Almost back to normal

The people part of my life has calmed to some degree. Now, its Stanley's turn to have some minor surgery and a dental cleaning. He and I were at the vet before 7AM this morning. Hopefully his recovery will go smoothly.

I'm finally back in the mood to knit. The rainy Saturday brought us some cool, crisp, autumn weather. I visited Yarnings in Skippack, PA after seeing their advertisement for Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. Bought one skein and happily returned to my knitting room where I spent most of my weekend. I now have a spiral, ribbed tube sock started using size 2 needles. "After Bertha," is the perfect pattern for me to get back the feel of knitting with toothpicks and also a great way to see how the colors...greens, blues, blacks, pinks, and golds swirl through the sock. I promise to make its mate! While I was working on the sock, I kept staring at my yarn stash and spotted a skein of gorgeous, teal colored, baby alpaca purchased a few years ago at a TNNA show. That is now in the process of becoming a "Victorian Shoulderette" for Rachel. At some point I will learn how to use the digital camera to take photos.

I'm slowly getting familiar with using Ravelry and am tracking my new projects there. Both my yarn stash and knitting library are so extensive, that it will take a lifetime to enter everything. I may just pass on that. I'm wondering if other knitters feel that way.

Guess I'll go back to my knitting before I leave for work.

In a funk

Rachel had a fun party with her friends this past weekend. She made four trays of delicious stuffed shells and two yummy birthday cakes. It was nice to see her enjoying herself.

I returned to work last week, but have cut back on hours. Between Marvin's medical stuff and my achy legs, its a good thing, But, my schedule is erratic, so that makes for some weirdness. I'm knitting in my spare time trying to complete WIPS. Also, keeping a watchful eye on Marvin. He doesn't like that, but as far as I'm concerned he doesn't have choice. I'm in a bit of a funk and wish I could muster up some motivation to get back to healthy eating and exercise. Where has my self-discipline gone?

Rachel's trip to Israel was confirmed. She leaves Dec 30 and returns Jan 10. Karen, her best friend in the whole wide world, is studying in Jerusaleum. Hopefully they can connect, but Rachel knows safety is paramount. We will not permit her to leave the security of the tour group.

I guess I should get ready for work. Tonight I'll continue knitting the sleeve of a top down, V-neck pullover for Rachel when I get home.

18 years old

Where did the time go? Rachel is 18 years old today. I vividly remember her just becoming 2 years old. I love her so much. We spent the weekend just being together. It was nice and relaxing. We splurged and bought her the perfect COACH bag and some earrings. This morning I baked a yellow cake with Rachel's favorite chocolate icing.

As for knitting, I did buy two skeins of gorgeous llama soft yarn in Rachel's favorite blue color...now to decide on something to make for her, or convince her to let me buy enough for a sweater.

What to do

Well, I started to get familiar with Ravelry which is an amazing site. I began to enter my stash info and realized this would take weeks. I still haven't figured out how to use the digital camera to photograph what I have. Then, I clicked on books and wound up at the Library thing. OY, I am a bit overwhelmed. I'm sure getting all this organized will be well worth it, but honestly, I have to ask myself if I want to get that nuts about my knitting life?

So, while thinking this over, I started and completed a rolled edge hat for an almost 2 year old. I used Berrocco Hip Hop in a bright, primary colors from my stash. This time spent was more much productive.

I'm going to marinate on this for a while, but will play on the site more to see what else it offers.

Life Upside Down

Its been a very long time since I blogged. Life gets so busy. I'm approaching my one year anniversary of returning to work after active momhood. Over the past few months, my hours and responsibilities have increased. Its still fun. I've continued with my knitting and finished various projects. Spent a few weekends organzing my knitting room and reducing my magazine stash. Yarn stash is still plentiful.

My daughter, Rachel and her partner/coach, CG, had fabulous presentation and results at the recent 2007 Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships placing 4th/12th in the senior level compulsory dance event. We are hopeful that CG will decide to have a competitive season with Rachel.

Our summer was plagued with numerous health issues resulting in a tonsillectomy for Rachel and a nasty, first bout of diverticultis with complications for my husband. We are still trying to get right side up after all of those adventures.

I've been invited to join Ravelry and look forward to this. My computer skills are still not that great, so my abiltiy to get real fancy with my blog and photos may take a while.

Bittersweet

Well, Spokane was bittersweet. Rachel had a fabulous experience skating at Nationals and enjoyed spending time with her competitors and friends. Then, Kevin ended their partnership. It shocked and devastated Rachel and everyone else. What a lame thing to do. He hurt her so terribly and snubbed everyone else who put so much effort into their partnership. The ice dance community was very excited about their potential and development as a team. I have absolutely no respect for him or his family. We thought this man had some decent upbringing...turns out he is one big irresponsible, excuse waiting to pounce on someone else. I truly hope he does not continue skating as he will no doubt hurt his next partner. It makes me sick.

Rachel is determined to continue skating and is searching for a new partner.

Hope I have better news next time.

Life is Good

WOW...its been a while since I have blogged. Life has been busy. Work is going extremely well. My colleagues are great people. Each of us get along, have fun and work hard.

Biggest news is that on Jan 19, we leave for 2007 State Farm Figure Skating Championships. This is a huge deal! Rachel and Kevin look fabulous for a first year team. Our hope is that they both have a wonderful competitive experience and a good time with their friends.

I have been knittng even though I have less down time. Mostly finishing up projects, perusing through some of the newly published books and magazines.

Pups are still goofy. Stanley has GI troubles and RP's little brain is still off.

Well I should get ready for work. Hope to be better at blogging after we return from Spokane, WA.

Going strong

Starting week three and still having a good time. I come home the good kind of tired. Family life is better too. We all arrive home around the same time, actually sit around, have dinner and talk about our day.

Rachel recently had her 17th birthday. She celebrated with her friends and received beautiful gifts. Its been a good year. Kevin, her skating partner, has brought her tremendous happiness.

Yesterday the weather was perfect for sitting on the deck and knitting. Rachel started a pair of wristlets using hunter green heathered, chunky, alpaca. I'm on the sleeves of her birthday sweater.

Well, off to get my day going. Have to drop some clothes to Good Will

Work is Fun

Lots to learn about the clothing line, transactions, stocking etc. The people I work with are really nice too. Most have poodles and children and are still training their husbands! I do come home tired and my feet are sore but I'm sure after a few days I will adjust. I will be experimenting to find out what are the most comfortable shoes to wear. I have not knit a stitch and will eventually figure out how to balance my day. Working has already helped my sanity!

Off To Work

My new job starts today. I'm a little nervous. Its been almost 17 years since I held a job. I hope I do well. Rachel gave me a refresher course on applying make up and helped me figure out what to wear. That is the tough part..I am a bit chubbier then I was so many years ago and have no fashion sense. I am going to be a challenge!

I am done with the back of Rachel's sweater and have started the front neckline shaping. So far so good. Just two sleeves to go.

OK, I'm off to transform myself into a working woman!

Off To Work

My new job starts today. I'm a little nervous. Its been almost 17 years since I held a job. I hope I do well. Rachel gave me a refresher course on applying make up and helped me figure out what to wear. That is the tough part..I am a bit chubbier then I was so many years ago and have no fashion sense. I am going to be a challenge!

I am done with the back of Rachel's sweater and have started the front neckline shaping. So far so good. Just two sleeves to go.

OK, I'm off to transform myself into a working woman!

Mission still underway

I am making progress on Rachel's sweater. Back is done, front is underway. Garter stitch can be boring, but a switch to addi turbo needles makes the process easier. Gedifra Akona is nice yarn to work with.

Still a few more punchlist items on the house.

Feels like Fall is in the air. I am ready for that.

No word about the job yet. If I hear nothing by the end of the week, I'll look for something else.

On a Mission

I'm working on a birthday present for Rachel, but can't divulge details yet. This is always a risk because she is very sharp when it comes to fashion and style. Hopefully I will get this job and that will help my dilemma of "What Not to Wear."

Its going to start raining sometime today and linger through tomorrow. I've been thoroughly cleaning all the bookshelves. Tossing old stuff, dusting and trying to get some control of the house.

I picked up the new IK Crochet issue and KnitScene, but haven't had a chance to really look through them.

Back to the birthday present.

Somber day

It doesn't seem like its been five years already. 911 feels so recent. The date will always have a powerful tug and an inexplainable emptiness. We have friends who were close by the towers on that fateful day, who survived. Thank God.

My husband is actually in NYC today. Rachel went to classes and is now at the rink. No one will be home until at least 9PM tonight. I'm home cleaning, but its quiet as it should be on this day.

MEDALS!!!!

Yesterday was a spectacular day. Rachel and Kevin won bronze medal in compulsory dances, The Starlight Waltz and Midnight Blues. And THEN, they wowed the field with a fabulous Original Dance to a tango from Vanessa Mae's Choreography CD and won their first GOLD MEDAL as a team. They have worked so hard since their return from Lake Placid... trying to understand and apply the requirements for the new judging system. Its a work in process. But for the next day we are enjoying this feeling. Then they are back to work to make things even better!

Maybe I'll knit today!

Also hoping to have a part time job soon at the local mall. I should know around Sept 18...

Gloom

The weather is plain weird. Mostly rainy and gray, except for Sunday which was a beautiful, sunny day with comfortable temperatures. Today its back to gloom.

The little red vest is done except for the neck, arm bands and side seams. Quite cute. Have to see what to tackle next.

Rachel started classes today and then goes directly to the rink. At least she let me pack up some lunch for her and Kevin.
They have to figure out their fall schedules so they can juggle, school, skating, off-ice and work. Busy two kids.

The handyman came to put the blinds back up. Just a few more items to go on the list. Then, the gardener can tidy up the landscaping.

Time for more coffee.

In limbo

Amazing, but the punch list stuff is getting done..especially the gutters and caulking which is kind of necessary with the remnants of Ernesto expected to arrive this weekend.

I lucked out and found a nice outfit for the Bar Mitzvah at Chico's. That saves me from sewing. I wasn't really in the mood.

Tonight I plan to cast on for the little kid's red vest and look through the new issue of "Knit It." The rest of me is in limbo.

Flat

Klaralund sleeves are sewn together. I have to attach them to the body of the sweater. Rachel is on the ice forever, so I may just try it myself.

Back Lopi tote felted beautifully. It is the perfect shape, size and texture.

I started a cute little Yankee Knitter child's, sleeveless vest using some Schaefer, bright red, yummy, aran weight alpaca. The back is done and I have to cast on for the front. Lately I've been watching some old spy movies that are perfect for mindless knitting.

The house stuff is dragging because the weather has not been cooperating. Its been,muggy, stormy and plain yucky.

I have not done any sewing yet but ordered a nice dress and hopefully it will be OK for the Bar Mitzvah. My diet has its ups and downs.

Overall, I am making knitting progress, and just in one of those flat moods. This post is too boring to continue. Bye for now.
Wish for sunshine and blue skies.

Felting

Today is another day of waiting around for a contractor to appear. I just tossed the black lopi tote into the wash for felting. I have to finish seaming the Klaralund sleeves and then will need help with placing them properly on the body of the sweater. The shoulders flow into the V-neck. Clever construction, but I'm feeling spatially challenged. Rachel to the rescue.

Soon I have to start sewing the dress for the Bar Mitzvah. Hopefully my knitting motivation will spill over into my sewing life!

I have to fess up. I snitched a little PB last night. At least it was natural with no preservatives. Its so hard to change behaviors!
Maybe I should decide on a project that I pick up to work on when I get the urge to eat the wrong foods. Sabotaging myself is not a good thing. I'm going to give this some thought.

Elf Cap

I did return to Weight Watchers...one and a half days in. So far so good. Every minute that passes without snitching the Skippy is a good thing. Having the water bottle within reach is helping, as is aerobic gum chewing.

Last night I continued sewing together Klaralund and then scooted to Borders and bought "Simple Chic" by Jil Eaton. There are lots of cute, quick knits. In fact, I just finished the 'Elf Cap" using some purple Gedifra Donatella. Its adorable and took exactly one skein of the yarn using size 13 needles. Good use for stash yarn.

Back to the Black Lopi Tote and a cup of blueberry coffee, with non-fat H&H!