Morals tomorrow, comedy tonight!

There we go! Just imagine the socks a little more purple-y and the hat a little clearer. The hat fit Hubby's friend (yay!) and the socks are worn all the time so I think they are both a success.

Tonight Hubby and I are the first act of a play ("Additional Particulars") so wish us to break a leg!

Funny Farm

Oh, happy day. I have found my in-law's chocolate stash and the beautiful thing about it is they don't eat a lot of chocolate so it is MINE, ALL MINE!!!

On a more sane note, or not, considering I'm:

1.) looking at a office supply list that says:

1. post-it notes like this one I'm writing on
   
2. letter sized paper
3. legal sized paper
4. black pens
5. black and color printer ink HP 96 & 97
6. some 30 wt ball bearings
7. a pet monkey
8. glittery dance shoes (for the monkey)

(#6 and 7 courtesy of my relocated brother-in-law and #8 my response to his #6 and 7, all this complete with his picture of a monkey with glittery dance shoes)

2.) not only have I NOT started Hubby's sweater or my sweater, I HAVE started a completely different sweater (for me that's short sleeved and is perfect for some wool I bought at Tuesday Morning months ago for no particular reason except I knew I would use it somewhere), AM still working on Marilyn's socks, and HAVE volunteered to make a paper-boy hat (or at least that's what I think they are called) for the aide in SuperGirl's class because she lost hers she had bought at Target.

3.) little me almost took out someone simply for the sake of all good hard-working people in the world when she pulled a hissy fit on me. (There's more to this story but for the sake of the not-so-innocent I'll leave out specifics. She's not related to me, thank heavens. If that was the case I just might have knocked her out.) I have no patience for any prima donna but today I somehow managed to nod my head and leave, sparing everyone the wrath of me (or Kahn, whoever gets the most results).

4.) I have a stack of papers that I cleaned off of Ph-i-l's office desk (at his instruction; I NEVER touch his desk because he organizes according to where it was laid on his desk and dates according to how deep you have to dig to find it; gives me twitches just looking at it) and yet more stacks left at his office due to me having no idea what it is. The stack looking at me I DO know what it is and most of it is stuff I turned into him months ago with the good thought that it would be delivered to the necessary parties involved. Why it was placed in area considered "things brought in that I should look at and do something about but I'm distracted" dated around 6 months ago I don't know. This will make an interesting conversation when he returns from vacation in Washington, D.C. (Did you know there is a Washington Mardi Gras? M-i-l is the one who wanted to go and could because of her job with Bossier City; Ph-i-l plans on taking advantage of the all expense paid bar/hotel/room and visiting the Smithsonian, not necessarily in that order. Or maybe. They both deserve a nice break. He can do whatever he wants.)

5.) I'm still getting a little tense and uncommunicative in the evenings at home. This is a problem because Hubby and I are both acting in a play (play reading but acting it out) Saturday night at LSU-S and we need to practice. This wouldn't be a problem if the characters knitted, weren't getting any sleep from and 1.5 year-old, and had the 1.5 year old mentioned running around being unbearabley cute.

6.) have bought some cotton yarn that was on a wonderful close out sale at Michael's. (Don't worry Mom, I will share.) The only thing is I went to Michael's for drafting tools. How did I get yarn out of that? Don't think about it. It's yarn and it's lovely. And I didn't spend lots to get lots. And everything I buy I do use. Eventually.

I think I'll make it through. I'm also visiting family tomorrow due to a family member unexpectedly passing away (rest in peace, Aunt Dot) and driving my mom there also. I'm thinking of what knitting project to take (socks would be good and small) but that amount of further planning when I don't actually have to think about it is about to make my head explode. More chocolate and organization of these papers. And on to the lovely merino/cashmere sweater that is going to make people spot me a mile away! (I'll post the notes on that later, hopefully with Hubby modeling his socks!)

No sweater, but...

The sister-in-law is moved out and in their rental for the next 6 months. For those of you who know her and her family and what they can accumulate even when most of their stuff burned, you know what a feat that was. I helped her move yesterday and everything was moved yesterday to the amazement of... well, everyone except me. I just shrugged and said "You wanted everything out so everything was out." I was a woman with a mission until about 3:15 driving home after the 2nd load of mine (3rd or 4th of S-i-l's), called Ph-i-l and said "if it's ok with you I'm going home. I'm feeling tired." And I crashed on the couch until Hubby came home. I didn't even knit much yesterday, due to lack of enthusiasm and Hubby and I needing to practice the one-night-only play we are in Saturday night. We did practice and we are feeling o.k. about it. Pretty much.

As you can see from above I am making some slow progress on Marilyn's socks and they are turning out lovely. The colors are adorable and I can't wait for her to see them. I'm also working on a hat for one of Hubby's friends who I had also knitted a Harry Potter Slytherin scarf for (she's a very entertaining person) but I'm not posting that one yet. I think it's too small but it knitted together so lovely I can't bear to frog it. I'm going to let her try it on and just buy more yarn to make another if it doesn't fit. But it's a definite lesson to me on gauge at the beginning of the stockinette stitch is not necessarily the same 3 inches later. It started 3.5 st./1" and ended up 4 st/1". I measured it and it might actually be too small for me and I have a small head. it's so hard to try those things on while they are still on the needles so I am trying to finish it to get the verdict. Hopefully it still fits her... one can always hope.

The sweater still isn't started. I read the pattern (in UK instructions so that was a little interesting) and had a small freak out because of the different pieces, etc. to knit so I put it down and left it alone for a while. I'm feeling a little better about it. All it is is ribbing at the bottom, cuffs, and neck and plain stockinette the rest of the way so what's my problem? In fact, I better start it now so I have all summer to do those inches of stockinette and will have it finished by next winter. I think my anxiety is coming from this sweater not being in one piece and I'm going to have to sew it up. Again, that shouldn't stress me out because I know how to sew, I know how to ease, and the finishing of garments are always just part of the process for me.

Who knows what my deal is. I need to just jump in and do it. Heck, jump in and start both that one and the cabled one for me. Once I finish the hat.

We can work it out

Sorry the blogs have been few and far between. We've been wading through the stream of life called hormone irritations, too-much-family-in-too-short-a-time-too-close-a-space, and sock boredom. The sock, however, is coming along ok due to my hard-headed diligence to finish it so Hubby can wear it by the time it gets cold enough here in a few days (the thing on Louisiana weather: if you don't like it, wait a few days.)

The hormone irritations will be getting better soon, hopefully. It's PMS extreme sport-wise (it's not just hang-gliding, it's snowboarding) and I had run out of excuses, i.e. there were no more obvious stressors in my life and I could chart to the day when it was going to start and me go a little nutty. Thankfully my doctor is one who understands me and we are trying easier things to curb it rather than prescription. I'm taking over the counter Benedryl (sp?) when needed to ease the anxiety and avoiding meat. The avoiding meat part is ok as long as I am eating by myself. Any dinners with the p-i-ls involve meat with a side of meat so that made Wednesday night exciting (our dinner night with them, in addition complete with the new-job-brother-in-law and sister-in-law with the 5 kids and baby-sitter who helps 3 nights a week). I wasn't wanting to share with everyone my issues but it kind of couldn't be helped in that situation. They were very understanding (if only a little confused) and things worked out ok but I really don't like everyone knowing my business. Now everyone does so I'm blogging it. It's too soon to tell if I'm doing any better. I am feeling a little better but it might be placebo or just me calming because I'm actually trying to do something about it.

The too-much-family-in-too-close-a-space is centered around my brother-in-law coming over Wednesday night to watch "SuperBad." I was NOT there to watch it. I refuse to watch the refuse of Hollywood. And anyway, anyone who uses "SuperBad" and "genius" in the same sentence (i.e. my brother-in-law) needs to be irritated at, unless the sentence is "Whoever stops movies like "SuperBad" from being made is genius." That's all I'm allowing myself to say on that. Hubby agreed that I would not have liked it at all, especially the first 20 minutes, whatever that means. If that is your favorite movie, I do not mean to offend you, but hopefully most of you know what I mean.

Work days have been alternately heavy and light (today hopefully will be a light one) and I've been getting the sock finished in the meantime. I'm thinking of starting one of the sweaters just to even things out... but who knows.

Deja vu

I finished the first sock and it looked great! Hubby put it on and everything looked perfectly fit, only he thought the leg was going to be longer. He quickly added that this length was fine and there was no need to knit another with a longer leg, since that meant taking out most of the sock. I guess I could always knit a longer space and graft it in but it really would be easier to knit another sock. Plus he doesn't like his socks that long usually.

Now my mind has begun to move on to the new possibilities... After his socks I'm starting on Marilyn's (after asking her the specifics on what she wants) but those will be simple to work on while I'm working on other things. I'm needing new dishcloths and I bought some Bernat cotton (nice bright colors too!) so I could whip those out in no time at all. I was debating starting one of the sweaters but with the way my stress levels have been lately I think I'm going to wait a little longer. Or maybe peek at the patterns and see how involved they really are. Hubby's might actually be nice and easy; it's pretty much stockinette all the way down...

Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane

Working out of the house today with the kiddos running around. We just made tea (Celestial Seasonings mint decaf green tea) and SuperGirl isn't sure if hers is too hot and Little Guy is way more interested in SuperGirl's spoon and the noises it makes on her Peter Pan mug. She is now playing, the mug has been moved to the kitchen counter, and Little Guy is playing with a plastic spoon on the floor.

I am 1" away from starting the toe decrease on LSU sock #1 (whoopee!). LOLA should be coming by today to pick up her socks and visit (yay!). I keeping company with laundry, charts, my knitting as a row reward when I finish 3 lines on the charts, and kids who would really love to visit with all the cousins across the street but I am avoiding that nuthouse until this afternoon when I am taking all of them to the school playground.

Hold that tiger

Some progress has been being done, as you can see from above. LOLA's socks are happily done and I am very pleased to say that I have now grasped the slippery Kitchener Stitch (thanks to youtube.com and the Stitch Witch's example) and their toes are 3-needle bind-off free, smooth, and invisible. As in the stitches are invisible. You can still see the socks of course (hee hee). The picture of them is a better representation of their coloring. Thank you Hubby for your phone whose camera is utterly superior to mine.

The other sock is the beginnings of Hubby's long awaited LSU socks that I think I have put off long enough. I finally got the inspiration. It came in the form of "I better do this so he won't get mad when I make yet another pair of socks for someone who doesn't live in this house or contribute to anything we have of value." In other words, Thursday night at the knitting class I was straightening up the sock yarn when I came across the perfect coloring in a skein for the other lovely landman I work with sometimes (we'll call her Marilyn because she loves Marilyn Monroe) and I was so excited I asked her the next day if I could make her a pair of socks. That got her so excited (she also loves socks) I bought the yarn and knew Hubby's LSU socks needed to be made and on his feet before I attempted any other project. The LSU socks are actually coming along really fast. Knitting socks with worsted takes a lot less time than with the extra fine sock yarn (imagine that) and it's really nice to only have to knit 6 rows to get an inch instead of 10. Or 12. The thing just zooms together. And it fits so nice on Hubby's foot, too. I was showing Mom today at lunch and she was rather amused. She finished another pair of socks herself, only to find out they are part wool and she can't wear wool. She's wearing them anyway to see if she can handle it on her feet, plus to make sure her feet don't get too hot in them. Otherwise, hey Sock Sis, you got a great pair of self-patterned red/black colored socks coming your way.

The worthy pictures

Picture #1: The fleece patchwork w/ argyle fleece backing. Made it heavier than expected but very cozy! The pink with the yellow splotches are duckies and the red with green splotches are frogs. I have robes made out of both of those fabrics.

Picture #2: LOLA's socks which are actually darker than that; I'm not sure where the light suddenly came from. Basic sock pattern with 2x2 ribbing stopping at decrease for toe. The color is black/white/gray speckled.

Picture #2: The fabulous double-knit quilt. Note the amazing rainbow backing. I love that thing. It was my bedspread all through college until I made a cheater quilt to take it's place (double knit itches if you sit on it too long).

I just realized I used the same acrylic rainbow yarn to tie both of these quilts. Too funny. And I still have a department store bag full of it. It's Red Heart "Kaleidescope" and I have tried to make at least 3 different blankets out of it, none of which worked and all were frogged. I have no idea what to do with it now. It's gone on to several mini-lives of it's own in scarves, blankets, and my granny-square bedspread I did with all my scrap yarn in the evenings of my third trimester of Little Guy. I was thinking socks? It looks great knitted. Crocheted it looks like cat puke, for lack of a better description.

Wrapped up

The wrap is finished and I wish I had a better picture. Maybe I'll quit procrastinating and get that program for the digital camera loaded on my p-i-ls computer... Anyway, I finished it Monday night and am looking forward to wearing it today. It's washed, dried and ready to start it's life! SuperGirl hasn't seen it yet (things have still been a little busy) but I expect her to claim it.

I've also finished that fleece patchwork quilt I had pieced back in, oh, 1998 or 99. I tied the corners of each block with Little Guy "helping" (I didn't know wallowing on the project while it's on the table speeds things along but apparently it does; maybe because I'm trying to get it tied before he upsets the layers?) and decided on the store-bought binding so that it's a little sturdier. I plan on using it as the kid/picnic/in-trunk-of-car-for-emergency blanket. I have another one for that, which Sock Sis claims is the ugliest thing in the world. It's not ugly, just... colorful. The top is 1960-70 double knit polyester, pieced in I believe a pattern called "broken dishes", bought from a distant reletive who passed away about 1993 or 4 in a garage sale (I just realized my sentence structure; I bought it in a garage sale, she didn't pass away in one), and it's about the most indestructible thing imaginable, apart from something made out of metal chain link. I tied the corners of each block with that one too, using the curtains that hung in mine and Sock Sis'sbedroom window when we were little (white with rainbows, late 70's-early 80's rainbows that is) for the back, and red store-bought binding. They should make quite the pair. I'll post them once I get my phone charged again...

I'm a third of the way through LOLA's second sock. I was very proud of myself because I wasn't all that inspired. I was even less inspired to start anything else, though. I plan on working more on it today and hopefully have it done in the next day or so. I talked to LOLA and she is going to try to come by this weekend and try them on. I think I'm going to have my M-i-l try the one I have made on (their foot is about the same size) so I can go on ahead and finish the one already made.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Well, it has been a busy weekend. For starters, my sister-in-law's house burned so she, her husband, and five kids are living with the p-i-ls across the street and the two youngest kids have been visiting with us. We've been helping out, keeping their mind off things, by playing in the backyard, going to the playground a block away, cooking, rocking in a rocking chair (even though they are 7 years and 4 years; heck, Hubby still rocks me in his recliner when the going gets tough), and just all round fun. The playground was great; I haven't played chase in years and they were all like monkeys with the way they climbed and ran and slid. Even Little Guy was all over it and thinks cousins are the best inventions in the world.

Everything will be fine. Everyone is in pretty good spirits. Their homeowners insurance is taking care of everything and they should be in a house by the end of the week. They'll stay there until their house is redone so that'll be several months. When asked they are like "it's just stuff, everyone got out just fine" and that really puts it in perspective.

Somewhere in the midst of that, Ph-i-l having to deal with some sticky business for work (which I am waiting on the verdict as I write), and the hoods across the street supposedly moving out (making room for a family that I hope is quiet and normal), Hubby's other brother-in-law moving up here tomorrow to live with the p-i-ls and start his new job (he might have to stay with us; 5 kids really fill up a house), I have nearly finished the ClassWrap. I can't believe it. I'm down to the last trim on the left long side which is a "dragon's tooth stitch" so I am going to tackle that sometime between now and this evening (depending on work load when Ph-i-l calls) and hopefully wash and block the thing tonight. I'm now begging for closure. I want to wear it, toss it around, let SuperGirl twirl in it, and start something new. Like wind the beautiful yarn for my sweater and cast on for Hubby's. Even better, cast on for Hubby's socks that I can't seem to get the inspiration for, even though they are a simple pattern and just need to be knitted (I still can't by the whole LSU thing, even though. At least finish LOLA's socks because eventually she will show up for them, even though she's a busy, engaged college student.

Blockbuster

The ClassWrap has taken on a life of it's own of near epic proportions. I can't even fit it all on the cell phone screen and when knitting on it, I'm tempted to start wrapping it around me so it has somewhere to go other than the floor, twisted around the kids (the kids helping, of course), or so tightly twisted I'm flipping it out and away king-sized bedspread style, nearly beheading anyone in a 6 ft. radius. It's made the evening t.v. watching fun.

Note the first time I've attempting lace at the top! Complete with beads. I think I might like lace. It's so cute. Not completely sure (haven't tried the complicated stuff yet) but considering it. I also added a picture of what the triangle strip looks like, just imagine that going down with 5 triangle in the middle and squared off at the other end.

The little half block at the top with the blue blocks framed in black is rather fun even though it's my second time doing it. The first time I didn't read the directions below the row instructions and was doing their "wrong side" on my "right side." Luckily I caught it before I got too far.

I was considering still waiting to finish this but now I'm thinking "what the heck?" I might actually want to wear this this winter.

Truthfully, I...

I found the yarn and it was good. Very good. I am so excited about the project but I am taking it easy and being a good girl. I will finish (or, truthfully, start) the other projects first until I simply can not handle it anymore and will begin to lovingly knit the sweater for me. I have studied it every way: up, down, and sideways. I know the size to make it (smaller than I think I should because my gauge always ends up on the larger size except with double points), the style is the way I wear my sweaters, and if the neck ends up a little big I know the tricks to tighten it up. Plus it's not the style to wear as a sweater, just smock-like, so that forgives a little easier.

Forgive the pictures, they don't do the colors justice. Use a grain of salt and imagine the colors of the yarn brighter, starting with the deep, royal blue leading into the purple, then dark. bold. red. followed by the happy mix of color to the gentle warm flesh orange and ending with the fun mix. I'm going to use that color pattern down the sweater, doing the sleeves in the same pattern so it looks like it was dyed after being knitted.

Cool, huh? I love it. And the yarn is cotton, a wonderful fiber for here.

Tuesday's on the phone to me

Met with Ph-i-l about the little foster child that is our new project (delving into Clerk of Court records to find out who actually owns this land, etc., not an actual living, breathing human being even though it should be with how I've been baby-sitting it) and things are trucking along nicely, thus spending a little time to chat on the knitting work in progress:

The ClassWrap:
I am almost finished with the long, long block that is knitted separately and stitched to the side of the work-already-in-progress, i.e., the thing with the triangles fitted together and cleverly knitted using a short-row method and I hope that is what it is because I'm not entirely sure but it reminds me of short-rows. This was done while Hubby was enjoying the Texas-Ohio Buckeye Fiesta Bowl. He likes Colt McCoy (a Heisman runner-up which is a big award for college football players) who is a senior at Texas and apparently an all-round nice guy) and was thrilled when Texas pulled it off at the end. I was thrilled that I made it to my last middle triangle and so once I finish this one it's the right triangle to square everything off and I get to attach the whole thing to the main part of the wrap. It's going to be interesting how it's done; some is in the main color, some the contrast. I might throw some of the fuzzy yarn in if it needs it.

LOLA's Socks:
...are still not finished. In fact, not much has been done since I started the leg. The ClassWrap and some knitting magazines have been getting all my attention.

Which brings me to some contained excitement. I've been wanting to start cables and have been looking for a project for me that I can practice cables. I don't want another scarf or hat, so those aren't viable options. I would like some mittens but I don't think I want cables with them. So I just happened to pick up this magazine called Knit Forward and there is this gorgeous cardigan-like sweater. It has a swing-coat look to it in that it's not close fitted and only buttons at the bust area. The sleeves are generous and it has gorgeous cables going down the back and sleeves starting at the shoulder area. It looks like the perfect sweater for me in our climate because it can be a quick cover for cool day but layered for cold days. There is some beautifully dyed cotton yarn I've been drooling over for a month now at the knit shop and this would be so lovely in it. Perfect weight and I would change up the skeins as I knit down the garment so that there would be an amazing spectrum of color, main one being blue. I can't wait to plan it. After Hubby's LSU socks, of course.

Sunday, sundae

I've finished my supper dessert and am piddling around with what to write. Still nothing exciting with the knitting going on. I finished LOLA's 1st sock which she still hasn't tried on so it is finished except for the Kitchener Stitch at the end. It's funny looking at it: it's all done except for two little double points holding 12 st. each stuck sideways at the end. I would think the sock had headgear or at least was trying to develop some sort of mouth...

Anyway, I've started on it's mate and was going along swimmingly when out of Nowhereland came the urge to work on the ClassWrap (which I've finally decided to name it) and zoom along on it's triangle-triangles, giving my poor over-stimulated brain a lesson in geometry and problem solving when I (yet again) knit and decrease the wrong side of the triangles fitting together. I did that twice before tossing it into my bag and curling up next to Hubby to take a little nap. I only dozed a little while, kiddos started swarming at the sense of someone trying to relax and decided my ladybug tape measure was the greatest thing since Max and Ruby celebrated Halloween (Nick Jr.'s little show based on the Rosemary Wells children books, if you didn't know).

The bigger thing this weekend was we've been home-improving, doing things that needed to be fixed/replaced/built for... um, maybe over several years now? We now have landscape lights that work, a motion sensor light in the backyard, Hubby can do his chin-ups in our kitchen doorway (don't worry ladies, it's only 2 brackets and it's removable when not in use), and I'm hitting him and Ph-i-l up for a little cabinet to hide in the gap where the stove/oven doesn't fit flush with the cabinets and food particles splash in and down, leaving icky bits that turn odd colors and attracts creatures I don't even want to know about. I've refused to let myself start on Hubby's LSU socks until I'm done with LOLA's (so I'll probably start them tonight), I won't start on his sweater until either of the three are done, and I found some fantastic self-patterning sock yarn for $1 a skein. Mom and I bought it all. Sorry.

And now that it's a new day...

I have an interesting situation. Well, let's say I've had interesting situations for years now and it deals with New Year's Day. For as long as I can remember, my New Year's Day is never really the best day of the year. In fact, it's usually on the side as being one of the not so good days of the year and it is never like what the rest of my year becomes. Everyone says to make it your best because it sets the tone for all the other days so here is what I have to say about my year 2009 and how it is looking so far:

1. I will be ever so patient with all my fellow men, including idiots, druggies, slackers, and just down-right mean people, even when they pass uncomfortably close to my house and children.
2. I will knit and knit incessantly, cranking out lovely things without a care in the world and never hearing my mind say "I'm not 7" through this foot YET?!?!"
3. I will have control over my eating habits and not claw my way out of the car trying to find a halfway decent place that is open that makes smoothies.
4. I will accept the things I cannot change, change those that I can, and know the difference. And do it all with a smile on my face.
5. I will not be bothered by people who don't see all I do for them and my thoughtfulness. On the other hand, I will ALWAYS see what others do for me and their thoughtfulness and not only will I do more for them, I will thank them.
6. I will have perfect vision and trust myself to drive around town with my most precious cargo in the back seat.
7. I will never wheedle Hubby for anything that has to do with knitting. I will save my personal hard earned money and prioritize.
8. I will not put off till tomorrow what I can do today.

So as you can see, today was kissed good-bye happily. The only thing that was the same today as was yesterday as will be tomorrow is I love my family, I can't wait to see my friends, and I am always trying to be more thankful for what I have because most people in this world would literally give their right arm to only have my problems.