Last of the Year 2009 Knits

Some last minute "hits" and "misses" to post before the old year ends and a new knitting year begins.

Pattern: Mitt Envy

Size 1 needles

Yarn: Overdyed Superwash Sock yarn from Little Dog Designs

Result: Hit and Miss. These came out fine, just too small so they're going to my girls.

Pattern: Palindrome Reversible Scarf

Needles: Not sure anymore, maybe a 8

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Black

Mods: Did cables further apart

Result: MISS! Please don't ask me why I kept knitting a whole scarf when I knew the yarn was mis-behaving from the very beginning. It was undoubtably my worst experience with Caron Simply Soft. I think my hope was that maybe after a wash (and perhaps a shaving) that I could make it look decent because while I was knitting it up, it looked ragged, shaggy, basically like a beat up old scarf. There was no saving this. It literally went Bye-Bye in the trash.

Pattern: Fetching

Size 5 needles

Yarn: Dream In Color Classy

Result: MISS

I over-dyed these a dark blue as a present for my Aunt for Christmas and let's just say, they don't look absolutely "ugly" now, but they weren't up to my standards for a gift. I'll still use them around the house. (The picture is them pre-dyed. I should've left well enough alone - not all experiments turn out okay but you won't know until you try right?!)

There's actually another pair of purple Fetchings that made my "MISS" pile too but I can't seem to find them. They came out rather LARGE for some reason. Oh well. Onward!

Pattern: Sock It To Me Chevron Scarf

Yarn: Socks That Rock Silkie - Walking on the Wild Tide Colorway

Size 7 needles

Mods: Didn't do two ends and graft together, just knit from start to finish.

Result: HIT! I love it! My girls love it. The gals in my knitting group love it! I wish the colors would represent better on camera. At times though, I wasn't sure I totally loved them - this almost turned into a pair of socks - but now.....Love. And guess who gets it??.....

Pattern: Jacoby Mitts

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock - Solis Colorway

Size 1 needle

Result: Hit! These are so easy and fun, even I couldn't mess them up too bad. I made these for my Mom, but the girls both "loved" them again...sigh...I'll probably make Mom's pair soon since I have yarn left over.

Pattern: Ribbed Cap

Yarn: Bernat Camo Yarn

Size 6 needles

Result: Hit! And a surprise one at that! I made two hats recently, (sometimes you just need an easy, fast knit) and I was one for two. The Big Guy loved this one, claimed it as his before it was even off the needles. I used a 100 st cast on so I mainly used the hat pattern for the decreases. (Because I need help with things like that!) My tendency for perfection makes me want the ribbing to look right at the top no matter what number cast on I'm using. The other hat will probably go to charity as it came out a bit on the large side. (Check Gauge??? Me???) It was made from a yarn I bought online and it looked nothing like the little picture they had in the catalog. (Bernat Jacquards in Blue). Not bad, just not what I expected.

I think that's it with updates of my projects, if not I'll be back to edit some day. Right now I have a cat laying on my legs so I'm going to relax with my family, enjoy celebrating making it through another year, and keep hope and good thoughts for the upcoming one for everybody. Happy 2010!

I'm Very Blessed

Oh My Gosh. I got spoiled so much this Christmas! I feel so bad for being such a Scrooge half way into the month. I admit I was feeling a bit down and selfish and I really regret that now. We did get a few more Christmas cards from family members eventually, just like the Big Guy said we would. So I really didn't deserve all this love from such sweet friends.

From my BFF Julie!

Thank you so much for everything Julie!! The cowl is SO pretty! I love the colors so much! That you took time to make it when I know how incredibly busy you are, it makes it a million times more special! The yarn is from Sunshine Yarns in the colorways Ginny and Hermione! I can't stop petting it and squeezing it, man this stuff is SOFT!!! I don't know how you were able to part with it! I love the cupcake mini bag too! I needed something for all my counters and markers floating around the bottom of my bags! Oh I just appreciate it all so much! Thanks for spoiling this bratty buddy of yours! Next year give me a big block of coal! LOL!!

This ornament was part of the package too and I just love it! My girls think I'm going to break it open! Wonder what makes them think that?? (addicted knitter here...)


A very sweet RAK from my friend Marie in New Hampshire:

These gorgeous felted vases and holders. I don't know how she makes that ruffle, I have to try that one day! But these are just so pretty I just adore them! Thanks so much Marie! I know you haven't been feeling well lately, my prayers are always with you my friend.

From my Knitting Swap Partner in the Knottygroup! Mona!!

Oh My. Mona spoiled me terribly as well. I got some of her homespun yarn (She sells it on her blog!) And she made me SOCKS (where did they go? They aren't in the picture? Ahhhh! I'll have to redo that one!) AND the coolest pink potholders! LOVE them! Plus all these other fantastic goodies! I just love it ALL!!! Talk about a kid in a candy shop!

From My Friend in COLD Illinois: Jeanne!

She didn't have to do that, but I WAS still expecting my standard Christmas card picture of Brody (Which I forgot to get in the pic because it was already downstairs but you can see him on her blog!) Thank you Jeanne for all the beautiful items! I love them all! And I'll use them all for sure! I just love that "book thong". It still makes me laugh!!!

From my Secret Santa Swap Partner Kathyrn in the Fibro Group on Ravelry:

I'm going to be busy for days making more stitch markers! I love my "D" ornament too, it turns and spins! It's so cool! Thank you so much Kathryn! This was so much fun! :) The "Healing Angel" pin is very special too. We all hurt so much with our health issues, I'm going to wear it all the time while I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank You for being Angels On Earth and showing this Scrooge some love.

*~*Merry Christmas*~*

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is able to enjoy being with

family and friends this Christmas.

Keep the spirit of the season in your heart and hold fast.

Ten On Tuesday

Even though I've yet to be added to the list of players for this meme group after repeatedly asking (I'm not the only one or it would really be sad), I still like the thought of doing it once in a blue moon. This weeks is:

10 New Years Resolutions

(AND WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH FUN THOSE ARE!!!).

1. YARN DIET. Yes, this is my second go at it (last one was in 2008). Finding the ISO/Destash board on Ravelry gave my credit card hives this past year. Now that I have no place left in all the cubby spaces in my closet, and things are piling up on other things, it's feeling VERY overwhelming again. It's pretty bad when I don't remember what I have once some "pretty new thing" makes her way into my life. Fickle Knitter. Thank goodness for all the Stash Down Groups on Ravelry. I'll have lots of inspiration and support again.

2. KNIT THINGS I LOVE the most, yet always seem to say "tomorrow" to. I'm really bad at saving nice things for last. "Use It UP" or "make that for myself" will be a big challenge, but could make knitting fun again I think. Otherwise I'll be gone before I ever enjoy it!

3. EXERCISE MORE...yada yada yada. But seriously, some movement, even on my painful days has GOT to start more often in my house. I don't feel good 98 % of the time anyway, might as well add a bit of soreness here and there.

4. FAMILY: Tell them how much I appreciate them a LOT more often. They're really trying, and I'm certainly not easy to live with. Having Fibro and this "Mysterious Auto-Immune" thing is a bummer for all of us. They're all doing their best (well...most of the time), and I need to be a more appreciative person of all the right things they do or try to do.

5. EAT BETTER. Sometimes WAY easier said than done. But we'll try.

6. DECLUTTER:. Watching Hoarders on A & E would give ANYBODY something to think about. I'm a clean freak in a way, but a "collector" of certain things as well. I think I need to work a bit harder on "balance" this year. Some yarn has already made it to my knitting meeting swaps (it's so nice to see someone's eyes light up when they spot something THEY love). I'm also donating things to make room for life, it's a major priority this go around.

7. FIND SOME ANSWERS. Can't say making it through an MRI will be in there, because today on two Xanax's and a Valium, well, let's just say I'm not even asleep yet. TIRED, but not out! We tried twice today and both times my "anxiety" axed it. Bummer, but life goes on. I'm hoping they shoot me with a horse tranquilizer next time. IF there's a next time. The Big Guy says he can't see me go through that anymore. But health issues are a big part of my life and we pray for answers.

8. KINDESS. I had so much fun today telling people Merry Christmas and smiling at them (was it all the drugs? LOL). I usually try to be friendly to people in stores and other places and I'm going to keep doing it as much as I can. A smile can ease someone's troubles.

9. DISCONNECT. Not ALL the time, but some of the time. I admit it, I'm a TV/Internet junkie. Well, I'm home a lot due to pain, but I really want to try to spread my wings a bit more if the pain allows. There's a new knitting meeting starting in my area, I might give it a try and hope it works out.

10. RELAX. Don't take all of this so seriously. If I manage well (or even a little) in one area, it's totally okay.

Time to practice, I'm about an 8 on a 1 - 10 sleep scale now....nighty nite!

*~*Dawn's Magic*~*

"Friends are God's way of apologizing to us for our families." -- Unknown

(I thought that quote was funny in a way)....

You know how it is, sometimes the holidays can seem a bit overwhelming. I think I've been feeling a bit blue. I've gotten TWO Christmas cards from family ("so far" as The Big Guy keeps saying, he's ever the optimist)... well, three actually, but two were from the same cousin. (I think she forgot she already sent me one). (Note: I know it's better to give than to receive, it's just nice to feel a little luv ya know?). Then, my youngest daughter said "take us to the mall, we're grown up now, we need GROWN UP presents". Okay kid, rub it in. (They're buying each other something tonight). Did you see my heart droop a bit more there? No more babies here. Sigh.

Then I got this in the mail today:

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
* Ralph Waldo Emerson

And like the Grinch, my heart grew 10 sizes this day. Yes. It. Did.

Dawn remembered I love green olives...YUM!!! From NAPA Valley Too!! Oh California, how I miss thee... The PINK pattern tamers she sent are so awesome too. I won't admit how many times I've almost bought some but wasn't thrilled with the colors available. These are PERFECT. PINK IS MY THING. (Just realized I haven't put my Christmas tablecloth out yet either. Darn Grinch.) I think it's amazing that this is one knitting accessory that I don't have yet, and I have just about everything out there. Now I can't wait to use them! I loved the PINK project bag and PINK yarn too! And a Pink Kitty Calendar. Oh, Pink always makes me SO happy!

Next!


Oh, these are so AWESOME! Another story here: I ordered some scented soaps from Dawn's shop Wolfe Farms for my Mom (5 star rating from Mom too!), but I don't think she had the Unscented items yet. I saw them later and thought "Next Time, those are for ME" and lo and behold, she sent me some!! I get scent triggered migraines at the drop of a hat and have to admit I was more than a little jealous of all of Dawn's customers enjoying all of her products. (Grinch Again). Now I (ME, ME, ME) can partake in the all the softness and I LOVE IT!!!


If you need awesome soaps/lotions/candles, Dawn's place is where to get them! The reviews aren't kidding, everything feels wonderful and really soothing to your skin. The lotion is totally non-greasy so I can pick up my knitting right after applying it. That's amazing because I've tried SEVERAL! You know you've done it too, had to keep wiping your hands on something AFTER putting on your lotion. We've all been there! Here's Dawn's Ravelry Group Link. Go SEE HER.


A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.
* François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

And for the pièce de résistance. Dawn sent me her homemade Persimmon Cookies. I can't relate accurately enough how I feel. Elated?!! Unbelieveably Hysterically Happy?!! Yes, I think so! I've been tearing up and crying all afternoon because I know how incredibly busy she's been with her new business, and yet she still took time out to make ME cookies! My FAVORITE holiday memory cookies. I keep opening the lid and INHALING deeply. I can't get these persimmons here and these are what my Grandpa made every year while I was growing up. They mean so much more to me than I can say.

Dawn, I can't say Thank You enough. I have to go blow my nose again. Everytime I even think of them, and all you sent, I cry again. But it's a HAPPY CRY!!! This Ole Grinch feels SO much better. Thank you so much for helping boost my Christmas Spirit WAY up. I may go get my tablecloth out now!

A Few Christmas Knits

Thick Comfy House Socks For The Big Guy


Pattern: Sock It To Me Socks
Yarn: Bernat Denimstyle

Needle: Size 6

Made for Hubby whille he was out of town on his last business trip.

Mods: I made them extra tight because I read this yarn really stretches. These are soft and smooshy. Very comfy.

Big Yarn = FAST Socks. Gotta love it.

Pattern: Bow Knot Scarf (Oooooooh, Luxury. I love my Meunch Chenille.)

Yarn: Meunch Touch Me in Dark Blue 3603 (I think. Where do all my labels go?)

Size 6 needles

This was made for my Mom for Christmas. (I got the idea from another gal's blog and darned if I can't remember who's blog it was now. When I find out I'll edit for that. FOUND IT! Thanks Irisheyes!)

Mods: I did 14 rows for the insert part instead of 16. I also made the wrap part around the neck longer than the pattern instructed. My Mom and I don't like anything wrapped close around our necks. Just a comfort thing and we tend to overheat easily. Couple of Hot Momma's!

Vesper Socks

Yarn: Vesper Self Striping in "Love Stinks, Yeah, Yeah" colorway.

Size 1 needle 64 st cast on.

What can I say, these were going to be my "happy" socks, but a sweet little girl of mine loves them a whole lot so she'll be getting them for Christmas. These took an unusually LONG time for me to knit up, I just couldn't stay with it for very long but they finally got done. I messed up the decreases on the second toe, but it's hardly noticeable, it just proves how scattered my brain is these days.
Pattern: Noro Fingerless Mitts (for Mom for Christmas.)

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden in Colorway 232

Size 4 needles - magic loop - TAAT

Okay, Confession Time: She wanted GRAY ones, but I wasn't having any luck with the ones I was working up. I must've bought 4 different kinds of gray yarn too. I flat out had to get out of that zone for a bit so these were born.

Mods: Some splicing was done due to a muddy brown that was in the middle of all the other pretty colors. I went down on the needle size because my Mom has small hands, and in my own experience NSG grows or blooms upon washing. I just wanted to make sure they'd stay snug to some extent.

I know one of the thumbs *looks* bigger than the other one, but that's what you get with the thick/thin variation of Noro! It made me think I had messed up, but they're the same! Honest!

I'm fighting sinus issues still, getting headaches almost everyday. Can't wait for winter to be over with over here! Still trudging along though, I still can't believe I have ANY knits to blog about! Wow! Maybe I'm doing it in my sleep! LOL!

Happy Knitting!!

The Day After

I'm still full. What a wonderful day we had, we were together and really enjoyed our day.

Is anybody knitting anything? I sure hope so because I WANT to be knitting but nothing has been working out and I'm getting in the "just put the blasted stuff away and keep walking" mood. With all the yarn I have, that's not good.

The Cats will not let me get up today. They've literally been laying on me all day. Really.

All I could do was pretend I was busy by fliddling with the blog again. ;O)

Happy Thanksgiving

Whiskers On Wednesday

ON THURSDAY! (Because I completely zoned out this week.)

This scratching mat was a huge success in our house! Sasha had to check it out thoroughly to make sure it was worthy of staying.

And her and Sophie are still enjoying it. Since they use our whole house (stair railing, chair legs, couches, door jams, carpet) for their scratching posts we had to try something. They can be little destruct-o forces for sure. I'm still shopping around for a tall climbing tree for them, the main issue is where the heck we're going to put it!

On the Medical front: I had my first experience with an MRI machine on Tuesday and even with anti-anxiety meds in me I didn't last 3 minutes. It was a bummer. And I felt so embarrassed, but the staff made me feel a little bit better by telling me stories of people who have had to come back numerous times to get one test done. (That very well could end up being me!) I have to go back on December 1st to try again. This time doubling up on my meds and taking them earlier to let them get into my system more. I slept like a log when I got home so eventually they did work! Just not when I needed them to!

The MRI will hopefully tell us if I have a disc or sciatic problem with my back. My right leg has really been bothering me and I've just attributed it to my fibromyalgia all this time. My MOTHER all along has been asking me if I'd had my back checked out to which I ALWAYS replied "Mom! My back doesn't hurt!". Well, She was right all along. Mom's just KNOW! Once that finally sunk in (and the pain got a lot worse) it makes total sense to me and my doctors now. They ought to pay Mom's for medical consultations.

I changed my blog a bit. I love pink but added some green in there. Makes me think of Spring time in this winter drab. I have no idea on how to do a lot of this blog stuff so I just go with what makes me happy at the time. If it's too hard to read, please let me know in the comments, I'd appreciate it!

Knitting: What Knitting? Mom's fingerless mitts may never happen. I can't find the right pattern/yarn combo and it's driving me crazy. Still working on that....

Happy Knitting!

Elegant Gauntlets

I REALLY love this pattern. This is my second pair, and while I haven't made them in a really long time, I still love making these. Sally's patterns are so well written. Every detail is there. And I really loved this yarn. Soft, and great colors! If you get a chance check out her Etsy store.

Pattern: Elegant Gauntlets

Yarn: Black Trillium Coraline

Size 2 needles

Modifications: Shortened by a couple of inches in the arm part. We won't talk about how many times #2 gave me trouble because trouble just follows me around and sits on me. I think I swing the door wide open and just invite her in with my knitting. In the end, it all worked out after a few sessions of frogging here and there.

I made these for my friend Kimberly. She's a Mod on the Auto-Immune Board on Ravelry and no matter what she's going through (and it can be a LOT) she's always picking the rest of us up and cheering us on. She's truly a kind, giving spirit and we appreciate her so much. She loved the movie Coraline so this yarn made me think of her. She lives in Southern CA so I figure she can use these probably more for "fun" than for "function". These look really awesome scrunched down a bit around the wrists. I hope you enjoy them Kimberly! Happy Late Birthday!

If you can, please send out Positive Get Well Wishes and Prayers to my BFF Julie's Mom. She's had health issues going on for awhile now, any and all thoughts and luv going their way would mean so much right now. Thanks bunches.

Happy Veterans Day to all our Veterans too. We thank each and every one of our armed forces with all of our hearts and our prayers are with you as well.

Small But Mighty

A couple of stocking stuffers for the girls:

One for Jess:

And one for Chels: I know, they LOOK the same but there are slight differences in the colors. Now we won't have any fights over who's is "cuter". Yep, this Mom thinks ahead! Just a simple Beanie made a bit oversized for comfort.

Pattern: Noro Silk Beanie
Needle Size: 7
Colorway: 285 (I think, I'll have to check on that one day).
I used a bit over 1 skein each because it seemed a bit too short for my taste as written. My girls have a lot of hair, plus, I like more coverage down around the ears. I hope they like them, Christmas will be pretty "skinny" around here this year, so a little handmade love will bring a smile. Noro Silk Garden feels kind of "icky" to me while knitting it up, but it does feel softer in the finished product. Weird. I know.

My nephew recently asked for a helmet liner for when he's out running early for his ROTC. I ordered the Cascade 220 Superwash and away I went.

The Big Guy scared me when he was wearing it around the house, it's kind of spooky with Halloween right around the corner and him being sneaky and all....Anyway, I changed up my decreases around the face this time and it's soooo much better. None of that weird bunching and puckering that a lot of people get on the sides. I did mine more "staggared" per rounds, and it rounded it out better.

Helmet Liner
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Black
Size 6 & 8 circs.
One skein! Whew! That was close, I was seriously sweating it out, hoping I could finish without having to order more yarn. I was soooo happy that worked out. Unbelieveably, I totally blanked out on which way to cast on addtional stitches around the face this time. You'd never guess I'd made this before! I ended up trying all three ways and liked the e-cast on the best in the end even though "they say" you shouldn't use it for more than a "few" stitches. I ripped so much I thought I'd have to replace that section of yarn, but it looked so cool when it was done!

My other little project:

Bella Mitts,
(confession: not big Twilight Fans - by the middle of the first movie we were yelling for him to just eat her already! But these mitts are SO COOL!)
Needle size: 8's
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Bulky (in purple): which I doubt I'd use again. To me, "Superwash" means I can machine wash, gentle cycle and dry on low (just like KP's instructions). Not these. I was already making two pairs, one for me and one for Mom (for our Fibromyalgia, these feel GOOD when on), so messing up the first pair in the wash wasn't the end of the world but it sure ticked me off. The second pair will have to be "hand washed" and layed flat to dry (could've just bought regular wool!). Anyway, they're done and it's a really cool pattern to knit. It's fast, fun, and if you do use this yarn you can make a pair with 1 1/2 skeins.

So those are my "small but mighty" projects lately. Small feels good. Makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something even though I move at a snails pace. Happy Knitting.

Where is my blog mojo?

I've got my knitting mojo going somewhat with Christmas looming closer, but blogging has been WAY on the back burner for me lately. I've always thought it was kind of sad and wondered why people just abandoned their blogs, or decided to say their "blogland farewells" when I'd be browsing. Now I understand. I'm tired. And time gets away from me because of other things going on.

But I got the push I needed today because Dawn in CA is having a contest on her blog. I'm adding your button Dawn.

Gotta keep up with my knitting at least. Here's some of the latest:

Pattern: Embossed Leaves
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Select Semi Solids
Colorway: Lotus
Size 1 needles magic loop
Heavily modified: Long tail cast on used, not as many repeats on leg, didn't cut yarn for heel, and I did a regular toe as I didn't like how the star one looked. All in all, I changed it quite a bit! But I got a sock that was more fun for me to knit.

I really liked this yarn worked up in simple stockinette but thought "LEAVES would be GREAT with this!". Sometimes it's better to leave things alone. So what do you do when you change your mind after the fact? Dye them.
I used my Knitpicks acid dye to make them a deeper emerald green. I think patterned socks look so much better in a solid color and now these make me happier. Now I can see the leaves and the pretty details even with some slight varigation still.

Next:

Pattern: Merlot
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden
Colorway: #8
Needles size 7 & 9 (I always use a smaller needle for the brim of hats).
This is a Christmas present for my Auntie in CA. She loves, loves, loves Blue. This was a cool pattern, I'll defiitely use it again. The yarn is such a pretty, bright, and vibrant blue (even though my picture doesn't portray that as much) so I made her these to match:


Pattern: Cranford Mitts
Yarn: Knitpicks Bare Superwash Fingering - Dyed with Sapphire Acid Dye
Size 2 needles

Loved this pattern but they aren't very warm! I may make her a plain set as well for a bit more coverage. It's funny, my hat picture is too dark and this one is too light! These are a deeper blue than they appear here. Someday I need a digital photography class!!!

A few more things have been in the works. Not always working out to my satisfaction. I just finished a cabled scarf for The Big Guy for Christmas but it turned into a big, fat UGH! I used Caron Simply Soft in Black (because I've always been happy with this yarn) but I could tell even when I was knitting it up that there were fuzzy issues already happening. I should've just STOPPED, but I thought maybe with a wash and some de-fuzzing it might be salvageable.

NOT.

He's getting a store bought one this year. I'll try the pattern again one day in a different yarn. Fathers Day 2010?

Happy Knitting!

Whiskers On Wednesday

Sophie is the only one who still fits in the Elmo Chair so it has to stay in the house. I couldn't part with it anyway, the girls loved their little chairs many moons ago! I can still see them sitting there watching their movies and cartoons.....sigh....

We're all a bit sad over here, even the cats. My Baby Miss C is on a school camping trip in the woods for three days and this is one Mom who isn't good at letting go. I woke up last night with an anxiety attack wondering why I ever agreed to let her go. I'll tell you why, her Daddy says she'll be just fine! WHY do I listen to him??? I also see her coming back with only HALF the stuff she took with her. She's just a little..um..flighty at times. I think that's why God made Mom's, if we didn't remind them about everything, where would they be? We shall see. I'm going to be a mess for the next three days, that's all I know for sure.

What a weekend!

Well. Saturday. I was totally unconscious yesterday (read: really, REALLY worn out). We must've ran 5 gazillion errands this past Saturday. One of my stops was to turn in the 36 preemie hats I made to the LYS. I had wanted to make at least 50, but 36 isn't anything to be ashamed of I guess. There were some really adorable ones turned in! And to top it off they said we'll blow last year's total out of the water. That's awesome. The Babies will have warm heads this winter for sure!


They filled up the wall, and the play-pen on the side there is almost full as well! Go Knitters!!

I also went ahead and bought the exercise bike I wanted awhile back (the one where I bought my camera instead) . I'm glad we waited, we ended up getting the floor model because they didn't have any more in stock and got 40% off. The Big Guy likes a bargain! And it doesn't take up much room so he's happy about that too. We just threw it in the back of the van and brought it home, no assembly required! It's nice and SMOOTH. Love it. Now let's just see if I actually get on it. I did Saturday and this morning. That's a start at least.

While we were there a service doggie had a little accident. Seeing that doggie's face about broke my heart. You could see it was very upset it had done that by it's ears and eyes. The lady didn't seem too happy about it so of course I was worried sick about her being angry with the puppy for the rest of the afternoon. They're prepared for that kind of thing, she had everything with her she needed to clean it up but I couldn't get that puppy's eyes out of my mind. Hours later, after about another billion errands, we went to Red Robin for a late lunch and lo and behold, they walked in! I think God was trying to tell me the doggie was okay. I had my back to them in the booth but Richard said she was giving the doggie lots of love. Whew. Animals can sure tug at you. That doggie's eyes I'll never forget.

It was Game Day so of course you see a lot of this:

And this:

I wish I'd remembered I had my camera sooner. These are kind of lame but there were SO many others really decked out you wonder how they don't cause an accident with all the doo-dads, pompoms, and flags all over their cars! It's a hoot. College football makes some people (cough...the big guy...cough) a little nutty I think. I'd just never seen the flags and car stuff until we moved here.

Off to knit something.

It's Only Knitting...

Or "I Hope I Never See This *&%*# Pattern Ever Again".

Just kidding. These just about drove me insane, but it's because of ME that they had so many problems after all. These are the ones that suffered being ripped completely about 3 times, and had Sasha chew up their needle. Oh, it just went on and on. And it was all on mitt #2 too. She just didn't want to cooperate.

This was the last doozie I did. Why did I look at the cables and think to myself "hey, that doesn't look quite right" and just keep on knitting. AND BIND OFF? Must be the flu and Fibro issues going on in my house this month....

But, Scarlett was right, "tomorrow is another day". You just have to buck up and rip out your bind off, tink back to the right row and start over.

Yes, a knitter can do anything. (But this is clearly why I don't knit shawls and bigger things like sweaters). And in the end it's love.


Miss J loves them. She wanted them. She got them. All that matters is making my baby girl happy.

Pattern: Yummy Mummy Mitts
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock - Tiziano Red
Size 2 Magic Loop

Latest Bummer: missed my knitting meeting yesterday due to a nasty migraine and the pouring outside of cats and dogs. But I was missed. And that always feels good. I <3 Knitters.