Still all footies all the time

Yeah, I know I used that already. I don’t think you can sue me for not being creative on my blog.

I finished the first pair of Bob Marley’s Grandma’s footies. They’re great. I highly recommend the pattern from Mind of Winter. I did e-mail one small error I found, but no big deal.
I’ve started my second pair. I was debating working on some other sock pattern, but decided I need more footies! I’m making this pair from a more muted Koigu, P601 lot 12, but still in golds with some blues, coral and a tinge of lilac. It’s all me baby.
I got a few more inches done on the summer sonnet. I’m sick of all the garter stitch already, but the construction makes it fun. I hope I like this sweater. If not, I may seek a new home for it. I am making it slightly smaller than my actual size, hoping it cuts down on the boxy look. I’ll let you know.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day...

I started Sonnet in Summerwind this weekend. For some reason I can’t stop thinking of Shakespeare's Sonnet #18. It feels like it's taking soo long, even though I've got the right front done. I like the construction of this piece, it's side to side around the body. But all that garter stitch. I like the fabric, though. Pictures tomorrow.

I'm still working on the second footie. I was so taken with the new project, I haven't done much on the footie since Friday. I'm only about an inch or so away from the toe decreases. Then, it's on to my third pair of socks. Hmmm, what should it be? Another footie in koigu, regular socks in Kroy (got two colorways), or something dull in solid Preface (three shades)?

all footies all the time

Here's my finished footie. Hubby thought it looked a little tight, but I like it. I even like my kitchener stitch (performed last night while he was flipping channels).
I've turned the heel on number two and plan on getting through the gusset at lunch. By Monday, I'll have another FO to report.

I tried NBaT on again last night and it's just too big. I overcompensated when up-sizing the pattern. Not sure what I'm going to do now. I can't wear it. I'll have to rip it eventually. I don't know if I'll try another T with the calmer or if I will use it for something else.

While putting the project bag together for my Summerwind Hoodie, I realized that the yarn gauge did not match the pattern gauge. Whoopsie. I kept thinking it was chunkier than it is. It's 3.5-4 st per inch, not the 3 per inch the pattern calls for. I'm thinking it might make a pretty Sonnet.

I'll get started on that this weekend. Hopefully, if I can find knitting time. Hubby's out with the boys tonight (bachelor party for a colleague) and there's a church golf outing tomorrow morning. (I was planning to go, but our babysitter, aka M-I-L, is in upstate NY for a wedding.) Billy and/or Molly tend to want my attention when I'm home alone with them so I might not get too much accomplished.

I'd love to go to the beach this weekend, but I don't know if two adults are enough with a toddler.

dreams of alma mater

Now that my alma mater is going to be co-ed in a matter of months (will the girls be the students and the boys the co'eds?), I dreamt that Hubby and I were given full boats and went back. We had a dorm room together and everything. How weird is that? I don't know where Billy was, but we were our current ages and going back for second Bachelor degrees. I was doing something in science, I think.

I often have dreams of going back to Wells. It was four of the best years of my life. But, don't we all feel that way about college? What a great campus. I'd love to be up there right now, lying on the dock, reading some novel, chatting with Marcia and Bethany. Ah, to be 21 again.

bad NBaT, rip a toe, cranky-butt

So, I finished the NBaT last night. You'll notice that she does not appear as an FO. You may also notice that my "finishing pile" is not a "fix-it pile." I am not happy with the sleeves. They're poofy. I'll have to take them out, rip them, re-knit and put them back in. Bummer. Maybe, I'll just take the sleeves out and wear it as a shell. Hmmm.

I was a little over-enthusiastic this morning on the footie. I started the toe a couple of rows too soon. See:

No way three more decrease rows are covering up that much toe. Oh well. I can't complain about having to spend a little more time on it. I'll have a completed footie at some point today and I just started it Tuesday! (Then I get to re-knit the other one. Think I'll just start from what's left of the ball and work directly from the other sock. Both footies are still on the same piece of yarn. I just couldn't bring myself to cut the Koiu until I knew it was going to be enough for both footies.)

Billy was an absolute pill this morning. He woke up early (about 6) after going to bed early (7:30). Which was fine. But, he wanted to be held constantly. Fussed and cried and screamed unless I held him and I couldn't hold him and sit down. Nope hold me standing up was what "uh uh uh uh uh" meant this morning. So, Hubby was all worried that he'd have a repeat of yesterday's dropoff where he was an absolute pill and asked me to come along and help. I did and as soon as we got there, he was in his chair getting ready for breakfast. Not a tear was shed. Except by me when I had to take the third bus in and was late for work.

Lunchtime KIP, second socks, NBaT, gratuitous dog

So, I spent my lunch yesterday in Father Fagan Park, eating a sandwich and then knitting on my sock. I'm about four inches into the foot of the first sock and finally think, gee maybe I ought to check my gauge. Guess what, I'm getting 18 st to 2" while the pattern calls for 14. Oops. Well, I figure I'll check to see if it fits. Nope a bit too tight. Grr. I haven't ripped it yet. I decided to start the second sock on US3s from the outside of the ball. So far, so good. I'm working the heel flap. See:

I'll be lunching in Father Fagan Park again today. It's nice and shady and nearest the cheap deli. And I'll be turning the heel. These footies are going fast. (Shh, don't tell her she's going to have to re-knit the first one.)

Hubby said his socks were really comfortable yesterday, albeit a bit warm. He got many, many compliments. People didn't believe I'd made them. He said he wanted more, blue, black, gray, and argyle. He's requested argyle before and I told him it had to wait until after my intarsia class at Stitches. But, gee this sounds like a call for more sock yarn. And Knitpicks has just rolled out solid colors. Woot!

I finished the neckline on my NBaT and wove in most of the ends. All that's left is setting in the sleeves. I hope to wear her Friday, if it's at all cooler or drier. Of course it's 67 degrees here in my office this morning. She'd fit right in! It's the 90+ outside I'm concerned about.

Here's a pic of our Molly, enjoying the air conditioning in her favorite chair. (Note: the air conditioner is just to her left.)

Don't you just want to kiss that face?

Totally forgot to mention that Hubby is wearing his socks today. I think he's nuts.

photographic evidence

Here is the heel of the footie.

Harry, heels, NBaT update

So, I finished the Half-Blood Prince last night. Wow, what a read. I must admit I was so sucked in yesterday at lunch that my job performance suffered greatly (read, I was reading at my desk and not working). I cannot wait for number 7. Rowling better get writing! I was a bit stunned by some plot turns, but others weren't too surprising.

Ripped out what I'd done on the heel of my footie last night and re-did it. Amazing how differently things go when you follow the directions! I'm cruising along on the foot. La-di-da stockinette goin' round and round. I wish my DJ were charged. Music makes the stitchin' go faster.

I forgot to mention that I made actual progress on my T this weekend. I finished the second sleeve. Although, it isn't exactly like the first one, I'm pretty pleased. I'm not sure what happened. I was following the first one as a template and I thought I had a bunch of rows left to do when I realized that I was low on stitches and that the sleeve cap was getting kind of tall. So, I held it up to the finished sleeve and realized that I was done. The shapings not exactly the same, but I think it will be forgiven in the seaming. I started the neckline. That was fun. I picked up a bazillion stitches and started working back and forth on a purl row. I turned and knit a row, then got all confused on where the beginning was and realized I hadn't worked down the front of the left-side of the V. I tinked back and have recovered. Need to check the pattern for the height and then finish up. I hope to be able to wear it later this week once the humidity has died down.

sink insanity, footies, parents, Harry Potter

I love my Mom and Dad. I wonder what it would take to get them to move down here. It tickles me to see them with my son. I know how much love being grandparents.

My dad volunteered on Saturday to change the fauce in our kitchen sink. The one we had was corroded and had been leaking under the sink a bit. I had joked about it the last time they were here and when I was out working out Saturday morning, he got to it. By the time I got home, the kitche was already a disaster. It got crazy. They couldn't get the old faucet out, the new faucet had a leak, there were four trips to Home Depot, and my husband lost his mind. But, I've got a great new faucet. My sink looks clean and we all eventually recovered (fortunately Hubby didn't break his hand when punching the basement wall).


I've got a lot more done on my footies. I kind of stalled out Saturday night at the tailgate. The heel's a bit different than the one I worked on Hubby's socks. It needs more attention (and fewer beers) than I could give it at the time. John and John ROCKED by the way. Can't wait to turn the heel and get into some cruisable st st!

I got my Harry Potter. It came a little later Saturday morning that I was expecting. I've not gotten too far (can't be that rude), but I'm well into it now (thanks to a non-knittable seat and a long morning ride in). I'm looking forward to lunch time to read some more. As a matter of fact, I'd rather not work at all!

knitter finds another FO and gives herself a ribbing

Dude's vest is finished. It's way too big for him (although it does fit over his head). But, it's done. I'm pretty happy with it and think this yarn would make a great blanket (especially in stripes). Mayhap when I get my knitting machine up and running....

I nearly, nearly finished the second NBaT sleeve on the bus yesterday. When I took it out at home last night I got a little worried about the shape of it. It just didn't seem quite right. So I held it against the finished sleeve. D'oh! All wrong. I ripped it and started re-knitting it. The notes I took on my final mods were NOT correct so I'm carrying the finished sleeve with me to use as a guide. Shouldn't take too long once I get to it.

I've not been faithful to the finishing, though. Nope. Last night I had to swatch for the BMG footies. Mmmm, koigu. I just love this colorway (I looked at the tag this morning but forgot the number and didn't bring it with me). It's so fruity, so rainbow but harvest. So of course this morning waiting for the bus and on the bus, and waiting for the subway and on the subway, I worked on the first footie. I'm just about to start the heel flap. Picture is from one round earlier. Can't wait!

knitter has an FO and gives self Koigu cupcake

I finished the Hubby's socks last night (I was going to get all cutesy and make some reference to the fact that the one I finished second was the first one, but I confused myself). My kitchener stitch looks much better on this one. I printed out the instructions from Knitty's Summer '04 issue and it was crystal clear. Here they are in all their flash-photo glory.I gave them to him, bu the didn't offer to model them. Just said thank you and put them aside. I didn't expect he'd offer his picture for the blog, he's very private. But, I had hoped he'd try them on.

As my reward for finishing the socks, I've put together my project bag for the Bob Marley's Grandma's Footies. This is the koigu I'm using. I had to dig out my swift and ball winder last night, I just couldn't wait. Then I had to make a special socks-only stitch marker (a little green heart on a head pin that I wrapped twice around a US3 DPN and around itself and then trimmed off). Then I couldn't get to sleep. I just laid there thinking about that little Koigu cupcake.

I've worked a bit on my NBaT sleeve and hope to finish the knitting tonight and maybe get them sewn in. I should also be able to finish up Dude's vest (only one more row and cast-off to do). I'm just so excited to get started on new stuff. Must fnish....

in case you didn't know, only 3 days...

Sock #2 was completed yesterday during our little lunch s’n’b. It was oohed and ahhed over. Sock #1 is rapidly approaching re-completion. I do need to work in my Kitchener stitch, though. People sure are impressed by socks. This one was a pretty easy pattern. I’m looking forward to making many more with a bit more difficulty.

I greatly enjoyed sitting and stitching. My colleagues have asked me to plan another and I will. I'd love to do it weekly, but would that be too much?

Next sock project will be Bob Marley’s Grandma’s Footies from Mind of Winter. I’ve got 5 skeins of KPPPM I originally bought for a charlotte's web, but think would be better as 5 pairs of footies. I love low socks and I can’t wait. The first pair will be for me, I might share later pairs, if I can trust anyone else to not felt them!

I do so want to finish dude’s vest and the NBaT this week. Hopefully, I can squeeze them in with housework tonight and tomorrow night. My Mom and Dad are coming down from VT on Friday (we’re going to see John Mellencamp and John Fogerty on Saturday). So, I need to clean out the guest room and finish cleaning the bathroom.

Hubby very nicely dropped me at the train station this morning. I had to wait for 2 expresses, but got a seat (finally) on the second one. Hence, more sock progress. Last night I had to also wait for a second bus to get on and get a seat. I refuse to stand both ways in one day.

toes, stash (again), whine

I'll get the whine out of the way so you can skip down to the OKC. SRO again this morning coming in on the bus. The driver told me he picked up 6 people with train passes. I'm soooo glad NJ Transit decided to cross-honor the rail passes on all buses everyday. I'm never going to get a seat on the way in again.

Okay, getting ready to graft this toe. I finished the second sock's second toe last night watching Rock Star. (So far, a pretty good "reality" show.) I made Hubby try it on. It's a perfect fit, if it doesn't shrink, as Hubby mentioned a few times. Shouldn't be a problem so long as we remember to keep them out of the dryer. I'll be ripping back the first sock's first toe today and hopefully will have an FO report in the next day or so. I'm booting up Nona's grafting tutorial and will use that to guide me through th e process.

As for the stash, I got my Calmer (for $6.50 a ball) last night. Last of the stashquisitions on hand now. It's a nice, deep, brick red, almost a dull barn red. I can't wait to make something with it. It and everything else in the stash (but cotton, we're having a humidity in flux).

Just heard I'm getting a new laptop today. Must go clean out the hard drive on this one.

toe number 3, stash, and s'n'b

I did finish the toe on sock #2, and it was too small! I ripped and re-started. Hubby laughed at me while we were watching TV on Saturday because I kept making him give me his foot. Hey, the whole point of hand-made socks is that they are custom-fit, right? The bus was SRO this morning, so I only got a couple of rounds done on the subway. I hope to get it finished up tonight and start toe #4. I really, really want some FOs this week.

I did re-start the neckline on Dude's vest on the way to church yesterday. Hubby looked at the three bags (purse, diaper, knitting) I was making him carry to the van (hey, I had the high-chair) and said do we have to take all this knitting? I said yes, I like to knit in the car. Ha to you buddy, I got nearly half of it done. So, there.

I received 2 of my 3 outstanding eBay purchases this weekend. My silk garden arrived Friday. It's a slightly different dye lot from my first 10 skeins of #84, but I don't think it will really matter. I can always use it for the sleeves or something. My Cork came on Saturday. Wowser, is Billy going to look sharp in this sweater. Blue, orange, red, green. Yippee! It might just be the rad stripes I've been wanting to knit!

Tomorrow, I'm getting together with another knitter and a needlepointer for a lunch-hour s'n'b. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not sure what I'm going to bring to work on. Maybe the second NBaT sleeve. That hasn't been touched in a few days and shouldn't require too much concentration. I need to be able to chat you know to get to know these fiber-minded colleagues!

dodged a bullet

Whoo-boy did Hubby and I dodge a bullet of the home-owning variety. Seems the contractor who re-sided our house and replaced our windows was a big fat scam artist. He was arrested on Wednesday and seems to have stolen over half a million dollars. We were the lucky ones, even if the workmanship on our house is pretty shoddy. But, now we know why he hadn't been returning hubby's calls. He was going to skip town. In the past, he'd come up with some interesting excuses for not returning our calls (wife just had a baby--even though he's not married, appendicitis). We started getting really suspicious when hubby tried to go to his office two weeks ago and it was closed up. Now, we're not sure what we're going to do about the places where the siding is buckling. And so much for our 12-year warranty on the work. Phooey.

I am working the toe decreases on sock #2. I made hubby try it on last night. He was a little wary about the dpns (especially since I'd stabbed myself in the stomach the other day. Try not to bend over with a s-i-p in your lap). But, I found I only needed to work a few more rounds before the decreases. I'm not going to decrease to as few stitches as the pattern calls for, I'm going to make the grafted area a little wider. His feet aren't that pointy.

I finished an NBaT sleeve last night. It fits. Once I determined that, I quickly put my first attempt back on the needles and got to work. Soon, soon, soon.

Who knows, next week might be an FO week! I figure I should be able to whip out the revised ribbing on Dude's vest, too. Then, I think I'm going to make this out of my Summerwind, but I think I might pick up stitches and add sleeves. I know, I was going to start Splash, but I desperately want to knit up the Summerwind while it's still Summer.

stunned

This is keeping me from caring about my knitting right now. I read Kerrie's update and it brought back the feelings I had on 9/11 wondering when if I would be able to get home and if anything else was going to happen. The nice guy on the bus this morning, my sock progress, NBaT sleeve, all seem so unimportant. Pray for them.

sleeve, sock, neckline

Scintillating title, Wednesday would have been just as good.

Anyway, I knit a few rows and got past the first set of decreases on the NBaT sleeve last night watching a mish-mash of poker and Yankees replay. Then I was a Molly pillow. I hope to have a sleeve done this week. I really, really want to start on splash.

A few more inches on the Hubby sock #2. Didn't get a knittable seat yesterday morning and this morning was SRO. Still, the evening commute allows for some knitting around, and around, and around. The rounds are much faster now that I'm no longer ribbing or working the heel. Still, toe seems a long way off.

I ripped out the neck ribbing on Dude's vest this morning (after I had my cereal and while I was waiting for him to wake up). I'm going to make sure the V is big enough for his head and then I'll put in some looser ribbing (pick up more stitches firstly, then use a US5).

I'm a bit bummed. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is being released next Saturday. I pre-ordered with Amazon back in December; so, my copy will be on my doorstep Saturday morning. But, my parents are visiting that weekend and I won't be able to start reading it for a few days. When book 5 was released, I read it in one weekend (nearly one sitting, but it took two days). In the grand scheme of things, I'm happier to have my mom and dad around than to have the book, but it was a bit of a downer when I realized the timing of it this morning.

In other news, my sister had a migraine yesterday and had to go home from work. Yes, the Deso family curse strikes again. My grandmother passed this affliction to most of her 8 children, including my dad who passed it down to 2 of his 3. Sunday, while visiting with Meme and a couple of Uncles and Aunts, we were talking about migraines, symptoms, and frequency. Ironic that she got hit with one yesterday, huh? She says she blames me, but I know she doesn't really.

inane but first

Forgive me for the lack of wit, but I just left the first comment on the Yarn Harlot's post today.

OKC

I forgot to mention my knitting from this weekend. I finished up Dude's vest and it is so sweet, however, it won't fit over his head. Yes, the mommy of a toddler forgot how BIG said toddler's head is. Fortunately, I figure I only have to rip and re-knit the neck ribbing.

I've turned the heel and worked past the gusset on Hubby's sock #2. I did much of that waiting for our table at KJ's in St. Albans on Sunday morning. And waiting for the food to come. I love turning heels. Can't wait to try a different method.

I also started a sleeve for my NBaT. I've just started the shaping, so hopefully, I can get that finished this week and see if it will fit in the hole. I'd love to get her done. Then, it's time to start something else!

I LoVermont

Anyone else remember that slogan? I remember it on bumper stickers when I was a kid.

We had a good weekend up in ole' Franklin County. We did parades, and bar-be-cues, fireworks, and swimming. All on the smaller side. And I had a maple creemee. MMMMMMMM. Sorry if you think maple-flavored ice cream is gross (that would put you in Hubby's corner), but I got maple in my veins and I'll eat maple butter plain. And maple sugar candy, it's like crack. Billy seemed to enjoy everthing but the pools. He freaked at my uncle's when Hubby and I tried to take him swimming. 80+ water's not quite warm enough. I imagine he'll be like I was soon enough. (And hubby's just nuts, he'll swim in the ocean in May.) The fireworks upset him a smidge, until he learned to anticipate the booms. Then he fell asleep on mommy's shoulder. Awww.

He was charming and everyone loves him and I can't wait to bring him up there next month. I must say, we all started to get a bit cranky toward the end of the visit, but fish and family....

lost friend

I just got word that a sales rep I've worked with for years passed from lung cancer yesterday. He was a bit younger than my dad and reminded me of Dad and his brothers. He was really close to some of the other people in the company that he'd dealt with for years. He's going to be really missed.

long weekend

Boy am I looking forward to the long weekend. Some of these people I work with, geez.

So, I finished weaving in the ends of Dude last night. Started picking up a few stitches along an armhole this morning. I'm following the proportions found in Nancie Wiseman's The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques. Except, I'm doing 3 stitches to 4 rows along the whole armhole (except the bound off stitches which I'm picking up 1 to 1), I want the ribbing to pull it in a bit and not just lie there. I'll modify if I don't like it. I hope I can whip the edges out tonight while doing some last-minute laundry. Then I have to pack me, the baby and the dog.

I've started the heel flap on the second sock. I love the looks of heel stitch, but I hate purling it. Gee willickers, I've got to keep the stitch way down on the needle or they all pop off on me! I'm definitely keeping the socks in my purse for this weekend. So portable!

I'm also definitely bringing my NBaT for the car ride. I really want to finish her up and start wearing her. I hope I can figure out how to modify the sleeves to fit in my modified armholes. Otherwise, NBaT will have to wait until I take my sleeve class at Stitches.

Hopefully, I'll have a few FOs soon and will feel free to cast on something new.

Last night was bath night, both Billy and Molly are clean machines this morning!

headphone cozies

Is that really what you call them? It was fun creating these little things. I had to start over a few times, to get the right shape (and they're round while the headphones are oval, but they work). It's a pretty quick and easy thing. I chained 4, joined with sl st (slip stitch). Chained 2, and worked 8 hdc (half-double crochet) around, marking first hdc with a safety pin. Joined with a sl st, chained 2 and worked 2 hdc in each hdc from the previous round. I repeated that round again for another increase round. Joined with a sl st, then chained 1 because I was going to go to sc (single crochet) for the decreases (to get the little lip). I worked one sc in two hdc around (slip hook through top loops of hdc, wrap yarn around and pull through, repeat in next hdc so you have 3 loops on the hook, then yarn over and pull through all three loops). Repeated the decrease round, joined with sl st, pulled the yarn through and ta-da. Hubby was worried they'd muffle the sound too much, but I think they work great. Comfy and funky.

Didn't finish weaving in ends last night because I was making these. Yep, headphone covers out of my Summerwind. The foam ones were disintegrating and you need something on them. Aren't they funky?

on the bus, Gus

Last night was a long bus ride home. Thank knitting goddesses for socks and DJs. It was a pretty pleasant knit, I mean, ride for me. I'm sure you've heard that as soon as it rains, people forget how to drive. Surely, that's the only explanation for the hour+ bus trip home last night. But, that always means many rounds of the sock done.

This morning's commute was more of the same. Except it was SRO again. No knitting and no DJ (should have clipped him to my waistband). Oh well, I did a round or so on the subway and waiting for the elevator. I'll be knitting in a few while on a conference call (office door closed of course).

I did seam up Dude's Vest last night. I used mattress stitch because I was too lazy to look for an appropriate crochet hook. I loved it. These are the neatest seams I've ever made. And it wasn't hard. What magic to pull on the ends of the seaming yarn and have the edges come together so perfectly! Hopefully, I'll get the rest of the ends woven in tonight and tomorrow I can knit the armhole and neckline ribbing (for that I will need an appropriate hook, I love to pick up stitches with the hook). Then it's FO-time, baby.

This is the half of the weaving-in I didn't get done last night. I did seam the sides using mattress stitch. Now I realize what everyone was raving about. Why hadn't I used it sooner?

the stashing, it must end

So, I won those auctions on eBay. I will now have enough Silk Garden in color 84 to make whatever I want (15 skeins). I will also be getting 10 skeins of Calmer in Amour (red, for just about $7 a skein). And then there's the 8 balls of cork I won.

I feel like I'm hungover with this stash enhancement. Mainly becaue Hubby and I had a heart-to-heart on Friday and I promised, yet again, to not buy anymore yarn. Now I have to tell him that I did indeed win two more auctions. Oops.

Can you sense the extreme guilt radiating from me? You should.

I did finish the body of Billy's vest and I joined the shoulders (three needle bind-off). I didn't get around to blocking it until last night. I gave it a soak and pinned it down on my space board. Hopefully it will be dry tonight and I can work on seaming the sides and weaving in all those ends!

Not much work done on Hubby's sock lately. But, I plan to bang out quite a bit on the bus this week. If I get a seat in the morning. Well, I probably would have had a seat today if we hadn't overslept by an hour. Someone forgot to re-set the alarm before she went to bed last night. Good thing Billy doesn't sleep past 7! I do think he actually woke up before 6, when mommy's supposed to be in the shower, but he stopped fussing and I just rolled over and went back to sleep. Good thing we have flexible hours here and I'm not late unless it's after 9:30!

make it through the night

I'm not sure what I want to write about.

I'm progressing on Dude's Preppy vest (must update side bar to change the name). About 6 more rows and I bind off for the armholes and then just a few rows until I separate for the v-neck. I hope to have front and back finished Saturday. then I'll steam block and seam up so I can start picking up for armhole and neckline ribbing. I really, really want to have the whole thing finished before our trip to VT next weekend. Just cause I want to work on other things in the car.

Yep, planning my knitting for the 6 hour drive (and any other driving we do while there). I'm going to bring hubby's socks and probably NBaT. It's time to finish her up. Maybe I'll work on the math and decreases for her sleeves before the car trip, or maybe I'll do it during the trip.

I don't know how I'm going to get through today and tonight. I'm fiber-less. Hubby and I are going to the Mets v. Yankees tonight and he talked me out of trying to bring the sock to the Stadium. So, no knitting on the bus this morning (which was fine the nap was much needed), but also no knitting on the subway up to the Bronx, or back to Manhattan or the train or bus ride home tonight. I may suffer withdrawals people. I may need to self-medicate. I may need to buy more discontinued Rowan yarns on eBay. I've never touched Polar in my life, but discontinue it and I have to have it!

The in-laws are taking Billy to their house for the night. I get to sleep in tomorrow. I can actually do housework without him fussing behind me (well I won't miss the fussing, but I'd rather not clean). Hubby and I can run errands without complicated logistics and both be out of the house at the same time! It gets better, I don't have to think about what to feed me or Billy or anybody! Since F-i-L is going to tomorrow's Yankee-Mets game with Hubby (Hubby's going to all three, we won't even talk about the marathon he has planned for Sunday when he and a buddy are going to Philly to watch the Phillies and Red Sox in the afternoon and then going to the Bronx that night. I married a crazy man), I'm going to go up to their house and have an early dinner with M-i-L and B.

Don't get me wrong, being Billy's mom is the awesomest thing ever, but it's nice to get a break! I may even sneak in some spiinning.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ...

was awesome! I was a bit ticked that it took him nearly an hour to get on stage after The Black Crowes finished (also very good, but they're a jam band and I didn't recognize most of the songs), but then he started playing and singing and mugging for the crowd and it was all good. If I didn't have to be up at the crack of dawn, I would have hated for it to end.

Traffic yesterday, not so good. Apparently, NJ was hit by horrible T-storms which doubled the length of the bus ride home and made the GSP a parking lot on our way to the Arts Center. We sat down right and Chris Robinson and the Crowes came out on stage.

I did about 10 rows on Dude's vest on the way to the concert. Not too much knitting on the bus ride, though. I took a much needed nap! I also didn't do much sock knitting this morning either. I was on a conference call for work. Vendors in India mean conference calls have to be really early (7 am today). I will be finishing up the ribbing soon so st st to the heel.

I won an auction for a lot of 8 balls of Cork in various colors (orange, green, red). I'm going to mix it with my Rowan gift of dark blue and B will have Rad Stripes for Fall! I'm paying $4.50 a ball, including shipping, when it's still retailing for over $8 a ball. Love a good eBay bargain.

of baseball and knitting

Hmm, maybe we shouldn't have turned off the Yankee game in the fourth inning to watch "Freaks and Geeks" on DVD. Oh well. I'm sure it will be an instant classic and YES will air it to death!

I only watched two episodes of F&G before going to bed. Which was a good thing. Billy was up screaming at 4:30. I surely do hope these new teeth come in fast. I bet his little fingers do, too. He's not stopped chewing them in days.

I'm going to be a mess tomorrow after a concert tonight and waking up so early this morning.

In knitting news, before I became a Molly pillow last night, the front of Dude's Preppy vest grew a couple of inches and I only have 3/4" more ribbing to do on sock #2.

taking advice

I should take Lolly's advice and talk Hubby into getting Tivo or the DVR Comcast offers (for like $10 a month), then I wouldn't have to stay up until 11 to watch the good shows. But, it was a good episode of Medium.

I should also take Yarngirl's advice and not worry about fixing sock one. She says picking the stitches back up won't be too hard, and she's probably right. I also think that no matter how hard it is to get back on the needles, it will beat knitting three of the same socks! And do stop by and tell her how beautiful her Flower Basket Shawl is! Makes me think about knitting lace! But, really Netter, let's conquer the socks first then move on to another skill.

I did cast on for the front of Dude's vest. I don't know think the name Dude's Rad Stripe vest fits it. It's rather preppy, don't you think? Maybe it should be just a Preppy Vest.

Next time I'm on the PC at home, ripping CDs, remind me to stay off eBay. I've bid on some yarn. I know, I had all those plans about shopping til I dropped at Stitches and now I've gone ahead and done what I wasn't going to do. Fortunately, a couple of the auctions have just begun and I'm sure to be outbid. Yes, I want to be a loser!
!

Here's a scan of the back of Billy's vest. Colors looked pretty accurate on home monitor. Seem a bit off, of course I didn't realize I was scanning to a bmp and had to convert to jpg. Well, it will give you an idea.

knittin' and rippin'

I'm knitting away on Dude's rad stripey vest. I figure one more set of stripes and it's time to start the back of the neckline. I scanned it a few minutes ago and will post the photo tomorrow (don't have Hello on the home PC).

I'm ripping more CDs. We're going to see Tom Petty and the Black Crowes on Wednesday, so I want to make sure we both have appropriate tunage. Hubby's also getting a little bored with the measley number of tunes he's got so far. I'm also ripping a few old favorites (Skylarking by XTC) and a new one (Get Born by Jet). Not to mention, I have more chicks to rip, too.

Had to rip and re-cast on for Hubby's sock. But, I've got a few rounds of 1 x 1 ribbing completed.

I was planning to go to bed early, but it's Monday, and I'm trying to get caught up with Medium. I know isn't that horrible? Staying up late to watch a TV show. But, I really like it.

lots of knitting

I did a lot of knitting over the weekend.

I did finish up Hubby's sock on Friday and had him try it on. Unfortunately, I didn't get the kitchener stitch so the toe's wonky. Even more unfortunate, the foot is too short! It's the perfect length for me, but not for Hubby. I'm thoroughly intimidated by the idea of ripping out the stitches and getting such tiny things back on the needles. So, I've cast on for the second sock and once that one's done to the right size, I will fix number one.

Dude's rad stripey vest is coming along nicely. I worked on it quite a bit Friday night and Saturday tailgating before the Steve Miller concert (totally rockin' dude). Shortly, I will be at the neckline for the back. I'm totally loving this Phildar cotton. It's so silky. I showed the vest in progress to my M-I-L. She thought it was very nice too. She gushed a bit. I hate to say she's easily impressed, but when it comes to knitting, she is.

Hubby had a nice Father's day yesterday. He liked his DVD (Freaks and Geeks) and the shirt Billy made for him at daycare (although, we don't see him wearing a t-shirt with footprints all over it). He had a good time at the game with his Dad and we had a nice dinner all together.

I am exhausted. Billy decided to be up before six all weekend. Now, not so bad when Mommy gets to bed at a decent hour, but the morning after a concert? Dude, so not cool.

Toes

When Billy was little (you know, cuz he's so big now), I used to sit him in his bouncy seat and sing Nose and Toes. I'd touch his toes and sing toes in a low tone, then I'd touch his nose and sing nose higher. Sometimes, I'd try to find other body parts that rhymed, like eyes and thighs. But nose and toes worked the best. He'd just laugh himself silly.

This does tie into knitting and I bet you've figured out how. I don't have many readers, but they're a smart bunch! I started the toe shaping on Hubby's sock. I'm hoping, hope with me, that I'll have it finished to give him Sunday. Granted, it's only one, but I think it will be a nice Father's Day gift. Then he can try it on and if it's not ginormous, I'll copy it exactly for the Second Sock. If it is ginormous, I'll knit one smaller and that will be the First Sock, and a third sock will be the Second Sock, and the current sock will become a Christmas Stocking or something. Maybe I'll make a puppet out of it!

Whew. I knit a few more inches on Billy's Stripey Vest. I want to come up with a neat name for it, but I haven't yet. It reminds me of the 80s with the bright colors, but it's not Miami Vice colors, so I'm not sure what to call it. I'll try to get a pic this week.

I did get hubby's dj all loaded for him last night. I didn't rip any more cds. Molly was barky and I didn't feel like it. I felt like putting my behind on the couch, watching TV, and knitting. So I did!

Yo, DJ

Hubby and I bought a couple of Dell Pocket DJs last week. They arrived yesterday. I got to start charging and loading mine first (he's going out after work tonight and didn't want to bring it with him). I really like it. I can't believe how fast the CDs rip and sync over. I've got all my Sheryl Crow and Indigo Girls on it. I am going to need some different head phones. These buds just don't stay in my ears. I liked listening (Queen, Night at the Opera) and knitting (sock) on the way to work this morning. Right now, I've got Sheryl on shuffle and repeat. Should make compiling spread sheets and reviewing final proofs much more interesting.

Tonight after Billy goes to bed, I plan on more ripping and getting Hubby's set up for him. It'll be a piece of cake since I've loaded all the software on the PC. Tomorrow, I'll show him how to do everything and we'll be good to go. He's all excited about it now. He may be late coming to MP3s, but he's all over it. Doesn't think he'll buy another CD (which is good, we have a few thousand as it is).

I've decided to be a bit chaotic with the stripes on Billy's vest. I figure a toddler can get away with LOUD clothes!

Herrschners.com has a lot of nice cottons on sale this week. I'm resisting so far (yeah, real strong, the sale's on until next Thursday), telling myself that if I don't stash now, I'll buy whatever I want at the marketplace at Stitches in September. Oh yeah.

Apparently, Molly didn't think much of the Harlot's book. It was on the dining room table. She was apparently unhappy that we left her alone (although, she barked to get out of the tv room). I'm glad I'd already read it. I didn't kill her.

nighttime multitasking

I'm ripping CDs.

Listening to the Yankee game (wow Giambi hit a meaningful home run).

Having a beer.

Knitting on Billy's stripey vest.

Oh, and posting from home!

Better?

Yesterday didn't get better until I got home. I did get to knit on the subway, but found 2 dropped stitches to repair. Then I was knitting on the bus and found a hole about 8 rows down where I had picked up one slim thread when knitting a stitch. Of course it had to be repaired. Why is it wool will drop stitches like a bad habit when you don't want it too, but when you have to drop eight rows to fix something, it's a chore. Then, as I was partly through the dropping, my working needles flew across the bus and landed under someone's backpack. Being me, I didn't ask for help until we were nearly home (tried to get hubby to do it on his way by, but nice man next to me took care of it). So, an unproductive bus ride for me.

After dinner, bath, and fixing the rocking chair, Billy went to sleep easily and Mommy got knitting time. (After the dishes, of course.) I worked on Billy's vest while hubby and I watched the Yanks spank the Pirates. Then we watched some of the Live Aid DVD he bought this weekend.

This morning, I knit on the sock on the way in and so far, today's going pretty well. If you don't count exhaustion and sinuses that feel like they're going to be a real problem shortly!

Uh, yeah. The high temp went up 17 degrees between June 3 and 4 and hasn't been below 85 degrees since. No wonder we're all so cranky!

crappy day keeps getting crappier

Cranky Hubby. SRO bus. Hot, humid, yucky weather. Errors in a publication. Snippy editors.

And I've barely had a chance to touch my knitting today. It's not even 10 am. I know today's not going to get much better.

I didn't do much knitting last night either. Helping Hubby start to rip CDs was a chore. Someone needs to find some patience and a touch of faith that things will work, and I don't mean me.

Just want to go home and sleep and dream of fibery goodness!

Dutch heel

So, I turned the heel on Hubby's sock this weekend. I think it was Friday night that I got started. (I'm not quite sure, many beers were imbibed watching boxing Friday and Saturday nights while knitting. Yes, I have serious guy tendencies.) Once I wrapped my brain around the process, it was surprisingly easy. I'm not sure I like the Dutch heel, but it was fun. Next pair, I'm going to try the round heel. Hubby says he wouldn't mind tube socks, but I told him that would be no fun! (I told him repeatedly that sock knitting was lots of fun.)

Sock went with me the few times I left the house. I even moved up to a larger purse so I only have to carry one bag. Hubby gave me a hard time last night when I whipped out the sock in the van on the way downtown to the diner. I said hey, if I get 40 stitches done, that's 40 stitches. BTW, I got a whole round done.

I started swatching on the vest for Billy yesterday while Hubby watched a silly wrestling PPV. I've also been playing around in Excel this morning to figure out the stripes. I think I've got them down. So, I should be casting on and starting that soon. I think, if I get any TV time tonight, I'm going to work on the NBaT sleeves. I seamed up the body on Friday and she fits. Although, I didn't take her to a mirror to see how she looks. Hubby said she looked good, but he's a guy and a non-knitter.

Looking more like a real sock. Is that a heel?

Bead It

I got my stitch markers last night (see pic below), they were from Nae.They're so cute. Thanks again to Cara for hosting.

I got about 1 1/2 inches of the heel flap done last night on another epic bus ride home. It was long, but the worst part was the first half with this woman sitting next to me yapping on her cell phone. I guess she can't make personal calls from her house. No knitting done on the way in this morning. I was busy reading the bookbookbook. It came in my Overstock.com order (Hubby's father's day gift). So far, I'm loving it.

It's been a good mail week, huh?

Hubby and I are thinking about going to the beach this weekend. We'll see. All the AC in the house may sap our wills to go outside, though. I would like to see how an older Billy reacts to the beach, though. Last summer when we went, he was too young.

Here are the cute stitch markers I received from Ronnie for Bead It Two. Thanks! I love the little platinum card. Think it has anything to do with my stasquisition?

Here's a swatch with my vintage Phildar. I just couldn't wait to get my fingers on it. I'm swatching with a US7, not the 4-6 recommended and it seems a bit loose. I'll go down to a 6 and see what that does. I'm definitely thinking of something summery and stripey for Billy.

Here's the sock. I think the keyboard gives a good idea of the size. I knit it to 7" (easily measured with my dpn). I'm going to start the heel flap this afternoon. Wish me luck, I'm nervous!

No Fair Isle for Netter

Just got a call from Stitches. I am on the waiting list for Sally Mellville's Fair Isle class at Stitches East. So my back up is The Perfect Sleeve with Jean Frost. A very helpful class. I also switched out of Fair Isle finishing and into Knitting Backwards, just in case no one drops out of Sally's Fair Isle class. I'm a wee bit disappointed, but still will learn lots of useful things!

Hump day, really, really Hump day

It's never going to be a great day if I can't knit on the 113. I couldn't knit on the 113 today. The first bus that came was SRO. The second bus that came was also SRO, but I couldn't wait for a third bus. I'm supposed to be coming in early to make up dr appt time. It was also SRO on the E train downtown this morning. So, no knitting and an unpleasant commute. Not to mention uncomfortable tootsies.

Now, I am at work and the FTP sites are down. Since the majority of our vendors are in India and the servers for our workflow systems are in Europe, very little work will actually be accomplished today. Not to mention that when I scan a document on the copier, the file sits on an FTP server outside Boston. O, the joys of working for a large multi-national corporation.

Good thing our Internet servers aren't down. What would I do with myself. We are still getting e-mail, too. I'm sure that will keep me busy.

I did arrive home yesterday, late and bedraggled, to a box of Phildar yarn. Unfortunately, I didn't get to open and fondle for a couple of hours (had to nebulize and bath the boy and install the large ac unit). It's very nice and I'd like to start knitting with it immediately. Something stripey for the B, I think.

Rowan has discontinued Cork. There is some on sale on eBay in a favorite color. I don't know if I like Cork, and the stash is huge (as we know), and I'm saving money for Stitches, but I am sorely tempted to buy some (with a free pattern book). Too bad they don't auction more time on eBay (or knitting elves).

Latest stashquisition arrived via UPS yesterday. The green is more blue in real life, the white more cream and the yellow is more pale. The misc. balls were freebies. This stuff is so soft. I love it! I can see a striped pullover in B's future.

of airconditioning and natural light

I braved the heat yesterday and took some natural light photos. Boy, it does make a difference. I think the purple of the NBaT is very close to what it looks like in person. And the fabrics are pretty accurate, too. I'll try to get a sunlight shot of the sock as well. We've not been alone waiting for the bus the last couple of days, so it's not had another bus stop photo shoot. (Bus stop is one of my favorite movies. I haven't seen it in years.)

Hubby went out and bought another air conditioner last night. This one is for the main floor of the house. So we can eat without sweating, and even surf the web comfortably. I just hope the 10,000 BTU unit will fit in the window we have picked out without carpentry on our part. I'm loathe to nail the year old windows or siding. We now have four window units for our 1200 sq ft house. Our house is 80+ years old with old-fashioned steam radiators, so re-fitting it for central air is going to be exorbitant. We've talked about it and are going to wait. I can't imagine the fun it will be if we do ever have to have duct-work installed. I'm not having much luck talking Hubby out of getting one of those portable air conditioners for the basement TV room. I know it gets above 70 down there (especially when we have to do laundry), but I just don't think it's necessary. We do hope B's window unit will help him nap better on the weekends.

I've been working on the sock. It's getting bigger. I don't think you need or want to see it. Another couple of inches of st st is not scintillating blogging.

I've started researching for my design class at Stitches. Students have to bring in photos of sweaters they'd like to re-create. I just requested an Anthropologie catalog. There are about a dozen of those I'd like to knit. I don't know if I'd wear them all, but they sure are beautiful!

In other travel news, we're heading to VT for the weekend of the 4th. We have to come back before any patriotic festivities because Hubby has to work the 5th, but we'll be there for my mom's family's semi-annual get together. I'm glad they changed it from December!

Got the fabics for my tote. They aren't quite what I thought they would be (the Butler is more olive and the Hoffman is darker), but I'm going to make the tote anyway. Soon's I can get to my sewing machine!

So, here she is in all her glory, the completed front. Now for sleeves and a neckline! Color looks pretty good in natural light. Don't ask what the plant is, all I know is it's a weed.

hazy, hot, and stitches east

Wasn't it just chilly and wet? When did summer get here? Why don't we ever get a nice, gradual build up to July weather? Why is it always like someone flips a steamy switch?

Okay, enough whining. My fingertips are actually chilled, here in the office this morning. Desktop thermometer says 72.8. Weather.com says it's 87 (feeling like 92) in my home zip code. It's not even 11 am and we've busted through the forecast high of 86. Gee, I'm glad we installed an air conditioner in allergy-boy's room last night. He felt like he had a fever yesterday after his nap because his room was so hot and stuffy. (I refuse to open his windows and tempt the pollen, even if we might be spoiling him as hubby suggested.)

Wait, did that qualify as more whining?

In knitting news, I finished the front of NBaT Friday during the crawl home. (Rainy, summer Friday of course it took 2 hours to get from office to house. Oops, there's that w word again.) No, there is no photo. I will take one today. I put a V-neck in and don't know if I'll do the neckline as in the pattern. I'm not sure how the folded hem would work at the point of the V. I do want to get started on the sleeves, but havn't had the time to think about it, yet.

Sock progresses. I got quite a bit done at the dentist Saturday morning and Saturday night while enjoying a Diet Coke with Lime and Bacardi. MMMM, rum. I also brought it for the bus today. Like I said, no thinking on the sleeves for NBaT, yet.

Hubby registered me online for Stitches East Saturday (once he finally got on the new PC, he wouldn't share so I could do it myself). It seems I've got all my top choices for classes. Both of Sally Mellville's first two classes, fair isle and intarsia. Then it's fair isle finishing, designing your own sweater and modifying a pattern (this is a necessity as so many European patterns that I love aren't plus size). I only get to take 15 credits because Hubby has Jets tickets Sunday and we have to get home early in the am. I'm looking forward to it! I also booked our room at the Boardwalk Holiday Inn. We've stayed there before. It's pretty nice. Wonder if we'll get a room with a jacuzzi tub again. Anyone else going to Stitches East?

I did say that I would buy no yarn before the Market Preview on 9/22. That's about 104 days away. Gee, if I could have a dollar for everyday I don't buy yarn (going back to last eBay auction), or maybe 2, it would be quite a haul!

I'm leaving work at 12:30. B has a follow-up with the ENT. I don't think we'll get bad news, but the reassurance will be nice.

Here's hubby's sock as of this morning. Quite a bit of progress, if I do say so myself.

Lessons from the past week

1. Vacations are good!
2. Blackjack is fun, but not profitable.
3. It's even more fun with lots of $1 cocktails. Oh Nurse!
4. Hubby's a pretty good poker player.
5. 100 is hot, no matter what!
6. Penny slots can still cost $$ per spin!
7. Cheap steaks aren't as good as expensive ones. (Knew that already.)
8. Sleeping is more important than knitting on the red eye.
9. Work interferes with blogging.
10. Kids change a lot in a few days.
11. It hurts when your baby cries when Grammy leaves without him. OUCH.
12. I'm not a bad mom.
13. Billy likes craft stores.
14. I'm not a desert person.
15. Casinos are great, for a short visit.

Newest WIP waiting for the bus this morning. Yes, it is one of Hubby's socks. I brought it to Vegas and this is what I managed on the plane and watching baseball. One more inch of 1x1 ribbing and it's st st all the way to the heel!

quickie

I did make it back from Vegas alive, with a new WIP in fact. (Pics tomorrow)

Just wanted to let you know that we did not win big and buy our own island in the Hebrides (what, you think a knitter would go tropical? well, I do so love cotton, but I want some sheep).

Billy's a lot better, Hubby's got a sinus infection, and I think I'm next. I'm taking Billy to the Dr for a follow-up this afternoon. Wish us luck!

I'll try to do a better update tomorrow, but you know how work is after a few days off. I had 157 e-mails!

poop episodes

I guess my poop episode last night could have been worse!

more bronchitis

Now Hubby thinks he has bronchitis (second year in a row). He's going to try to see a doctor today so hopefully he'll have good meds for Vegas. Don't tell him, but I think I know why Billy is prone to it now. I think both my boys need Zyrtec via IV.

I don't really have much to talk about. I've started the armholes on NBaT and need to figure out what I'm going to do for the neckline. I think I'd rather bring Hubby's socks on the plane with me, so I need to go get some DPNs. And I need to go get a money order for my Phildar win. I'm thinking it will be a stripey sweater for Billy or me, depending on gauge and yardage (auction didn't have that info).

My house looks good. Since the in-laws are Billy and Molly sitting this weekend, they're living at our place until Friday evening (easier to get Billy to and from daycare). So, of course, I had to clean up. I had further impetus when Billy pooped in the tub during his bath last night. I was disinfecting everything! (Tub toys got soaked in hot water and peroxide since they go in his mouth often, everything else got cleaned with a bleach cleanser.) First time he's ever done that!

I'm tired and not looking forward to getting up early enough to leave the house by 5:30-6 am tomorrow morning (flights at 7 something). Fortunately, we're only 15 minutes from the airport. I'm also anxious about having to possibly miss LOST tonight, what with people in the house and having to pack and all that. Fortunately, my source agreed to send me a copy so I'll get to watch it eventually. No spoilers please!

Well, lots to do before my long weekend (won't be back in the office until next Wednesday).

I'll try to take pics and blog Tuesday when we get back.

Mmm. Looks yummy! Knits up pretty well. Although the three strands are plied loosely so you have to watch for splitting. It's such spongy yarn!

I stashed again yesterday. I didn't think my lowball bid would win, but it did. There are 25 balls (total) of this mercerized Phildar yarn that will be coming to me! And even with shipping, I'm only paying 82 cents a ball. I love eBay!

It may be icky, cold, and wet in NJ, but a summerwind blew into my house yesterday! (Okay corny, but it's Frank.) I've started a swatch, just to see what it will look like knitted up. I'll try to get a decent picture later today (two I took this morning were blurry).

Lunchtime post

It's lunchtime and I think I may actually knit if I don't ramble on too long. I was able to knit on the bus this morning, so I have reached the armhole decreases on NBaT. I think I know what's going to Vegas with me. (How do you block in a hotel room being shared with a non-knitter?) Doesn't look like Hubby will ever get his socks (still can't find my small dpns).

Billy's cough is worse, but we're bringing out the heavy artillery, Xopenex. Tomorrow, I have to teach M-i-L how to use the nebulizer and F-i-L how to play Baby Newton on our PC (nebulizer is in office and the only DVD player in there is the PC). Fortunately, today was the last day of antibiotics and drops (one last dose of drops tonight). Although, he doesn't mind taking either of those. It's the Albuterol he hates and we'll stop that with the Xopenex.

Hubby's really bothered by Billy's illness. I'm trying to take it in stride. Having grown up with a sibling in and out of the hospital until she was 11 or 12, this is not a big deal. How do I get him to see that? (Although, I do wish I didn't have to use so many vacation days for Dr appts.) He's stressed about work and always catastrophizes things (like my made-up word?). A worst-case scenario guy. I always thought I was a pessimist, but now I realize at the worst, I'm a realist at best an optimist. I just don't see the point in wasting energy worrying. Actually, sometimes I don't worry enough.

Won't this make a lovely tote? Stripes outside, paisley inside. I'm getting 1 yd of the Amy Butler stripe and 2 1/2 yds of the Hoffman paisley. I'll be able to make notions bag with the paisley. Have to find coordinating fabric for a needle roll.

Who wouldn't want to leave this weather behind? We may love NY, but this forecast stinks!

This is my idea of a Memorial Day forecast! VIVA LAS VEGAS. (Of course I'll be inside quite a bit!)

No knitting updates. I barely touched NBaT all weekend and forgot to pack it this morning. Mondays are rough, especially since Billy's back on all those meds. Yeah he's not happy about it, but I think this face is more about teething!

Not so motivated

Something about late nights, mild hangovers, and half-days that keep me from being super motivated at work. Of course, the fact that B's ears are oozing again may have something to do with my mood. Oh and it's cool and rainy outside. We're not having a very Springy-Spring this year. I wonder if Summer will be a disappointment, too.

Yep, have to go home at 12:30 and take the boy to the doctor. Poor kid. He seems to feel okay. All smiles and giggles as usual, but oozing ears cannot be ignored. And I am NOT thrilled that he's coughing again. We've only been off the meds for two weeks.

BRUUUUCE was great last night. It was weird to be seated almost the whole concert and to see just him performing alone, but he's awesome. He can be a bit tyrannical about his acoustic performances. Someone was shouting during a song and he told them to Shut the F Up. But he didn't abbreviate.

Good news is I get to knit sooner. No knittable seats available on the 113X this morning. Afternoon buses tend to be emptier, so I'll get a good seat. I'll also get to play with the new PC this afternoon instead of waiting until B goes to bed. I'll set him up with some toys and we'll be good to go. He'll probably spend more time opening and closing the door. He can just reach the knob and it doesn't latch. He just stands there opening and closing. Sometimes, he eve goes in and out! Oops, I forgot there are cardboard boxes and computer stuff all over the floor in there. I'll have to tidy that up first, won't I?

Hubby's going to the Mets-Yankees series all weekend. He'll be out tonight, tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon. Hope he doesn't get too rained on today! It'll be a B and Mommy weeekend. My M-i-L is coming to babysit tomorrow morning so I can workout and go to the salon (Hubby's planning on leaving around 10 to drive to the stadium and he'll ahve to pick up tailgate supplies in the morning). That afternoon, if B's up for it, we're going shopping. I need some new clothes (esp. shorts and things for Vegas next week) and he needs some summer-y things. If he's not up to it, he'll stay with the in-laws tomorrow after church and it's mommy alone with the credit card time.

Wow, what a long post and no real knitting news! I've got one more bust increase on NBaT. I hope to have her finished this weekend. Then it's sleeve time. I've also started a wrap in a rayon ribbon yarn, but I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do. It's for Vegas. Something light and airy, but can cover my arms if I pack anything sleeve-less.

I did indeed start the bust increases last night. As a matter of fact, between the two bus rides, I got sets done and will make the third increase tonight on the way to see BRUUUUCE and his guitar.

2005 or 1955?

I realize it's a Roman Catholic school, but perhaps instead of punishing her for conceiving a child, they should have been more proactive in helping her PREVENT pregnancy! Let's give her some credit for finishing school. And if you're going to punish one of the teenage parents, you better punish them both! She wasn't the only one committing the sin.

La la la la la la, la la la la la

Remember the smurfs? Their little song often pops into my head when I'm floatingly happy.

And why is Netter so happy? Her new computer is set up and running! Her new camera is here and loaded with batteries and taking pictures! Yay! All I need to do now is do the transfer from the old PC and get us back online at home.

It was not fun driving out to Bound Brook last night (15+ miles on 22 just after evening rush?), but we got to UPS and after waiting behind 2 people whose packages could not be found (Hello, hard to not buy yourself some anxiety in that situation), the guy scanned my delivery slips, and voila, four Dell boxes for me!

I love the 19" flat screen monitor (free upgrade in May), I love having Windows XP with Office Professional, I love my new 3-in-1 printer, and I can't wait to be able to get online and actually do stuff at home with my computer! I love getting 2% of the total purchase into our Upromise account for B's education. Not to mention, Hubby was joking about going out today and getting an MP3 player and start ripping the CDs for this summer's concert performers.

And, I ordered yarn yesterday. Another package to happily wait for!

I decided to take Lolly's advice and go for the contrast hem and neckline. I've used just over one ball on the front so far. I think I'll be able to finish it it with one more so that leaves 2 for the sleeves. And I have enought cofeebean for about 36 rows of the three remaining hems. I should be fine. Since I've decided to add the brown, I've been wanting to call her Truffle. The coffeebean makes me think of milk chocolate. Since I'm trying to remove weight, I'll wear my truffles instead of eating them!

And, Billy didn't bite anyone yesterday. Super cute Billy story to follow. He was very good waiting with us at UPS. He just walked around looking at things and people. When I showed him that the metal on the sides the counters was reflective and told him to look at Billy, he leaned really close, said "MWAH" and kissed his reflection. (Now, don't go thinking he's a narcissist, he just thought he was kissing another kid.)

I start the bust increases when I pick her up again. Notice anything different about my pic? (Besides the elephant.)

Say hello to the newest member of my stash! Only $2.97 a ball at Herrschners.com! (And yes, Hubby and I did discuss it before I whipped out the plastic, no promises broken.)

Four decreases marked by pins and 6 more rows above them. Someday, I'll finish this T.

so, it might fit

I held the back of NBaT against my front and back (not so easy to see) last night and it appears it's a good length for me. I also compared it against a top I have that fits pretty well (although, it's a bit more snug right now than I'd like), and it's just a tad wider. All in all it looks like the T will fit. Yay, I don't have to rip it all out and start over!

The bad news is I only have 3 balls of the Zeal Calmer left. I don't think I'm going to make it. I've just finished the waist decreases and figure it's going to take at least 2 more balls to finish the front. No way I get 2 sleeves and the neckband out of 1 and part of a ball (remember I already started a sleeve). I think it might help if I go back to two colors and use a contrast for the neckband and sleeve hems (I'll probably have to rip what I've started of the first sleeve anyway to fit my armhole). I definitely have enough bleached, but I think I'd like coffeebean better. Might have enough of that leftover from mom's air. I'll try it and see.

I get to pick up my computer tonight (and my new camera). UPS wouldn't leave the three boxes (monitor, camera, printer, PC) because there was no one at the house to sign for it. So, Hubby, Billy and I are off to Bound Brook to pick it up after work. We'll stop and grab a bite on 22 on the way (lots of places to eat on Rt 22).

Something a bit disturbing happened yesterday, and it wasn't the fight my sisters and I got into. Billy bit another child at daycare. The other kid (don't know which one or the sex) had a toy that B wanted and wouldn't give it him (why should s/he?) so he bit her/him. He broke the skin. Hubby's worried that we'll be sued (I'm hoping the victim has a history of biting him-/herself and the parents are more understanding than that). Hubby does the worst-case-scenario thing all the time. It gets a bit old, the anxiety. I'm not too surprised. It's common for kids in group settings to bite and really common for toddlers with little language skills to hit and bite (and B's skills are a bit below average). B's been biting me since November. We've tried lots of different things to get him to stop, but felt fortunate that he limited it to me and Hubby. He hadn't really bit anyone else till yesterday. Unfortunately, he has a lot more teeth (12!) than your average toddler. Any advice on how to get him to stop?

Into the Woods, Out of the Woods, and to work befor 9

We had a good weekend. Friday was a lot of fun. Our local community theater did a good job with Into the Woods. Everyone had a good voice and they did well with the limited resources and tiny stage. My only complaint for this performance, I didn't like the portrayal of the wolf so much. I liked him a bit more lascivious as he was when I saw it on broadway. The other complaint is more for Soundheim and his co-writer (I think it's Jardine), the musical is much less interesting after the Witch goes away. The rest of it feels like such a dirge.

Saturday was busy, housework-wise. I still haven't completely caught up, but I need a filter for my vacuum and I thought my mop bucket had sprung a leak. Besides, by the time I could have gotten to those tasks, it was time to go get Billy. He seemed none the worse for spending a day with Grammy and Granddad. (Sometimes I think he prefers Grammy to me!)

Saturday night we just chilled at home. B got a much needed bath and Hubby and I vegged. I'm so exciting, I went to bed early!

Sunday was a lot of running around, to church (where Billy again charmed our small congregation of mostly older ladies), then to the town fair and craft fair. There were two knit/crochet-dedicated booths. One was full of ponchos done in interesting yarns (some novelty, some multi-colored ribbons, some more classic). I couldn't tell how well she was doing. Another was hand-made wood knitting needles with embellished ends. Things like beads and wooden sunflowers. The kneedles looked like basic wood dowels; I wasn't about to pay $12 for them. They did have some cute felted bags; I should have asked what they used for yarn. Fortunately, no yarn for sale; so I wasn't tempted to break THE PROMISE with hubby standing right there. I did see some other knit and crochet things for sale at other booths, but nothing too interesting. Hubby kept joking that I should get ready to have a booth next year. Like I could make that much output. Maybe if I sold my stash! Mostly it was painted wood stuff, beaded jewelry, food vendors, and local businesses trying to drum up business. We didn't buy anything!

Okay, you waded through all of that, you deserve knitting content. Unfortunately, it's already been posted! I completed about 30 rows on the NBaT between a long bus ride (I bet you get as tired of reading that as I do of typing it), driving around NJ (picking up boy, going to church), and watching some tv on Saturday. I mentioned before that I'm beginning to be concerned that it's going to be too big. I did upsize because I am upsized, and I do like things longer, but this might be a bit too much. And since it seems a few balls wandered off (or I'm using way more yarn than I thought), I'm worried about running out of my discontinued Calmer. I may be heading to the frog pond soon. If that's the case, don't be surprised if you see me start up something new (like Hubby's socks).

I'd like to know where the knitting black hole is in my house. I've mis-placed that calmer and the project bag I started for Hubby's socks. I lost a few balls of that green sock yarn, the dpns on which I got gauge, and the pattern!

diaper change

I just logged onto the webcam at daycare and saw that Billy wasn't at the lunch tables with the other kids. So, I switched cams and he was having his diaper changed. (You can't see anything the cam's across the room and very low-res.) Still, it's a bit of a pleasure to know that it's one less diaper Mommy has to change!

3 of 4 waist decreases finished. I really need to make sure this is going to fit and not be too long as I've read in so many other blogs on the knitalong. (Also I am beginning to fear I won't have enough yarn in this color to finish.)

At long last, Mom's air is finished and going to be mailed. I'd rather gift in person, but she's waited long enough! Again, sorry for the bad photo. I can't wait to get my new camera!

I feel the need, the need for stash

I really, really want to stash. It's been soooo long, but I promised and your anniversary is not the day to break a promise to your beloved.

But, but, but Herrschners has a fabulous orange-multi color cotton blend on sale. It look so yummy! I don't know what I'd make with it or when I'd get to it considering all the yarn in my closet, under my bed and in bins in the (very dry) basement. They include:

20 skeins summer tweed
11 skeins Dale Kolibri
~20 skeins Reynolds Pebble Beach
8 hanks (various colors) of KPPPM and KPM
20 skeins of Calmer (sour and Onyx)
35 skeins Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran (in 3 colors)
10 hanks Magpie Aran
10 skeins Kid Classic
4 skeins Kroy socks (in two colorways)
10 skeins Rowan 4 ply cotton
12+ skeins All Seasons Cotton
15 skeins Highland Wool

And other things I can't think of.

Five years of wedded (mostly) bliss

Five years ago at this moment I was heading to the salon to be turned into a beautiful bride. She did miracles the woman. Then my sister and I went to McD's for a snack. The wedding wasn't until 5:30 and I knew I wasn't going to really get to the hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour with the picture-taking. Oddly no one in St. Albans was too surprised to see a woman in a veil walk into their local McD's. Of course, knowing NW Vermont as I do, they probably were surprised, but too Yankee to let anyone know!

Hubby and I have had our spats and our unhappy moments, but so far, it's been a great 5 years. Since we were together for 5 before the wedding, I think we were pretty sure it would work out.

I'm so very married to him, he always comes into my dreams about other men!

We've grown accustomed to each other's quirks. He missed seeing my sourpuss when I was so sick last month and has gotten over asking me to smile so much. I know him so well that I knew he wanted to go out with the guys last night when he called at 4:25 and my prescience prevented him from asking. (I talked him into it on line for the bus.)

Now, if only I could get him to understand yarn stashing....

Air is FINISHED! No photos, yet. I rushed out of the house this morning because commuting to NY was going to be aitch-e-double hockey sticks! First, a retaining wall collapsed on the Henry Hudson Parkway north of the GWB. Then there was a fire under a bridge in NJ that suspended train service to NYS (it was back up with severe delays this morning). So, I knew the busses were going to be packed. I took an earlier local and everything went smoothly until it was time to get on the Turnpike. There a 10 car pile-up just south of the Lincoln tunnel exit caused massive delays. We went an alternate route but it was still over an hour into the city.

It meant more knitting time, but Hubby and I have 6:15 dinner reservations and tickets to a local production of Into the Woods (my favorite musical ever).

I've made some good progress on the front of my T. Not only have I had extended bus knitting time, I knit a bit on it last night watching CBS. (After I wove in the last 2 ends of Air.) I should be starting the waist decreases tonight.

Another wonky pic, but you can see I'm making mucho progress. Consecutive 1-hr+ rides into the city do that!

Not a great photo, but you can see the beautiful stitch markers Julie sent me for the Bead It exchange, and no I haven't finished mine yet!

New PC with camera!

I'm getting a new computer. With a new camera. It's not a super cool camera, but it will be good for blogging and e-mailing Billy snaps. I should have the PC next week. Yippee!

Hubby and I are filling up our calendar for this summer. Next week we go to see Bruce Springsteen, then we see Mellancamp and Fogerty in July, I go to Tori Amos with my sister in August (day before we drive to VT for Meme's birthday party), in September we go to the Stones with my parents, and we're going to Giants opening day, too. I know there are a couple of other shows I'm forgetting.

Air is nearly done. I have 1 more end to weave in. I don't know how I missed it, I think I got too wrapped up in the Amazing Race. (I was so happy that Joyce and Uchenna won. They are such good people. They nearly gave up their lead at the end to get enough money for their cab driver!) Air looks really nice. Can't wait to make my own.

I turned the hem on the T this morning on the bus. I think I'll try to get Billy's sweater done (been needing just a zipper for 3 months) tomorrow watching CBS and then it's full-time T knitting.

Next on the list are Hubby' socks (once I find the project bag), Ellspeth (in Sour Calmer), Acorn Cami (in Orange MilleFille Fiori Print), Air (Onyx Calmer), and then I'll probably start my fall/winter knitting with a Tempting in Silk Road Aran and a little something in Silk Garden #84 that I've been kicking around. Of course, I have some Cork that I want to knit into something for Billy, too!

Here is the front to NBaT after turning the hem this morning.

Zipo and Air

Zipo was gifted on Saturday. I was sitting around my dining room table with Mom and Dad when Dad asked when he'd get his sweater. I got up and grabbed it off the chair on which it was sitting and said "right now."

He really likes it. It fits well over another shirt. He wore it all weekend. I told mom it could be machine washed but that she shouldn't dry it.

As for Air, I tried but couldn't get too much done before they left. However, as of last night all that is left to complete is one, ONE, pocket flap and weaving in ends (of which there were many, lots of knots in my coffeebean calmer). Generally, I like to gift in person, but since she's been waiting so (im)patiently for nearly seven months, I'm mailing it as soon as it is finished. Since I plan on working on it during the Amazing Race (GO UCHENNA AND JOYCE) finals tonight, it should be ready to mail tomorrow. Along with a graduation card for my sister's boyfriend. He did the five-year plan for college. One nice thing about Air, it sort of fits me! Well, the sleeves are okay, but when I make mine I'll have to make the front and back a bit wider.

I have half of my bead it stitchmarkers done. Went with a completely different design. I hope she likes them. They should be in the mail by the end of the week.

I took Sleeve 1 off the needles yesterday morning. I realized Friday night as I was starting the cap shaping, that it might not fit the armhole! So, I cast on for the front yesterday. It's going pretty well. Especially since I bought a bunch of coilless safety pins. (Did you know that they sell them in the bead and jewelry section?) I plan to use them to mark increases and decreases so I don't have issues with them. Once I know the actual size of the armholes, I should be able to re-design the sleeves.

Still no pictures of anything. I don't know why I didn't take a picture of Dad in Zipo this weekend.

Thank you bead it pal

Julie sent me some beautiful stitchmarkers on a knitting safety-pin. I, of course, neglected to take a photo. I'll do it this afternoon. They're blue flowers and so feminine.

In other bead it news, I'm being slothful and haven't finished mine. I did a test run and my original plan isn't going to work. Must go get some jump rings. Think I'll take B to Michaels after his Dr appointment.

More news later, got 2 dash, see above appt!

May 6th was supposed to be my wedding date

Six years ago when we were picking a wedding date, our first choice was May 6th. At first, because the last weekend in April was unavailable at our venue, but then we remembered that the 6th was very important to us because we'd first said "I love you" on Feb 6, 1995. When Hubby, then fiance, was talking to his best man, we found out we couldn't get married on May 6. See, best man is an editor for The Daily Racing Form, and since May 6 was the first Saturday in May that year, he couldn't take time off. No one takes time off the week of Kentucky Derby Day when they work for the Racing Form. It's okay, we got married May 13th. Which turned out to be great. 13 is Hubby's favorite number and May 13, 1977 was my aunt's wedding date and I was her flower girl! (Didn't have one of those myself, not having any nieces or close friends with girl children. Well that's not completely true, but Melissa Marie was only a week old!)

Back to 2005, tonight I must clean house. Mom, Dad and sister Natalie hope to be at my place around lunchtime. My place is a sty. There are certain things I can only do while Billy is sleeping (mopping, vacuuming, using chemicals to clean the bathroom), so I have to do them tonight. Naptime tomorrow is cutting it way to close to arrival time. Tomorrow I can tidy, put stuff away, and make guest beds with him following me around.

Yesterday was fun, just the three of us. I found out Billy likes quesadillas. Not a big surprise considering the way he scarfs cheese and carbs on their own. I made chicken quesadillas for myself. I picked up some of that pre-cooked and pre-carved chicken breast and some tortillas and put them in the Foreman grill. Voila. I made a better lunch for today, though. I layered the rest of the chicken, tortillas, cheese, salsa, peppers (frozen), and sour cream into a casserole and baked. MMMMMMM. I love cheese and sour cream!

I didn't do much knitting on the T yesterday. But, I did start seaming Mom's Air. I have the shoulders put together and 1 and 1/2 arms set in. I don't like the way I hand sew (and it's not that great with a machine either) so I'm crocheting everything together. I'm much more confident with those stitches and so far everything looks good. I'd be much further along if I hadn't sewn the wrong front to the back inside out! Then I went and tried to pin a sleeve to the neck! Took me a while to figure out why it wasn't working!

As you can see, though, I did manage to get a few rows done on the T this morning. Plan to work more on the bus tonight. Hopefully, I'll get the housework done in time to do some more seaming before bed.

I'm so looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad. And celebrating Mother's Day (ooh presents). And having Billy baptized. And any other fun stuff we can think of!

Am I the only person who doesn't like Catherine Willows on CSI?

I turned the hem on sleeve 1 this morning. I've started the increases (not a big accomplishment as they are written for rows 2 and 4).

This is sleeve one. I cast on this morning (no room on the bus for knitting last night and I didn't get around to TV knitting). I'm about ready to turn the hem. I hope my modifications (sizing up) don't prevent it from fitting the armhole. Must check Knitty.com.

Thirsty Thursday

Just me and the kids tonight. Hubby's going out with a friend to a Newark Bears game. They have a silly promotion called Thirsty Thursday. Do you ever wonder why Netter doesn't go out with friends after work? She does, too. I don't resent it, I usually like spending time by myself. Especially on Thursday when I can watch what I want to watch on our big screen TV (CSI on 21 inches isn't that great, on 48 inches much better). I can also have whatever I want for dinner (usually a rotisserie chicken) and knit til my heart's content. Although tonight I must, must, must start seaming Air. Mom will be here Saturday. Hopefully Molly will cooperate. Hmmm, think I'll buy her a new bone to bribe some cooperation out of her!

Billy's doing so much better. No more wheezing and he hardly sounds congested at all. He's barely coughing either. I must say nebulizing in the morning is so easy. I just turn on TLC and we watch Ready, Set, Learn or Peep and the Big Wide World (title may be slightly wrong). Evenings it's a little harder to find something, but he does seem to like Jimmy Neutron.

I'm still headache free. Although, I'm jonesing for some stashquisition. I think it's because as much as I like NBaT, she's a little plain vanilla. Especially since I've taken out the intarsia. I'm just a solids kind of girl. Maybe I should start a new project. I'm beginning to understand why some knitters have so many active projects at one time. I'm not getting bored with knitting; I'm just looking for a little knitting excitement.

Sometime soon, I need to start on the Bead It exchange. I found some other cute beads on eBay; they go really well with my person's blog, but I got outbid and I'm not sure how much higher I want to go. The auction ends tomorrow, so I think I'll wait and re-bid then. Bugs me how this person didn't bid at all until I placed the first bid!

Blurry photo and crappy colors, but proof that I finished teh NBaT back this morning on the way in. Lots of knitting done last night watching Amazing Race and L&O, if not any other time of the day. Casting on for sleeves will commence this afternoon.

update

I was going to write a really long update yesterday, whining about how sucky my weekend was, but I lost the momentum.

I had to take Billy to the doctor Friday because he had discharge from his ear, which I think I mentioned Friday. Well, the ear wasn't a concern, but she was concerned about his bronchitis. Since 3 weeks of Albuteral syrup hadn't helped his congestion or wheezing, we had to move on to a nebulizer. Which had to be delivered to our house, that evening when we were supposed to be on the road to VT to visit my family for the first time since August for my grandparents 60th anniversary party. Since he was still sick and the nebulizer didn't get there until 5:30 pm, we didn't go. I was really disappointed, but my parents and one of my sisters is coming down this weekend for his baptism, so it took off some of the sting.

The good news is as much as he hates the nebulizer, his chest is clearing up. No more wheezing at yesterday's follow-up. He's finished the oral antibiotics for his ears, he's only got one more day of antibiotic drops for his ears (took a call to ENT), and another week of one drug in the nebulizer. He's taking Zyrtec for allergies, which has really knocked out the runny nose! I'll be happy when we're down to just that antihistamine. I did find a way to make the nebulizer more palatable. TV! Normally, we don't let him watch much, but it's better than him screaming the whole 15 minutes! In the morning it's easy to find stuff for toddlers, but in the evening, not so much. I've found he likes music videos (kid LOVES music), but last night the only thing besides hip-hop was country (we only have 5 or 6 video channels on digital cable and they all had crap on). Hubby wasn't thrilled, but it kept him mellow until we were done.

I got some good news for myself on Friday. My internist and Billy's pediatrician are married and have their practices in the same building. Friday afternoon when I got home there was a message that my MRI was clear. When I took Billy to the pediatrician, I ran into my doctor so he and I had a quick chat. I was able to tell him that I hadn't had a migraine since last Monday and we were all happy. I just wish I'd start sleeping a little better (and stop having such wacky dreams).

I'm nearly to the neck shaping on the back of my T. Less than an inch to go. I can't wait to cast on for the other parts. I so want to wear this thing and soon. I didn't get a chance to look for the missing Calmer. But, I'll find it!

I cannot buy any more yarn. I rearranged my closet this weekend (put away heavy sweaters and dug out my shorts, not to mention put away 4+ weeks worth of clean laundry) and re-organized that part of my stash. Whoo boy, it's going to take a while to get through it all, especially at my current rate. Since I'm in my early 30s, I don't think I'm at SABLE status, yet, but it won't take long if I don't start stash-busting!

Lots of progress this weekend. Only a few more inches to go and I'll be starting the neck shaping. Then on to the sleeves (I want to go a little faster). Oddly, I must have tucked some of my Calmer away because I went to get a couple of balls out of the bag in my stash and there were only 5 left. I know I haven't used 5 balls!