What the hell have I been up to?

not much... HA!

Saturday, I finally got Colin's pictures done. I've only been trying to do this for what? a year. Having time and money simultaneously is not always easy. Finally the stars aligned. Jerry did them for us again (baby belly pics, newborn pics, baby pics ). We even got some of Andy, Ryan and all three together. This proved to be harder than that whole time/money thing. Ryan threw an hour long tantrum-a-thon the night before over wearing the matching outfits. Andy was in typical ADD form - not to mention the fake smile phase.. here are the highlights (click to enlarge)






Signing "more"




Practicing for a calvin Klein ad

NO! you can NOT have my sippy.


Nap time

Sunday, Andy had another soccer game. again - bad Mommy - no pictures. again, you're not missing anything... at least he had fun, right?

After the game, we dropped the kids off and Todd and I went to Mecca WEBS for the Yarn Harlot's appearance (check out her blog. Cynthia and Em are on there!). Talk about "freaking out the muggles"! After her talk, knitters walked through Northampton enmasse to the signing at WEBS. (hmmm... wish I thought of taking a picture of that... it would probably look good right about here...) What would you do if you saw 1000+ knitters wandering through town? I did get to see Cynthia and (blogless)Dar as well as meeting the Harlot herself. She is as warm, gracious and funny in person as she is in her blog. There was yarn shopping as well (nope.. no pictures of the stash either... sigh.. you will see it as WIPs though) and lots of enabling by my (sock) loving husband. He even got to show off his hand knit socks to people that "get" it-and they were impressed! After all the walking, knitting and shopping, Todd and I stopped in a real resaurant (you know with dishes and silverware - and NO kids!) and had a nice quiet dinner.

Last night, I got a call from (blogless) Kathy. "Guess what I got in the mail?" hee hee I knew what it was! It was Deloris and her Biological clock:

the pictures suck (at least I remembered to take them before I put them in the box)- but yes, it is what you think it is! The clock was knit using the womb pattern from knitty . I just put a clock in before the decreases. I was really happy that Kathy saw the humor and it put a smile on her face. I love to make things for people who really appreciate them.

Also on the knitting front, I am almost done with Pomatamus (???) and I cast on Zaftig last night. but this post is long enough don't you think? stay tuned for more on that and even more people who don't know how to park...

TGIF 4/25

tough one this week

• ibuprofrin
• "good" drugs
• friends
• family
• my bike
• my body
• my sanity (ok- that one is questionable!)
• knitting
• painted toes
• unblogable knitting
• the "cure"
• my boys
• ass-kicking class
• tea
• water
• bananas
• the Diva
• playdates for Colin ("more Zack!" says Colin)
• accepting invitations
• the "island"
• fringe benifits
• weaning for the last time (kinda sad about this one at the same time...)

You might work with men if.....

• you go to get a beverage and find only 3 drops of water left in the cooler.
• you go get a paper towel to wipe of the spill from filling the cooler and find an empty cardboard tube.
• you reach for sugar to put in your tea to find the container empty in spite of the large case of sugar packets in the cabinet.
• you dramatically change you hair cut/color/style and noone notices.
• you lave your "office shoes" home and end up wearing your sneakers with your pantsuit all day. noone notices.
• coworkers begin conversations with "you need to talk to my wife/girlfriend.."
• coworkers assume you know nothing about sports and might not be interested in using the company box seats at Shea (so SO wrong!).
• you are assumed to be the company authority on stain removal.
• you get married and it doesn't occur to anyone that you may have changed your name.

my apologies to Mr. Foxworthy.

TGIF 4/18

• Tony's Bikes & Sports
• Trikie
• yarn
• fabric
• Lazy Girls
• comfy shoes
• conductors who pay attention
• tea
• hugs & cuddles
• grandparents
• friends
• SPRING!
• living across the street from a playground
• laundry
• Daytrana
• season barstools!
• METS TICKETS!!!
• VIP parking pass for Shea!
• text messages
• suprises in my tote bag
• Roses for no reason
• Fridays
• being ME

You Park Like an Asshole- Part 1

well, I don't mean you. Not unless you are the genius responsible for this stupidity (check out this site for more parking assholes!):



This dumbass managed to block BOTH of my driveways at the same time! JACKASS!

I Live on a corner. On one side of the lot there is a hydrant and our two driveways. There are several "NO PARKING" signs that indicate that you can not park from before the hydrant until the other side of the corner. Not to mention the "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY" signs.

Why is this such an issue in suburbia? We live across the street form a park. We go through this crap EVERY softball* season. Appearantly, these guys can play ball and drink beer, but are incapable of walking a block to get to the field. Then they wonder why I get so pissy about it. How about I block your damn driveway EVERYDAY, shout obsenities and sit on your lawn drinking piss beer and talking loudly until 10 pm even though you repeatedly tell me to keep it down because the babies are sleeping. think you'll get pissy? Just wait unil I start turning your sorry asses in for DUI....

*I love softball. It isn't summer without the clink of the bat and the chatter of the game. We spend summer nights eating dinner on the front porch and watching the games. I jsut don't think it is too much to ask for a little common curtosy...

Kitchen Shit

When digging out the bikes the other day, I had to move a bunch of Todd's music crap (I'm sure it is wonderful, but it isn't mine, so it's crap). Behind that were 2 boxes sitting on the backseat of a minivan we traded in 3 years ago (Todd's minivan. I stand behind my "no sliding door' policy). Behind that I found the bikes.

I brought the two boxes into the kitchen, but I didn't get to unpack them until last night. one box was marked only "fragile". It contained the remainder of the Easter decorations that I was looking for 6 weeks ago (and the last 2 Easters as well).

The second box was labeled in my darling hsuband's hand "kitchen shit". I bet you are asking yourself what "kitchen shit" consists of. Here is a list:

• the "chip" portion of my chip 'n dip set (the "dip" was unpacked and put away over a year ago).
• 2 candleholders that belong in the master bedroom.
• 1 crystal wine glass (it was happy to be reuinted with its friends!)
• 1 depression glass bud vase
• a copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding"
• my garden clogs
• 1 pair Doc Martins
• 1 pair leather sandals
• 1 softball cleat (notice I didn't say pair?)
• 3 purses I don't remember owning
• a small wall mirror that also belongs in my bedroom

who packed that box? monkeys? I'd blame it on Todd, but as I recall he did more of the labeling, carrying and complaining than any actual packing.

A Weekend Full of Surprisees!

Surprise #1

• I have decided that now that it is nice out, I can ride my bike the 1.8 miles to the train station every day. I have a bike - it's in the garage in the same EXACT spot it has been in for +/- 4 years (with hte fire and all it got burried). I dug it out, wiped it down and SURPRISE!- tires are dead flat. I put some air in them and WD-40'd the chain and decided I'd take a round trip test ride to the station on Saturday. SURPRISE! I made it around the block. The tires wouldn't hold air, the brakes stuck and it was shifting like CRAP. so.. off to Tony's it went. It'll be there until next Saturday, but when I get it back, it'll have new tubes, street tires and probably at least one new shifter cable. I was SURPRISED at how relatively inexpensive the servicing is. (GREAT service BTW! I highly recomend Tony's!). I'll also need a new lock and a new helmet (those things expire, you know) then I am good to go. all in all I'm looking at about 3 weeks cab fare in cost.

Surprise #2

• The boys are on "spring break". Didn't they just have a vacation? Andy went to my parents last night for a sleepover. Colin and Ryan camped out at the other grandparents. SURPRISE! our dinner guests had an emergency and cancelled on us last minute. we had an afternoon/evening to ourselves! What do we do? we went to a hockey game, picked up take out and played with LEGOs. Wild times at our house!

Surprise #3

• At the game, Todd went out for a smoke (he knows! he's trying!) and ran into a sales guy. SURPRISE! we're getting season tickets to the Sound Tigers next season. well, actually, it is a 20 game package - half season. 2 seats in the "barstool section"! WOO HOO!

ETA: DUH! I forgot one!

Surprise #4

• long story short, Todd suggested I go to see the Yarn Harlot at WEBS with his friends wife. THEN he asked if it was OK for him to go too! uh YEAH!

TGIF- 4/11

• making a TGIF list to remind me it ain't all bad..
• a yummy lunch with amusing coworkers
• phish vs. fish
• apologies from rude clients (FYI- it gets your work done faster!)
• tea and cookies
• "air"time
• SPRING!
• power
• control
• pomatamus
• Chloe
• biker chick
• date night! (again - I KNOW!)
• Mr. Krabs
• SPRING!
• P/T meetings
• good boys
• monkeying around!
• hoop-D
• Zen
• Confidence
• Did I mention it is SPRING!

TGIF- 4/4/08

This week, I am grateful for/that:

• a sense of humor
• the ability to laugh at my own stupidity as well as others
• rolling with the punches
• serendipity
• friends
• music
• laughter
• "date night"
• opportunity
• safety pins
• tea
• ibuprofrin
• camera phones
• pomatamus
• Deloris and her friend
• casting off
• new adventures
• awww's
• new words
• new signs
• desires
• A "Wahlberg sandwich" (oh wait - that is a desire... oops!)
• my big comfy bed
• the zamboni
• making "cranky the cabbie laugh"
• loaner cars
• fantasy
• reality
• water - lots and lots of water!

Zamboni

nope not another hockey post.

Todd got me the Zamboni for Christmas. It was all I wanted - really. It has made my life SO much easier!

First, spring is "mud season" here. Then, Colin spilled soy milk on the floor and Todd threw a towel on it a la Big Daddy.

Zamboni to the rescue!

think that is nasty? you should have seen the water I emptied out of the thing!

weekend recap

not that my life is all that exciting...

• We are suspecting that Ryan has ADHD- not a big shock in this house... but we're waiting on a professional opinion late May. yes, that is as soon as we can get him in.




• the elder two boys were having a tough time behaving adn listening. Mommy removed ALL toys from their room. They are left with a couple of stuffies they sleep with and their books. I don't think they believed me at first. Andy damn near flipped when he saw me bring the stuff down to the toy dungon. Ryan wanted to know which bin they got to keep (NONE!) and when they'd get it back (depends on them!). I made it clear that I will not hesitate to keep taking more stuff away until they get the picture.
• Colin grabbed his RPI baby Puckman onesie out of his drawer, brought it to Mommy and said "hockey!" We went to a Sound Tigers game later that day (yes, he wore the onesie!). They lost in a 6 round shoot-out! good game though.

• Colin is picking up our love of reading. So what if the book is upside down!
  
  
• again with the Colin.. I've had ENOUGH of him pulling down the gate and headed for big kid territory upstairs. I had to buy a new gate and mounting kit so he can't pull it down. Before you even ask - the house had a slightly different configuration pre-fire (all of our gates were destroyed then anyway.) so this gate was unnecessary.

• I've been doing some stealth knitting. I can't wait to show you, but it'll have to wait until the gift is given.. totally worth the wait!

• I should have some nice LL super sport for my Pomatomus today or tomorrow YAY! I'm running out of protable projects... although my Ravlery queue isn't getting any shorter...

TGIF 3/28

• Deloris
• Calorimetry
• Ravelry
• scooby snacks
• creativity
• flexability
• patience
• office birthdays
• tea
• benedryl
• monkey
• friends
• outlets (not the electrical kind - though I do appreciate those too!)
• timing
• blow pops
• "gentlemen"
• http://www.autismspeaks.org/ and Chevrolet (click the link and Chevy will donate $$!)
• FRIDAYS!!!

Photo Op

so the kids got ahold of my camera.. and now there is an error message. Mommy is NOT happy!

I figured I'd get some pics with Mom's camera when we got to her house. By that point, Colin had smeared Teddy graham mush on his pants and Ryan had wiped melted chocolate on his. Did I mention that the pants are white? SO, there are no picture of my kids looking SO adorable in their matching (oh yes matching!) Easter outfits. I did manage these with the phone:


Colin at the park before the Easter Egg hunt - yes that is a metal slide! Remember those?


After Easter Brunch - Colin's first wagon ride! the white pants were already dirty so, why not?


The outfits are cleaned and ready for Jerry to take some decent pictures as soon as Todd calls him to schedule.

TGIF- 3/20 - it's Friday in my world!

• it's a short week!
• clown cars
• "Deloris"
• BTBBC and 1 year on the Island - props to the HBIC.
• Scotch Broth
• Friends & Family that took the time to come to Ryan's Hockey tourney
• Fashonistas
• Whale Poop
• Tea on the Train
• albuterol
• trusting my instincts
• "sisters" to confide in and learn from
• going with the flow
• taking chances
• sharing my knowledge
• long weekends
• fabric and fiber
• planning vacations

Just missed it!

It seems as though my 3rd Blogiversary was 2 days ago. d'oh! to "celebrate" just went back and read some of the older posts.. remember when I posted "free pattern Friday" and "WIP wednesday"? my Fridays are devoted to TGIFs now and I plan on keeping that. but I may go back to WIP wed...

Puckman Lives!

Ryan participated in a hockey "jamboree" for all the kids in the clinic program. He palyed 3 games in 2 days (1-2) and had a BLAST! He got to play center a couple of times, but mostly played forward. He had some trouble figuring out which way to face during face-off. but he made contact with the puck. He and all the kids got a medal, hot dog and soda after thier last game. We also won 2 of the door prizes!

TGIF- 3/14 - We miss you P!

First- I just wanted to take a moment and remember a dear friend now gone 10 years. I remember her like I saw her a week ago, yet so much has changed since she passed. What I am most grateful for this week is the lessons she taught me in her life - as well as her death (though I chose not to dwell on that much). I've blogged before about my crippling shyness as a kid. Chris was the one that really helped me learn to live with that. She showed my how to grab life and take risks (I'll never look at Jello the same way!). Unfortunately, that is a big part of the reason why she' gone. Gone, but not forgotten. She is still in my thoughts and I carry a bit of her lust for life spirit with me.





TGIF:

• male bonding
• girl talk
• working the "girl card"
• deep pockets
• applesauce cupcakes (thanks Kat!)
• fun weekend plans
• gettin' me a POS car!
• finishing this:

• and this:

• getting down and dirty
• pushing the edge
• making friends with strangers
• RELAX
• new toys
• being a H&C HO!
• vegan Fridays
• being ME

ETA: coworkers bearing Thin Mints!

socks and such

I've finally finished Todd's Safari Socks. It seems like forever, but for a oair of his socks, they went pretty quickly. about a month of karate classes and a month of commuter knitting. As soon as they were off teh needles, they were on his feet. I did manage to snap a quick pick with the phone:


on yesterdays commute, I whipped up an inhaler sock for him to keep in his gym bag. The tops always come off and you get gunk in them - ICK!



I'd love to take credit for the idea, but it isn't mine. I found it on Ravlery, but you can also find it here. I didn't follow that pattern per se. I used the same formula as I did for Todd's socks, just scaled it down.

Cynthia had a great idea for reusing outgrown baby socks as inhaler socks on her blog.

The Force

I belong to the Knitting Engineers group on Ravelry. There has been an interesting discussion on how to retain femininity as an engineer. Which is a tough topic to begin with since we are generally a pretty tomboyish crowd - which does have its advantages. There are advantages to being a woman and to staying feminine. My most recent response on the thread is as follows:

As women, we have a tremendous power over the men around us. The problem is, we’re not taught to work that to our advantage. It is like having The Force and no Jedi Master to teach us the ways of The Force when we are younglings. Once we learn to control the force, we can get what we need/want. Of course some women do turn to the Dark Side, dress and act like ‘hos and sleep their way up the corprate ladder.

We can even further the Jedi analogy by pointing out that most Jedi were in fact men. BUT it was Leia - a woman who possed the The Force - who led the Rebellion, got her hands dirty doing it but remained beautiful and quite feminine.

Which Family Guy Character Are You?

More on Family Guy. Created by BuddyTV

yeah... that would be me... BUT I do need to clarify that although Todd is a bit like Peter, they differ in one VERY important way (and some not so important). Peter treats Lois like crap 90% of the time. he doesn't appreciate her or know how good he has it. In that respect, Todd is more like Homer Simpson. He know Marge is too good for him and he does try to show her how much he loves her.

TGIF -3/7

I was mentally taking stock of my TGIF list week this morning while waiting for the train. I found myself getting negative and not finding anything to be grateful for. MUST. BLOCK. RAGE. I pushed the negativity out, adn you know what? I've got a LOT to be grateful for:

• Samoas (mmmmm....)
• vernal pools
• networking lunches
• B&K
• super baby snuggles
• getting mine - and then some
• "I won!"
• lazy girls
• matching accessories
• bamboo
• going with the flow
• diner food
• the light going on
• vegan Friday
• fiberoptics
• making plans

Food Allergies are no Joke

Ms. Burbia mentioned this site in her blog today: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/ along with some kid-friendly travel tips. I'm ever so glad she is shedding light on the issue in her blog and I thought I'd bring it over here too.

If you've read The Pancake Incident then you know we are an "allergy family." we are peanut/treenut free. Dairy is at a minimum and clearly labeled. It is very scary to think that a simple snack could kill my baby - but it can.

Ryan has a bit of a PB addiction. poor kid no PB at home and he is in a peanut free classroom at school. We have now discovered Sunbutter. It is made in a nut free facility- and OMG - YUM-O! I can get it in the grocery store and it is SO much yummier than PB -IMO. The other Moms in Ryan's class were ecstatic when I told them about it too.

The hard part of dealing with his allergies certainly isn't at home. I read labels and (mostly) cook from scratch. when we venture out, it is a whole new ball game. restaraunts are likely to have cross contamination - particularly with dairy. Then you have the issue of well menaing loved ones offering your kid a snack - without clearing it with mom or dad first! Sending him to school scares the daylights out of me. Yes, there are PF tables. He is allergic to dairy too. It isn't jsut about sharing food either. Colin has had CONTACT reactions. As in - he didn't eat the food, he just touched it. We all know how good the hygene of small children is. yeah.. one kid has an ice cream that drips all over his hands, gets it on a door, Colin touches the door. and it is epipen time!

Food allergies are serious. They can be deadly. PLEASE try to be considerate - even if it is an inconvenience to you.

Cranky the Cabbie

I'm not a morning person by any streach of the imagination. Yes, I am aware that there is a new day full of new possibilites ahead. The bed is comfy and the dreams are sweet. I'll get up when I damn well please! Except there is that whole job-work-money thing. sigh.. I get up and go because I have to. It is under duress, but I do it. I enjoy the train ride because it gives my brain a chance to come fully up to speed without having to operate heavy machinary first. Getting to the train - at this point - requires me to take a cab. My regular cabbie gets me to the train on time every morning. No complaints there. I do tip him well because I'd like that to continue. I just wish he could just do it with a little lot less rage.

My alarm goes off at 5:30 and I call Cranky Cab Co. for my pickup. He answers the phone as if I were a bill collector. I'm not even out of my wrm, comfy bed yet and he is already filling my morning with rage. On the way to the station I get to hear about how much he hates his job, the weather, his girlfriend and other clients. By the time the 1.5 mile trip is over, I am overcome with anger myself. I am angry at people who look at me, sit next to me, or God forbid, speak to me.

Yesterday, I got on the shuttle bus which takes me from the station to my office and the driver asked why I was always so angry. I guess it shows. Ten minutes later, his "Relax, No Problem!" Jamaican spirit had me fit for human interaction again.

Then, a building collaped near the tracks in Harlem (vacant -- no terrorists!) and shut down train service just before the evening commute. I got on the bus not knowing how or when I was going to get back home. The driver (another Jamaican) said "relax, you'll get home. No problem!" The trains started running again just before I got to the station. we stood out on the raw, cold, windy platform and waited. and waited. we talked, joked and entertained an antsy toddler confined to his stroller. Some folks shared cabs home. Cell phones were passed around so that everyone could update folks waiting at the other end. No anger or rage. We just went with it. We all hopped on the first train to stop (and express and the Accela flew by at about 100 mph first) and then worried about which train it was (it was the 4:15 train at about 5:50).

It occured to me at that point that I've been allowing other people to dump their negativity on me and letting it ruin my day. I decided I was going to fake being a morning person and see if I can positively affect my morning. I put on my most pleasant "Good Morning" when I called. I got "yeah see ya later" in response. I get in the car and he is yelling at a woman who needs a ride to her son's funeral (he did have a good point, why did she wait until the last minute to get a ride?) and proceded to rant about how he was going to quit the rest of the way there. I just smiled and nodded. I think he needs therapy. My good vibes just aren't going to do it. I've resolved to not let if affect me. So far, so good. I was joking with my fellow commuters by the time I got to the shuttle. (yes- I was speaking to strangers! can you believe it?)

Wild Weekend

Let's see, we had hockey, Sunday School, playdate at my parents, laundry, dishes and a trip to the Yankee Quilter.

I picked up some really nice fabrics at YQ and a pattern for a purse. I also picked up a GREAT suggestion. I was telling them about my new CD line and they suggested a 50/50 bamboo/organic cotton fleece as an alternative to the hemp.

Now, the real advantage to going to a local quilt shop (LQS) is not the WONDERFUL fabrics, delightful patterns or even the fact htat you are supporting a local shop. The real advantage is the expertise of the staff. They know thier product. They know the projects. They take the time to talk you through your purchase.

I didn't know that this bamboo/cotton existed. I never would have thought of it for the diapers - it is marketed as batting. It is SO soft, SO absorbant and naturally anti-bacerial. who know? the ladies at YQ did.

Did I not mention the diaper thing? Guess not. For a variety of reasons that I'd rather not get into, I've decided to refocus and re-launch My Little Creations. I am going away from the pockets, revamping and re-launching the FunFolds. FunFolds (FF) are similar to prefolds and are worn the same way. They can be pinned or snappied. Why are they better? They are trimmer, more absorbant, softer and cuter. With this bamboo, they are also anti-bacterial. how cool is that? I am still refining the design, but I am almost there. I plan to re-launch in April with some beautiful fabrics and some great deals! here is a sneak peek of Colin in one of his prototypes:

I also picked up the pattern for the Town Purse from Lazy Girl Designs . I really enjoyed this pattern. simple and well thought out. Some great techniques here! I plan on makeing the Wonder Wallet and a briefcase version of the Summer Tote.

TGIF - Leap Day

Before I get to my TGIF, I want to wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Capo & Ron!

This week, I'm grateful for:

• snarky bitch friends that crack me up
• finally achiving the state of Goddessness
• 2 Cammo blet Kartate Kids (Ryan graduated yesterday!)
• salsa
• fabric sales
• kick ass female engineers (the train kind - but the other kind rock too!)
• heated seats
• my inner Diva
• old firends keeping in touch
• new friends
• small talk
• hand knit wool socks
• tea and digestives at bedtime
• turning the heel and onto the home streatch

Add your TGIFs to the comments if you'd like to share!

Dear MTA:

Were you trying to screw with our heads this morning? Really, a Club Car on the morning train? I thought Club Cars have gone the way of the cocktail party (Both of which deserve a comeback IMO). I mean, why bother? It hardly has any seats (but the cup holders are a plus) and you aren't serving anything. Now, if you were serving breakfast on the train... even just "coffee and.." that would be a whole other deal. I could have gone for a bluberry muffin on the way in this morning. If you actually open the bar on the afternoon trains you could probably afford to buy a couple of coaches that aren't older than me. Think about it. How civilized would it be to sip a martini on the train on the way home from work? I think it would really increase the popularity of the train. Don't you?

Sincerely,
Thirsty Commuter

While I am on the subject of Club Cars, want to hear a funny story? when my Grandmother was pregnant with my Dad, my Grandfather was still in the Navy and stationed in RI. Since my grandmother already had a house and a career in CT, she stayed here and he took the train home when he could. When he got word that it was "time" he hopped on the train and rode the Club Car to Bridgeport (about 2 hours or so). by the time he got there, he was tanked - and a father. The nurses at the hospital asked him to fill out the paperwork for the birth certificate. On the line that said "name" he wrote his own - not the baby's. So, my Dad is Jr. and they named the dog Peter.

4 things

A) FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER:

• Stratford Train Station
• Greenwich Train Station
• work
• home
• Self-defense Class(I am aware that makes 5, but it is certainly worth mentioning)

B) FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME REGULARLY:

• Mom
• Kathy
• FIL
• VIAGRA

C) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:

• Dark Chocolate
• Irish Soda Bread (it's about that time!)
• lamb
• fried mashed potatos on toasted home made bread

D) FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:

• bed
• couch
• Jamacia
• anywhere quiet with my knitting

E) FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:

• Ever After
• The American President
• The Princess Bride
• Shawshank Redemption (great Short Story too! read it!)

F) TAG FOUR PEOPLE :

• Cynthia
• Deb
• Diane
• Cathy

There you go "four things about me". even though it was really 21 + 4 tags...

TGIF 2/22

this week I am grateful for:

• chinese food and wine
• akido
• taking the train in the snow
• sock heels
• seaweed wraps
• teacup hooks
• sleep
• TEA- and lots of it!
• knowing the difference between decomposed rock and weathered rock.
• Ravlery
• my ability fo find anything
• free hockey tickets
• gentlemen
• "salt" and those who "salted" me

Nervous traveler

I've been mulling this post over in my head for a few days, yet I'm still not sure I can articulate my thoughts properly.

As a kid I was painfully shy. My mom maintains that she signed me up for dance class and I got over it. Nope. not even close! I enjoyed the classes, so I put on my big girl panites and did it anyway. I've been trying to push the boundary ever since. I'm still terrified of new situations and it takes me FOREVER to warm up to new people.

What does this have to do with traveling? Lots. The whole reason - I think - is a need to know what is going to happen. I can "wing it" with my knitting, but that is about it. I NEED to know when the train is. which platform my transfer is on. where my stop is. where to catch the bus. if I need to walk up/back for my stop (I almost never know which car I'm in. I don't count).

Then you have the fact that I am packed in with hundreds of complete strangers. Granted, most people are just waking up or trying to wind down at the end of the day and get lost in their own thoughts (except the two "gossip girls" who yap inceasantly from Stratford to Greenwich and back EVERY day). Occasionally people like to make polite conversation. I suck at small talk. One lady asked me about my knitting and wanted me to show her how to knit socks. It was like talking to someone I'd known forever. funny how that works.

So this commuting thing has gotten easier after a week. my only disaster happened the first day - it sucked, but I lived and I am over it. the faces are getting familiar. and I am gettign home at a decent hour - relaxed.

Visit http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/connecticut/metro-north/index.htm for more MNRR New Haven Line pictures.

Chugging Along

I was going to take a pic of the Safari Socks on the train, but I thought with Homeland Security and all.. maybe not... so here it is in my office.



I may be able to turn the heel tomorrow.. maybe...

FO Extravaganza

Andy Finished his first quilt square (and I uploaded the pictures...) in his Catepillar quilt.


Here is the big brown wool lettuce leaf which is currently in time out until I have the patience to deal with it. Besides I've been inspired by a big blue empty wall in my office to do a different project.



I signed up for the healing wrap ministry at church in September and I hadn't heard anything since and forgot about it. I got a letter last week from the chair requesting some more as her "stash" is depleated but her list of requests are not. I dug out some homespun form my stash (I bought it for a sweater which I abandoned. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to design a cabled sweater in homespun??) I made a lovely, soft shawl.



I started another in a half granny square pattern, but it is too small for any interesting pictures. I think I'll use the edging from the famous(?) "Martha" poncho.

While I was knitting with yarn I won't wear (now that I know better) I pulled out the leftover "seaweed" yarn and started knitting a rectangular wrap.



I was inspired by this scarf. I made it wider to make it a wrap and I dropped the rib. the alternating solid and stripe tones down the stripes and avoids the wierd pooling you get with varrigated yarns. also, with this techique, the fabric appears to be K 2 rows, P 2 rows, but in fact it is all knit but only turned every other row. Of course you know what happens when you try to "use up" leftovers.. I need to buy more.. sigh...

speaking of seaweed, I finished (I think) my quilt. I hung it up to look at it and decide if it needs anything else. I do need to add a label, but the show committee has to cover the labels for the judging anyway, so I'll just wait until after the show and save them the trouble.

TGIF

My blogless(?) friend Kathy sends out an e-mail list of "grattitudes" every day or so. It got me thinking. Not only is it good to acknowledge to the universe (or at least the internet) what you are thankful for, but the process of writing it down really makes you think of things that are positive in life- even the small ones. You have to think about what you have - not what you don't.

So, to that end, my friday blogs will be devoted to just that. Afterall, I think we are all grateful for Fridays! TGIF, right?

so, my first TGIF list:

• Upward career moves


• Mass transit


• cabbies that show up on time


• socknitting


• flowers


• unexpected chocolate


• "old money"


• friends with good advice


• a blog to post this on ;)


• BB2


• ARC


• TAB


• Yorkshire tea


• electricians with a clue


• remembering to bring a sweater


• valentines from my kids


• bag gloves & a bag to hit with them


• a vent for frustration


• talent to share

the Commute

new job - new commute. the first morning didn't go so hot. my stinkin' cab was 40 minutes late*! I missed FOUR trains and screwed my shutle connection at the other end. I ended up being 1:15 late for my second day - nice. Fortunately, the new boss is not an ass, so it was ok. The ride home was better.

On the way back a lady saw me knitting and sat down next to me. She is a new knitter and we talked needles and yarn shops and I introduced her to magic loop and HK socks. she asked "the" question "why not just go to Kohls?". I told her to knit a pair, put them on - then ask me. Its like parenting. you think you know - but you don't - not until you are ankle deep in it.

This morning, the planets aligned and the commuter gods were kind. My cab was about 10 minutes early - which meant that I caught the early train - semi express, through train to my stop - no transfer in stamford :happy dance: I got off the train, down to the street and my shuttle was wating. My stop is the last in the loop, so I was the last one on the bus. the driver pulled up to the driveway of my building instead of the regular stop next door. I hope the rest of my train rides go this well!

so, if you are on the MNRR New Haven Line and see someone knitting this:



come and say "hi"!

*Note to Cab drivers: if you are 40 minutes late and I miss 4 trains - you do NOT deserve a tip - so don't ask for one - jerk!

I'm a Tool!

Totally forgot the memory card with the pics I wanted to post.

Andy finished his "Very Hungry Catepillar" block right after I posted last. VERY cute! He's going to make more collaged blocks from the book and we'll assemble and quilt once they are all done.

I finished knitting and felting The Great Big Yawn. BUT I need some help with the felting but. the edges are all ruffly (I also have a pic on the card I didn't bring). Looks like brown furry lettuce... sigh...

Random Recap

A) I wanted to respond to Diane's comment on the last post:

Calling it "why don't I own a knitting machine?" instead of "why didn't I decide to knit socks for someone with smaller feet" is probably a good thing. lol
it isn't the socks that are never-ending mind-numbing stockinette hell. it is a giant pioece of fabric to be felted into a batting/backing for a collaged art qult. the socks are moving along well and should make nice commuter knitting - which brings me to..

The shawls look great. How you manage to do all this with so many little ones in the house is amazing.

I am starting a new job soon, so I am home in the interm. the big guys are in school and the baby naps about 3 hours a day. I can also knit while he plays most of the time.

B) I finished my "Library Challenge" block. The theme is "What is on your Library shelf?"

my apologies for the crappy lighting. All of the blocks submitted will be assembled into a quilt. the names of all the guild members that submitted a block will all go into a hat and the winner's name will be drawn. YAY!

C) Ryan has decided to move into a tent in the living room.

I am now shopping for "bed tents" for the big guys so I can have my living room back.

D) Remember the collage quilt I talked about last time? well, mom started hers. Andy is fascinted by it. I found it hard to believe, but Andy didn't know what a collage was. I explained that Eric Carle's illustrations are collage. He is a HUGE fan of Eric Clarle's work - HUGE! so.. he and I are making a quilt based on Carle's work. pics to come next time!

I'm on fire!

I finished 2 shawls in week! I finished, washed, blocked and wrote out the pattern for the Miter Shawl I was working on! I am waiting for the weather to clear up a bit for a photoshoot on-location. then I will post pics.

My current WIP? other than Todd's socks, the never ending time suck of stockinette. I am calling it "why don't I own a knitting machine?". It'll be felted and used as the batting/backing of an art quilt inspired by Karen Eckmeier's talk at the last guild meeting.

Still working on quilting "Under the Sea"

Orchid Orchard

The shawl was blocking as I was posting earlier. It is unpinned now and I LOVE it!!! Due to a lack of natural sunlight at this hour - and this lattitude, the color is far more accurate in the first photo. It reads solid, but is slightly mottled in reality. I'll try for a better photo in good light.

I need to go find the perfect yarn and beads for the Spring Things Shawl now...

oh- and Ryan wishes he had a sister...

Catching up...

1. Ryan is getting REALLY good at hockey - fast. this week he did a drill where he had to dive under the coach's stick, get up and shoot a goal. He scored twice. He came home and said "Dad, I scored two girls!" oy!

this was taken toward the end of his second practice - as you can see he was getting pretty tired.

2. the shawl is off the needles and blocking.


3. Todd's socks are past the toes and maybe 1/3 the way up the instep. no new photos..

4. The epic quilt is assembled. I do have pics in it's current state, but FIL took them with his camera and I didn't get digital copies - yet. I had a stroke of creative genius. I added tabs to teh top of the quilt to hang it from. the hanger is a fishing pole... how smart am I???

I'm also crocheting "seaweed" to embelish the quilt.

Once the quilting is done I can add the hemotite beads for the fish eyes. shell beads to the sea bed. the crochet seaweed and I also have some rough peridot beads to add in somewhere in there.

5. Todd got his Blue Belt.

January thaw is not Global Warming

As I said the other day, I finished the mittens and they were immediately put to use - even though we are in the midst of a "January Thaw". I did swipe them for a photo op. I had to use the remains of giganto tree as a backdrop as said thaw has depleated us of snow ice.

I really liked the density of the fabric. The thumb gussets worked up nicely, look good and are appearntly comfortable. I don't like the decreases at the top. it decreases to rapidly and makes it bunch up. I think the next pair will be a little different. I'll make the tops more like sock toes and decrease a little more slowly. I'll also either double strand of use bulky weight on larger needles. I'll still work it in a firm gauge to get a nice dense fabric, but it'll go a little faster and make thicker mittens - which will work out nicely once winter returns to kick us in the arse.

With the mittens off of the needles, I cast on Todd's Safari Socks. I am really liking the LL. I'll be working more with this in the future. I am still working on the toes. Did I mention that he wears a 14EEEE?

yeah.. I'll be knitting these 'til next winter... sigh...

oh- and the whole blocking wire thing - I was looking around on ravelry and learned that I do NOT need wires (which are wicked expensive!) I can use string - or more likely crochet thread. WOO HOO!

The End of a Journey

Author's note: Do not read the following blog post unless you have finished reading all 7 Harry Potter books. If you aren't planning on it, then, well, you should! If you are just waiting for the movies- SHAME ON YOU! read the books because you are missing at least half of the story.

I spent most of the weekend reading, but I made it to the end of Harry's journey. I was quickly sucked in to this boo as well - from Bill and Fleur's wedding to Gimauld Place and the break in at the Minisrty. I was amazed by the doe patronus (and I guessed SO wrong! I thought it was Ginny!) I was enthralled with the battle of Hogwarts.

I was, however a bit disappointed in a few loose ends that weren't tied up. How raised Teddy? I assumed it would have been Harry and Ginny since Harry was his Godfather. I like to think that it was Bill and Fleur since Teddy was part warewolf and Bill had been bitten by one. We know Neville became a teacher, but what about the rest of them? what did they do? I had Hermionie pegged for a teacher. What became of Kreacher fter the secret of Gimauld place got out?

yes, I know it is only a book (or seven), but what seperates a good story from a great epic is the author's ability to spin a yarn that can take the reader on a journey that transcends the line between fact and fiction. JK Rowling can spin wiht the best of them!

I am finding myself with the same sense of let down that I was after finishing the Dark Tower. I know what is at the top of the Tower. I know how Roland got there. I thuroughly enjoyed both journeys so much that I was sad to see each of them end. Fortunately, Stephen King is such a prolific and talented writer, that we can still read the tales of those who cross their paths with Roland along the way. King, in fact, is so talented that his tales not only transcend that line between reality and fantasy, he blurs it. how many novleists put a fictionalized version of them selves into their work? genius! I sincerely hope Rowling plans on telling us more about some of the people we've met along Harry's journey. What about the House Elves' version of the story? I'd love to read the last story from the perspective of the students who did show up for school at Hogwarts that last year. or what about a prequel? about James, Lily, Sirius, Lupin and even Snape at Hogwarts - or the original Order who fought Voldemort ending with his failed attempt at murdering Harry. Or was she setting us up for "the next generation" by sending the kids off to Hogwarts at the end.

While I was doing all of this reading, I knocked off a lot of stockinette in the round and finished Ryan's mittens. I went to take an FO picture this morning and realized that the mittens are on his hands on the way to school - D'oh!

Yarn Over

In yesterday's comments, Cynthia asked:
"How do you like the yarn? I was looking at some the other day and lusting over it. Is it as yummy to knit with as it looks?"

First off, the yarn in question is 100% baby merino lace weight in Orchid, by Malabrigo. It is SO soft and lucious. It isn't spun very tightly, so it has a lot of bounce and a little "fuzz" to it, which made frogging a little challenging. Certainly nothing like a mohair, but adds an element of softness to the knitting- and the fabric! So far I am LOVING working with this wool. I am anxious to see how it blocks out as well.

It is a far cry from baby merino to LB WoolEase... but I am liking the finished fabric of these mittens. I am also liking that they will keep my kid's hands warm and dry and Mr. Mom can throw them in the wash (yes, Todd really does all our laundry. Yes, that includes diapers.). They are knit in WW weight on US2s.. yeah... I'm thinking I might go up to the bulky and maybe US5s. It'll still be a nice firm fabric, but a thicker - and a faster knit!

Progress Pics comming soon... if I remember...

Unraveled Under the Canopy

I've been adding my projects and what stash I do have to my notebook on Ravlery and exploring the site a bit. I added my "Twisted" shorties pattern to the Ravelry library. I was a little surprised to see already listed was my S3 pattern! Other people have made it. Other people have put it in their faves and in their queues! I don't know why this is a surprise to me. It was published in a book. It is available on Amazon (among other places). I was just thrilled to see that someone took the time to put the info up on Ravelry.

I took the confidence boost and ran with it - stright to my lace!

This was attempt #2. On my first attempt, my center ended up off-center in the middle of the second repeat. But, this being my first lace and a special ME knit (I dont get those often, I usually give away what I make) I frogged it all back and started over. I am MUCH happier with it now! Notice the lifeline? I learned my lesson! Of course, now that I am using a lifeline, I haven't had to rip back. this was taken at about the same point I frogged the first go-round. I am now up to the 6th repeat and already starting to worry about blocking*!

My original plan was to pin & block on my cutting table, but my cat seems to be confusing it for his bed lately. Plan B is now to block at my Mom's house. Her sewing room is well barricaded against intruders (aka Jimmy), is pet free, and is home to a spare bed perfect for blocking. my next dilema is blocking wires. I don't own any. I don't even know where to get them. I should check my LYS for some. Do I really need them? can I improvise? use something around the house? I suppose I should just suck it up and go buy some since I am already plotting my next lace project.

what is your opinion of blcking wires? cast your vote?

*I do block other knits, but the real estate required for hats, socks, mittens and longies is significantly smaller than what this shawl will require.