2008 wrap up

Well, it's that time of year, time to see what I've accomplished. LaurieC is blaming me for not having lots of FO's this year, so now I'm going to pass it back to her! I could have done this post at the end of November, because I have done NOTHING this past month!!
So, here goes:

I only made 9 yarn purchases, and used 6 of them, 1 purchase is "resting, but being used", 3 are in the stash

I knit 11 pairs of socks and 2 lonely ones

I had 11 non-sock projects completed

I read 54 books!!! Yes, 2 I read twice, but it still counts!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year! We'll see you on the other side!!

is this the cutest ugliest thing ever??

This is a baby aardvark, new to the Detroit Zoo!!!

re-try

Here is the one row lace scarf:











Here is a present to myself, made possible by two very generous preschool classes, one teacher, one board and a little bit from me:

HP mini 1035 nr

i hate blogger

i just typed up a wonderful post with photos and everything. it is gone.
)(**&^%%^*((*) maybe i'll try again later.

Snow day!!!

An early start to the Christmas Break!!
and now we know for sure that it will be a WHITE CHRISTMAS this year!!

edit:
So, what did I do on this 1st snow day? Not much. I could have done a lot:

could have cast on and made the mate for the sock that has been sitting since OCTOBER!!!
could have cast on another "gift" with the leftovers from the other 3
could have worked on the much dusty Modern Quilt Wrap
could have cast on another pair of Basic Mittens

Here is what I did:

wrapped the presents to ME from HUBBY
cleaned the downstairs, a little bit
read an old magazine
took a nap
watched Enchanted

and I did all this ALONE, as the boys were outside, trying to shovel, from 10-12, then came in for a quick lunch, then off to their friends house for video games and movies from 1-5. What a great mom she is!! :)

bad blogger

So sorry, I have been absent of late. Nothing to report. I finished the chef's mittens long time ago, I think she has been wearing them.

It has been freakin cold here lately and we are in the midst of a snow storm.
Son #1 is hoping for a snow day tomorrow, but I'm still making them take showers.

I finished a super quick scarf for a teacher gift. Photo to come tomorrow.

Christmas shopping is FINISHED, plus a few goodies for myself (thanks to bonus).
TTFN
keep warm

Lovely, just lovely

Here is the Tilted Duster in all its glory!!!! Suffice it to say: I LOVE IT! 2 L'd Allison's mom brought it to me on Tuesday, I ran out after dinner to Skeins on Main to have it blocked, stopped at JoAnn's for 2 inside buttons and come home to sew them on! I had a bit of trouble getting everything to line up and it still looks a little wonky on the one side, but nothing I can't live with!! I got so many compliments and I was sure to give credit where credit's due. I have 3 people who want one of their own it grandma isn't busy. I am going to wear it to at least 5 holiday functions this month, the color is gorgeous!! Thank you again grandma!!


And so, I must do some knitting myself. I have cast on another "gift" (this makes the 3rd) but I don't think I'll be able to get 3 more finished by Christmas. Must think of something else. Also going to cast on some mittens for the Chef with the leftover yarn from the duster.
TTFN

Tilted Duster update

IT'S FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I should receive it after Thanksgiving, I only need to have it blocked.

I can't wait!!

Finished

I finished the Twilight series.

Back to my regular life (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc)
all the things I've let slip by :)

Sister says..........

I am a book geek :), so be it.
When I find a series I like, I totally lose myself in it.
No cooking, no cleaning, no nothing!!

Guess what!!

The Grandma came to preschool yesterday to show me the progress on the vacuum (as sister says), Tilted Duster for the rest of us.

She has about 4" to go on the body, the other sleeve and the neck.
IT IS SO CUTE!! AND SOFT!!
I'm thinking by next week it'll be ready to wear.

Twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so completely wrapped up in the Twilight Saga!!!

I read Twilight a few months ago. Due to a mix up on the book order form, I received Twilight AGAIN last month, not New Moon (ugghh). I was able to borrow New Moon from my friend. I read/finished that on Sunday. It was so good, I re-read the last half Monday morning, then started Eclipse Monday evening, I finished that one last night. I am on my way to purchase New Dawn later this morning.

EDIT: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
the book was gone!
It was there last week (Sam's), I held it in my hands :(
I will wait for my friend to buy it for me (Costco)
While I wait, I'll re-read the others :).
They did have New Moon, so I bought it.
My collection will be complete. soon. like maybe tomorrow. I hope.

I am torn about reading the last book, it will be exciting to see how it turns out, but I am sad to see the story end. I am not sure if there is a book 5.

Tilted Duster news:
The grandma received the yarn on Friday and I was told yesterday that the front and 1 sleeve was finished!!!

not a vacuum!!

Here is the: Tilted Duster

Tilted Duster

Guess what?

The Grandmother of one of my preschool girls (2 l'd Allison) is going to make the Tilted Duster for me!!!

YEA, that means I might actually get to wear it this season! I was afraid if I made it, I wouldn't be wearing it for many, many seasons.

She is so nice to do this for me :), but as she said, you are her favorite teacher (aide that is).

I've just about completed one of the "gifts". I used Lion Brand cotton instead of the Euro Linen called for in the pattern. Much better.

1 sock finished!

Finally, after sitting and gathering dust on the couch, for over a month, I finished 1 of the Ampersand socks. I don't think I'm going to cast on the mate, I'm going to start the "gift", and maybe the Tilted Duster, I haven't decided yet.

OH NO!!!

This is the first month since Jan. '07 that I have not completed a pair of socks! The current pair have been sitting on my couch for the past month, not doing much of anything, except gathering dust. I don't know what happened to the knitting mojo, it is GONE. No knitting what-so-ever. I must get it back from LaurieC, I'm sure she has it :)

Must finish the socks, I really want to start knitting something large (Tilted Duster), I know, a big undertaking for me. We'll see what happens.

Happy Halloween!!!

Big B, Little b, what begins with B???

Brown
Burnt
Blechy mess

That would be the overnight oatmeal.

Must try again, with different recipe.

MSU wins!!

YEA!
Went to a party made this, everyone LOVED it.

So tonight I am going to attempt to make oatmeal, with steel cut oats, for breakfast. Wish me luck.

Oh, no knitting, what-so-ever. Did read and finish Love, Lucy.

On this day, in 1994..................

Happy Anniversary, 14 years,
here's to many many many more :)
xoxo
I love you.

Here I am sister

Yes, I know it's been awhile, but things have been hectic. Hockey is in full swing, Middle School is NOT going well and I had to teach this week. It went fine, like it always does, I just tend to get stressed out before hand. The children were fine and the working parents were great!

Since I had to teach, that also means it was fieldtrip time! Yes, another great trip to Upland Hills Farm. This year the weather was GORGEOUS!! It has rained the past 2 years, this year, sunny and low 50's. I can't show you any pictures, as the preschool kids are in all of them. So here are the ducks, in a feeding frenzy, at the end of the trip.








Alas, no knitting to show. The socks are slow going, the Quilted Wrap has stalled, and but yet, I'm thinking of casting on the "gift" for a few people.

Another OMG post!!

I just (8:30pm Sunday night) started reading "Twilight". OMG
UPDATE: I just finished reading, 5:30 pm Monday. How soon until the book order comes from school?? (I ordered #2). good thing I had dinner started in the crock pot, or we wouldn't be eatting tonight :)



Oh, and I have turned the heel on the Ampersand sock, (this was BEFORE Twilight)
and Sister was here this weekend :)
We had fun, we saw Clinton Kelly, he wears socks that don't match his outfit.

WV no more

Many thanks to my Ravelry friend.

Oh
My
God

What I did on Saturday

I sneezed, like 500 times, I'm not kidding.
I used a box of tissues.
I took 2 allergy pills and some extra kid liquid stuff to help stop the runny nose.
I think I went grocery shopping and did some laundry, and someone made dinner (again, I think it was me)
I haven't sneezed yet this morning.
I have to finish the shopping today, and more laundry and get ready for the week.

Sister is coming Friday!!! I have to pick her up at the airport....do I leave the jumper cables home??

Ok, I'm bored

So I'm going to cast on these

They look familiar....maybe like the Vogue Garter Heel?? I'll have to check.

My dad would be so proud!!!

When my parents bought me my first car ('77 Mercury Cougar), they also bought me a pair of jumper cables. I have never needed to use them. They sat in the plastic bag from Jefferson Beach Marina(we used to have a sailboat). As I bought new cars, the bag was always transferred from the old....to the new. Always the same bag, never having been used.

In June, I had to pick up Mother from the airport, as I was waiting curbside, a gentleman next to me asked if I had jumper cables, he car was dead. I pulled them out of the current car (minivan) and he hooked them up...started up the car and off he went. Very thankful for the help.

Then on Monday, I had to pick up Mother from the airport (again). This time I parked in the cell phone lot. As I was waiting and reading, the gentleman next to me asked...do you happen to have jumper cables?? His brand new car would not start. I laughed, saying "Everytime I come to the airport, someone uses my jumper cables. If my dad was still alive, he'd be so proud of me"
He replied, "If my dad was still alive, he'd be so pissed at me".

So dad, I hope you're smiling at me. Thanks!!!

That was fast!

I cast on a new project at 11am and finished it by 8pm.
No photos or descriptions, it may be the "gift" of the year.
sorry sister

Finished Waving Lace

The 2-at-a-time socks are FINALLY finished. Cast on Aug 8, finished last night 10pm. I am so glad these are done. A few glitches in the system, that I did not know how to fix, but I am happy with the end result.





These socks have taken such a toll on me, I think I'm taking the next month off!! I have been knitting just socks for 2 years straight. A few "not socks projects" were thrown in, but now I am going to concentrate exclusively on the Modern Quilt Wrap.

And if I get bored (which is a great possibility) I will cast on a pair of socks.

The coolest thing!

I found out the coolest thing today. You know how you can put Gogurt in the freezer? You can eat them frozen (or put in the kid's lunchbox and by lunchtime it is ready to eat).

Anyway........today while looking through the coupons, Whips had a coupon and then on the other page mentioned having it FROZEN!!! You put it in the freezer (for a few hours) then presto, FROZEN YUMMY YOGURT!!

It was great! I've had 2 today :)

Those darn socks are still on the needles. I think 1/2 round of the pattern and then toe decrease.

Not much knitting today, I spent 6 hours inputting the information for the 476 children at the elementary school (I'm in charge of the directory).

oh man!

Well, back to school and back to work means no knitting what-so-ever! I have been so tired these past few nights, I've not even wanted to think about knitting.

I did start the MQW and have the first row completed. That's been put aside so that I may finish these darn Waving Lace socks!

They are taking foooooorrrrrrreeeeeevvvvveeeerrr! and I've made a few "artistic" changes (mistakes) and don't know how to fix them, as I'm still new to this 2-at-a-time thing. I'm sure they will be fine. Again, the decreases are taking a long time (this may be due to the "artistic" changes) I believe I have 3 more to do. Then 1/2 round of the pattern and I'm hoping, the toe decreases. I'm going to go with the star toe that was used for the BareNakedLacy socks. Hoping to finish this weekend.

New Project !!!

I'm going to start a new project; and I'm pretty sure it's not going to go as fast as socks. This is going to be so pretty!! Sister has already laid claim to it, but we'll see what happens!!

Wake up call

I have not been up this early, showered, coffee, breakfast and ready to leave in almost 7 years! This is the pits!!! I want to go back to vacation mode.

We have to leave the house, for MS, at 7:30 this and I must be presentable, so my new wake up time is 6:00 AM, though I've been up since 4:00 am.

Nap time yet??

Oh boy, kids and money

So, I had to make a quick trip to a big hardware-type store today. Hubby is re-painting our bathroom, and we did not have all the necessary supplies. In order to keep peace in the house, I ask who wants to come with me, enticing them with the prospect of a hotdog. Son #2 jumps up, me me me!!!

As we are walking into the store, I give him $5 (the hot dog combo is $3.25), and say "the change will be your allowance" (as I have not paid him yet).

He looks at me and says "I'm not all that hungry anymore", and pockets the money.

iKnit.....

......and knit and knit. A mere 14 days ago, I had but 1/2 a sock; then, a mere 4 days ago, I had 1 lonely sock. Tonight, I have a pair of socks! I knit my little tail off today and finished these for sister2!! Many thanks to Nicole and Jenny of Stash and Burn. I listened to my backlog of podcasts today and it made the knitting go so much faster!

Finishin the socks!

I am feverishly trying to finish the BareNakedLacy socks.

I completed the gusset decrease last night on the 2nd sock. I figured out that approx 3 rounds of the lace pattern equals 1", so now I have to do the 3 rounds 4 times, and I can do the star toe and I'm finished! yea.

Then I can ship them off to sister2 and I can concentrate on my Waving Lace.

Last week of summer vacation

Alas, it is the last week of vacation, where DID the summer go?? It was a great one. But, I woke to this in the in box:

Monday ~ Last day of our summer
Tuesday~ CPR 6:30-9ish
Wednesday~ Set up preschool and clean Start time 9:30
Thursday~ Staff work 9:30-Noon, Lunch at 11:30
Friday~ first vacation day of the school year

I love the positive spin at the end :)

Better start moving on the knitting!! I did finally finish the 1st BareNakedLacy sock last night, I love that the designer made a Star Toe, it was so much faster than the usual decrease/Kitchner. I may try and make all my socks that way, as long as the stitch count matches. Also need to finish the 2-at-a-time Waving Lace, I need those to wear during the month of October, the only time I would be wearing ORANGE socks!!

nothing

Didn't do much of anything this week, here is the rundown:

Monday - I sneezed.
Tuesday - I went to the Detroit Science Center.
Wednesday - I did run some errands.
Thursday - I did go to the Middle School and register son #1. Then we went to the pool. Then we went back to MS to run through the locker thing and schedule NUMEROUS times.
Friday - We did go back AGAIN to MS and run through....yada yada yada AND I installed the super cool locker shelf thingy (took 15 minutes), then I stayed home and did nothing, or actually I watched a movie.

You did notice that I DID NOT do any knitting.

Bring on the exciting weekend.

Sneezing up a storm

Well, I do believe that rag weed season has started. I have been sneezing for 2 days. Had to break out the heavy duty allergy medicine (the kind that will put me to bed by 7:30). It is helping a little. I've been in the house since 6:30 last night, not going anywhere today. My head hurts too. Best stock up on the kleenex.

See the side bar for the finished front door. I like it :)

Not much knitting. I think the 2 pairs of socks for August will be carried over to September.

RED she said

Ok, I went with the barn red.
1st coat is drying, it's going to need 2 maybe 3 coats.
I should be done by tomorrow ;)

And since son #2 decided to peel off the wallpaper border in his room (grrr), I bought some magic stuff to take it off. I'm doing that while waiting for paint to dry. I'm just about finished!

photos and a poll

Here are the BareNakedLacy socks for Sister2, using TOFUtsies, black/yellow/plum color.









Here are the Waving Lace 2-at-a-time socks. Yarn is The Great Pumpkin (but I call it nacho cheese dorito) from my friend BetteM. They are super soft.








Here is SIL and myself in front of the SUPER DUPER limo for Stitch N Pitch






And finally, the poll. What color should I paint my front door? I was so happy when we bought the house, the door was painted (I thought) a nice pale shade of green. I have recently been informed that the door is NOT PAINTED, that is the primer, you are supposed to paint over it. I wondered why all the houses in the sub had the same color door....it's because nobody bothered to paint (like me).

Choices are:

deep plum purple
barn red
burnt orange
olive green (would be the "safe" choice)

Wonderful Me

I'd like to thank LaurieC for nominating me for this wonderful award!




So the rules state that I, being the humble recipient of this auspicious award, must in turn nominate 7 other recipients; unfortunately, I do not know 7 others, so here is my short list:

BetteM
MidWestKnitGirl

Those lucky bloggers must follow the rules, which are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated

Stitch N Pitch '08

I went to Stitch N Pitch yesterday at Comerica Park.
It was cold.
It was rainy.
Not much knitting was done.
I knit 8 rounds and almost half of the heel flap on sister2's socks.
Then it was put away. Thankfully SIL thought to tell me to grab a blanket from the van, so we sat under that for the entire game.
The best part? Driving to/from the game with the gal's from My Craft Room in the SUPER DUPER EXTRA LONG Limo!!! Pictures to come later.

Oh yea, the Tigers won, 6-1, or something like that.

more 2-at-a-time socks

Ok, there are only 2 1/2 weeks left of summer vacation, and that means only 2 1/2 more weeks of constant knitting.

I have decided to cast on more socks via the 2-at-a-time method. I'm making the Waving Lace socks, from Interweave's Favorite sock book. I had made a pair last year, using Lorna's Laces, but I did not like the finished product, the color mostly. So I frogged them, yes, a completed pair of socks, ripped out without a backward glance.

So, I've cast on a new pair, using my ORANGE (yes you read that correctly) yarn from Bette M. They are going to be gorgeous, I can already tell.

I'm still working on the BareNakedLacy socks, they will go to Stitch N Pitch on Sunday, they are going to be for Sister2.

(Not you Sister, the other sister, hence, Sister2)

Wow! 3 pairs

Of stash socks for the month of July! I can't believe it. Ok, even though the last pair was finished last night, I'm still counting them for July, all it took was 1/2 hour to finish them!

Back to reality

I am back and I am pooped!
All day Sunday in the van coming home; that would be 10 hours straight.
All day yesterday doing laundry.
All day today grocery shopping (3 different stores).

Still need to download all the photos and finish up the sock. I was able to finish one of the Broadripple socks on the way up (2 days, quite the record). The mate is 3/4 finished, just haven't had time to knit.

Did finish 2 books, so now I must wait an entire year for the next to be published.

Stitch N Pitch this Sunday, so I've cast on a new pair of socks to take with.
Blech, only 2 1/2 weeks left of summer vacation.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Well, major screw up. I don't know what I was thinking...but I did know that it was taking FOREVER to decrease this gusset!

No wonder, I went way too far...3 each side too far, that's 6 total stitches! What to do....I just did M1 on the heel for 6 stitches..and hopefully all will be well :)
don't tell Sister!

UPDATE:



Here they are! Finished in less than a week! I hope they will fit someone at Sister's house :)

Oh boy 2 socks + 2 gussets

That was not for the faint of heart!

I loved that I got to turn both heels one after the other; I hated the picking up of stitches that weird way and I kept losing the spot where the sock is to be seperated (instep vs gusset).
I have no idea if I picked up the same number of stitches on each side. The instructions did not call for any markers, so I have tons of them! Need the one to mark beginning of round, then I have them to show the instep vs gusset, now I think I need them to show me when to stop decreasing!
Please tell me it gets easier! Good thing this is just a simple knit foot!

2-at-a-time socks

Well, I did it! I taught myself how to knit 2-at-a-time on Magic Loop. I had purchased the book and the needles last month, but they just sat there...waiting for some magic fairy to teach themselves how to knit! So yesterday, I sat down and was determined to figure it out. I know, I could have gone to the class at my LYS ($45), but it wasn't in the budget.

So off I went....the cast on went ok, I didn't quite get the instructions on Left vs. Right, so maybe I had the needles wrong, but by looking at the photos, I was able to figure it out. The first row of ribbing was very iffy...I thought for sure I had twisted the stitches, but no, everything worked out fine. Just trying to figure out how long to make the leg. These are going to be for one of Sister's children. I cast on 48 stitches and I'm just doing simple knit-k2tog-yo variation, so they look a little pretty (either a boy or a girl sock).

Don't know if I will make all my socks with this method, it is a little tiring having to fix the loop, switch the yarn etc...but it will be very nice to have a complete pair of socks when I'm finished!

Finished July socks

Here are my finished socks from stash for July. Spring Forward, Lorna's Laces Pine. This yarn has been in the stash for almost a year! But the good news: my friend LaurieC sent me 2 more skeins for my birthday this year, so I can make a different pair of socks in the same color!!! YEA my favorite color ever :)

Also, I was able to finish the Flirty Tank, these socks and 3 books this past week. It's been a busy week on the couch for me! I had to give equal time to all the projects so no one felt left out.

ack! vacation soon!

Yes, the family vacation is fast approaching. I have settled on the following knitting projects:

BareNakedLacy Socks by Nancy Degener and Broadripple Socks by Rob Matyska.
Also taking an extra skein of Cascade Fixation to make anklets, if those get finished.

Also will take the last 3 books from the Outlander series.

And the ipod filled with Stuck in the 80's and Stash and Burn podcasts.

That should cover me for the 10 hour ride there, a week in the wilderness; plus the hour drive it takes to get anywhere, and the 10 hour ride home.

Finished the Tank!

The Flirty Tank is finished! I just need to block it, then I can wear it! Amazing, something other than socks! I am so proud of myself!




Other good news, the 3rd book is in at the library :), but alas, we are going to the Tiger's game today for son #2's birthday, so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.

When will that 2nd sock be finished for July? It is a mystery, all of the books I've put on hold in the last month all came in at the same time!!

Progress!!

Yes, I have finally made it into the home stretch with the Flirty Tank! It only took 1 call to mother, 2 calls to the LYS and finally me saying, "what the (*&%, I'll just wing it and hope it works!"

Well, it looks like it did! Here is the one of the front straps, only 3 more to do, then the finishing work. I'm hoping to have it finished in time to wear to Stitch N Pitch.

See what you can accomplish when the library does not have the 3rd book in stock??

Finished the 2nd

Ok, nothing is being accomplished. I finished "Outlander" Monday night. Started "Dragonfly In Amber" yesterday at noon...thank God for daycamp, hockey and bowling for kids...and crockpots for lazy mom's who sit on the couch and read until the book is finished :)

Now, how long until the library gets the 3rd book?? :)

Fabulous 4th

Yes, we had a great Fourth of July weekend. Parties, parties, parties; and golf for the boys, and bookreading for me.

My girlfriend told me to read "Outlander". Couldn't get it from the library so I went to the local big bookstore and bought it, only $7.99. and I have not been able to put it down! Started reading at noon (at the pool, ALONE) came home, read more, went to B-I-L house so boys could swim after golf, read the entire time there, came home and read until bedtime!

I am 3/4 of the way through (800 some pages) I've just put the 2nd of 6 in the series on hold, will pick that up later today.

Needless to say, no knitting :)

ACKKK WARNING WARNING!!!
Do not, I repeat, Do not read anything on the web about the Outlander books! I just happened to skim an article and I've ruined some surprises :( But I'll still read them :)

Sock Yarn from Germany

Mother is back from her travels! She loved the socks, so in return, she brought me some yarn from Germany:

Regia - I will attempt to make the pretty patterns that are supposed to happen when you knit, to guage, with this yarn. They look BEAUTIFUL on the wrapper.










ONline - same with this one. But I have so much trouble getting the 2 socks to match....











That is why, for July, I am knitting a SOLID GREEN sock! Nothing to match, just knit and knit :) These are the Spring Forward socks from the new Knitty.

Love this blog! crockpot365

Was made aware of this blog from Ravelry and I love how creative she is being with her crock pot. So much so, that I was inspired to make
these.


Here are the crayons soaking as to make it easier to peel off the labels (not so much, some were IMPOSSIBLE, they got tossed) Oh, and don't use washable crayons, they make a mess!




Here are the crayons broken up and divided into the cups, I decided to go for the "multi color" look. My crock pot was only 5 quart, so I had to stack the muffin pan, it still worked.




Here they are, all melted and starting to cool down.







Here are the finished cupcake crayons! Solid color on top, multi on the bottom (mostly green-go figure)I'm hoping to use these at preschool, I think the shape will be easy for the kids to hold when we are doing rubbings. I'll let you know!

Back from mini-vacation

More to come later, but hubby and I have returned from the family wedding in oh-so-rainy Fort Lauderdale :)

Wed - Yes, we went on a mini-vacation; we attended our nephew's wedding in Florida. Our first trip away from the kids in almost 4 years. It was very nice and relaxing. We had debated about taking the kids, but in hindsight, we made a great call in not taking them. They had much more fun staying home with their friends. We got to enjoy the festivities without worrying about keeping them entertained.

As noted earlier, it rains, A LOT, in Florida, in June. Rained upon arrival on Friday, but cleared up for the dinner at 7:30. Was GORGEOUS all day Saturday; we even ran into my best friend from high school, no kidding, in the Denny's down the street! She was there with her family for a cruise!! We ended up spending the afternoon at their hotel, on the beach and in the water with beverages.

Ceremony was at 5, getting dark and ominous...thunder throughout the service...they got married, took a few pictures then the downpour! The reception was moved inside. Very fun.

Sunday was wasted in the car, drove to Key Largo, did not know there were not nice beaches...drove back to the hotel via Miami, was looking for the end of 41, major thunderstorm on the highway. Ugh, spent the last night in the hotel room with room service pizza and a baseball game.

When we left on Monday, skies were looking very blue!

11:32, the official start......

of summer vacation! Last day for son #1 in grade school, "and mom is going to cry" he announced as he left the van....sorry, no crying, maybe next year for the start of Middle School.

Sadly, I will be spending my last child-free hours attending the funeral of a family friend. She had been diagnosed with cancer and given a year to live, she fought for 2 1/2 years! She will be missed.


Look at what was hanging around our screen door yesterday, kinda creepy, the boys made me keep the door shut until it left.








Time to crank up the summer knitting!! Here is the progress on the Flirty Tank: I have put it away, for now, and gone back to the socks. I have missed them so!! I must finish the Roundabouts for Mother, she is returning from Germany on the 29th and I want to give them to her as her "welcome home" gift.

I have received my copy of Melissa Morgan-Oakes new book 2 socks-at-the-same time and my size 1 and size 2 40" needles....go figure, the majority of the patterns are written for size 3 and 4....but I don't like socks made with thick yarn, so I'm sure to modify the patterns to fit my taste :)

No, I did not cry

Well, 5th grade promotion has come and gone and I DID NOT CRY AT ALL!!!! yea me :)

I thought for sure I would, son #1 said I would and hubby said, "you're going to cry aren't you??" and I didn't. I'm so proud.

We still have a full day tomorrow, and then 1/2 days on Monday and Tuesday (so dumb) and then V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

Oh Yea!!!!!!!!

Hubby went out shopping today. This shirt is for me; also 3 of the Locker Room hats and 3 t-shirts for the boys. Who says we aren't helping the economy?

Monkey Sock Swap 4 Package Received

Look at all the monkey joy that I received from Tammy!!!
First up, the socks; they are in my most favorite color :) green, and they fit like a dream!!




Here are all the monkey goodies that she crammed into the box! How did she do it? Maple flavored chocolate from Canada, stickers, keychain, tissues, memo pad, applique & a keychain sock blocker sock! OH BOY, I can hardly wait to make tiny socks from my leftover yarn! Also, the Stricken pattern :), pink Shibuiknits yarn & a skein of her very own Faery Fiber. I don't know how she was able to pull this package together, she has been very sick this past month, but I am very grateful to her! This is all in addition to the monkey sock bag and stuffed monkey I posted about earlier.

And finally, here are the socks on my feet-they fit perfectly! Thank you so much Tammy for this great package!

Back to bed

yes, it's 8:30 am and I am going back to bed, just for a refreshing nap. It is all because of this. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime.
And just think, I get to do it all over again tomorrow night :)

Flirty Tank

1 round of lace pattern completed!

I love my LYS

Really, I do, especially Geralyn, not only is she going to cast on the 200 stitches for the Flirty Tank, she is going to do the 2 rows of ribbing for me!!!! :) YEA
That means when I go tomorrow, I can start right away with the lace rows.

Let me explain: I already missed class #1, so I'll be way far behind all the others, tomorrow is class #2, and I cannot make class #3, so I'll be on my own after tomorrow, though she did say I could come anytime and she'll help me.

I'll keep you posted.

Ducks!

I don't think my neighbors are going to open their pool this year, so I guess the ducks will get some use out of it.

They also don't cut their grass; how joyous.
It's going to be a long summer.

School over :)

Yes, the preschool year has ended; we had our final school picnic today. The "big school" does not get out until June 17, so I have a few days of peace and quiet.
So, that means I will have lots and lots of time to knit, not. I'm still cruising along with the Socks from Stash group, I started June's socks early and they are progressing nicely. I picked up the green LL's today and while I was there, signed up for a class to make this:


and it's NOT SOCKS! Can you believe it?? I wonder how long it will take me? It's done mostly in the round, so that's good, BUT it has 200 stitches! AACCKKK, I have trouble casting on 60 for a sock, how will I manage 200?? Plus I have to do a swatch and make sure I can get guage. Good times, good times. Should make for an interesting summer.

You will notice it is green, that is only because I signed up 2 weeks late for the class and that is the only color they had left that had enough skeins.

Still waiting for my Monkey sock swap package from my pal and also waiting and wondering if my pal ever received my package :( it was sent out early May and I was told 2 weeks to Canada...I've been able to track it as far as Alberta and that's it.

oh well, pick again

I have to recalculate this month's socks and only put in the numbers of already wound yarn...........and the new sock will be...........#3, Mother's Roundabout Socks; (as I had to take the LL's yarn to the LYS to be wound and I don't know when I'll get it back). Mother will be so excited.

and the lucky number is............

The Random Number Generator picked #5 for my June socks. And those would be........
Lacy Pillars; the free pattern I received in my Loopy Groupie package!!! and I will be using my favorite color GREEN Lorna's Laces that I purchased last year!!

Type "A" that I am...........

I have gone through all the sock yarn I have and assigned a pattern to each one, this will make it easier when it's time to pick each month for Socks from Stash..........

I have 4 lonely skeins with no pattern and 3 more skeins coming in the mail to me!!

AAACCCCKKKKK

That means I have enough yarn to get me through June 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!! plus the 7 unaccounted for means January 2010...that's even scary to look at...............

Oh boy, who'd of thunk it???

You are all going to be so proud of me!! I have ordered this!!

I have come to the realization that I DO NOT dislike this color as much as I thought I did and I must have a pair of socks to match my shirt.
And, extra bonus, my friend BetteM is the seller!

Back from sister's

Boy oh boy, the trip home from Chicago was much faster than on the way there! The airline must have noticed I was on the 4 hour flight on Friday, because I was upgraded for the trip home! Big, wide seat (more room for knitting)

Did lots of "beveraging" and shopping with sister, it was a nice, relaxing weekend. But that town is expensive! Here is the tab from lunch!

On the road....

Yes, I have FINALLY made it to sister's house. What an adventure!

8:00am - drop boys off at school, drive directly to airport
9:00am - arrive at off-site parking, take shuttle to terminal
9:15ish - get through security with (2) 24" circular needles (bonus)
Plenty of time to sit and knit while waiting to load plane at 10:33

10:20 - no plane, so pack up knitting and buy a magazine and bag of pretzels
10:45 - load onto plane, shut doors, pilot announces: numerous storms in Chicago, we will not be leaving for AT LEAST AN HOUR!!! why the f*&^ did they hurry us onto the plane???, continue knitting on sock, must stop as I'm close to toe decrease and don't know if it is the correct length
11:45 - still storms, will be another hour, eat pretzels
12:45 - should be leaving in approx 20 minutes as now there are storms coming into Detroit and they want to get us out.
1:00 - leave gate YEA, sit in line
1:30 - FINALLY take off (original take off time 11:03)
VERY BUMPY ride, they had to pass out the drinks in 2 different shifts, then you only had 10 minutes to drink before they had to clean up for landing (gotta love those hour flights)
2:30/1:30 local time - arrive in Chicago, find sister, have lunch and beverage

Oh brother 4 hour flight from Detroit to Chicago, I cannot wait for the return flight tomorrow!
Off to explore the city.

I'm A Loopy Groupie!!!!!

Yes, it's official, after my yarn purchase for the MS4,
I AM A LOOPY GROUPIE!!!
I feel so honored to be a part of this group :) I received a great plastic bag with zipper (going to take on the trip to visit sister this weekend), some mints, a heart clip, a sock pattern and some gorgeous Chewy Spaghetti yarn
(in my favorite color GREEN).
Gotta love The Loopy Ewe order Monday BEFORE 10, ships same day, arrives Wednesday. What's not to love??

shhhhhh

Isn't this the prettiest picture?

Our student teacher at preschool, Miss Amanda, went to Mexico City over her spring break to do mission work. She said this was taken on a road somewhere....anyway, I've ordered her some notecards (and some for me and some for our teacher), but it's a secret!

Miss Amanda took so many gorgeous pictures, I've told her she should contact National Geographic!

Another Birthday gift (early)

Many thanks to Mother! As you all know, GREEN is my most favorite color, but I have never had a green purse, I always use my black Coach purse ..... Here is my birthday present, a lovely GREEN purse!!




And here are some beautiful ORANGE flowers I bought myself. I may even break down and buy some ORANGE sock yarn from my friend BetteM.
What is going on here?? I don't even like ORANGE :)

Thank you Thank you LaurieC!!!!

Look at this wonderful early birthday box I received!!!

All wrapped up in green tissue paper - green LL's shepherd sock yarn (my most FAVORITE), green Euroflax yarn, 3 balls of CF in a cute stripey color
(oohhh, 3 pairs of anklets or 1 really TALL pair of socks??) a new book (for me anyway) Hip Knits and a cute notepad.

It came at the end of a very long morning of cleaning (3+hours) and I was enjoying a "beverage" when my mailman delivered it direct to my front door!!

Thanks so much Laurie, you're the best xoxo

Purchasing new yarn OH NO

Another pretty vacation picture:

Yes, I must admit, I did purchase more sock yarn this week!

I have been wanting to make the Garter Heel socks (Vogue), but did not have the yarn specified in the pattern, oh boy, while out with mother for her birthday lunch, we stopped at the LYS, lo and behold, they had the yarn (Louet Gems Opal).

Few days later, taking said yarn to the other LYS to have wound into balls (along with some Lorna's Laces I purchased for mother for her birthday - she is now making socks)I came upon Plymouth Yarn's Happy Feet! I was going to purchase online, but why pay for shipping when it is right there in front of me! So left that, along with the LL and the Louet. Picked them all up on Friday, so the stash has grown.

Back to mother and her socks. She cast on a pair of socks 2 winters ago. Frogged them 3 times, tried 3 different patterns and finally finished the one sock 2 weeks ago. She then cast on the 2nd sock and finished it in 2 DAYS!! (she has been knitting for years and is very fast, but had not attempted socks). She is now making her 2nd pair. I have her hooked on Lorna's Laces. But she only knits in the winter, as it makes her "hot". Now, how can knitting itty bitty socks make one hot? I knit them all year round.

Never mind, I am still up on her by 2 pair this year :)thanks to Socks from Stash.
I have finished the first Monkey sock for MS4, so off to the mate and I can make the swap deadline!!

nothing interesting

Pretty boring week, just getting back into the swing of things, had to teach all week at preschool, so I am TIRED!! Cast on the Monkey socks and was able to finish the ribbing, but not much more. Had 4 books come in at the library, but no time to read them. Here are pretty pictures from vacation, enjoy: