A quickie November 29, 2005

I wanted to say I am sorry for not responding to emails and comments.  While I know it is not necessary–I prefer to do so.  I used to not let my Inbox get past 50.  Then it was 100 and now it is over 200.  I am half-tempted to delete and start over again.  But I just had to put it out there.  Life is so crazy right now!  The appliances are all here but we still don’t have electric.  Why the contractor thinks it is the last thing to be done?  I don’t know!  I am tired of the toaster oven and the microwave and eating out. 

We survived Thanksgiving.  Actually, it went better than expected.  The kids were pretty content–even Owen.  He only stripped twice–both kind of appropriate–down to his undies in Grandma’s guest bed and fully naked in the shower.  He also took a sip of Grandpa’s gin and tonic.  Definitely not water.  This is the first time one of my kids accidentally took a drink.  Owen then proceeded to lick the perimeter of Grandma’s parson chair.  Anything to get rid of the taste!

Cameron managed to make a humongous hole in his sock!  I have no clue what happened and don’t even know if it can be repaired.  Any thoughts?  It was Trekking yarn.  Impressive, huh?

In other knitting, I completed on hat for Knit Unto Others and I am hoping to  make some mittens tonight.  I also finished a scarf for the shop knit with Skacel Prisma mohair based on the Misty Garden scarf from Scarf Style.  And I hope to finish a Transition’s Hat.  The painter is here today prepping.  And I am awaiting Silestone to come and measure again.  Third time’s a charm–right? 

Giving thanks November 23, 2005

There are so many things to be thankful for.  Some are very simple.  Others are more complex.  Sunday, Kevin and I celebrated our 12^th wedding anniversary.  It has been a bumpy road but our relationship is stronger because of it.  Laughter has been key.  Heck.  I think our relationship was founded on laughter.

Kevin’s friend was dating my best friend from high school.  We all got together and went out to dinner at a place where you drew on the paper table covers.  We were playing a Pictionary type of game and Kevin asked everyone to draw a “train wreck”.  Everyone sat there drawing tracks and trains except me…I drew a mouth with food coming out.  As in “Wanna see a train wreck?”  Kevin was smitten. 

I am so grateful for our incredible children.  They are unique and wonderful and bring more to my life than I could ever have imagined.  We are not without our difficulties.  Autism is a challenge that sometimes seems greater than I can handle.  But we do. And I am a better person because of it.  My marriage is stronger and Cam and Gracie show compassion far beyond their years. 

I am also grateful for my family.  We rely heavily upon them because Owen’s needs can be so great.  Continually, they step up to the plate.  And I am grateful for our friends—those near and far and over the internet too.

Goodness knows, in the midst of all of life, knitting continues to keep me sane and drive me just a little bit crazy too.  Most recently my mom knit me a lovely pair of socks which are warming my feet right now. 

Fancy Silk Sock from Nancy Bush Knitting Vintage Socks

Nature’s Palette in Wild Orchid from Earth Faire

US 1 dpns (my mom added 2 rows of garter as in the picture)

Thanks Mom!! 

And Happy Thanksgiving!

                        

November 21, 2005

I should really be tidying the house but I am sitting here blogging…and not even about knitting.  I don’t think I knit a stitch this weekend!  The appliances arrived this weekend.  The wrong stove was ordered accidentally but it is fine–so we kept it.  The refrigerator is way too "proud"–meaning it sticks out about 5 inches.  That isn’t going to work so I bought a cabinet depth one today.  Somehow, we have to get this humongous refrigerator back to Home Depot.  Kevin assures me he and his brothers can do it!  Silestone refused to template the counters on Friday but were more agreeable today.  Our sink is causing problems!  It is the Farmhouse and it is huge!  I think we are finally back on track.

There was also a bit of a distraction this weekend.  My sister got a new puppy.  He is a puggle and his name is Rocky.  Is he not adorable?  I want a dog too.  A close up of Rocky’s face?  Sure!

And the most exciting news which is not seeing the new Harry Potter movie–it was okay.  Kevin and I are going to the U2 concert tonight!  Woohoo!  Skybox tickets with his company.  Sure, they aren’t the best seats in the house but they sure are comfy!

I should really be tidying the house but I am sitting here blogging…and not even about knitting.  I don’t think I knit a stitch this weekend!  The appliances arrived this weekend.  The wrong stove was ordered accidentally but it is fine–so we kept it.  The refrigerator is way too "proud"–meaning it sticks out about 5 inches.  That isn’t going to work so I bought a cabinet depth one today.  Somehow, we have to get this humongous refrigerator back to Home Depot.  Kevin assures me he and his brothers can do it!  Silestone refused to template the counters on Friday but were more agreeable today.  Our sink is causing problems!  It is the Farmhouse and it is huge!  I think we are finally back on track.

There was also a bit of a distraction this weekend.  My sister got a new puppy.  He is a puggle and his name is Rocky.  Is he not adorable?  I want a dog too.  A close up of Rocky’s face?  Sure!

And the most exciting news which is not seeing the new Harry Potter movie–it was okay.  Kevin and I are going to the U2 concert tonight!  Woohoo!  Skybox tickets with his company.  Sure, they aren’t the best seats in the house but they sure are comfy!

Givin’ it another go November 17, 2005

As I was trying to say the other day…Owen spent the night at Kevin’s mom’s house on Saturday.  Seizing the rare opportunity, we took Cameron and Gracie into the city.  He and I have been talking about taking them to the Museum of Natural History for a couple of years.  The  Butterfly exhibit was incredible.  Kevin was fortunate to have a butterfly land on his jacket and we were all quite jealous.  Cameron really enjoyed the Dinosaur exhibit and I have a great picture of him assembling a dinosaur replica–that I can’t upload from my camera phone!  We missed the IMAX movie on the Galapagos but went to Passport to the Universe at the Hayden Planetarium. 

I have so many happy memories of going into the city with my parents and braving the subways.  I went to college in the Bronx so I am familiar with the subways now…but oh, how my mother hated them.  There were pockets of sadness mixed with joy.  Owen could not have handled the crowd or the waiting.  And while we enjoyed dinner at a nice restaurant–it made me a little sad for all of the things that Cameron and Gracie miss out on having a sibling with autism.  Even something as small as Gracie enjoying dessert–something she never gets at a restaurant–we can’t last that long.

Always mixed with the negatives are the positives–my children and better and more tolerant human beings because of their brother and the many families we have met through autism.  I am stronger than I realized.  And, because of Owen, I am more patient.  Also, I seldom "sweat the small stuff".  (I’ll talk about the renovations after)  Can I ever say enough wonderful things about the teachers?  Kevin and I didn’t choose to have autism in our lives.  But these wonderful, remarkable, incredible teachers chose to work with these children.  And I adore and respect them for it.

Speaking of respect…the Better Pal swap ended on November 15.  I was fortunate enough to have Emma as my recipient.  Like me, Emma is a parent of a disabled child–her beloved chick, Oliver.  I thoroughly enjoyed sending gifts to her and Oliver.  It is cool to have an overseas pal as you can send yarn that they have little or no access to otherwise.  Of course, I was silly enough to reveal my identity practically before it started…but Emma was a good sport.  Thanks Emma!

The Kitchen

The cabinets are all in.  The moulding is almost completely up.  Am I thrilled?  No.  The drawer fronts are a raised panel and are so narrow that the cup pulls we bought are too big.  It’s almost too big for a knob even!  I don’t know what Kevin was thinking!  Have I mentioned we went with Thermofoil style cabinets?  It’s like the Formica of today.  Durability and timing were the key aspects here.  Home Depot or Expo would have taken at least 6-8 weeks.  And our local guy could bang them out in less than 3 weeks.  And with Depot, you still needed to have measurements and all…  Additionally, this thermofoil is supposed to be very durable.  Owen can be destructive at times.  Also, the doors are white on the inside.  Looking at the samples–that were double sided–I just assumed they would have the wood look on both sides.  Losing sleep over it?  Nope!  It’s better than before!  Dishwasher and sink are here but the rest of the appliances come on Saturday!

Last, here is Cam.  He earned his karate uniform.  He was so proud.  Oh, and knitting…still working on the Debbie Bliss boleros.  And picking up some fab socks for me from my mom!  Remember when she said she wasn’t going to knit any more socks for me?  I should probably keep my mouth shut about things like that but I am the youngest and a bit of a stinker.  How many times did I save this post as a draft?  Enough!!

Third times a charm November 15, 2005

I started this post saying I had no clever title.  Followed by a second attempt addressing Why is it we hit the back button and lose posts when we work hard on them.  Now, third times a charm.  Did I learn to save my post?  I don’t even feel like posting now.  Maybe I’ll be back later.  Kitchen cabinets are supposed to be coming today…

November 10, 2005

I have been meaning to post a picture of this fabulous bag I bought from Jackie.  I love it and I can’t tell you how many compliments I have gotten on it.  Do you see how she matched up the pattern for that pocket?  Fab!  And I found an inexpensive wallet on sale at Talbots to coordinate. 

I think I have mentioned the hardwood floors have been installed.  It looks pretty good.  I have one area of concern where the old floor meets the new floor.  I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with them yet though.  Silestone didn’t make it to measure the for countertops…so that won’t be installed till after Thanksgiving. 

A few of you asked about Finelights.  These are the grilles that are inbetween the panes of glass.  I think we would just be asking for trouble with the other kind.

Knitting…still working on the Bow-Tied Bolero and started a quick scarf/boa for the shop.  Funky.  If it turns out okay I’ll show it.  Off to a parent training at Owen’s school today and then I am taking Granny Christmas shopping. 

I have been meaning to post a picture of this fabulous bag I bought from Jackie.  I love it and I can’t tell you how many compliments I have gotten on it.  Do you see how she matched up the pattern for that pocket?  Fab!  And I found an inexpensive wallet on sale at Talbots to coordinate. 

I think I have mentioned the hardwood floors have been installed.  It looks pretty good.  I have one area of concern where the old floor meets the new floor.  I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with them yet though.  Silestone didn’t make it to measure the for countertops…so that won’t be installed till after Thanksgiving. 

A few of you asked about Finelights.  These are the grilles that are inbetween the panes of glass.  I think we would just be asking for trouble with the other kind.

Knitting…still working on the Bow-Tied Bolero and started a quick scarf/boa for the shop.  Funky.  If it turns out okay I’ll show it.  Off to a parent training at Owen’s school today and then I am taking Granny Christmas shopping. 

Ann’s got some sweet buns! November 8, 2005

Ann invited the ladies over for lunch yesterday.  It was good to see Peggy and Ricki again.  And, of course, Ann’s menagerie.  She made a fab soup and salad and some scrumptious honey buns.  I am so in trouble when this house is done–I will have to reciprocate and Ann is impossible to match–let alone beat.  Not to be outdone–that is Ann! 

I am working on a Debbie Bliss bow tied bolero from the Special Knits book.  I am knitting one  for Kevin’s coworker and one for the shop.  I have finished a back for the shop and two sleeves for home.  I can’t say I especially love the yarn but I love wool.  I was envisioning it in the Baby Ull.  It would even be nice in the Mandarin Petit and, of course, in one of Granny’s greatest sellers–Snuggly!  Overall, it’s not a bad little knit so far.  Can you see Scooby sleeping on my leg?  Not a great pic of me but Scooby looks cute!

Over half of the hardwood floors went in yesterday!  It looks great. 

Life in the hovel November 4, 2005

A few people have asked for pictures of the renovation.  I don’t really have any knitting pictures to share as I don’t think I can knit in this insanity.  It is just way too overwhelming.  Here goes…

This is our new front door.  And our old steps.  Are you surprised that kids were afraid to trick or treat here?  Two little girls dressed as princesses were saying, "Watch out for the itchy stuff!"  Yea…insulation remnants.  I do love the front door though.  When Phase 2 happens, 2006, we will be adding an 8 ft. wide portico.  Blue stone is in the plans but I want to downgrade to composite wood–or whatever you call it.  Our water table is high and it will likely sink–and crack!

Our old garage door had been here.  They will have to swap out the sashes when the correct window arrives.  We wanted finelights with the grilles to match the other window.  This window was meant to be the front of the family room but with the architect error–it just is there.  I guess it could be considered the front of the kitchen…

Here we have the Grand Foyer!  This was our old dining room.  It was meant to be a bit of a  hallway with two closets and part of the open family/kitchen/dining room.  Those closets had been in the middle of the room and we moved them to the wall.  Kevin and I love hall trees but we really don’t need one ’cause we have the closet.  Definately the fish and gerbil are going in the foyer.  And a bench–across from the closet.  Maybe a grandfather clock–I love clocks!

Just past the closet is our old kitchen–the new dining room.  Ann, can you see that chicken pot pie I made?  She called it my swan song!  The last meal cooked in the old kitchen.  I put the kids initials and happy faces and hearts on the crust.  They love it!  Anyway, I am a wee bit disappointed with the sliding door.  I wanted finelights.  We didn’t say so and the contractor didn’t ask.  Special order–six weeks.  It’s ain’t happening.  But we can use the light.  It will eventually open to a deck.  Composite again.  I love me some fake wood.

This is the new kitchen–it is just to the left of the foyer and dining room.  The cabinets, as I have said are done.  We are waiting for the spacklers and the hardwood floors.  Unfortunately, if we don’t get Silestone here by 11/9 we can’t have countertops till after Thanksgiving.  WAH!  While we did get an apron sink, it is stainless steel and not porcelain.  No center island.  We are having a peninsula instead.  I just keep saying it’s gonna be better than it was before. 

Last I will share a picture of the hovel.  Kevin calls it our studio apartment.    This is why I can’t knit.  I am visually overwhelmed.  When I got back from Paris I had it pretty well organized.  It’s just steadily gone downhill.  But can you see that garbage can?  Scooby is so bummed!

Well thanks for looking.  Knitting content to follow someday…