

If you notice, my skein of Brooklyn Handspun sock yarn is posing along with TOB. I'd be kidding myself to think I would have time this month to knit another pair of socks. I just though it was too pretty (and yellow and orange to boot) not to be in the pic. Maybe on the 30th after I bind off my stubby little blanket I'll pour myself a glass of wine and stare at it, thinking of what could have been.

My something new is the Mason~Dixon book. I love it! Chock full of ideas and wonderful stories...all kinds of inspiration. Which leads me to something brown, but you all are going to have to wait until I get back for that. We're all going to NY this weekend to see my family. My SockapalOOOza socks (I'm now about to turn the heel on the first one) will come along for the ride as well as my brown project. I'm close to being done with my Somewhat Cowl but I think she's gonna sit this one out. I'll finish once I get further on the socks.

I'm hoping the weather cooperates because I'm trying to get to Purl, Schoolhouse Products, and the Morehouse Merino Farm before we come back on Monday! Have a great weekend!

PS....the sale a couple posts back? Nothing spectacular. Knitter's are a speedy bunch. Most of what I wanted was gone by the time I got there, and I got there 2 hours after they opened on the first day!

Trash TV

2006-03-31T18:41:00.000-05:00

I've been doing a lot of late night knitting again. The baby has been quite cranky during the day and today is even running a fever. I know he is teething. Drs will tell you that a baby will not run a fever while teething. Know what? It's a LIE. All my kids had runny noses and fevers whenever a new little chopper was about to make it's appearance. He's sleeping right now, so I have a minute.

Ok, so as soon as I hit the period at the end of that sentence he popped up and it was on the rest of the night! The boys even stayed up late so I wound up with NO time to finish my post. We now join our blog post already in progress...

There was no school yesterday and since it was gorgeous outside I hardly saw the boys all day. When the baby *finally* decided to take a nap I flipped on the TV. Talk shows. I tell ya...how many men can you sleep with in, say, a two week span that you have no idea who the father of your baby is? Any why do they all say they are 'one hundred and ten percent' sure that the poor goober they dragged on the show is the daddy when they know they slept with his uncle, cousin and brother too? Trash TV is good for something though. I got some knitting done! Ok, so neither of the projects I've been working on are anything I've showed you before. That's because I'm cheating on my WIPS. I'm so bad.

Can you guess what this is?

Yup! It's a Somewhat Cowl. First I layed my other projects down just to fondle the yarn. Then I said 'just a swatch...a little swatch'. In a moment of weakness I caston and that's when it turned into a full~blown affair! I've got 4 inches to go until the ribbing and I can't.stop.knitting. I'm adding some waist shaping and hope to be done by at least Wednesday.

The other project I cast on for when I know I had no business is Poppy from Debbie Bliss' Cotton Angora book. I'm using some Wool in the Woods that I got last year at MDS&W. After it sat in my stash for a while I realized the color wouldn't suit my baby so I decided to gift it to a friend's daughter. One more sleeve to go and I get to sew it together and pick up the billion stitches for the ribbing. I didn't take a pic because honestly it's just a pile of little pieces of rolled up fabric. Trust me, you'd much rather see it when it's finished.

Progress on my SockapalOOOza sock?

I know, you're thinking 'that's funny, it looks just like it did in the last picture she posted!' That's because it IS the last picture I posted. I've only managed another repeat on the first sock. This past week has been really bad for concentration. Not to mention the baby's odd attachment to Louet sock yarn makes it hard to knit while he'son the prowl.

Today is Flash Your Stash day. I didn't sign up, but I thought about flashing anyway. I took one look at mystash and realized there was no way I was going to get it into any kind of photographic order before we go to see Curious George at 2.30pm. I was going to do it when we get back but DH is having a small Final Four get together. I don't need his friends thinking I'm some kind of crazy knitter~lady who not only hoards yarn but poses and takes pictures of it. Not cool. Oh well. Maybe I'll flash it when I'm organizing for the move and planning what project will actually be coming with me :o)

Next time I'll let you guys in on when I plan to work on for Project Spectrum, and what else I plan to work on because I can't wait!

Things I can do today...

2006-03-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

1. Go to the grocery store.
Hmm...in the time it took me to write that I decided it would be a bad idea. Much better to wait until this evening so I can leave the boys with DH.

2. Start purging for the move.
Ha! As if...

3. Go the anniversary sale at one of the not~quite~so~LYSs.
4. Dump out all the stash I already have and devise a spreadsheet for organization.
5. Knit.

Ok, out of the last three knitting is a given. Even if I only do a row a day (at midnight) I MUST so that really doesn't count. Dumping out the stash really isn't practical with a yarn eating baby about. You see where this is going right?

I have no choice but to check out the sale. It's my 5 year olds favorite store because they have a bucket full of toys and the baby is just happy people watching in the sling. Have I convinced you? If not I've convinced me and that's what's important. I'll see you all when I get back!

Short on time

2006-03-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

So short actually that I should be taking a shower, doing dishes, or putting dinner in the crockpot while the baby naps. But I tell you...he wears me out! Sometimes when I get him down I just have to sit and collect my thoughts. You would think that a mom of three boys would have it down by the time the last little guy shows up, right? Well I don't know if I forgot because his brothers were 4 and 6 when he was born but he runs.me.ragged. He's into everything. Days are a whirlwind of cheerios, CD cases (that he flings everywhere while his toys remain untouched), and hiding of the remote/phone/knitting so they don't get slobbered on. He'll yell and stomp if one of the boys has something and won't hand it over fast enough, food included, and at 8months is already standing for a few seconds at a time unassisted.

This is going to be the one folks, the one that does me in!

But I'm lovin' it

I decided on my SockapalOOOza socks and even started them!

They're the Child's First Sock form Knitting Vintage Socks. Don't laugh at all my post~its. The pattern is pretty easy and straight foward, it's just that I usually knit for 5 minutes at a time during the day and this ensures I don't lose my place. Post~its, row counters, stitch markers...these are all a busy mom's friend. Oh and coffee, don't forget the coffee! Here's a close~up of the pattern...

I must admit that I'm not really loving this yarn. It's not spun tightly enough for me and the little fuzzy spots are irking me. There was a knot too! But those are just Kim issues because the finished product is looking very nice.

I started on the Priaire Blanket using *gasp* Red Heart Soft in a cream color. This is a VERY enjoyable knit, from the yarn to the relaxing stitch pattern. I worked on it for most of the weekend. I should be able to finish by my mid~April deadline, just in time to do about 2 more. Good thing I like the pattern!

Ok, I've already gone on too long! I must go and tackle my 'chores' so that maybe I'll have time to knit this afternoon. Once again thank you all for your comments!

I'm late as usual

2006-03-09T14:16:00.000-05:00

But here are my socks

Sorry they're not the best pics, but my photographer was having issues. After 3 pics of the ground and one of my knee I took matters into my own hands. Taking pictures of your own feet while balancing a squirmy baby is not as easy as you'd think. Speaking of babies...

Now I know that I (like most knitters) have described yarn as 'yummy' and I'm not embarrassed to say I sniff it and rub it on my cheek. But I've never actually tasted it!

He cried when I wrestled it away.

As you all know, the nacho yarn is Artyarns Ultramerino 6. I used a US 3 needle and a basic 2x2 rib. These were my first heel flap socks, I've only ever used a short~row. Same for the toe. This one is a pointed (I think) toe from Knitting Vintage Socks. I wore them all day yesterday and they were very comfy and squishy, like a twenty~something~dollar pair of socks should be.

Project Spectrum is here!! I love color. I don't get to see a whole lot of pink around here unless it's something specifically for me, like my big 'ol knitting bag

it started out as my work bag, then it was my travel bag. Now I throw my knitting and my Borders mug (which is also pink) in there. I love that it's plastic and it wipes clean. Funny thing is, this bag seems to get the most usage in the winter. I like to think of it as my 'little bit of Spring' when it's all gloomy.

As for red/pink projects I have all kinds of ideas swirling around in my head. My friend is having a baby (boy #4) and I'm making her a BBBB in red Cotton Ease. She's due the end of April so this isn't something I can set aside :o) I've also got some ruby Alpaca and Silk to make The Somewhat Cowl ans I want to make Jaywalkers with my flickering flame Brooklyn Handspun.

I've got one more project in the queue that falls under this months Project Spectrum idea. I finally got SockapalOOOza yarn! Louet Gems Pearl in Burgundy...so pretty! At first I wanted to make the lacy socks out of the new IK, but I fear they may be too short for my pal's tastes. There are a couple of great lacy patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks. The fancy silk socks (orsomethinglikethat) from Knitting Vintage Socks is in the running as well. I think I'll show a couple to DH, see what he thinks, and cast on tonight. As for getting to knit the IK socks? All is not lost. I picked up some Baby Ull in green to make myself a pair in May!

Since you all are dying to know the fate of the gunmetal gray Big Bad Baby Blanket in the King Tut cotton I won't keep you in suspense. I'm ripping it. It was too loose or something, I don't know but I wasn't loving it. I got to poking around online and found the Prairie Blanket. So I poked around a little more to find somewhere that wasn't going to charge me $4 to ship one pattern. I found Carodan Farm in VA who had very reasonable shipping. That alone made me happy but I was thriiled when my pattern came today with a little note that said they didn't charge any shipping as a little thank you to us for serving the country! How's that for thoughtful?

Thanks to Nik for the lightbulb tip and thanks to everyone who takes the time to leave a comment. I do enough talking to myself around here, it's nice to know at least *someone* is listening!

Nachos anyone?

2006-03-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

I finished my nacho socks. Which, by the way, must have REALLY looked like nacho cheese because the little guy kept sneaking into my knitting bag to taste the yarn.

You guys will have to take my word for it until tomorrow morning though because it's dark and a photo shoot right now would be a waste of time. I'll have more updates tomorrow as well...my ideas for Project Spectrum, the fate of the Big Bad Baby Blanket, and what I've decided on for my SockapalOOOza pal.

Tonight I'll leave you with this. Do you think it really works? If so how cool would that be? Do you know how much knitting I could get done while that thing cleans my floors??

My Apologies

2006-02-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

I apologize for being AWOL. I have a good excuse, really I do! Oh, and I've been knitting as well.

We're moving! we got the word last Friday that we will be heading to San Antonio in June. I am so excited! Much of my recent computer time has been taken up with house hunting and whatnot. I've also been doing a little networking to find some nice knitterly types and a group of some sort. Laugh if you will, but when hubby told me the news that's the first thing I thought of...'who will I knit with??' Knitting helps to keep me relaxed in times of stress and what's more stressful than packing up the kids, the cat(!), and the husband in a 2~car caravan for a 20 some odd hour trip? I need a drink just from typing that.

Anyhow I have met some nice ladies online and was welcomed into Stitching San Antonio with open arms. I'll miss the group I am a part of here dearly though :o(

Like I said I have been knitting. Clapotis is coming along nicely. I'm up to the 4th dropped stitch. I had to rip my nacho sock because it was just too loose. I cast on again with the same amount of stitches (48) but in an allover 2x2 rib. I did my first flap heel (I'm usually a short row kinda gal) with a heel stitch (sl1, k1), and I'm almost to the toe on the first one. Oh what you want to see pictures? Well I don't have any. Due to recent events (us moving) and a teething baby I do most of my knitting late at night. If I had time to photograph my knitting during the day with good lighting I'd actually be knitting my knitting during the day in that good lighting. Hell, I'm even typing this with one hand. Besides,If you've seen one half knit Clapotis and an unfinished sock you've seen them all :o)

Yesterday I did what anyone who has 2 projects already on the needles and a multitude of other things going on would have done...cast on for another preject! I started the Big Bad Baby Blanket form Stitch N Bitch out of King Tut Cotton in a steel gray. I couldn't resist. I love the yarn and the pattern practically knits itself! When I finish one of these 3 I will start on my SockapalOOOza socks.

Speaking of socks, check out Brooklyn Handspun Yarns. I ordered some of her superwash in the flickering flame colorway and it's absolutely gorgeous. I think I'm going to have her custom dye some for me for my sock pal's socks, maybe in some purples and reds?

DH has a wedding to go to in GA this weekend but I'm staying home because I didn't want my son to miss school. I should see some project progress this weekend since I plan to knit from the boy's bedtime until I pass out.

There are many changes on the horizon for us but we can't wait! I'll keep everyone posted on moving news as I get it, that is if you care...LOL! Time for me to go knit a bit while everyone is sleeping!

It's true what they say

2006-02-17T09:17:00.000-05:00

You know, about grocery shopping when you're hungry? Well did you also know the same holds true when you go to Knit Happens *just* to buy needles. I went with the intention of getting the Addi Naturas I needed (er...wanted) for my Ribby and started browsing. I had to take this home with me...

Why? Because it reminds me of Nachos. Nachos supreme to be exact. I'm sorry to say I haven't had really good Mexican food since we moved from Tucson and this yarn reminds me of the food at this little place called Filiberto's that we used to frequent (expecially when working the mid~shift!). It's Artyarns Ultramerino 6. The color # escapes me now but I'll be darned if it doesn't look like nacho cheese, tomatoes, green olives,and jalepeno peppers :o)

The night before the Olympics I started a sock. I couldn't resist.

It's the Lava Flow sock pattern from Sock Bug. I love how it's turning out, and the Ultramerino is simply wonderful to knit with. I wanted to knit it all the time. I wanted to knit it late into the night. However, the Olympics were starting so I set my beloved sock aside to cast on for the Ribby Cardi.

Unfortunately, the odds are against me on this one. Not only is all that ribbing and stockinette making me want to stab myself with my new size 7 Addi Naturas, but this month has been crazy busy! So far we've had a birthday sleepover and an anniversary (DH and I hit 9 years last Wednesday), with another birthday on the horizon. Every Saturday is basketball and since the boys are on different teams we spend a lot of time at the gym. The weekends have also been filled with social obligations. When I do get a second to knit the Ribby Cardi is not my knit of choice. Add to that the pressure of a deadline and I'm one unhappy camper.

I want to knit my sock. I want to knit with this...

...Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in the Jeans colourway. Yum! So what did I do? I set this aside

and cast on for Clapotis. I'm much happier now. I think I might even finish Clapotis by the Olympic deadline! I'm already almost done with the increase rows. Today was supposed to be my 'day 'o knitting' but my girlfriend called last night and needed emergency childcare. So I have an extra little person who screams every time Phoebe the Cat crosses his path *sigh*. Oh, and I'm really grateful that it rained just enough this morning to soggy up the playground equipment.

No real updates but...

2006-02-07T11:40:00.000-05:00

I've been playing with my camera

and I changed some things around here. Still some stuff I have to learn about HTML, but I think it looks ok. I still need to come up with a button and I want to add some stuff to my sidebar. I'd love to change the font of all of my titles to match my blog title but I feel that will take more time than I have at my disposal.

What else is new? Cozy still hates me. I am determined to make it work, just not now. Right now I'm working on a pinwheel baby blanket and the Manos shawl simultaneously.

Friday is the start of the Winter Olympics, which is also the start of my Ribby Cardi. In preparation I will be swatching again because I think I'm going to buy some Addis. I also need a zipper. Anyone know a good place to order from? I'm a little nervous since I have a lot going on this month. For example, this weekend we're having a sleepover for the boys. On second thought, maybe it's the thought of a house full of boys that's making me sweat?

I've also been putting some thought into what I want to do for Sockapaloooza. Right now there are two different directions I can go in. Once I figure that out I'll be shopping for yarn. Let me ask you guys...do you like fancy socks in solid yarn or plain(er) socks knit with something variegated?

I'll be giving regular updates on my Olympic project as well as the socks for my pal. Don't miss the excitement!

Wishy~washy

2006-02-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

First off I want to thank everyone for their comments on Ella, my haircut, and my little guys. You all are so sweet. It really made me smile to log on and see such nice stuff said about something I made (kids included..LOL). Really, it means a lot just to know people read here and take time out of their busy day to leave me a note.

Thanks

Things I decided to do this past week:

make a hat for Isaiah*
make a curly q scarf with leftover Brooks Farm*
get my nails done (with a nifty little design even...a perk of no longer being in the military)
clean the bathrooms**
do laundry**
grocery shop**

* Sorry, I don't have pics. My models are still asleep and it's all rainy outside. Maybe later today?
** ok, so these aren't technically things I can choose not to do. Unless I go on some type of mom strike or something.

Things I started and decided not to finish:
Essential Stripe Sweater
Little Leaf Lace Scarf
Cozy
River from Rowan 38

The only one of these I have no excuse for is River. I just didn't feel like it. The Essential Stripe is a great pattern, but I'll be racing to finish the Ribby Cardi for the Knitting Olympics and I decided I'd rather not rush through two sweaters in a row. The scarf didn't like me. I just couldn't get it to cooperate with me which is weird because it's a 4 row repeat. Now I'm no master knitter but I can usually handle a 4 row repeat for goodness sake!

And then there is Cozy. Cozy hates me. I've started Cozy a number of times and it's always all wrong. This time was extra~special though because I was using Lavold Silky Tweed which I now realize I'm not crazy about. I'm seriously thinking of offering this stuff up for swap or something. I was hoping that once it was balled up it would fluff up or something. You know, be a little more pleasing to my senses but I'm still not feeling it. Knitting with it felt like knitting with sticky and slightly nubbly string. Has anyone used this stuff? What do you think of it?

What did I decide to do? While blog cruising I saw this and this and fell in love. Both patterns are from this one. Since I don't spin my own yarn and certainly can't afford enough handspun to make a big ol' shawl, I used some green Manos from my stash. I LOVE this stuff! It's going to be big and ridiculously warm and that's what I'm going for. So far it's a quick and easy knit.

I joined SockapalOOOza and recieved the names of the person I will knit for and my 'sock sister' this past Wednesday. The person I'm knitting for has tastes similar to mine, which is actually the opposite of the last socks I knit for me! Ha! Go figure. Anyhow, because of this deciding what to do shouldn't be too hard. I just need to make up my mind so I can get started when the Olympic torch goes out on the 26th!

Since I did my grocery shopping and my bathrooms are clean I'm off to knit and read some blogs while my 5 year old has breakfast

Cheeeeeeese!!

2006-01-25T13:21:00.000-05:00

No, the photographer wasn't on his knees! He's 5 and short :o)

70% of a promise

2006-01-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

I do have pictures of Ella. I don't have pictures of my hair. Well, not exactly. I had a rough day today, and while you can technically see the back of my head in the following pic...

I have a scarf tied around my head (which incidentally doesn't match my shirt but whatever) and you can't really see too much. It was done this morning, really it was! But after a windy day walk, a few rounds of Chutes and Ladders, some laundry, and your general kiddie horseplay my 'do was through (LOL). In hopes of distracting you guys from the fact I promised hair pics here's a chubby baby shot

Did it work?

Either way here are a couple more shots of Ella. Close up

and wrapped around the boys

Her stats:
The pattern is Ella from Knitty. I used Brooks Farm 4 Play in the Poppies colorway and Denise Interchangeables in US size 10. It took me 2 full skeins and (no lie) about 7 inches of the third! The pattern was knit as written except for omitting a repeat in section 2.
This was an awesome pattern! I would love to do it again with maybe a different weight and fiber content of yarn. It went by quickly and I never got bored, even towards the end. I highly recommend this shawl...can't say enough good things :o)

Late Sunday night I decided to put two very bright colors of KnitPicks Shine (purple and green) together to make the funky tank top out of Adorable Knits for Tots. But my gauge was different, and I wanted to knit it in the round, and I was only using two colors. I guess you could say it's not the funky tank from Adorable Knit after all...LOL! I've dubbed this little creation 'sweet grapes'. The colors remind me of grapes and although 'sour grapes' is a little more catchy and also the first thing that came to mind, my little man is waaay too sweet to wear something called sour grapes. A little corny I'll admit but who cares?

I'm trying to decide if I want to join Sockapaloooza this time around. Anyone else joining? I think it would be pretty cool to recieve something handknit (socks no less!!), and the time frame is right...I just need to stop being wishy~washy and do it I suppose.

I'm also warming my fingers and wrist up for the Knitting Olympics! I think I'm going to join the Plain Old Sweater team as I'm not doing anything particularly fancy(a Ribby Cardi) even though *I* see it as a challenge and isn't that what this whole thing is about? The whole Olympic thing is pretty funny because the hubby and I have this long standing joke about sports. I watch countless hours of football, ESPN, football, basketball, and football. Did I say football? I always tell him one day knitting will be a competitive sport and he'll have to watch it on TV with me. So when I told him I had joined I got a bit of an eyebrow raise. I told him not to worry and reassured him that he didn't have to actually watch me knit my sweater but cheering me on is always welcome. My girlfriend threatens her husband as well, but with scrapbooking.

Wouldn't that be something...*sigh*

Would you lookie here!

2006-01-22T19:43:00.000-05:00

Ha! I've been tagged...twice! Call me a dork if you want but I've never been tagged before so I'm excited :o) The requests came from Kim and Pam, and are slightly different so I've merged them together.

Here goes nothing...

4 jobs you've had:
Supply Technician
EMT
Surgical Technician
Unit Deployment Manager

4 movies you can (and have) watched over and over:
Goodfellas
Full Metal Jacket
Toy Story
Billy Madison
*You know, there are more in this category and I had a hard time narrowing it down to 4. Netflix is my friend!

4 TV shows you love to watch:
24
Rescue Me
Grey's Anatomy
The King of Queens
*When The Sopranos comes back it will be at the top of my list!

4 places you've lived:
Bronx, NY
Queens, NY
Tucson, AZ
Southern MD (DC suburbs if you will)

4 places you've been on vacation:
Jamaica
Mexico
Las Vegas
San Diego

4 websites you visit daily:
Bunch o' blogs...thanks Bloglines!
Yahoo...news, weather, etc.
Knitty Coffeeshop
Delphi Forums

4 of your favorite foods:
Chocolate! (anything sweet really but chocolate tops the list. It makes me particularly happy.)
Shrimp
Fresh baked bread with lots of butter(thanks for that one Kim)
Cheese, glorious cheese :o)

4 places you'd rather be right now:
Jamaica
Tucson
Getting a facial, massage, and a pedicure
Somewhere that there is someone to cook and clean for me. Oh, and do my laundry.

Ok, who to tag? I understand that some folks are kind of touchy when it comes to this sort of thing. I don't want to piss anyone off so if I tag you and you don't want to partake, don't. On the other hand if you read here and it looks like fun have at it!

Catherine
Shelagh
Amy
Nik

Today was a busy day for me. Not only did I finish Ella (yay), but I went and got all my hair chopped off this morning! When I woke up this morning I decided it had to go. I've been wanting to get it cut for a while now but to be honest I was scared. I've got very curly hair which I wear natural...no color, perms, heavy goop...and for some reason this puzzles a lot of hairdressers. Unfortunately when it comes to salons you usually have to 'pick a side' and my hair is neither 'black' or 'white' in the traditional sense. I say traditional sense because those are terms that I have heard from actual hairdressers. If you ask me, people should learn how to do *hair* period but I digress...

Anyhow, I really like how it turned out and I'll have pics of the new 'do and the wonderful Ella tomorrow!

Love is...

2006-01-18T19:09:00.000-05:00

Staying home from your weekly knitting get together and making cream cheese brownies

to be enjoyed after a dinner of onion dijon crusted catfish, collard greens, and cornbread. Why all the fuss? Because it's my dear husband's 29th birthday!

Yeah, yeah...so I robbed the cradle.

The Mommy Wars

2006-01-16T12:48:00.000-05:00

Why is it that a woman's worst critic is another woman?

I was blog surfing and came across a discussion that I can't for the life of me find again. It was about an article that was discussing women who, upon graduating from college, said that they had made the choice to become homemakers instead of entering the workforce. There were lots of comments and lots of ideas about the article. But the ones that really got me were the women that made it sound like they were throwing their educations (and lives for that matter) away to be stay at home mothers. One even went as far as to say that she would *never* depend on another human being. Wow.

Through the years, women have fought hard to be able to do what they wanted in life. There's 'take your daughter to work day'. We've drilled it into the heads of little girls everywhere that they can be whatever they want to be. Well, did whatever they want to be only apply if they aspired to carry a briefcase?

I worked for years. I was in the Air Force when my two older children were born. We utilized daycare. I had to take business trips. It worked for us for a while.

When we relocated to MD from AZ I decided I really wasn't crazy about my line of work. We decided I would stay home and go to school, which lasted until I got pregnant and now my last year is on hold. I'm ok with that. I'm also ok with depending on my husband, and the dependence is not only financial. I depend on him to be there for me, to help me with the kids, and to be my best friend. He in turn depends on me. Could you imagine all the stuff he would have to pay someone to do if I (goodness forbid) dropped dead?

I depend on my friends, I depend on my sister, hell I depend on my cat to curl up with me and make me feel better after a hard day! Anyone who says they don't depend on others is pretty lonely.

All that said, I by no means don't think a homemaker shouldn't have a plan for herself. I'm prepared in case of the unexpected. Everyone should have a plan, working women included.

It's funny, while there are definitely stay at home dads out there you don't hear the same kind of hoopla. Why? Well I think it stems from a man's ability to mind his own business. A man couldn't care less what the guy down the street is doing, even if he doesn't agree with it. Women? It's almost as though we have to belittle the choices of another in order to feel good about the choices we've made. I think that's sad. We'd be a force to reckon with if we all just stuck together.

So...hey to all the women out there! Be supportive of your sisters. Daycare is NOT evil and women who work are most certainly raising their own children. Women who stay home are not uneducated doormats. Homemaking is not something you fall into by default. A stay at home mother's job is important too.

With this being the new year, lets try to free our minds and be a little more accepting of ideas that are different from our own.

Ok, I'm done :o)

This past week we had a birthday..

We've got a five year old! Although according to him he 'still feels four'! We let him choose dinner and took him to Toys R Us and let him pick out whatever he wanted. So we would up with pizza and some dinosaur castle that took DH all Saturday afternoon to put together!

see how excited folks get when they're about to eat cake?

Even Isaiah got in on the action...

Since My oldest turns 7 in February and they hang in the same circles, we're going to throw a joint party. Of course Chuck E. Cheese was the first suggestion. I'm trying to talk them into the skating rink. The skating rink was *the place* to be when I was growing up, and to have your birthday party there was too cool. I guess I'm getting old.

Knitting news. Ella. I should be done soon...

I left out a repeat because I thought it was big enough and also because I wanted to make sure that there wasn't the slightest possibility of running out of yarn!

Next I plan to cast on for either Clapotis or the Ribby Cardi as part of the Behind the times KAL. Perhaps I'll do both? I really want to do the Ribby, since I've had the yarn forever and I need a cardigan that I wouldn't be embarrased to wear out of the house.

DHs birthday is on Wednesday. Maybe I can talk him into a skating party??

Shorty's got it goin' on...

2006-01-05T21:20:00.000-05:00

The fine ladies over at JenLa sent out a casting call for the ugliest avatar. Boy are there some ugly ones! Just as I was going to go make one at Yahoo I came across this post and, well, look at it! Need I say more? I had to get over to eLouai's and make my own 'candygirl doll'

Now, it's funnier when it's animated (I think the cat is being violated by the short girl in the tiara~how I'm not sure), but it can also make your head hurt and I'm pretty sure you all can get the gist of the fug the way it is.

'Tell me I am beautiful or I will get flying Chucky to beat you with a giant lollypop and send lil' miss freaky to your house to hump your cat!'

Seriously though, there are no less than a million different avatar combos at that one site alone. Do people really put that much thought into this stuff?

KAL fever!

2006-01-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

I've got it!

With the new year comes the natural urge to rid yourself of some of your clutter. Now before anyone's panties get bunched up I am only referring to the sacred stash as clutter for lack of a better term (or because that's how DH refers to it). While I love to surround myself as much fibery goodness as possible, sometimes too much yarn makes me anxious. Projects for which there is yarn already earmaked in the stash can feel like just another obligation...like laundry or dishes. Or maybe I feel like I just can't knit fast enough to knit everything I want and still keep up with the current knitting trends. I have the yarn for a Cozy, Branching Out, a Ribby Cardi, Rogue and even a Turtleneck Shrug. Then there is the Zephyr for a FBS,the Lion and Lamb on it's way (from a swap) for a Clapotis, and the 3 balls of Cathay that are (also) on the way to keep the 5 balls I already have company until I'm ready to knit Orangina. How in the world am I going to accomplish any of this?

I guess the first step would be to not buy any more yarn. Ok, are you done laughing yet? Since that's probably not going to happen I vow to at least slow down. Step 2 would be to gather with like minded individuals, giving me a cyber kick in the pants to get knitting!

I've been knitting on Ella as part of a KAL on Yahoo. This is a great pattern! And the yarn? Oh my goodness the yarn is something else. You must check out Brooks Farm and check out their yarn. This stuff is gorgeous!! I'm enjoying every minute of this shawl.

I've joined the Behind the Times KAL which should prove to be a lot of fun and quite helpful in my quest. Branching Out, Clapotis, Rogue...heck, just about everything in my queue...fall under the heading of this KAL! A bunch of us plan to start Clapotis very soon and we've got someone starting Branching Out. If you've got a project that you *missed the bandwagon* on come join us :o)

Last but not least there is a KAL in the works for Teva Durham's Turtleneck shrug. I don't know too much about it yet but I know I've been eyeing the 'sleeves without a sweater' ever since I got the Scarf Style book and I can't wait to knit it!

Lots of stuff going on at the Busy house in the next few weeks. Three birthdays and an anniversary all coming up. For us life doesn't quite get back to normal until a couple months after the tree comes down and the decorations are put away. But more about all that later...I'm off to knit a little on Ella!

Most wonderful time?

2005-12-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

Many people feel that Christmas day is the best day of the year. Not me, I'm partial to the 26th. Why?

Reason #1: No pressure. There is nothing to do. None of that 'oh goodness I only have 12 hours left what did I forget to do?' madness. You don't even have to cook, which brings me to reason #2...

Reason #2: Leftovers! I ate leftovers for every meal yesterday. Yes, I even had pie for breakfast. Since ham, mac and chese, and corn are some of my kids favorite things to eat there was no effort to get them to eat.

Reason #3: Your kids disappear. Seriously. Children are so excited on Christmas their behavior is birderline psychotic. Too much to look at, too much to touch...it makes them crazy! See?

On the 26th they are still super~excited, but now they've inventoried all of their loot and are ready to get down to some serious playing! We didn't see the kids yesterday until it was time to eat (leftovers!). We even got to watch some movies in the middle of the day...in our PJs :o)

I'm sure there's more reasons, but you get the idea. My point is I spent the day yesterday on my couch, in my PJs, watching movies and eating leftovers! Does it get any better than that? Don't get me wrong though, preparation for the holiday is fun too. The kids had a ball making cookies and it only took me a couple of hours after we were done to clean the flour and icing from all the crevaces in my kitchen. And who wouldn't enjoy wrapping presents with help like this?

All in all, it's been fun but I'm ready to get back to normal. Is it January yet??

*if you work in retail (as my sister does) forget everything I said about the 26th being awesome. If you work retail my hat goes off to you.

Now on to the knitting! I promised some pics didn't I? Ok, I've got a couple of gift scarves. This one is for our little neighbor. It was for her 7th birthday and what 7 year old girl doesn't appreciate a little sparkle? I used TLC cotton plus and some eyelash...name escapes me right now but I think it starts with a T? I got it from one of the LYSs a loooong time ago!

Then we have the Chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I used one skein of variegated pink and one of green Koigu. The pattern called for 4 skeins but since the recipient isn't 7 feet tall and I can't imagine that she wants to use it as a head wrap like in the picture I stopped at two. Here's a closeup of the stitch and color. She really liked it!

Last but not least I made a mulitdirectional scarf for my son's teacher out of Noro Kureyon (#148). Here he is modeling it on the morning we wrapped it up to give to her...

Yes, the pic is kind of dark but less face it...my photography is less than stellar on a good day. At 6am it's, well, even more challenged.

Almost forgot, you can see pics of what I gave Kerry at our gift exchange here on her blog. Being the genius that I am I forgot to photograph all the stuff before I wrapped it up.

In the midst of all this gift knitting I managed to knit something for me! I knit a scarf long ways out of Blue Sky organic cotton. Man is this stuff soft! I'm hoping I have enough left over to do a matching hat, or maybe one of those pantas? Isaiah likes it too

It's long and skinny and matches my coat. Perfect!

Of course Christmas did not come and go without knitting loot! I got the book Alterknits and a GC to Borders so I can shop during knit night (sock book perhaps??), enough Cascade 220 to make Rogue, and a GC to kpixie...yay!

It seems as though the natives are getting restless so I'm going to bring this to a close. Hope everyone's holiday was a merry one and that you all are enjoying the last week of 2005!

Calm before the storm

2005-12-20T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's quiet and the baby is asleep, as he should be after fussing all night long! I'm enjoying a MUCH needed cup of coffee before I have to grocery shop, clean, and generally get ready for the holiday.

So in this calm before the storm that is to be my day I figured I'd give you a quick update to let you know that I'm still alive. I've been gift knitting, so I have some pictures to show you. I've also been involved in a couple of swaps and bought a couple of books. I'll have a better update this evening, after dinner and basketball practice.

Until then, I leave you with what Phoebe's been up to...

Tis the season...

2005-12-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

for runny noses and coughing. That's right, all three of the boys have got the funk. My six year old came home early yesterday and stayed home today. He's laying on the couch looking pitiful. The four year old doesn't seem any worse for the wear, but then again when has a little snot ever phased a four year old? The baby is his regular old happy self except for the coughing. Oh, and the wrestling with the booger bulb! Boy do kids hate that thing!

In spite of all this I have actually been knitting! Perhaps it's because when the kids are sick you are pretty much confined to the house watching Noggin or whatever. And they nap more :o)

Even though I've been knitting/crafting I can't really show you anything just yet. Why? Because it's been gift knitting/crafting and the recipient(s) may read the blog. I should have some pics tomorrow or the next day because our knit group gift exchange is tonight. Of course I'm going to be late because hubby has to work until 6. Just my luck!

I ordered some Brooks Farm Four Play to make Ella and it got here in like 2 days! This stuff is something else and even though the price has been raised a dollar I will definitely be getting more of it. It's beautiful and an awesome value! I got the poppies colorway and as soon as I'm done with the frenzy known as 'gift knitting' I'll be more than ready to cast on for Ella!

That's all I have for now. I'll be back later this week with updates and pictures!

Pack 'em up and move 'em out

2005-11-21T22:50:00.000-05:00

I'm supposed to be packing. Well actually I'm all packed except for my knitting. What do you take for a fun~filled holiday weekend with ALL of the in~laws? I'm thinking socks? Perhaps I'll finish the mate to this one...

Here's a close up...

I really like how it came out! I know the striping is a bit bold for the cables but that's ok. I used the magic loop method and cabled without a cable needle so I'm pretty proud of myself for using two new techniques in one project!

The other reason I'm thinking socks is because I got Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road as part of a swap and since I'll *actually* be (you guessed it)knitting on the road (LOL) I find it fitting. I've got some really pretty handpainted sock yarn that I got from one of the (not so)LYSs but it needs to be wound and I'm behind schedule as it is. Looks like the navy Kroy will get packed up! Maybe something lacy since it's a solid? I've also got some solid red on it's way to me from a friend. I think I might join that solid sock KAL (or something like that, I saw it while surfing yesterday)!

Perhaps I'll pack some yarn for hats and wristwarmers too. I'm determined to get my youngest child to wear a hat even though he takes them off and throws them. How sad is it that the child of a knitter won't wear a hat?

My hourglass will come along too just for the heck of it. I'm sure she'll enjoy the ride and maybe even get pulled out during those destracting gab fests (not that these are bad or anything)with relatives :o)

Ok, so what I'll only be gone 5 or 6 days? A knitter's got to be prepared!

Enough procrastination. I must shut this thing off, get my yarn together, and go to bed. 4am will be here before I know it. Come to think of it I'm packing a pillow in with my yarn.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend! Don't get mauled if you shop on Friday, don't eat too much, and don't get too drunk!

Still Searchin'

2005-11-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

I'm still having the hardest time concentrating on any one knitting project. The sock did little to cure my affliction...

though it is coming along quite nicely. I even taught myself how to knit a sock on one long circ, magic loop! I can't shake the feeling that I should start something new.

Funny thing is I feel overwhelmed at the same time. Like I have too many projects going on at once. So I thought perhaps I needed a small break from knitting all together? I made this...

Cute, no? Once I got all the cutting done it sewed up in a snap! I love this fabric and want to use it to make a bigger tote bag and perhaps a needle roll. The lining is just plain black. I liked it so much I made another...

This one is (obviously) larger and made of some denim I had lying around. I lined it with other fabric I had lying around. I even made pockets for the inside...

What's that? You don't see any pockets? Well that's because I was trying to watch Desperate Housewives while I was sewing and the lining is inside out! I'm a genius. I need to take it apart but will wait until my next round of bag~making. I went to JoAnn's (hooray for JoAnn's coupons!) and got some more fabric and some zippers. I want to make some more bags as well as needle cases and notions bags and whatever else I come up with. Hopefully I can snap some pics of my loot tomorrow, it's kind of dreary 'round here today.

I've been doing more blog surfing than anything (easiest to do while holding a baby and watching ESPN) and I'm just amazed at all the craftiness in blogland. There are three things that have struck my fancy lately...bags, quilts, and baking. I'm well on my way with the bag thing. I mean at least I can actually make one, I can get fancier with it the more practice I get. I'm intrigued with Amy Butler. Are her patterns worth the price? Everyone seems to be universally ga~ga over her fabrics (which are beautiful)but I've read mixed reviews on her patterns. There's no doubt that the finished products are great and I'll pay more if they are helpful to a sewing newbie. Maybe I'll go to G Street Fabrics to try and check them out tomorrow. As far as quilting I have no idea! I really want to be able to make some of the awesome quilts I've been seeing around. I don't think I'm ging to learn from a book though.

Now that we've covered all I can't do, let's talk about baking. It's everywhere! Namely cupcakes. They're everywhere! The opportunities to drool while browsing the internet are endless...who doesn't like cupcakes? And guess who came home from school today asking if I could make some for his class? I just might have to go out and get one of these books!

Oh my goodness! See what I mean? So far I have plans to make a quilt while I bake cupcakes and knit socks after I sew up some bags. Somewhere in there I've got to get the dishes and laundry done. Help.

I promised a Halloween update didn't I? Pretty uneventful...candy was collected, candy was handed out...you know, the usual. The boys were excited though because Daddy was able to go for the first time ever.

Doesn't Daddy look thrilled? Haha!

I apologize if this entry was all over the place. We had a birthday party last night. Not only did I miss my knit night but the party was at Chuck E Cheese. I'm still recovering.

Happy Halloween!

2005-10-31T20:33:00.000-05:00

More to come...

Gimme my little sticks!

2005-10-30T16:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, what's the deal with this whole 'socks on circs' following? What am I not getting?

I was gifted some wonderful sock yarn from Jen of Blue Alvarez and since it was new (and I have the attention span of a flea lately) I wanted to cast on for some socks. Now to figure out what socks? Hmm...how about the Go with the Flow socks from IK Spring 05? Perfect!

As I'm digging for my trusty DPNs in my box o' tools I came across 2 pairs of size 3 circs...20". I tell myself what better time to teach myself the 2 circ method loved by many a sock knitter?

Two hours later I can safely say that socks don't soar on two circulars. They suck. For me anyway. Who wants to have all that flopping around when I can have everything nice and neat on my 5 litle sticks?

Anyhow, though my attention span has been short I was able to finish a couple of hats...a pumpkin for Isaiah and Miss Dashwood for a friend who is due in December.

There was also a blue and white one that I forgot to take a pic of before I gifted it! The pumpkin was something I made up as I went along. I like how it came out, especially the leaf! It's made out of Sugar n' Cream kitchen cotton (they were on sale for $1.12/ball)and wasn't hard on the hands at all. Now that Miss Dashwood? I made her out of TLC Cotton Plus and I thought some of those bobbles were gonna kill me! I didn't want to make it out of wool because I'm going to pair it up with crumpets for a cute springtime outfit :o) I love how it came out and see myself making this hat again in the near future!

You're probably wondering what's with the cow. Well, the only head in the house the hats would fit on was asleep at the time of my photo shoot so I told her she could model. As it turns out, her head was too small but I didn't want to upset her by telling her she couldn't be in the picture, so there she is. Don't worry, there will be pics of Isaiah is all his halloweenie goodness (and the older boys too!) soon!

Charlene (my cow) also wanted to be in the pic of my latest yarn aquisitions...

Jimmy Beans Wool is having a special sale for the month of October...40% off a different yarn every day! That's where I got the Silky Tweed. Six balls of it to make, well, I'm not sure. Either cozy, Ella, or some sort of Clapotis. The Rowanspun DK came from Jimmy Beans as well, on clearance for $4.95/hank. I got enough to make Hamish (which of course I can't find a pic of) from Rowan Junior for my two little guys. Jaylen's will be light and dark green. Isaiah's will be with the leftovers, plus a grayish color...mouse I believe? His will probably have a striped front and solid back.

I also got 15 skeins of Den-M-Nit to make Raspy from Denim People. Great price but I tell ya Elann's shipping charges are a killer! I can't wait to try out this yarn! The idea of a yarn that washes and fades and is comfortable like a pair of jeans is brilliant! This yarn my friends is my incentive to free up my needles!

Hourglass is progressing. I won't bore you with pics. Right now it's just a tube, lol! I'm smack dab in the middle of my increases. I really hope my 12" circs I ordered gets here soom so I can get to working on those sleeves! I think it might be a little more roomy than I planned but that's ok because the working girls (I'm nursing) need their breathing room!

Ok, off to make dinner and hopefully cast on for my socks...with my 5 little sticks of course.

Two entries in one day!

2005-10-21T19:15:00.000-04:00

Wow! LOL! I was feeling a little domestic and decided to share. Want some?

It's my variation of what I found here,which is a variation of what she found here. My version is cinnamon cake with apples and chocolate chips. It was declared the 'best cake ever' by my 4 year old so I guess it was a hit :o)

Go on, make your own! Whatever you use I don't think you can go wrong...yum!

Knittin' Hard

2005-10-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

That's what I've been doing. Unfortunately I don't feel like I'm really getting anywhere! Both the boys' sweaters are *so* close to being finished but for some reason I have no desire to knit on them. The Diamond Fantasy Shawl is stalled as well. It's been busy here and I'm tired of tinking back mistakes because I had to put it down in the middle of a row and got all discombobulated. It's a great pattern, but every row is different. It's gonna look great when it's done, I just need to find more time for 'concentrated knitting'.

Due to my stall out I thought I should start something new...a scarf made out of Manos. Uneven rib. Pretty but boring. *sigh*

So yesterday when I should have been doing laundry I was looking through my books and decided I wanted to use either the Luxury Cashmere Aran I got from AC Moore or the Nashua Creative Worsted I got from Knit Happens to make the Hourglass Sweater from LMKG. Only problem was I didn't have enough of either. No problem, I'll just run to AC Moore when hubby gets home and grab 8 more balls. They only had 6. It had gone on sale...and then 25% off of that sale price. This is why knitters hoard yarn if they even think they might want to use it! So I called Knit Happens this morning and they are holding 2 balls in Cayenne (color not on their website). Thank you, Knit Happens, for holding the yarn so I don't have to drag 3 kids out in the rain today. You're my heroes :o)

The 10 balls of the cashmere aran (just about the same thing as DBs Cashmerino) will become a turtleneck shrug and probably a gift scarf.

I also ordered 12" circs so as not to have to fiddle with DPNs for either project. I hope they don't take too long. I also hope at least one of these projects will cure my knitting ADD I seem to have.

Ella is still in the planning stages due to not wanting to spend a small fortune on the yarn. I could order from Knit Picks but I wanted to knit it in a heavier yarn and I don't care to double. I thought about dying but I don't really have the time to do it right now so I don't know. Any ideas?

In other news the boys are finally getting over colds. Demetrius had it the worst and the baby didn't get it at all really (thank goodness!!). Demetrius missed a couple of days of school and it kind of threw off the routine. I didn't even go to knit group on Wednesday...and I never miss knit group! Soccer is over and we're waiting for basketball sign ups.

Isaiah is getting so big. He was able to wear his new sweater to the last soccer game on Saturday...

I promise to start updating the blog more, like at *least* once a week. The baby is getting into a better routine and I'm able to get a little more done so I will add this place to my list :o)

On this blustery Friday I leave you with a little love...

I sent hubby to the store for a lunchable for a field trip and he came back with these! For no reason. Gotta love it!

To anyone going to the Knit Out this weekend say 'hi' if you see me. Not sure if I'm going to go if it's raining and not sure if I'll have a baby strapped to my chest or not yet but I love to chat with fellow knitters!

?

2005-09-27T21:08:00.000-04:00

You know, the hardest part about blogging for me is thinking of a title. If you don't enter a title, blogger takes the first part of your first sentence. To me that looks kind of funky. Unfortunately, lately I'm lucky if I get the time to take a shower. If I have time to blog, I can't waste it sitting around thinking of a title.

I've FINALLY finished the striped baby sweater, the one I started when I was pregnant and (apparently) delirious. Do to all the weird stuff I had to fix I had what seemed like a million ends to weave in.

It took a little over 3 balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I really liked working with this yarn and I hope we meet again in the future :o) Here's a close up of the buttons the boys picked out just for their baby brother...

I'm really proud of how it came out, and with the weather getting cooler Isaiah will be wearing it in no time. See how big he's getting?

I love that pic. He appears to be pondering something...whatever it is babies ponder I suppose? He's probably wondering why I made him wear that hat.

I'm almost done with my first OSW. I plan to wear it to knit group tomorrow night if I can find something to wear it with.

It's Patagonia Nature Cotton. Isn't it pretty? I got it on sale at Knit and Stitch I think it smells kind of funny but no one else (not even the hubby) does so maybe it's just me. Anyhow, the OSW is a great pattern that I plan to knit again (and again). I already have a request from my sister for one in black.

I ordered some Lorna's Laces with the idea I was going to make socks, but then I saw this. Gorgeous! And what's that? only 350yds for the scarf version?

Hmm...sorry 'Go With the Flow' socks, you're on hold for now. I do have some solid Paton's Kroy that might work. If not, knitpicks here I come! Not right away though because the last thing I need is more yarn. Unless it's for this...

I've joined this knitalong because that pattern is just too cool! Unfortunately the called for (awesome) yarn is nearly impossible to find here in the states. Perhaps I'll dye my own? I have some *blank* Patons Classic Merino and I can order some acid dye. I figure it's worth a shot!

In other non~knitting news...the boys are doing great. They absolutely love soccer...

...and still like hanging out with their baby bro. I'm guessing that will change when he starts getting into their stuff!

'til next time fellow knitters :o)

Baby shots and football

2005-09-12T20:19:00.000-04:00

Baby shots are not fun. Today was Isaiah's 2 month immunizations and he's STILL mad! I swear he stopped breathing for about 45 seconds with the first stick and by the time he actually caught his breath they were done. I attempted to remove his little bandaids and he screamed for 40 minutes them slept for 4 hours. I'm probably in for it tonight!

He is now 11.8lbs and 23 inches :o)

Football season has begun so I have once again become a football widow. It's on all the time. If it's not a game it's highlights. If it's not NFL it's college. And if it's not on TV it's on the PS2. I stuck my foot in my mouth sometime in the beginning of the year and said I'd try to learn the game. Hey, my kids know more about it than I do and I assume they'll play someday so I should get my act together. So last night, with the best of intentions, I tried to figure it out. I even sat my knitting down to pay attention. I think my poor hubby was about to tell me nevermind. Do they make 'Football for Dummies'?

Knitting news...I had to rip back my DB hooded striped top. Well just the sleeve. Apparently being pregnant and exhausted all the time caused me to knit a sleeve too short with no increases. I didn't even notice until I went to attach them! LOL! What was I thinking?? The Pirate Sweater is coming along nicely. I'm done with one sleeve and the back. This has become my 'at home' project because of the striping and intarsia. I've also started 'Max' but I'm using Brown Sheep Worsted because the Debbie Bliss yarn was too expensive and a PITA to find in the colors I wanted. I'll take some pics when I have a little more progress to show.

I've added a couple of books to my library...Simple Socks: Plain and Fancy and Vintage Knits. I'm happy with both but have a gripe with Vintage Knits. The one sweater that I fell in love with (I like all of them though) is knit in a discontinued yarn! Ok so it's not the book's fault and maybe the designer had no idea it was going to happen but it's irritating all the same. I actually have a few books where I have run into this problem. Anyone know a good substitute for Rowan Linen Drape?

Sunday marked the year anniversary of the day I first picked up a pair of knitting needles. I had just had a pretty devastating (to me anyway)miscarriage and decided that I don't do enough for ME so I started looking for a hobby. I took a basic class, bought a book, a ball of yarn, and a pair of size 8 straights and the rest is history. Now I have not just a hobby but an obsession and a new baby...what a difference a year makes!

Dryer Sheets & Other Mysteries

2005-08-17T13:12:00.000-04:00

Why are there always dryer sheets all over my house? Granted as a family of 5 we do a lot of laundry, but there seems to be a ton of these stupid things just floating around. I'm forever picking them up. Do they multiply on their own? Do they show up to replace the socks that have disappeared by way of the dryer? The world may never know.

Why do kids have phone radar? The minute the phone rings there is some 'urgent' problem that needs addressing (like needing a snack RIGHT NOW), the baby starts hollering, or the kids are trying to kill each other. Multiply the drama times 10 if it's actual business, and not just a friend or my mom.

Why is it so flipping hot outside? Doesn't mother nature know that the only way to preserve my sanity is to let the kids out to play? Doesn't she know I can't do that if it's a million degrees?

*sigh*

I'm almost done with the little green vest, just some seaming and stitch 'picking~up' (?) to do. I let the boys look through my books to pick something for mommy to knit. My 4 year old chose the pirate sweater out of Adorable Knits for Tots. Apparently this is the end of the season for cotton (or so I was told by one of my LYS~what about those of us who are year round cotton knitters?), so I couldn't find the Rowan the pattern called for. I'm sure I could have ordered it but I'm an instant gratification type of gal so I went to Springwater Fiber Shop and picked up some Tahki Cotton Classic. It seems to have slightly more sheen than the Rowan Handknit dk but other than that it's identical...and was only $5/skein! My 6 year old chose Max from Junior Knits. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use Mission Falls Superwash or the called~for Debbie Bliss Merino Aran. I have some time to decide, since the pirate sweater will be my first attempt at intarsia in any way, shape or form. I'm sure it'll take me a minute to complete :o)

The orange blanket? Don't ask.

Tonight is knit night at Folk Art. Last week we recieved some bad news...the shop is closing. So, we're looking for a new place to host our group. I started a yahoo group today in oreder for us to keep in touch and distribute info. Hopefully this will also bring us some new recruits! It's a work in progress, but if you live in Southern Maryland check us out.

Kidlet news...soccer started this week. Too bad it's hot as hades and all the kids look like they are being tortured on the field. School starts next week. Since we were (well, thus far) unsuccessful in finding an appropriate (and affordable) preschool program for my 4 year old I'm prepared for him to complain about being bored.

Baby news...Isaiah will sleep for about a 5 to 6 hour stretch if he is either a)in his bouncy seat or b)in our bed. Apparently the bassinet is some sort of evil contraption since he starts hollering as soon as we put him in it. He's smiling and starting to be a little more aware of his surroundings.

Due to the lack of pictures in this post I leave you with this...

Umm...ok. What is she doing? Is that her sexy pose? What is she wearing?!? I guess at one time, years ago, such garments were considered Hand Knits for Young Moderns. You can view more fabulous frocks here.

You want a coat like that, don't you?

;o)

Scare Mail

2005-08-07T14:13:00.000-04:00

Well I was scared anyway. I checked my mail the other day and saw this...

Now I know I can't possibly be the only one disturbed by excessive amounts of fun fur, can I? I did however decide to put my fears aside and thumb through the $5(!)catalog and two things caught my eye. First is that there were Addi Turbos in the catalog. Second is that starting Septembet 1st, Lion Brand will offer a Cashmere blend. Wow! Then I checked out the price...$10 for 88 yards? Surely you jest, Lion Brand. Perhaps it's some amazing yarn, but considering that Debbie Bliss Cashmerino costs less and has about 10 more yards per ball it would have to be *really* amazing!

My knitting progress is slow. It seems as though Isaiah has radar for when I pick up my needles. I've managed to start a little sweater vest, though

The pattern is from Sirdar's Cheeky Chinos and the yarn is Debbie Bliss' cotton cashmere. The book has some really cute patterns and Sirdar Snuggly DK is pretty cheap so I'll probably make a few sweaters out of this book. I'm also still working on the orange blanket but I'll spare you guys the details. It seems like no matter how much I knit it's not getting any larger. I think the Yarn Harlot talks about this phenomenon in her book.

Since it's much easier to read and nurse than knit with a baby in your arms, I picked up a couple of books.

First I started The Time Traveler's Wife but all that time traveling was wreaking havoc on my already confused new mommy brain. It's got potential, but I had to put it aside. I couldn't keep track of who was where and why they were there. Now Brick Lane is more my speed! I'm finding it hard to put down and I'm reading even when I'm not nursing...like when I could be knitting or sleeping.

My older boys are home from their summer vacation in GA. Now it's time to start up some semblance of a routine. With school and sports starting up in a few weeks we've got lots to do! The boys are happy to be home and I'm happy to have them~it was getting a little too quiet around here!

I want to thank everyone for all the well~wishes in the comments of my last post, you guys are great! I can't believe he's 4 weeks already! I'll leave you all with a chubby baby shot :o)

Quick Update!

2005-07-14T19:42:00.000-04:00

I had a baby!!!

Isaiah was born on July 8th, 2005 at 10.29pm. He was 8lbs, 4.3oz and 20 in long. He's just as sweet as can be and I'm enjoying him very much. His big brothers are so excited even though he doesn't do a whole lot just yet. They are spending a few weeks with their uncle (left yesterday and are having a BLAST) so when they come back they'll be able to 'help' a little bit more since the baby won't be quite so teeny.

Not much knitting content. I brought my kniting bag to the hospital but my labor went kind of quick and then once he was here I was happy just to hold him and stare at him :o) I'm about to sit down and do some knitting for the first time in about a week.

Just wanted to post and say that I was alive...sleep deprived but alive! LOL!

Profile Change

2005-06-24T11:21:00.000-04:00

I had to make a change to my profile. While I'm still a new knitter I'm now a 31 year old new knitter! That's right, I had a birthday yesterday...happy birthday to me!! I had a good day, the hubby got off work early ( an amazing feat in and of itself) bearing flowers and chocolate and then we went out to lunch. The kids have this weird obsession with Red Lobster so that's what I picked. Funny thing is, they get there and want chicken! Although they did discover that the shrimp on mommy's plate was pretty tasty :o)

In other news I don't know that this baby is going to hang out for another 2 weeks like it's supposed to. I had an appointment on Wednesday and they said I *might* be in early labor. This should not come as a surprise since I've been contracting and just generally uncomfortable but YIKES! Don't get me wrong, I'm ready to give this little guy his eviction notice. I just feel like I still have so much to do. Today will be spent doing laundry, making lists, and packing bags (no, I haven't packed a bag yet...yes, I've already heard it from the hubby). Tonight I must knit. I have a baby sweater that has to be finished my Sunday morning and I would love to finally be done with the orange blanket.

Not much knitting content because there hasn't really been much knitting going on. It's been a very busy week...doctors, dentists and whatnot...trying to get everything out of the way before the big day!

The Plan...

2005-06-20T19:40:00.000-04:00

Where have I been? Well let me start by saying I had a plan. The plan was to update the blog when I got home from knitting on Wednesday. I had been home about an hour, chatting with the (dear at the time) husband when I reach for my laptop and he says, 'oh yeah, I was..um..looking up some stuff and I think I accidentally hit a pop up and then I couldn't get them to stop so I just shut it off'

Um...WHAT?!?!

Turns out my (not so dear at the time) husband somehow got a Trojan on my laptop. My lifeline. My baby. THEN has the nerve to say, 'I don't know why you are so upset. It's not the end of the world.' Well let me tell you all, it was almost the end of his world. He's lucky my kids would never forgive me for killing him.

I keep everything on my laptop. I tried in vain to save myself from having to run that darn recovery disk but to no avail. I loaded a trojan 'finder' and a new firewall but the popups kept coming as did the trojan notifications. So I shut the computer down and let it sit, too disgusted to deal with it. Not to mention looking at it made the desire to strangle my other half that much worse.

So what did I do? I knit! I worked on my orange baby blanket and finished two sweaters. This one...

and this one...

The first one I made out of Cotton Tots that I got on clearance at Walmart. I think it took three and a half balls but I can't remember how many I bought. The second one I used 2 skeins of Cotton Fleece and the crocheted border is Cotton Fleece as well. I believe the color is antique rose.

I'm almost done with the Chunky Cardigan out of Simple Knits for Cherished babies. I just have to do the border and sew on the sleeves. I still have to do 2 more sweaters and a blanket for gifts. I bought a bunch of Bernat Baby Boucle for the blanket so it will knit up quick. I've started another sweater in Cotton Ease for a baby shower I was invited to this weekend. Short notice, so I'm knitting like a fiend.

I did some other stuff during my absence. I'm sure you all know that yesterday was Father's Day. So last week I took the boys to the Folk Art Studio and we painted some pottery...

They had SO much fun and can't wait to go back! I'd take a pic of the finished products (which by the way Daddy LOVED) but that would require going upstairs and when you look like this...

climbing the stairs is no easy task. Yes, I am aware that I have no head in that picture. My 6 year old was the photographer and, well, you take what you can get. Anyhow, this gives you an idea of how huge I am. Just three weeks left! Yay!!

I also got a great deal on a ball winder ($17 at AC Moore with JoAnn's 50% off coupon), and discovered that the new Tuesday Morning sells 3 skein bags of Cotton Ease for $6. Other than that I was hiding from the heat.

So, what finally hapened with my computer you ask? I couldn't take it anymore today so I backed up what files I could and did a quick (that's what the disk said but it was anything but 'quick')restore. At first I couldn't get the disk to work and was ready to seriously lose it but I got it on the second try. Now I just need to reload all my bookmarks and rebuild my address book.

I have declared my laptop off limits to everyone in this house but me. Mommy's toy. My husband wants to know how I can forbid him to touch it. I told him to watch me. And if he feels daring to go ahead and try me. As it is his punishment is to be my swift while I use my new ball winder :o)

WooHoo Secret Pal!!

2005-05-31T20:58:00.000-04:00

I've been sick. What else is new? I'm healthy as anything when I'm not pregnant, but this time I seem to have come down with all the doozies! While I was certain my head was going to explode with the pressure of a sinus infection, I recieved 2 packages from my secret pal. She's moving and sent my June goodies a little early. For picture purposes I put all my loot together...

As you can see, I got all kinds or great stuff. Stamp pads, REALLY cool stamps (I'll be able to make my own baby announcements), pastel cardstock (in perfect baby colors), a gluestick that is specifically made for pictures, and some printed paper. To satisfy my knitting mojo I got a ball of Rowan Cashsoft 4-ply in a lavender color and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's book! All of it will definitely be put to good use(I've already started reading the book)...thanks Secret Pal, you're one heck of a shopper!

I've been knitting away on the orange baby blanket, and it's coming along quite nicely. I must admit though that I probably wouldn't have made such progress if it wasn't for all the help I've been getting from Phoebe...

Unfortunately my 'to knit' list is quite long. Too many people are having babies! I can't wait to cast on for the Alphabet Blanket but that's going to take me a while. I have a couple of baby sweaters I think I'm going to have to do before I can start that. I've gotten into the habit of late night knitting, sometimes until 1 or 2 am~thank you pregnancy insomnia! Productive? Sure! But 7.30am comes all too quick, then if I stop moving during the day I pass out...LOL!

How was everyone's Memorial Day weekend? Mine was great! We took the kids to see Madagascar on Friday and they LOVED it! After that we took them out to dinner. They chose Applebees. Saturday we just kind of hung around the house but Sunday we went to a BBQ which was more like a block party. Lots of good food and the best part was I didnt have to cook! Ha! The boys played outside the entire day. By the time I got them home and showered they passed out HARD! They had so much fun. Then Monday we layed around and watched movies all day. To top off a great weekend, hubby cooked while I lounged on the couch and knit. Pure bliss :o)

I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm now at 34 weeks and some change. I'm so HOT and I can't walk and I can't make it to July! Poor little dude has no more room and when he changes position he knocks the wind out of me! My 4yo wanted to 'get stuff for the baby' so we got some little stuff (bibs, blankets, feeding supplies) from Target. I told him tomorrow after my appt. we can go to Babies R Us and look at strollers. He is really looking foward to it and even more so now that I told him he could pick out a toy for his new little brother. It makes me so happy that the boys are so excited about their new brother. They ask so many questions and say they can't wait to help. They talk to my belly and kiss it all the time because they want the baby to know what they sound like when he comes out. I can't believe I will soon be the mother of three boys!

One Thing A Day

2005-05-17T20:12:00.000-04:00

This is what I've decided. I can only do one thing a day. Otherwise I need too much time to recoup! I did my grocery shopping yesterday and it about killed me! I had to have my husband come home for lunch and unload the bags and have the boys empty them. Then I took a 2 hour nap! When I woke up I thought about cleaning but that's all it was...a thought! That's why I called someone to come and help me clean my house! Now, this was very hard for me. The thought of someone cleaning while I watch them kind (even if I'm paying them)of makes me feel like a slacker or something. I know, I know, it shouldn't. But I have a habit of feeling guilty if I'm just sitting and other people are doing stuff. I'm sure I'll get over it though ;o)

This whole one thing at a time philosophy doesn't carry over into my knitting though. I have 3 projects going on, although I'm paying the most attention to the stars and hearts blanket out of the Adorable Knits for Tots book. I have some sweaters going on as well, but I figured since this kid is coming in the beginning of July a blanket is more practical than a sweater! I got a lot done on the blanket this weekend while visiting my family. It's easy to knit when you don't have to cook, clean, do laundry, and while the kids are occupied by the grandparents :o) Now that I'm back in the real world it's a little more difficult, I haven't knit since Sunday but I'm going to do a little when I'm done on here.

Maryland Sheep and Wool was fun. I needed an entire day to recouperate from all that walking, but it was a great way to spend Mother's Day. I'm glad I didn't try to go on Saturday because I heard it was mobbed. I didn't spend a whole lot of money, it was a little overwhelming. So much to see, and I didn't really *need* anything. What I DID need was some of that funnel cake and BOY was it good. I can't even think about it because I'll want some!

I promise I'll try to do blog updates more often. It's just that whenever I sit down I fall asleep! LOL! I swear I don't remember being this tired this early with my other two. I wouldn't be surprised if this one decides that June is a better month to be born than July!

Stash gone wild!!

2005-04-21T12:22:00.000-04:00

Well not really, but I have been doing some shopping. I'm almost done with my hooded baby sweater

I'm pretty excited, since it's my first sweater and all. I'm a little worried about seaming, but know some folks that can help me if I get stuck.

Easter in GA was nice, though it rained most of the time. We did get to go to the zoo

This guy cracked me up! He was doing some serious people watching.

While I was there I taught my hubby's cousin to knit! We didn't have a whole lot of time, but she was casting on and knitting like a pro (purling will require some practice) by the time I left and I bought her a copy of Stitch n Bitch for her birthday. We took a trip to The Yarn Garden in Lawrenceville. Nice little shop with friendly people. I picked up some Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton. Boy is that stuff soft! This is also the shop where I discovered my newest love...Addi Natura needles! These things are awesome! I still like the Turbos, but when you are dealing with little, slippery yarn the last thing you need(well it's the last thing *I* need anyways) is little, slippery needles. The Naturas are perfect!

I ordered some cotton chenille from Numei and it showed up on my doorstep in a flash. Great price too! My mom is getting some of the reverse bloom washcloths for mother's day, along with a basket of bath goodies. I ordered some pretty bright colors
I need to get started on those...

My next *big* (first *big* actually) project is going to be the Alphabet Blanket out of Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits book. I got some King Tut cotton from Knit Happens. I'm kind of nervous because it's chart knitting, something I've never done, but I'm not scared! Ok, maybe a little...but I'm not gonna let that stop me! I know I can do this, so what my kid might not get it until he starts high school?

Have you ever wondered what a day of yarn (and other) shopping does to a 4 year old?

I'll leave you with a pic of my boys...

...just because :o)

2005-04-07T21:39:00.000-04:00

I'm back from our spring break vacation! My BILs 'puter had a mind of it's own so not much online time but we did get to enjoy the spring weather when it wasn't raining~and even got some knitting done when it was wet outside.

I came back to a great little package from my haremail buddy and my books (finally) from Overstock.

I'll have pics tomorrow but right now I'm exhausted and about to hear who's getting fired from the Apprentice :o) Hope everyone is well! See you tomorrow!

Happy Spring!

2005-03-26T00:31:00.002-05:00

Ain't he cute?

Ok, so the chevron scarf is going a LOT slower than I'd like. Therefore, I knit and felted this little guy to send to my sister (along with some chocolate of course) to tide her over until her 'real' birthday gift.

We're leaving in the morning to drive to GA. I should be sleeping but I'm a bit wired. It's hard for me to get comfortable nowadays so I'm not looking foward to the car ride. However I did pack a few things to keep me busy....enough Debbie Bliss Merino DK for cozy and the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book and the baby cashmerino yarn so I can make the hooded striped top in blue and green.

Went to Woolwinders today with the boys and they had a blast! The owner handed my 6 year old some yarn and needles and he was just too thrilled! I showed him what to do and he is well on his way to his first scarf. He didn't even want to put it down to eat dinner, lol! This was my first time there and I was very impressed. Great selection and friendly service...two of my favorite things! I'll definitely be back :o)

Hopefully I'll get to update you all with my progress on my projects while we are gone, depends on my BILs computer. We shall see. Anyhow, have a great holiday and don't eat too much candy!

I need a hug.

2005-03-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

*sigh*

I had to work this weekend (guard duty). On Saturday DH took the boys to a friend's house to hang out. When I got home it was nice and quiet, so I changed out of my uniform and put my feet up. Yay! Then he called and asked if I wanted pizza for dinner. Pizza? Yay! I decided to take a quick nap. Little did I know this was the calm before the storm.

The three of them bust through the door....DH is calling my name and pulling off his shirt, DS #1 is wearing clothes that he doesn't own, and DS #2 just looks confused...asking if he can have a piece of pizza.

Turns out DS #1 started vomiting, some of it projectile. This explains the tearing off of the clothing...he sprayed vomit all over the inside of the truck, including the back of poor DHs head and neck! So I get DS #1 out of his (borrowed) clothes and into the shower while DH cleans the vehicle. He spent the rest of the night puking...mostly on the carpet. Not sure what kids have against the toilet but hey. Yesterday he didn't eat much but seemed to be on the mend.

We put the boys down at about 8. At about 9.30 DS #2 is standing in our bedroom because he 'throwed up' in his bed. As we are cleaning that he's throwing up in the hallway. We finally stopped the puking/cleaning cycle at about midnight, only to start it this morning at about 5.30. Once again I clean up the bed and give him a little bucket with a plastic liner. I go downstairs to start a load of laundry and come back up to more puke...on the floor NEXT to the bucket.

Worst part about all this is I lent my mom our carpet shampooer and I can't find my can of Spot Shot ANYWHERE. Therefore, upstairs in my house smells like (well to my pregnant blood~hound nose anyways) smells like vomit. My friend is nice enough to lend me her machine so that's how I'll spend my afternoon. Well that and spraying everything down with Lysol!

Poor kids. This is the first time we've ever had to deal with any kind of stomach virus. DH (at midnight, LOL) was going through the refrigerator determined to find the culprit. He managed to throw out a bottle of juice and some chicken nuggets before I stopped him. He can't wrap his mind around the fact that it's most likely not anything they ate.

Knitting? Well I'm almost finished with my multidirectional scarf. I did most of it on Saturday night (after all the hoopla) while watching The Village. The chevron scarf is coming along, just not as fast as I need it to. We're going out of town on Saturday and I wanted to be done before then but I don't know. If push comes to shove I'll finish it in the car on the way, I will just have to find a spot at my BILs to block it.

I'm patiently waiting for my Overstock and Elann orders. Maybe today? I also have to finish getting my Operation Haremail package together so I can ship it before I leave. Last but not least I have some wool I want to dye (so it's dry and ready for winding when I get back) and fabric I want to make into a needle roll (so my needles don't get lost on out trip). Looks like I have a busy week ahead of me!

Been Busy...

2005-03-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

but not busy enough! I need to get moving on my sister's scarf. Her birthday is April 4th and I want to knit a little bag to put it in as well. So far...

not too bad, but I've got another 2 skeins after the two balls you see! I might not do the full 4 balls though, have to see how it goes.

One cool thing I did yesterday was make my own needles! I went to Lowe's armed with my needle sizer and bought some dowels. Then I came home, cut them, sanded them, and oiled them. Not sure if I wan't to seal them or not yet. Last night I got some sculpey to make some decorative ends.

I think I'm ready to work on my first sweater. I have some Jo Sharp mohair to make a wrap sweater but I think I'm going to try wool. I ordered some highland woolthis morning from Elann in Grand Canyon and Orange Brandy to make the Ribby Cardi from ChicKnits. I hope it's not too hard, lol! At least the yarn wasn't a huge investment in case I totally screw it up.

Well, off to work on my scarf....

Mmmm...Koigu!

2005-03-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

I cast on for the Chevron scarf today. I've heard that Koigu was pretty but I had no idea until I saw it in the flesh...or in the fiber. This stuff is awesome!!

I had issues with my Denise needles though. The cable was irritating me. I don't know if it's because the yarn is so light or what but I broke down and bought a couple sets of Bryspuns from Folk Art Studio this afternoon. Now after my needle buying and running over to a friend's to pick up some baby clothes I'm too tired to knit! I hope to make some real progress tomorrow.

The other thing I did today was join...

I love giving gifts, love getting 'em, and who doesn't love bunnies??

What's this?

2005-03-11T21:09:00.000-05:00

Can it be? A blog entry??

Yup, I'm back and knitting full force. Sorry guys, I had a rough few months and I know I dropped of the face of the earth (or so it seemed). The beginning of my pregnancy was difficult, I was very sick and tired. I was also taking classes and had a husband that was out of town for work. Actually I think there were a couple of months of my life that were a total blur! When I finally started to get it together again we moved...so it took me a while to recover.

Now that we are settled (and DH is back)I'm working on some things. I'm about to start the Chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It's going to be a birthday gift for my sister. I picked up some Koigu today and it's so pretty, I almost can't stop staring at it! I'm also waiting on yarn for either Clapotis or Cozy from Knitty, I haven't made up my mind yet.

Tomorrow the plan is to dye some Paton's classic that I got on sale at AC Moore (25% off). I'm going to use kool aid, just have to pick some up in the morning.

I'll have pictures of my newly acquired stash tomorrow, just wanted to say hi in case there is anyone out there who still reads here.

I'm back. Well, sort of...

2004-11-20T20:27:00.000-05:00

Gosh that trip took a lot out of me! There is no reason a newly pregnant (that's right, I said pregnant :o))person should try to drive that far with two children. That said, I will have to do it again in December! The wedding was really nice and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Not much to report. I'm exhausted, and am playing catch up with school. Things are really difficult right now with the hubby gone. I haven't even touched any knitting since I got back. Funny how when you are stressed the most is when it is hardest to find time to knit...and that's when you need it the most.

I PROMISE I will update this (well actually next because this is the last day of this week) week...complete with pictures! I have my finished booga and my wonderful secret pal sent be the best package full of goodies. I hate that I haven't really been able to dig in and enjoy it yet! Oh, and pics from the wedding of course :o)

Just wanted to let everyone know I (barely) survived my trip.

Long Lost Mail

2004-11-09T10:50:00.000-05:00

What's this?!?

Could it be the first issue of my FCEK that I ordered many moons ago? I tell ya, I never got a confirmation, or an email saying there was a delay, or nothing! I had given up...figured it was never coming. Hmpf!!
I also got my order from Jimmy Bean's wool yesterday...yay! I'm pretty happy with the service and they sent candy with my yarn. Impressive, huh? I ordered one more skein of noro to finish this...

...and three more in a different color for another one. I am determined to finish bag #1 TODAY! I've been so busy this past week that my knitting has suffered. Unfortunately there is no relief in sight until maybe December...*sigh* Between school work and the kids I don't have a whole lot of 'me' time. I didn't even make it to my knit night last Wednesday (but I'll be there tomorrow!!). I can't wait until the hubby gets back!
I've also started the ruffles scarf from Scarf Style I changed it a bit, I'm using LB chenille and it's working out quite nicely. The guage is a little bit bigger but hey...it's a scarf :o)

I'm not sure if I'm going to give it as a gift or not yet. My sister expressed her longing for a scarf to go with her winter coat, so I might put this one on hold to do one for her in a different color. Oh, and I still have to cast on for the Misty Garden.
Y'all might not hear from me again 'til Sunday or Monday. I am taking the kids to GA for a wedding. Please wish me luck in preserving my sanity while in the car for hours with 2 little boys! Take care until next time :o)

Coming back to life!

2004-11-05T01:29:00.000-05:00

That's how I feel! Yay! Things have been busy. I finally got my car back today and had to get a dress fitted for a wedding next week. Not to mention school has been kicking my butt! Amazingly enough I have been able to sneak a little knitting in here and there. I should have some updates (with pictures) either tomorrow or Saturday :o)

Thanks to all who thought about me in my time of diziness and dispair!