tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110406942024-03-07T10:25:31.697-08:00KnitWit MommaJournal of knitting, kiddo's, and life living in the mountains.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-28523065121564622802009-08-02T12:57:00.000-07:002009-08-02T12:59:37.566-07:00Can't talk, Beading!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYu_brV76iR8EKqOIIEgyiTY1s2HpOUa0PEus4Zr0mtBIyBodwnV_qusmvcU3jGhStNV9n-Gd-EBezr8hbZW5qUZm4X_o4fgoYE-JTTXKlpDDYqiBdL8CWw7vSW2j1tjp8gWKRw/s1600-h/portland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYu_brV76iR8EKqOIIEgyiTY1s2HpOUa0PEus4Zr0mtBIyBodwnV_qusmvcU3jGhStNV9n-Gd-EBezr8hbZW5qUZm4X_o4fgoYE-JTTXKlpDDYqiBdL8CWw7vSW2j1tjp8gWKRw/s200/portland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365458271341922210" border="0" /></a><br />This in my kitchen table as I get ready for Sock Summit in Portland. My nails are ruined, my wrist is swollen, and I have a zit in my face the size of Montana from the stress.<br /><br />Got to get back to work.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-68892441767225386192009-07-31T07:28:00.000-07:002009-07-31T07:40:28.452-07:00I really should start posting again!I've realized that making a bog move means that you need to take some time to settle in. I'm no sure if I would all myself "settled" here in Montana, but it's getting much better. Mom and Dad now live down the street, and I feel much better with them so close. The kids love having them in the same town and so do I.<br /><br />I'm pretty excited about my trip to Portland for Sock Summit. <a href="http://www.knittycath.blogspot.com/">Catherine</a>, of <a href="http://www.mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama</a> has a booth and I am going to go help her work. I've been working my butt of making <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.knitwitmomma.com">stitchmarkers</a> for her booth. I hope that my sales will be good..... this may help a bit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ0LJd37qlg5l1MIhhv6lXBpWA9EC1Jp7M9m_hS4x6qT615HPno34ZBZ_7UrNruIg7qImzqi4lJOrDvxg7NNtfOEERW9rvDP_dGtnLCnpYutMTAo2fvfAQ_Q9Fna1LhOjqqDBtA/s1600-h/vo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ0LJd37qlg5l1MIhhv6lXBpWA9EC1Jp7M9m_hS4x6qT615HPno34ZBZ_7UrNruIg7qImzqi4lJOrDvxg7NNtfOEERW9rvDP_dGtnLCnpYutMTAo2fvfAQ_Q9Fna1LhOjqqDBtA/s200/vo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364632768517611922" border="0" /></a><br />My stitchmarkers in Vogue Knitting!!!! I'm number 6 and 16! I knew that they were going to be included but I am very happy that they chose 2 different sets. The ceramic sheep were in Fall 08 Interweave Knits as well and I am glad that they put in a pewter set also.<br /><br />I haven't been knitting much other than a pair of socks for my sister in law. Nothing fancy, just a plain vanilla sock.<br /><br />I must get working ..... Lots of stuff to plan and pack for Portland. I leave early Wednesday morning to drive. Should take me 9 hours. 9 blissful hours in the car alone. I plan to crank the music and sing badly the whole way there!<br /><br />Lots of pictures when I get back!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-82636212766241368932009-05-10T21:34:00.000-07:002009-05-10T21:38:24.595-07:00CrackbookI admit it. I am addicted to Facebook. ADDICTED!<br /><br />But on the off chance that people still read my blog, I have a favor to ask.<br /><br />My daughter and I entered a Mother-Daughter Look a like contest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I really want to win and was hoping that you would go vote for me. The link to our submission is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=177142435507&h=K56g9&u=nMncU&ref=nf">HERE</a>.<br /></div><br />You can vote once a day up until Thursday. Please vote for us. Wanna see why I think we will win?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaBbrQpko50A-jphQYZy9HcPGWQBAvKpY5U__nRwrljGgWyEhcecVsFSk1sHtCon1zmcF4XQR71tpqVf6jBW-an9BTQz4wiM5Hm_-t3iU5OPK408K82zlWWAFbDq6_lsyW5eW2w/s1600-h/mom+and+kate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaBbrQpko50A-jphQYZy9HcPGWQBAvKpY5U__nRwrljGgWyEhcecVsFSk1sHtCon1zmcF4XQR71tpqVf6jBW-an9BTQz4wiM5Hm_-t3iU5OPK408K82zlWWAFbDq6_lsyW5eW2w/s200/mom+and+kate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334420871650314850" border="0" /></a>Scary isn't it?Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-24473367346195545982009-03-17T18:06:00.000-07:002009-03-17T18:25:06.298-07:00Knitting..... ACTUAL KNITTING!I was planning on taking you on a photographic tour of my new town, but mother nature decided to dump snow on us for a few days. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to take some Montana pictures :-)<br /><br /><div>We didn't end up in the rental house that I spoke about a few posts ago. We are in a house near hubby's store. It's a smaller home than I am used to, but the convenience of being so close to his work won out. The town is very nice and I can walk almost everywhere. Sure saves on gas money! Of course I am not walking anywhere in this weather!</div><div><br /> </div><div>Here is one <a href="http://mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama</a> sock done. I messed up on the top of the foot. That's what I get for trying to knit while in the back seat of a jeep. While we were visiting Montana in October after our nephew passed away, we drove a total of 1300 miles in 5 days across Idaho and Montana. That was a lot of knitting time for me. Of course I can't look at my knitting while riding or I get car sick. Not looking at my knitting = mistakes. I didn't care enough to rip it back :-)</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314329464301320050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 92px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN31dZoJ0auPL_zkI75F8Ux-KfFOFCPKKreqpHiFkJwBc7sqCCPcxny898gMd68XzWOByJzrNjT_N4Z6Co-Xrw79FAcOCv78cJk8yDaWTFU6-BR5zvWp7BP5Wfom-gsqKmhMe-Rw/s200/mamallama+sock.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mama Llama <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DK</span> in Vino</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Size 3 needles<br /></span></div><p>Now I have to cast on for the second one. These were for my Mother in Law...but I hate to give away flawed knitting...</p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314329836319018786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz6PDQoGAEhVpdXz4-OG3bQSfPuQjB7o-_i_3JM5TsqfPb1J4Cjm67xkZK301jBqIJvHXHNbvirvaPSgq5MOn1D6qNURsh10CzMbwxbb0JJtVb4kcpgmc0Cp6CrrX5IwykcMorg/s200/cowl.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>This is my <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/spiralucious-p-123.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Spiralucious</span></a> cowl. It should be done tonight. I love the pattern but I have to say that I am very disappointed with the customer service. I bough the pattern about a month ago. I printed it out and never saved it. In the move I lost the printed pattern and emailed the owner of <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">KnitSpot</span></a> and told her what happened. I never got an email back. Not even an acknowledgement that I sent an email. I really wanted to finish it so I bought the pattern again. I even wrote a note in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">paypal</span> invoice asking that she refund my $ if she could verify that I bought this twice. Again, nothing. I like<a href="http://www.knitspot.com/"> her </a>patterns but at this point I don't think I will buy one from her again.</p><p>Modeled shots tomorrow :-)</p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-14549358055819442882009-03-14T21:37:00.001-07:002009-03-14T21:55:13.636-07:00Is there such thing as settled?Here we are in Montana! I only have one word. COLD. Don't believe me? Look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V0CUF_7j5GchZlgOAXNVYRlDL2e5weArrJRXtrHh-z8MjY01f5vMOBoGwiUFqJnL2NNbqs1fqUH_yPZ-a9i1O9mHv-BYY9Dm0sjQZuGVDZLYKoN6tpYLIDi8yktl_CC8c9OJBQ/s1600-h/100_2650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V0CUF_7j5GchZlgOAXNVYRlDL2e5weArrJRXtrHh-z8MjY01f5vMOBoGwiUFqJnL2NNbqs1fqUH_yPZ-a9i1O9mHv-BYY9Dm0sjQZuGVDZLYKoN6tpYLIDi8yktl_CC8c9OJBQ/s200/100_2650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313269488756086434" border="0" /></a><br />This was the temp after I got back from bringing my CALIFORNIA BORN children to school. We are freezing our butts off. I have learned that I do not own a coat that is approved for Montana. I am shopping for a <a href="http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10101&categoryId=15065">Carhart</a> as we speak. Thank goodness the kids all have warm coats and long johns. I always forget about me when I am out shopping. I think it's a Mom thing.<br /><br />I am slowly adjusting to Montana life. It's rough going from being busy all day to doing nothing. In Cali I was the annoying <a href="http://www.pinewoodptc.com/">PTC </a>treasurer Mom that was involved in everything at the school. This school doesn't have a parent group at all! I drop off the kids and then go pick them up. That's my day. But let me tell you..... my house is cleaner than it has ever been!<br /><br />I have been knitting. I finished one sock from my super special stash of <a href="http://mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama </a>yarn. I am also working on <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/spiralucious-p-123.html">Spiralucious</a>. I should be finished with that this week. I need all the warmth I can get! I need to knit myself up some mittens as well. Some warm mittens! Any pattern suggestions?<br /><br /><br />Pictures tomorrow!<br /><br />Oh yeah..... I decided to make scones this morning. I didn't have any DRIED blueberries on had, so I used frozen. Not a good idea. These are the ugliest scones ever. They taste great, but they sure are ugly!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AzUJvjFZiongqUoZOTrPjOthUxglNIZ-oNpjEhZnY25UmjE8bqeG4_c9dJylHe2A38W2svh_pecq7Wct_HLwdWNWvfxbk8qjgWxDkWa-JEDeE526WTWQ_K0DOwcpyw7okOisbw/s1600-h/100_2654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AzUJvjFZiongqUoZOTrPjOthUxglNIZ-oNpjEhZnY25UmjE8bqeG4_c9dJylHe2A38W2svh_pecq7Wct_HLwdWNWvfxbk8qjgWxDkWa-JEDeE526WTWQ_K0DOwcpyw7okOisbw/s200/100_2654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313273407372475698" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-58394006608280875332009-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:002009-01-21T13:58:16.165-08:00Montana.....(If you're looking for knitting.... move along!)I went to my new town last weekend.... or what I think will be my new town. I looked and looked and didn't really find a rental house that would suit us. There is one that I was unable to look at. It looks to me like "the one", but one of the owners lives in Washington state. She couldn't get a hold of the local owner to come and let me in.<br /><br />I looked at one home that I could move into if I had to. It's a nice home but there were some additions built on to it that makes it hard to navigate. To get into 2 of the 3 bedrooms upstairs,and the upstairs bathroom, you have to walk through the third bedroom. There are no doors on the rooms, just these little accordion flimsy things. Also the stairs are kind of dangerous for my kids. Anyone that knows my children know that Ben has a bit of a gravity issue. Gravity and him do not get along. I can see him falling down the stairs and hurting himself. The stairs have no railings and come into one of the bedrooms....kind of in the middle of the floor. It's really unsafe.<br /><br />I have pictures of all the homes that I looked at and I was going to post them. Then I decided that probably isn't the best idea :-)<br /><br />I was just told of a home in Deer Lodge for rent. It sounds perfect! Too perfect. There is someone else who looked at it and will make a decision this week about it. So this means that I have to fly back to Montana on Friday. I just got home last night! Time to do it all over again! This Deer Lodge house is a no pet home. Now there is the delema of what to do with our cat. I hate to give her up. The thought makes me sick but I have no idea what to do with her.<br /><br />Can't this move be easy? If anyone out there reading is from Deer Lodge or Anaconda..... help me out with this rental thing. This weekend is my last shot at renting something!<br /><br />Oh and by the way Mom and Dad are moving with us. WHOOO HOOOOO!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-47651977155709344512009-01-13T21:01:00.000-08:002009-01-13T21:33:21.711-08:00It's been a long time..........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRf9FxrO-wBFAtXZZJ5f8UCDXMa9ee791BK86QZol9NeGKFWptcJ0Nx7QxqZqHJCcsusa3GE-7AKGoThU6dVSh98q3uYCR1Jef00WppfnFAczTFJCoRty6n3e1Lno_26HPh5NQQ/s1600-h/615px-Flag_of_Montana.svg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRf9FxrO-wBFAtXZZJ5f8UCDXMa9ee791BK86QZol9NeGKFWptcJ0Nx7QxqZqHJCcsusa3GE-7AKGoThU6dVSh98q3uYCR1Jef00WppfnFAczTFJCoRty6n3e1Lno_26HPh5NQQ/s200/615px-Flag_of_Montana.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291011264327530354" border="0" /></a><br />It say it's been a long time would be an understatement. Life happened and this blog was the last thing on my mind.<br /><br />Greg's nephew passed away in a car accident in late October. We flew up to Montana to see the family for a week..... two weeks after we were there, his Father passed. We drove back to Montana and stayed for two weeks. It was nice to be there. The circumstances may have been bad, but being surrounded by family was a nice comfort. There was Thanksgiving and then Christmas..... and here we are.<br /><br />It's been tough. Now that Greg is not busy at work he has much more time to think about his Dad. He has just started to grieve and I sometimes feel at a loss. I don't always know what to say and I wish that I could take away his pain.<br /><br />The other big news is that we are moving. Moving to Montana. I'm excited.... and sad. I think it will be a great move for us. Greg will be by his family, the kids will be around Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Something that I think they will love. The cost of living is much less there, and the schools are ranked in the top 10 in the nation. All things that make this move positive.<br /><br />The one and only thing that makes this move sad is I am leaving my parents. Just typing it makes me cry. How can I take the kids away from their grandparents that they are so close to? I've lived away from them twice. Neither time lasted long. I wasn't ready and I am still not. I hope and pray that they will follow us. I can't bear the thought of seeing them only once or twice a year.<br /><br />Greg starts work there On Feb 15th. I fly to Montana to find a house on Saturday. It's all so fast. I'll be busy and maybe I won't find the time to cry....Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-27480942264907905632008-07-12T08:02:00.000-07:002008-07-12T09:21:20.137-07:00<p><span style="font-size: 1.2em; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://knittyotter.typepad.com/">Knitty Otter</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is having a contest and I thought I would join in!</span></span><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 1.2em; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 1.2em; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><strong>Getting to Know you Contest Questionnaire:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>1.)</strong> <strong>How long have you been knitting? </strong> </p> <p>Since 2004. I was pregnant with my third child and was visiting my parents. Mom was knitting away and I decided that I needed her to reshow me how it was done!<br /></p> <p><strong>2.)</strong><strong> How long have you been knitting socks?</strong> </p> <p>Socks were my second project. I took a practice pair to the hospital when I gave birth to my son and once I got home, I knit a pair for my FIL.<br /></p> <p><strong>3.) What do you do with a problem like Maria? </strong></p> <p>Do what the Catholic Church always does...... Move her to a new place and cover up her past :-)<br /></p> <p><strong>4.) What is your all time favorite sock yarn? </strong></p> <p>I have a HUGE stash of sock yarn. It's so big that I don't NEED to buy sock yarn for years. My favorite that I have worked with is <a href="http://www.twistedfiberart.com/default.asp">Twisted</a>. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my socks that I knit with her DK weight.<br /></p> <p><strong>5.) Toe Up or Cuff Down?</strong> </p> <p>Top Down. I have no idea how to knit toe up. </p> <p><strong>9. What's your favorite color (this week or for all time)? Do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?</strong></p> My all time favorite color is yellow. But I am picky. It has be the perfect yellow. Most time I gravitate to earth tone yarns.... and I can't STAND bright red.<br /> <p><strong>10.) Do you have a pet(s)?</strong> </p> <p>Yup. One cat and we are taking care of a old, decrepit, hamster for the summer. Thank goodness he belongs to the school and I can give him back.</p> <p><strong>11.) Babies: Oven Roasted or Barbecued?</strong></p> <p>What? What the hell does this mean?<br /></p> <p><strong>12.) Besides socks what is your favorite type of thing to knit?</strong><br /></p><p>Hats and mittens. I have never knit a sweater. I am really chicken. I should bite the bullet and make one....<br /></p> <p><strong>13</strong><strong>.) What's your favorite scent?</strong><br /><br />I like food smells for candles. Right now I have a hazelnut coffee candle and I LOVE the way it smells. I don't really wear perfume... but if I do, I spray on <a href="http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9B-206429&page=1&cgname=OSFRGBTHZZZ&rfnbr=3013">Love Spell</a> from Victoria's Secret.<br /></p> <p><strong>14.) What music are you really loving right now? Like a song or a band?</strong> </p> <p>I really listen to everything. Country, Rap, Rock, Pop....anything. I am loving One Republic, not the remix stuff, just their original songs.<br /></p> <p><strong>15.) </strong><strong>How many pairs of socks have you hand knit?</strong> </p> <p>Not too many.... 4 maybe? Maybe 5...<br /></p> <p><strong>16.) What's your favorite treat? Salty or Sweet?</strong> </p> <p>Both. I have a bad sweet tooth. But I like rich treats. The richer the better!<br /></p> <p><strong>17.) What was the most interesting thing you smelled yesterday. Not good or bad necessarily, just the thing that stuck out most so that you actually took notice of it. </strong></p> <p>I spent most of my day at the pool. Not too many smells there. Just the chlorine. I did spray the Love Story on in the morning :-) Oh wait, I made Kettle Corn last night and ate the whole bag. I had never had Kettle Corn until a few weeks ago and now I am in love!<br /></p> <p><strong>18.) Needles - DPN's: Wooden, metal or plastic? </strong></p> <p>Depends. I used to love wooden but then I tried the Knit Picks metal sock needles. I really really like them. I want to get the whole set!<br /></p> <p><strong>19.) What is your favorite sock pattern that you've knit? What do you recommend?</strong></p> <p>I really like the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/embossed-leaves">Embossed Leaves</a> that I made. The pattern was fun and the finished product was beautiful. I just wish that I had used better yarn.<br /></p> <p><strong>20.) The last Question: If you were stuck on a deserted island who would you want with you, what knitting would you want with you and would you ever want to leave?</strong> </p> <p>Hummmm, I think I would want my hubby and <a href="http://www.kittycath.blogspot.com">Catherine</a>. Cath's husband can come too. I would want patten and yarn for a sampler afghan. You know, the ones with the cables and motifs.... Also my sock stash. You need socks on a deserted island. Leave? probably not :-)<br /></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-87975491058399419612008-07-09T08:33:00.000-07:002008-12-09T09:13:01.374-08:00Everything is bigger in TexasI had a great time in Texas with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.knittycath.blogspot.com">Cath</a>. I should say, I had a great time while I was in an air conditioned environment! OH MY GOD IT WAS HOT! Now I grew up in <a href="http://www.manassascity.org/">Virginia.</a> It was hot. It was humid. But I have lived in California for 10 or so years now (wow, has it been that long?), and I am obliviously not used to the humidity anymore. I really thought I was going to die.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> Other than the heat, I had a great time. Cath had her party to celebrate two years of <a href="http://www.mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama</a> business at an awesome Tex-Mex restaurant. There were a lot of people there, and it was really fun to see all of her "fans".</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYAkUhQEapWxh2cx49a6Zqch3MGAPwjvqZGtIXtzayhuzejKNQqh-DvsIlkd2KYQ-yDaHgdC1S2nFO7kkAoREagCRxwTUN_gK1L691Tj_-dLxVwceN8d02VBl0aTwKCZVi8zMiA/s1600-h/a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYAkUhQEapWxh2cx49a6Zqch3MGAPwjvqZGtIXtzayhuzejKNQqh-DvsIlkd2KYQ-yDaHgdC1S2nFO7kkAoREagCRxwTUN_gK1L691Tj_-dLxVwceN8d02VBl0aTwKCZVi8zMiA/s200/a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221040671001254770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me and Cath's Family</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>I also got to see her super secret dying process. She was even so kind as to let me make my own colorway. She dyed it since I was too afraid that I would screw it up! I really like this color....so proud of my first creation! I can't remember if Cath named it, or if I did. So I present you.....<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWjWk0jDFMi1C0ggzBgPciHhXbN3CNPdlwu_o4ktncbqaSAaSH4mWW0FzkimX6olOjtVl7-vIcU59J2dN3UeRimN7R4xRKeyGxnYDUx3cQJ-Ah67c3C1bGRFVTB-83X8F7G7aJA/s1600-h/b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWjWk0jDFMi1C0ggzBgPciHhXbN3CNPdlwu_o4ktncbqaSAaSH4mWW0FzkimX6olOjtVl7-vIcU59J2dN3UeRimN7R4xRKeyGxnYDUx3cQJ-Ah67c3C1bGRFVTB-83X8F7G7aJA/s200/b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221042716577812114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">LillyPad<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you must have some, and I know you do, <a href="http://www.mamallamaknits.com/">MamaLlama</a> can help you out!<br /><br /><br />Also in Texas, I introduced Chris and Cath to <a href="www.geocaching.com">geocaching</a>. Both thought I was a big dork when I explained it to them, but once we got out and actually found a cache (pronounced cash. CHRIS), both of them thought it was fun! Even Brandon got into it. He was the "leader" when he carried around the <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=309">GPS</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dQrdO1v52c53JHlQobk3be9RR8IVzyS5mFeTKkcLwlMIThyphenhypheny6HdteoUvw9_x3LMOJ8tbMGEkEvu4HNvXWvcFP9HO4Fgb7Y6u33IyERPBJVidf_PHQzeJ7V4PLr825164w4fFzg/s1600-h/100_2470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dQrdO1v52c53JHlQobk3be9RR8IVzyS5mFeTKkcLwlMIThyphenhypheny6HdteoUvw9_x3LMOJ8tbMGEkEvu4HNvXWvcFP9HO4Fgb7Y6u33IyERPBJVidf_PHQzeJ7V4PLr825164w4fFzg/s200/100_2470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221043908224250002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Follow me guys!<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">While we at one cache site, I saw a beautiful bug crawling on the ground. It was HUGE and bright RED! It really was pretty. No one knew what it was so when I got to the computer I searched for a big red fuzzy ant. Turns out it was a Velvet ant. The name is deceiving because it's not an ant at all.... It was a wingless WASP! Now if you know me at all, you know I am terrified of bees and wasps. TERRIFIED. To the point that Greg wants me to go get hypnotized to get over my fear. It's that bad.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G1Wpwmp5mlVKkix_5mOswt9odRYr7N5VujPl4IyDA1FmLQ13cYii5Rh5Ri6r9J5mUTC2O6IdgJC2InGJikFvEhwPnkJ1ehcqaGonC_VgwGmtt2GIb_En1XBHpw0tnGJRIFh_MQ/s1600-h/c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G1Wpwmp5mlVKkix_5mOswt9odRYr7N5VujPl4IyDA1FmLQ13cYii5Rh5Ri6r9J5mUTC2O6IdgJC2InGJikFvEhwPnkJ1ehcqaGonC_VgwGmtt2GIb_En1XBHpw0tnGJRIFh_MQ/s200/c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221045245204294098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It's also called a cow killer.... Yikes!<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Guess everything really IS bigger in Texas!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-15757699548181264812008-06-07T19:50:00.001-07:002008-06-07T20:06:44.187-07:00McDonald's has stolen my heartIt's no secret that I like <a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/">McDonald's</a>. Give me one of their smushed, greasy, tiny cheeseburgers any day and I will gladly eat it. But something has happened that has made me swoon at the thought of going to McDonald's. Are you ready for it?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">McDONALD'S HAS PUT SWEET TEA ON THE MENU.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The remarkable part..... I'm in CALIFORNIA!! I thought I would die last week when I saw it. I bought the largest cup of it and immediately called Catherine. (Catherine didn't care. She lives in the land of sweet tea and hates it. Traitor.)<br /><br />Now I grew up in Virginia. Northern Virginia. Sweet tea wasn't as abundant as it is in the southern part of the state, but you could still get a decent glass of sweet tea at many places. Check out this <a href="http://eightoverfive.com/SweetTea.swf">Virginia Experiment</a>. Cracked me up! Once I moved to California I realized that SWEET tea wasn't in anyone's vocabulary. Shocking isn't it?<br /><br />Now I am as happy as can be. It's a little taste of home. Anyone that knows me knows that I get so homesick for the east coast that sometimes it's unbearable. Fall is the worst with summer right behind.....<br /><br />Now you must excuse me before I get homesick..... I am going to McDonald's!<br /></div></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-40289048243666145442008-06-06T08:58:00.001-07:002008-06-06T08:58:23.605-07:00Stash<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91653300@N00/2555658115/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2555658115_001bc375d6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91653300@N00/2555658115/">Stash</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/91653300@N00/">KnitWit Momma</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Just a small portion of my stash that I decided to photograph the other day. Got to get the Rav database all caught up!</p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-70976895959861903482008-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:002008-06-06T17:04:35.013-07:00Houston.....There's Gonna be a ProblemTexas look out! I am headed to Houston at the end of the month to stay with <a href="http://mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama</a> herself!<br /><br /> She and I have been friends for about 10 years now and I hate that she moved to <strike>the hottest place on earth</strike> Texas. She is celebrating 2 years in business as <a href="http://mamallamaknits.com/">Mama Llama</a> by throwing a party. Now how could I not hop on a plane and be there for that?<br /> <br /> Three more weeks and I get to have a relaxing weekend with my best friend! And this time she is going to teach me to dye!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-60873695522598321932008-06-05T21:29:00.000-07:002008-06-05T22:00:12.039-07:00Schools Out for Summer......<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, who's singing the <a href="www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZxRYXZ154">Alice Cooper</a> song? Admit it, you were! Yesterday was the last day of school and boy am I glad. I'm not looking forward to having all three home everyday, but I am looking forward to not dealing with the other parents for a while. I thought I graduated high school....and that's all I have to say about that :-)<br /><br /> I put together two large fund raising projects for the Parent Teacher Club. One was a cookbook. I collected recipes, typed them ALL in, proofread, ordered, marketed and sold. ALL BY MYSELF. I have to say that I am pretty proud of how it turned out. $10.00 each and I ship :-)<br /><br /> The other one was our Spring Carnival. At least that one I had some help. I was the chairperson and I had two awesome woman help me out. It was a great time and we raised $4000.00 in 3 hours. Now for a town as small as ours, that is a huge amount!<br /><br /> Now that school is over, I have my time back. Although I need to learn to say no. We have a organization that is trying to stimulate economic growth in our town and I was asked to head up a committee in that as well. I am not sure how much economic growth there is going to be with the economy the way that it is.... but I have kept that opinion to myself.<br /><br /> Since I have been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">volunteering</span> so much, knitting hasn't really happened. I have been working on a blanket for my Father in Law. It's kind of hard for me to knit it. Part of me feel that he can't pass away as long as I am knitting it. Then I think about how I would feel if he passes and I haven't finished it. I've never had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WIP</span> that is so emotional! I am close to finishing and really need to plug through it. I don't have much time. He's forgetting most things and people now, and I would like him to remember who I am when he gets it. The tumors in his brain are affecting him the most.<br /><br /> Right now I have to go start reading. I start school on Tuesday night. 3 hours of English, 2 nights a week. Could I be any luckier? Of course reading is better than what I doing right now. I'm watching<a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Work_Out/season/3/index.php"> Work Out</a> and eating cheesecake..... two pieces of cheesecake. I find that very funny ;-)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-60025738750266954012008-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:002008-05-19T19:11:20.894-07:00I just couldn't resist<a href="http://www.kewego.fr/video/iLyROoaftrW3.html" title="la vache !!! - kewego"><img src="http://t.kewego.com/t/0/0461/154x114_iLyROoaftrW3_2.jpg" alt="la vache !!! - kewego" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.kewego.fr/video/iLyROoaftrW3.html">I Like to MOOOOOVE It!</a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-54816149353555097502008-03-01T16:06:00.000-08:002008-03-01T16:15:28.071-08:00I know I said I would post more.....But I just haven't. So many things on my plate right now, and I just feel like I can't give attention to them all. <br /><br /> The big thing that I am involved in now has nothing to do with knitting at all. It's not all that exciting, or at least you wouldn't think it would be that exciting. I have immersed myself into the Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) at my daughters school. It been an eye opening expreiance for me. I have never, and I mean NEVER, been a part of a group of grown woman that act so much like teenagers before. I really have no idea who reads my blog so I won't go into specifics here, but really, it's drama ALL THE TIME. <br /><br /> It exhausts me to even think of all the back stabbing, name calling, and sabotageing that happens and this is a ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I have been regretting my decision lately about getting involved with the PTC lately. I have decided to stick it out one more year. If next year isn't any better, then I am out of there. I think to some degree, things happen with every parent group, but I am sure that this one is just out of control.<br /><br /> Ok, vent over. Thanks for reading that.<br /><br /> Last weekend I went to Stitches West with my Mom. It was a great time. We drove down and stayed Thursday and Friday night. We hit the Rav meetup and the market on Thursday night and then did the market again on Friday. We stopped by the market on Saturday morning before we left and oh my goodness...the people were WILD. It was a great time with my Mom and a wonderful and relaxing weekend trip.<br /><br /> Photo's of knitting and Stitches stash next!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-49268592756497369002008-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:002008-01-21T10:22:04.762-08:00Wow...... It's been a long time!Three months? Seems like it's been even longer. So much has happened since October..... Halloween, Thanksgiving, Emotional visits with in laws, Christmas, My 30th birthday, and on and on.<br /><br />It's a new year and a new start right? I wish I could say that I resolved to blog more in 2008, but that just isn't the case. I will say that I won't feel like I have to blog regularly in 2008, and I can tell you that this blog will be more than just knitting.<br /><br />It's winter now and winter isn't a good time for me to be doing much with my hands. The swelling, pain, and just feeling not like myself is back. And with all that comes the endless doctor visits. Each time, telling me I need to be poked, prodded, or scanned some more. I'm tired already just thinking about it. I stopped going to the doctors last winter because I just couldn't take it, but I have to try again. <br /><br />I'm 30 now. 30. I always thought that at 30 I would feel grown up. Let's forget that I have 3 kids...that in itself should make me feel like a grown up...but it doesn't. So here I am 30 years old. Some ways I feel so much younger and some ways I feel older. <br /><br />I always feel younger when I am with the kids. They make me laugh every day and they remind me how precious life is. In an instant I can be transformed into a robot, or a tickle monster, or even a princess trapped in a castle. Of course they have their moments, times when I have to be the grown up, but in general, I feel like a kid with them.<br /><br />Then the flip side is when I go to school. I started classes again this semester. Sitting in a classroom full of freshly graduated high school students, I always feel out of place. Not only out of place, but a little envious as well. I didn't finish college when I was their age. I could have, but life took me on a different path. Now I sit and listen to them complain about homework and not having any time to study. I really want to shake them and tell them to TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. Never again will they be able to focus so totally on school. Once they are married and have children, their focus will shift and nothing will be just for them anymore. Never will they again feel only responsible for themselves. I want to yell at them, tell them not to squander this opportunity, tell them to use it to their full advantage.<br /><br />But I don't. I sit and smile as I listen to them talk of parties, of who said what, and where they were going this weekend. Maybe one day I will have the nerve to say something. I doubt it, but you never know.<br /><br />Now that I have rambled on and on about pretty much nothing, I will leave you with a promise.<br /><br />I promise that I will blog at least once a week. I have been known to break promises, but I will try to keep this one. Next time I will tell you about the new thing that I am involved in, and how it has taught me so much about people.<br /><br />Stay warm and dry! It's snowing like crazy here and I think I am going to go bake some bread...bread like this <a href="http://steamykitchen.com/blog/2007/09/10/no-knead-bread-revisited/">Yummmmmmm</a>.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-72957579325674411472007-10-07T16:52:00.000-07:002007-10-07T18:53:22.487-07:00WIP, Sock Bag, and exciting news.First off I would like to thank the owner of WEBS for trying to make things right about the vest pattern. She offered to refund my money for the yarn and the pattern, but since the total was under 20.00, I told her that it was ok. The pattern designer was the one that told me the pattern was not proofread or test knit, and well, after knitting it, I believe the pattern designer. At least WEBS was, and is willing to do what is right. All I want is a corrected pattern.<br /><br /><br />I decided that I have to get over my fear of garments. I have never knit one. I have started them, just never finished (and that is not entirely my fault!). I thought that I would start with a small vest for James. Knitting for someone with a 19.5 chest sounds good to me!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1509512171_9ecf2698bc.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1509512171_9ecf2698bc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />I am using the <a href="http://dogsstealyarn.com/archives/000626.html">Blank Canvas Vest pattern</a>, and the new yarn from <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/CrystalPalace/Merino5.asp">Crystal Palace, Merino 5</a>. I am really loving this yarn. It is so soft and it shows the stitch patterns nicely. I plan on making one for each of the kids.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now my SP11 asked me what I use to take my WIP's in when I leave the house. Not too long ago I bought a <a href="http://www.nanasadierose.com/posy.html">Posey Sock Sack</a> from <a href="http://www.nanasadierose.com/">Nana Sadie Rose</a>. I LOVE it so much. It's only for small projects, but it works for a sock on the go or a small vest ;-) Someday I hope to order a larger bag from her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/1510371636_c577eb4090.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/1510371636_c577eb4090.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Now for my big news....... <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/advancedProductSearch.asp?pcID=25&manu=KnitWit%20Momma&pr=0&onsale=0">Jimmy Beans Wool</a> is my newest retailer for <a href="http://www.knitwitmomma.com">KnitWit Momma</a>! They placed a HUGE order from me, and I am very excited to add them to my list of retail stores!<br /><br />I'm off to make more markers!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-77479091184230184062007-10-06T22:04:00.000-07:002007-10-06T22:32:15.672-07:00Pattern Problems....is there a frog in the house?It's been a long few weeks around here. My husband had surgery and I have been playing nurse. He hasn't been the best patient, he just won't let me take care of him like I should. Now he has gone back to work when he should be at home healing. Men. And because someone will ask, he had a mass of varicose like veins tied off. No, they were not in his legs....that's all I am going to say about that :o<br /><br />On to the problems. I found a <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1202-1209-1217/0/0/3923/">vest</a> (Greenwood Cable) on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com">Ravelry</a> (here is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/greenwood-cabled-vest">link</a> to it on Rav) that I fell in love with. I waited and waited for the pattern to be released from <a href="http://www.yarn.com">Webs</a>. It's a pattern or one of their new yarn lines, <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3797/">Northampton</a>. Once I got my greedy little hands on the patten and yarn I casted on. I found the first mistake right away, but was able to correct it and plug along. <br /><br />A few rows into the pattern it just wasn;t looking right to me. I found the next mistake in the lace chart. I caught it and kept on knitting. After one repeat of the cable and lace pattern I just HAD to email the designer. The vest was not tuning out ANYTHING like the picture. I even called <a href="http://www.knittycath.blogspot.com">Cath</a> and my Mom to make sure it wasn't user error.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/1479331199_0d60513679.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/1479331199_0d60513679.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />See, can you see the cable? Nope? That's because it is supposed to be reverse st st right up to the cable....but the chart has garter stitch on both sides of the cable....the cable just doesn't pop like it should. So here comes the frog part. Hurt my heart to have to rip that out!<br /><br />Turns out that WEBS hires this designer to make the patterns. The only problem is that WEBS doesn't pay her to have it test knit, nor does anyone from WEBS proofread the patterns. I made a list of all the mistakes so far.....and remember I was only one repeat into the pattern.....and emailed them to the designer. <br /><br />So I guess I am a little miffed. Doesn't usually a test knitter get compensated? Does WEBS make a practice of selling flawed patterns? How can they not look them over and make sure they are right? It is their name on it! Now there is this awesome vest, and I have no desire to knit it.<br /><br />So anyway..... Tomorrow I will show you the new WIP. My SP asked what I carry my WIP's in when I leave the house. I thought I would show her instead of tell her, so look for that too :-)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-52302834743776192732007-09-10T15:08:00.000-07:002007-09-10T19:10:37.101-07:00Happy and Mad all at the same time!<span style="font-size:78%;">The first person to help me with the codes to put pictures from my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr </a>account on here will get any set of markers that they want! HELLLLLLLPPPPPP. (yes I know I can "blog this" but I haven't figured out how to make that work with more than one pic per post)</span><br /><br />Right now I am so mad that I am shaking. SHAKING!<br /><br />But first, this is a knitting blog so we will start with some knitting. I finished a hat for Kate. It's pretty, but I will never again use this wool for anything that someone will wear. It's just too scratchy for that. It's been banished to the FELT ONLY list.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/1356119183_4b8a308db9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/1356119183_4b8a308db9.jpg" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kate's Hat<br />Pattern: Ann Budd<br />Yarn: Pattons SWS<br /></div><br />Also, I have been working on the cables blanket for my Father in Law. He is doing well. His tumors have shrunk with his chemo and radiation. I don;t believe that they are saying he is remission....just better. They don't like to tell us too much. I think that they are trying to shelter us from that fact that he is sick so it's like pulling teeth to get any information.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1356119001_5a0ede7c46.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1356119001_5a0ede7c46.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="3" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/1356119075_16f357ef1f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/1356119075_16f357ef1f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /><br />The yarn is the greatest, <a href="http://cache.lionbrand.com/yarns/we-thick.htm">Lion Brand Thick 'N Quick</a>, but I needed something that was a quick knit and something that they could throw in the washer and dryer. It's turning out nice even though the size 15 needles are killing my hands!<br /><br />If you have hopped over here from <a href="http://knittygrittythoughts.typepad.com/">Keri's blog</a>, Hi (waves). She makes me blush with all the nice things she says about me. I will let you in on a little secret.... My doing nice things is a selfish act. See, my making someone feel happy, makes ME feel happy, and I like that.<br /><br />I have always been like that. When I was younger, I lived outside of Washington D.C. If my parents were planning on a family trip to the city, I would pack baggies full of sandwiches the night before. I would take them with me and hand them out to the homeless. I can only imagine how my parents felt. I am not sure how I would feel about my own children approaching strangers.<br /><br />I do see the same trait in my daughter. We go for pizza sometimes at a local pizza place. We always make sure to go with quarters so that they can play the games and get the trinkets out of the machines. Last time we went, Katie blew through her 2 dollars in about 1 minute. Turns out, she was giving her quarters to the little kids that didn;t have any. A parent told us that she was giving away her money and I think she was surprised that we were ok with it. It made Katie happy to see the other little kids smile. Why would we take that away?<br /><br />So now that we have all the good feelings out let me tell you why I am pissed. By the way, I need to stop saying that. My 6 year old asked me if I was "Pissed Off" the other day. Ummmmmm, no Sweetie and we really shouldn't say that word. Do they have to listen to EVERYTHING I say?<br /><br />Ok, sooooo Bank of America. Specifically the credit cards, THEY SUCK. THEY SUCK SUCK SUCK. We have been doing a credit counseling thing for 5 years now. I pay the CCC service each month and they pay all the credit cards. It's been working and we have 1.5 months left before we are blissfully debt free. 5 years of scrimping and cutting corners and it's almost over.<br /><br />Well, I was calling to check balances last month and B of A tells me that I am all paid off. I have been all paid off for OVER A YEAR!I had a credit balance on my account of over 1000.00. Of course I asked HOW I was going to get that money back. They said that they had mailed a check months ago to me. Only problem with that is they mailed it to an address that I lived at 5 years ago. Now people that's 4 moves ago!<br /><br />So they needed to research it and find out what happened to the check (I am sure it was sent back) and I completely understand that. They told me 7-10 days for research and 7 days after that to get my check. It's been over a month and still nothing. I know you have heard the phrase "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" soooooo squeak I have done. I call every other day for a status update. Every day I get a different answer. Today I was told that in my situation they will not be sending my my $$ back. I laughed at her and asked for her manager. Then she HUNG UP ON ME. HUNG UP. I called right back and her office is closed.<br /><br />You better believe that I will be up at the crack of dawn...ok, maybe more like 6am, to call. No one hangs up on me. No One.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-69786862214868600982007-08-19T15:00:00.000-07:002007-08-19T15:20:47.276-07:00SP11 is here!<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Humm</span>, well, I like to knit with wool of course. I am not really into novelty yarns or any yarns that are "fuzzy" such as mohair. I don't like cotton because it hurts my hands, but I do use it to knit dishcloths.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?</span> I have a needle case for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DPN's</span>, but nothing for my straights. My circulars are stored in their original packaging.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? </span>I have been knitting for about 3 years now. My Mother, who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">learned</span> when she was a child, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">taught</span> me to knit. It's hard for me to say what level I am. I can knit lace very well, but a sweater scares me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? </span>I do. I'll have to update it. Its an amazon one and I will link to it when I update.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. What's your favorite scent? </span>I love cooking smells. Pumpkin pie or coffee candles.....smells like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? </span>A BIG one. I love Tootsie Rolls....but really any chocolate makes me happy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?</span> I cross stitch and would really like to learn to do more beading. I don;t spin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?</span> (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to everything, but mostly pop and country.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?</span> I love soft pinks and soft yellows. Also earth tones are nice. The only color I don;t like is Christmas Red!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? </span>I am married and have 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 2. We just got a cat last week named Peaches.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?</span> Scarves, Hats and Mittens, Yes. Poncho's, no.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?</span> I love to knit socks, and hats are fun too :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. What are you knitting right now?</span> A blanket for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FIL</span>, socks for me, a tank top, and a couple of dishcloths.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?</span> Of course.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? </span>I like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">DPN's</span> for socks. I just got some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Knitpicks</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">DPN's</span> and I am in LOVE with them. Both circular and straights have their place. As well, metal and bamboo have their place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?</span> Yes to both.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">17. How old is your oldest UFO?</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hummmm</span>, a year or two<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18. What is your favorite holiday?</span> Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's my favorite time of year!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">19. Is there anything that you collect?</span> COWS!!!! I love cows. I am also slowly collecting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Noro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kureon</span> for a Lizard Ridge blanket<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?</span> I would love the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">KnitPicks</span> Options circular needles. I have been dropping hints for Christmas. They also have a sock set that I would like.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? </span>I would like to do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">colorwork</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?</span> Yup! I wear a 7.5 ladies shoe<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">23. When is your birthday?</span> Jan 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">24. Are you on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ravelry</span>? If so, what's your ID?</span> I am and it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">KnitWitMomma</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-15095845757389961032007-08-15T14:07:00.001-07:002007-08-15T14:25:13.511-07:00So, So, Busy!I owe you a FO picture! Here it is.....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91653300@N00/1130504512/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1130504512_d4447d1ef2_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nwkniterati.com/movabletype/archives/MossyCottage/DublinBay4.pdf">Dublin Bay Socks</a><br />Knit With Koigu<br />Made For Mom<br /></div><br />This was a fun pattern to do. I changed it up some by decreasing the number of stitches that I started out with. I wanted to use a size 2 needle and I always cast on 64 stitches for my socks. I did a little math and Voila :-) Mom seems to like them so I'm happy.<br /><br />I have been working on the newest round of <a href="http://sp11.blogspot.com/">Secret Pal </a>and it has taken up a lot of my time. Not to mention that school started on Monday for my first grader, and now my middle guy is in preschool. I didn't think it would be as hard as it was to send him off for his first day..... I was a bit teary eyed the whole time he was gone.<br /><br />I have some great pictures of our trip to <a href="http://www.mbayaq.org/">Monterey</a> and <a href="http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=543">the beach</a> last week...but I can't for the life of me find my camera cord. I also have pictures of our newest addition to the family.... a sweet cat named Peaches. Peaches is all black. The name cracks me up.<br /><br />I have SP matches to get out, <a href="http://www.knitwitmomma.com">a order to fill</a>, and soccer camp for Ben tonight.... I am tired already!!!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">***Just want to say Hi to the reader that I have from my town. My Handy Dandy Stat Counter tells me I have someone in my town reading my blog...so Hi :-)***</span></span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-43918258578971741902007-07-28T07:29:00.000-07:002007-07-28T07:32:49.198-07:00ContestHow could I not enter this contest.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/">5 Minutes for Mom</a> is giving away a <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/2032/insignia-37inch-flat-panel-lcd-hdtv-contest/">LCD TV </a>courtesy of <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy</a>!<br /><br />FO post as soon as I take a picture!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-58172153574314852622007-07-21T20:15:00.000-07:002007-07-21T20:20:43.094-07:00...and I'm finishedGot the book at 10am. Finished it at 8pm. Today I can say that I am really happy that I am a very fast reader :-) The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">epilogue</span>..... made me tear up. I can see a whole new set of books coming from that. I know she says she won't....but I would buy them!<br /><br />Good thing Greg's been home and I am still "injured". I was able to hole up in my room and read :-)<br /><br />And I can knit again :-) Hurts a wee bit, but not anything that is going to make me stop.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-25114785488150936872007-07-20T07:41:00.000-07:002007-07-20T07:50:48.772-07:00Thanks!My hand is doing much better. The bandages are off and the swelling is going down. I tried to knit, and that didn't go over well at all :-) It's actually kind of boring sitting around being taken care of, so I have been taking pictures of my stash for Raverly.<br /><br />I also came across this <a href="http://dreawd.blogspot.com/2007/07/myrockstarbabycom-give-away.html">contest</a>......<a href="http://www.myrockstarbaby.com/index.php">My Rock Star Baby</a> is having a contest and giving away the cutest baby set. I am not sure if they have it in James size, but I know it would fit the baby next door if I were to win it. They really have some cute stuff! They asked for Toddler sayings for their shirts.....all I can come up with is "Hold it right there Mommy" That's James new saying when I am going towards him while he is doing something wrong :-)<br /><br />And now this..... I have way too much time on my hands....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.meez.com/knitwitmomma" title="Check out this user's profile at Meez.com"><img src="http://images.meez.com/user12/05/03/0503_10018116387.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11040694.post-31961750095789566322007-07-17T07:45:00.000-07:002007-07-17T07:49:50.447-07:00OuchSurgery went well. Yesterday I was actually thinking that this would be an easy recovery......it was that lovely local block of my hand that was fooling me! Today the pain has kicked in, making me feel like I will never knit again! I am off to take some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tylenol</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">codeine</span> and sleep!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766077635220534281noreply@blogger.com0