Mmm. Lovely Phildar. Can't wait to touch you! 

It's Wednesday, but I look like Monday. 

booze & pancakes

For shrove Tuesday my hubby and I are having pancakes and bacon for dinner. It's something his family used to do. (Mine wasn't terribly observant, except Christmas and Easter, and that was for the Santa and the Bunny.) Does any booze go well with pancakes and maple syrup (I'm from VT, you don't want to see the rant)? It's just been one of those days and a few belts sound like a good idea. Of course, two weeks on a sandy beach sound better!

I think I need to start a new project or pick up the spindle again. (Last week, I did spin a few yards of a sample roving I got with my red flame.)

I think I may need to pick up the Quechua and size 5s and do something fun!

Oops, I stashed again, AGAIN!

This time it really is an oops. I completely forgot I had the leading bid in on this Phildar yarn until I got into work this morning and saw that I had won it. Fortunately, it’s in my favorite spicy-earth tones. It’s true stash yarn. Got no idea what I’m going to do with it! I like it lots, though.

I must stop buying things, though. (Can I overuse though a bit more?) For many more reasons than I care to enumerate. However first and foremost, I need a new PC at home. I tried to log into our on-line time clocks to approve last week’s timesheets and it just wasn’t happening. I think the hubby may have inadvertently downloaded some spyware (which I’ve also managed to do to the work laptop). It’s a ridiculously old PC anyway. The last straw was when I couldn’t read through my bloglines last night (after I gave up on the timesheets). Gee. It’s useless to me if I can’t keep up with the blogs!

I'm well into the armscye (is it an armscye if there is no sleeve?) of the f-i-l sweater-vest. Disturbingly, this super-fast to knit and cuddly soft yarn is hurting my hands as I knit with it. The fingers of my left hand get really sore and my thumb was killing me Sunday night after 2 hours of knitting in the car. I hope I can get over it. I love my Aran and DK weight yarns, but please. A girl has to have some fast knits in adult sizes! Especially this girl with so much yarn stashed for herself!

In non-knitting news, Billy will be having surgery next week. Monday morning at 8:30, he gets the tubes in the ears. At his age, there aren't many non-surgical interventions for chronic ear infections and fluid that just won't go away. I just read today that leaving the fluid in the ears may not affect language and speech development, but who wants to risk it? The ironic thing is that besides being in a large group daycare situation, we did everything right and he still got the ear infections.

Um, yeah. I'm sure there are tons of other things I could talk about. But I'm at a loss. I have to go put in for time off from work.

Oops, I stashed again

I just bought some Rowan 4-ply cotton in Fandango from one of my favorite eBay sellers. I think I might make this or this or this. Ivy or Alice would have to be done in one color. I think Arabella is pretty as well. Must find more time to knit!

I did go red today. (Surprise, surprise. I wear red a lot anyway.) 

red letter day

I realize I should have mentioned this earlier in the week, but today is Go Red for Women Day, sponsored by the American Heart Association. Women are more likely to die of heart disease than any other cause, especially as they get older. But, the symptoms of a heart attack in women are not the same as in men and not nearly as well-publicized. Get informed. Protect yourself. I've just signed up, won't you?

baby, baby

The top picture is Billy at 2 days old in the special care nursery of the hospital. The bottom picture is Billy at 1 year and a day in his high chair at home. (I know it's not a great photo. I'll have better ones when I finish the birthday DVD.) How did one become the other? They sort of look like the same person, right? But one is about a third the size of the other. Billy was 7 lbs 2 ozs and 21 1/2" at birth, at his last well child visit in November he was 30" and his most recent weight was 25 lbs. I can't wait to get his stats on Monday. He's a big boy. He's also got 6 teeth and can stand on his own. He's very close to saying mama and loves to jabber on and on. He laughs and flirts outrageously. He loves to play with toys that have wheels and hugs our dog like nobody's business. He puts himself to sleep and is the joy of my life!

Billy, two days. 

Billy, one year. 

Happy 1st Birthday to my Groundhog Baby

I want to do a special post to commemorate Billy’s first birthday. I’ve been kicking around a few ideas. There’s always re-hashing the birth story, writing him a letter telling him what he means to me, etc. They all feel hackneyed. I’ve seen them on lots of blogs, done much better than I could do. I think I’ll just write a few lists:

12 things in my life that have changed in the last 12 months:

Sleeping in is being in bed until 7 am
The greatest sound in the world is now MMMMAA MMMMAA MMMMAA
I own more cheerios than anything
Free time = play with Billy time
My needs come last
My bladder is way different
I’m so much more patient
It’s easier to let things go
If he’s okay, I’m okay
I’m not okay, if he’s not
There are toys everywhere
The attic is being used for clothing storage

12 things I’ve learned being Billy’s mom:

It’s okay to ask for help
Housework is unimportant
Except the floors should be clean for crawling lads
Formula is expensive, so are diapers
My job is my job
My family is my life
Trust my instincts
But, listen to advice (some of it is useful)
Waitresses love little kids
It’s easier to smile
It’s okay that my needs come last
It’s wonderful to be alive


12 things I love about Billy:

His smile
His laugh
His joy in people
How everything is so new
That everything new is wonderful
Those blue eyes
The whorl in his hair
The way he loves to be upside-down, in the air, or swinging round
The way he flirts with everyone
His adoration of the Molly-dog
The feeling of his sleepy head on my shoulder
His sheer Billy-ness

12 wishes for the next 12 months:

That they’re healthier than the last 3
That he stays such a happy boy
That daddy gets the hang of changing diapers
That he starts to like the bath again
That those teeth start to bother him less
That weaning from a bottle is as easy as from the breast
That he keeps growing and developing as well as he has
That we keep loving to learn together
That he loves the ocean as much as daddy and I this summer
That Molly becomes his best friend again (she runs away)
That he always knows how much we love him
That they go more slowly than the last 12


I’ll have pictures tomorrow.

Here's the right pocket of f-i-l's vest. A couple of more inches and I get to cast off 42 stitches. Then I'll be cruising! 

A good day and then WHAM!

As I said in an e-mail to my sisters, yesterday was a pretty good day. I got to tell two people they were promoted, got to leave the office by 1, bought a zipper for Billy’s sweater (and one for F-I-L’s sweater vest), had a good visit with the doctor, we’re going to start weaning me of my meds after my next appointment in April. Then as I was waiting for traffic to clear so I could pull onto North Ave from the Parkway, I got rear-ended. Fortunately, Billy was not in the car and I was not hurt. But my poor van (the party-van according to the Marist gang), is all banged up. I don’t think we could open the back end if we wanted to. Fortunately, the lights all work. She’s going into the shop on Monday, but we can use her in an emergency. The car seat has been moved to the VUE. He’ll be our main wheels until she’s back.

So, yeah, that sucked. What sucked more is it took four police officers from three organizations to get us back on the road. It took over an hour from start to finish. The first police officer said we were in a different town. The second set of two said we were in their town (which is also my town), but that we were technically on the highway still. So we had to wait for a state trooper. He was pretty prompt. Strangely, the NJ state police don’t give you a copy of your accident report. No, you have to mail away for it and send them $10! I wonder if that was McGreevy’s doing.

I was a complete and utter flake about it all. I think not getting the accident report threw me. I didn’t get her insurance info. But, Hubby to the rescue. He’s so good at picking up my pieces. He got us an appointment with Geico’s preferred body shop (where the adjuster has office hours). He even apologized for taking over in case my feminist sensibilities were offended. I told him nope. His talents lie in the bureaucracy, I’ll let him deal.

In other news, Billy’s still freaked out about taking a bath. I don’t know what to do. We’ll ask Dr. Maggie for advice at his well-child visit next week.

On a very happy note, my gorgeous fiber came today. Weee! Must learn to spin!!!! See it below, posing seductively with the progress on F-I-L’s sweater. I say the pockets on this vest are being done ingeniously. You cast them onto the sides of the back and sew them to the fronts. One less seam to handle.

Mmm. Sexy fiber and sweater progress. 

None the worse for wear. 

Here's the bucket for Billy and a swatch. 

What a way to start a Monday. See what was waiting patiently for me? Mmm, yarny goodness from Elann. On the left is wool to become my ribby cardi, on the right is alpaca and tencel to become my '40s inspired jacket, and the little bit of color is socks or a vest for Billy. 

What a weekend

I had a lovely visit with my family this weekend. It started with getting a call at 12 Friday that Billy'd had some loose BMs and I'd have to pick him up. I scampered out of here and took him home. His BMs looked fine to me all weekend. Then we waited and waited for my parents and sister to arrive. Their flight was a little delayed.

Friday night the hubby made stuffed chicken breasts and we all crashed early. Saturday, mom, sis and I went shopping and we had pizza for dinner. I overindulged on the wine, won our little Texas hold'em tournament and felt really crappy on Sunday. We baked a cake Sunday and had our little party and all crashed by 10 am.

They've made it home already. I think my bus ride in took longer than their flight.

The little party was good. Hubby made beef tenderloin with potatoes and veggies. We had shrimp cocktail and cheese and crackers for hors d'oevres. My baseball cake was a hit. Billy entertained us all immensely. I can't believe the little dude is going to be 1 in two days. He's getting ready to start walking. He nearly took his first steps over the weekend. He's getting so brave about standing without holding on to anything. My baby's becoming a child! Oh no, toddler years here we come!

I don't have any pictures to post yet. I had to scramble out of here so fast on Friday I forgot my camera. Once we get the DVD finished this week, I'll have pics from that.

In knitting news, I've finished the bucket hat embroidery. I couldn't get duplicate stitch to work, so I winged it. I think it looks okay. See? Sitting below it is the swatch for my f-i-l's birthday sweater. It's the Oregon vest from Oat Couture.

Oh, the other picture is from a box that arrived while I was out. Elann rocks!

You spin me right 'round baby

I really need to learn how to use my drop spindle. I just bought MORE roving on eBay. Can you blame me? Isn't it gorgeous?

Pretty, pretty 

Shouldn't I be happier? It's Friday. My parents will be at my place when I get there. I'm nearly finished a number of projects. Oh yeah, I've been up since 4 am. 

Bucket nearly done

I don't remember why I didn't bring work on the bus home with me last night. But, by the time we left Port Authority I was kicking myself. That's because I finished the bucket waiting for the bus to pull away from the gate (see below, thanks to seltzer bottle for modeling). No knitting for the whole trip home! So, once I duplicate-stitch Billy on the front, it will be done, done, done. Three days for the knitting not bad!

In my bag for today are the bucket for duplicate stitching and Zipo for sleeve seaming and end-weaving. Didn't get a knittable seat in this morning, so no progress made on either today. I did finish seaming the sleeves into Hello Billy last night and wove in the last few ends. Once I get a zipper in, it will be fini! Yay! I should have 2 (if not 3) FOs for posting next week.

I can't wait to start something new. I guess I'll throw my f-i-l's sweater vest on the needles next. Although, I'm really tempted to start my ribby cardi, or the Shocking Jacket from IK Winter '04 (I'm hoping to get gauge in summer tweed). Then there's my salsa splash, first pair of socks, my own bucket, Paris Loops for the sisters, and finally knitting something for my hub! Of course, there's always the instant gratification of knitting another thing for the boy.

Oops. How did I forget that Air needs to be seamed!

Bucket as of this morning. 

BOYCOTT NJ 101.5

I am physically sick to my stomach this morning. The first I heard of this story was while reading the paper and eating my Cheerios this morning.

While I agree that the "shock jock" has the right to say anything he wants and that words are never a reason to threaten someone with physical harm, post-partum depression is nothing to joke about. There is enough shame and stigma attached to all forms of mental illness that joking about something as devastating as PPD and post-partum psychosis is disgusting.

Of course, the radio station is supporting it's DJ (why are they still called DJs if they don't play music anymore?). It's free publicity for a station that's overshadowed by the largest media market in the US. And of course they wouldn't want their "free speech" rights threatened by the right-wing federal government and it's reactionary FCC, but please. Joking that PPD can be treated by smoking an illegal substance? That's beyond humor.

It's easy for a man who's only purpose in life is to call attention to himself to joke about a woman who's trying to raise public awareness about a disease that affects 10% of all new moms. He'll never be in that situation. He'll never spend hours walking a screaming infant around the house, wondering what you've done wrong, how you could possibly ever have thought you should be a parent, how you're going to permanently damage this child because you're such an awful mother. He'll never have out-of-control hormones causing him to cry hysterically ever afternoon for more than two weeks because he can't handle the screaming or the barrage of uncontrollable harmful thoughts that pop into his head. Thoughts he'd never really act on but which disturb him to no end. Could he stand having to admit to his partner that he'd had thoughts of hurting their child? Of hurting himself? Obviously, the man has never been suicidal or felt incapable of making the simplest decisions. Do you think he's ever had a day where he's got a raging incision that gets unrinated on and been unable to shower? Do you think he's ever had crushing fatique on a day when he couldn't decide if he wanted to get out of his pajamas?

How could anyone with a conscience make light of an illness that caused Andrea Yates to drown her children?

I really want to do something and I don't think just e-mailing the station will do any good.

Buckets and baths

I've made some progress on Billy's bucket. I finished the brim and have started the band. Since I don't have a 16" US7 and I'm hoping to be smaller than Bonne Marie's small, I've gone directly to dpns. Seems to be working okay. Progress was made on the bus. I didn't have any knitting time at home last night. I did get the second sleeve partially inserted into Hello Billy, but then Molly decided she needed her mommy-pillow and the sweater was put away. I will have it finished for Saturday, but I'm not sure if my parents will receive their long-awaited birthday sweaters. Maybe Dad. I only have to put the sleeves in and weave in ends. I haven't done any seams on Air, yet.

Billy's gotten weird about taking a bath. I have to get into the tub with him and hold him while he whimpers and shivers. Sunday night, I felt like a mama monkey with baby attached to my front. Last night, he at least turned from me a bit, but there's no way he was getting into the water. I hope that within a week, we'll be back to bath as usual. I was able to get him to calm down after having his hair washed by showing him how mommy handles getting water poured on her face.

Mickey Mantle hasn't appeared as of this morning. Fortunately, he didn't wake Billy in the night.

Look, progress on the bucket. 

CAUTION: Stashing in progress

I stashed in a big way! I bought the Quechua I need to knit this for myself (in Exotic Red); I bought the pattern too. I also bought some sock yarn (in Cancun Fiesta) which will either be socks or a vest for Billy (from today's pattern in my Knitting Pattern-a-Day calendar. I also bought enough Peruvian Collection Highland Wool in Red Maple to make myself a ribby cardi. I'll need to purchase the pattern from Chicknits. Yep, when I fall off the wagon I fall off big!

Brim for Billy's Birthday Bucket Hat 

Billy birthday bucket brim

The brim grows. Photographic evidence above (it was going to be below, but the picture didn't post). I'm kind of winging a size "T" (for toddler). I was going to do the whole knitting math-thing ahead of time, but decided not to think so hard. So far, so good. Fortunately, Bonne Marie's done all the hard work already.

I also got a whole sleeve seamed into Hello Billy. I'll do the other tonight and finish weaving in ends (just a few left I did most of them already). Then it's done (except for the zipper). The zipper will be purchased and inserted next week. I've got an appointment with my psych next Monday and there's a Joann's on the way.

I would have gotten more brim and/or seaming finished but at 9:30 Billy woke up screaming. When I picked him up, he started arching his back violently and just wailing. For nearly an hour I tried rocking him, singing to him, burping him, walking with him, and giving him a bottle to no avail. Then Hubby came upstairs with Billy's favorite puppy (Otis the barking puppet) and he started chewing on him. Light came on for Hubby, maybe it's those teeth we've been expecting all month. So I gave him some orajel and some advil and he calmed down and konked back out. He woke up again about 1, but was easily rocked back to sleepiness. I didn't see proof that Mickey Mantle has arrived (it's tooth 7 and we're Yankee fans); but I hope he's imminent. I can't take many more screaming fits like that.

So, I was wrong yesterday. The object of my affection doesn't go on sale at Elann.com until today. I can't wait! Stashing will happen! I think I may have to start the sweater as soon as it arrives!

Does this look like a sky that would flurry to you? It didn't to me either. But, that didn't stop it from flurrying while I was waiting for the bus this morning. Forgive the blurriness, it is just a toy. 

Photographic evidence that I do indeed knit! The color's off, but what do you want for fluorescent lights and a toy camera? 

New Toy

I’ve got a new toy. And it is a toy. It’s an itty-bitty digital camera I got when signing up with zooba.com. Now, Zooba alone is worth the sign-up. $9.95 a book with no shipping costs. They’ll send you a book each month or however frequently you want. You create your own reading list and you’re good to go. (I have to go add the Joe Namath book for Hubby if they have it.) I will admit they really did sucker me in with the offer of a free digital camera. It’s tiny and I may get somewhat decent pictures out of it eventually. Here are the best ones I’ve taken so far (posted below). (Note, it only holds 20 high-res images at a time; well high-res for it.) I figure it’s a good bridge with the DVD cam until I get my new PC and a real digital camera. I may even start posting some knitting pics!

We got about 15 inches in the blizzard this weekend; it was slow going coming in this morning but not too awful. It sure is cold, though. Hubby did all the shoveling. I offered to help but he said I should stay in with the boy. Good idea, Billy napped for a bout 40 minutes each day. He usually naps 3-4 hours a day. Fortunately, he was in bed by 7 each night. I hope he naps at daycare! I also hope he eats for them. He wasn’t into the food for mommy this weekend.

I didn’t get too much done this weekend. Billy really wanted Mommy around (I think it was left-over from my trip this week). And when he did go to sleep I was beat, too. (More leftovers from my trip.)

I did get the neckband on Hello Billy finished. So I just need to do the sleeves and side seams. I’ll be picking up a zipper next week. It won’t be completely finished for our little birthday party this weekend, but he’ll be able to try it on. I cast on for his bucket last night. Well, started the cast on. I’m not quite finished; only a few more stitches to cast on. I’m doing a cable cast on to get a nice firm edge. I’m going to modify the pattern down a bit. I’ll try to get the math done today.

I’m not so patiently waiting for Elann to post the yarn of my recent lust. It will be the last purchase for a while. I know I’ve been saying that since what, November?, but I’ve got a ton of projects lined up. Including learning to spin with my gorgeous roving and drop spindle and plying some of that free & cheap yarn I have. Oh, I also need to clean out the craft area in our basement (currently the crap area) and set up my knitting machine. I see a large wrap or throw in the future.

Well, must get to work. Lots of new manuscripts to hand out and I must clear some of this detritus from my desk.

Because I have no ego. This is me this morning. Note the lovely hair and wall of windows behind me. Good thing my nose is clean! 

This is a blurry capture of the view outside my office window. The Empire State Building is much larger in real life. 

This is me Saturday morning. Charming, huh? 

A week's gone by

A whole week has gone by since I last posted. Did you miss me?

I've finished Hello Billy, but for the collar and the seaming. Well, I seamed the shoulders and started picking up stitches for the collar. I haven't touched it since last Saturday. I was going to throw it in my bag for the bus today, but didn't have time this morning. Still need to get a zipper!

I hope to work on the collar and start his bucket hat tonight. Hubby is going to a concert with a buddy (I wish I could go, but how much babysitting can we expect from m-i-l and I want to spend some quality time with my boy). So, after Billy goes to sleep, mommy has knitting time. Well, that depends on Miss Molly, doesn't it?

I've got to grocery shop (dinner for me, formula for the kid), so maybe I'll pick her up a special treat and bribe some peace and quiet out of her.

I'm bringing home the pattern and some of the yarn for f-i-l's birthday sweater. Might as well get started. I know, I've got a bunch of overdue things in the finishing pile. That's for next week at home. Love, love, love to get them done for mom & dad's visit next weekend. I do need knitting for the bus, you know.

We're having a birthday party. A first birthday party. I'm making him a baseball or basket ball cake with this neat pan I bought at Joann's this summer.

My trip to London was fine. The weather was nicer than here, but I didn't do too much sight-seeing. I got more sleep than usual (except on the flight over). I'll be going back every quarter. Next trip is in April.

It's nice to be home. I missed my guys and my doggie, and my bed.

It's good that we all left our most recent department meeting laughing, right?

Wet, wet, wet

It was sopping here in the NYC metro area this morning. They say things are going to start drying out (and getting colder) in the next hour or so. I'll believe it when I see it.

In Billy news, the boy slept pretty well last night. He made some noises about 6, but didn't get up until 6:30. He went down easily last night, too. And yay, no spit-ups! He felt much cooler this morning. I didn't bother taking his temp; I'm sure m-i-l will at some point today. Hopefully, he's on the mend. (And hopefully, this will be our last illness for a while.)

In Hello Billy news, I cast-on for the second sleeve last night and knit through the first stripe. When I picked it up this morning I looked at the measly amount of blue left in the first ball and thought, gee I hope this gets me through two stripes, especially since the rows keep getting longer. Then I remembered I hadn't made any increases last night! D'oh! Fortunately, I only had to rip 8 rows back to the ribbing.

In other yarn-related news, I bought a ballwinder on eBay. I got a pretty good price. With shipping, it's less than most places sell for retail. I didn't get a swift. I figured I can try something makeshift for now.

My drop spindle and roving shipped on the 12th. I wonder if it will get here tomorrow. (No mail Monday and I'm in London until next Thursday.) It would be cool to be able to play with it this weekend.

I should be able to cast on for Billy's bucket hat this weekend. That is, if I don't host a little seaming party. I have enough seaming to keep me busy! I also have enough housework. My in-laws are moving in while I'm away and I need to get the house tidy. Thank goodness it's a 3-day weekend. I can tackle a floor a day and not kill myself trying to get too much done!

Well, that stack of stuff on my desk didn't get cleared by the publishing fairies and I've got a lot to do in the next six hours. I better get to it.

ear, nose & throat boy

So, I'm at home. There is a mountain of stuff on my desk. Some of it really needs to be completed before my trip next week; some needs to be completed for my trip next week. But none of it is getting done today because I'm at home. Why am I at home? Because Billy woke up at 3:38 and felt like he was on fire. His temp was 101.5; not a good thing when your temp is supposed to drop while you sleep. I gave him a bottle and he spit up all over (the fourth time in three days he's hugely spit up after a bottle). So we got changed and played for a while. I got him to go back to sleep about 5. Then I took a nap. No way I was going to work today (and m-i-l needs to be in the office occasionally, too).

At 8:45 when he woke from his nap, we got up; I called my boss and co-manager and then his pediatrician. The nurse called back by 9:30 and we had an appointment for 11. He had a temp of 103.2 when she took it. (Either our rectal thrermometer is inaccurate or I'm not doing it right because when I took his temp at 8:45 it was 100.4.) Fortunately, it's not his ears again. It's his tonsils. He's got red, pussy tonsils. Did you know tonsilitis can cause kids to spit up? I do now.

Off to the drugstore we went. It's like our third home these days (the ped's office being our second). Cephalosporin for him this time. 3 ml once a day for 10 days. She said I should ask the ENT we're seeing on Monday if we should bring him back to her for a follow-up on the tonsils (if so back to Dr Maggie in 2 weeks we go). She said his fever should break after 2 days on the antibiotics but to keep giving him advil for it. M-i-l is sitting with Billy tomorrow. I have to go in and take care of stuff for my trip. Of course I really don't want to go.

I had a good cry after I talked to the nurse on the phone and before our appointment. Billy just played on the floor with his cool toys. Molly crawled into my lap to try to make me feel better. How chewing on my fists was supposed to be comforting, I'm not sure; but isn't it great how dogs know when you need to be comforted? She's so sweet.

Billy's sleeping now. I just checked on him and he's on his tummy with his knees tucked under him and his but in the air. How do kids sleep like that?

I should be doing something domestic. I do have a load of laundry in the wash (the clothes he spit on last night and this morning). I tried to clean the oven (it's been a mess since we did that turkey New Year's Day), but I had a smoke condition and had to stop it. Now the smoke detector upstairs keeps chirping (I took it apart and put it back together after the smoke cleared).

I feel like a tool. I wish today were a 40 mg day for the SSRI and not just a 20. Not that it elevates my mood like that or would make me less worried or more confident, but I would derive some comfort. Yes, I am a modern American. Give me a pill to make it all better!

I've not done any knitting since last night. I finished the first sleeve of Hello Billy on the bus as predicted. I had many fewer rows than I thought. Since I haven't picked up the needles since, I haven't cast on for sleeve two. I will eventually. Maybe tonight, but if not, definitely tomorrow morning on the bus.

I tried watching CSI:NY last night. Bonne Marie at chicknits.com beat me to posting about the murder weapon in one of the crimes. I fell asleep and have no idea who killed either the dog handler or the bike messenger. I woke up hearing Colin Ferguson.

I did watch LOST. I felt like a bad mommy rushing my sick child to bed last night so I could watch a tv show, but he got back at me getting me up at 3:30. (Two and 1/2 hours after I woke up and turned off the tv.) I really like that show and am terribly bummed that I will miss an episode next week while in London. I'll get over it. Hopefully, I'll be home in time next week for CSI.

I want one

I want one of these! How cool is it?

I think I'm an idiot

I had a nice post going including a nice rant about NJ Transit bus drivers ignoring the advice of dispatch for avoinding traffic jams when I navigated away to check out the office's new spam blocker tool (I can filter my own mail). Duh!

Anyway. You don't want to read my rant about taking the Western Spur to avoid the back-up on the Esater Spur when dispatch tells you to. I don't even want to read it. Best to just move on.

Did I mention yesterday that Billy is sick again? I have two blogs, I know I mentioned it in the other one (written with my sisters about our trying to lose weight). His temp was 100.8 this morning after peaking at 101.9 yesterday afternoon. My m-i-l is sitting with him again today. She's also going to do a couple of loads of laundry. Hey, she volunteered. I don't ask her to do my housework. Yesterday, she cleaned the bathroom. I didn't realize this until this morning when I was brushing my teeth. She and my f-i-l are staying with Billy and the Hubby next week while I'm in London. My goal for my three day weekend is to clean the house so she doesn't feel compelled to clean anything else while I'm gone!

In sweater-making news (don't know about you but I get sick of reading knitting news), I finished the right front before I even got on the turnpike last night. Not only was traffic horrible in the tunnel (Lincoln) and on 495 west, my bus was 10 minutes late getting to PABT to pick us up. Yes, I knit standing in line. I cast on for the first sleeve and have two more sets of increases and about 30 rows to go. That one should be done tonight.

I did win the drop spindle and roving. Can't wait to get my hands on it. I don't know if my great idea will work but it's worth a try.

Last night I was knitting while watching TV (more like the car wreck that is the Surreal Life) with the Hubby and Molly (she was in the bone zone), Hubby asked if I was going to make him a sweater to match Billy's. I told him I didn't have enough yarn. He said the next time I buy yarn I should get enough to make them matching sweaters. Woo Hoo! Hubby's going to wear a sweater! He never wears sweaters. You should have seen the face he made Christmas morning when he opened this gorgeous red Lands End pullover from his mom. It was cotton and he dismissed it immediately. I think I'll make them matching zippy jackets for the fall. Oooh. Elann has more Highland Wool in stock. I need to find matching patterns!

I (heart) Billy’s sweater

I love the kid, too, but this sweater is just cruising. I finished the back Friday night (watching All in the Family on DVD) and cast on for the left front. I got the ribbing done before bed. I finished the left front Saturday (watching afternoon basketball, driving to m-i-l’s, watching the Jets be very lucky in OT) and cast on for the right front. I got through the ribbing again before I went to bed. I haven’t had as much knitting time since Saturday, but I have gotten through the armhole decreases and am about to work the last blue stripe. Then it’s golden, baby. Right front should be finished tomorrow. Then I’m off to sleeve island. Someone warm up the blender (actually I’m a rocks kind of gal, not slushies).

I cannot wait to cast on for his bucket hat; it's going to be so much fun. We may be going to FL soon (my paternal grandmother-in-law lives in Juno) and he’ll need a new hat. I may whip out one of these, too.

Must get a zipper! That's going to be the toughest part, sewing in the zipper. Good thing my machine is in the same room as the computer at home. I'll boot up Bonne Marie's tutorial and be good to go.

Poor Billy boy. He got a pretty clean bill of health yesterday from Dr. Maggie. His ears aren’t where she thought they would be, so we’re going to an ENT (otolaryngologist for those studying vocab) on Monday for evaluation; but the infection was going bye-bye and everything else was clear. Then he puked all over me last night (I think it was just gas after his bed-time bottle binge). He slept fitfully, but didn’t wake up. When he got up this morning, he had huge, dark circles under his eyes and a temp of 101.4. I sincerely hope it’s this seventh tooth (lovingly being referred to as Mickey Mantle chez Netter) and not something more serious. I don’t want to be in the office, but I have to be. I have to support the yarn habit somehow.

Speaking of yarn habit, I may have just stashed again. Let me check eBay. Nope, got outbid. Whew, I want to save the hubby’s ire for the Quechua being released by Elann later this month. I can always get Rowan Ribbon Twist. I was about to give up the first time I was outbid, then I got competitive. Always a bad idea. "Just let it go Netter" should be my anti-stash mantra (for eBay anyway, still kicking myself about the baby alpaca).

Quick question, would plying my own yarn be the first step down the slippery slope to handspinning? I have a large ball of black wool lace weight and lots of fake mohair in pink that I can’t think of doing anything with on their own. I was thinking of holding them together to make something, but what if I plied them together? I love black and pink together and this would have a very interesting texture. How can I get a drop spindle quickly? (The laceweight was free and the fake mohair was extremely cheap so I won’t worry too much if I ruin some of it.)

‘kay. Just bid on a spindle and 2 ozs of roving on eBay. This does not violate the no stash rule as it is fiber, not yarn. Besides, I’m going to try to bust stash by plying the two yarns I will not use together to make something I will use. Yeah, this might be trouble. I just searched roving on eBay. Ooops. Bad Netter. Get back to work!

aran weight + toddler-size sweter = quicker knitter

I've reached the armhole decreases for Hello Billy. I cast-on yesterday waiting in line for the bus and knit all the way home. I stopped for a few hours at home (had to take care of the boy and eat) and then knit while watching CBS. (Molly was in the bone-zone and then cuddled with my ankles, very cooperative with the knitting.) I was thinking that I was more than half-way done with the back, but then I realized that these are some deep armscyes! I'm about 52 rows in and the shoulder/neck bind offs start at row 86. The final bind off row is #91. I guess I am slightly more than half-way done, but it still seems like a lot. Fortunately, the next 30 rows are 10 stitches narrower.

I would be a few rows further along but I had a row counting issue and ripped out the first blue stripe before I remembered that the loops on the needle count as a row. I was so confused trying to figure out why I had an odd number of rows when I'd just finished a wrong-side row and it should really be an even count! Yes, I have been knitting for a couple of years now. Why do you ask?

Did I mention that I'm really loving the ASC? It's so great to knit with and makes such a great fabric. And no, Rowan is not paying me. (Neither are my favorite sources.) I do plan on abusing my swatch to see what kind of machinery I can use on it. This is for my baby you know. The child who could not stop eating, who spent the first 8 months of his life with serious reflux issues. I can guarantee it will need frequent cleaning and I'm not so into the handwashing. (Makes a lot of sense with the higher-end fibers I buy, huh? Well, don't expect to see any Colinette chez Netter.)

As for Air and Zipo. I haven't touched them. Well, I did touch Zipo to move some notions from that project bag to the Hello Billy project bag. I think I need to have a little seaming party a la Fluffa. Anyone know how to make a Kir Royale?

Update on Andrea Yates

Having been partway down the road Andrea Yates traveled with Post Partum Depression, I was so relieved to hear about this on the news this morning. Then I was shocked and disturbed to realize that this woman was sentenced to life in prison, and could have been given the death penalty on the basis of one famous "expert's" false remembrance. Juries are so easily swayed by experts they've heard of.

The quote below struck a chord with me because I had similar thoughts before remission.

"On June 20, 2001, Yates confessed to police that she drowned her five children in a bathtub because she had been a bad mother who hopelessly damaged them."

It's also why we're not sure we should have more than one child. I can't imagine what having five would do to my mind.

Well, Hello Billy!

I finished the second flap for Mom's Air. Now all I need to do is all that seaming! I think I'll aim for seaming over the weekend. It's not really bus-able.

Still no movement on Zipo. I went to Curves (we missed most of the bad weather that hit the area last night so we were home on time and I had no problems driving downtown), hubby made dinner, Billy had a quick bath, then Mommy watched Lost (mmm, yummy), then it was kitchen tidy time, a few minutes of TV with Daddy and Molly*, then CSI:NY in bed, during which I promptly fell asleep. I don't know what happened to the art dealer or the construction worker. I did wake up to find out that the little boy was scary.

I nearly missed the 5:10 last night. When I got to the gate, there were 44 people on the bus already and I couldn't tell how many were in line in front of me. I wound up being the 50th (only 49 seats), but sweet hubby was in the first seat and let me have it. He stood all the way home. But, the driver keeps the lights in the first few rows too dim to knit with brown yarn. So I started my swatch for Hello Billy. I finished it this morning. I've lost my 8US Bates Quicksilver Circ, so I'm using my needlemaster 8; I still hate the join because the needle likes to twist off the connector. My stitch gauge is spot on, but my row gauge is off one row over 4". Not too bad. I'll be casting on tonight! I hope this will be a pretty quick knit. (I've only got 3 weeks till his party.) It should be quick it's less than 14" wide and 14" long. I'm making the 1-2 year size. I think I may lengthen the arms a smidge. He's got quite a wing span my kid!

*No cuddles for Mommy last night. She was all about the Daddy. Actually, it was compulsively lick Daddy's legs night. My husband doesn't mind her obsessively licking him below the knees, but his thighs get mighty ticklish! I wonder if she sensed that he's going out tonight and she won't see him.

I'm going to London, London, London

I'm going to London the 17th for business. I fly out that night and have all day Tuesday and Thursday morning to play with. We're only in the office on Wednesday (my boss does rock on occasion).

Where should I go? I've been to London before, but it was just a one-day quick tour thing with some friends. Of course, I've got yarn on the brain. I wonder, does business travel yarn count as stash yarn?

I'll be staying at the Hilton Paddington. I've got to find out what's near there.

Anyone know if Virgin Atlantic allows knitting needles?

Lust in my heart

Elann.com so very thoughtfully sent me their newsletter of upcoming sales. Thoughtfully, like putting a vial of crack under a crackhead's nose. I received it Monday and have been lusting after the Peruvian Collection Quechua. It comes in many great colors, has great yardage, a great price, and looks yummy! Did you know they put little samples of the actual yarns on the newsletter. Like I said, crack in front of a crackhead. I think the kicker was the pattern they printed with the samples. Simply feminine and frilly without being too-too. And it looks pretty easy to knit. I WANT IT, I WANT IT, I WANT IT. Especially since it comes in Smoldering Ember and Exotic Red!

One down

One pocket flap down, one to go. I've cast on for the second and started the increases. I should have it finished today so I can cast on for Hello Billy tonight. WOo HOo! I'm so looking forward to starting a new project. I've had the same things on the needles for over a month!

Still no more seaming progress on Zipo. Again, massive cuddles with the Molly. I just can't resist when she wants her mommy-pillow. It was a nice night chez Netter; my hubby grilled a steak on the foreman grill and we had it with green beans. We played with Billy for a while and then he was in bed by 8. I tidied the kitchen again (two days in a row is a record) and then we watched "50 First Dates." It was really cute. I like how they handled the ending. Sappy and sweet, but not totally unrealistic.

I'm hoping the weather follows the forecast and we don't get hit with a lot of freezing crap. I'd like to get to Curves again tonight. I'd also like to watch the first new episode of Lost in weeks. I can't miss it!

Pensive Molly. (Mommies gotta share the love and the pixels.) 

not much knitting

Not too much knitting progress to report. I re-started the pocket flap for Air on the way home last night. I've only got a few rows left and I'll start the second.

I didn't do anything with Zipo last night. I went to Curves and worked out, then I ate, then it was bathtime for Billy, then while Daddy put him to bed, I worked in the kitchen tidying, then it was time for some massive cuddles with Molly. She wound up taking a nap on me when I lied down on the couch. Kind of hard to seam with a 60 lb bully on your arm! I love the cuddles, though. I don't even mind when she snores in my ear! (Now, when I'm trying to sleep it's a different thing.)

My desktop. A collage of my little man. 

Billy says Happy New Year to you all! 

Billy cracks us all up at dinner. Once he gets us laughing, there's no stopping him. 

Billy Christmas morning at Grammy and Granddad's. He loves his bike! 

Happy 2005

My 2004 was joyous and ridiculously difficult. I started out 9 months pregnant and ended surrounded by my family, including my little dude. In the intervening 12 months, I survived a 14-hour labor, a baby in the special care nursery, post-partum depression, going back to work, a merger at the office, being demoted, and really developed my love of knitting.

2005 should be quite a journey. I get to spend it with my husband (a wonderful man I’ve loved for nearly 10 years) and my new little dude, but I know there will be even more change as I move on in my career. I’ve been with this company for over 9 years and now it’s time to go. My first resolution for 2005 is to find a new job.

My second resolution is to lose weight. I weigh as much now as I did last January when I was 9 months pregnant! I lost all of my pregnancy weight except for 3 pounds within the first couple of months after I delivered. I’ve put it all back on since I’ve been back at work. I’m going to start going back to Curves and seriously cut my food intake. First things first, no more sweets!

My third resolution is to be a better wife and mother. I think I’ve been doing a much better job lately, but the Hubby and the boy deserve my absolute best.

If I can manage to cook more, clean more and be more organized, that would be great, too!

In knitting, I’d like to finish more and stash less. I shouldn’t join alongs. I never get things finished in time. I completely ditched my poncho from the crochet along last summer and Zipo is not finished. I’m closing in on the end, though. I’ve finished the neckband (a terrible pain in the keister for a beginner pattern) and now only have to seam and set in sleeves and finish my weaving in. I started the pocket flaps for Air this morning but royally screwed up. I think I’ll start over on the way home.

I have put together a project bag for Billy’s birthday sweater. We’re celebrating on the 29th, so I have just about four weeks to get it done. I’ve decided to just make the hello sweater in Gold with a matching bucket hat. I’ll save the blue for something else. The blue’s a bit brighter and clashes with the soft gold.

I need to work on my finishing technique. My knitting is even and looks nice. The seaming needs work!

Oh, and I should post more pictures!

lunch @ Purl

Purl was hopping when I went over there a little bit ago. All kinds of people buying yarn. There was a line for the ball winder and swift. I didn't get either of the buttons I was originally looking at. I wound up with a henna bone oval. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the button holes to work. If not, I'll be starting on a button stash!

Think anyone would mind if I started seaming at my desk?

Zipping Zipo

Yay! I finished the second sleeve of Zipo this morning. Woo! I don't know why I didn't post yesterday. I had a very productive knitting day Tuesday. I knitted an entire ball on the second sleeve getting it mostly finished. I had forgotten how great hockey is for knitting/crocheting. Hubby figured we should watch the Devils' Championship DVD from 2003 since there wasn't anything else on. I just cruised through the bulk of the increases. I sure wish the NHL had gotten a new agreement in place to play this season. I miss hockey!

Now all I have left is to finish seaming and do the neckband. I'm still leaning toward putting in some buttons. Think I'll run up to Purl at lunch and pick up a few of these or maybe these.

I also have to do that pesky neckband. Hope the bus isn't too crowded tonight on the way home. I do think Dad will be getting the sweater in pieces. But, I will have it finished and get a picture to post for the manalong!

Also in the Woo column, my latests stashquisition came yesterday. The Hubby accused me of lying to him; I disagree. I broke a promise; I didn't lie. (Just call me Netter Clinton.) Anyway, he agrees that they will make a nice birthday sweater for Billy. I'm leaning toward this one in just two colors (I'm thinking large stripes of gold with smaller blue stripes). I can't wait to start! I'm also excited to make him a bucket hat to match!

Design thoughts*

Thinking of an ASC garter stitch baby blanket for a friend.

Use 2 skeins of four colors: Copper, Sizzlin, Orkney, Regal.

Alternate one color each row (she likes that look) knotting ends in square knots and leaving short fringe.

Should be 18” x 36” with horizontal stripes.

*Probably shouldn't call this "designing" as it's so simple!

chronic ear infections and a sick mommy

I had to take Billy back to the doctor yesterday afternoon to follow-up on his ear infections. When I picked him up at daycare his eye was goopy again. I figured I'd reinfected him. She agreed so we put him back on the drops. Then she looked in his ears and they were fire engine red. Back on antibiotics. She's got him on Zithromax. Hubby pointed out that Zithromax was the first one we tried back in November. I'm calling her this morning to see if she wants to try something else. (Must make sure to get the phone number for our drug store.) Fortunately, his temp was 99.5, so he's not running a fever.

I, of course, was then down in the dumps. I was so hopping she'd say that his ears are finally better and we don't have to see her until February for his next physical. We're fortunate in that he's not too fussy while he's ill; we're also fortunate that his ear drums haven't been impacted. I know things could be a lot worse; my parents went through a lot worse with my sisters. It's just so draining to be running to and from the doctors all the time and giving him so many drugs. I need to start focusing on the fact that it's just an ear infection.

I remember when my sister was about 7 she was having problems with recurrent ear infections and tonsilitis. She actually had an ear infection so bad she had a hole in her ear drum the size of a pencil eraser! Needless to say, she had her tonsils and adenoids out shortly thereafter. No problms since (except for a couple of cases of epiglotitis, eww). My other sister's health problems were a little more severe and much more complicated.

Me, I've been the healthy one. Except for this nagging cold I cannot get rid of this winter. Last night I went to bed early. Billy went to sleep before 7:30 which is way early for him and I was in bed by 8. Of course I woke up at 12:50 when the Nyquil wore off and again at 4:45 when the second dose wore off. I'm feeling a little better this morning. I don't think I'll need to go to the doctor. My throat was ridiculously sore last night, but it's barely noticeable this morning. Got to keep up with teh Dayquil.

Since I was asleep before primetime TV even started last night, not much knitting got accomplished. I've finished 5 of the first 9 increases as of this morning. I think it's pretty realistic to estimate that I'll have the sleeves done and seamed to the body before I see my parents on Thursday. I'd love to have the neckband knitted, too. We'll see. The house still needs tidying!

One thing, should I leave the neck open as in the picture or should I add buttons? I'm leaning toward a few buttons....

Chemo cap for Tom

Tom was one of the first sales reps I ever dealt with when starting out in this field. Today, his firm is one of our top compositors. Over the years we've had a number of lunches together and I've gotten to know him as a person. He even barbecued for us when we visited his company two years ago. Tom's a great guy; he reminds me a lot of my father, being about his age with a similar background. He's been diagnosed with lung cancer and has started chemo. He called me last week to follow-up on a few things and to wish me a Merry Christmas. He mentioned that he had his wife shave his head because he'd been losing his hair. Now, he's in need of a chemo cap. I know he's got hats and I imagine he's received quite a few for Christmas, but I want to knit him one anyway. I'd like to whip one out after I finish Zipo and before he comes up to the city again.

2 Christmases done, one to go

It was a very nice weekend chez Netter. Christmas Eve I was pretty sick (this darned cold), but managed to enjoy dinner with the in-laws and a lovely chuch service. Billy was well-behaved throughout. After church we drove over to a very large Christmas light display. It's a private home and the man's been doing a crazy display for years. He's got Disney characaters, elves, a band of toy soldiers, a giant rotating Christmas tree, an animatronic Creche (including moving baby sheep) and more white lights than you can see stars this close to the metropolis.

Christmas day started rocky. In my family, we open presents first thing and then eat a big breakfasts. The in-laws eat, read scripture, and take their time getting to presents. Billy got us up just after six. So I took him downstairs and the hubby got the dog going. Then he had to read the paper, then he got his grapefruit ready, then it was time to make homemade hot chocolate, then he made eggs and bacon (burned the bacon in the microwave), then we ate, then I had to change Billy's diaper, then we got to open presents. By the time we opened presents we'd been up for two hours adn it was daylight! My dad was, and still is, a huge fan of opening presents in the dark (tree looks better and it seems more magical) while hubby's family's never been up before seven on Christmas day!

But, we wound up having a great day. As predicted, Billy didn't really get into it much. Molly did; she loves unwrapping presents.

(Funny Molly story. We normally keep a gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep her from stealing socks and shoes and baby toys. Christmas eve day one of us, and I can't remember who but I'm pretty sure it was for a good reason, didn't put the gate up and she got upstairs. She went into the guest room, sniffed out the wrapped presents, grabbed what she KNEW was a rawhide for her, ran downstairs with it and proceeded to unwrap it. We took it away and gave it back to her Christmas morning. That kept her from trying to unwrap our gifts, although, one of Billy's was partially opened.)

Billy seems to like all of his toys. My in-laws bought him a tricycle that starts as a rocking bike, converts to a push trike, and then a trike he peddles on his own. He LOOVES it. He can't get on or off by himself, but he loves to sit on it and try to make it go. It's even better if he sits and you make it go. He got lots of great toys and clothes, too. They're so generous.

Hubby loved his DVDs. I got him Cheers, seasons 1-3, and All in the Family season 1. He loves old sitcoms from the '70s and '80s. Now, if he's ever home sick again, he'll have something to watch. Or, when football's over I know what we'll be watching on Sundays until Baseball starts! (We sure miss hockey.) He got lots of practical gifts from his mom and dad and really appreciated it. He hates spending his own money on shoes, socks, and underwear and really loves getting them for Christmas. I kind of agree.

I made out like a bandit (I tell my sisters to marry an only child). Hubby bought me a beautiful peridot pendant and chain. He also bought one for his mom. Peridot is our birthstone. He's been on a peridot jag for me lately; my birthday last year was a peridot ring and I got earrings last Christmas. Billy gave me the 2005 Knitting Pattern-a-Day calendar. It's on my desk. M-i-l and f-i-l gave me lots of new clothes, a new casual watch, new shoes, and new slippers. I think I was most excited about the slippers. I really needed a new pair of slippers and they got me some awesome ones.

We had a lovely Christmas dinner (very rare rib roast with homemade apple pie for dessert). Yesterday, it was quiet. Hubby and I bought a new toaster oven, I got some underwear and clearance tops, and we finally got an air matress and sheets for our office/guest room. Then he went to the Jets game with his dad and I stayed home with the kids. Billy took a nice long nap and I vegged with Molly. Well, she vegged and I knit.

I managed to get the first sleeve done on Zipo yesterday afternoon and I cast-on for the second. Which I ripped this morning after realizing I'd not used the 7 US needle as I had with the first. I figured the change in gauge would seem weird on the cuffs! I cast back on this morning and am well past where I was when I ripped. I started seaming and weaving in ends* last night as well. I picked up The Knitters Guide to Finishing Techniques by Nancy Wiseman when we were in Baltimore and it really helped me do some lovely seams. Unfortunately, I'd already seamed all the body when I realized she has you put in the set-in sleeves before you seam the body. Oh well. I guess it's a leftover from my sewing days. It worked okay with Grecian Plait and Loll. And since the cap isn't so deep on Zipo, I should have no problems putting it into a seamed body. I'll try doing it the way she suggests if I ever get around to putting Air together!

*My one grouse about ASC, the yardage is short so a ball doesn't go very far and I've had at least one note in all but two balls I've used so far! I've got a lot of weaving for a one-color sweater.

tooth, tooth, sixth tooth

Billy's sixth tooth came through yesterday. He's really great about teething. I think a lot of recent crankiness I attributed to teething was due to his repeated ear infections. He's been a delight lately (as long as he gets his bottles fast enough).

Wrapping paper, embarrassing slippers, and zipping sleeves

I’ve got all of the Christmas morning presents wrapped. That’s the Hubby’s, the doggy’s, the baby’s and one for me. (Yes, I know what Billy got me for Christmas.) Tonight I’ll wrap the Christmas afternoon presents (although, we’ll probably be up really early, Saturday morning’s tend to be Billy’s early mornings, and ready to go to the in-laws well before noon) and might get started on the New Year’s Day presents. I cheated a bit with Billy’s presents. All of his new clothes got put in one box together. He still has quite a haul. I have to decide how to handle my parents’ presents. Do I wrap all the CDs individually? Group them somehow? Not really sure....

Billy got gifts from his caregivers at daycare yesterday. He got a cute toy with different legs that make different noises (squeaks, jingles, crinkles). His lead caregiver gave him two pairs of slippers. I found that present to be highly embarrassing. Billy has large feet and for most of the summer he only wore socks or went barefoot. This fall, I bought him some slippers and a pair of soft-soled boots. The boots don’t really fit, so he’s been living in his slippers. Unfortunately, Molly got a hold of one of them and ripped a seam up the front of the ankle and I haven’t gotten around to fixing it for weeks. They also look pretty beat up because the fleece is pilling and they’re just hard to keep clean. So, obviously Michelle figured he NEEDED new slippers. I am humiliated. We gave all the caregivers in his classroom very generous cash tips and I’ve not bought my kid new shoes in two months!

I’m over half-way through the first Zipo sleeves. Hence, zipping sleeves, because it’s zipping along. I hope to get it finished tomorrow. I’ll start seaming and try to put the neckband on over the weekend. Then, I’ll only have the second sleeve to knit, seam, and attach. Whew. I still haven’t touched Air in forever. Maybe, I’ll get some time to squeeze it in as well! I’d like to at least get it seamed and I can work on the pockets flaps while Mom’s here.

you know what stinks?

I keep thinking today is my last day in the office for the week. Un-huhn. I've got one more day. I can't believe that Christmas is so soon. Must get started with the wrapping.

Hubby's given me another reason not to stash

From his e-mail titled "I ALWAYS KNEW THIS WAS CRUEL":

I saw a new billboard on 9th ave today. It said, "DID YOUR SWEATER CAUSE A BLEEDING BUTT?" and had a picture of a lamb or sheep with a cut-up butt. Looked gross as this was a campagain to boycott Australian wool.

Sad, please buy acrylic only.

I've done some preliminary research and it's a PETA campaign aimed mostly at clothing retailers. I guess, as conscientious knitters, we'll have to start looking at whether or not the wool and other animal fibers we use are cruelty-free.

I will have to give him a hard time the next time he eats veal, lamb, or chicken. If he wants to do this anti-cruelty thing, we should go all the way.

of pink eye, zipo, and packages

I was out sick yesterday. I came down with pink eye. I thought I was in the clear because he's been on meds for a week. Nope. Dr says I have bit laterally only; but he likes to be agressive with it since it's so virulent. Drops for Mommy, too.

Since I was home sans child and not feeling too icky, I tried to get some stuff done around the house. I took care of the dishes and put away a ton of laundry. I bribed myself, for every basket of laundry I put away, I got to knit for 10 minutes. I finished the front of Zipo and cast-on for the first sleeve. Today on the bus I got through the ribbing for the sleeve and am into the first set of increases.

I got a package from the Knitting Garden yesterday. Rowan #33 and Miss Bea's Playtime. Many, many patterns to knit and lots of things to bust stash. I still haven't told my husband about my last purchase, but I'm staying off Elann, eBay, and Herrschners until I bust through a lot of what I have already.

Quick post on my way out the door

I've separated for the neck on Zipo. Hope to have the front finished tomorrow. Am also 1/2 done the Christmas cards....

this is what a little education does for you

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Justify my Stash

I did it. I went ahead and bought two bags of ASC from Cucumberpatch's eBay store. Even with shipment from the UK, it's 60% off retail price. Yes, they are two discontinued colors (regal, a wonderful royal blue, and Orkney, gold-yellow), but come on who could resist.

Parts of each bag will be Billy's birthday sweater. I also purchased a couple of Rowan Mags from The Knitting Garden. Miss Bea's Playtime for Billy and #33 for me. I think I also need to get the aran weight Bucket Pattern from Chicknits.com to make Billy an ASC bucket to match his sweater.

I'll start knitting the sweater as soon as I have all the supplies (and Zipo and Air are finished). I should definitely finish by his birthday 2/2.

To rip or not

I just realized this morning that I used the wrong size needles for the ribbing on the front of Zipo. Now that it's done and I'm two inches into the rev st st, I don't think I'll be ripping. I held the two pieces together to compare and they seem similar enough.

I thought it was strange that I didn't remember knitting on two circs for this piece. (Knitting from the US7 to the US8.)

In other news, we got a Christmas check from Grandma in Florida. Can I buy yarn now?

whip it out

What do you think the reaction would be if I just whipped out my knitting and started ribbing away for the rest of the afternoon? I doubt it would be good.

I'd so much rather be knitting; or reading about knitting; or thinking about knitting; or buying yarn! I love ordering yarn and the anticipation of it showing up. I keep going back to the bargain ASC. So many lovely colors; such lovely yarn. Why, why, why did I have to promise the Hubby that I wouldn't buy anymore yarn? How stupid was that. This ASC is less than 50% retail! How much longer can I resist the siren call of yarn?

indulging

I didn’t get any knitting done on the way home last night. My departmental Holiday Party was last night and I overindulged. I slept (passed out) most of the way home. Surprisingly, I was able to get quite a bit of the ribbing done this morning. My behavior of last night didn’t seem conducive to knitting this morning. I figured I’d doze all the way into the city after getting home at 1 last night and waking up at 4 am. I dozed a bit after 4, but didn’t really get much sleep. I hope to be able to get quite a bit more of the front done tonight. Hubby’s department is having their get-together so it’ll be just me and the kids tonight. Hopefully, Molly will be good and let Mommy do lots of knitting while she watches CBS. I’m really going to try to get some knitting done this weekend. Hubby and I are thinking of doing dinner and a movie Saturday; 30+ cm of rev st st sounds like good movie knitting to me.

I can see why Bonne Marie calls ASC her favorite yarn. It’s great to work with; makes a great fabric; and seems like it would wear well. Calmer is still my favorite yarn to touch; but it’s so delicate. ASC is a hearty yarn. I can’t wait to start my Salsa Splash next year (after f-i-l’s b-day sweater completes the parents’ sweaters). There are good deals in some eBay stores for ASC, in lots of colors. If I hadn’t promised the hubby no new yarn, I’d be snapping some up!

I need to have my mother-in-law stay with Billy more often. She did two loads of laundry; emptied and re-loaded the dishwasher; swept; and organized the magazines on our coffee table. She would have vacuumed but that’s not easy with Molly around. Molly is a typical dog and thinks the vacuum is evil and must be destroyed. And of course, they only way she knows to destroy things is to try and eat them. It’s not just the big vac either. She goes bonkers over the dustbuster. I don’t know how m-i-l manages to get so much done. When I’m home with Billy, I tend to just play with him when he’s awake (and that's a lot of the time, since he doesn’t like to sleep when Mama’s around).

Billy’s back at daycare today. He seems to be doing better. His eyes are much improved. He’s got a juicy cough again, but I think we’ll have one of those most of the winter. I hope this kid develops a strong immune system.

It’s ironic. I received the January issue of Parents Magazine on Tuesday and there’s an article on ear infections. What’s ironic (besides the great timing) is that we’ve done everything on their list of ways to help prevent ear infections (including nursing until he was 10 months old) and we’ve had an ear infection for over a month!

Back completed

What an exciting title. I did finish the back. This morning as opposed to last night which was the plan. However, Billy came down with pink eye and his ear infection re-appeared. I had to leave work at 11:30 and take him to the doctor, then the pharmacy to get his scripts filled. Then we had to have dinner and a bath and early bedtime (he was fussy after not napping much all day). Finally, when it was mommy time, I had to clean up because m-i-l is babysitting him today (can't go back to daycare until tomorrow) so I can be here at work. Then Molly was a brat and I didn't have as much knitting time as I wanted.

I have cast on for the front and hope it takes me about as much time to finish it as the back (if not less). Then it's off to sleeves and the collar. Hope I can do it all in two weeks and a day.

(I also need to seam Air and knit up to pocket flaps, but hey what's that going to take?)

The baby silk is no longer a temptation. Elann sold the last of it. I'm a bit bummed, but I remembered that I have some lovely fingering weight cotton in the stash that I can use to make the crochet sweater from Rowan 33.

It's freezing here today. I wish I'd taken the time to find my hat and scarf. I did find my mittens. I have yarn in the stash to make myself a new hat and scarf. I may get around to it in August.

I have big thoughts for next year. Besides the fact that I owe the hubby, the son and a sister knit items (socks and two sweaters) and I want to knit something for myself (Salsa Splash anyone), I was thinking that I'd like to knit sweaters for grandparents. Yep. I'm downright crazy! Ooh, maybe Dave's Grandma Triner would like the crocheted sweater. Have to see how she feels about lilac. (If she doesn't like it I bet my Meme would!)

Well, I've got a meeting.

I think I may come back later to post about The Amazing Race. I've got some thoughts.

Fiber Cravings

I'm still desperately craving the baby silk over at Elann. It's such a bargain! The color I want is the least popular. Can't I buy it, please? There's a perfect crochet pattern in Rowan 33 (which I'd need to buy as well). I haven't stashed in over three weeks and I'm going through withdrawal!

My sister informed me that she nearly got me orange alpaca for Christmas. A very lovely, very large cone of fingering weight. She wasn't sure if I'd want it, though. I set her right; I wouldn't want it I'd love it! Can't wait to find out what she got me instead!

I'm doing well with Zipo, although I haven't finished the back yet. I hope to do so tonight. Hubby is out with his Dad (going to the Knicks game at the Meadowlands). I'll be alone with the dog and baby. But baby goes to bed early (by 8 last night) and I can bribe the dog with a bone. I will get the back done tonight. I'll stay up late if I have to.

(I was going to buy the yarn at elann, but I can't lie to the hubby. I told him no more stashing.)

templates and java

I've signed up for Google Adsense. I'd like to earn some yarn money. But, I can't get the stupid Java to work in my blogger template.

I'll just have to keep fiddling. I've had this problem with other java scripts, too. I'm sure I'll think of something.

I've done quite a bit on Zipo. I need to get the back finished today or tomorrow. I only have 2 1/2 weeks to get it finished!

I know Dad wouldn't mind getting a half-finished sweater for his birthday, but I have deadline for the Manalong.

Remember asymmetrical hair dos from the 80s? I do (I always wanted one but never had the guts to get it). I just saw a woman walk by my office in one. Dude, the 80s are so back. Like totally!

Why can't people drive in the rain?

It was misting last night, so of course it took me 2 1/2 hours to get home! I appreciate nearly 2 hours uninterrupted knitting time. But, does it have to be on a stuffy bus?

I've finished the collar for Air. I'll work on seaming it this weekend.

I've started the second ball of ASC for Zipo. At this rate, I'm definitely using the 12 balls called for in the pattern.

It's strange. I had a lot of leftover yarn after Loll; I might have most of a ball leftover after Air; but I think I'll use all the suggested ASC.

The Hubby and I are going Christmas shopping tomorrow. Our daycare is providing 5 hours of sitting for $20. Can't go wrong with that. Fortunately, we don't have too much to do. My sisters are done and I know what I'm getting Stephie's boyfriend and dog. My parents are pretty done (we at least know what we're buying and where). So it's grandparents, my father-in-law and the hubby. Hubby tends to be the hardest one. Mainly because I don't want to disappoint. He usually does a great job for me.

Billy's going through a growth spurt. At dinner last night, he was shoving crackers and bread into his mouth as though he hadn't eaten all day. It was kind of funny because he was literally shoving stuff into his mouth. He'd put it mostly in with his fingers and then finishing shoving it in with the back of his hand. We're going to go broke when he's a teenager.

An Oldie, but a Goodie

This meme seems to have popped back up. Since I’ve never done it before, here are 100 things about me

1. I’m the oldest of 3 girls

2. I’ve been married for nearly 5 years
3. I’ve been in the same committed relationship for nearly 10 years
4. I’m the mother of a wonderful little boy
5. I moved to New Jersey from VT 9 years ago
6. I lived in Washington Heights for four months
7. I am a feminist
8. I believe in women’s education
9. I graduated from a women’s college
10. summa cum laude
11. I majored in English
12. I wrote my senior thesis on Lillian Hellman’s plays
13. I used to write poetry
14. I’ve not written anything in a while until recently
15. I am a big fan of symbolic language
16. I struggle with questions of faith
17. I love to knit
18. I used to read a lot
19. I got my vocabulary from reading
20. I’m 100 pounds over weight
21. I joined Curves in September
22. I haven’t worked out since before Thanksgiving
23. I miss having a lot of friends like I did in College
24. I don’t do anything to meet new people
25. I have very few friends these days
26. I have curly brown hair
27. I’ve always wanted to be a red head
28. I always look a little tanned
29. I’m often thought of as Italian or Puerto Rican
30. I’m mostly French Canadian
31. With lots of bits from Great Britain
32. And I’m part Native American
33. I used to be fluent in French
34. I lived and studied in Bath, England for a semester
35. I am an Anglophile; but I love all things Scottish
36. I have eaten Haggis
37. I had a bagpiper walk down the aisle before my father and I at my wedding
38. My husband and I walked down the aisle to Scotland the Brave
39. We named our son William Angus
40. Sometimes, I wish we’d had the guts to name him Angus
41. I took all the drugs they’d give me during my labor
42. I had two epidurals
43. I agree with my co-manager, you don’t get fillings without drugs, why go through labor drug-less?
44. I had really hoped to have my son without drugs
45. I’ve never fought with my mother
46. I have fought with my father
47. I want my son to know how to do housework
48. I hate to clean
49. I always wanted to be rich and famous
50. I work in NYC in publishing
51. I commute over an hour everyday
52. I’d like to work closer to my house
53. I’d even do it for less money
54. I’m rather liberal in my beliefs
55. I’ve marched on Washington
56. I need a lot of sleep
57. I’m an insomniac and a poor sleeper
58. I have post partum depression
59. I’ve been on anti-depressants since March
60. I joke about my condition
61. I believe if you can’t laugh at your own mental health, you can’t laugh at anything
62. I have a hard time lying
63. I think I’m pretty ethical
64. I’m probably a goody-two-shoes
65. I used to drink a lot
66. I come from a family of alcoholics
67. I stopped drinking for nearly two years
68. I’ve found I can moderate and now have a glass of wine on occasion
69. I still haven’t had a beer in two years
70. I like women singers
71. I can listen to the same CD over and over and over
72. I can be very focused
73. I live in my own head
74. I tend to be a loner
75. I am not too observant
76. I believe it’s important to be nice
77. I can be very bitchy without meaning to
78. Sarcasm comes very naturally to me
79. I am often mean to my husband
80. I always regret it
81. I have a yarn problem
82. I have a hard time with moderation in most things
83. I believe creativity is very important
84. I believe all people have the capacity to be creative
85. I think intelligence is the ability to learn
86. I like to learn new things
87. I like change
88. I have a hard time seeing when I need to change and instituting it
89. If something scares me, I do it
90. I have a gap between my front two teeth
91. I got my first tooth at four months
92. I try too hard to be self-reliant and independent
93. I have a hard time asking for help
94. I think my husband should be able to read my mind
95. I wanted to learn to play the piano as a child
96. I wish I could draw better
97. I have a wicked sweet tooth
98. I expect too much of myself
99. I can be lazy
100. I’m happy in my life

walk like a man

I just peeked in on my baby boy (day care has web cams, tres cool) and he's walking around holding Miss Roxana's hands. Ah, gee. Before I know it, he'll be walking off to college (sense a theme?). He's moving up to a different classroom. Normally, they wait until the babies are walking or 18 months to move them up; but if they don't move Billy now, they won't be able to move him until next September and by then he'll really have outgrown the infants room. (Run on much?)

Elann.com is my enabler. They sent me a news letter with samples of upcoming yarn. I'm in love with the Peruvian Collection Baby Silk (alpaca and silk) in a luscious salmon. It went on sale yesterday. I've resisted so far, but it is soo soft and the color of the sample is so much nicer than on screen. I will just sit here and sigh. I promised the hub no new yarn. Read my lips Blogosphere, no new yarn.

Dare I say zipping Zipo?

Nah, I don't dare. I had to cast-on twice. Once Monday night in my hotel room and then again yesterday. I did no knitting in the car on the trip down to York and none on the way back. Heck, on the way back it was in the trunk. It is nice working in this gauge, though. Dad's mitts and hat were worsted but both Loll and Air are in Calmer and the DK gauge can feel like it takes forever. I'm alternating between Air's collar (boring seed stitch) and Zipo's ribbing (slipped 1 x 3) which seems much more interesting right now. I'm sure when I'm working miles of rev st st, I'll be more than happy to pick up the pocket plackets for Air. Zipo is my reward for working on Air right now, but Air will be the reward for working on Zipo.

I can't believe I've only given myself 3 weeks to knit this sweater. What am I crazy? It better zip along!

Echo, echo, echo, Chamber, chamber, chamber

This head cold is so ridiculous. My ears are so clogged I can hear myself think. I've adjusted to hearing myself breathe, but seriously, I think I hear the wheels turning up there. It's driving me nuts!

If this is how Billy's felt for the last month, the kid deserves a pony and a life-time supply of Cheerios on demand. I don't know how he's been good so much of the time. I'd be a constant whining brat if I were 10 months old and my head felt like this. Heck, I'm 32 and feel like being a whining brat!

I wonder how my beloved is doing with his stomach ick. (OK, he says. He's watching Office Space; he'll never want to go back to work.)

Wish me luck, I'm off to the wilds of York, PA for a plant tour. Hmm, 3 + hours in the car with some people I barely know. It should be interesting.

I'm so busy ...

I've been spending my time reading blogs and looking at pretty yarn. I really need to stop looking; because with me, looking rapidly turns into buying.

Elves wanted, and not just for knitting

I am so far behind, in my knitting, at work, with my housework (laundry alone is 2 weeks behind).

It was an interesting weekend Chez Netter. It started early. Thursday I had to dash out of the office to pick up Billy (let’s not get into the fact that both Hubby and I wound up on the same bus home) because he’d thrown up and there was a virus going around. Of course he could not go back to daycare Friday. I got nothing done except a nice long nap. Which was good, I have the mother of all head colds lingering here. Hubby got home Friday and got us a pizza for dinner.

Saturday, my mother-in-law picked up Billy and Molly for some kid and dog-sitting. I did the dishes and Hubby and I decorated. Tree is up. I did the majority of the lights for the first time and it looks pretty good. We got the mantle done and the knick knacks all around. I even did a Ho-Ho-Ho wall in the kitchen (all Santa stuff). I made Dave snort his beverage out his nose when I called it he Ho-Ho-Ho wall. The whole time I had a killer of an earache and realized what a trooper Billy’s been for the last month. As Dave and I were getting ready to go to a clinic (I wouldn’t be able to see our Dr until tomorrow at the soonest), I realized I’d left my wallet in the office. Just in case I was wrong and I’d lost it, we cancelled all my cards. Then I saw the doc at the clinic and got a super decongestant and some drops. Then it was off to the in-laws for dinner and picking up the kids.

Sunday, I did bupkus. I sat around and vegged all day. Discovery channel had a Mythbusters marathon on. Cool. I really like it when they blow stuff up. Yeah, I’m a bit of a 12-year-old boy at heart. (Although, I don’t really like toilet humor.) I did finish the cast on for Air’s collar and did a row and a half while Billy was playing.

Today, I’m here in the office until 1 (maybe 12) and it’s off for a plant tour in York, PA. I did pack knitting for the car. We get back about 4 tomorrow afternoon. Just in time to go home. So all the stuff that really needed to get done last week isn’t getting done until Wednesday, most likely. I also have a meeting at 10 to go over our new timesheet program that starts in a few weeks. Snot.

I packed two balls of ASC to cast on for Zipo, if/when I get the collar done on Air. I lost my photocopy of the instructions for the pocket flaps, so I’ll start those some other time. Good thing I wasn’t planning on any Christmas knitting!

Looking out my window

My office building is in SoHo. My office windows face North. When I look out over my shoulder, I have a beautiful view of the Empire State Building. This morning, I couldn't believe that I was here. Me, little ole hick from NW Vermont, first Bachelor's degree in the family (with grandfathers who didn't go to high school, much less graduate), one generation from cow manure between the toes, sits in a Manhattan office everyday. It boggles the mind. Especially considering I am not one of those ambitious, first-borns who is driven to succeed at everything. I have perfectionist tendencies, but my life is not about getting ahead. The great sadness in my ordinary day is that NY/NJ is 6 hours from where I grew up.

Deja Vu, All Over Again

Whew, finished the back of Air again. Started casting on for the collar this morning. I had to rip it out. The first bobble didn't look right. Oh well. The cast on will take a while, 117 total stitches, not counting the 2 of every 5 that get cast off!

I'm so excited that I'll be able to start Zipo soon. I've had this project on my mind for quite some time now. I bought the yarn in late May.

Today, my little man in ten months old. I can't believe it's been that long since he came into the world. A year ago, I was heading into the home stretch of the pregnancy, and now I've got a little guy who is starting to cruise, loves cheerios, and has 5 teeth! Amazing.

I think Billy's starting to feel better after this marathon ear infection. He actually started nursing a bit list night (for the first time since Sunday), after a few minutes it degenerated into biting again. I don't know why he likes to bite Mommy so much. You'd think I'd learn, but he suckers me in everytime. He leans forward and grabs me and I think, oh how sweet a hug and maybe a kiss, and then wham! Little teeth pinching the crap out of me! It wears on my patience.

I'm so looking forward to decorating for Christmas. It's December, tree should be up, my little houses should be out, stockings on the mantle, etc....

Ramblings of a knitted mind

I'm still working on Air. I had planned a big SC seaming party, but ran afoul of the back being 1" shorter than the fronts. Urgh. I ripped and am re-knitting. I should have the back finished again tonight. Then it's off to seam, knit the collar and pocket flaps. I will be casting on Zipo next week no matter what. I only have 4 weeks to finish it! The Manalong lasts until 12/31, but my family comes to visit on 12/30 and I want to give it to Dad then. Especially since his b-day is 12/29.

Our trip to SC was good. I didn't get much knitting done in the car. As usual, Netter figured she'd get more done than she could. Billy was great most of the trip. He only got cranky the last hour each day.

Everyone down there loved him. He's still struggling with his ear infection, but we got him more antibiotics, so he'll hopefully be feeling better soon.

My Kid Classic and Phildar came while I was away. I love both. The Juicy Kid Classic may be the first project I knit for myself. Maybe that's a good stash rule; last in first out! Eh, I think I'll get more use out of the ASC I bought in Copper and Sizzling.

Here's what I've been thinking of in the way of upcoming projects:

Zipo
Something for Billy (b-day 2/2)
F-I-L's vest (b-day 3/23)
Paris Loops for my sisters (sometime in April)
Socks for Hubby for father's day
Salsa Splash for me so I can wear it next summer

I've officially promised my husband that I would not buy anymore yarn. He wanted me to say that I wouldn't buy anymore until I ran out, but I couldn't agree to that. Run out of yarn! I'd never let that happen. I will make a serious dent in the stash before I buy again. I will admit to looking, but I have to stop browsing for it rapidly leads to purchasing! We're not in extreme financial straits, but things could be better if we stop the discretionary spending. Yarn is discretionary, I know it's hard to believe. We're also cutting back on eating out (made dinner 3 nights in a row) and brown bagging it for lunch.

Christmas shopping is interesting this year. We got Billy finished at an outlet in SC. I have no idea what to get my husband. Everyone else may be shopped for online. I just don't know if we'll make it to the stores. My in-laws are watching the baby Saturday so we can get the house decorated. I'm really pushing my husband to put lights up outside. He went nuts the three years we lived in our last apartment, but hasn't put any lights on the house in the 4 years we've been here. I think it's time!