luvknitsocks

Snow, Sun, & Knitting

2010-03-11T12:19:00.007-05:00

We ventured to Garrett County where my parents have a camp. My mother mentioned to me that she hoped the roof hadn't collapsed under the weight of snow. My WH stewed and stewed about it until we HAD to go check. Here is a picture of the lane going into camp; barely wide enough for our truck, then we had to park at the neighbors because it was only snowblowed that far. The big hump in front of us, out the windshield is one of the neighbor's truck!!
Have I mentioned how much I HATE the cold. So we park at the neighbors(about 100yards from our camp) and we hike through the woods. Oh what fun! Beautiful as it was the snow was thigh deep (waist deep in places), I thought I was having a heart attack. I had to stop twice to catch my breath. Finally I can see it, is it still standing?

Yes!!
It is still standing and the roof hasn't collapsed! If I would have known, I would have stayed home!! But my parents were very grateful that we trekked through all that snow to check on it!! And you know it's always good to make the parents happy, plus they have enough to worry about.
But now the sun is out and it have hit the upper 50s for the past 2 days!!! I am in my glory!!

I finished my Baktus. I really like it! I made it out of stash sock yarn, it's Paton's Kroy. I love how it turned out, it will get alot of wear!

Happy 2010!!

2010-03-01T11:48:00.003-05:00

I know, I'm a few months late. I told myself that I was going to keep up with this blog this year. Ya know what's funny? Is that I have 4-5 blogs that I follow regularly and I get very upset when they don't post for a while!! Go figure. But, today being March 1 and me being Irish I guess I'll say that this will be the start of my new year!! Rationalizing, I'm so good at rationalizing. The holidays were good and I'm knitting away now!! I just finished two Olympic reindeer hats. They are so cute, I love them.
Now I am working on my baktus. The DD is in her second semester of college and loving it. The DS is getting ready to finish 8th grade; I'm not sure high school is ready for him!! I have big plans for Christmas this year, last year was kind of blah. I am working away on the scrapbooks too. I told myself that I was going to keep up with it this year and so far so good!! I am also going backwards and trying to get caught up. I am up to 2007 so not too bad. I got our New York album up to date, but we won't talk about the other 5 albums that are way behind!! Oh well, I amd making progress, that's all that matters, right?

What to knit?

2009-09-14T09:10:00.002-04:00

I have what I call knitting block. You know, writers get writer's block, well, I get knitting block. I so want to knit that nothing seems to work. First, I can't decide exactly what it is that I want to knit. I jump from idea to idea. I started a pair of socks last week, I got to the heel and screwed it completely up. So it sits waiting for me to get up the gumption to rip it back and fix it. I want to make a pair of mitts and a new cowl for self and I need to decide what gifts I'm making. Nothing is coming to me. I've been on ravelry and loopy ewe and many other sites trying to gain inspiration; it's not working. I feel very unsettled, I can't sit still, yet I soooo want to knit. It's fall, I really should be knitting! Oh well, this to shall pass, I'm sure I'll be knitting up a storm in no time.!!! I think an order to knit picks is just the thing to get me out of this funk.

Fall!

2009-09-04T10:28:00.002-04:00

Fall is here. I'm really in the mood for fall this year. Usually I'm all about the hot weather and summer staying longer and it NOT getting cold, but not this year; I'm so ready for fall. I can't wait to decorate. I have been eyeing up the mums at the store, and the fall decorations are out; football is starting, school is back in. I'm really excited this year! I have to say that fall is my favorite time of year, I just don't like winter!! Pictures will be posted next week when I decorate!

Growing too fast!

2009-08-24T10:25:00.006-04:00

I write this blog as my DD sits in her first college class. I can't believe the time has gone so fast. We took her down last Thursday and that is one of the hardest this I have ever done in my life. We had to walk out of her dorm without her!! But, I'm getting ahead of myself. We left at 7:30am on Thursday, her check in time was 10am. She drove her car and the WH took our Expedition with all the stuff. We arrived and unloaded, got her room all set up and then had two "lectures" to go to. They called them welcome seminars, I called them lectures; and most of the stuff they already told us at orientation. It was nice though. We finally took her to dinner at the Outback and then back to her room
We stayed a little while then it was time to go. I stalled as long as I could. I did really good though, I didn't cry until we were back on the highway coming home. It's only been four days and it seems like a month. She is only two hours away and it's not a bad drive, she may be home this weekend, if not then definitely for Labor day. It's just the idea of not having her around everyday. I'm still not sure what the WH and I are going to do when the son leaves too. I guess we'll figure it out, we only have 5 years.

I Survived!!

2009-07-29T21:53:00.003-04:00

Well, good news is, I survived Graduation. Not everything on the list got done, but it was very nice.
We just got back from Myrtle Beach. A week of bliss!! It was great to get away and the beach is my favorite spot to relax. Until Thursday, that is. Thursday morning the DD, WH and I got caught in a riptide. Scariest thing I've every been in. You can't get out of them. Everyone says swim parallel with the beach, but that is easier said then done. It took us what seemed like forever to get out of it, but if I had to estimate I would say about half hour. Luckily the DD had her boogie board that she could hold onto. Then that afternoon, the police helicopter circled for an hour then the US Coast Guard showed up with their helicopter and a boat. We knew then that something up the beach happened. We walked up about 5 blocks and soon found out that they were looking for a 13 year old boy. They formed human chains and they had boats and jet skis and helicopters. All to no avail. They did not find him. We found out later that he is from Maryland, he was with his baseball team there for a tournament. It was awful. My heart still goes out to his parents. How do you get up and walk away, if they never find him, how do you leave as a parent? We heard one report that his name is Lonnie Hill, I am so sorry to his parents and family and the other boys that were with him. The tragedy of it all. Our son was mad because we wouldn't let him in the water, until we walked up the beach. Hug all your kids, life is too short.

Where did the time go?

2009-05-12T11:52:00.003-04:00

This will be a picturless post. I'm kindof in a hurry, but thought I would jot a note. My daughter graduates 2 weeks from tomarrow. I know, I say that calmly, but only because I'm still in denial about the whole mess. I guess that's why I have yet to make a menu or clean my house. I walk around thinking there is soooo much I need to do be for the big day, yet I can't bring myself to do it. I think that maybe my mind thinks if I don't do it, it won't happen. DD had her last prom last weekend. I do well, but then again, that denial thing comes in to play. I just refused to think about it being the last. In the next two weeks I need to:

1. wash windows
2. dust
3. clean bathrooms
4. scrub floors
5. clean off the desk (that you can't see for all the stuff)
6. wash the slipcovers
7. figure out the menu
8. shop for food
9. prepare food
10. wrap gifts
11. decorate
12. clean the outdoor furniture
13. plant the flowers I bought last week
14. panic

So, there you have it. I'm not so sure it will all get done. Oh well, I'll get done whatever I get done.

Consolation!

2009-04-23T10:52:00.008-04:00

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!! My consolation kit from Loopy Ewe!! I have been stalking the mailbox for two days. I thought it might com yesterday, but no. So I opened the blinds this morning so I could see the street so the mailman couldn't sneak past. I saw the glorious mail truck pull up, so patiently I waited for him to get out and there it was, in his hand. The most wonderful white box on earth. I knew it had to be mine. I did refrain from going out and tackling him for it. As he carried it across the street I thought my heart might jump out of my chest. He's coming to my house with it!!! I opened the door and waited on the porch, he handed it to me and I thought I could kiss him, but I didn't. This wonderful box holds my "you didn't get sock club, but we still love you" kit from the Loopy Ewe!!

I ran to get the camera, I had to document every moment!! I didn't realize how exciting it is to receive a package that you don't know what's in it!! It's quite exhilarating. Inside this wonderful white box, is a beautiful Hand Maiden casbah yarn dyed in a rich purple they named "W(h)ine with Roses", a pattern from Wendy called The Purple rose of Loopy, a bright green Loopy bag( you can never have too many knitting bags), a Loopy for socks pen, and a note from them about the kit!!

Thank you Loopy Ewe!! I will most definitely sign up again next year. If this is what they do for the people who didn't get in, I'd LOVE to actually be in the club!!

Lost and Found!!!

2009-02-03T14:21:00.007-05:00

I woke up this morning with all intentions of doing nothing! I had to run to Wallyworld and get my haircut; other than that, no intentions of anything. Somehow, it never works out how I plan, or in this case, don't plan. I got home from getting my hair cut and remembered that my WH's closet is driving me crazy. So, there go the plans. I begin cleaning out the closet and then decide the rest of the room could use some sprucing up.
There has been a box sitting in my room since right after Christmas(cleaning isn't high on my priority list). So in the coarse of cleaning, I pick up the box, oh, there is something in it.
I open the box and there is a gift from a friend from bath and body works and a tote bag that I bought myself for Christmas. Oh goody, found objects!! I take out the bath and body works basket and take it to my bathroom. It's all coming back to me now, while taking down Christmas decorations, I must have put these in here to carry upstairs. I'm really good at this, put things inside of things to transport; I'm not good at take the things out and putting them away however. So then I pick up the tote bag, ohh, it has something in it also.
OHHH, the lost sock it bag with the firestarter sock yarn, the pattern, and TWO sets of needles!!! I am soooo excited, I thought I had really lost this yarn and bag. I have been turning my house upside down to find this yarn and bag; while all the while it has sat in my bedroom in plan sight in this box! Welcome to my world. There is something to be said for organized people; I'm just not one of those people.
So, I'm off to cast on the second found, firestarter sock!!!

Off to a good start!!

2009-01-19T17:20:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm off to a good start for 2009-the year of handmade gifts. My WH's birthday was yesterday, I made him a magnet board with magnets of the NCAA men's basketball teams so he can keep track of the top 25 and during March madness he can keep the bracket up to date!!
My niece Kerenne's birthday is February 16th, she has a pair of the boots with the fur that all the kids are wearing these days. She wanted a pair of socks that come up to the top of them without showing; so Aunt Di to the rescue!! I made her a pair in he school uniform colors!! Two gifts down, too many to count, to go!! Oh well, I keep looking at the positive the two birthday's so far this year have handmade gifts!!!

On another note, my kids have been home from school for five days!!! I know, how have I survived? Thursday and Friday they got off because of bad weather, today they are off for Martin Luther King day. Enough already, they better go tomarrow!!

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-13T10:34:00.002-05:00

Happy new year everyone!! I have declared this the year of handmade gifts!! This means for birthdays, Mother's day, Father's day, and Christmas I will be making gifts for people! Mark my words; they will have something handmade. I want to make socks for Mother's and father's day for both sets of parents. I have already socks started for my niece's birthday in February. A good start for the year of handmade things!! I need a list for the items I need to make. I have many ideas running through my head. The problem with that is if I don't get them on paper I will forget. I'm not good at remembering in a pinch. My brain seizes up and everything is gone!! It's not pretty. However, lists are my friend, if I have a list I tend to stay on task and remember what I'm suppose to be doing!! So, I have my niece in February, then I won't have another gift to make until Mother's day and my MIL's birthday in May!! Oh, I really should be more organized. I hope this year of handmade things works out the way I in vision it! Wish me luck!!

Decorating, decorating, decorating

2008-12-02T11:08:00.013-05:00

Well, I spent all day Saturday and Sunday decorating and I'm still not finished. I keep thinking of things to do and decorations to put up. I do have all the trees up and all but one decorated.

First, we have the entry tree. In the foyer I put up this tree of all things patriotic and New York. We love New York and the Yankees. The mural in the background is the New York skyline, it is the first thing you see when you walk in our house! We try to visit at least a couple times a year; I am also very patriotic. The entire first floor of our house has an American, red, white, and blue theme. I LOVE my country and those who fight to protect it. Thank you to all the soldiers.

Second, we have the main tree in the living room, it is what I call the "formal" tree, at least as formal as we get here in this house. It is where Santa puts the gifts for our kids go on Christmas Eve. I have yet to find a tree topper that I like well enough for it, that's why it doesn't have one. Notice the dog on the couch? He has a "ruff" life.

Next, we have one of two trees in the dining room, this one is the one I put all the special ornaments on. The ornaments that the kids have made over the years, the ornaments that have special meaning, like the kids first ornaments and different ones that mean a lot to me.

The other tree in the dining room is probably my favorite tree. It's the photo tree, all pictures of my family and friends. I got this idea out of a magazine last year and went crazy. I love pictures and the stories that they tell and the memories they help you remember. It is a very special tree to me. Always a work in progress, I am constantly adding pics to it! Very fun.

Then there is the bathroom tree. This tree came about kind of by accident. The first year we moved into our house I had a tree in every room on the first floor and my Mother said "Well, if you had one in the bathroom you would be set.". That did it, I put one in the bathroom. The first year it just had lights on it. The second year, I wanted to decorate it, but couldn't think of anything. Then a light bulb, all the little bottles of shampoo we got throughout the year while traveling. Double fold decorating, it goes with the bathroom theme and reminds us of where we've been.

The last tree on the first floor is the kitchen tree. Obviously, it is decorated with kitchen items.

This is my DD tree in her room. I bought her a new pink tree this year and she puts it up and decorates it herself.

Then we have the WS tree. he use to "help" me decorate it when he was younger, but now I guess he is too cool for that so I put it up for him. I know he likes it even if he won't say!!
There is also a tree in the upstairs hallway; the DD's old tree,that has lights on and red and white balls ready to go on, but hasn't made it yet. And two trees on the stairs that only have lights and two trees on the front porch to greet people. And six mini trees in the large pots on the front porch. I think I could use a couple more trees!?!

Happy Holidays!!

2008-11-28T15:43:00.004-05:00

I know it's been forever. Well, only about a month, but you know. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours went well. Aren't families just wonderful? I won't get into that, but lets just say " I love my family!" Things are starting to get crazy. I am beyond panic about knitted gifts, there is just not time. I have a few finished and the rest will just have to wait til next year. Yes, I'm starting that already, I guess it's never too soon to start saying, next year......

On another note, my DD has been accepted to Washington and Jefferson in Washington,PA and has been offered a scholarship. We are very proud of her, she has worked hard through school and, well, let's just say high school hasn't been kind. So she finally has some justification that everything she's been through has been worth it. She has two more applications out there that she's waiting to hear from before she makes her decision, but for now we are very proud of her accomplishment!

The high school she goes to is in the playoffs for football and we went last week and froze our a--es off. It was soo cold, the announcer insisted to telling the temperature at the start of every quarter and we were stupid enough to stay through it. At the start of the 4TH quarter it was a balmy 19!! It was worth it though, because we beat the crosstown rivals for the 2ND time this year!! It was great!! Tonight should be a bit warmer, it's 50 degrees right now, so hopefully it won't cool off too much!! I bought lots of hand warmers!!

Tomarrow will be Christmas decorating day!! Although it will probably take me most of this week to get completely finished!! I put up 12 trees, 9 of which are fully decorated!! The other 3 just have lights. I will try to get pictures posted. I love Christmas, the decorations, the festivities, the food, the family, the friends. It's probably my most favorite time of year, if only it was warm. I hate the cold (see previous post). Oh well, only a few more months till warm weather!!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T12:02:00.004-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!! I love this time of year, the leaves, the smells, the pumpkins(there is something about a fat orange pumpkin), family and friends gather, the holidays are almost here!! Yes, I love this time of year. It's what comes next that I detest!!! I hate cold and snow; OK I don't hate snow as long as I can sit in my house and look at it and don't have to go out. I HATE the cold, I hate to be cold, I hate to have to wear close toe shoes, I hate coats, I hate the ugly black snow, I hate the cold, bone chilling wind, etc..... You get the picture. So tell me again why I live where it gets cold? Go figure, this is the story of my life!! I guess so I have an excuse to make/wear hand knit socks!! I guess it all evens out, I have to put away the flips flops (which I love), but I get to pull out all the hand knit socks that I so happily made while I was suppose to be knitting gifts for everyone else. OK I'm convinced, it evens out!! It has however gotten very cold, very quickly this year, we somehow skipped our Indian summer, I like the Indian summer. Our local high school homecoming is next Saturday, maybe Indian summer will show up for that, I can only hope. Especially since I was suppose to have my CPH finished for homecoming (see previous post) and that's NOT happening. Too much to do between now and homecoming. This weekend is locker decorating and next week is just crazy with homecoming activities. It is the DD's senior year, so very busy. Oh well, one more UFO to add to the list. I did however, finish my sister's gloves for Christmas! I am proud of myself. I didn't get everything finished that I was suppose to, but at least I got something finished!!

Very Selfish!!

2008-10-21T13:56:00.003-04:00

Haven't we always taught our children to share and think of others and not be selfish? I know I have (not that it took). And what is that saying?....Do as I say not as I do....Well, let me just say, I am the one that needs to be taught thinking of others and not being selfish. Everything I am actively knitting right now is for self. MY CPH, MY knotty gloves, MY October socks, you get the picture. My BFF called this morning in a panic over Christmas gifts (can anyone say deja-vu), I told her I made my Christmas list yesterday and am not real concerned with knitted gifts for Christmas. I am more concerned with self knitting. This by the way is the same friend who called about getting the CPH done for the high school football game (see previous post). I can't do it all and I'm not trying. If I get gifts done, good, if I don't, oh well, nothing I can do. Well maybe there is something I could have done, like knit for someone beside self. No, not going to happen right now, I'm not in the mood. I know, I know, I told myself last year that this wasn't going to happen this year, that I was going to have gifts knitted!! Well, another year and here we are again. I need more time, and self NEEDS hand knitted things too. What is the fun in only knitting for others? Oh, yea, that giving is the true gift bologna, and blessed is the giver and all that. Well, right now, self needs a CPH and knotty gloves, and October socks. Don't get me wrong, giving is fun especially when the recipient really and truly appreciates it. I do so enjoy giving to people who really love it!! Oh great, here it comes, thanks BFF, now I need to get busy knitting gifts. 2 months till Christmas? PANIC!!!!

Way Behind!!

2008-09-26T10:00:00.006-04:00

Wow, I down loaded pics from my camera from this past week. I have some blogging to do and get caught up!! First, my DD plays on the local high school softball team, they won the class 1A state championship last may. This is the first girls team at the school to win a state championship since 1954 volleyball. We are so proud. The school however, failed to even make an announcement the following day at school. The girls received state champion rings as a joint effort of fundraising and the school sports club donation. Long story short, they were finally recognized last Friday at the football game. Way to go girls!!

Last weekend was quite an adventure. Saturday, Romeny Cycle Center was having their grand opening for their new building and Travis Pastrana was there to sign autographs. We are huge fans of the X games and of Travis. He is a Maryland boy after all!! We awoke at 7am to meet my sister at 8am to travel to Romney so we were one of the first 100 people, after all they were giving prize packs!! We arrived at 8:30am to a line waiting. A friend of mine was in the parking lot and asked if we were going to buy cycle? I told him no, we are here for Travis , he informed me that Travis wouldn't be there until 1pm. :(. Great, we did however get the prize pack for being one of the first 100!! We went home and went to eat at Denny's. The Harley Shop had a Jessie James built bike on display so we stopped to see it and the guy let the kids get their pic with it!! Way cool!! So at 12:30 we ventured back to Romney for Travis!! After waiting in line for 1 1/2 hours, we finally got to see Travis, he gave autographs and we took pics! He's as cute in person as he is on TV. My sister didn't get to see the Jessie James bike so after we saw Travis, we went back to the Harley shop so she could see the bike. We got back home at about 4pm. It was a long day, but very fun.

The pressure's on!!

2008-09-23T12:03:00.003-04:00

I'm feeling the pressure now. Thursday will be three months until Christmas. I will never have everything finished by then. My intentions are good, I just have bad habits. I have a bad habit of knitting for self and procrastinating. I have too much to do and not enough hours in the day. I was on Knit Picks yesterday and they have a tutorial of the fastest knitter in the world; if I could knit that fast, maybe I could get finished---NOT! I would still put it off and make excuses. I am about 3/4 up the back of my CPH that has to be finished in a month. I have one glove finished for my sister, one mitt of the four pair I need, the DD gloves aren't started, the DH socks aren't' started, I want to make stockings for my parents and my in-laws, the list goes on and on!! Three months? THREE MONTHS!?! Yea, right. I am going with my sister on Thursday I have every intention of getting some knitting done. We will be in the car for an hour each way, and I will be in the waiting room for an hour and a half; 3 1/2 hours of knitting, I should be able to get something done!! Oh yea, and the DD graduates in May 2009 and I have every intention of having her scrapbooks up to date before she gradutates. Let me just say, they are really behind. Her school one is only up to fifth grade, her regular one is up to 2002 and have to do her baby one too!! I'm soo far behind!! Why am I on here??

The Challenge

2008-09-19T12:50:00.003-04:00

The challenge is on. My BFF called me yesterday, you see we get ourselves into messes most of the time when it comes to knitting and yarn!! We got the bright idea to knit Central Park Hoodies for everyone we know including ourselves. I made one for my mother-in-law for her birthday, I also have the yarn for one for my mother and my DD and self; She made one for her daughter-in-law, her daughters, and her soon to be daughter-in-law (she's quicker than me). But as usual ours got put on the back burner. I started mine in July, right before vaca, so I could work on it during vaca(that didn't happen). Ours were suppose to be finished to wear to the local high school football games(that didn't happen). So she calls me yesterday and NEEDS hers for next week's game,lol. I convinced her that we could get it finished by Homecoming (November 8), a month sounded alot better than a week! My problem is that I am suppose to also be making one for the DD who is a senior at the high school. So technically I have two to make by Homecoming!! See what I mean about the messes we get into. These were all suppose to be finished BEFORE football season so we could happily wear them to the games when it was cold,so now it's cold and there is a game!! I also have gloves to make for my sister, mitts to make for my two nieces, my husband's two cousins, socks to make for four nephews and ...... I think I'm in trouble. Does this sound familiar? Next year.....

Here we go again!!

2008-08-25T08:56:00.002-04:00

Here we are, just a short four months til Christmas and I'm already behind!! I have quite a list of knitting to complete and only four months to finish! I'm gonna make a prediction; I will be finishing knitted present on Christmas eve!

I finished my ravellympics socks yesterday, just in time to recieve my medal!! I'm very excited. The first medal I think I've ever won.

Today is the kids first day back to school. I think it's a little early, but so be it. I sent them off this morning. I'm not really ready for them to be back, but nobody asked me. My DD the senior was glad to be goning back, only because this is her last year and she just wants to get it over with. The WS (wonderful son) was not so excited. He is in 7th grade this year and he would be very happy to never go back to school. I told him, only 179 days left of school!!

I'm off to knit for christmas gifts!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2008-08-04T14:30:00.009-04:00

Another Birthday has passed. We are always on vacation for my birthday (July 17), so when we returned my BFF came by the house bringing along my gift. I always love the gifts from her, she knows me so well and always puts much thought into them. This year she made me a crocheted doilie. I LOVE doilies!! They are all over my house, some were given to me by my grandmother, others I have found at yard sales and church bazaars, but this one is now THE FAVORITE,because of course now I appreciate the work that goes into them and know how long it took her to make this one. It is beautiful. She also included a skein of Tempted Glam Girl red, white, and silver sparkle yarn to make a pair of gloves and a sock it bag that she made out of red football fabric so I can take my knitting to the local high school football games!!! Along with the gift came a plateful of gobs(whoopie pies), also my favorite. Not good for the hips, but what the heck, it's my birthday after all!! I managed to eat them in 3 days. Thank you sooo much Kathy!

I have signed up for the Ravelympics2008! I'm sooo excited. I always wanted to be in the Olympics, just never had and talent!! I'm in the Sock put. You all know how I love socks and I have many pairs to make for Christmas so I figured that this would be a kick start to my Christmas knitting. However, I chose to make Socks that Rock and a Cookie A pattern (my two favorite things!) so if they make it in the Christmas basket for gift giving it will be a miracle!! Wish me luck!!

It's next year already!?!

2008-01-04T21:55:00.000-05:00

Well, here we go. It's next year already. I've been saying "next year" for two months now, and here we go. I started this year with knitting for self. Not a good way to start it off for knitting for Christmas gifts, :( , I've got 355 days though so it's all good! I have started socks for the son and a scarf for my niece. Although I probably won't keep them til Christmas, if I get them done.

The Longhorn lovin' son loved the hat and gloves and was thrilled that they matched his new coat. I got done everything for Christmas except my dad's socks; I had one and a half finished by Christmas eve and wrapped them as is. He opened them, still on the needles, and got a big kick out of it. He asked if he had to finish them himself. It was worth the laugh. I finished them the day after Christmas and he was thrilled. I am determined to have something handmade for everyone THIS year for Christmas!! Mark my words; and remind me when I'm mad at myself for not getting it all finished!

Longhorn Lovin' set!!

2007-12-21T12:29:00.000-05:00

These are the fingerless gloves I knit for the Longhorn livin' son for Christmas. I think he will love them. They are out of custom dyed Gypsyknits dk merino yarn. I love this yarn! Thanks again K for making this for me!! Well, here we are 3 days before the big day and I only have 1 gift still on the needles! Pretty good I think. Poor Dad probably won't have two socks by Monday. He'll understand, I know, but I feel bad. Next year..............!!! I spent all day yesterday making gift tags. I bought the Circut cutter last year and made tags, and I really enjoy doing it, although it is time consuming. I got a new cartridge for it and I played all day yesterday, like I had nothing else to do!!

This is the hat that matches the LLS' gloves, I am pleased with them both. I think he will be too. Have a great Christmas everyone!!

Sixteen already!!

2007-12-12T10:04:00.000-05:00

Well, today is my DD sixteenth birthday!! I can't believe it, she's sixteen already. I am baking cupcakes now for her to take with her tonight. Tonight is her first basketball game of the season and the team is going to eat before the game so she is taking cupcakes in honor of her birthday. It seems like yesterday that I held her and looked at her for hours not really believing that she could be mine. I still look at the beautiful young woman that she has become and can't believe she is mine. I have been blessed with two wonderful children. Thank you Lord!

I think I'm finally finished my decorating. All the trees are up and decorated, the garland is up and the knick knacks are out. I keep thinking of things and going to the attic to pull out more. I guess I'll probably still be decorating on Christmas Eve. My Husband volunteered our house for Christmas Eve with my side of the family. My parents living room is not very big and when we are all together there are 23 of us, so we definitly need space. I really don't mind, but now I have to really clean. One more thing to add to the list. I didn't have enough to do, so one more thing won't matter, LOL!! I'll get through and what gets done, gets done, and what doesn't, doesn't I can't stress about it. I enjoy Christmas too much to worry about a clean house and a couple gifts that didn't get knitted. Christmas is about the family being together, not what I didn't get done. Next year I'll be more organized, HaHa,lol!!

One more gift!!

2007-12-04T16:23:00.000-05:00

One more gift finished!!! Longhorn lovin' Son's hat out of the custom dyed yarn in Texas Longhorn colors. Which , by the way turned out perfect!! It is gorgeous!! He is going to be thrilled. I have now cast on gloves out of the same yarn. I'm hoping to get them done by Christmas. Dad's socks are on the move, but they are boring, so they are sort-of on hold. They have become my take in the car socks because I don't have to think about them. I have less than 3 weeks and 2 projects to finish, I'm not a mathmetician, but I have hope. The gloves are fun and quick, but I have to work on them when the son isn't around, so I'm limited on time with them. Oh well, if they are on the needles, at least I can tell them I'm working on them. Next year will be better, I will have more knitted gifts for people. LOL!

Christmas soon!!

2007-11-30T08:42:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it is the end of November already. 25 days until St. Nick!! I don't think I'll be ready. Last year I couldn't get in the mood and this year I am soo in the mood for Christmas and there's not enough time. It will be here and gone before I'm ready. I have been decorating all week long. I have 14 trees up and am looking for someplace to put more. I know that sound like alot, but my house is big. Let's see, 2 on the front porch, 1 in the foyer, 3 in the living room, 3 in the dining room, 2 in the kitchen, 1 in the bathroom, and 1 in each of the kids rooms. They are not all huge trees either, I like to but small trees in the corners of rooms if it looks bare. The small trees only have lights, no decorations.
I finished the dad-in-law socks and started the son's hat out of gypsyknits dk yarn. Thank you to Gypsyknits for the custom "Texas Longhorns" yarn. My son is a HUGE Texas Longhorns fan (I don't know why since we live in Maryland) anyway; I bought him a coat for Christmas that is Texas orange, so I asked her if she would dye me yarn in Texas colors. I took her the t-shirt, because it is not a normal color orange. She nailed it, it is perfect. It is Texas orange and black; absolutely perfect!!!! I coudn't have wished it any better. He is going to be soo excited. I am making a hat and gloves out of it (pictures will follow soon). Thank you again BFF!!!

It's almost that time!!

2007-11-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

Well, it's almost that time. Christmas is almost here. And we have another year of unfinished Christmas projects. I swore last year the this year, I would have something for everyone. Well, that didn't exactly happen. See, I get caught up in self knitting, until now, when I'm in a panic about knitting for everyone else. I've been on a sock kick (no pun intended) for awhile now and that's all I want to knit. Which would be great if I would give some of them as gifts, but, you see, I am VERY selfish when it comes to my handknitted socks and my sock yarn. I am VERY VERY picky about who gets the socks I make and IF (a very big IF) I give them away, there is some yarn that noone, and I do mean NOONE gets. I need therapy, I know, but I can't help it, I've tried. I can't make myself do it, I can't make myself give them away. So, I frantically knit a pair of gloves last week for my mother; dk weight, they went fast. They turned out really nice, I made them out of Gypsyknits dk merino yarn, I think it's my new favorite yarn!! I also have a pair of socks for my mom-in-law; 2 out of 15 isn't bad, right? I've started socks for my dad-in-law, I may get them done. Oh well, my bff knitting friend and I are going to start Christmas gifts for next year right after new years!!!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!!It doesn't seem like Halloween. This year has flown!! Only 55 days until Christmas! I'm guessing that this will be another Christmas of unfinished knitted gifts. Oh well, looking back, I think I just like knitting socks and I'm not to quick to give them away anymore. Is that selfish? I don't care if it is. Not many people appreciate them or take care of them the way I think they should so, my thoughts are they don't deserve them anyway!!! Enough logic.

Anyway, I HAD a beautiful baby surprise jacket knitted in Noro kreyuon yarn. Notice I said HAD. I finished the bsj, then couldn't figure out how to put it together; so I turned to my go to knitting guru my BFF for guidance. We promptly determined that I had messed up the pattern and frogged half of the sweater. Back to the part that we thought I had messed up, only to discover that wasn't enough frogging; out came the rest of the beautiful, wonderful, very excited about bsj. I'm not so excited anymore. It is beautiful yarn and the sweater will be very nice, I just hope my cousin appreciates it. Luckily she isn't due until February, I still have time, but as for now, the "ball of sweater" is in it's bag beside the couch waiting until I can face it again. I HATE FROGS!!

Puppy and Socks

2007-10-28T23:08:00.000-04:00

As you all can see, I've finally learned how to put pictures on here!! This is my puppy, Roxy, she is 4 months old. And as I said in the previous post, she isn't exactly potty trained yet, but her looks make up for it!!
This is my latest completed pair of socks!! They are from the Favorite socks book, Media's socks. I had fun making them, and I love the yarn. I would tell you what yarn it is, but I misplaced the label awhile back and I don't remember. I wish I did, cuz I would buy more!! I started the baby surprise jacket for my cousin's baby that is due in February!! I'll post that soon.

Here we go again!!

2007-10-26T16:06:00.000-04:00

I'm not very good at this whole blog thing. I don't keep up very well. My darling husband is off on his yearly hunting trip to Illinois! A whole week without him, what ever will I do!?! I've started the baby surpirse jacket for my cousin's new baby, due in February!! They know it's a girl, so I purchased very pretty Noro Kureyon yarn and cast on!! It is turning out very pretty. I'm excited, about the baby and the jacket. She is one I know will appreciate it so that makes it all the better.
We have a new addition to our household, and I wonder what I was thinking! The most adorable all white Bulldog. She is 4 months old, we've had her for about six weeks. My children named her Roxy. She's a pretty good girl if she would just figure out where to go to the bathroom. She's getting better, at least she does go to the door occasionally. I really needed another animal to take care of!! I guess I have noone to blame but myself since it was my idea, seemed like a good one at the time, they are sooo cute when you go to "look" at them with all their brothers and sisters!! Oh well, what would we do without animals?

Ravelry

2007-09-25T13:44:00.000-04:00

I just got my invite to Ravelry. I'm sooooo excited. My BFF has been going on and on about this site for some time now and I was jealous, but now I can join too. I just got my profile and SOME of my projects listed. I don't think there would be enough room on the site to list all of my projects in progress (pip)!! I haven't had much time to look at the site, because I'm suppose to be packing for our weekend getaway this weekend, but that's not going so well. From what I have seen of the site, it looks like a lot of fun. Although, it may get me into trouble, since I think I could spend alot of time on it and not get my housework done, oh well!! I'll keep you updated!!!

sooo many projects, so little time

2007-09-21T12:50:00.000-04:00

I have so many "on the move" projects going on right now, I don't even know where to begin; or should I say finish!! I just keep buying yarn and starting projects because I have to see how the yarn looks knit. I have three single socks, with no mates. I have a shawl, a wallaby, and an afghan all started, not to mention the ten or so pairs of socks that are still on the needles. It should be against some knitting law to have soo many projects not finished. I just can't help myself. I keep telling myself that I will finish them, but instead, I just keep starting more. If they would quit making such cool yarn, I would have to keep buying it. One day, I will finish!!

Thank heaven for knitting!

2007-09-19T09:35:00.000-04:00

Let me just say "Thank heaven for knitting" my daughter has just gotten her learners permit. If it weren't for knitting I would be writing this blog from the mental ward of the local hospital. If I couldn't knit while she is driving I would have to screech at the near miss of the parked cars. She tends to hug the right side of the road. She really doesn't do bad, but my knitting definitely keeps me from loosing my mind. I guess my knitting will get me through, as always.

Wow

2006-11-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's been a while. We have been very busy. Homecoming at my daughter's school was last weekend, so we were decorating and preparing for that and the dance. I finished the hat for my nephew, now I am working on the one for my son. The DD's boyfriend wants another and the nephew want another. Don't these kids know I have Christmas presents to make? I haven't even started the stockings for my parents. Oh well, I can only do so much.
'

It's over already :(

2006-11-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a really good week, but low and behold, it's almost over. I've been busy this week, shopping and knitting and running kids. The WH called earlier this evening and he is on his way home. Although I can't complain, my best friend and I got to go yarn shopping today and of course I bought more than I need but, oh well, it is really pretty and I love looking at it, so, I guess all is well. Although now I have at least four more projects I want to do, like I need more. It is theraputic though, so I guess I do need it, cause Lord knows I need therapy!! I can't pay for therapy, that would take my yarn money!!

The husband is off!!

2006-10-27T14:24:00.000-04:00

Hallelujah!!! The WH is finally off on his hunting trip. He left at promptly 8:30 this morning!! If this day could get any better, when I returned from my Wal-Mart trip there on the porch was the ever anticipated box from Knit-Picks. Oh, my, this day couldn't get any better. I carefully carry the box in the house and open it and inside are the wonderful needles. So I spent the next hour putting everything in it's proper spot. Then I had to get on-line and order the needles that did not come with the set. This week is definitly off to a good start!!!

Family Chaos!!!

2006-10-24T09:52:00.000-04:00

Let me start by saying, "I love my family" keep that in mind as I recall the events of last night. Why can't life just be simple and noncomplicated? My DD (darling daughter) has been having trouble with her eyes, we thought she had pink eye, but no, we figured out she was allergic to the solution she was using for her contacts. So my pb(pain in the butt) sister calls over the weekend to ask what I have planned for my mothers birthday; honestly I hadn't thought about it. She decides we should have the family get together on Monday at 6:30. Which I say is fine, but DD is to go to the eye doctor @ 6:30 on Monday, so we will be late. Fine with me, less time I have to spend with the fam!!! So yesterday, the eye doctor calls and needs to reschedule the appointment because the doctor is sick. OK, so now I have to pick the DD up @5:30 from volleyball practice, so I fugure I'll just head down to Mom's then. I wrap Mom's gifts (one from us and one from Dad, cuz you know I had to order it and wrap it and bring it to Mom for him ), gather my knitting, get my camera and replace the batteries and @ 5:09 I am ready to walk out the door. I should have known, things where going too well. My son comes running in the house looking for the sissors, what for? I ask "MY NEW BIKE JUST CAME!!!" he exclaims. You see, he has been looking through this catalog for a month with his birthday money burning a hole in his pocket. Now, mind you, we bought him a bmx racing bike for his birthday in August and he has a trick bike that we bought him last summer which is still in good shape. But, no he HAD TO HAVE this new trick bike, because he had the money you see. So, now it is 5:15 and his sister needs picked up and his bike needs put together and we are suppose to be at my mother's. Do you see where this is going? So, I say to the WH, I'll go pick up DD and come back to get him while you put the bike together. So, I leave; pick up DD and come back home to find they can't get the brakes to work and the WH is slowly, but surely losing patience. It is now nearly 6 o'clock. I take the presents and the knitting bag to the car. When I return to the house the WH has had it with the brakes and is about to throw the bike across the living room. What is that? Oh, my cell phone is ringing in my purse.
It's my niece, the crazy one, "Aunt Di where are you? Are you coming?".
" Yes, I'm trying, we will be there shortly."
I calmly say to the WH "Let me take it with me and maybe Dad can look at it", "OK" he replied. So I load up the bike and my children and we're off. I pull into my mother's alley and unload the bike and hand the knitting bag and camera bag to the DD and get the gifts. The cell phone again, so I balance the gifts on the edge of the car and fumble through the purse for the phone.
Found it, oh my pbsister, "where are you?"
"I'm in the alley"
"I thought you were coming @ 5:30 when you picked up, (DD)" she had called in the afternoon and I had given her the info about the eye dr. so she was still thinking we should have been there by now.
"I was it's a long story, I'll be in, in a minute" I hang up before the gifts go tumbling.
So in the back door I come and the niece#2 runs up and the pbsis is standing with her arms crossed and the nephew#1 is waiting for the movie that he called and asked us to bring him. I take the gifts in the room and am followed by the PBS who is still waiting for me to give her every detail why we are late, although, it wasn't suppose to start until 6:30 and it in now only 6:15, I am still considered late. The dinner goes well, Mom wants to open gifts, so I get out the camera to capture the moment....I turn it on, no memory card. Just my luck, this is the type of night I am having. So I ask PBS to get me copies of her pics. About that time the niece#2 (crazy niece)brings down the keyboard and decides to play us all a song. So, for the next 1 1/2 hours we are blessed with the sounds of song, the TV and kids, being kids. I just wonder why it has to be sooo noisey. The neices and nephews range in age from 20-9 and then there is the great-nephew who just turned one. So the youngest niece and the great-nephew are running around the house, the son and nephew#2 are wresling, nephew#1 is now playing the keyboard and the goofy niece is being her normal loud funny self, while DD is trying to set up Mom's new laptop ( the Dad gift) and the PBS is trying to organize everyone and the phone is ringing again. Oh yea, and the bike is in the kitchen being worked on. I was ready to scream, so much for knitting. It is now 8pm and I have had it, I now have the biggest headache. On the phone is WH who wants to know what time the mall closes. He needs a drill and if I come get him we can go Sears and get one before they close. Sure dear, I'm leaving now, be right there. So son wonders what happened to his bike that was on the back porch, oh yea, Daddy took it home when he left an hour ago and didn't tell anyone!! Thanks for the scare!!! So I left Mom's in as big of a rush as I got there and even more frazzled!! Like I said, I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!

Four more days!!!

2006-10-23T11:59:00.000-04:00

The official count down has begun! Four more days until the WH (wonderful husband) leaves for his hunting trip!!! I don't think he is nearly as excited about leaving as I am about having him leave. I am actually having a fairly good day. I had a meeting at school about the son which I was nervous about, but went very well. I guess the anticipation of the WH leaving has put a rosy glow to everything. I am, however hard at work on a poster for the teenage daughter's volleyball homecoming tomorrow. She plays the sport and mom gets stuck with all the work. Somehow I don't think that is quite how it is suppose to work, but Ce la vie. So, in between laundry, house cleaning, letting the dogs in and out, and of course answering the phone (most of which is the WH) I get to make a poster. Not like I have much to do, and of course there's the hat that has to be done in two weeks and the uh, blanket my son reminded me of again last night, meanwhile I started yet another pair of socks, like I don't have enough knitting to do. To top it all off, I can't have my knitting day this week with Kathy!!! OK, so maybe today isn't sooo good after all, but come Friday at 9am, it will all be worth it!!!

Sunshine!!!

2006-10-18T10:30:00.000-04:00

A new day and the sun is shining!! I am currently multitasking on two computers. My desktop is having a major malfunction, talk about slow. So I am trying to fix that and I'm on my laptop shopping and surfing. Knitpicks is not a good thing for the credit card!! I have to have the needles and I really want the KIP bags. But, that's not a shock knowing that bags are my thing anyway. I spent yesterday cleaning and I even cooked dinner(which rarely happens-I don't cook) and today, you would never know I lifted a finger. What I really want to do all day is knit. I started a hat for my daughter for Homecoming(in two weeks) out of Gypsyknits yarn, it's going to be really cute, if I get it done in time!!! There are not enough hours in the day. I need about 10 more!! Still working on the blanket that my son keeps riding me about, "You got my sister's done in no time, when will mine be done?". I wish the thing was done just so I don't have to hear him anymore!! My wonderful husband leaves next week for his yearly hunting trip for nine days:). I keep trying to talk him into two weeks, he's not going for it :( . I can't wait!!! I guess I probably shouldn't be sooo excited about him leaving, I will miss him?? If I could talk him into taking the darling children with him, now that would be a good week!!! Oh, well, one out of three isn't bad.

my outlet

2006-10-17T09:19:00.000-04:00

well, here we go. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I thought I would give it a try. I am reading everyone's blogs and realized that this may be just the ticket. I feel like I drowning in housework and have no outlet. I'm not sure where to start. I am at wits end with the husband and children, why can't they just leave me alone to knit? The housework is never done and I don't know where to even begin with that, it seems as though the only thing I can ever finish is knitting. Although that sometimes even becomes overwelming (the blanket i've been working on for my son for nearly 2 yrs). I hope you all understand when I just ramble about nothing. In the meantime, the husband thinks I am his personal servant and the kids think I'm their doormat. I try to keep up, but sometimes I could just scream. Then, of course, there are the dogs, who insist on going to the door every five minutes to be let out, they can't have to go that much. Today it is pouring rain, so it's not a good day anyway, and then the dogs start. At this moment though they are happily sleeping on the couch and chair (I so glad I bought furniture for them). Thank you for listening, I will be writing soon!!!