Snowed In

It doesn't take much where I live to make life come to a standstill. But last night we finally got the white stuff. My knitting meeting was a NO-GO today due to the weather, the library is closed until next week. At least Jenna LOVES the reason why!

It's still coming down and I have to admit, we're all pretty happy to finally see something stick to the ground. It doesn't seem to be as ICY as the last storm we had come through. At least people can make it into the sub-division this time.
Not too many people are out and about today though. When it snows here, life really s.l.o.w.s. down.

It's kind of nice.

There's not a lot of knitting going on for me lately. I'm signed up for the Ravelympics but have yet to decide WHAT TO DO, and like a knit-wit (LOL) I joined TWO teams! Last time I had a good idea of what I wanted to accomplish, but this time it's been a whole lot harder. I haven't felt like knitting a whole bunch anyway. My creative mojo has taken a vacation and it's cramping my olympic spirit! Hope it finds it's way back! (SOON!)

Ah well, I still have time....

Up and Down (And Up and Down...)

Boy am I behind! My Sister In Law's father passed in December and I'm just finishing this up for her to send out. Sewing is my nemesis, why can't I do it right? Or I guess I should ask why does it intimidate me so? The knitting was done. It was the buttons that took me forever to sew on.

Pattern: Celtic Cable Neckwarmer

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Worsted - (which really seems like a dk weight - very thin. Loved it though, very SOFT after wool rinse).

Colorway: Dahlia

Size 8 Needles

Buttons: From Joann's
I couldn't be there in person to give her a hug (they live 2000 miles away), and it was a long, tough struggle they had with her Dad's illness so I wanted to send a "hug" her way as best I could. I'm just praying the buttons stay on. Oh I'm terrible at sewing! I used the yarn and refinforced, but gosh I worry!!
We've had a tough time lately that's consisted of a stomach bug The Big Guy brought home from work (and unfortunately shared with us), and also having to worry about my oldest Miss J taking care of her "Real" baby for her health class this past weekend. If you knew my Big Guy you'd know that it takes a lot to get him to admit he's sick. Well, I'm pretty spoiled because he works his "magic" around here and gets SO much done. When he's down, our household can come to a screeching halt with my issues making me almost useless some days. Luckily, he was back up by the time I was down with this illness. We're a good team. I did miss my knitting meeting with the gals and that bummed me out, but now I'm SO glad I didn't go and pass it along to them!

Miss J did VERY well taking care of her "Beyonce' Leona" (maybe you can figure those names out? If you listen to pop or whatever I'm sure you know!) She got an A! Yay! I tried really hard to get her to take the written essay assignment but you know how it is when "all your friends are doing it"? Beyonce' was a very good baby for the most part. I do have to admit, I babysat for couple of short spells because my own baby was pretty wiped out. This is pretty "REAL" and it's not a cakewalk at all, but much easier than a real life baby. We thought we'd miss Beyonce' when she went back, but honestly.... we don't! LOL! She DID take FOREVER to burp too. My arm almost fell off. Whoever programmed her is probably laughing their pants off. Right now Miss Beyonce' is driving another Mother (worried at how HER child will manage) to distraction. I feel for her.

Happy Knitting.

The New Year Chill

I don't mind snow (as long as I don't have to drive in it). It's the ICE that makes me nervous. Here in the Southeast we don't get much snow and even less ice - but this latest blast just wanted to share I guess. It's been a week of 20 degrees or less, with a nice steady breeze of icy wind to make it feel like half of that. This Central California girl isn't used to this (we could DRIVE to the snow, but didn't live right in it). I know we're not in anything like in the mid-west or like my cousins buried in snow in Michigan. If we were, I'd be in really big trouble! We city folk are used to running to the store for stuff on a whim. This isn't so much fun.

These cars parked in front of our house because the street is ICE. They couldn't make it up the hill further down the sub-division so they just parked here and walked home. These are the days when I'm glad I'm not working right now. With my lead foot I'd be sliding off a mountain for sure. Thankfully there were only a few days of this, today the road seems to be getting better and next week the sun should warm the streets more - so less icy patches. The kids loved having snow days from school though, especially on the heels of winter break!

This is one of my latest projects, my first go at two at a time, toe up socks. I'm using Cometosilver.com's pictures as my guide and I had absolutely no problem with the cast on - but I don't like this toe at all. I think I need to rip and add more to my initial cast on, a rounded toe is going to suit me better. Unless we have little elf "pointy" feet, these aren't going to fit any of us (trust me, I've already tried it on every foot in the house to avoid redoing them.) I'm using the handspun yarn that CA DAWN sent me for my birthday last year. It's made this new journey of 2 at a time more fun because it's really soft and squishy. I may break down and just do 2 at a time cuff down though, just for expediency.

Tomorrow is car shopping day, it's time for the Big Guy to replace his company car. I love that he wants me to go with him (we may end up buying this one for our daughter down the road - a teenage driver...yikes) but I hope I can stay warm out there! I negotiated a trip to Joann's for some buttons for a project for my SIL. Gotta love a man who is easy to trick compromise with.

Happy Knitting! (And stay WARM!)

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!