And the repeats go on October 26, 2004

St. Brigid gets minimal attention these days. I am on a finishing frenzy and, at this rate, I won’t be finished with St. Brigid anytime soon. Terri, however, has finished the back of her sweater and is beginning the fronts. Note the "s" in fronts! Terri is making hers a cardigan. Vicki has started the body and says it is going quickly. Kristi has respun more yarn and believes she has enough to finish and is thinking ahead to her next project. Wow. I can’t even imagine how long this sweater will take me to knit…at least a year…

I am still thinking about Owen’s Mission Falls sweater. I don’t have enough yarn to knit it in solid colors. I don’t want to do stripes. I thought of a duplicate stitch fish on the chest…I don’t know. Just this morning my mom offered to do a fair isle thing on the bottom and sleeves. That could be nice. I guess I need to gather up the yarn I do have, assess yardage and go from there.

An FO? Or a PFO? October 25, 2004

What do you think? Is it finished? This is the poncho for the nurse’s daughter at Owen’s school. Interestingly enough, last weekend she and her daughter showed up at the yarn shop with Grandma. Grandma was knitting the same pattern I was planning and using Encore Worsted. The poncho was meant to be a surprise but I decided to ask what color she preferred–’cause she wasn’t looking at pink. Her daughter definately had color preferences and liked this Encore Colorspun. I used a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern and US 8 Addi Turbos.

The pattern says you can leave it as is–with a v-neck roll or pick up and knit around and purl off for a more finished neck? What do you think? Is it finished? Or should I do the neck?

I wanted to say thank you for all of the supportive comments regarding my conversations with Gracie. While I wouldn’t wish this kind of pain on anyone…it helps to know we are not alone. Thanks.

Finally, have you seen the Knitty Surpise? My mom called me about it this morning. Love ’em all! Thanks for bringing more attention to this issue Knitty.

conversations from Rhinebeck October 21, 2004

I had some interesting conversations with Gracie when we went to Rhinebeck. With the chaos of life and the intensity of Owen’s needs–Cameron and Gracie do tend to get a bit overlooked. Gracie, amazing child that she is, tries not to burden me with her problems. Repeatedly, I have told her I want to know, I will make time but she is so mature for her age and often chooses otherwise. I was all hers on Sunday though. Yes, we listened to a book on tape but I also just listened to her.

Gracie has some difficulties at school with the other girls. How can anyone not remember what that is like? I was practically friendless from 4th to 6th grade. We have moved so many times and Gracie has so many experiences that other children do not. Some of the girls are outright awful. One such girl spread rumors that Gracie has autism. Sigh. The latest–and not so greatest–are the playground antics. Instead of monkey bars and kickball, the girls are playing therapy and manicures. Don’t forget your reservation. Instead of Red Rover and tag, the girls are playing massage and yoga. Oh my goodness, what do the mom’s in my town do with their spare time??

Gracie and I talked about what it is like being different. I relished being different–in high school and college. It isn’t as easy to be different in elementary and middle school. Gracie said, "Yea, I stick out like a sore thumb." I told her I didn’t see it that way. I told her she stuck out in a unique and wonderful way. I assured her that if she chose to be more like the other girls, in order to get by, I would understand but I would be right by her side too if she kept at it–as is. She wants to remain true to herself and I adore her for it.

And in that line of thinking, a What Kind of Girl Are You? quiz.

I am a hybrid of: Academic Girl Progressive Girl Click on the pictures below to read more: Take the ‘What Kind of Girl Are You?’ quiz at CookingToHookup.com

Devan is finished October 19, 2004

Thank goodness. Kevin brought it off to work this morning for little Vincenzo. I hope his parents like it and I hope it fits sometime soon. In all of my excitement to knit Devan–cause I wanted to knit Devan I forgot Vinnie was a preemie. No doubt, it will be big. Oh well…it’s the thought that counts. I used the DGB Confetti, size 1-2. There was a minor error in the pattern. On the back you are told to BO and on the finishing you are told to knit off the stitch holder. The numbers correspond so it is easily figured out but I think they should change it. I emailed the designer. She was very nice.

As easy as this sweater was to knit, it was a lot of work. I will never ever knit a sweater on size 2 or 3 needles for someone not related directly by blood. Hand me your worsted, your bulky or your super chunky. And here’s the back.

I am beginning the poncho for Faith, the nurses daughter at Owen’s school. Although, I squeezed a little St. Brigid knitting in this morning. And I am finally winding my Mission Falls for the O-man’s sweater. In other exciting fiber news, I received my Summer Bucket prize from Becky. It is some very lovely ribbon yarn. I think they will become drop stitch scarves. I have a lovely blue silk/mohair in the stash for the icey blue one. Thanks Becky.

St. Brigid

Kim finished her second sleeve and is making coordinating wrist warmers. Stay warm Kim! Vicki is nearly finished her second sleeve but is dealing with some Cromarty envy. Aren’t we all? Kristi is still blowing me away with the speed that she is knitting her sweater and spinning and respinning the yarn. Incredible.

Baa Ram Ewe October 18, 2004

Rhinebeck was so much fun. Gracie and I haven’t had a mother-daughter day out like that in a long time…maybe since that time she and I went to Paris and we discovered she had head lice outside of Notre Dame. Even the drive was fabulous. The foliage was goregous–not quite peak but beautiful nonetheless with the bits of green mixed in with the reds, yellows and orange. We brought a book on tape, Because of Winn Dixie, and listened to it on the way there and back–it is also extra credit for Gracie.

Gracie enjoyed the animals so much–more so than Kevin and I did when we went to Maryland Sheep and Wool. It was such a joy to see the festival through the eyes of a child. So, there was a good mix of shopping and animal fun. Gracie desperately wanted an angora bunny. I did too at Md S&W and said I would buy one at Rhinebeck. But as I decided not to go and changed my mind yet again–we were not prepared. Gracie is counting the months to Maryland. My mom says she will go and we will bring Gracie too. Gracie is saving her money too for the rabbit hutch.

The frisbee dogs were a blast. We happened upon that accidentally but sat and watched the whole thing. The dogs and owners/trainers were phenomenal. Gracie has a new hobby in mind. In addtion to the rabbit keeping and the interest in learning the drop spindle.

I met bloggers this time. Gracie and I were in line at the 4-H booth for a hotdog when I saw a group of familiar looking women. I was reluctant to go up to them but, with Gracie by my side, I went for it. It was a brief meeting but I met Kerstin, Mary Beth, Kim, Norma, and Sandy.

And who was the first blogger I ran into? And into again? Ann! I love this photo of she and Gracie.

And here is my haul. And there is more on the way via USPS. Yippee!

October 16, 2004

Gracie and I are going to the Sheep and Wool Festival tomorrow. A mother-daughter day out. She is so excited to see the angora bunnies, the border collies (we used to have one) and get some yarn to make her friend a felted cat bed for Christmas. I just finished my cat bed for Petfinders. I used Lopi and a skein of Katia Nutria. I am disappointed with the eyelash. It was a bit short and looks more like 5 o’clock shadow. The kitties probably won’t mind.

I have been working on Devan in my spare time. My mom gave me some seaming pointers, as I found it difficult to seam the sleeve caps using mattress stitch–so I used a back stitch. I am really going to miss her and her expertise while she is in Florida.

I had a blast at the yarn shop today. It was packed and the time flew. Granny even called Kevin at 4:30 (I should have been home by then and said she was sorry for keeping me). Granny had a rep for Swedish Yarns, Baabajoes, and Fiesta there. What fun picking colors. I have 2 skeins of La Boehme that I have done nothing with. It is fiddly to wind and I hated it in garter on those big ‘ole needles. But I had Granny get a couple of skeins of Gelato for me in the African Violet colorway. There was a sample of a beautiful shawl that I would love to wear to this year’s dinner dance. Oh, and she is also the rep for Jamieson and Smith…for my next aran.

Kevin had dinner almost ready when I got home and my parents on the couch. My sister, her husband and kids came over for cake and goodbyes. And inbetween blogging, I am mapping out my route to Rhinebeck.

Gracie and I are going to the Sheep and Wool Festival tomorrow. A mother-daughter day out. She is so excited to see the angora bunnies, the border collies (we used to have one) and get some yarn to make her friend a felted cat bed for Christmas. I just finished my cat bed for Petfinders. I used Lopi and a skein of Katia Nutria. I am disappointed with the eyelash. It was a bit short and looks more like 5 o’clock shadow. The kitties probably won’t mind.

I have been working on Devan in my spare time. My mom gave me some seaming pointers, as I found it difficult to seam the sleeve caps using mattress stitch–so I used a back stitch. I am really going to miss her and her expertise while she is in Florida.

I had a blast at the yarn shop today. It was packed and the time flew. Granny even called Kevin at 4:30 (I should have been home by then and said she was sorry for keeping me). Granny had a rep for Swedish Yarns, Baabajoes, and Fiesta there. What fun picking colors. I have 2 skeins of La Boehme that I have done nothing with. It is fiddly to wind and I hated it in garter on those big ‘ole needles. But I had Granny get a couple of skeins of Gelato for me in the African Violet colorway. There was a sample of a beautiful shawl that I would love to wear to this year’s dinner dance. Oh, and she is also the rep for Jamieson and Smith…for my next aran.

Kevin had dinner almost ready when I got home and my parents on the couch. My sister, her husband and kids came over for cake and goodbyes. And inbetween blogging, I am mapping out my route to Rhinebeck.

Gracie and I are going to the Sheep and Wool Festival tomorrow. A mother-daughter day out. She is so excited to see the angora bunnies, the border collies (we used to have one) and get some yarn to make her friend a felted cat bed for Christmas. I just finished my cat bed for Petfinders. I used Lopi and a skein of Katia Nutria. I am disappointed with the eyelash. It was a bit short and looks more like 5 o’clock shadow. The kitties probably won’t mind.

I have been working on Devan in my spare time. My mom gave me some seaming pointers, as I found it difficult to seam the sleeve caps using mattress stitch–so I used a back stitch. I am really going to miss her and her expertise while she is in Florida.

I had a blast at the yarn shop today. It was packed and the time flew. Granny even called Kevin at 4:30 (I should have been home by then and said she was sorry for keeping me). Granny had a rep for Swedish Yarns, Baabajoes, and Fiesta there. What fun picking colors. I have 2 skeins of La Boehme that I have done nothing with. It is fiddly to wind and I hated it in garter on those big ‘ole needles. But I had Granny get a couple of skeins of Gelato for me in the African Violet colorway. There was a sample of a beautiful shawl that I would love to wear to this year’s dinner dance. Oh, and she is also the rep for Jamieson and Smith…for my next aran.

Kevin had dinner almost ready when I got home and my parents on the couch. My sister, her husband and kids came over for cake and goodbyes. And inbetween blogging, I am mapping out my route to Rhinebeck.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 12, 2004

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was 8 the first time my mother got breast cancer and in 3rd grade. My mom was 39 years old. While I don’t remember much, I do remember teachers and parents asking how my mother was and not knowing what they were talking about. Fifteen years later, she got it again. I was in Alaska at the time volunteering for the year at a domestic violence shelter. As I was older and better able to understand, I researched it as best I could and decided I needed to come home to be there for my mom and family. The prognosis didn’t look good. I truly feared she might die. When my parents met me at JFK airport, the first thing my mom said to me was, “I’m fine. Go back to Alaska.”

I know she didn’t want me changing my life because of her. I loved Alaska. I had been offered a job at the shelter as Education and Outreach Coordinator and I was contemplating another year of volunteering as a Legal Advocate in Bethel, Alaska. But I knew I should be at home. Of course, I did nothing but drive my mother crazy. Maybe she needed a bit of that too—something to live for and argue about. My mother is a remarkably strong woman. Sometimes too strong…

She had radiation and five years of Tamoxifen. She had undergone surgery and chemotherapy the first time. As I said, my mother is a very strong woman. I am so grateful for all that I have learned from her. We have certainly had our fair share of disagreements—as mothers and daughters do. But I am so grateful that she did her self exams. Please remember to do your self exams and have your mammograms.

And Mom, I love you.

Shark Tale, part 2 October 11, 2004

Owen did pretty well, initially, at Shark Tale. Forgive my misspelling earlier. He even seemed excited to be at the theater. I came prepared with a bagel, juice and Cheetos. Unfortunately, the theater was much more crowded than last time. For Scooby Doo 2, about 12 or so families showed up. The president of our local Autism Society of America said 50 families RSVP’d and he expected 25. I would say at least 30 or more families showed. It was very crowded with people upon people. Owen had a hard time staying in his seat. The mother in front of us yelled at Owen to sit down. Sigh. I apologized as Owen was accidentally touching her son’s chair. While I tried to prevent him from doing so, I also tried to keep this a somewhat reinforcing experience for Owen. The mother snapped at me, “Well my son has it too.” I don’t remember telling her my son has autism and yours doesn’t. So, I just said, “Sorry.” And she repeated herself again. And again. I felt like just saying, “Thank you.” Perhaps that would have worked like those silly commercials on TV.

Well, I promised myself I wouldn’t complain. I have been almost complaint free for some time. Needless to say, we left shortly after that. Owen’s teacher and I agreed that Owen would be better off at a regular screening of a movie with less behaviors to observe or mimic.

I think I screwed up the 3 needle bind off on the shoulders of Devan—at least 4 times. I was trying to do it quickly during a moment when all children were entertained. Ha. I should have just waited to bedtime. Theirs—not mine.