Ponchos, a brag and St. Brigid September 29, 2004

I still have to knit this poncho for the nurses daughter at Owen’s school. I am going to use the Knitting Pure and Simple pattern for a child’s poncho. Po, with it’s mismatched dyelots is scrapped. Now, what yarn? I think something machine washable would be best. Granny keeps trying to push me over to the Encore wall but I wanted to avoid acrylic. Am I being an impractical snob? I purchased some KFI Gaelic Aran in a nice shade of pink. It is a relic, I think, but it is 100% machine washable wool. In the stash, I had some Schaefer Laurel. I am assuming that is not machine washable. The colors are lovely and it has been languishing for at least 2-3 years. How would cotton fringe? The poncho has to have have fringe. Any thoughts? My other idea, kind of the last resort, would be to hit Three Black Sheep and get some Mission Falls 1824 wool. That is a much nicer machine washable wool. It is just a schlep to get there.

I worked the book fair at Owen’s school yesterday. It was fun and Owen did a terrific job leaving the gym and me. It was much better than last year. He did try to wrap his leg around the teachers and take her down…but she was prepared. And I think it was a half-hearted attempt–just to let me know he cared. We went to the ENT and his ears look great. The hearing test didn’t go all that well but they think he is within normal range. Yea. The doctor thought Owen did great the day of the surgery. Yippee! Cameron was the lucky recipient of a camera up the nose. The same camera Gracie has had in the ear. Poor kids. The snoring is all allergy related. So, we will press on with the weekly allergy shots. Immunotherapy, the allergist says, can take up to 3 years.

And let me end with a little brag–before I go to work. Ha, that still gives me a giggle. The principal called from Cameron’s school the other day. Just to say how terrific Cameron is doing. He was one of the biggest naysayers about Cameron’s return to mainstream first grade. Cameron had his first spelling test last Friday and got 102! You go Cam! Yup, he got the bonus word right too.

St. Brigid

Kristi finished a sleeve with her handspun. It is an amazing shade of purple. I am in awe. Vicki is starting sleeve #2. Tomorrow is my day with St. Brigid. Row 3, here I come.

Let’s knit a deal September 27, 2004

I promised myself if I knit for 30 minutes on Devan I could work on St. Brigid. Well…a trip to Target and Costco got in the way of knitting. Devan has seen no action today and St. Brigid remains neglected. I did, however, finish fringing my sister’s poncho. Yup, another Unikat poncho. This one seems a bit shorter but my sister is shorter than my SIL–so I am not stressing. Besides, I cut the fringe 3" longer. I also started a kitty bed for the Petfinder knitalong. I am using Lopi and some Katia Nutria. It’s all from the stash and things I have acquired from Granny’s sale bins over the years. Those are the gerbils, Luna and Fluffy. We still miss Sirius Black–Luna and Fluffy aren’t very nice. Cameron has given them that little fishtank with hope that it will improve their disposition.
Owen went back to school today. Once again thank you for all of your well wishes. He seems to be feeling a lot better. Although, I wasn’t sure at 1:30am last night. UGH! But he woke up happily and ate his bagel. He eagerly got onto the bus–he really loves his new teacher. The staff at the hospital was so understanding and patient and accomodating. Not only did they do everything they could to make Owen comfortable but they went out of their way to reassure Kevin and I that Owen was doing great–even better than some "typical" kids. Little things make me happy, like Owen tolerating the hospital gown and the staff all singing Toy Story songs and saying, "To infinity and beyond". He was exhausted Friday afternoon but couldn’t get comfortable to fall asleep. He led me by the hand to our basement playroom and wanted to play on the computer. I played a few games of Bob the Builder and he was sleeping. He’s such a cutie. We go to the ENT tomorrow for his post op check up and Cameron is seeing him regarding possible sleep apnea. Thank you all again.

Owen and I say thanks September 24, 2004

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers. Owen did a lot better than we expected and the hospital staff were incredibly patient and understanding. He is sleeping right now. Thank you all once again. Have a terrific weekend.

September 23, 2004

This week is just flying. I can’t believe it is already Thursday. Kevin has been out of town since Tuesday and I just didn’t get as much knitting done as I hoped. sigh. Tomorrow is Owen’s surgery. While I know in my head it is minor–tubes and adenoids–there is always that nagging fear when your child or anyone goes under anesthesia. Kevin had to take him to get bloodwork down Tuesday, before he left for work. Yes, he woke Owen up and took him to the lab at 6:30am. And there was a line. Fortunately, they let him go ahead. Tonight I take him for the pre-surgery clearance. And tomorrow, at 10:30am he is having a new set of tubes put in and the adenoids removed. I am asking the doctor to look more closely at his tonsils and to examine his palate. The dentist thinks Owen’s palate is abnormal. I could do with that little peace of mind.

Owen, of course, cannot eat before his surgery. Now the child doesn’t speak much but he almost always says "bagel" when he wakes up. Poor thing. There are other worries too. He ripped the IV out of his arm after his last tube surgery. I am bringing our own juice. I know he won’t drink hosptial juice. I must remember to pack extra clothes as well.

I ran to Target and picked up a rather large train set to keep him entertained. I will just bring a few bits and pieces to the surgery center. And I got some Dora and Spongbob videos that can be played on Gameboy.

Anyway…I have been working on my sister’s Unikat poncho. I signed up for the KittyBed Knitalong. Cameron wants one for his stuffed dog. Why not knit two in my spare time? St. Brigid gets serious attention next week. I hope.

This week is just flying. I can’t believe it is already Thursday. Kevin has been out of town since Tuesday and I just didn’t get as much knitting done as I hoped. sigh. Tomorrow is Owen’s surgery. While I know in my head it is minor–tubes and adenoids–there is always that nagging fear when your child or anyone goes under anesthesia. Kevin had to take him to get bloodwork down Tuesday, before he left for work. Yes, he woke Owen up and took him to the lab at 6:30am. And there was a line. Fortunately, they let him go ahead. Tonight I take him for the pre-surgery clearance. And tomorrow, at 10:30am he is having a new set of tubes put in and the adenoids removed. I am asking the doctor to look more closely at his tonsils and to examine his palate. The dentist thinks Owen’s palate is abnormal. I could do with that little peace of mind.

Owen, of course, cannot eat before his surgery. Now the child doesn’t speak much but he almost always says "bagel" when he wakes up. Poor thing. There are other worries too. He ripped the IV out of his arm after his last tube surgery. I am bringing our own juice. I know he won’t drink hosptial juice. I must remember to pack extra clothes as well.

I ran to Target and picked up a rather large train set to keep him entertained. I will just bring a few bits and pieces to the surgery center. And I got some Dora and Spongbob videos that can be played on Gameboy.

Anyway…I have been working on my sister’s Unikat poncho. I signed up for the KittyBed Knitalong. Cameron wants one for his stuffed dog. Why not knit two in my spare time? St. Brigid gets serious attention next week. I hope.

This week is just flying. I can’t believe it is already Thursday. Kevin has been out of town since Tuesday and I just didn’t get as much knitting done as I hoped. sigh. Tomorrow is Owen’s surgery. While I know in my head it is minor–tubes and adenoids–there is always that nagging fear when your child or anyone goes under anesthesia. Kevin had to take him to get bloodwork down Tuesday, before he left for work. Yes, he woke Owen up and took him to the lab at 6:30am. And there was a line. Fortunately, they let him go ahead. Tonight I take him for the pre-surgery clearance. And tomorrow, at 10:30am he is having a new set of tubes put in and the adenoids removed. I am asking the doctor to look more closely at his tonsils and to examine his palate. The dentist thinks Owen’s palate is abnormal. I could do with that little peace of mind.

Owen, of course, cannot eat before his surgery. Now the child doesn’t speak much but he almost always says "bagel" when he wakes up. Poor thing. There are other worries too. He ripped the IV out of his arm after his last tube surgery. I am bringing our own juice. I know he won’t drink hosptial juice. I must remember to pack extra clothes as well.

I ran to Target and picked up a rather large train set to keep him entertained. I will just bring a few bits and pieces to the surgery center. And I got some Dora and Spongbob videos that can be played on Gameboy.

Anyway…I have been working on my sister’s Unikat poncho. I signed up for the KittyBed Knitalong. Cameron wants one for his stuffed dog. Why not knit two in my spare time? St. Brigid gets serious attention next week. I hope.

Don’t know why this posted itself twice.

Don’t know why this posted itself twice.

Don’t know why this posted itself twice.

Weekend update September 20, 2004

My sister-in-law loved the poncho and wore it right away. And why not? Kevin says 2 or 3 of her friends were wearing them at the party too. (I didn’t go to the party–late notice/no babysitter). I worked on Devan and watched bad TV. The last piece of Devan is knitting at a snails pace. I want it to be finished.

I started the second Unikat poncho for my sister. Liz wants longer fringe. I hope I can squeak it out of the skein. She might just have to get more Brown Sheep in hers than my SIL. As far as the other poncho goes, I appreciate all of your input. I have, however, decided to stop knitting it. I asked Granny to call Berroco. I am really annoyed about the dye lot mistake. I know Berroco will just offer to replace the yarn but that is fine. Thinking back on the knitting, I remember a wonky looking join in the skein. It wasn’t a knot–I wasn’t sure what it was–it kind of looked like a snarl. As it looked impossible to untie and I didn’t have a scissor handy, I just kept knitting. Sure enough, that is where the color changed. Sigh. I must pay more attention when knitting.

I would like to devote some time to St. Brigid but I am not sure this is the week. Owen has an icky sounding cough. I sent him to school anyway. Ugh, I hate making that decision. He was eating and drinking and running around. He was even jumping on the trampoline (indoor). His surgery is scheduled for Friday. The doctor put him on a prophylactic antibiotic–just in case.

I worked at Granny’s on Saturday. I missed not working there over the week. The poncho craze seems to have died down a bit. The scarf knitters were out again. That cost of novelty yarn really adds up. I forgot to mention about last Saturday…there was a stressful moment in the shop, someone wanted something and the price–I was clueless–I told the customer I would ask Granny and I shouted across the store, "Grandma!" She wanted to kill me. And she called me the next day to make fun of me a little more, "It’s Grandma…" I really love Granny. She puts on this great crotchety act. And now she calls me "Kathaleeniee."

You know, I am no Grammar Avenger but I notice that my grammar is really screwed up, as is my spelling between the UK and the USA. I specifically remember a coloring book I received from my stepmother, as a child, that was from the UK. I got "colour" wrong on spelling test in elementary school. Add that to dyslexia and I am a bit of a disaster.

Back to St. Brigid. Kim started her sleeve and it looks terrific. Karen from Beatknits has joined the knitalong. Karen is using Cascade 220. I love that yarn and have been dreaming about wearing Na Craga.