KnitWit Momma

Can't talk, Beading!

2009-08-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Got to get back to work.

I really should start posting again!

2009-07-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

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.

I'm pretty excited about my trip to Portland for Sock Summit. Catherine, of Mama Llama has a booth and I am going to go help her work. I've been working my butt of making stitchmarkers for her booth. I hope that my sales will be good..... this may help a bit...

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.

I haven't been knitting much other than a pair of socks for my sister in law. Nothing fancy, just a plain vanilla sock.

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!

Lots of pictures when I get back!

Crackbook

2009-05-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I am addicted to Facebook. ADDICTED!

But on the off chance that people still read my blog, I have a favor to ask.

My daughter and I entered a Mother-Daughter Look a like contest.

I really want to win and was hoping that you would go vote for me. The link to our submission is HERE.

You can vote once a day up until Thursday. Please vote for us. Wanna see why I think we will win?Scary isn't it?

Knitting..... ACTUAL KNITTING!

2009-03-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

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 :-)

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!

Here is one Mama Llama 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 :-)

Mama Llama DK in Vino

Size 3 needles

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...

This is my Spiralucious 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 KnitSpot 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 paypal invoice asking that she refund my $ if she could verify that I bought this twice. Again, nothing. I like her patterns but at this point I don't think I will buy one from her again.

Modeled shots tomorrow :-)

Is there such thing as settled?

2009-03-14T21:37:00.001-07:00

Here we are in Montana! I only have one word. COLD. Don't believe me? Look.

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 Carhart 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.

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 PTC 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!

I have been knitting. I finished one sock from my super special stash of Mama Llama yarn. I am also working on Spiralucious. 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?

Pictures tomorrow!

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!

Montana.....(If you're looking for knitting.... move along!)

2009-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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 :-)

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.

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!

Oh and by the way Mom and Dad are moving with us. WHOOO HOOOOO!

It's been a long time..........

2009-01-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

It say it's been a long time would be an understatement. Life happened and this blog was the last thing on my mind.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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....

2008-07-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

Knitty Otter is having a contest and I thought I would join in!

Getting to Know you Contest Questionnaire:

1.) How long have you been knitting?

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!

2.) How long have you been knitting socks?

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.

3.) What do you do with a problem like Maria?

Do what the Catholic Church always does...... Move her to a new place and cover up her past :-)

4.) What is your all time favorite sock yarn?

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 Twisted. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my socks that I knit with her DK weight.

5.) Toe Up or Cuff Down?

Top Down. I have no idea how to knit toe up.

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?

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.

10.) Do you have a pet(s)?

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.

11.) Babies: Oven Roasted or Barbecued?

What? What the hell does this mean?

12.) Besides socks what is your favorite type of thing to knit?

Hats and mittens. I have never knit a sweater. I am really chicken. I should bite the bullet and make one....

13.) What's your favorite scent?

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 Love Spell from Victoria's Secret.

14.) What music are you really loving right now? Like a song or a band?

I really listen to everything. Country, Rap, Rock, Pop....anything. I am loving One Republic, not the remix stuff, just their original songs.

15.) How many pairs of socks have you hand knit?

Not too many.... 4 maybe? Maybe 5...

16.) What's your favorite treat? Salty or Sweet?

Both. I have a bad sweet tooth. But I like rich treats. The richer the better!

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.

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!

18.) Needles - DPN's: Wooden, metal or plastic?

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!

19.) What is your favorite sock pattern that you've knit? What do you recommend?

I really like the Embossed Leaves that I made. The pattern was fun and the finished product was beautiful. I just wish that I had used better yarn.

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?

Hummmm, I think I would want my hubby and Catherine. 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 :-)

Everything is bigger in Texas

2008-07-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

I had a great time in Texas with Cath. 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 Virginia. 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.

Other than the heat, I had a great time. Cath had her party to celebrate two years of Mama Llama 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".

Me and Cath's Family

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.....

LillyPad

If you must have some, and I know you do, MamaLlama can help you out!

Also in Texas, I introduced Chris and Cath to geocaching. 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 GPS.

Follow me guys!

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.

It's also called a cow killer.... Yikes!

Guess everything really IS bigger in Texas!

McDonald's has stolen my heart

2008-06-07T19:50:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that I like McDonald's. 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?

McDONALD'S HAS PUT SWEET TEA ON THE MENU.

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.)

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 Virginia Experiment. Cracked me up! Once I moved to California I realized that SWEET tea wasn't in anyone's vocabulary. Shocking isn't it?

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.....

Now you must excuse me before I get homesick..... I am going to McDonald's!

Stash

2008-06-06T08:58:00.001-07:00

Stash
Originally uploaded by KnitWit Momma

Just a small portion of my stash that I decided to photograph the other day. Got to get the Rav database all caught up!

Houston.....There's Gonna be a Problem

2008-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Texas look out! I am headed to Houston at the end of the month to stay with Mama Llama herself!

She and I have been friends for about 10 years now and I hate that she moved to ~~the hottest place on earth~~ Texas. She is celebrating 2 years in business as Mama Llama by throwing a party. Now how could I not hop on a plane and be there for that?

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!

Schools Out for Summer......

2008-06-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, who's singing the Alice Cooper 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 :-)

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 :-)

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!

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.

Since I have been volunteering 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 WIP 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.

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 Work Out and eating cheesecake..... two pieces of cheesecake. I find that very funny ;-)

I just couldn't resist

2008-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

I Like to MOOOOOVE It!

I know I said I would post more.....

2008-03-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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.

Ok, vent over. Thanks for reading that.

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.

Photo's of knitting and Stitches stash next!

Wow...... It's been a long time!

2008-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Now that I have rambled on and on about pretty much nothing, I will leave you with a promise.

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.

Stay warm and dry! It's snowing like crazy here and I think I am going to go bake some bread...bread like this Yummmmmmm.

WIP, Sock Bag, and exciting news.

2007-10-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

I am using the Blank Canvas Vest pattern, and the new yarn from Crystal Palace, Merino 5. 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.

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 Posey Sock Sack from Nana Sadie Rose. 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.

Now for my big news....... Jimmy Beans Wool is my newest retailer for KnitWit Momma! They placed a HUGE order from me, and I am very excited to add them to my list of retail stores!

I'm off to make more markers!

Pattern Problems....is there a frog in the house?

2007-10-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

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

On to the problems. I found a vest (Greenwood Cable) on Ravelry (here is the link to it on Rav) that I fell in love with. I waited and waited for the pattern to be released from Webs. It's a pattern or one of their new yarn lines, Northampton. 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.

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 Cath and my Mom to make sure it wasn't user error.

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!

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.

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.

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 :-)

Happy and Mad all at the same time!

2007-09-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

The first person to help me with the codes to put pictures from my Flickr 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)

Right now I am so mad that I am shaking. SHAKING!

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.

Kate's Hat
Pattern: Ann Budd
Yarn: Pattons SWS

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.

The yarn is the greatest, Lion Brand Thick 'N Quick, 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!

If you have hopped over here from Keri's blog, 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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

SP11 is here!

2007-08-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Humm, 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.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a needle case for my DPN's, but nothing for my straights. My circulars are stored in their original packaging.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for about 3 years now. My Mother, who learned when she was a child, taught 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.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do. I'll have to update it. Its an amazon one and I will link to it when I update.

5. What's your favorite scent? I love cooking smells. Pumpkin pie or coffee candles.....smells like that.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? A BIG one. I love Tootsie Rolls....but really any chocolate makes me happy!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I cross stitch and would really like to learn to do more beading. I don;t spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to everything, but mostly pop and country.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love soft pinks and soft yellows. Also earth tones are nice. The only color I don;t like is Christmas Red!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and have 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 2. We just got a cat last week named Peaches.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, Hats and Mittens, Yes. Poncho's, no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I love to knit socks, and hats are fun too :-)

13. What are you knitting right now? A blanket for my FIL, socks for me, a tank top, and a couple of dishcloths.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Of course.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like DPN's for socks. I just got some Knitpicks DPN's and I am in LOVE with them. Both circular and straights have their place. As well, metal and bamboo have their place.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? hummmm, a year or two

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's my favorite time of year!!!

19. Is there anything that you collect? COWS!!!! I love cows. I am also slowly collecting Noro Kureon for a Lizard Ridge blanket

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I would love the KnitPicks Options circular needles. I have been dropping hints for Christmas. They also have a sock set that I would like.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I would like to do colorwork

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yup! I wear a 7.5 ladies shoe

23. When is your birthday? Jan 8th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? I am and it is KnitWitMomma

So, So, Busy!

2007-08-15T14:07:00.001-07:00

I owe you a FO picture! Here it is.....

Dublin Bay Socks
Knit With Koigu
Made For Mom

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.

I have been working on the newest round of Secret Pal 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.

I have some great pictures of our trip to Monterey and the beach 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.

I have SP matches to get out, a order to fill, and soccer camp for Ben tonight.... I am tired already!!!!

***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 :-)***

Contest

2007-07-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

How could I not enter this contest.

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a LCD TV courtesy of Best Buy!

FO post as soon as I take a picture!

...and I'm finished

2007-07-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Got 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 epilogue..... 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!

Good thing Greg's been home and I am still "injured". I was able to hole up in my room and read :-)

And I can knit again :-) Hurts a wee bit, but not anything that is going to make me stop.

Thanks!

2007-07-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

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.

I also came across this contest......My Rock Star Baby 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 :-)

And now this..... I have way too much time on my hands....

Ouch

2007-07-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Surgery 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 Tylenol with codeine and sleep!

Of Yarn, Questions and Hurts......

2007-07-12T08:03:00.001-07:00

On Yarn....

My Beautiful yarn that Susie made just for me. She was inspired by the colors of my wildflowers on this blog and made me this yarn. I have a couple of skeins of Susie's yarn in my stash, but it is so awesome to have yarn that NO ONE else will have. She may add this colorway to her her line up, but I will always have the first :-) Go check out her Etsy site and her yarns over at the Loopy Ewe!

Now on to my interview. Katie had a great interview on her new blog, Daily Thread, and then sent me interview questions. So here goes.........

1. How/where/when did you meet your husband? Fill in with all of the details you remember. I remember exactly how I met Greg. I had moved into The Quads in Boise, ID, while I was going to Boise State University. They are kind of like dorms...you rent a furnished bedroom that connected to a shared living room and kitchen. When I moved in I choose a co-ed one. 2 girls room and 2 guy rooms. There was only one guy living there, and he was in Montana for 2 weeks at a time working. I had been living there almost two weeks when I walked out of the shower, wrapped in a towel. Now the bathroom door that is shared by the two girls opened up to a hallway. on the other wall is the door to the living room. So I walk out and see a man sitting on the couch, It's Greg. I change and come back to introduce myself. he doesn't deny it....not even a little....but he had a hard time looking at my face. His eyes were focused elsewhere if you know what I mean.
But he came to be my best friend while I was there. We didn't date each other at all while I lived there. In fact, I used to try and set him up! That was 10 years ago...and we still are best friends.

2. Which of your children is most like you, personality-wise, and why? This one is a hard one. My oldest is a LOT like me. She is headstrong, determined, and likes to be in control. All traits I have, and all traits that make me thing teenage years will be difficult. My middle child is the other side of me. He is sensitive and extremely kind, caring, and loving. I see myself in him as well. But then my youngest is outgoing and the class clown. I see myself in him too, just not as much as the other two.

3. Why do you knit, make stitch markers, craft in general? I started knitting for a strange reason, at least I think some will think it's strange. My maternal Grandmother knit and crocheted, and my paternal Grandmother just crocheted. My Grandmother taught my Mother, and I didn't want that tradition to die out. I never met y paternal Grandmother, Bertha, and I was too young to have my maternal Grandmother teach me. So this is a way to connect with the past generations of women in my family.
Now, starting a business with my stitchmarkers was something entirely different. I just needed to feel like I was contributing to the income of the family.....and it's fun :-)

4. Have you ever had a beauty disaster? If so, explain. Hummmm, a beauty disaster. Well, most of my hairdo's in the 90's were a disaster. I would show you , but don't want to freeze up your computer!

Now if you would like to be interviewed, let me know!

Now on to the hurts......

I have and surgery on Monday. Nothing major, just removal of a cyst. Minor surgery that gets me out of housework and dishes for a week :-)
But I have finally found out WHY my right hand hurts so bad. 18 months of tests, of being poked and prodded.... I have torn My TFCC. Triangular Fibrocartalage Complex. fancy name for a very small, vital of my wrist and hand. Surgery to fix it is major. Recovery is long. That makes it hard to get fixed when I need to care for the children. I think that in January we will have it done. My parents have offered to come help out, and Greg will be able to take some time off. Seems like my hand is hurting more and more these days and I really can't wait to have it fixed. Of course some of the pain comes from me not being able to take any meds until after the surgery on Monday..... and that leaves me a bit cranky :-)

Up next will be my awesome SP10 package...... I still need to take pictures! Of course minus the PEZ candy since my son ate it when I wasn't looking....but I did steal the COW dispenser back, Thank you very much :-)

**** Nice.....in searching for links about TFCC, I see one that tells what you need for surgery. One item is a surgical wrist shaver. Just want I want to know...

Fire all around......

2007-06-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

I have never been scared of fire. I have never had an evacuation plan. I am now scared and now need to formulate a plan. Have you heard about the Lake Tahoe fire? It was being contained and today about 3, it jumped the lines and is spreading. It's much too far to burn all the way here (I hope), but we have friends that lost a house, and we have friends that work up there. My husband is the manager of a grocery store, and one of the stores up there is being evacuated. This fire is hitting too close to home for me.

** Edited to add..... From my house to the fire it is 37 miles. The fire will never reach here. I will NOT think about the 35 mile winds that are to come tomorrow, and I will not think about the fact that the winds are going to blow in my direction.

On the other side of us there is another fire. This one is small and will probably will be put out soon, but the thought of fire scares me. We live IN the forest. Right smack dab in the middle of it. If there was a fire, the houses would go up in flames in a minute. I really need to put some things together in case that ever happens.

I had my post planned out to show you this beautiful sock yarn that Susie dyed for me. It's beautiful and it really deserves it's own post. So I will leave you with a picture of 2 boys making "Bug Soup". :-)

There will be bath's tonight!

Socks, Yarn, and More!

2007-06-19T21:08:00.001-07:00

I started this sock while I was seeing Stephanie speak in Petaluma. I didn't have any good travel knitting, so I thought a plain vanilla sock would be perfect. I bought this yarn off of Etsy, from Twisted. I just LOVE the way that the colors are striping. I have had 3 non knitters ask me to make them something out of this yarn. Sorry guys, this sock is for ME!

I also found this beautiful yarn on Etsy. I had read about it in a post from Laurie, I think.....so I jumped over to Sophie's Toes and read about their next update. I sat on the computer, hitting refresh over and over again just hopping that there would be one of this colorway in her update. I was so lucky that there was ONE skein, and I got it!!!!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!!! It's called American Patchwork. I can not wait to start knitting it.

I also joined a new sock club over at Wool Girl. It looks like it will be fun, and it's not a huge amount of money like some.

I am still working on Butterfly, but it's slow going right now. I can only knit it when the kids are in bed, and I have been so tired lately. I have a few orders and samples that I need to get made for KnitWit Momma. I am more than likely going to have surgery on my left hand to remove a cyst and I have a feeling that my knitting and stitchmarker making will be slowed down a bit by it!

Meeting the Harlot......

2007-06-12T08:17:00.001-07:00

Harlot and I
Originally uploaded by KnitWit Momma

Petaluma was a blast. The talk that the Yarn Harlot gave was wonderful but really the best part was getting away for the day with my Mom. It was nice to spend some time with her without three little whirlwinds running around us.

Another very cool thing was that when I gave Stephanie a gift of KnitWit Momma stitchmarkers, she looked up at me and said " I know who you are. I know exactly who you are." That sure made me feel good.

The next day Mom and I took the long way home through the Napa Valley. We stopped at a few wineries and just enjoyed the drive.

When I got home, the kids greeted me by telling me that I had to see the spider in the garage. Thankfully it was already dead when they found it.

Would you look at the size of this thing!!! I am not sure what kind of spider this is, but I sure hope he was the only one living within 100 miles of us!

Going to see the Harlot.

2007-06-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

It's 8 am on the first day of summer vacation......When does school start again? *Sign*, it's going to be a long summer.

The yarn Harlot is going to be in Petaluma tonight and my Mother and I are going. I am super excited to be able to go spend the night away with just Mom and I.

Remember that oh so romantic trip to Tahoe? Didn't happen. Things were all set. Reservations at a hotel, reservations at Tahoe's best restaurant....plans for things to do.... and the day before we leave, THE CAR BREAKS DOWN. Greg was in a meeting in Tahoe, and on the way home the car dies. Turns out it was the timing belt. So all our vacation money went into the car. Oh well. We just have to go in the fall.

So anyway, not much knitting has been done....but I plan to do some tonight.

Pictures after the Harlot!

Butterfly

2007-05-27T14:58:00.001-07:00

Butterfly
Originally uploaded by KnitWit Momma

The start of my Butterfly. I t wasn't easy at first, but after ripping it out 4 times, I go the hang of it. I am really amazed at how fast it's going!

I a not feeling too well, so I am going to go back to laying on the couch and watching movies.

(Right now the Da Vinci Code is on......Loved the book, but the movie? Not so much.)

A New Store

2007-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

You have to check out this new online store. It's Great! It's Awesome! My pocketbook hates me!

Go see WOOLGIRL!

She has an amazing mix of unique yarns. Yarns that I haven't seen anywhere else. She also has a great program starting. On your 7th order, you get a goody bag from her. Who doesn't want free yarny stuff?

So go check her out :-)

** I am in a way affiliated with Woolgirl. She sells my markers but that it NOT why I am posting this. Lots of stores carry my markers and I usually don;t talk about knitwit momma on my bog, but this store is really really nice!

I've been tagged

2007-05-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Mini, Laurie, Rebecca, and Chris
for the 7 random things Meme. I am supposed to tell 7 random things about me, and then tag 7 other people. So here goes.

1. I do genealogy. And while that isn't so odd in itself, when I research a person, I feel like I know them. I talk to them while looking for them in the census, ask them questions like I expect them to answer....and deep down....I really think they know that I a searching for them.

2. I can not move away from my parents. I can't. Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes. I want to go back east so bad but I can't. If they will come with us I will move. If they won't? Then I am stuck in California. I don't think it would be so bad for them if I moved....but it would be for me.

3. I have to ice in my water. You have to put the ice in the glass first, and then pour the water over it. I can tell if you didn't, and I will dump it out and get new water.

4. I am terrified of bee's. It's to the point that my husband think I should get help. My children are starting to be afraid of them too. I really really have tried not to show my fear when they are around but I don't think I am doing that great of a job at it.

5. I love to eat out. On the other hand, I like to cook. Eating out is something that I love to do but it stresses me out. Eating out with 3 children is not fun except for the rare occasion that all children have decided that they would like to be little angles :-)

6. When I was a little my parents both smoked. I used to hide my Father's cigarettes in this old crock that my mother has. Or I would blow gently on them while it was in the ashtray so that it would burn faster. Dad would get so mad at me. One day I want that crock :-)

7. I am addicted to some TV shows. I LOVE CSI, and NCIS. I don't miss them. Thank goodness for TiVo. Oh and one last one..... I can not STAND IT if anyone calls me Jenny. :-)

I am supposed to tag 7 people. there are not 7 people in blogland that haven't done this. Oh wait. Cath....you have to :-)

Oh and I have to say that this MeMe is awesome. My bloglines is empty, no new posts, so I have been clicking on the links to the people that everyone has tagged. I have found some wonderful new blogs that way!

Hummmm

2007-05-20T10:52:00.001-07:00

I added Haloscan back to the blog after the template change....and now I can find my blogger comments!

I know some of you asked where I got the template, I got it here. It wasn't hard to change, but I still have to go back in and edit the HTML so that my rings and etc. will show.

Also someone asked what yarn I was using for Butterfly. I am using Zpeyher Wool and Silk in Suede . I started it last night.... 3 times..... and 3 times, I frogged it. I WILL make this, and it WILL be beautiful :-)

Oh and Rebecca, just email me what you need from Ancestry and I will be happy to look them up! I will get the MeMe today!

OOOO I love this template!!!

2007-05-18T16:11:00.001-07:00

I thought I would change the blog to something more summery! I am sure that the cows will be returned in the winter.

Tonight is my daughters open house at school. After that, I plan in casting on for the Butterfly Dress.....well, I guess I should call it the Butterfly Tank :-) Cath and I are going to knit them together....I can;t wait to get started!

Where life gets in the way......

2007-05-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

I have been so bad about blogging. I've been bad about emails, knitting, AND blogging. School has been hanging over my head....as well as KnitWit Momma. I think I will be showing at TNNA in Jan down in Long Beach. I plan on doing that one first and build up my experience for the big on in Ohio next June. I have a ton to do to get ready for it, but I am pretty excited. My first trade show :-)

I am also going to Petaluma in June to see the Yarn Harlot. I am always so jealous seeing other people that have seen her, I decided that I was going to go. OF course I asked Greg to go with me and he just gave me a smirk and said I really should ask my Mother. SO I did, and we are going and spending the night. I really am looking forward to some time away with my Mom....even more than seeing the Harlot!

My Mother and Father in law flew down from Montana. They were staying in Tahoe, and since that is only about 30 min from us, they came down to visit. It was a hard visit for me. My Father in law looks so sick. I just have to remember that he is in the middle of Chemo and Radiation, and that makes him sick. He has more testing done this week to see if the tumors are shrinking.

But the kids had a great time with Grandma and Papa. They wore him out, but it really was cute!

Well, that's all I got for you today. Knitting hasn't been really happening....I am trying to finish up some projects for school...I really should be doing that now! I was getting kind of tired of programming Macros in excel.....

Tell me why again Accounting is my profession of choice..............

SP10 Package

2007-05-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

I have to post a BIG thank you to my secret pal. I think it's awesome that she read my archives and found some gifts that I just love, and that are so me! check out the packaging. each wrapped gift was numbered, and there was a small blurb about each gift in the card. I loved it!

Look at that! BACON FLAVORED GRITS!!!!! I mean really..... can there BE anything better? I haven't tried them yet, I am saving them for a special occasion. Maybe one morning when I am all alone. Well, no, it will be another 16 years before I am alone in the mornings :-) The candle smells so wonderful, and the candy..... I am not ashamed to say that I ate it all. EVERY ONE of the peanut butter cups was eaten my me :-) The yarn is a beautiful hand dyed laceweight that will make a beautiful shawl or scarf!

After I took the photo's, I saw another little package. In it was cow stitchmarkers. They are the CUTEST stichmarkers ever. (ok, mine are cute...but these are awesome!)

Thank you SP. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Knitters Treat Exchange

2007-05-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

I am s sorry that I haven't posted this thank you. My Knitters Treat Exchange package came and wow it was awesome! There was one little thing in the package that just made it so special.

Isn't the packaging so cute?

Can you believe all this great stuff? The yarn, the cookies, the cutest cow, Burt's Bee's, and the hand soap was all wonderful. But the best thing in the whole package was the bracelet that she sent me. It's hand made by small children, who were raising money. It's beautiful and is already very special to me.

So who was this very generous person? NYCity Mamma! Go say hello to her! She is in Virginia right now visiting family and I am so so so jealous!

Awwwwww

2007-05-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

I had to try and post this video. I had no idea that I could take video's with my camera! I promise a knitting post later, as well as pictures of my first SP10 package, and my Knitter's Treat package.

*** Ok, I have no idea how to turn this around....so watch it with you head on your shoulder :-) Also, do you hear what Katie says? "Ben's bopping me." He has decided that anything, and I mean ANYTHING, can be a gun, or bopper as he calls it. Please tell me they grow out of it.

Leavin' on a jet plane.........

2007-04-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

And where am I going you ask????? To TEXAS BABY! I am going to go spend a few days with my best friend, Catherine. You know, Mama Llama herself :-)

I have been waiting for this day for months now. I am so excited to have a little break from the kids. My wonderful, darling, thoughtful husband took time off of work to watch them while I go on this trip. I am hoping that in June I will get to take a trip alone to Montana with the same wonderful, darling, thoughtful husband.

So anyway, I am stuck in the Sacramento Airport....all because of Dallas. The flight crew was late getting in last night, and since they need their rest, my flight is delayed 2 hours.

Funny Story about Dallas and it's airport. BC (before kids) my parents and I flew to Oklahoma (that's a story in itself). This trip had a layover in Dallas and being Dallas, there were thunderstorms all around us. The airport was packed, and I mean PACKED, because airlines were canceling flights left and right.

While my parents and I were waiting for our flight (it wasn't canceled), I noticed a short woman....with tell tale spider eyes. It was Tammy Faye Baker. And the make up? Even worse in person. She was being followed around by a camera crew. This being the days before 9/11, I thought it was a TV station or something like that. Since I was standing right next to her, I leaned over and asked her is that ever got tired. She smiled politely and didn't say a word.

Fast forward a couple hours, and there we are on the plane. We push back from the gate and the plane gets grounded. So we sit. And sit. And sit. For HOURS. it was bad. It was late, around midnight I think, and the crew wouldn't serve us drinks, or snacks, or anything. All while a hell of a storm raged outside. And there, a few rows in front of me, was Tammy Faye Baker.......and HER camera crew. Boy did I feel like an ass.

After sitting on that plane I swore that I would never fly through Dallas again. Well I did, and what happens? I get stuck again. Lets' not even mention the 1 am phone call from the airline to tell me the fight was delayed. 1 AM!!!! Thanks for the concern, but I am a big girl and know to check the flight before going to the airport. So, insert big yawn here, I am going to go get a Cinnabon and a Coffee. (But don;t tell, I am supposed to be on that south beach diet.....and that Cinnabon has enough sugar in it to send me into a diabetic shock!)

***In doing the links to this, I found out that Tammy Faye Baker has cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with her!

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

2007-04-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What's your favourite type of yarn? I don't havea favorite type of yarn...I do like natural fibers and I would say my favorite that I have ever knit with is Debbie Bliss yarns.

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn? Cotton, only because it hurts my hands.

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop? Size up the sock yarn collection. Socks are hot and if there isn't mych sock yarn, then I know that this owner isn;t up on her trends.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do? I bead....but as a business, not a hobby. I also cross stitch and am an avid genealogist.

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to? Interweave

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting/Food/Home/Garden - Fashion, Crochet, Gossip are not anything I read

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet? Socks, Hats, Sweaters, Scarves

8. Are you allergic to anything? Smoke

9. What do you like to* smell of?
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of) ROFL, I like to smell clean :-)

10. What's your favourite way to relax? Tv and Knitting

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first? The Bakery!!!! Any type of good quality baked goods make me happy.

12. What do you come out with? A Pastry

13. Where do you go next? The gym :-)

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal? Have fun with this!

So much to blog

2007-03-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else go around making blog entries up in their heads? I do, but I never seem to be able to actually sit down and type them all out! Today while I was eating a piece of baguette with some spinach dip on it I was thinking of an entry about my husband... skip the next two paragraphs is you want to get right to the knitting....

I met Greg when I went away to college at Boise State University (yes, the one with the blue football field....and yes birds do die on it). I moved into an apartment complex called the quads. It's kind of like a dorm...just not run by the University. You rent a room and 4 rooms share a common living room and kitchen. I picked a co-ed apartment because there was NO WAY I wanted to share with three other girls. Greg was one of the people already living there. He wasn;t going to school, he already had an MBA, but was going back and forth to Montana for work. I only saw him every other weekend.

He and I never dated while I lived in Idaho. In fact, I used to go try and find him a date! He and I used to sit up into the night talking. I was always so happy when he was around. I used to cook dinners for him and the roommate's...worked out great for me. I liked to cook, and they always bought all the food :-) Anyway, when Greg was home, we would go to Albertson's and buy a baguette and some smoked Salmon. We would eat cream cheese, smoked salmon and bread for dinner...watch movies and stay up till the crack of dawn. Cutting my baguette today made me think of that! Took me a move to California and a last minute visit to San Fran by Greg and some of his friends for us to realize that dating should be in our future..... 9 years later here we are :-)

Ok, enough mushy stuff :-) I have been knitting! I have been so busy that knitting isn't something that I have really had time for. Like right now.....the boys are asleep and Katie's in school...... I have a list of things that I could use this time for.....

1. I could knit
2. I have orders for 3 yarn store to fill
3. I could do dishes (WHY do dishes multiply so rapidly?)
4. I could email my SP10 group
5. I could pick up the new book I got from Amazon that I am having a hard time putting down
6. I could do the MOUNTAIN of homework in my Peachtree class that I am letting pile up
7. Or I could blog

Guess what I chose? :-) The others will just have to wait until I finish this.

I have been knitting for my Father in Law. I made him a Fun Fur Chemo hat as a joke. A big, fuzzy, hot pink joke! He has been doing well with his treatments. There is another spot of cancer that they found. This time on his brain. We are all praying that the radiation will shrink it. SO far so good..... I have to knit him a real hat soon....the kids think I should knit him a purple one like the pink one....

He's such a goofball!

I am also almost done with a Regia sock. this picture was taken a while ago and I am now almost to the toe.

The small needles have been hurting my hands, so I called my Mom and asked if she would knit me the other one. She said yes, and knowing her and her speed needles, I will have a finished pair in a week or less :-)

And I had to add this picture of my daughter. See the hat she's wearing? My Mom knitted it for me when I was her age.

It's a varigated pink acrylic yarn, but it has stood the test of time and I like the fact that she can have something that was mine.

Regular blogging to commence....I have to practice what I preach for my SP10 group!

There has been a FO!

2007-03-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

But I can't show you right now. I have until 5pm tomorrow to finish my worksheets in my Excel class. I have decided I hate Excel! HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT!

I am currently pulling my hair out trying to use the IF function. Any Excel GURU's out there?

Post with pictures as soon as I finish all this homework.

And I thought March would be a good month for us......

2007-03-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

This year hasn't started out well. Last month we saw the passing of my husband's Grandma. She was 96 years old. She had been in great health and just before Christmas she started to get ill. She was tired and ready to go. Her death was hard on me, but I am glad that I go to see her one last time while we were in Montana last summer.

March was supposed to look up for us. We should be able to pay off all our debt. This is a BIG thing. We have been working on this for almost 6 years now and paying it off will be a big accomplishment for us.

But the phone just rang. My Father in Law has lung cancer. Two types of cancer were found in his lungs. Next week will be tests to find out if it has spread. Surgery is not going to be done to remove the tumors. Chemo and Radiation are the plan for now.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Oh, has anyone made a men's Chemo hat? Patterns? Pictures of the hats?

Hanging Head in Shame

2007-02-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

I am such a bad blogger!!!! I haven't posted in forever.....I haven't KNIT in forever either! My little business, KnitWit Momma Stitchmarkers, has taken off so fast. I am so amazed at how many orders I am getting. My stitchmarkers are in over 20 shops around the country and each day I get requests for samples.

I am trying to redo the pictures of my markers so that I can get a small brochure/price list printed. I am picture taking challenged, so if anyone knows of a photographer that would like a small job, please let me know!

I am actually all caught up with my orders so there may be some knitting taking place here tonight!

I was supposed to go to Stitches West this weekend. Supposed to is the key word.......let me show you why I couldn't go......

And this picture was taken on Friday. It started to snow last night and hasn't stopped yet. I can't complain, we really needed the moisture!

Gotta Love a Contest

2007-02-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

Check it out here!

Anybody have hammer?

2007-01-13T22:58:00.000-08:00

Because I want to use it on my laptop. The thing isn't even a year old, and already the hard drive is dead. DEAD!

Not a very big deal, as I an get most info off and onto the desktop computer, but my email won't open, and I NEED to get info out of it. But at this moment, it looks like a lost cause. About the only thing that I am able to do on this computer is get on the internet.

I could show you just how much of a sock you can knit while on the phone with HP, but I can't get the photo's off my camera and on to the computer...... The part that makes me panic is that I can not find all the CD's I will need to reload everything back on here. Photoshop, Norton, Frontpage, are all missing and I can find ONE of the TWO disks I need to put office back on the laptop.

I will show you pictures of my new ball winder and swift that my parents got me....just give me a few days :-)

I have a meme to do also. Laurie tagged me a few days ago. She told me to step away from the stitchmarkers....and she is so right! Orders are pouring in, and there have been many requests for samples.

I promise to post pictures, as well as do the meme as soon as I can.

Oh and please please please please only sign up to play this if you want to waste countless hours of your life on the computer.

Anybody seen my hammer?

Another store carrying my markers, and my Virtual Model

2006-12-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Go check out Mama Llama's Shoppe. She is now carrying my makers. I can say first hand that her yarns are a dream to work with, so pick up some yarn to go with your new markers ;-)

Saw this on Susie's blog. Had to play along :-)

Finally a FOE, and fun with the self timer!

2006-12-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

My oldest WIP is now a FO!!!!! Whooo Hoooo!

May I present, The Irish Hiking Scarf.

Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf by Hello Yarn
Needles: Us 8
Yarn: Cascade 220 color? who knows, it's been too long
Started: almost 2 years ago
Completed: Dec 3, 2006

Now lets see what a person who has no idea how to use a self timer looks like

Fake smile in the sunlight

The lesson I learned? Wait until someone can take pictures for you!

2006-11-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! This year I am just not in the holiday mood. I think it's because it's been a rough six months, and all I really want to do is have all my family together. I'm really feeling sadness that my Sister and Brother will not be here for the holidays. I'm not exactly sure why I am feeling it this year, the last time that all of us were together was Christmas 1996.

I just remember growing up, that we always had a houseful on Thanksgiving. They may not all have been family, but I loved it. I loved having so many people in our house. I have two favorite Thanksgivings. One was at my Grandmother's house. She had 8 children, and most of them were there with there families. I was just a child but I still remember that dinner. The other was my first, and only, Thanksgiving without my parents. They had moved to Ca from Virginia and I stayed behind. I had broken up with my boyfriend and a friend took me with him to his Granddaddy's house. It was filled with people all having a good time and I really felt welcome. It was exactly what I needed and I won't ever forget that day either.

I had a doctors appointment on Monday with a new doctor. My first doc was getting a little off track. He kept telling me that I should have chronic fatigue syndrome. I don't. And he would. Not. Listen. He had moved away from a diagnosis of Lupus and had even brought up the possibility of Cancer. Now once I heard that I jumped into action. Found someone willing to see me and give me another opinion. There is no indication of cancer and I was told to put that out of my mind.....ummmmm ok, that will be easy.

So the new doc is leaning toward Lupus again. I have more tests to do, this time specialized tests that will have to be sent to LA to run. I'll go back to this new doc right before Christmas, and the old doc.....I don't think I will be seeing him again.

SO as it stands, we still don't know what is going on. There is still pain in my hand, in my knee, ankle and toes. I am really just emotionally drained from all this. I still don't want to go through all the testing, mostly because I am scared to find anything out.

Maybe this is why I really want my family all around me.

I never do these but.....

2006-11-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

MEME

You.

Can.

Only.

Type.

One.

Word.

No.

Explanations.

1. Yourself: Emotional

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): Workaholic

3. Your hair: Curly

4. Your mother: Talkative

5. Your Father: Best

6. Your Favorite Item: Records

7. Your dream last night: none

8. Your Favorite drink: Ice Tea

9. Your Dream Car: JEEP

10. The room you are in: Family

11. Your Ex: Asshole

12. Your fear: Water

13. What you want to be in 10 years? Accountant

14. Who you hung out with last night? Greg

15. What You're Not: Rude

16. Muffins: Blueberry

17. One of Your Wish List Items: Mixer

18. Time: None

19. The Last Thing You Did: Laundry

20. What You Are Wearing: Jeans

21. Your Favorite Weather: Rainy

22. Your Favorite Book: Painted House

23. The Last Thing You Ate: Jr Mints

24. Your Life: Stuck

25. Your Mood: Happy

26. Your best friend: Texas :-(

27. What are you thinking about right now? Menu

28. Your car: MiniVan

29. What are you doing at the moment? Typing

30. Your summer: Lonely

31. Your relationship status: Married :-)

32. What is on your TV? Football

33. What is the weather like? Cold

34. When is the last time you laughed? Afternoon

35. Who do you tag? You :=)

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKK

2006-11-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Go look. Yeah, I know, I shouldn't get so excited. But. Go. Look.

KnitWit Momma Stitchmarkers

I know they have been selling out in the LYS but this is my first online store. And I am excited.

Also pretty excited about the order I got yesterday from the Yarn Garden in Portland. Whooooo Hoooooo!

My News

2006-11-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

First, my children have been playing quietly all morning. Just as I sit down thinking I can pound out a few homework questions for my Marketing class....they POUNCE!

What ya doing Mom? Can I help Mom? When will I have homework Mom?

So much for getting that done this morning. I think a LONG trip to the playground with Daddy is in order later ;-)

So my big news. Well, for a while now I have been selling my stitchmarkers in a LYS. I decided to change them up a bit and change the packaging. By doing that, they have taken off like you wouldn't believe! Selling out within a week of the store putting them out. So it's been in the works for a while but I am now a legitimate business, at least in the eyes of the Federal Government and the state of California.

So here is my business website www.knitwitmomma.com

Right now I am just doing wholesale sales. There have been a few big online stores that are interested, and I am much more attractive as a supplier if I do not sell them myself online. There may come a time when I will sell online. Right now I am getting inquiries from all over the US for samples and price sheets. Kind of exciting and scary at the same time. Now Greg would kill me, but not only did I teach him to knit, he also knows how to make stitchmarkers. He's my free labor ;-)

So tell me what you think about my site. Good? Bad? Stick a fork in it?

Oh and one last thing. Now this is kind of funny.... my eyelid has been twitching on and off for about 3 weeks now. I sneeze, it twitches. I yawn, it twitches. I raise my voice, it twitches. I think of all the work I have for school, it twitches. Sooooooo, I'm thinking it's stress. Other than relaxing (can you see me rolling my eyes) got any suggestions to MAKE IT STOP? Unless I point it out, no one can see it so at least I am not scaring small children but come on.....do you have any idea how annoying this is!!!

So much to show you

2006-11-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

And no pictures, well almost no pictures. It's a rainy, snowy at times, day. Just not enough natural light to show off all the beautiful yarns that I have gotten, or to show off my new knitting projects. I am still working on the Koigu Dublin Bay socks, and have started a capelet for myself.

This picture really doesn't do it justice, in fact it looks really bad on here. There was a sample made up at Filati's and it was really cute! I am almost all done, I would be finished but Greg decided to clean up one night while I was in class and the pattern has disappeared!

I got my first package from my SP9 the other day. Some beautiful Claudia Handpained yarn, and a beautiful yarn that is screaming to be a scarf! There was some Recess Peanut Butter Cups too...... WAS is the word :-)

I also got a box from my SP8, Rebecca. The cutest Cow with a rooster on it's back. I LOVE it! It's exactly the type of thing I would buy!

But wait that's not all. Susie sent me a ROAK. I can't even describe the yarn. There are no words. You will have to wait for a sunny day for me to take a picture. Really. How she does it I will never know!

One last bit of news, Katie lost her first tooth today. It's been loose and it's made me so sad! WHY do they have to grow up? She has asked the tooth fairy to please bring 2.00. In bills, not coins! Oh really? Far cry from the quarter that I used to get! Here is Katie and I, when she had a full set of teeth :-)

I have some big news for my next post, maybe tonight. right now I am going to make Split Pea Soup. It's a perfect day for it! And I have to say thank you to Katie for posting the link to KidZone. It really has saved us today. I think I may have used up a whole tree with all the things that I have printed out!

FO and a big whoops!

2006-10-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

I've royally messed up my Dublin Bay sock. Not only did I pick up stitches for the gusset BEFORE turning the heel, I did the heel flap too narrow. That sick is now put aside for a night that I feel like taking a frog pond trip.

The wonderful and talented Catherine, aka Mama Llama, has started to dye her own yarn. She sent me a skein of her new yarn in the Rivers colorway. I am making socks for my kiddo's so that Cath start a gallery of her yarn.

These have been so fun to make, and so quick! And look at this color. She calls it Winter and on man it is so beautiful!

I guess I can count these as my first Socktoberfest Socks! Of course I joined. I also joined My First Toe Up's. I have not used this before, and I thought it might be nice to learn something new! Come join us as we fumble though it together.

Now look at this color from MamaLlama as well. She calls it Winter and oh by it is beautiful. One picture with flash, one without.

Tomorrow I am going out to do some genealogical volunteer work. Now I have to say it, don't get upset, but doing Genealogy is something I love even more than knitting. Ok. It's said. Stop throwing things as me!

I volunteer for a site called Random Acts of Geneaogical Kindness. People contact me to research records in the county that I live. I have about 20 obits to look up, and about 15 grave stone photos to take. My favorite thing to do is go find the grave sites and photo them, or take a rubbing. Greg says that I am the only person that he has ever met that gets excited about seeing a graveyard. I also get stark raving mad at people that talk about grave yards as "scary" or "haunted". In my opinion that is incredibly disresectful of the people, and their families, that are buried there.

Ok, I'll stop now before I really get going. Poor Greg, he has to hear this tanget of mine a lot. He's married to me so he HAS to stick around for it. You guys don't!

GRRRRRRRRR

2006-10-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

A real knitting post WITH a FO coming in a day or two. Also an update in the whole Lupus - No Lupus thing.

Right now I am pulling my hair out as I study for my accounting test tomorrow night. Lat week I had no trouble with these concepts. Tonight? Can't get them. It's driving me nuts. Mr. Mama Llama where are you? I need your accounting brain!

And once I get the accounting done, Macroeconomics is calling out to me. I have that midterm on Wed night.

Thursday will find me on a plane to Orange County. I have a friend from high school that will be there for a business meeting. I haven't seem him in 8 years so I am running away for a few days to hang out with him and his wife. I have never been to Southern Cali (that I remember) so I am really looking forward to this trip!

Edited to add: If you read the problem correctly, and round to the nearest cent, and not dollar, the answers are correct. God help the general public when I get my accounting degree.

I'm a slacker

2006-10-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

So starts tomorrow. I got all my matches out, my homework is done, I am feeling good today...... Whooo Hooooo!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like everything except really scratchy wool. I am pretty sensitive to the scratchiness of wool. For example, I can make bags and such out of Noro but can't imagine putting it on my skin!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have some handmade poutches for my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've only been knitting for two years. I have been WATCHING knitting my whole life :-) My Mother has been knitting since she was a child. I would call myself an advanced beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do. I think I have 2 under different emails. hummmm. Email me if you really want to know.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love food scents. Pumpkin pie, apple, banana bread, ect candles.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Ummm YES! Peanut Butter Cups are my fav, with tootsie rolls close behind.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin, I do cross stitch but haven't done any in a while. I just don't have time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to all kinds of music. My Itunes is filled with mostly country but there are a few rap songs and a lot of pop and alternative as well.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? My Fav colors are a soft pink and soft yellows. But I like blues, purples, and greens also. I can't stand bright reds, muted reds are OK, but bright reds are NEVER worn by me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and have 3 kids. Ages 5, 3, and 20 months. Sometimes I have another child as well.... he's 42 :-)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? No ponchos, but I do wear hats, mittens and scarves. Shoveling snow is cold work :-)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks ;-)

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks :-) Also a capelet for me, and a sweater for me

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? It really depends. I love all my wood ones, but addi's have their place too.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No and No

17. How did you learn to knit? My Mother

18. How old is your oldest UFO? 1 and a half years. It's the Irish Hiking scarf. I just need to finish it!

19. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Halloween. It's my fav time of year, and I love getting together with family at Thanksgiving!

20. Is there anything that you collect? Wow, Yes there is. I collect Wades that you get in Red Rose tea, and all country cows, willow tree angels, Wedgewood Jasperware....I am sure there is more :-)

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I just signed up for Interweave a few days ago, but that's the only magazine subscription that I have. There isn't anything that I can say I have to have. I do love the gathering of lace book. I got it for my Mom for Christmas. It was hard to part with :-)

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I think I would like to try Magic Loop. My friend Catherine loves it, and it seems to go faster than DPN's.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes I am. I wear a 7.5 shoe and I am too lazy to get up to get the tape measure :-)

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) Jan 8th. I share it with Elvis.

It's Christmas time already!

2006-09-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

I decided to start thing about Christmas knitting. I bowed out of Sock Wars because I want to concentrate on gifts. So what do I do? Start a pair of socks, of course!

These are the Dublin Bay socks, knit out of Koigu. I'm not sure who they will go to, but I need to make up my mind soon since I am almost at the foot. I really like this pattern, and I can see myself making more of these!

I also started something for me. I have been waiting to knit this cardigan for a year now. I've had the yarn in my stash for almost as long. I decided that I would really like to wear this to stitches in Feb (is it crazy that I already have a hotel room!. So here is the start of Grace. Now I have never made anything that requires seaming, but finishing this should be a piece of cake, right?

I have something else to show you, but it will have to wait a few more days. It's a surprise for someone :-)

Now that's funny!

2006-09-25T16:11:00.001-07:00

Ok, Who got to my blog by search for:

Microwave Baked Potato Pouch Pattern

and is there really such a thing.

that's not as good as the person that came t my blog by searching:

Bamboo smells like Urine

ummmmm, I would love to ask that person a few questions.

I'm working on an actual knitting post for tonight.

It's been a long time comin!

2006-09-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

I have a FO to show you. I finally finished the socks that I was making for my Sister in Law. Today is her birthday, and she should be receiving these tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. It's perfect timing as the weather in Montana is starting to turn chilly. I'm glad I took these pictures a few day ago, we have been inundated with smoke for about three days now.There is a fire not too far away, far enough that we don't have to worry about it, but close enough that breathing outside is a little hard. Birdsong, are you smoked out too?

Here are the Sister in Law socks. The first socks that I have ever blocked! They really look nice when they are blocked. They are a simple 64 stitch, basic sock. KnitPicks Sock Garden, US 2's. Now tell me WHY they took a year to finish?

Now, maybe I have never blocked socks before because I didn't have the PERFECT sock blockers. I do now! Thanks to Becky at Leggy Creations, I have the perfect blockers. Really. Look. Can you tell that I really like cows? I told her I wanted cow ones, and gave a little direction on the type of cows, and look what she made me!!!! They will have a special place on my wall when they are not in use. I LOVE THEM!

Cute right? Now go get yourself some!

Mail Call

2006-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

I really am a lucky gal! My KSKS partner sent me the best, and I mean BEST, gift ever. She made me a Noni Bag!!! ( I can't link because I am not sure which one it is) I love it. I can't tell you how much I love it. She also sent me a big bad of tootsie rolls (now gone), a Fiber Trends pattern, Tootsie roll pens, a tootsie roll bookmark, a tootsie roll note pad, (do you see a theme here?) The Fiber Trends Magic Loop book, a se of DPN's, an Inox needle to try the magic loop, AND Art Yarns sock yarn. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in this package is perfect!!! My partner was Knit Vicious. And the coolest thing is she is local! I hope one day to see her at the LYS, I think she loved the bag she made me as much as I love it! Wanna see it?

Now look at the bag :-)

You want it, don't you.....

My awesome SPA was Rebecca from Socks-For-Mum. She was so awesome with her encouraging notes and letters. This is my final package from her. She also sent me the new Vouge Knitting magazine. I have never been a fan of it but this issue has some great articles and even a few patterns that I may just have to knit.

Rebecca also sent me some bath tea, note pads, and she knit me a dishcloth! The dishcloth is already in use. Greg grabbed it and used it tonight! Nothing nicer than seeing a man do dishes WITH a handknit dishcloth! She also copied a book on CD, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. Now I read a lot, always have. This is one book that I have not read. I am looking forward to listening to it at night while I knit. She said that she didn't send me yarn because she didn't want to tempt me to knit ;-) And she's right, I should be resting my hands. (but I'm not)

Go check out Rebecca's blog. Her socks and pictures are just beautiful!

I do have a FO to share. I finally finished socks that have been on my needles for over a year now. Right now they are blocking on the most beautiful sock blockers that I have ever seen. See, now you can't WAIT for my next post can you?

I just don't want to do this.

2006-09-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

No knitting content. No pictures of swaps that I have received. That will come tomorrow. I promise. Really.

Today is for telling you about my trip to the docs. He asked a million questions, gave me an exam, and looked over my blood work. He is almost positive that I have Lupus. He has ordered 16 blood tests. 16!!! He said they will take about 12 vials of blood. As long as they let me lay down I'll be just fine. I go back the first week in October and will know more then. With all the tests they are going to do, he will know more about me that I do!

The whole Lupus thing really hasn't even sunk in. They have started me on meds already. Just the beginner drug, Plaquinal. He thinks it will make me feel much better. I'm a little concerned about the side effects. It could affect my vision. I kind of like to see :-)

I really just feel like I don't want to do all this. I know that sounds so weird. Even m husband thinks I am a little nuts. I don't want to go back to the doc, I don't want the tests, I DON'T WANT TO BE SICK. I have to much to do. I am too busy. I don't have time for this.

It's kind of like asking me if I want pizza for dinner..... No, I don't. Want to be sick with Lupus? Nope, don't want that either. Let's move on.

Really I just want a hug. A long one. And a good cry. I don't want to hear I am going to be fine. I don't want to hear that people have lived full lives with Lupus. I just DON'T WANT IT! I'm mad. I'm sad. And I am scared.

Tomorrow will be all about knitting. Not that much of that has been going on. My damn hand hurts.

And I will give a proper thank you to my SP8...... but really, she was sent to me. really. Her cards and postcards have made me sit and cry. She understands how I feel and is a wonderful person. More tomorrow! With pictures :-)

Saturday Sky!

2006-08-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

You get two sky's today. Both the "Big Sky" of Montana.

The University Of Montana, Missoula, Montana. Greg got his B.S. and his M.B.A. from here.

Helena, Montana.

Beautiful.....

I love the mail!

2006-08-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have been getting a lot of goodies in the mail lately. Would you like to see?

I won this beautiful set of cotton yarns and a dishcloth pattern book from Emily over at Yarn Miracle. She held a contest and I was the lucky winner. Thank you Emily for the yarn, patterns, candy and peanuts. The Virginia postcard in on my fridge. Did you know that I grew up in Virginia? And that I miss it so much that it sometimes hurts? As soon as I can convince my parents that the east coast is the place to retire, this family is heading back!

Next up is the most beautiful hand dyed, hand spun, skein of wool and silk. Schrodinger is one of the participants of SP8 and she made this for me as a thank you/ get well gift. I have never had anyone hand dye and spin yarn for me before. I have no idea what I will knit with it, but it will have to be something very special. It's beautiful and I love it very much!!!

And last, but not least, is the latest package from my SP. She sent me the yarn and pattern to make the slipper socks from Knitpicks. I have been eyeing that pattern since it came out. I plan to make them for ME. They will be perfect in the cold snowy weather. There was also a Knitters Companion book in there as well. But I have to say that the best part of the whole box was the note that she wrote me. It was very touching and if I was closer to Colorado, I'd find my SP and give her a hug. Thanks again SP :-)

My oldest child, Katie, started kindergarten on Monday. I was amazed that I didn't really cry when I left her. She was so excited, I had to remind her to say good bye to me. She has been so eager to go to school everyday, and today was a bit difficult for her. Her first weekend. It was a lazy day, none of up got out of our PJ's until noon. I forgot how nice it is to be lazy when you have been so busy all week! Would you like a first day of school shot?

There ya go!

Saturday Sky

2006-08-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

A Beautiful Sierra Nevada Sky!

Back from Vacation!!!

2006-08-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful vacation in Montana. We were lucky enough to fly home the day before the alert level was raised. I can't even imagine how much MORE stress would have been added. Flying with three young children is challenging enough. I will say that the kids did very well. I think the new crayons, coloring books, snacks, drinks, and the laptop that played Chicken Run over and over, helped :-)

While in Helena, I only bought one skein of yarn. It's Trekking in the pink and green colorway (107).

I have been looking at that color on line, and as soon as I saw it in person, I snatched it up!

I haven't really knitted in a few weeks. I have been trying to rest my hands. I did a little last night and so far so good. I do have a few WIP......

Green Gable, well really Lilac Haze Gable that looks like a Blue Gable! I have finished the lace section on this and am heading into the boring part. The Cotton Fleece is hard on my hands, so I think this will be a now and then project.

This is my bag for the KSKS swap. It's almost done and I hope to be able to felt it in a few days. I have all the goodies to put inside it, I just need to get knitting!

My wonderful SP!

2006-08-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

My wonderful SP sent me this a few weeks ago. In between vacations and doctors, I just haven't been able to blog about it.

It's a wonderful Christmas theamed package! Not pictured is a really cute pattern for Christmas socks. She also included the yarn to make the socks. A red and green skein of Lorna's Lace, and a skein of white Jawoll. She also included a small wipe off board, post it notes, and a small journal.

Thanks so much SP! :-)

I also recieved this in the mail. A beautiful handmade charm bracelet. There was no note, and no name. It's really pretty and it came on vacation with me! Please let me know who you are so I can thank you properly!

I started this post before we left for Montana......almost 2 weeks ago!!!!

Thank you to Everyone.

2006-08-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

I want to thank each and everyone for all their well wishes on my last post. I do have an appointment with a Rhumatologist in a few weeks. I'll know a lot more after I talk with him. In a way I am hoping that I have Lupus. It will explain a lot of some of the mysterious symptoms that I have been having. And if I DO have Lupus, then there will be a course of action.

Right now I am just going with denial as my course of action. The swelling in my hands and ankle are making that harder to do... but I am NOT sick until the doc says I am!

Not the best day

2006-07-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Knitting and yarn pictures have to wait. I've been having some trouble with pain in my hands. I went to the doc a month or so ago. They sent me for x-rays and saw nothing wrong. I was told to take ibuprofen for the pain and come back if it got worse.

It got worse. A few days ago I woke up with a swollen wrist. The doc sent me to an orthopedic surgeon. All he could say was yes, your wrist is swollen. His first thought was that I had Rheumatoid arthritis. He sent me in for blood work.

He called yesterday and said everything was fine. He thought I might have a cyst, and if it flared up again to call him.

Today he calls back. One test just came back today. The test was an ANA screening. My levels were elevated. This leads him to believe that I may have Lupus. Did anyone tell him I am only 28! I'm too young (yes I know that teenager can get Lupus.....but I think I am too young for this)

So after getting off the phone and having a little cry, I called Catherine. My Mother was at work, Greg in a meeting, my good friend Shawn was on a conference call.....and I really needed someone. Cath rallied the Texas family and I was soon in possession of a lot of Lupus info. (to Shawn's credit, he did call as soon as he could.....and Greg has been calling about ever hour)

But is it crazy that I don't really want to talk about it. Blogging is different. I'll blog until I can't anymore (which might happen) but I don't want to talk face to face about it. Is that strange? I had to tell Greg to stop calling. I don't want to talk. I have laundry, and cleaning to do. I don't even want to look up any information on Lupus.

They are sending me to San Francisco to see a specialist. I need more tests to determine if Lupus is what is going on.

*sigh* I would think that this was a mistake, but a joint in my ankle started to swell last night, and when I told the doc that on the phone, he said that I needed to go see the Rheumatoligst right away. Great.

I'll be fine.....unless they tell me I can't knit!

For Shelby

2006-07-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

For the best SP hostess, Shelby.

1) What is your favorite season of the year? Hands Down, Fall. I love fall. I love the weather, the colors, the holidays, every little thing about it. Winter is a close second. I could be happy with a year that was fall, winter and spring. Summer I can do without.

2) Where is your favorite vacation spot? Well, I haven't really been on that many vacations. Most of the time we take a vacation to see family. But I think my favorite vacations have had a beach involved. Only good thing about summer is going to the beach.

3) If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? Germany or Russia

4) If you could pick any job, and be paid well, what would it be? OOOOO I would love to work in a archive, historical museum or genealogical library. I would even do that for free!

5) If you were going on vacation for 1 week, and had to take ONLY one project with you, what would it be? Humm probably socks. I am going on vacation for a week at the beginning of August. Flying to Montana with all the kids. Are we crazy or what? I think I will just be taking socks, and maybe a pair of clogs with me. I plan on going yarn shopping wile there, so I am sure I will be coming home with more than I am taking!

6) If you won a shopping spree to your favorite Yarn shop, what would you get?? Hummm, Some Helen's Lace, Koigu to make a shawl. Cascade 220 superwash to make an aran sweater, some Euroflax linen, for a shawl, and enough Karabella Auroa 8 to make an afghan....oooo that would be so nice!

Ok, I am going to go right now to take pictures of an awesome secret pal gift that I got from my second SP8. Yes, second one......

Look what we did!

2006-07-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last week I got the urge to go on a mini vacation. We have never taken the kids and gone on an overnight trip, and I thought it was about time. We are very luck to live where we do because there are so many great places to go that are just close enough for an overnight trip. We decided on Monterey.

So after a couple of days of doing homework on what hotel would be good for our family, we left on Sunday morning. Sunday was spent at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The kids loved it..... well loved it is an understatement. They were amazed at everything. The aquarium really caters to children and there were so many activities to keep them amused. All three of them were good as gold. Wanna see?

The Aquarium

Wow!

(The light up there is really sardines)

Isn't that Penguin cute!

Isn't that Dory?

On Monday we hit the beach before we left Monterey. I think they liked the beach more than the aquarium. I had to hold on to Ben because he wanted to just run into the ocean! A beach vacation is definitely something we will do next......a WARM beach. For all you east coasters, the beaches here are not the "lie in the sun on a towel" kind of beach. They are a "bundle up and don't let the water touch" you kind of beach. That didn't stop the kids. Good thing we had dry clothes in the car!

Run Ben, Run!!

The whole gang on the beach.

The first picture of me I have ever posted! A cold, wet, and windblown Jenn with my baby James!

There was a yarn shop trip in there as well....and some stash enhancement. Wonderful shop, wonderful owner. More on that next time :-)

Has Hell Frozen Over?

2006-07-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

You could have knocked me over with a feather the other night. The hubby has been having some problems with his heart, nothing has been diagnosed yet, we are still waiting on many test results.

I mentioned in passing that knitting has been said to be more relaxing than yoga, and I could teach him if he would like. He looked at me and said yes. YES??? I can't tell you how many times I have asked him if I could teach him, and the answer has always been No.

So I ran and some Pattons Decor and size 8 needles. I had to show him a few times, and he got a bit frustrated, but he got the hang of it. He even let me take pictures!

So he actually had me go buy him yarn to make a dishcloth. He says he can never find any clean one's, so he is going to make his own. Sometimes he cracks me up.

Saturday Sky

2006-07-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot this.... Well, not exactly forgot, I just was so busy today.

Can you see the moon?

Now go look at Birdsong's sky. She is not far from me at all and we didn't get any of of her beautiful clouds.

Father's Day FO

2006-06-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

See what I have been up to....

These are the Felted Clogs from Fiber Trends. I gave them to him like this. Yes, I have my shoes on..... I thought it would be much easier for Mom to felt them so that they can make sure that they fit his feet well. I'll make sure to take a picture when they are all done. This pattern was really fun and very fast to knit. I can see a few more pairs to be knit for Christmas.

And while I was out taking pictures of the house for Catherine, I thought I would take a few of my roses. I don't know too much about rose growing but right now they are looking beautiful.

So whip me with a wet noodle

2006-06-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I last blogged. What kind of SP hostess makes their people blog once a week but yet slacks herself? A crappy one!

In my defense I have been busy. School has started. Summer semester is shorter than fall and spring, so there is a lot of work to do in a short time. In one class I have 2 assignments and 2 quizzes a week. Finding time to do the reading has been a challenge.

I do have thank you's to say! The first is to my Vacation Swap pal, Michelle. She made the Bucket Hat from Chicknits.I just love it! She also sent a PERFECT soft cooler. Really, the cooler fits perfectly in the van between the front seats. She sent a small battery fan, a freeze pack for the cooler, pink flip flops (they are already in the van), and a couple packs of Lik-m-Aid. The kids thank you and thank you for the candy! And also not pictured is the beautiful soft yarn that she sent me, that is already in my stash waiting for the perfect pattern.

Isn't the model cute :-)

I also need to say thank you to my Knitters Tea Swap pal, Cynthia. How cool is to have a pal whose blog you read? Cynthia found the time to put together a wonderful package for me in between running the Warming Grace project. As a thank you I'll be knitting some squares, won't you knit a couple too?

Cynthia sent me a lovely mitten pattern and yarn form Fleece Artist. The colors are just beautiful. I also got three types of tea, two tea diffusers, biscuits, tea cakes, and toffee. Oh and a FELTED TEA COZY! Can you believe that she made this for me...and the poor thing sewed on so many buttons to a felted piece? She is just amazing!

And Katie...she thanks you for the tea cakes. Really, this American had never had them and when Katie took her first bite, her face LIT UP. I big mound of frosting and chocolate. She as in heaven. She told me to thank my nice friend so Thank you Cynthia!

And my last thank you is to Glacia. That lovely woman sent me a box filled with Time Out bars for Greg. When I called him at work to tell him they had arrived, he almost yelled. He told me to hide them from the kids, and not to eat any. I didn't eat any but I did try the coffee bar...YUMMY. I LOVE chocolate from outside the US. I'll keep her supplied with grits, and she sends chocolate!
She also sent some sock yarn, notepads, notecards, footsoak, soap (that Katie took), and cards (that we used tonight). Thank you so much....and Greg thanks you even more!

I really haven't been doing much knitting. School really has taken that time away from me. I did work on a sock while watching Katie at her gymnastics class on Wed. I've only been working on this pair for a year now!

Now for a funny, kind of , story. Today we were outside playing. The weather was beautiful. 72 was the high. You gotta love the California high country! See our backyard? See that we live IN the woods?

We kept seeing a helicopter circling overhead. The kids thought it was kind of neat. I didn't think anything of it. Lots of people have burn piles this time of year and I figured it was keeping an eye out for one that got away. Well turns out that it was looking for something. A BEAR. Lovely. Greenville had Mountain Lions, and now we have Bear in the backyard. We might stay inside tomorrow!

Knit on People!!!

Heading back to class...Tahoe....and Norway

2006-05-31T23:24:00.000-07:00

It's official. I am now a college student again. Tuition has been paid, books need to be bought, and classes will be attended. This summer I am taking 2 classes, 4 units, and this fall I'll be taking 3 classes for 10 units. This will of course cut into my knitting time but I can't tell you how excited I am to be going back to school.

Ok I am dreading taking classes with a bunch of 18 year olds, but since all of mine are night classes I hope to get lucky. Was I that annoying when started college? I am sure I was.

I am finished with my slipper socks. They are winging their way to Iraq right now. I sure hope that they fit. And that they make it back to the US intact.

Now what to knit next? Green Gable, Cherry, Diamond Fantasy..... Needles need to be bought for all of these so nothing will be started tonight.

Today we took a drive up to Lake Tahoe. It's so nice to be able to hop in the car and be at the lake in 45 minutes!

What a view the playground has. I wonder how much the houses across the street would sell for. They were nothing special, not huge, not new, just regular single family homes. Bet they would be at least a million.....

And this last picture is just for Glacia. You never thought you could find your dream home in the Sierra Mountains did ya? I cracked up when we drove past on our way up, and I made Greg pull over on the way home just for you. Enjoy :-)

Don't Mess With This Guy

2006-05-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Goodenss.

This is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.

http://amirtofangsazan.blogspot.com/

And thanks for all the get well wishes. I got a bit worse before getting better. I still can't eat very well, and the biggest blisters on my feet are still there..... a few more days and I should be back.

I'm a Leper

2006-05-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

Why oh Why do I have to get every illness that the children get? Even the ones that the doctors say that adults don't get?

I have Hand Foot and Mouth. Katie and James had a little fever last week, Ben had a fever and a sore, ONE SORE, on his tounge last week. Now all children are fine. I on the other and have huge blisters on the bottom of my feet, small ones on my fingers, and my mouth is like raw meat. I can't eat, I can't drink, it hurts to even talk.

A call to the Doc confirms what I have. She is AMAZED that I have it as an adult. And I think she finds it funny that I got it the most severe.

I would have no idea what I had if I wasn't told that it was going around the preschool when I dropped her off this morning. (Yes there is sill school after graduation...California is screwy) Gee, guess that could be why I keep getting blisters in places that I shouldn't.

So I am sitting on my butt, knitting some but the blisters get in the way, and being HUNGRY. Really, any ideas what I can "eat" through a straw? And anything with tomatoes, OUT OF THE QUESTION.

I just keep repeating 5 to 7 days, 5 to 7 days.......God help me.......

Special yarn from a special person

2006-05-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

I am very lucky. A while ago I sent Susie a gift of two different colors of Spunky Electric roving. She had helped me out with something so this was my thank you gift to her. She spun one up and knit a "Thor" scarf for her husband. The other was spun but not knitted. She asked me if I would like to have it. She was afraid that I would be offended. There is no way that I would be offended, what could be more special that making something out of homespun yarn.

I have no idea how to spin, and while it would be nice to learn, I can just see three small children "helping".

So I got my yarn while I was away on my trip. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I wasn't sure what to make with it but I think that I will make some comfy socks. I think just a simple stockenette stitch. That will really show off the yarn. I have two must finish projects on the needles, then these will be cast on! Check it out. Beautiful colors from Amy, beautiful yarn from Susie.

Thanks again Susie, you are truly talented!

The first Graduation

2006-05-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Katie has graduated preschool!

She went from this,

(Lining up for their big entrance)

To this,

(Graduated Mom, got my shades)

To this,

(the whole class)

and finally to this.

(Ben is in the red striped shirt)

The poor guys dropped when we got home. Graduation and then a BBQ at the park.
Is it normal to cry at a preschool graduation? I sure hope so. But I hid my face anyway......

Why do they have to grow up? And what I am going to do when she starts Kindergarten in August? Here they go ALL DAY. She is so ready to go and I haven't really come to terms with it yet. Can't she just stay 4?

My Vacation

2006-05-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes on my trip. I had such a good time. I was a bit jet lagged when I got home, but other than that, that trip was just what I needed.

This may sound crazy....and I am sure it will to all of you that live in the south.... but hear me out.
I had a layover in Atlanta both ways on my trip. The Atlanta airport is huge, and of course my flights were in different terminals. To get to another thermal, you have to go underground and walk or take a twain. Once I got to my correct terminal and took that escalator upstairs, the heat and humidity hit me right in the face. It felt SO GOOD. Getting a drink and hearing that accent made me so happy.

The whole time I was in Florida I was so happy. The weather was hot and sticky, the voices were beautiful, the whole state was beautiful. Flying over the western half of the US was brown and dead....then you get to the Southeast and everything is green and beautiful. I didn't really "do" anything while I was in Gainesville, just spent time with my sister and her family. It was very fun and very relaxing.

Whoops, forgot to add that I was so happy to go into a restaurant and order a sweet tea. SWEET TEA! And I didn't get looked at like I was an idiot. When I first moved to Ca I remember going to KFC with my Mom. Now I am no big fan of KFC but they always had the best sweet tea. So I order one. The girl looked at me like with a blank stare. Then told me they had sugar I could add..... I almost cried. No more sweet tea for me. And yes, I drank a couple gallons of it while I was there :-)

I came home and told Greg that we need to go. I want to move back to the east coast so badly. California has never felt like home to me. I am an east coast girl at heart and I need to go back. Greg would be happy to move there in an instant but as much as I want to go I can't. As soon as I can convince my Mom and Dad to move with us, we are out of here :-) I'm giving it 3 to 5 years. Then I HAVE to be back in the south. We are thinking the Carolina's.....maybe Georgia.

Anyway, I got NO knitting done. I was just too tired on the flights to do any, and too busy with my niece and nephews while at my sisters.

I have a FO to show, but it's for a swap so I'll post after I have sent it off.

Oh and go tell Cath congrats on naming a Socks That Rock colorway! Can you believe all the free yarn she got!

SP8 Questions.

2006-05-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

Thought I should get this posted for you SP!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like everything except really scratchy wool. I am pretty sensitive to the scratchiness of wool. For example, I can make bags and such out of Noro but can't imagine putting it on my skin!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have some handmade poutches for my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've only been knitting for a little over a year. I have been WATCHING knitting my whole life :-) My Mother has been knitting since she was a child. I would call myself an advanced beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I do. I think I have 2 under different emails. hummmm. Email me if you really want to know.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love food scents. Pumpkin pie, apple, banana bread, ect candles.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Ummm YES! Peanut Butter Cups are my fav, with tootsie rolls close behind.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin, I do cross stitch but haven't done any in a while. I just don't have time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I listen to all kinds of music. My Itunes is filled with mostly country but there are a few rap songs and a lot of pop and alternative as well.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? My Fav colors are a soft pink and soft yellows. But I like blues, purples, and greens also. I can't stand bright reds, muted reds are OK, but bright reds are NEVER worn by me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and have 3 kids. Ages 4, 3, and 15 months. Sometimes I have another child as well.... he's 42 :-)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? No ponchos, but I do wear hats, mittens and scarves. Swiveling snow is cold work :-)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks ;-)

13. What are you knitting right now? Socks :-) and I am getting ready to start my first sweater, Green Gable.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? It really depends. I love all my wood ones, but addi's have their place too.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No and No

17. How did you learn to knit? My Mother

18. How old is your oldest UFO? 1 and a half years. It's the Irish Hiking scarf. I just need to finish it!

19. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Halloween. It's my fav time of year, and I love getting together with family at Thanksgiving!

20. Is there anything that you collect? Wow, Yes there is. I collect Wades that you get in Red Rose tea, and all country cows, willow tree angels, Wedgewood Jasperware....I am sure there is more :-)

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I just signed up for Interweave a few days ago, but that's the only magazine subscription that I have. There isn't anything that I can say I have to have. I do love the gathering of lace book. I got it for my Mom for Christmas. It was hard to part with :-)

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I think I would like to try Magic Loop. My friend Catherine loves it, and it seems to go faster than DPN's.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes I am. I wear a 7.5 shoe and I am too lazy to get up to get the tape measure :-)

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) Jan 8th. I share it with Elvis.

Oh Big Ol’ Jet Airliner

2006-05-08T23:57:00.000-07:00

WHOOO HOOOOO Can you see me jumping up and down in excitement?

Tomorrow (I can say that because it's after midnight) I will be on a plane, bound for Gainesville, Florida..... all alone! 5 days of hanging out with my sister and her family.... I can not tell you how excited I am.

I wasn't even jealous of all the pictures of Maryland Sheep &Wool ....maybe my trip next year will be there!

Anyway, have fun while I am gone, I know I will!

Go Vote!!!

2006-05-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

So any of you that are in the Socks That Rock (do I need to link) sock club know all about the name that yarn contest. You could submit a entry to name the color of the May yarn.

I of course sent mine in, and it didn't get picked. But Catherine's DID!!!! So go HERE and vote for Fairgrounds. She will win some yummy yarn if she gets the highest number of votes.

The contest ends today so hurry!!

It's been electric around here.

2006-05-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

My poor little blog is being neglected. Seems like there is a lot of that going around blog land. Personally, I think that the warm weather may have something to do with it. That's part of it for me.

Now that the snow is finally gone, and the sun is finally shining,we have been spending a lot of time outside. I love it, spend the afternoon outside and the kids drop right at 7 pm.

I have been knitting. Not as much, but I have been really busy. I am one of the hostesses for this round of Secret Pal. Entering info into the database, and completing the participants page took a lot of my knitting time away. Now that matches will be going out soon I hope to pick up the needles again.

I have had a request from my friend in Iraq. He wanted me to make him some slipper socks. It may be 10,000 degrees over there but he informs me that the "tin can" that they sleep in gets really cold. So wool socks out of Regia 6 ply are on the needles. The first one jumped off the needles, well as fast as a men's size 10 can get done.... the second heel flap is being knitted right now. I am trying to get them done before I leave for Florida on the 10th.

I won a contest over at Mary's Wool Palace. She sent me this beautiful yarn and some chocolate. The chocolate is gone. I can't say what it tasted like, but you could ask my husband. The man is a candy addict. I think that this will be a beautiful lacy scarf. Right now it is getting to know it's new siblings in my stash.

I also got a package from Maureen at 5 and a Beagle. She was so sweet to think of me and my cow obsession. I didn't take a picture of the cute cow kitchen towel or the potholder. Both are in the laundry.... but look at these.

Can you stand it? Cow sissors. I love them. They were hidden in my knitting bag immediately. Katie was eyeing them, out of site out of mind right?

And now for a baby story. I can laugh now but at the time I was a nervous, crying, shaking mess.

All the kids were in Katie's room playing the other night. First let me tell you that she has a night light on top of her dresser. It's one of those plug in candles that you get at Christmas to put in your windows. Well, Ben somehow knocked it off the chest of drawers, it hit wall, bulb broke, and fell behind of the dresser. Greg and I were not aware of any of this.

Greg and I are cleaning up after dinner and we hear James start to cry. This was no "he took a toy" cry. He was screaming! Katie comes running yelling "FIRE, FIRE IN MY ROOM" We take off down the hall.... James has the broken nightlight in his hands. Greg picks him up. I rip the light out of the wall and tell greg to check his hands. I thought he may have gotten shocked since the 'guts' of the bulb were still there. We couldn't find a burn or any cuts. I looked down at the nightlight and it was wet.

What? OH MY GOODNESS. He put it IN HIS MOUTH. He had two burns on his tongue in the exact shape of the filaments. I of course freaked out. By that time James was back to being a happy baby. Drinking milk and eating a cracker. I thought he may have a hard time eating until his tongue healed....but he's been fine. The next day you could barely see any marks. I was ready to call 911 after it happened. Good thing Greg was around. See I am the uptight, freak out at everything one and Greg is the laid back, never gets excited one. We balance each other out.

SO the fire was sparks in his mouth. My baby was on fire. This little incident has earned James a new nickname. Sparky, the electric baby. Or just Sparky for short.

Do boys ever stop getting into things?

Grits and Sticks

2006-04-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Kris informed everyone through her blog that April 14th is world grits day. She and Katie decided to do a Grits with Sticks photo shoot. I of course had to play along. Now I love some grits in the morning. And my favorite way to eat them is so so bad for you.

I cook up some bacon, crispy, crumble the bacon in the cooked grits and then, are you ready for it? I pour some bacon grease into the grits. OH MY GOODNESS. It is the most wonderful breakfast in the world. I can see my Dad now, shaking his head as he thinks how my arteries are clogging. But really, I don't do that too much....it grosses my husband out (Damn them Northeners)

I am headed to Florida next month and I plan to bring some grits back. All that I can find here are quick grits, and instant. Quick I will buy, instant? No way. And while I am there? I will eat at a Cracker Barrel. I LOVE Cracker Barrel and there isn't one anywhere around here. My sister lives in Gainesville, FL and I hope that there is one by her. Ah, 5 days of not being Mom. I can not wait. I so deserve this.

Now for my Grits and Sticks photo.

This is the Bijou Scarf from Morehouse Farms. I keep dropping stitches in it and not finding them for an inch or two. I think it's the lace weight yarn and the size 11 needles. This should be a fast knit but it's not. At least not for me.

The colorway is Meadow and it is just beautiful. I really do love the yarn. I will be ordering from them again!

Dinner and Children Call!

Edited to add: I do not add ALL the grease from the bacon, just about a teaspoon to the whole pot. It adds the bacon flavor to all the grits.

I need help.

2006-04-12T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well thats a given. but I need help setting up my wireless network. It is set up, and I can get online with my laptop all over the house. I just have no idea how I can accress the files on the desktop from my laptop.....

Anyone out there that can help me so I can get back to knitting? :-)

Thank you to everyone

2006-04-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their words of support for my Brother in law. He is out of the hospital now, still in a lot of pain but happy to be home. He was actually shot 6 times but 5 hit his vest. Thank God he was wearing one.

I have started a scarf out of Morehouse Merino Lace, the Bijou scarf. It's beautiful yarn and I think that my Sister in Law will really like it. It's more of an accsory scarf, they love to go out to eat so I think it will get used.

I havent done too much knitting because my hand has been hurting. I went today to get x-rays done. I think it is just a tendonits and really nothing serious.

A better post tomorrow with pictures. I am beat. I spent the day at preschool helping with the Easter party......WOW 32 3 and 4 year olds can really wear you out!

Everything is on hold.....

2006-03-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

all works in progress are on hold. I haven't felt much like knitting the past two days.

Yesterday at 6 am I got a call from my Sister in Law. Her husband is in the Army, special forces. You know, the kind of soldier that goes on a mission but can't tell you where he is or what he was doing.....Well anyway he has been deployed to Iraq, and he was shot. Not a fatal wound but a serious one nevertheless.

For the past two days my sister in law has been playing where in the world is my husband with the Army. Right now he is in Germany, and soon he will be on his way to Walter Reed. He is in intensive care and on a ventilator, the bullet when through his lung and collapsed it. It entered his back and exited his neck.

I wish that there was something I could do for my SIL. She is going crazy in NC, and we are here in Ca. My Mother in Law is going to fly out there, and I hope she get some comfort knowing that if I could just up and leave I would.

They have two young daughters who are taking it well. Their youngest is so sweet. She just wanted to know if Daddy has a big hole in him or a small one. When Becky told her just two small ones she said "Oh then that's OK"

She has asked me to knit something for her so all my WIP are going to be put aside. What to make her is the next question. She really has no use for wool in NC. maybe cotton socks? I don't see her in a shawl.....Maybe a bag....

I have another friend in Iraq as well, and after emailing him and asking him to be careful, he tells me how they exchange fire with the resisters everyday...great.

By nature I am a worrier......I can't even imagine what the mothers and spouses of our deployed troops feel like. They are much stronger than me!

We have a winner!!

2006-03-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Emy guessed 15 inches. She was the closest, we had 18 inches. Since then we have had about another 18....I am so sick of snow. Just this morning I was out clearing the driveway again. I talked to my Aunt in upstate NY and they have NO SNOW on the ground. Don't you think there is something wrong with that picture?

I have not really been knitting. My wonderful husband got me a laptop computer, something that I have been wanting for years. Being able to take it with me when I go do genealogy research will be so helpful! Now if only I could get a small portable scanner..... :-)
Most nights I have been playing with it...and not knitting. I did pick up my knitting again yesterday. Relaxing and knitting really helps when you have something that oh want to take your mind off of.

I got my first STR club package yesterday. I didn't really like the color at first but it is really growing on me. I think with a pair of tan pants it will look really nice. I do love the pattern, it's just beautiful.

Sorry no pictures but I don't really have anything to show! I have to go pop a chicken in the oven for dinner...I am making Chicken 'al La King, one of the kids fav meals.

There is still time.....

2006-03-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Go ahead and enter my contest!

Read about it in the March 4th entry, and then email me at knitwitmomma AT earthlink DOT net

No one has guessed correctly, but someone is close!

The Star is a Shining!

2006-03-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

I have finished the shining star hat for James. It's a little big, but that's good, he will be able to wear it next year too. Katie was my model..James was not in the mood.

I am really unhappy with the cast off edge. It just doesn't look as "neat" as I think it should.

This is the closest that I could get to the color of the yarn.....

Here you can see the star.

I really loved this pattern. It was a fun and fast knit. The yarn, Aurora 8, is a dream to work with. Next to the skin soft and 100% merino wool. I would love a sweater out of it!

The Embossed Leaves socks are coming along nicely. I can't wait for them to be done. I on the other hand, am down for the count. I have an ear infection! First one that I have ever had and boy it hurts. I hope to feel better tomorrow. The doc gave me some wonderful antibiotics to knock it out of me. I actually put the chains on the van and drove to the Doc in a snow storm. Now you know I'm in pain if I drove on the white stuff. We get a break tomorrow and then it's snow Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Isn't spring almost here?

And because you didn't get a James shot...here he is.

Wait you want to see my other child???

Yes I had to crop the photo.....I am sure you can figure out why. Good thing it is warm in the house.

Come on a Field Trip!

2006-03-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

Come in and enjoy my snow covered backyard....

The view from my sliding door onto the deck.

Looking down the deck toward the garage door and the steps down to the yard.

Looking over the deck at the yard.

The snow was just too deep to be wakling down there for some close up shots!

....and for good measure,the beautiful sky in the front yard!

Thanks for thinking of this Becky!!!

Socks, Snow, and a Contest

2006-03-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Last month I had my one year blogaversary! I didn't even know that it was coming up. I started the blog on Feb 23rd last year, when James was only 2 weeks old. What was I thinking?
He slept much more then, and I had more time for knitting and blogging. Now I try and find time each day, but it doesn't always work.

So in honor of my one year of blogging I am going to have a little contest. The winner will get a spring goody box. Once I know the winner, I will put together a box, that way I can customize it for them.

Here is the question:

How many inches of snow did we get over the past 2 days?

And as a tie breaker: How many times have I shoveled the driveway in the past 2 days?

Please email your answers to: knitwitmomma AT earthlink DOT net
I'll give ya'll until next Saturday to guess.

And before you ask, no I will NOT tell you exactly where I live (that's the fun of it) just that I live on the west slope of the Sierra's :-) (no fair guessing Catherine)

(as I was typing this I heard a loud noise outside...like a lawn mower. The man from two houses down was snowblowing my driveway.... I LOVE this neighborhood, people are very friendly!)

On To Knitting

I started the Embossed Leaves socks in the winter IK. I have to say that I am loving this pattern. It seems to be going really fast. This picture was taken yesterday and I am one and a half repeats further. The white specks.....snow of course.

These socks will be for me. I have not yet made socks that I have kept, and I only have 2 pairs of handmade wool ones from my Mom. I need more snow shoveling socks! I am using KnitPicks Essentials sock yarn. I will not be knitting with it again. I am missing the feel of Lorna's Lace, so I used my Jimmy Beans credit and ordered some.

I have been itching to make something lacy. I have plenty of lace weight yarn in my stash, I just need a pattern. I have been eyeing a two Fiddlesticks pattern's, I have a beautiful pink lace yarn that Catherine gave me as a Chirstmas present that would be a perfect scarf to go with my black wool coat!

I am also planning on knitting a square for the Comforting Jef blanket. Christine, of Knitting on Trial's, brother is battling a recurring brain tumor and has asked for blue 8X8 squares. She will be accepting them until the 24th, and the will give her brother the blanket at the end of the month. I too have a brother named Jeff who, thank God, is happy and healthy. So it will be off to the the yarn store tomorrow to find some beautiful Blue for Jef.

That is really all I have been knitting. The crud is going around and all 3 children were sick. Of course I then got it and it's even been passed on to my Dad. Greg never got it. Figures huh?

Tomorrow I will be joining in on Knitting Interrupted's Back Yard Field Trip! Check it out, looks like it will be so fun. Although I won't have too many pictures, the snows too deep to be in the yard taking pictures! (hint hint)

So what do you think?

2006-03-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

What do you think of the new design? Yes...No...too busy?

A real post tomorrow including pictures!

2006-03-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Alllllll Aboarddd

2006-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Whoo Hooo, it was my turn to get the drill! Kate from Knits and Grits sent it to me with the most wonderful gifts inside. Not only were the gifts great, look at the packaging.

I Love that there were sheep stamps on the outside, and then look inside..... a pink explosion!

Of course Katie and Ben claimed the candy, and I have a feeling that they were meant to be for them anyway!

After unwrapping all the pink, this is what I found,

A beautiful skein of Opal Flamingo sock yarn (pink of course), a Clemson postcard, 5 inch Bryspun US2 DPN's, wool wash, stitch makers, and a stitch holder.

I have been dying to get one of those stitch holders, but haven't found them in any yarn shop I have been in. The DPN's look really nice and Katie says they are great. All of my sock needles are bamboo or birch so I look forward to trying them out.

Thanks again Katie, you made me "pink" :-) Oh and everyone, go look at Katie's kids, they are beautiful. I just want to hug her little baby.

This Yarn Aboard swap has been so much fun. Amanda had a great idea and she did a great job putting it together.

My box of goodies will be on it's way Thursday....I have to wait for the postman to bring one of the goodies that I am sending out. Want a hint to where it's going? A long way.......

My Scarf Pal is the best....yes, even better than yours

2006-02-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

She knit me Ene. Yes, Ene. In laceweight baby alpaca. Can you believe it? Really can you? It is so beautiful, so soft, and so warm. My middle son tries to use it as a blanket. He tries to take it OFF ME and use it. Of course he can't pry it off me because I wear it all the time. Here she is in all her glory.

Not only did she knit this for me, she also sent me some sock yarn, and stitch markers with matching earrings. I love the pink sock yarn and will have to find the perfect pattern for it.

Celia I have no words to express how beautiful this shawl is. I am so flattered that you went to all the trouble to knit this for me. People, please go tell Celia that she is so kind....and wish her well on her upcoming marriage!

LOVING the Blues :-)

2006-02-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

Some time ago I was reading Teresa's blog, Knitting the Blues. For the ABC along she was showing off pictures of "blue" for B. In one she had this AMAZING teapot....blue (of course) with sheep on it. Turns out that she collects tea pots and sheep. I just fell in love with that tea pot....it's right up my ally, kind of folk art, country style.

Anyway, the next day she told this story about how her Mom buys her anything she comes across that pertains to what she collects. Even if it isn't really her style. I commented about how my Mother in Law is like that. She means well and I love her gifts but I collect a certain type of cow material..... I then get this email from Teresa telling me that she has this cow teapot and wants to send it to me. How sweet is that? I told her she didn't have to.... and look what showed up.

I love the back. So do the kids, they crack up when I turn it around!

I just love it and it is sitting on the windowsill in my kitchen where I am most of the day (3 kids=LOTS of dishes).

Thanks again Teresa and watch your mail, I am on a mission to find the perfect thank you gift!

Oh no, I just found that same tea pot with a sheep on it....I may have to get that. What did you start Teresa?

I've been a bad SP...6

2006-02-14T22:24:00.000-08:00

I never did publicly thank my wonderful SPA for her last packages. Things got so hectitc at the end of that SP round, with us moving and all....but still that is no excuse. My SPA was The Knitting Wannabe, and I couldn't have asked for a better one!

I don't have a picture of the last package, it arrived the day the movers were there and well, it has all been spread to the four corners of the house!

I did get some beautiful sock yarn (picture to come), an ornament for our Christmas tree, bath confetti, and some Choxie truffles. (Note to self...do NOT leave the truffles out for DH to see, he will eat all but one!)

The ornament took center stage on our Christmas tree. Since we were in the corporate apartment for Christmas, I had to run out and buy a fake tree and some things to put on it. I bought some really cheap things, and the one beautiful one was the one my SP sent. Thanks for making the tree feel more like ours :-)

My Sp was going through a move as well. I feel that I complained about being away from Greg for a month, she had to do it for 6! God bless her, being a "single" mom is hard! Now she is all moved across the country to Washington. Drop by her blog, she just saw her first sleet and had to ask the neighbor what it was LOL.