WIP Wednesday 1/27/10

As you can see above I finished my latest pair of socks for ME! very comfy too.

I'm sitll knitting away on the prayer shawl. It looks a lot like the last picture, just longer. I'm sooooo bored with it. Prayer shawls are generally simple and repetive to facilitate prayer - which is completely logical. However, there is a fineline between simple and boring. It is hardto focus on the medetation when you are sick of looking at the same damn thing. next up is another attempt at urchins and limpets in a basic acrylic (I know..) from my stash.

These are the latest blocks for the QAL on Ravelry. I only used 2 fabrics instead of 10 because I wanted to continue to highlight each fabric as I use it. I made teh secondsquare the opposite of the first and it will go on the back ofthe quilt. I also did somemore quilting on the first strip. I'll take a picture of that in better light with a better camera when it is done. I ran out of thread.

TGIF 1/22/10

• weekends
• lists of lists
• checking off my to-do lists
• B&J "shots"
• remembering to put the tea bag in the tea
• laughing about it when I don't
• wii Bakugan for the distraction
• squirrel
• is ADD contagious?
• sock yarn and stash yarn
• people that listen
• people that follow directions
• coworkers that treat me professionally
• weeknds

I swore I'd NEVER do it....

but I did. I signed up for Twitter. Don't ask me why. You can catch the latest tweets of follow me from the sidebar. I've also added links to subscribe to the RSS feeds for the blog.

Please PLEASE,my belved blog readers (BBRs henceforth) promise me that you will not let me get too mundane with my tweets. Comment, email,IM, text or tweet if I get crazy. I'll try to keep them interesting.

WIP - 1/20/10

It is late, but it is still Wednesday. I spent so much time working on the quilt and making with Andy that I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done. I have actually been busy at work too - which is good. The socks look pretty much the same as last week. I have the prayer shawl on US17s and that seems to be working out well. About 25% complete.

While I was sewing, designed drafted and pieced this square for the guild's block challenge quilt. the committee will piece the squares into a quilt top. Everyone who made a square will have a chance at winning the top. I decided to make our summer home - Brown Gables. I think this block will be a precursor to a wall hanging for Brown Gables.

One Saturday in the Sewing Room

Todd took Ryan to his belt test this morning and he is now a blue belt! While they were out and Colin played with his Cars, Andy and I played in the sewing room.



First, we made so- called "brag vests" for their Scouting patches. Ryan let me make his. thanks. I printed out this pattern. I bought some of the quilters Tru Grid and ironed it onto heavy weight sew in interfacing. I transferred the grid from the paper pattern and cut out the fabric one. Andy traced the edges with chalk, cut it out and sewed the shoulder seams. I had to help with the grommets - they were tough. All that was left was to thread the lace and sew on the patches!



Next we got to work on his Hungary Caterpillar quilt. He wants to show it in the guild quilt show. He finished the last two blocks, bordered the squares and assembled the top. I showed him how to spray baste the quilt sandwich. I need to get some more thread and some more time alone with Andy to quilt it. I'm going to show him how to quilt by machine and by hand. I need to track down some more of the Eric Carle fabric for the binding. I don't think I have enough left. Here it is ready to be quilted!




Next on the sewing agenda is to get more batting for my blue and white quilt so I can get that done in time for the show.

TGIF - 1/15/10

Seems like death and disease is all around this week. It is times like this, when it is hard to see the good that around us that we need to take a close look at the blessings we do have.

• home
• heat
• health
• clean, healthy food and water
• new tools
• new toys (not as cool as your Kathy!)
• simple solutions
• fellowship
• serenity (most of the time).
• programming
• York Pieces
• rotissere chicken from S&S
• "king" Ryan
• Mo's
• hot tea on a cold morning
• 40 degree weather!
• spending money on me and not feeling guilty (almost).
• being able to help (I hope) even a little bit.

WIP Wednesday 1/13/10

My FO of the week wasn't even on the radar last week.

It is a chemo cap in some Homespun leftovers. (I think the rest of this skein was some sort of bag.) I went into a bit of the background yesterday, but the pattern is Braid-Edge Cap. I really liked the pattern. I did this on the size 8s and followed the directions for the smaller size, which gives a bigger hat with the bigger yarn and needles. As is always the case with gage, YMMV. I enjoyed this knit it was interesting enough to be fun but not complicated enough to be frustrating. The only thing I would do change if I were to do it again is to do a provisional cast on and graft the beginning to the end. Sure, a kitchner would be more work, but I'd rather have a grafted seam than a sewn one for a chemo cap - or any cap fpr that matter.

I've been attempting to replenish my Prayer Shawl supply to donate to the Church. First, I started Urchins and Limpets. LOVE the pattern. I did not love the yarn choice I made. Homespun. See for yourself.

I've got leftovers of sage and white in my stash. I may use those. I may pick up a couple of small skeins in other colors. I may not. I'm not ready to return to this one right this minute. What I am working on is the Shawl Ministry Prayer Shawl from the book Knitting for Peace (Christmas gift from Mom). Homespun again. I used the US 11s as suggested by the pattern, but the stitch pattern was just lost in this yarn. I went up to a US17. Mostly because I love working with this particular set of needles. smooth, soft and warm. I frogged out about 6 inches and started over.I'm on row 3. Not much to see. Pictures next week.

I've made progress on my socks. Heels are turned and I'm on the way up the leg.

Simple 4x2 rib, but I decided to stick alternating cables in the middle of each color band. Why? Well, why not? I just wanted something to break up the monotony. I made 4 pairs of basic rib socks for my guys for Christmas and varrying the rib repeat did little to hold my attention.

A negative times a negative is a poitive

One of my goals for the new year (notice I didn't use the "R" word) is to be more positive - or at least to try to focus on the positive aspects of a situation. When life gives me lemons, I'll put them in my tea.

Some examples:

• I was EXHAUSTED on Saturday but we had a great date night on Friday.
• We ran out of heating oil last night but that last tank lasted us 11 months!
• My job has a lot of down time but I get to knit.

Some situations are harder to see the gifts God has given me hidden in them.

My friend's husband passed away and it is so tragic I can barely comprehend it. Where is the gift there? For one, it has given me reason to be thankful for what I have and particularly the blessing of the last year. Each day we have together is a blessing to be cherished. It has also given me the opportunity to share my gift of knitting to bring her some measure of comfort in such a difficult time.

Along those line, I had another opportunity to give the gift of yarn this week. Another friend asked me to knit a cap for a family member who is just beginning chemo treatment. While I take no joy in anyone's illness, it is my pleasure to knit a cap for her. I'm throwing in a prayer shawl too. Both were lovingly knit with prayers of comfort, strength and health.

I had knit the two wraps for my Church's Prayer Shawl Ministry some time ago and was planning on dropping them off at the rectory this week. Looks like I'll have to replenish them first. That of course give me the opportunity to use up some of the yarn I have taking up space in my girl cave, try new patterns and do something I enjoy. In fact, making those shawls and that cap is just as healing for me as I intend it to be for the recipient. The patterns are simple and repetitive perfect for my own time of prayer and medetation. I often refer to my prayer shawls as "yarn rosary".

Now, how do I put a poitive spin on all of this laundry I need to put away, toys all over the living room and stacks of dirty dishes. Oh yes, we have plenty of clothes, food and enough leftover for way too many toys. Yes, we are blessed - not lucky.

Good Luck

Have you gotten one of those "Forward this in the next 7 minutes and you'll have good luck" emails? Of course, if you don't, something aweful is about to happen, right? Yeah, right. I've never been one to actually think for a moment that Microsoft of Disney will make me rich by forwarding an email. sending on a seies of sentimental pictures will not bring me love, joy or wealth. Clicking on the "delete" button will not ruin my life, buisiness, home or bank account.

What did get me thinknig was the whole sentiment of "Good Luck". There was a time when I used to wonder why I had such bad luck. Why did bad things keep Happening to me? What did I do to deserve this sort of "bad lcuk". Now, the truth is, I don't believe in "luck" - I have faith. People talk about the "Luck of the Irish" and clearly know nothing about Irish history. The people of my ancestry had faith - not luck.

I have a faith in my God that if I stop talking and listen, I will hear the ansers that I need - even if they aren't what I want. I have faith that the bad times aren't punishment, but preparation. I have faith that my God has a plan for me. That plan requires no luck - only faith.

This isn't to say that I am going to sit back and let life happen to me. Quite to opposite. God helps those who help themselves, right? I have been given all of the tools that I need, but I need to take them out of the toolbox and build my life myself.

Luck is for those who lack faith.

TGIF 1/8/10

• under armor
• layers, layer, layers!
• confidence
• ability
• humor
• kicking on doors (really.. that was a good thing!
• knowing how to replace a doorknob.
• Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake
• life gives you lemons... put them in your tea!
• the convention this w/e
• buying stuff for ME! (and "window shopping" for me too)
• sticks and string and time to knit
• creativity
• flexability (figurative - not literal - unfortunatley)
• serenity to accept that I cannot change the weather, the courage to go to work anyway and the wisdom to wear lots of layers!

The war on Take Out

The other night I made steak, salmon, sweet potato fries and green beans - all fresh (and on sale). Todd ate the steak. I had everything else. The boys went to bed hungry and complaining.

Whenever I ask "what would you like for dinner?" the answer is something like this

• McDonalds
• Pizza
• Taco Bell
• Chinese
• Can we go to the Diner?

UGH!!!! This mom has had it with food out of a bag or box. It isn't healthy OR cheap to eat like that. Dinner has been too "Convenient" lately and we've all gotten used to it.

I put a moratorium on junk food and take out. NO MORE! school snacks are fruit and veggies. I may even go back to hot lunch on Fridays only.

I may even reward them for good behavior (in a month) with a trip to the Diner.

WIP wednesday 1/6/10

This is actually an FO now, but I wanted to show you the WIP photos. The pattern is from Knitting Cables on the GO and is actually for fingerles mitts. I decided early on that I wnted my fingers to be warm too. Might have been that day the wind chill was -2 and I was standing on the tracks where it was probably more like -6. I devised a decrease method that sorked out well and they fit great. Notes on the decreases are here.

as I was about to start the thumb gussets, I realized that the stitch markers and stitch holders I normally have on me were stolen. It occured to me that I had plenty of paperclips in the office!

talk about a multipurpose tool! they worked great as markers, then I just slipped the thumb stitches on when the gussets were complete. The original pattern also called for an open thumb as well. The instructions are here.

I've cast on some socks for me next. It is my basic toe-up sock pattern with a 2x4 rib. I'm adding alternating cable twists just to make it interesting. Kim gifted me with the yarn (5th Avenue Socksation) and another ball for her BUT her feet are in WI, so I need her to send me a tracing so I know how big to make them. I'll start hers as soon as I know what size they want to be.

I am now thinking about the Ravelympics again - what shall I make? I'm thinking that I may re-work this pattern with a crochet lace. Need to chose yarn and so far, I'm thinking Cotton Ease.

TGIF - 1/1/10

a new year, a new decade, a new laptop... yet the kids are having the same old argument over LEGO Star Wars on the Wii. There is still so much to be grateful for.

• New traditions
• New friends
• a NYE party without a house full of drunks.
• Hope
• strength
• Joy
• New pack
• being open to change
• health care
• dental too.
• yarn
• detachment
• ingenuity
• love
• a good book and a cup of tea.
• a challenge - or twenty
• learning to listen
• the circle - smaller but better
• bracelet bling (materialistic I know - but I deserve it!)
• a bear, a wolf and a monkey

Reflections of 2009

It has certainly been an interesting year. So much has happened and much more has changed. The kids have grown so much and started new grades. I guess the best way is to take it kid by kid.

Andrew is now in 3rd grade. He's been dealing with a lot of social issues stemming from his developmental delays. He attended a social skills summer program and I think it may have done him a lot of good. He still has some problems, but he is doing his best to overcome them. We've switched his ADD meds adn I think that has a lot to do with it. He needs to do more of the work now and while it is difficult for him now, I think it is the best decision for him in the long run. He is now a purple belt in MMA and will be testing for blue in the next couple of months. He is also a Bear Cub Scout now and enjoying the new pack as well as racking up belt loops. In 2009, he celebrated his first communion - and is now disappointed that he has to wait until 4th grade to be an altar server.

Ryan is still the charmer - but now it is in the 2nd grade. He still can't sit still very well - which was making for a difficult first grade year, but 2nd is going SO much better! he had his best report card yet and for the first time ever he is at or above grade level in reading. His math test scores have all been over 100% (hmm... wonder where he gets that from...). We are really thrilled at the improvement and growth. Now, if only he can learn some patience. He had a med change too and again it is a change for the better. He is also a purple belt in MMA and will be testing for blue at the first test of the new year. Ryan is also racking up the new belt loops in Cub Scouts ( he is "winning" 4-3 right now) where he is a Wolf Cub. He has recived his first reconciliation and is studying for his First Communion - on Andy's Birthday.

Colin began ST through early intervention. He has ADD red flags all over the place, but no official diagnosis. Hist first SLP "diagnosed" him with a case of my-brothers-won't-shut-up-long-enough-for-me-to-learn-to-talk. we've worked with him to help him learn to assert himself and it has made a huge differance. He turned 3 and transitioned to the Pre-K program. He goes 5 mornings a week and has made some new friends. We're working on the potty thing. He has decided that he is too big for diapers, but the accidents are still quite frequent. Hopefully 2010 will be a diaper free year!

They are all happy and heathy and that makes me a happy Mommy.

Todd's story really ins't mine to tell, but I can tell you that while 2008 was a year of difficult health issues for him, 2009 was a year of healing. He is in such a better a better place I can't begin to tell you. We have had our bumps and trails as a couple, but we renewed our vows for our 10th anniversary as a symbol of a new begining for us.

As for me, I spent most of 2009 looking for a new job. I found one. It is an honest living and even ion my field, but a big step back career-wise. I'm notthrilled with that, but the pay isn't too bad and the job security is very good and right now that is what really counts. I'll ride out the rough economy as a construction inspector for the DOT and then move on to what I want. I was presented with an opportunity to guest lecture at CCSU - which I really enjoyed. It has alos given me reason to look back on my career and take note of its twists and turns. I think I may have finally figured out the path I've taken and the reason for it - but that is for me right now. I'll share with the world when I am ready to continue my journey. I have learned the art of detachment and the power of grattitude both of which have brought me a lot of serenity in a stressful world. I have also learned that prayer is a conversation and I need to stop talking and listen if I want to hear the answers. I've also come to accept thatwhile those answers may not be what I want, they are what I need.

So, that is it for 2009. As we move on to a new year and a new decade I wish you all peace, prosperity and joy.

WIP Wenesday

remember way back when I used to do weekly WIP update? Now that I can blog somewhat regularly, I'm going to attempt to resurrect that. I'm also putting out the challenge to other knit/crochet/quilt/craft bloggers to join me for WIP Wednesday. Drop me a comment and I will add your link to my post.

Before I explain the photo, let me tell you a little story. I usually ride the train to work. I knit on the trains - nothing new there. Well, now I'm working at 3 different stations. I have a backpack with my knitting, makeup and about 30 pens. I also carry my clipboard stuffed with forms in it. I left my bag on the platform in SoNo (which has recnetly been made "famous" by this story) while my clipboard and I went to talk to the cops. There was a RR employee standing about 5 feet from it. I guess he went to go get a coffee and some crackhead swiped my knitting! Did I mention that this was Christmas knitting? I made matching socks for all of my boys. I was halfway done with Andy's -the last pair - when it was taken LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!! I ran back to Joann's got mre yarn and a new needle and managed to get a new pair done on Christmas Eve! AS frustrating as that was, I have to laugh because the joke was on the thief. There was nothing of any value to anyone but me in there. Good luck pawning a half knit pair of socks and some used lipgloss.

The hat is Star-Crossed Slouchy Beret from Strands of Me. The yarn is Debbie Mumm Traditions (Heather Haze) from Jo-Ann etc. It is a wool blend - soft and warm. It is a loosly spun single ply, so it can be a bit of a pita to work with. Each skein also had a knot in it which messed up the pattern repeat. The pattern was well written, easy to follow and fun to knit. I started it Saturday night and finished Sunday afternoon!

Right now I'm working on a pair of cabled gauntlets in the same yarn, but I have a feeling that they will end up being mittens. I'll post a picture of those next week. There isn't much to look at now.

I need to shovel out the sewing room and then I can post new pictures of my quilts. I am mid quilting on the feed sack sampler and I have another quilt top that needs batting, backing and quilting.

tightening the circle

I've been doing a lot of reflecting these last few days. I suppose it is the new year coming. One thing I realized is that I've really tightened the circle of trust around me. In the past, I've let a lot of people in and trusted them. I thought that since they were my friends I could use their support. Instead of support, I got a lot of judgement. Some people just cut me out of their lives. Some decided to trash me behind my back. Others thought they knew what was best for me and told me - incessantly - what I should be doing then got upset when I didn't do it. None of those people know what it is like to be me. they don't know my boundaries or my limits. I have only truly learned what they are in the last 13 months. I've learned to trust myself.

There are some friends who have accepted me as me and support me in my efforts to grow as a person. I have made some new wonderful friends who do have an understanding of what I have been through as they are dealing with similar issues. They listen with love and understanding and offer support and advice based on their own experience. They respect my choice to take their advice or not as I see fit.

So, if you haven't heard from me much or you haven't seen me hanging out at my old haunts*, don't take it personally. I've tightened the circle of trust and I'm not in a place to loosen my grasp right now.

*except H&C - that has been a logistical problem which should be fixed in the near future. see you soon!

'Twas the Day After Christmas

... and all through the house

every creature is stirring

and making me NUTS!!!

seriously... that jolly fat ass brought you a ton of shit and you are going to fight over a vidoe game that you've had for almost a year? how about you jump on the wii fit+ and burn off some of that sugar.

Come to think of it, this jolly fat ass should kick them both off of the wii and do some yoga... since there isn't an s-factor for the wii (yet).

So, you can expect a return to regular blogging now that Santa brought the kids a new Laptop. We stopped our internet service shortly after the old one pooped out, so I am "borrowing" an unsecured signal until we reinstate it. I am currently researching our option since we also got rid of the land line. I hate the cable company with a passion words cannot express, so we won't be spending a penny there. I'm open to other suggestions. It looks like AT&T now offers internet with no home phone service, but that would also require us to switch cell phone carriers - which may not be a bad idea. Anyway, there are options to weigh and plans to compare, so bear with me.

For now I try for 2 weekly posts - an weekly recap and TGIF. The TGIFs are really for me, but I hope you are all inspired by them to do the same. It is really quite powerful when you get down to it.

Christmas recap:

lots of Wii games, the netpal and Cars for Colin. Todd got a GPS, some DVDs and we both got new tires for the car (amazing what happens when you grow up, huh?). I got a couple movies and lots of bling for my Pandora bracelet. most of all, a healthy hubby and 3 happy kids. 2009 has been a pretty good year to me, but that'll be another post.

Thanks for the Giving

I've really missed my TGIF posts, so what better time to post one than Thanksgiving?

• My family - of course
• Finding new friends
• Fellowship and the other fellowship
• growth and discovery
• food on the table, a roof over our heads, a car in the driveway and a paycheck in the mailbox.
• Hockey tickets
• babysitters
• my super smart cousin who told Santa about the Disney computer
• having a family room again (hmm... I think a pole would look nice there.)
• planning for the future
• learning that prayer is a conversation and that if I shut up and listen I can hear the answers.
• not making decisions based on fear.
• being wanted when not needed.
• new opportunities.
• looking forward, onward and upward.
  

A long overdue update

I know. I know.... I miss my blog - even if no one reads it, it makes me happy. The good news is that one of Santa's elves just told me a new laptop may be under the tree. (Actually, I Santa may set it up ahead of time and put a bow on the amoire for the kids to find after all the rest of the gifts are opened.) My very smart and very cool cousin Kerry just told me about the Disney Netpal and it looks perfect for the kids (and I can blog on it).


so, a quick round up....

Andy and Ryan are pretty much the same - just taller. They are both still in MMA, but Ryan is now a higher rank than Andy (D'oh).


Ryan actually is having his best year yet academically, but best of all NO behavior issues. Andy's grades are pretty good, but his effort is lacking. If he did more than the minimum, he'd have all A's. He is also going to get OT for his handwriting and they are having him work on typing to help him keep up cognitively - hence the kid friendly computer.


Colin is now in Pre-K and LOVING it. He was the only student in his class for a while, but now he has two new friends. They are going to increase his class time to 5 mornings a week - YAY! He is going to have such a great time. He wants to get on the bus every morning anyway. That will start after Thanksgiving break. He wants to take karate too, but we told him he has to go poopy on the potty first.... soon enough...


Todd is back in MMA as well. I should actually start with - Todd is back. there are no words to truly explain what the last year has been like for us. The changes he has made in himself are astounding. He is a new man, and trust me the changes are for the better. Our lives now are so different from what they were last year that it is sometimes hard for me to remember what it was really like then. Don't get me wrong, the insanity isn't 100% gone, but now it is just fun insanity - or kid related.


As for me... I don't know where to start. The new job is OK. The work is easy. The hours are... well they vary. I'm at the end of a 3 month night rotation now. The nights are sometimes hard, but it does offer me a lot of flexibility for the days. I am actually going to guest lecture at CCSU this morning and I'm looking forward to it. It is really amazing what opportunities have opened themselves up to me now that my decisions are based on my own desire.


how about some pics?


I am doing a BOTM on Ravlery and I'm assembling the strips and lap quilting them. The print fabrics are vintage feed sacks. This is the first strip:



The back pieced from the scraps

the first block of the next strip

scraps from that block for the backing strip

This is a top that I threw together last week from strips in my stash.

As you can see, I've been in more of a sewing mood lately. I have been knitting too, but mostly boring utilitarian socks for work.

The return of TGIF 9/4/09

First... this is a temporary return. I will get back to regular blogging when things settle out a bit more. Things are going well.. but it is a journey.

• A cool new job with a great boss and a interesting yet pleasant cast of characters.
• Three big kids in school (pictures are comming).
• Colin's "big" Pre-K classroom (OK - so he is the only kid in his class... REALLY!)
• A healthy hubby.
• A family room that is a family room again!!!
• knitting
• quilting - Goddess pictures are comming too. they are on Mom's computer
• the great big list
• The other even bigger list
• my Sunday night gang
• Birthday Boy #1

(yeah that is a pile of Bakugan Birthday Cake Balls! )

• Birthday boy #2

(That is a Tofutti "ice cream" cake.)

• sanity and serenity
• being back on the bike
• Brown Gables

So... Here is the thing with these lists. The concept is taken form Mama Gena. But it is really about (for me) self-reflection. I take stock of every thing that I have and see how blessed I really am. Then I make a list of my desires ..big and small. It helps me put things in perspective. Where I'm comming from and where I am going.

Well, last week, I wasn't able to get to the blog, but I put pen to paper. I wrote and wrote and wrote. The thoughts just came pouring out and didn't want to stop! Then I took a look back at what I wrote. Suddenly.... my life made sense. The path I've taken.. the twists.. the turns... falling off of a cliff of two...

The most amazing thing I realized was that I know now where it is I want my life to be headed. Still not sure how I'm going to make it from here to there, but I now have a clear goal in mind. I'm refreshed, relieved and inspired!

so... go make you own list of grattitudes and desires! enjoy!