everything

it’s always everything, isn’t it?

life has caught up with me, yet again. i find myself knee deep in holiday projects, reading multiple books, loads of laundry, picking up and dropping off two children at various events, rescuing kittens, another bout of ECT and therapy…the list goes on. and that’s only the beginning.

our youth group leader is expecting twins, so there’s been baby knitting.

{ baby aviatrix in madelinetosh sport “candlewick” }

then there was some “i’m really bored but i’m not sure what pattern to choose” knitting:

{ joelle hoverson’s “last minute knitted gifts” chevron scarf in madelinetosh sock “fig” and mama blue simple merino “algae” }

and last sunday we celebrated scout’s baptism:

i spent one week at cedars-sinai, in los angeles, before i had enough “rest”. i finished two novels: “plain truth” by jodi picoult and “carrot cake murder” by joanne fluke. i’ve moved on to chapter six of “a confident heart” by renee swope and just started reading “made to crave”.

my upcoming schedule includes everything. making crock pot apple butter, knitting one more set of baby booties and matching aviatrix hat for the second twin, attending bible study classes on tuesday mornings, taking scout to the tone chimer’s group on sundays before sunday school, three times a week electroshock therapy appointments, a financial aid meeting to hopefully help with finances for school next semester, continuing my online bible study, wrapping up a halloween swap, sewing scout’s christmas dress, making christmas gifts for the family.

well you get the idea.

it’s everything.

and i wouldn’t change it a bit.

chunky munky

i’ve actually been getting some knitting done. miraculous considering life has once again gotten chaotic and busy. nevertheless, i finished my tea leaves cardigan (don’t have any great photos of the sweater to share, yet), and my chunky munky (another cute design by rebecca danger).

i mean, everyone needs a little munky in their life, right?

.home.

the move was hasty, not everything made it. but the kids are here and that is what’s most important. so much has been going on but nothing very interesting to report.

i had to drop my classes due to the move. i’m pretty bummed out, but february will be here quicker than expected and i’ll be back to the daily grind of notebooks, index cards, highlighters and all night study sessions soon enough.

thanksgiving was, for the most part, quiet and uneventful. i didn’t burn the rolls this year.

my 30th birthday was peaceful. i spent a good portion of my check on some madelinetosh merino light and sweetgeorgia tough love sock (in a purple colorway, believe it or not). i also went to my favorite bakery (ok, my second favorite bakery) and got a delicious sandwich and box of goodies.

{delicious knee socks in sweetgeorgia tough love sock in blackberry}

{solstice steve from rebecca danger’s holly,ivy, steve mini monster ornaments.}

as you can see, there’s been knitting.

a lot of knitting.

and you know what? it feels good.

it feels good to be home.

 

 

Just Plucky

That’s how my mailbox has been looking lately. Just plucky. And I’m lovin’ it.

{Plucky Knitter MCN in Colonel Brandon.}

{Plucky Knitter MCN Superwash in Early Light.}

And just to prove to you that I’m not just buying yarn, I’m using it too.

{Simple Things by Mary-Heather in Sundara FSM in the Presidential Inaguration colorway.}

Other stuff that’s Just Plucky:

* I finished my Minimalist Cardigan but it needs to be blocked and seamed.

* I earned an 86% on my first Poli Sci exam. (The breakdown of grades: 12 A’s, 9 B’s, 3 D’s and a couple of F’s.)

* I finished reading Shutter Island and started reading Jodi Picoult’s new novel House Rules.

* I am nearly finished sewing a recycled pair of jeans that had a huge hole in the butt. (I still can’t figure out how the hole got there.) The jeans have turned into a cute pleated skirt. Without a hem. I still need to hem the bottom.

* I started our “spring cleaning” for the year. We have ways to go.

And with that I think I should start working on the windows. After I knit.

Shopping

As the dark clouds ominously rolled over the mountains we began our journey to the Country Fair Antique Shop. The boast 100 shops for all your shopping needs. I’ve gone there a few times and I’ve never left empty handed. Too many treasures to be found in the dusty corners of each booth.

Today was no different.

Isn’t it gorgeous?

This twin sized crocheted afghan was just sitting on top of a bureau. The booth was pretty empty, I assume they were either setting up or closing business.

And this is the kicker…

Yes, it really does say $3.00.

So Shawn bought it for me. And $3.29 I was a much happier woman. Especially walking out into the rain and thinking about what other treasures my day would bring.

Mainly it’s consisted of sitting on the couch under my blankets and knitting a new Minimalist Cardigan.

Two treasures in one day. I’m lucky.

In Real Life

In real life there are no commercial breaks or retakes. The most break time I get is when Scout might take a nap or when I’m reading into the wee hours of the night because the Ambien hasn’t kicked in yet.

In real life relationships are quite complicated. They are not the fairy tale stories of Disney where there’s always a happy ending. Relationships take a lot of work, effort and time. Sometimes they flourish into a loving marriage. Other times they are destroyed by the alcohol that one is addicted to.

In real life there are endless hours of being on the phone, making appointments, dropping off library books, football practice, laundry, taking the dog for a walk, grabbing the mail, going to the grocery store, and on, and on, and on.

In real life there are those rare moments. Late at night the rain is still dripping from the palm tree fronds onto the puddles that have pooled outside our bedroom window. I trace Scout’s shadow and tell her how very much I love her. I tell her how things will be ok. I tell her that I will always be there for her. I even talk to Dalton. Some nights I find myself petting the bed where he used to lay in the crook of my arm purring ever so gently to rock me back to sleep.

Yes, there are those moments when life ceases to exsist if only for a moment and I can just be. There are accomplishments, heartbreaks, bouts of laughter, shaking my hips to imaginary music, dreams, inspirations. A plethora.

I think of all of these things as I watch Scout twirl around in her big girl birthday dress, pressed and pleated.

I think of these things as I carefully make the stitches that bring a present together, something I hope the kids will enjoy unwrapping on Christmas morning.

I think of all of these things when I pet Rogue and realize she’s gotten so big in the past three weeks that we’ve had to adjust her collar one notch and start walking her with a choke chain.

It’s in everything I do.

Hats Off To You

Maybe it’s because in the early mornings when I take Rogue out to potty, the air is crisp, clean and a bit nippy. Or maybe it’s because in the evenings, when you are just trying to take in all the stars and moon, you can see your warm breath dissipate as though it never existed. But something, and I really can’t pinpoint the exact moment, has caused me to take up the needles and knit hats.

Not one. Not two. But, three hats.

The thing about it is, I don’t wear hats. But I do now.

Now it’s {a black pepper} Golden Autumn Hat

Blue Autumn

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in Duck Egg, approximately 1 3/4 skeins

Needles: US 3 and 4’s

Mods: The only modification I made on this hat was to do one repeat less than the pattern recommends. I knit four repeats and have plenty of extra room for my hair. And, of course, there is a bit of slouch. Thus, only needing three quarters of that second skein.

I’m thinking I can make a smaller version for Scout. After all, she loves hats. And she wears them. With pride.

Downfall

Like everyone else in the country that is battling this H1N1 swine flu epidemic I have finally succumbed. There’s been snotty noses, vomitting, Kleenex balls, Halls cough drops (citrus flavored only), sneezing fits, hacking up a lung type coughing…

Shawn and I cut our night short yesterday. Instead of dinner we did lunch that I thoroughly was delighted with. We don’t go out to dinner, at least not just the two of us. The best we can do for the four of us is Souplantation. But instead we went to one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Buca di Beppo.  And then we spent some time at the R/C racetrack where Shawn races his truck. I fell asleep in the car, the iPod still in my mittened hans.

So instead of bowling we ordered a pizza (and a Cinnapie) from Papa John’s and spent the rest of the night home. We watched movies under a blanket and ate the pizza right from the box. All of that seemed fine.

Until it hit me.

I’ve slept most of the day. The other part of the day has been spent wrapped up in my King size microfleece blanket, sitting as comfortably as possible, watching “Perry Mason” movies, and trying to focus on the little tweedy stitches of a new yarn (and a new pattern).

And that’s all she wrote.

As for the giveaway the winner is: Raina. And just because I decided to give out another owl. The second winner is: Abby! Will both of you please email me at iknit (dot) ipurl (at) yahoo (dot) com. I need your mailing addresses and your color preference. Thanks for playing along everyone!

Done, Done, Done

Done.

Wrapping things up feels so good. I feel so accomplished. I should be received a Gold Medal any day now.

I’ve made some adjustments in my life.

• Spend less time on the computer. Check.
• Watch less television. Check.
• Spend more time reading the books in my library queue. Check.
• Stick to my Slim Fast diet. Check.
• Go outside more often. Check.
• Write in my journal more often. Check.
• Finish up all those WIP’s. Almost check.

Yes. Almost.

Project #1: Slow going. (No pun intended.)

Sheldon the Turtle

Yarn: KnitPicks Green Apple and Grass

Needles: US 3’s and 4’s, Crochet Hook US C

Notions: 8mm black safety eyes

Project #2: The stashbuster.

Feather Cable Cowl

Yarn: Karabella Margrite, I only had one skein of this but wanted to use it for something. I ended up doing 6 repeats of the pattern instead of 8 repeats.

Project #3: A gift.

Pattern: Baby Chalice Blanket

Yarn: Red Heart Eco Ways in Aquarium, took about three skeins to get a blanket that measures approximately 34 x 38.

Now I can get back to my regularly sheduled program. Cause I am done.

Something

There’s something about waking up at six in the morning.

There’s something about letting my hair go curly today.

There’s something about the mottled white clouds in a tern gray sky.

There’s somethingabout the scalding hot water while washing last night’s dishes.

There’s something about Scout’s laugh when she’s watching “Snoopy”.

There’s something about folding the laundry, piece by piece.

There’s something about catching a glance at the fresh flowers Shawn brought home.

There’s something about the way Scout turns a stuffed white bunny into a “kitty cat”.

There’s something about reading a book that just won’t end.

There’s something about simplicity.

There’s something about making a gift for a loved one.

There’s always something.