…been kind of quiet April 18, 2007

I started a diet and it was going very well.  I don’t know if it was just water weight but I plateaued and gave up.  Needless to say, I am frustrated with myself.  My high school reunion is next year.  I really don’t want to be overweight.  I was missing Twizzlers something fierce–so I started some candy inspired socks.  Yum.  Look at that picot edge baby.  My first.  Not too bad.  Wow, that is a  really big picture.

But you can see the detail, can’tcha?

I also finished a shawl for Owen’s school dinner dance.  I don’t really want to discuss the less than warm reception when I dropped it off.  We know it was pretty much dummy knitting–garter stitch on big ‘ole needles.  But Fiesta Yarns usually do all the work for you.  They decided to beef up the chinese auction basket with the GC Granny donated.  I tried to explain an evening shawl and a GC to a yarn shop–even if it is a SHOPPE–don’t go to together but they had their own thoughts.  Can you believe I considered offering a hand knit aran?  DUH!!  What would go with that?  A pile of poo?

Here’s Gracie modelling it sans head.

Now, I am off to her swim meeting.  Have a good night.

Task Avoidance April 10, 2007

Today is the last day of Cameron and Gracie’s school holiday.  Sadly, it wasn’t as enjoyable as past ones.  It seems less about spending time with me and more about their friends.  I am not prepared.  Owen enjoyed just a few days off.  We went rollerskating with the local Autism Society.  But even that had its ups and downs.  His buddy Meg was there but no recognition between the two of them (they go to different schools now).  Owen was more interested in skeeball than rollerskating and some kid was tailing him the whole time.  And not in a good way.  Cameron and Gracie skipped rollerskating. 

I should start work on a shawl for Owen’s dinner dance but I am knitting up a no brainer scarf from the stash.  All the knitting is finished on the top down cardi.  Blocking, some sort of ties, and sleeve length issues are all that is left.  And the ends.  I still haven’t gotten anyone to photograph the Shetland Trainangle scarf.  I started a sleeve for the Hexagon Coat but Lite Lopi is not the most gratifying yarn to knit with.

Goodness knows where the camera is so no pictures today. 

March 18, 2007

When last we left the blog, Gracie was suffering through pneumonia.  She is on the mend but missed a week of school.  Sadly, she returned on the day of standardized testing.  Poor thing.  She also missed solo tryouts for the spring concert.  And, unfortunately, her voice is in no shape for singing anyway.  Sigh.

I have been plugging away on the neck down cardi.  It is a huge pile of stockinette.  I have actually passed it off to my mother.  Ann and Granny made fun of me for giving it to her but I have tried to pick up around the neck twice and it looks ugly.  The sleeves and neck look fine.  Just the v neck bit–which is very important. 

I also started another Dulaan cardi in some Malabrigo.  Go me.  And, finally, a Flower Basket Shawl.  Granny got a ton of yarn in for spring.  And while I don’t love cotton especially, I am seriously eye balling some of the new yarns.  I don’t have much cotton in the stash.  I am also playing with the new ruffle yarn we got in by Online.  I would link but we got a new laptop and I haven’t figured out how to do it.  We are back to Mac.  And it feels good!

March 18, 2007

When last we left the blog, Gracie was suffering through pneumonia.  She is on the mend but missed a week of school.  Sadly, she returned on the day of standardized testing.  Poor thing.  She also missed solo tryouts for the spring concert.  And, unfortunately, her voice is in no shape for singing anyway.  Sigh.

I have been plugging away on the neck down cardi.  It is a huge pile of stockinette.  I have actually passed it off to my mother.  Ann and Granny made fun of me for giving it to her but I have tried to pick up around the neck twice and it looks ugly.  The sleeves and neck look fine.  Just the v neck bit–which is very important. 

I also started another Dulaan cardi in some Malabrigo.  Go me.  And, finally, a Flower Basket Shawl.  Granny got a ton of yarn in for spring.  And while I don’t love cotton especially, I am seriously eye balling some of the new yarns.  I don’t have much cotton in the stash.  I am also playing with the new ruffle yarn we got in by Online.  I would link but we got a new laptop and I haven’t figured out how to do it.  We are back to Mac.  And it feels good!

How long can I milk Dulaan posts for? February 12, 2007

Seriously, there is some new content.  I am ready to mail off my Dulaan knits and I am also attempting to organize and declutter the house.  If only I could feel this motivated everyday.  I sorted through 3 of my dresser drawers and hoovered dust bunnies from under the bed.  Can you see the hat my mom added to the Dulaan pile?  Isn’t it gorgeous?  My super duper chunky one looks like crap next to hers–but this isn’t a competition!

A pair of pulse warmers are finished and ready to mailed.  Yippee!  Picture forthcoming.  And my order arrived from Sonny and Shear in no time!  Thanks Kris.  It was packaged wonderfully–so much so that I didn’t take it out.  Now to find a project for my new lace weight.  Surprising even to me–pink seems to be a new preferred color.

In other news, Cameron got braces.  He looks adorable.  He chose gray for the color.  Love it–so original.  His meeting is on Wed.  I am not looking forward to arguing with the district.  I guess his diagnosis comes down to ADHD without the H and CAPD.  I read online somewhere about alphabet soup–that is about what it feels like.  The speech therapist who diagnosed the CAPD says start Fast ForWord right away.  We hope the district will pay for it.  It’s $2K.  Owen’s friend is receiving it in her district–two town’s over.  Why oh why did we move here?

Well, must get back to my productivity! 

Remember me? January 30, 2007

What a crappy picture.  I finished my "inspired by Norma" Dulaan sweater.  I just need to block the bottom so it lays flat.  I have also finished 4 furry hats for Kate’s hat project.  I used Bernat Boa and ChaCha.  I think I have a couple more in me!  There is  a new sock blocker for the socks I hope to start knitting.  And last, but not least, the baby blanket.  It is coming along.  Unfortunately, I misplaced 2-3 skeins of the yarn and had to buy more.  So much for using some stash.  I can’t wait to block it so it has a bit more drape.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my blogging break and will enjoy it some more.  I have been so–I can’t even say productive (although it’s true)–in my knitting.  I finished up my red scarves and Ricki donated one too.

Nancy hit the nail on the head when she mentioned this time of year for me.  Owen celebrated his 7th birthday on Sunday.  With much glee, he opened his presents–which is always so reinforcing to us.  Many of his friends couldn’t care less about presents.  Of course, he takes his time–wanting to play with each and every thing.  We had family over for bagels and donuts.  And I brought pizza to his class yesterday.  He has been in such a terrific and agreeable mood these days.  He’s still not talking much however, his requesting has taken on a new look.  "I want here ya go.  Thank you. You’re welcome."  It’s really cute. 

Cameron’s "big" speech appt. is this weekend.  It is also the first Saturday of the yarn sale.  So I should work.  Granny has been sweet and is okay if I take off.  It is hard to let go and let Kevin take this one on.  Although, he is less emotional than me and will probably hear things more clearly.  Argh.  I don’t know.  And Sunday is Cameron’s birthday.  He has skipped a party this year and opted for Nintendo Wii.  We don’t typically spend this much money on a birthday present but I imagine Cameron isn’t going to be the only one playing.  And we are still scarred from last year’s party!

I suppose I should get back to my knitting.

Blogging interrupted January 8, 2007

An uncooperative cat with hats or Dulaan.  I am so happy to be using my Felted Flower Bag yarn that never got off the ground to knit for charity.  That’s my 3rd hat.  There is going to be 1 or 2 red scarves for the Red Scarf Project.  On such big needles, they will be ready to join the other one I knit onfor delivery on Friday.  I also have to dig through the stash for some Fun Fur yarns.  I know several bloggers have already mentioned the post by Kate asking for Fun Fur hats for teens going through radiation and chemo at Children’s Hospital.  Children’s Hospital is near and dear to my heart.  Owen was diagnosed there.  And as unpleasant as that whole experience was–it was a necessity.  They also did surgery on both boys and reassured us that Gracie was just fine when the school was giving us a hard time in 2nd grade.  Dig out  the fun fur folks!  I know there are some skeins hiding in my stash.  If not, no doubt Granny will be thrilled to sell me some.