Lace never looks good in progress

Tilly shawl just waiting for i cord bind off and blocking. The yarn is knit picks gossamer which is wonderful to knit with. The color is Sweet Pea. My ISE4 pal likes jewel tones so I don't know if this will be sent off or not. I decided that the maroon shawl will be a gift for my sister in law. The color isn't deep enough for my pal.
This one is in knit picks's gossamer also. The color is Leprechaun. Pattern is the Adamas Shawl which is also from knit picks. I'm on repeat 7 of the body.
Even close up unblocked lace looks like something the cat threw up!
Current knitting book from the library. Really nice book. Still fence sitting about buying it at this point. Do I really need another book of patterns? Probably.

Glug, glug

Sunday at my neighbor's house. Water making it's way out of a little stream and toward their basement.

Today? Back in the stream where it should be. Not a drop of water in my house but the yard was a disaster.

Oh well, I just stayed in and knit. Finished Tilly except for the i-cord bind off. Started another shawl but not far enough along to get a pic. I ordered some blocking wires so hopefully blocking my ISE4 shawl will be done soon. Finished one zebra sock and working on the mate. Lots of knitting but not much finishing. lol.

This little missy is sick. I had her and her brothers Friday night and all day Saturday. She was running a little temp with a runny nose. Monday her brothers came down with really high fevers and congestion. I'd love to go over and help but I'm not feeling all that great myself.

The excitment of the weekend is building .....

As you can clearly see, we're all in a panic over Friday the 13th. Oscar is every excited.
Charlie can hardly contain himself wondering what will go wrong. Even Joey is eager to get Friday over with. Yup, those cats lead the exciting life. Give them something soft to nap on and they are all set. Me? Well I really am excited because of this
My scarf from my ISE4 pal Rachel. This is a truly awful picture of a totally rocking scarf. Want to see a better one? Click here. Thank you Rachel.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'll be watching the little ones so D1 and SIL can work on the house. I've got DVD's from the library, popcorn, and plenty of juice.

Shawls and pranks

I started working on this last week. It's another Tilly Shawl for some more practice on lace before a start a more complex lace project. Who's it for? Don't know.
This is my completed ISE4 scarf. Just need to block it out. I think blocking wires are in order for this one. Really hate all that pinning!
We have an old dresser in the living room which I use to stash clothes, diapers, etc for the grandchildren. On easter W found a roll of tape and decided to play a joke on us. He taped the drawers and then proceeded to tell us, "Ha, ha, ha, you can't get in the drawers anymore. I taped them shut." I don't have the heart to take the tape off so I just moved the diapers to the top of the dresser.

Global warming ???

Friggin' freezing around here! The grandsons did their Easter egg hunt in winter coats and mittens.

I was watching the news and saw that there was a conference with scientists from all over the world discussing global warming. They had traveled from all over the world after studying locations all over the world to determine that we are having a negative impact on the world and must cut back on our emissions.

I have only one questions? How did these experts get to their locations to study? How did they travel to the conference? Paddle a canoe at the south pole to study the ice cap? Ride their bikes from home to the conference? Hope they didn't use planes, trains and automobiles which would of course add to global warming ............ I'm just saying .............

All the washcloth patterns are from the internet. I'll locate and get links up sometime this week. Cute, fast, and free; doesn't get better than that.

Elephant washcloths

Aren't they cute?
Close up on the green one.

How about a picture puzzle?

Cellphones plus ...........

my hand = technology in the hands of an idiot! OMG!! I can do anything with a computer but cellphones? Ugh!

I manged to open them, put in the batteries to charge, unplug after charging, take off the protective stick-on plastic on every friggin' surface of the phone, turn them on, dial a call, and hang up. When my kids get home they can do the rest because that's enough for me today.

Holy Crap!

Went back today to have the other half of my mouth lasered. Two weeks ago when they did the first half I didn't have time to sit in the waiting room and get nervous. Today he was running a half hour late so I had plenty of time to think things over while knitting on the Opal zebra socks. By the time I hit the chair I was shaking like a leaf. Now I'm in some serious discomfort which hopefully will pass in a couple days. I think he did the easier side first so I wouldn't be afraid to come back.

I finished a couple elephant wash cloths. Will try to get a pic up in a couple days. I casted on a dolphin washcloth to work on when I'm on conference calls. Also almost finished with my shawl. I figured I'd knit to about 56" and it should block out to around 64". Think I'm going to invest in some blocking wires this time around.

Keeping in the "what the hell .... let's cast on something else" mode of knitting I decided make another shawl using the shades of pink/purple knitpicks yarn I got last week. I picked out Wendy's Fir Cone Wrap. I got thru one repeat and just wasn't feeling it. Maybe I'll try it again on bigger needles to give it a more open look.

Cats, scarves, and secret pals

Joey sitting outside on top of one of the cars guarding his yard from ............
Charlie (white dot above and to the right of the mailbox) who is sitting across the street at my neighbor's house. What's he watching? My neighbor's cat who is up in one of the trees after trying to get a bird. Oscar was sitting in the driveway watching Joey on the car but she left before I got the camera.
"Mom, who do you know in IL?" "No one." "Well someone sent you something and it doesn't look like it's from a terrorist." Treats from my secret pal for ISE4.
And I'll leave you with pics of the scarf I made for Yolanda from my MSN knitting group. She received it yesterday and it seems to be a hit.
This is without a doubt one of the most fun things I've made in a long time. I loved the pattern (a modified drop stitch) and loved the way it looked with the yarn (Opal batik). Just the right amount of funk with warmth, lightness, and softness.

This and that

This sock yarn is just CRAZY with color. D1 will love it.
Still plugging away on son in law's zebra socks. I just love how one gusset looks totally different
from the other gusset. Can't wait to see how different the second sock will look in this yarn.
And I've started the second ball of yarn for my ISE4 shawl. I don't think this one will be going to my pal since I got some other yarn I think she'd like better. Oh well, practice at lace knitting is always a good thing.

Grandson story ahead:
I had all 3 of the grandkids Saturday for a day of playgrounds and fun. We had a ball. Yesterday their mom decided to take them out so I met up with them at another playground and we can back to my house for some lunch.

I always feed the kids lunch on tv tables while they watch DVDs. I use to do it with my kids and now I continue this lunch tradition with my grandkids.

W finished his lunch and before anyone had time to tell him to stop he decided to fold the table. Heavy wood table crashing closed on tiny little 4 yr old finger. OUCH! His mom thought it was broken, I ran for ice, screaming and crying everywhere ... you get the picture.

When I got a look at it I could tell no broken bones so onto the couch with the hand proped on a pillow and an ice pack on the injury.

After a while W says to his mom, "It's going to take a while to recover from this. I'll have to stay here 5 days. I'll show you 5 with this hand because if I use this hand (pointing to his injured hand covered in ice) I could hurt it some more and then I'd have to stay for 6 days to feel better."

With 2 lollypops (one in his mouth and one in his pocket for later) he managed to recover enough to go to the car and go home. Of course his brother got 2 lollypops also because, "N is upset when I get hurt. He thinks he's next."

OMG!!! how did this yarn get here????? $137.29

Pig washcloth. Note to solid yarn is a better choice for patterned washcloths. Oh well, this will be able to sop up spilled milk as well as a solid one would .....
Sock yarn? Like you can ever have enough sock yarn from Astrid's. Some Fortissima, Meilenweit MultiEffekt, Regia, and Trekking XXL. I already know that 5 pair of socks will be made for D1 from this purchase of yarn because she told me which yarns were hers. I'll make a couple pair for my sister in law, my daughter's friend, my hubby, and of course some for me too.
Knitpicks gossamer in Sweet Peas and Leprechaun. I think the Sweet Peas will be used for the shawl I'm planning for my ISE4 pal. The Leprechaun will be a shawl for D1's birthday. Every time I knit lace she eyes it so I'll just make her something. Needles, books, magazines, etc don't count toward my yarn purchases because they are tools for my hobby. I just LOVE these options needles. I picked up sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10.5 so now I have a complete set.

Washcloths ..... the new addiction .....

These things are like potato chips .... can't make just one. Lucky for me I've got an internet filled with free patterns and 30 balls of cotton just waiting to become washcloths. First a cat.
Then a dog.
And a turtle too.
"Diane, I hate to tell you this but the cotton thing you put out on the bed is a little small. My furry butt barely fits on it. If you would kindly make the next one larger I would appreciate it. After all, I'm a bit on the large boned side," says Joey.
What's wrong with this picture? Two things. The town has a leash law and there are no dogs allowed in the beach area of this park. Guess these people don't think they have to follow either rule. At least most of the ice is off the pond so spring is definately in the air.

Thanks Yolanda

A scarf from my new cyber friend Yolanda. Yolanda and I both belong to a great MSN group which has different exchanges during the year. This last one was a scarf exchange.

This is a really hard pic to take because no matter how hard I try I just can't show the scarf in all it's glory. Beautiful navy blue with specks of turquoise and white with a silver thread running thru the whole thing. D3 saw this and her eyes grew wide ..... meaning she wanted to grab and run.

Also included was a crochet bag which was beautiful done and a chocolate treat inside.

Thanks Yolanda!

Weekend round up

Very busy this weekend indeed. Still plugging away on a zebra sock for my son in law.
And started a shawl for the ISE4 .
I'm not sure if this one will go out to my pal or not. I've got some yarn on order that might be more to her liking. We'll have to wait and see. I love how this is coming out. The lace knitting seems to be easier this time around. I finished a secret project. It's blocking as we speak. Loved knitting this one! It's cool looking and an easy pattern to remember.
D1 and hubby spent the weekend working on their new house which means someone had to watch the little ones. This is little missy A discussing how she really would like to live at my house with me forever.
Meanwhile, W and N were outside playing in the last of the 8" of snow from last weekend. Supervising the snowplay was my dad and their dad (before he hopped in that red truck and left for the weekend).

W decided that it takes too long to drive to gram's house (10-15 minutes right now) so he told his mom that they should buy a house nextdoor to grams so they could just run there quickly. Wonder how he'll feel about being over an hour away?

Laser gum surgery today

Thanks to my dad I have awful teeth. It's not really his fault since he didn't have a choice but because of this I've spent far too many hours at the dentist than your normal 2 times a year cleaning routine. My dentist's son was accepted to his first choice of college and I'm proud to say I've probably at least paid his books for 4 yrs.

Today was a fun packed day of laser gum surgery. I procrastinated this as long as humanly possible. Now, 6 hrs later I can honestly say it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It only took 1 1/2 hrs (although he had scheduled 2) and I was home and back to work in no time at all. The worst part was actually the novicane injections before he started.

I'm on motrin for 2 days to reduce swelling and an antibiotic for a week so there should be no infection. It's just a little uncomfortable; not really painful. Just amazing.

My hubby had the traditional surgery about 10 yrs ago with all the cutting and stitching. This is nothing like that at all. The only down side is that I'm on a soft diet for a while. Just when this heals I'll have to go back in 2 weeks to get the left side done which means another 2 weeks of soft diet.

So if you know anyone who is looking at gum surgery I'd recommend a little research and laser if possible.

Smiley yarn makes me smile $87.40

You just can't beat their prices although the selection is limited. I bought 6 balls each of Cervinia Calzetteria sock yarn in Venice and Capri. I think they'll probably end up as CIC socks. 5 skeins of Hokey Pokey in lime. It's a happy color. I'm thinking some more 5 hr baby sweaters for charity. And 4 balls of Trellis in the stained glass color. These will definately be scarves donated to the town's human services department for the holidays.
Moving on ... 30 balls of bernat cotton; 10 each of Newport print, apple green and sea print. This is actually the reason for my trip over to the Smiley website. I'm knitting a ton of washcloths for my oldest daughter. She's been using the store bought ones and boy they wear out quick. The hand knit ones hold up so much better. Thinking of knitting designs into them like sail boats, bunnies, etc. The grandkids will get a kick out of them.
And 6 skeins of cotton ease to make some bibs for a pregancy center in town. Again, the hand knit ones are sooooo much better than the store bought bibs. 3 skeins each of popsical and candy blue.

For anyone keeping track we're up to $241.47 so far this year in yarn purchases. And there's another order of sock yarn coming in a while ..... but that's another posting for another day.

My weekend in review

What a weekend! I finished these socks for greedy sock person ME! Because the stripes were so wide I decided to match them. W saw them and fell in love with them so maybe I'll use this yarn for his socks in September. I'm kind of fence sitting because the stripes are so wide I don't know if they'd look good for kid's socks. I've got plenty of time to think about it.
These are my dreaded back stairs leading from the deck to the backyard. They may not look dreaded but they are. Friday morning at around 9 I decided to bring in a couple loads of firewood before it started snowing. I took one step and before I even had time to grab the railing I was on my ass at the bottom.

First thought in my head "Crap! I sure hope I'm not hurt." because no one was around and my son ... the only person home .... was probably going to be sleeping for another 3 hrs.

Luck would have it that the only damage was a HUGE bruise on my ass and a few splinters and cuts. Thank God I'm not a supermodel because I'm sure without that ass I would have suffered more extensive injury.

Saturday the grandkids were coming over for the day. Plow guy didn't show up so I ended up digging out one driveway with a shovel and unburrying 2 cars in case I needed to go somewhere. D1 and son in law showed up with the boys and little missy. My dad .... with his super baby tracking working perfectly .... showed up 5 minutes later. My dad LOVES babies so he spent the entire time holding missy A. My mom showed up a couple hours later so we had 4 grown ups watching 3 children. Pretty good odds.

We had a great day of watching the Fox and the Hound, playing games, reading, and nap taking. N wore up but told me him frog and dinosaur were still tired so this is what I found when I went up to bed that night.

I ordered chinese food for my parents, D1 and hubby, the little men, S1 and myself. What I ordered vs what I ended up with are 2 different things. I think they almost do that on purpose. It's like a mystery!

Sunday everyone came home from vacation filled with stories and chatter. I've been doing laundry ever since. They would have done their own laundry but everyone has school in the morning so lots of scurrying around to make sure all assignments are done and books are ready.

Current secret project in progress. Believe it or not it's not a sock! I love how it's coming out and can't wait to share pics in a couple weeks. I'm also working on a sock in Opal Zebra but that's been put aside until this secret project is completed.