Spring Break!

We've been off this week, me and the kids, and we're having a good time together. The weather has been nice, so they've been outside alot with friends. I have learned something about myself - when offered a choice between cleaning the house up to look presentable or plopping my butt on the couch, the butt always wins. Don't get me wrong, though. We've done some cleaning up and I've shifted the furniture in the living room, but, well, you know what they say about good intentions. I hope I can be motivated enough tomorrow to get Khloe's room picked up a bit - it's a disaster. Tomorrow night she and I are going to see High School Musical on Ice. She is so excited. I admit - it will be interesting. I'm sure it will be as full of kids as the Cheetah Girls concert that we went too - probably the same kids, now that I think about it. I'm glad that there are things for her to watch that are clean and appropriate. She doesn't need to watch violence or other adult things.
I picked up the current knitscene today and found several things to make, especially the Phiaro Scarf. I don't have the yarn called for but there's a good sub in the stash, I'm sure. Check it out - it's very cool. Speaking of stash, I discovered a great way of storing mine. I picked up a vinyl car organizer - the kind to put grocery bags in to keep them from spilling in the trunk. It's divided in half, so I put sock yarns in one side and worsted in the other. It fits nicely between my bed and nightstand (yes, I sleep by my yarn) and holds alot. Of course, I now know what yarns were hiding in the bottom of the giant bag it was in before. It's like a big surprise. I have some great Egyptian cotton - enough for a couple of afghans or three sweaters.
I picked up the new Vogue Knitting, too. It has some really pretty things in it - one is a little sweater that looks so good on the toned model but would look so bad on squishy me. It's really cute, though. Maybe if I do pilates for a year or so it would look nice.
Back to work next week. Three more days of sleeping in. Oh, well. I'd best enjoy it.

Happy Birthday, Kerry!

Friday was Kerry's ninth birthday, so last night we had a little party at the bowling alley. I, in my naivity, forgot to take a picture of all of the boys. They all had fun - even if there were more gutter balls than pins hit. Eric and I bowled, too, for a game. He and I both were on leagues several years ago and got to take our shoes and balls out of the closet. We will have more parties - the kids really enjoyed it, and I like getting to know the other moms. One friend's grandma said something that made me really think. She said that one year they had invited the whole class to his party and no one came. Can you imagine how awful that would be to a little boy? I think we'll go to the parties we're invited to. I think the two hour time investment and small gift are a very small price for a chance to make some good friends and have fun.

I hadn't given a hand update yet. The carpal tunnel tests are very uncomfortable. The doctor told me that I have it but not bad enough for surgery. The results, however, were negative. I don't have carpal tunnel. My doctor is referring me to a neurologist for some other tests. I have decided, though, that I will knit and crochet until I'm told not to. I'll just give myself limits and abstain when my hands are particularly numb or achy. Besides, there's too many patterns out there and I can't resist the temptation.

On that note, I cast on a pair of Bellatrixes. I am having so much fun with it! I love the wrapping and dropping. I'm thinking about doing it on my next top-down sweater, in fact. Wouldn't it be cool and punky?

We're on spring break now, and I took the week off to be with the kids. My babysitter, the wonderful Jenny, has things going on and wouldn't be able to do the all-day thing. Bummer for Khloe - she loves Jenny's house and everyone in it. A week will be nice, though. It may take that long to really clean the house - maybe even wash the curtains if I get ambitious.

I'm having a rough time right now with my depression problems. Eric sometimes says things that cause bad flare-ups, and last night when we got home he told me that his kids don't like me because I yell all the time. I have worked so hard to get along with all three of them, and I thought things were going well. Jake has said more than once that he wants Eric to move back in with his parents but I've tried to tell myself that he just wants to see his grandma more. It's just really hard, though. He really thinks that his kids are perfect and never do anything wrong, and my kids are always bad. Maybe it's time for me to quit trying.

Well, time to go for now and watch the snow fall and read some Harry Potter. Happy Easter!

Thinking of Future Projects

My time away from the needles has been, well, rather torturous. I have been thinking alot about what all I want to make, though, and what yarns I want to use and such. The main project that occupies my thoughts is actually the reason I taught myself to knit in the first place. It's the Monk's Travel Satchel from Knitty Gritty. I actually started it last winter but didn't get far. I know the strap will be way too long, so I need to figure out how much to take off. I also want to change the stitch patterns a little. The strap is all seed stitch, which looks really pretty but is rather slow going. I think I'll try the sock heel stitch - not much faster, but it won't stretch out and make the bag drag on the ground. I may peruse my Barbara Walker book for a sturdy stitch pattern, too. The yarn I started using is beautiful. It's bright purple shiny cotton. I love it, but it probably won't be good in the long run. I may go the Red Heart route - cheap, washable, and a plethora of color options.
I'm fascinated by lace right now. Every time I'm on ravelry I keep looking at all of the beautiful lace projects. I have so many marked as favorites it isn't even funny. My folder of patterns for the near future is loaded with lace - and the new knitty has a beauty of a scarf that's been printed out and matched with yarn. I think a set of addi lace needles would be a good investment eventally - for now, my Denises are still my best buddies!
Oh, I saw, on ravelry, where someone had tie-dyed her Denises! It's so cool. I think I need to try it.
A non-yarn project that intrigues me is altered books. I'd really like to make one. I have tons of stickers and such, and an altered book scrapbook would be perfect. I hope to start on one this weekend, if I can get some mod podge and gesso and stuff. I also love the idea of having a place to attach all kinds of sparkly things like beads and sequins. I'll put progress pictures up as I go.
Tomorrow I go for tests on my hands, and I'm getting nervous. I want to get it over, though. Wish me luck!

(big pouty sigh)

For about ten years or so I've had various problems with my hands - aches, tingles, etc. Lately it's gotten really bad. I can't even pick up my needles without hurting. So, in an attempt to make it less, I've stopped knitting for awhile. I'm actually going crazy, too. I'm one of those people who can't sit still, and watching TV without a project is like torture. I've tried a but of crocheting and it's not good, either. So I sit on the couch and think about all the pretty yarns and patterns in my life and pout. I look at my new books and pout some more because I can't start anything. I have an appointment coming up, though, and will talk to the doctor about my yarny addictions - I'm sure I'll be stark raving mad by then!
I do plan on making good use of this time, however. I have about two hundred patterns that I've printed out. I intend to sort them into categories, like shawls and socks and such, and put them all in categorized binders according to yarn weight. (It works great in my head - let's see how reality goes!) I'm thinking about organizing my stash, too, again by weight. I need a good storage system, though. The big bags I use now are a bit floppy and tip over alot.
One thing is for sure - I won't get bored. I have some knitting looms, hand-held weaving looms, and knit-wits. I can make some projects with those for awhile. I have some sewing projects that I've been wanting to do, too. I might even venture into the city and get supplies to make some body lotion and face care supplies. Khloe will make sure I have plenty to do, too.
My Kerry has been having alot of problems lately. He gets mad or frustrated at school and has tantrums - throws things, kicks, and tries to run away. I'm trying to get him some additional counseling - he sees a counselor at school once a week. I'm very worried about my boy. He's very smart, he just doesn't know how to control his emotions. (This is when I would knit or crochet like a mad woman and work out my thoughts, pout pout pout) His birthday is coming up, and I've decided that no matter what, we will have his party. Maybe that's a bad decision, but he needs something to look forward to. Besides, it will be fun.
I'll do my best to not complain any more about my appendage issues. I don't want to get boring. I'll keep you updated, though. I just won't be having any new FO's for awhile.

And now back to our regular broadcast

I'm making a comfor shawl for our friend. I'm really enjoying the pattern - knit three, purl three staggered stockinette. The pattern is in Knitting for Peace. I dug through my stash and found the yarn - Red Heart in a color called Ocean. (Why do I stash Red Heart? Good question. I have no answer.) It's very pretty. I think four skeins will be a good size. The picture is blurry. Maybe the finished shot will be better.

I have a sleeve done on my purple sweater. Yay! It's actually looking like I could wear it. It's also an enjoyable knit. I mean, how could you not love knitting in the round? Pop in a movie and go! It took me a couple of tries to get the sleeves right, though. I really like it. It will feel great to wear it.

I'm also working on a Weasley sweater, but I haven't gotten far on it. I should have cast it on in the round - it would have gone alot faster! I don't care much for the color of the yarn, but it's wool and therefore dyeable.

I've been on a book-buying spree lately. In the past three weeks or so I've gotten five new books and to on the way. I've also picked out tons of patterns on ravelry and various sites. No wonder I can't sleep - too many things to make! I'm constantly going through my stash in my head, picturing each yarn with the patterns I like ( it's alot of mental work - I have a huge stash) and deciding what order to do them all. I also have been wanting to send a RAK to Ms Pixie for months and make some things for charity. (Ms Pixie, if you read this, please let me know if you don't want a RAK!) I just don't have enough hours for everything that needs to be done and wants to be done. But anyway, the books have been great for the knowledge quest I've been on. I've calmed down on the yarn buying for a little while. I need to use up some of what I have!

I've been listening to alot of podcasts lately and really enjoy them. I've gotten lots of ideas and information. Podcasters, keep up the great work!

One final item. This is what happens when kids get ahold of the camera:

Perspective moment

Eric and I have worked together for a long time, and he's become very good friends with his coworkers. One of his friends found out that his wife has cancer again. She's been fighting it for several years now and has been through chemo twice. Eric said that she can't go through it again. I'm not sure if it's because of her history or if the insurance is just saying no. She's going to die. I feel so awful. She and I don't really know each other more than Eric's girlfriend and Mark's wife, but I really hurt for her. I want to do something but don't know what. I'm very open to suggestions. Make a gift? Send over dinner? My problems are so miniscule in comparison.

Stick a fork in 'em, baby!

My socks are done! Woo-hoo! I finished them Friday when we were home on a snow day and have worn them twice since. They're wonderful. I've started a second pair already. I did discover, however, that I am a loose knitter. I need to go down a needle size. I'll try to remember that in my enthusiasm.

Speaking of enthusiasm, Jenny took me to a real live yarn shop. Talk about heaven! I got some Artyarns Supermarino sock yarn on sale - enough for two pair. I also got some gorgeous Araucania kettle dyed sock yarn, purple of course. It's absolutely delicious. I think I got enough for about five pair, including a big skein of Opal for Eric. I also got some beautiful merino laceweight and some alpaca-silk laceweight. We had alot of fun in there squishing the yarns and looking at the pretty colors. I can't wait to go back. Then we went to Hobby Lobby and I got some yarn to make a lapghan for Erica - well, it wasn't bought with her in mind, but when we were in the car the lapghan idea came and then it had to be for her. It's some soft, snuggly Yarn Bee yarns in black and blue. I think she'll like it.

We have had the strangest weather lately. Friday we were snowed in, Saturday it melted, and last night it snowed pretty hard with thunder and lightning. It was strangely cool.

I've decided, after several days of feeling sorry for myself, to get over my whining and do something good. So, every time the self-pity pangs start I'll be making a blanket square for charity. I have nothing to feel sorry for. There are people who have lost everything. (That's why I purchased some yummy yarn from the Sanguine Gryphon - she is giving half of her proceeds to a needy family.) I'm a selfish person and need to be less so. It's not like a square takes much, either. I have tons of acrylic and I knit rather quickly. I should count my blessings with every row, too.

Time to wrestle the kids to bed. Talk to ya later!