Dyeing Yarn

I'm in the mood to dye yarn. I've never done it before but I want to. I'm not sure that kool aid is the way to go. I'm thinking browns and oranges and dark greens. Maybe a little yellowish stuff. I don't know. I just feel like playing with it. I'm still up in the air about my sister's birthday. Hand dyed socks would be cool. Maybe socks and a felted purse. Maybe just the purse. And I still love that Trellis and Vine wrap on Magknits. What to do... what to do.

I was browsing knitting blogs this afternoon and it suddenly hit me that human nature is a very strange thing. Remember a long time ago I said that there was a blog that was so snooty and high falluting (is that a word?) that it just about makes you sick? Well it occurred to me that even though it makes me want to scream, I check it every day. Why? Every time I go there, and it is updated, I just shake my head in wonder that this woman just purposely and blatantly flaunts her wealth and material possessions in the background of her in her FO's. And lately, I'm even getting ticked off because she hasn't updated in a while. What's up with that? I think I love to hate her. (and, of course, I don't really hate her for pete's sake.... i don't even KNOW her) I want her to come back. I want her to update. I want to see another FO with her standing 12 feet away in the corner of the room with the queen anne dining room table and chairs all set with the china and crystal just so, and chandelier in the foreground. Where the hell is she??? To tell you the truth.... I think she's been getting some "work" done. That could explain the absence. I bet she's out there in LA with Dr. 90210. Damn her!

ZYX Photo Friday - Featuring the Letter "L"

L IS FOR LANDMARK
n. A prominent identifying feature of a landscape
















Blair County has a great history. We have so many impressive buildings and great architecture throughout the county. The building above is Baker Mansion located in Altoona. It was built in 1849 by Elias Baker, owner of the Allegheny Furnace, at a cost of $15,000. It now houses The Blair County Historical Society. (my daughter's new home is a few blocks from here)




















The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrement in downtown Altoona. They broke ground for this building in 1924, opened it unfinished for worship in 1931 and finally finished it in 1960. It was built as a place of worship for the primarily catholic population who worked the railroad, the industry that founded the city in the mid to late 1800's.

Other Blair County landmarks include:

The Horseshoe Curve

Blair County Ballpark

Fort Roberdeau

Blair County Court House

PS... I took both of the photos above for our office brochure... I think I missed my calling.

BAD. MOOD.

Why? This is why:


















This is lunch. Breakfast was the same.

I don't ask for much. Really. I'm satisfied with the money pit that is my house (well, not really satisfied but I accept it) I'm satisfied that I have a car that gets me from point A to point B without breaking down even though it's about as far from a status vehicle as you can get. I'm even satisfied that I have to buy my pants at Wal-Mart because their Rider Brand khakis in Tall is the only pair of pants on earth that I can find to fit me. (I'd like to order them by the skid full)
But I'd really like to be able to EAT what I want to eat. I don't think that's too much to ask in a life that is relatively short to begin with. Let's face it. You can't have everything. But good food just doesn't seem like that much to ask. Like, say if you can't dress really well every day, you should be able to eat ice cream every day to compensate and feel better about life. Am I wrong?
And if you can't drive the BMW convertible in light metalic ice blue, then you should be able to dig into the chips and dip when you get home. It's that simple. Life sucks and then you die.

Ok...knitting news.

None. I'm fat.

I need

a vacation. really. to get my house in order. it is begging for help. i'm never home. and when i am home, in the evenings, i knit. i cannot get into housework after a long day. just can't. and i end up always working on weekends. i was going to take a week when the baby was born and go to delaware, but now that the baby will be here, i think i may just take a few days to spring clean and NOT take time off when the baby comes. they will have plenty of help being among all the friends and relatives.

the lady eleanor stole is consuming me. i can't put it down. it's addictive. you would think it would be boring but it's not. sort of like clapotis. which i loved. but you knew that.

maryland sheep and wool. maryland sheep and wool. don't know what to do. go. not go. a dilemma. i could stay home and clean. there's an idea. nah.

our secretary found out yesterday she's having a boy. another project. add that to the list. somebody have a girl for pete's sake. so many boys lately.

i need to win the lottery so i can pay someone to clean and i can sit and knit all day long. i often wonder if i'd get tired of it. i don't think so. i think i could knit every day for hours.

training a new agent today. field trip to the court house. yee haw. actually i like doing that so it's cool. and i have info to gather there anyhow. i'm off to work now. but i want to just knit.

Carla Saves The Day

Remember the big snag? Well, while it is still barely visible, it certainly is back to a wearable state and I'm wearing it today. Carla, at my LYS, worked her magic on it. I would have really been upset if this was ruined. I think I love it a lot more because the yarn is hand spun and dyed by someone I know than because I knit it. So thank you, thank you Carla!

I'm bummed out about the price of gas. Isn't everyone? I don't care what they say and how they try to justify it. It's just a big rip off. I don't know how some people are doing it. I'm sure there are people out there who wonder why they are working since their paycheck just goes to getting them there.

The entrelac stole is chugging right along. No sense posting photos... pretty boring to keep looking at that day after day. I know that pattern was meant to show off hand painted yarns but I think I'm going to like my plain old Irish aran Lady Eleanor. My mom will too. What can I say, it's "us".

Think good thoughts for Cate. She's going through a rough patch. Life's decisions can be tough. Having to hurt someone and move on is never easy. I did it. I know.

Monday Monday

I'm ready to start the heel on my Emu sock. I love this yarn. It feels great. Probably won't wear well with no nylon content but it feels warm and comfy.

I worked a lot on the Lady Eleanor shawl too. I don't think I'm going to be able to block that like I normally do. I usually lay out wet towels and put a dry knit piece on the towels and cover the piece with another damp towel. This thing is going to need more than that I think. I think I'll have to actually soak the stole, get the excess water out and pin it out. It needs a lot of shaping. I'm loving it. Entrelac is a lot of fun.

I'm considering doing a pinwheel blanket in primary colors for Colin. Every kid needs a home made blankie. I may even use Wool Ease for it. No fuss no muss yarn for washing. I've been wanting to do that pattern for a while.

The MS Walk was a success. Lots of people walking for a good cause. If there are any golfers out there, we hold a great tournament to benefit MS here in central PA in September. It's such a fun day. Lots and lots of food... and good people all around.

Blog Stuff

So remember I said I was interviewed by the local paper for an article about blogging a while back? The article was in today's paper. When I emailed my submission about our family blog I followed the rules and sent my name, my age, my occupation, what kind of blog I had, etc. etc. My submission was about our family blog, not this one. Anyway, I pick up the front page of the Lifestyle section to see the photo of me and Cate and the article starts out, "Holly O'C..., 50, a real estate agent from Hollidaysburg..... " Now I've never been one to lie about my age and I've never had a problem telling anyone how old I am. It is what it is. Right? Well there is something about seeing it in print, on the front page of the Lifestyle section, that doesn't sit very well with me. What difference does it make how old I am for the purposes of that article?? OK SO I'M 50!!! A 50 year old blogger. She's 50 years old people!!! Geez. The whole world didn't need to know that! Ok. I know the fact that I'm going to be a grandmother in a couple of weeks pretty much screams the fact that I'm no spring chicken. But Sunday's paper for God's sake?? It couldn't have been Tuesday or Thursday. I just wish if they had to put my age it would have said something like, "Holly O'C..., 50, (but who looks incredibly younger), a real estate agent...." And then, if this wasn't bad enough, the article goes on to say that we keep the site private and I am quoted as saying that "I'd feel uncomfortable if people saw it." Sounds like we're selling crack or something on the family blog. I'm sure I did say that after she asked me for the website address because I just didn't think it would be cool for millions of people to be perusing our silly little anticdotes and funny family photos. I'm telling ya... never again. This is what you get for volunteering information. I'm going to take a beating for this at work tomorrow. Of course Monday mornings are our sales meetings when everyone is there. Naturally.

And lest you think there is no knitting news, think again.



Here is the progress on the Lady Eleanor stole. I originally started this for myself but I think I'm going to try to have it done for Mother's Day and give it to my mother. She was cold in the hospital... her shoulders... every time she came back from dialysis. This would be perfect for her to wrap up in. And it has sentimental value too because Kelly brought the yarn back from Ireland.

Well I'm off to volunteer at the MS Walk-a-thon. After a crappy morning of pouring rain, the sun is now shining so that's a good thing. I think I'll wear a sign on my back that says, "Yeah, I'm 50". Ugh.

Life 101

what a day. so much stuff. i was up in the middle of the night so much. i don't know why. just awake. then i ended up sleeping in to catch up. i had an open house from 1 to 3 at the home of the young couple who lost the deal earlier in the week. maybe i was fretting about them. i don't know. anyhow, had the open house, no good news there. talked to him and he was so sweet... just a good kid. deserves better than he's getting. crap. life can be hard.

so my mother comes home from the hospital which is great news and i go over there after dinner and she is at the dining room table just totally wiped out. i get her ready for bed and sort out her medication that she has to take. and she hands me a ring. a really good ring that she has worn always. says she wants me to have it. and i cry. i say it's not time yet to do this and she says she just wants to make sure i have it now. life is so hard. isn't it?

Comments

So. Yeah. Kenny is my new best friend. :-)

ZYX Photo Friday - Featuring the letter "M"

M is for MOTHER

I am a lot of things. A daughter, a wife, a sister, an employee... But the thing that I am that gives me the most pleasure is a mother. I have great kids. Life is good.

Thursday Stuff

If ever there was a day when I just wanted to stay in bed, today was the day. The fire whistle blew 3 times in a row beginning at 4:30am and that was it. I was awake and there was no going back to sleep. That just freaks me out ever since the house down the street burned down. That night, I heard the fire whistle but didn't think much of it and the next thing I knew, there were fire trucks pulling up in front of my house with lights flashing. I almost had a heart attack. I jumped out of bed and my heart didn't stop pounding for an hour. Now, the fire whistle really freaks me out. I hate it.

I made some progress on the Lady Eleanor stole last night. I love how it is turning out but I can tell that it will need major blocking. I don't know why I start these big woolly projects in the Spring! I think when I finally realized what I wanted to do with that Irish yarn I just had to dig in. Nothing I do makes any sense. Now I'm in the middle of this when I'd rather be working on summer stuff.

I'm STILL up in the air about Maryland Sheep and Wool. If it was just a few weeks later than it is, I'd be good to go. I have a few big closings the end of May. Figures. I'll probably end up going anyhow. I'll go just to drool. Why not? What else do I have to do? (we'll forget about the fact that every room in my house needs painted, I promised myself I would do something about the condition of the attic, and my flower beds are begging for attention) I think I just need a "me" day and that certainly fits the bill.

I realized last night that the Koigu yarn that I bought in New York doesn't have the yardage that most of the sock yarn that I buy has. I think this translates into not being able to knit a sock with a 7 inch cuff like I usually do. I'm not a big fan of short socks. I need to find a pattern that I like to use this yarn. I've seen some that I like on knitting blogs but they never say what the pattern is. I'm open to suggestions. Send some ideas my way!

And speaking of ideas... I need some ideas for my sister's birthday. Last year I made her a clapotis. This year I don't know what to make her. Originally I thought about the Lady Eleanor for her but now that I started mine, I won't want to make another one so soon. Maybe Convertible??? (knitty.com) Yvonne said her's is going well and she is enjoying it. A good possibility.

Stash Enhancement, New Socks and S-T-R-E-S-S

I forgot to show my LYS sale purchases last week but I bought some new sock yarn, EMU Superwash DK, and some wool worsted weight with alpaca in camel color for the "Besotted" scarf I want to make. I'm sure they will both end up as Christmas gift projects.

Work is nuts. I had a deal fall apart yesterday that breaks my heart. Young couple, really needed to sell, buyer ended up not getting their mortgage (after being pre-approved) and the deal just went down the tubes. Back to square one. I hate it when the deal screws with people's lives. They already rented an apartment because we were so close to closing. Now they have a mortgage payment AND a rent payment. Sometimes it's just a disappointment, other times it's a huge financial burden. I'm hoping for another quick deal for them so they can get on with their lives. I really do take this job and responsibility personally.

My mom's health is up and down. What a roller coaster. Between that and problems with my daughter's new house I'm ready for a bottle of wine and deserted Island. Anyone want to join me?

Lots of Knitting Stuff!

I started the Lady Eleanor stole from Scarf Style with my Irish yarn. This entrelac process is addictive. I can't stand putting it down. It's neat how it works. I think this is something I'll wear a lot in the winter. I love to bundle up in huge scarves. So far I've done two of my New Year's Resolutions - Learned intarsia and entrelac. I think I said lace too. I'm still working on that.

I found the absolute cutest pattern book at the LYS on Friday. I love everything in it. Kelly did pick a pattern for Colin and it just happens to be the one on the cover. It was a tough decision because they are all so cute.



The little intarsia sweater was a sirdar pattern and I found it to be very user friendly (unlike the Phildar patterns). The only problems is that they don't say actual size in this book. They use chest measurements. I don't know what size to make for 12 months which is what I want to knit.

Here's Cate with her cake. I think she had a good birthday.



My mother is still in the hospital but doing better after a few days of scaring us to death. It was real rollercoaster ride for a while with her. Thanks for all the well wishes and kind words. My mom is really, really good at dodging bullets. She's been through a lot.

ZYX Photo Friday - the letter "N"

"N" is for NUTTER BUTTER



I can't eat just one. I love these things. I don't buy them because I'd eat the whole bag. I like them better than Oreo's.... and I LOVE Oreo's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATE!!

Today is Catie's 22nd Birthday. Hard to believe. Where did the time go?

Happy Easter Socks

Charlotte's socks turned out great. I finished them late last night after coming home from the hospital. She is going to love them. I love them!

One of our Sheetz stores burned down last night. I got caught in that traffic nightmare on the way home from the hospital. That's really a loss for people on that side of town. That store was busy 24/7.

I hope to get Colin's hospital cap done over the weekend. I ordered an embroidered GT logo from the team store where our high school buys all of their gear. GT stands for Golden Tigers and the team has the logo on their football helmets. Colin's daddy was an All State linebacker here and I think they will get a kick out of the hat when I take it to the hospital. I'm hoping Kelly still doesn't read this blog because I want that to be a surprise!

Well Happy Easter everyone! Have a great weekend.

SICK....

ABOUT THIS:



I got Kepler caught on my daughter's dog's crate. I thought this would be easy to fix with a crochet hook but it isn't. I can't seem to find the threads to coax back into position. I'm going to take it to the LYS to see if Carla has any experience with such matters.

Since I haven't had time to knit, I've been doing alot of THINKING about knitting. I had hoped to purchase some yarn to do a Lady Eleanor stole from the "Scarf Style" book while I was at Maryland Sheep and Wool. Now, I'm seriously considering not going to Sheep and Wool because there is just too much going on with my daughter, my mother, my work, etc. And then, the thought occurred to me, like a light going off, that I should make that stole with the yarn Kelly brought me back from Ireland. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. I have plenty of yarn, I would most likely wear it like a big scarf anyway (like I do clapotis), and then I'd have it at work to wrap up in when I get cold. Sounds like a plan. And I couldn't find an aran pattern I really liked for that yarn anyhow. (however, I do have my eye on that gorgeous creation that Laurie G's got going on right now) Anyhow, decision made.

I've got birthday and Christmas projects on my mind too. My mind is swimming with knitting. I definitely want to order more yarn from Shelly. I just loved the yarn she made me for Kepler. It's a wool/silk blend and I want to make a few scarves from that for Christmas gifts. It feels great against the skin.

My mother is still in intensive care. I'd get into it but she has so many problems I wouldn't know where to start. Suffice it to say that we're hopeful that she can get through this bout of illness like she has in the past.

Kids are at the Pirate game today. Go buccos. It's so great to have them back.

Wild and Crazy Days

When it rains, it pours. It's Easter week and I haven't even thought of Easter much less prepared. The kids (daughter and son-in-law) came back to town yesterday with cars loaded with the things they didn't want the movers to move. We moved that stuff into the new house after visiting my mother who was moved to intensive care at the hospital. Friday is Catie's birthday... just another one of those things on the back burner that needs attention. She'll be home tomorrow and my house looks like a bomb went off in it. Laundry hasn't been done in two weeks. I have to show about 5 houses tomorrow evening after 5:00pm. Then, I'll go to the hospital. The grand-dog broke my son's bedroom door down this morning at 6:30am. (literally...broke it right off the hinges... not too hard to do in a 117 year old house) then proceded to poop on the spare bedroom floor. I can't even remember the last meal I cooked.

Birthday? What birthday?

Easter? What's Easter?

Knitting? You have to be kidding.

No Knitting Blues

Will I ever find time to knit again? I'm having withdrawal symptoms. Between the kids moving, work, and my mother being in the hospital, knitting seems to be out of the question. Charlotte probably will not get her socks for Easter. But that won't matter because she doesn't know she's getting them at all.

I lost the pattern that I was using to make the little cable purses. I guess I'll have to write another one. Cate is coming home tomorrow so I'll just look at hers and go from there. I really want to make a few cotton ones for summer and I'm ready to start on them now. It's always fun to do a few small things in between larger projects.

Last summer I started the "W" sweater from knitty and never finished it. I will have to do the other half of that sweater soon. That was a fun knit as I recall although I did end up screwing it up.

The next big project on my agenda will be Kelly's big sweater. I was going to use the pattern I did for mine, but I'm re-thinking that now. I guess I can still use that, it just needs some added length.

The movers are moving their belongings into their new home right now. I need to go check on that situation. Later!

New Knitty

The new Knitty is up. A few cute things. Of course the one thing that I like best is...LACE. Figures. It's the Reid sweater for little girls. Good thing my daughter is having a boy or I'm sure I'd put myself through hell with that one. But I do love the Double Scoop sweater which will be cute for Colin. I may have to do that one. No problem there. And I'm absolutely obsessed with the Tendrils wrap although I think I'd do it without the beads. I'm not into beading. (wearing them or knitting with them) The Ungranny Smith is cute but it's not me so I'd never wear it. Nothing else floated my boat. The pacifier tether thing is cute though.

No knitting over the weekend. We packed and cleaned in Delaware. The movers came and loaded about half of the stuff yesterday and it's my understanding that they are there now finishing up. I will meet them at the new house here tomorrow morning and let them in to unload. My daughter had her car broken into in the middle of the night last night and they stole her i-pod and broke a window. Now, on their last day there, they have that to deal with. I told her it could have been worse. They could have had their computer in there and the waterford crystal that they are moving themselves. I also told her it's an omen. Time to come home.

ZYX Friday... on Monday

This week (actually last week) features the letter "O". O is for O'Connor. A very common name in Ireland. While I was there I noticed that every other store was O'Connor's Market, or O'Connor's Pub, or O'Connor's Florist...etc. I took a photo of the first one I saw thinking it was neat .. not realizing that I could have taken hundreds of them in the course of the trip. People always want to spell it O'Conner. I get that a lot. I believe some people finally just gave in after a while and actually became O'Conner. My husband's family must have held out. Anyway, one day my son said he was going to get the O'ConnorFamily Crest tattooed on his arm. I thought that was very funny. Until he actually came home with the O'Connor Family Crest tattooed on his arm. Not funny. Here it is in all it's glory.

ZYX Friday.... coming Monday!!!

Okay... I just have to say that if you knew what I was going through at work you would understand why I didn't have time to post the Friday ZYX picture. Ugh! What a wacko business I'm in!

Anyhow... Monday's "O" photo will be worth waiting for. Trust me.

Off to Delaware to help the pregnant one. My back is so bad I can hardly move and I'm the one helping an 8 month pregnant girl clean her house. We'll be a terrific team.

The Agony Of Defeat

After working on Michaela for 4 hours last night, this is the result. Not Pretty. A word of advice... don't wait for the perfect row to put the lifeline in. You might not make it there. I can't remember being more frustrated in my life. I will put this away for now and start another project but I will return to it eventually.... again.

I think I'll make some more little accessory bags to felt. They are quick and easy and make great gifts. And I have plenty of Cascade 220 to use up for them. Although I would like to have some brown and green to use with the orange. A trip to the LYS may be in order. I'm always looking for an excuse. Our LYS is having a huge sale to make way for summer yarns and new lines. I need to go check that out anyway.

I think I'm having some withdrawal symptoms from quitting sugar. I have a massive headache and I rarely get them. I cut out all sugar from my diet on Wednesday and I'm feeling the pain. I truly did sit and eat candy all day. I'm a sugar addict and I admit it. I had a cavity at the dentist yesterday to prove it. Damn. I'm even toying with the idea of cutting out caffeine. I need to treat my body better. I don't know. A morning without coffee? Life's short. Why go there?

To Post or Not To Post... That is the question...

I got nuttin. Last night I was so exhausted I swore I was not going to knit and I was going to go to bed early. Instead, I got involved in a two part Law And Order and ended up watching until 11:00pm and got half of Charlotte's second sock finished. So much for not knitting and going to bed early. And, yes, today I am even more exhausted.

I have so much to do in the next few days since I will be in Delaware all weekend helping my daughter prepare to move. My son is going with me. That trip should be interesting. We haven't spent that much quality time in captivity together (in the car) since he was a kid. At least I know it will be entertaining. He's one funny young man. Although, when he hears I want to leave at 7:00am he won't be so amused. He is definitely a nightowl and does not like getting up early. Work is busy and it's not a great time to be hitting the highway and leaving town but what are you going to do? Can't be two places at once. In great work news, I got the listing that I wanted so badly. Now I just have to actually SELL it!

I have been ignoring the Michaela shawl. Between work stress and exhaustion, I can't bear to have to think that hard at night. Hopefully next week I will get motivated to pick that up again. Now that I know about the lifeline idea, I do feel better about that project. I had visions of messing it up halfway through and having to rip the whole thing out. Now I know that won't happen.

Happy knitting.... I'm off to work.... and to the Dentist....gosh I hate that.

Charity Knitting and more....

Teeny Tiny Hats. These are fun to make and they're quick. The pattern is calling these infant hats but I have to say they are more like preemie hats. I know they would be too small for a normal newborn. So I need to adjust the pattern if I'm going to make many more of these. Not that preemies don't need hats too! Anyone have a good pattern for newborn nursery caps?

Knitting night was fun. We had the normal crew there. I worked on socks due to the no-brain nature of them. You can't screw up socks while chatting away. I bought some Kertzer 100% mercerized cotton in Navy for another little summer cable purse. I want to make a few more of those so I guess I'll be back to doing business with the rip-off company again for those handles. I really do need to find someone to make those for me.

I've been sneezing my head off. I think my allergies are back after years on hiatus. My summer allergies used to be so bad that I couldn't sleep for days at a time. I know I should have gotten shots but I never did. Then, one year they just never came back. Like magic. I'm getting the feeling that ..... they're baaaaaaack.

Still undecided about Maryland Sheep and Wool. One day or two. If one day, which day. Saturday or Sunday? Probably Sunday. And do I have enough money to spend on yarn to even make the trip worthwhile? I get there and I want everything.

Off to buy lottery tickets. Have a good day.

Stash Flashing

Ok. I did not flash my stash on Saturday. But I have to say, those of you who did, made me feel very, very good about myself. I do not have near the piles and bins of yarn that most bloggers have. (If you haven't checked out the photo on "Knit and Tonic" do it. It's a hoot.) But I have recently and purposely put a big dent in my stash in an effort to contain it. I have used a lot of it this winter instead of buying more so I am patting myself on the back. Here is what I have... sorry... no photo....

2 skeins of knit picks sock yarn - colorway Cape Cod

2 skeins of olive green sock yarn - I forget what brand (I'm at work, it's at home)

loads of Irish wool Aran weight from Ireland (my daughter got it for me in Ireland and I still don't have a project in mind for it)

1 big ball of beautiful lace weight variegated from Natasha (pinks and maroons)

2 skeins of hand dyed sock yarn from Natasha

10 balls of dark green bulky wool for Kelly's sweater

2 Super big balls of Pink and Blue acrylic for nursery hats (charity knitting)

Lots of skeins of autumn colored acrylic for an afghan I never finished (and probably never will)

6 skeins of Cascade 220 for felting

That's it! Not much really. I can't believe some of the photos I've seen. Rooms jammed full of yarn! I'd be SO divorced!

Monday Night Knitting

I finished the first Opal sock. I think Charlotte will really like these. They are so pretty. Sort of reminds me of Easter and hopefully I can have them finished by Easter to give to her.



Here is the start of Michaela. I love the pattern. Thanks a TON to Yvonne (i'd hightlight this so you could click on it and go to her blog if i knew how....but.. alas... I do not.) for clueing me in on the "lifeline" tip for lace knitting. So simple and logical and yet I would have never thought to do it. When I reach row 1 of the pattern repeat again, the lifeline is going in.

Tonight is knitting night. I started a blue baby cap for my charity knitting. It's going to be tough not to keep it for Colin! I'll have to make him one too. Poor neglected grandchild ... I haven't knit anything for him yet! He'll be here in about 6 weeks. This grandma is getting pretty excited!

The Dilemma of Lace

I knit lace over the weekend. I was successful at completing 2 pattern repeats (5 inches) of the Micheala Shawl. I started it 5 times before I reached success. I now know what it takes for me to knit lace. It takes total concentration and peace and quiet. I can't be interrupted or I completely lose my place. I can't watch television and knit lace. I can't talk and knit lace. I am convinced that the funky part of my brain that hates math and struggles to stay focused is responsible for my inability to easily complete this process. Can I do it? Yes, I can do it. Is it enjoyable? No. Not really. It's work. I knit for enjoyment and if it's not enjoyable why bother? I can't stand to let something beat me. I guess that's why I continue beating my head against the wall with this. That, and I love the look of the piece and I WANT the piece. I want to WEAR the piece. I found out that lace knitting is not something I can learn and continue on with having it get easier with time. It' won't get easier for me. It's not the understanding of the process but the process itself that I have a problem with. But, hey, it's not the end of the world. In the big scheme of things, not being able to easily knit lace isn't exactly a life altering circumstance, now is it?

I have one of the Opal socks almost finished. I worked on that at an Open House yesterday before tons of people started to show up at the very end. I was there an hour longer than anticipated. That would have been fine if I would have SOLD the house, but no... no takers.

So I finally met Giorgio on Saturday night and also gave Corie her sweater. I could tell she liked it. :-) I'm sure that was what the smile was all about. Here's Corie and Cate:



In other ramblings I noticed that Jarod (the Subway sandwich guy) is gaining his weight back. It happens to the best of us buddy. Also I heard that the gas company is lowering the price of Natural Gas. Isn't that nice of them? Isn't it great that they are doing that in April? Wow... what humanitarians they are. I'm in awe of their generousity. Really. It sort of makes you just want to send them a few extra bucks just for the hell of it.