The mysterious…the elusive… April 29, 2005

I am working on pulse warmers still.  They are the perfect knitting with the kids home from school.  While I have an urge to get back (finally) to St. Brigid, I just don’t have the time or attention to put into it with the kids around.  With just over 30 stitches on the needles, it is easy to work a few rows on pulsewarmers and put them down and pick them up.  It’s choosing the patterns for them that is giving me the greatest fits these days.

Lucky for me, my mom has a library to end all libraries!  I started drawing up charts yesterday for this orangey/rust pulsewarmer–after I finally settled on white beads.  My mom remembered her Charts for Colour Knitting book and I swiped borrowed it yesterday.  I have gone through several more attempts and I am just not thrilled.  Next go is the wave pattern I drew up from something I saw online.  If that doesn’t work, there is a lovely Celtic chain in the book.  The peanut gallery, aka Kevin, keeps shooting down charts.  "No waves.  It’s orange not blue."  You have to think outside the box.  Or ditch the yarn.  Or the beads.  Sigh.  Or should I just get rid of the husband?  Just kidding Kevin.

Yesterday was spent at Adventureland with Cameron, Gracie, my mom and my nephew.  Unfortunately my nephew was a tad under the height restrictions so I had to accompany him on many of the rides.  Ugh–how I hate those spinning rides.  The kids had a great time though.  And it was a good walking primer for my mom.  Next weekend is Maryland Sheep and Wool!  Adventureland hosts an autism night twice a year.  We have never gone as Owen doesn’t care for rides but I had a chat with the manager yesterday and he said the autism nights are the best.  The staff love it and the park is open to the families of children with autism.  I think we’ll give the fall one a try.

Well, I guess I better get back to figuring out this pulsewarmer. 

the other shoe drops April 26, 2005

Alright, I know that Ann is trying to destroy my reputation as a nice and caring person in the blogworld.  First I am flinging cake domes.  Now I am shattering her foot self confidence!  Couldn’t she just be grateful that she has a permanent marker of where to start her toe decreases? 

I know a thing or two about bunions.  Not from personal experience but familial experience.  Kevin’s got them.  Should I add that to my 100 things you didn’t want to know about me–or my family?  A good friend had them and had surgery.  She said it was horrible.  I have acutally been researching holistic approaches to the treatment of bunions–’cause I am that kind of nice person.  Supposedly massage can help! 

As for Ann, I rather helpfully suggested she short row around her bunion on her Spearfish socks!  And made some other helpful suggestions about running out of yarn–including an alternate color toe.  I also checked Granny’s for some coordinating Jawoll.  Am I really as awful as she makes me out to be?  Huh?  Of course, Cameron had to get he and Scooby in on the action.  At least they like me and my feet…nail polish by Gracie!

                                                          

of cats and books and cookies too April 25, 2005

First I wanted to say thank you to everyone who offered input on Scooby and his morning waking.  Before I gave any of the suggestions a try, I decided to use a bit of reverse pyschology.  We live by the principles of behavioral science in this house.  I started meowing and waking Scooby up when he was sleeping.  My friend Ann did not think this was a good idea.  She thought either it wouldn’t work or I would make matters worse with the cat.  Saturday and Sunday morning we didn’t hear a peep from Scoob until Owen woke up–around 6am or so.  This morning, Kevin was late for work!  His alarm didn’t go off and Scooby didn’t go off either.  If only Ann could see the smug look of satisfaction on my face.  And the worried, upset look on Kevin’s. 

I guess I came across Miriam’s blog via Margene’s–her being a Utah grrl and all…but she was in need of some Karabella Lace Mohair for a WIP.  It is a lovely but sadly neglected yarn at Granny’s.  So, I offered to send Miriam the last skein we had.  In return Miriam sent me a beautiful hand bound book and some delicious cookies.  They are lovely with tea.  Thanks so much Miriam and I am so happy you can finish your shawl. 

All of the kids are home today and just Cameron and Gracie the rest of the week.  Cameron will be a peer model at Owen’s school tomorrow.  And we will try to plan a few fun things for their vacation. 

The last questions…finally! April 24, 2005

Kati, I am sorry it has taken so long to get these questions up!  I admit I was a bit intimidated when Kati asked about being interviewed…I looked at her blog and it was all in Finnish!  Now, I could have asked any old knitting questions but I enjoyed coming up with questions for the people who requested.  I went back into their archives and read or reread old posts.  I attempted to translate Kati’s blog with assorted translators but eventually discovered she translates most of her posts! 

So Kati you post the answers on your blog with the rules.  Here we go…

1.  When did you start knitting?

2.  Your English is fantastic.  Are you from Finland?  Do you know any other languages?  And when did you learn to speak them?  Can you translate the name of my mother’s book?  Kirjokintaista Kauneimmat.

3.  Who is your favorite knitting designer? 

4.  What is your favorite yarn?  Are there any yarns, not readily available in Finland, that you would like to try?

5.  If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would it be?

that b*tch April 22, 2005

You know, I feel like I am getting a bad rap around here by a certain swine lovin’ blogger.  Despite what she says, I did not fling her cake dome.  To the contrary, I think she set me up to knock it over–a booby trap!  I didn’t send her down to the basement for a beer.  I agreed to join her in whatever she chose to drink.  I would have been just as happy with a Pepsi!  She’s making me look bad. 

Does she mention how I was on my hands and knees picking up glass shards to protect her dog’s feet?  Does she mention how fabulous my homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate cookie bars were?  No!  She accuses me of being jealous! 

Seriously, I had a fabulous time.  I haven’t laughed so much in a long time.  It was good to see Joanne, Peggy and Ricki again.  I got home close to 11:30pm.  That’s way late for me.  Perhaps that is the reason I accidentally lost the key to Granny’s.  Dopey from my late night.  Do you hear me blaming Ann? 

And here’s the lowdown on the cheesecake.  While it looked gorgeous–I didn’t care for it.  It was too creamy for me.  I like my cheescake dense!  And no whipped cream.  I am a NYer for goodness sake.  We know cheese cake–and bagels. 

Stitch, bitch, cook, knit April 21, 2005

Just had a little chin wag with Ann.  Any one of those bloggers she emailed–who considered coming for the "home made coffee cake"–don’t bother!  She bought a cheese cake from Costco!  The horror.  I, on the other hand, am cooling the Chocolate Peanut Butter cookies that I made from scratch just before.

I am not exactly sure what went wrong with the melted chocolate on top…a little lumpy.  I have done better in the past.  Hopefully they taste better than they look.

I have gotten back to some of the pulse warmers I planned to knit.  They are good inbetween knitting.  Beads are a lot of fun to buy.  eBay is my favorite source.  I really like the Miyuki beads as they are pretty uniform in size.  It can be a challenge pairing up the right color bead with yarn.  I am by no means a color natural.  I am not 100% sure about this latest pulsewarmer.  It may be to light a combo but it kind of reminds me of Wedgewood.  What do you think?  Caryn’s pattern is easy to do and the cluster of beads in the checkerboard pattern shows them off a bit more.

We had Owen’s meeting for school next year.  He will remain at his current placement and continue to receive home teaching over the summer.  While the district was happy with his academic progress, they are rightfully concerned about his maladaptive behaviors.  Lately, elopement–or running away/escaping–has been a bit of an issue.  Some new bolts has fixed that temporarily.  Why is itOwen can open any lock but not button his pants?  I would love to see him go back to district some day…maybe by 6.  I don’t know.

A question…the cat, Scooby, has been meowing about 2 minutes before Kevin’s alarm clock goes off to be fed.  We leave dry down for him.  He used to meow right after the alarm clock but now, 4:58am he is at it.  I want to shoot him with water.  Kevin thinks it is easier to feed him.  Monday through Friday maybe.  Saturday and Sunday–no!  Anyone else have a cat that is an alarm clock?

Finished! April 18, 2005

Everything’s fine but it always a scary phone call to receive…Owen’s bus company.  I dread hearing an accident but it was only a breakdown.  He will be home shortly.  I decided to seize the moment and photograph my finished baby blanket for my friend Maria.  Like other bloggers, I thought I would have an outdoor photoshoot but I was a little concerned putting the baby blanket on an evergreen bush and some of the other bushes in the yard are a bit smelly.  I did bring it outside to give it a try and two bugs landed on it.  I plan to wash it anyway but things were getting a little out of hand. 

                                                       

This is a Fiber Trends Easy Lace baby blanket pattern that I purchased a long time ago.  The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in putty.  I bought it off of Granny’s sale table.  Half price!  It’s soft and spongey and perfect for my best friend from high school who is due to have her first baby in June.  She is also the friend that introduced Kevin and I.  I am also proud of being finished way ahead of schedule.  Now I must return to some of my other unfinished products.

Last set of interview questions tomorrow. 

rambling on Monday

Kevin and I spent Friday night in the city.  We stayed at the Tribeca Grand Hotel.  They had fishbowls in every room.  It’s the small things in life that thrill me.  Of course we were fighting.  What night out is any good without an argument.  His mom was coming to babysit and did he help tidy up?  Nope!  Sure he picked his clothes–at least most of them–up off the floor but he left the change from his pockets.  And he left me with no gas AND asked me to return the keys to his rental car.  He offered to take me to Purl to make up for his trangressions but I will make him pay for it at Maryland Sheep and Wool. 

We had dinner with his friend from work.  This is the same friend whose party we went to at Christmas.  This Park Avenue penthouse apartment never ceases to amaze me.  Why doesn’t Kevin make that kind of money?  I could buy more yarn and donate to the rest to charities of my choice.  Saturday we went to breakfast at this cute place called Bubby’s.  Breakfast was pretty good but I was exhausted from the late night and my feet hurt from wearing shoes with heels.  Next stop…Niketown.  My feet and me were much happier afterwards.

Needless to say I went to bed very early Saturday.  Sunday was Gracie’s soccer game.  She wasn’t going to play this season as she is passionate about her swimming but we convinced her to give it another go.  The girls on her team are terrific and she will be in middle school with them next year.  More nice friends = good.  Gracie prefers goal but is usually a bit afraid of the ball.  Her arch enemy was the on the opposing team.  Gracie was phenomenal diving for balls, taking balls in the thigh.  I barely even knit the game was so exciting.  Yea, they lost but Grace had some good saves.

I am rambling here…I am three inches from completion of the baby blanket.  I need to string some more beads for pulsewarmers.  St. Brigid needs one more tink.  My mom has offered to do it but I really have no desire to knit on it at all.  Anyone else been working on St. Brigid?

I can hardly believe Maryland Sheep and Wool is just a couple of weeks away.  Granny has offered my mom use of her walker.  My mom refuses.  I suggested she use a cane.  At the very least, she can swat people away at the Koigu booth.  I feel like I ought to knit at least a bit more from the stuff I bought at Rhinebeck but it’s all quite wooly and I don’t feel like knitting wool.  I am working on a cute little bolero in the Debbie Bliss Cathay Cotton for the shop. 

Rambling still…gonna get to some interview questions.  Today’s questions are for Angi, the Spinning Doula.  Angi is a lovely spinner and terrific knitter.  Her doula stories are amazing.  I can’t even describe the feeling I get when I read them.  They are like magic. 

You know the rules, right?

1.  What prompted you to become a doula?

2.  Where does Khi’s name come from?

3.  How did the kids get into the circus program?  Do you and Benny ever get in on the act?

4.  Why did you start blogging?

5.  How many pets do you have now?  And how do they all get along?  Where do you keep the goat? 

I am adding Nancy’s questions too.  I encountered Nancy during the Devan Knitalong she hosted.  We became friendly via email discussing Early Intervention and Preschool speech services.  We are trying to hook up to meet in real life.  And we will at Maryland and some Monday in Soho.  Or perhaps the Bronx Zoo on a Sunday. 

1.  Do you have any siblings?

2.  Why did you drop out of high school?

3.  Do you think you’ll finish your degree?  Do you still want to be a school counselor?

4.  If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would it be?  By yourself, with the kids, a girlfriend or just Rinaldo?

5.  What’s your budget for Maryland Sheep and Wool?

Questions for Jody April 12, 2005

I don’t know how I happened upon Jody’s blog…but luckily I did.  She is a fantastic knitter.  I swear, it seems there is no challenge she can’t face.  And she is a wonderful, fantastic person.  I have had the opportunity to meet up with her 3 times and I can’t wait to see her in Maryland.  So the rules are the same…here are the questions.

1.  How did you and Paul meet?

2.  You have set deadlines for sweaters for you and Paul.  Have you always set deadlines?  Are they only knitting related or work and personal too?

3.  If you were to open a yarn shop–and you may according to your 100 things–what would you name it?

4.  I have watched you knit.  I have even been fortunate enough to have you repair a mistake for me…I have great respect for your knitting abilities.  What knitted item are you most proud of?  And are there any knitting challenges you have yet to face? 

5.  You have a choice here…

a.  What is one thing you would love to do that you haven’t done as of yet?  (the question from Margene)

b.  How much are you budgeting for Maryland Sheep and Wool?

Major lack of knitting content here.  Owen had the dentist this morning.  Routine–but Kevin never told me about the appointment.  Owen did much better though.  Gracie is home sick again.  She’s going to school tomorrow!  And I bought more beads.  It is quickly becoming an obsession.  I have more beads than I know what to do with.  I will take a picture one of these days.  More interviews to follow. 

Socks and questions April 11, 2005

My mother finished another pair of Koigu socks for me.  I love her.  These socks are from Interweave Knits Summer 2003.  I picked up the yarn at Purl when I met Jody in the city in December.  I love this color blue and they are so soft.  Not to mention the socks are gorgeous too.  Thanks Mom.

I was pretty surprised by the number of requests for interviews.  Wow.  So it will take a bit of time to think of questions.  One blogger is from Finland and her blog is all in Finnish.  Does anyone read Finnish?  I am not sure what to do there.  I could just ask some general questions about knitting.  Today, my questions are for Emma.  The other interviews will come this week and possibly into next.  I have one sick Gracie home today.  Who knows who might be home tomorrow…

Emma, if you don’t know her, has been blogging for quite some time.  She is a fabulous knitter and spinner.  She lives in the UK, is married and has a goregous little boy–her chick.  Emma, like me, is the mom of a child with special needs.  She is also a remarkable advocate for her son. 

Emma, the answers must be posted on your blog and the rules as well.  Here goes…

1.  How did you and Allan meet?

2.  You have mentioned an impact (not necessarily the word you used) that Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen had on you and your knitting.  Could you explain further?

3.  Prior to being a mom, what kind of work did you do?

4.  Being a parent to a child with special needs, do you make time to do things for yourself?  If  yes–and I hope so–like what and how often?

5.  And since I really liked Margene’s question…I am stealing it.  What is one thing you would love to do that you haven’t done as of yet?