Hey Soul Sister

That would be six inches of 2×2 ribbing.  The sweater is coming right along.  I’m now going to start the SS and back shaping.  My hope is to have this done in time to wear for Christmas, a very feasable goal in my opinion.  After that, I’ll concentrate on G’s sweater and scarf.  And after that, I’ll make a new beret.  I love having a plan of action. 

I have four friends expecting babies, and I’m not sure if I’ll be knitting any presents.  Too many, too quickly to be honest.  I feel like I’m finally starting to get my mojo back.  It’s been gone for a while, and it’s good to be getting it back.  Other than that, I’ve just been playing my guitar.  I bought new strings recently and my goodness does it sing.  I just love the way it sounds.  Hopefully, G will be ready for lessons soon.  I prefer to have an actual instructor teach her than myself, as I am still in the learning stages, too.

Anyone planning on any Christmas knitting?  That would be a “no” on my part.  I hate knitting for other people.  You never know if they’ll truly appreciate the time and effort that goes into handknit items.  Aw well.  G-funk and I did sit down and make some homemade Thanksgiving Day cards tonight.  I will not be doing that for Christmas, either.  Too many people!  We only made cards for the grandparents.  It was a lot of fun, and it is something I think the two of us will do again.

 And on that note, I think I’ll bring this to an end.  Of course I’m listening to music!  David Gray, UB40, Ingrid Michaelson and Alana Davis.  David Gray’s new song is amazing.  If you haven’t heard Fugitive yet, check it out!

 

Like Soap On A Rope

I feel like rotted death. I worked 12 hours yesterday with a cold. Of course, the cold got worse as the day went on, you know how those things go. I did get something really great this week. As much as I hate surprises, I can’t lie and say sometimes there’s nothing better. This week I got yarn in the mail. Totally taken by surprise, and incredibly touched by the generosity. Heather, you totally rock and thank you so very, very much! Wanna see?

Wasn’t that so nice of her? I have some plans for her for Christmas, but she reads this so I can’t give away the details! My yarn for the Berkshire Doleman Sweater is on its way and I just can’t wait. I’m still working on G’s sweater, and now with my new beautiful yarn, I will have a whole lot on my needles. G wants me to knit her a scarf with the Cherry Tree Hill and I think I’m going to make a new beret with the Chewy Spaghetti. Love the name of that yarn!

With that, I shall leave. If you’re wondering, I’m listening to Better Than Ezra, Incubus, Gregory Alan Isakov, FM Static, Matt’s Chair and Switchfoot. I love good music. Scratch that, I love Great music. By the way, if you are a music enthusiast like me, check out 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die.  It’s amazing.  My goal is to listen to everything in that book before I die.  Lord save me if they make a second book.

 

That’s Not My Name

Shall we try again? Not that I really feel this post will go any smoother than the last. We shall see. I haven’t been knitting much. I’ve been reading and practicing my guitar. Well, cleaning, baking and whatnot, too.
But I just haven’t felt like picking up the needles, I’m not sure why. Mah birfday was Saturday and my inlaws gave me a gift certificate. I ran to Webs and bought three skeins of Eco Wool in the natural colorway. Knitscene had this awesome turtleneck in there that is just screaming to me. I’ll look up the name of the pattern and get back to you with it. The sweater looks simple, it has elbow length sleeves (my personal favorite) with three little buttons attached to them. Sweet and simple, just the way I like it.

Unpacking hasn’t really taken up much of my time. For the most part I’ve left that up to huband. My focus has been on cleaning, laundry and cooking. That alone is a full time job. And Chris feels this is fair, since he’s never been to good about helping out, but feels appropriately guilty about that. He did an amazing job with G’s room. I did help put the furniture together, and G and I put up the stickers. But the rest was all Chris. The picture doesn’t do him justice. He put alot of thought into where everything should go. You should see her closet! He has everything neatly organized.

G loves her new room. It’s definitely a girl’s room.

I think I shall leave here for now, the computer keeps trying to scroll up, WHILE I’M TYPING. Very. Annoying.

 

Time to Pretend

Where the heck have I been?! Moving, that’s where. I’m not even sure where to begin. The first thing I did was bake a cheesecake. My good friend Jim was home from Okinawa, and that’s what he wanted. I live to serve.

The cheesecake was absolutely delicious. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. Other than that, I’ve been fighting with the internet, cleaning, and just happily being Susie Homemaker.

I have a lot more photos to share, but for some reason, my computer is being a brat. It hates me right now. I celebrated my 27th birthday on the 7th in style. Baked a cake from scratch and spent the night curled up with my two favoritest people in the world. Life is good right now.

I’m gonna keep this short, because the computer is starting to piss me off. I’ll figure it out and make a good long post soon. Currently, I’m listening to Dondria, Goo Goo Dolls, Train and Owl City.

 

Let It Be Me

Well, G-funk had her first day of kindegarten yesterday. We went with her for the first 20 minutes. After, we picked her up at her bus stop. With cupcakes in hand. She had a blast! Made a new friend on her very first day. It’s strange. I honestly thought I would be bawling my eyes out over my “baby” going to school. But, in reality, I was proud. Blissful. It’s amazing (and a little painful) watching her grow, gain confidence and independence. Her excitement became mine, and I couldn’t be sad knowing how happy starting school made her. Letting go wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. It’s a comfort, really, knowing that mine and my husband’s presence there put her at ease. Allowing her, our normally painfully shy child, to laugh and giggle and talk to her new classmates. Yesterday was a win, and I don’t expect letting go to always be this easy, but I’m looking forward to it. Being able to watch her become the beautiful young lady I know she’ll be is an honor that I’ll always be grateful for….

“Honey, how was your first day of school?”

 

Go Get Your Ribbon Box

Not much has been happening in my world. I’ve been knitting on my iphone mitts and Aphrodite. Listening to music, and hacking up a lung. Yes, I’m sick again. I finally went to the Dr. today who didn’t tell me much of anything. Basically, it’s my sinuses and allergies. He gave me antibiotics and Nasanex. Yippeeeee. Seriously, it’s the hormonal weather we’ve been having that’s causing my problems. Hopefully I’ll feel better soon.

G-funk starts kindegarten on Wednesday. It’s exciting and depressing all at once. My baby is growing up and all I can do is accept it. Being a parent is hard. G is so excited, it’s all she can talk about. She’s ready to wear her new clothes and use her new crayons and markers. Yes, she’s easy to make happy.

Packing up to move isn’t fun. Chris keeps packing up my crap that I need. Like my DVDs. Hello, husband? We don’t move for another month. You realize that don’t you? There’s no reason for you to pack up my Firefly and Dead Like Me dvds just yet. Put the boxes and the tape down, ok? Ok, thanks. He is easily excitable.

Vegancraftastic rocks my needles.

 

I’m About To Come Alive

Back from the woods! We left at 8:30 pm Saturday night and we got there at 1:00 in the morning. Yikes, right? We woke to a horrendous downpour.  Seeing as how it was Chris and I’s sixth wedding anniversary, he drove me in town to the the yarn store.  Half hour drive, then SEVEN FLIGHTS OF STAIRS, and guess what?  Yeah, it was closed!  We drove back to the cabin and waited out the rain.  We were only there for two days, came home today.  It was nice.  I didn’t do a whole lot of knitting.  I finished the cuff for some Pomotamos Gloves, and that was all I did.  Not even good enough for a picture.  I do have the rest of the week off, so hopefully I’ll finish one.  Ha!

I wish we could’ve stayed all week. We spent the nights sitting on the end of the dock, gazing at the stars. It was incredible. That’s how I want to spend every night, sitting with Chris, watching the sky. But, as always, it’s back to reality. We drove home, unpacked, relaxed for about 20 minutes, and then Chris had to go to work. Major downer. Ah well, such is life. It was fun while it lasted.

No picture, but I took myself to Amazing Threads today and bought myself an anniversary gift. I got two skeins of Shi Bui sock yarn in the Spectrum colorway. I will not be making socks with them. Maybe some really awesome fingerless mitts. Not sure. It’s so gorgeous, vibrant and saturated and so friggin squooshy!

I is spinnin some Sick Puppies, Dead Weater, and The Veronicas. And, in honor of our anniversary, “I’m About To Come Alive” by Train. This is our song. It isn’t a sappy, cheesy love song. It’s bittersweet and perfect. It’s been our song for a very long time. Our marriage works because we’re honest with each other, even when it hurts. Even when we don’t want to hear the truth. We support each other, do our best to help the other reach goals and realize dreams. Our marriage works because we put the time and the effort into making it work. I love Chris, happy anniversary!

 

Love Save The Empty

I realize that I haven’t given an Owls update. Oh yeah, I finished it.

It’s awesome. It fits. It’s super warm. Good thing I only made elbow length sleeves, or I would die from heat exhaustion! I’ve only sewn on the button eyes for one owl, and quite honestly, I think I love it that way. I’m not so sure I’ll sew on the rest. This is something I’ll need to ponder for a while.

So. The Mitt-A-Long. I have started and frogged those dang things so many times…..I give up. The mitts might have to wait until September. I’m so frustrated with them, I could spit. So, basically, I’m not knitting anything right now. I may give the mitts one more go, and if I fail again, they go in the corner. It’s time to start nosing around for some fingering weight yarn for a shawl. Maybe Entomology. Not sure.

I shall be gone up north, in the woods, for a few days. Find me if you can!

Yes, I have the ipod working overtime. Erin McCarley, Arcade Fire, Pete Yorn, and a little Shanie Twain. Have a good weekend kids!

 

Last Train Home

Yes, that’s right, I’m finally writing a new post. Try not to faint. Things have been a little crazy around here lately. My ears still hurt from the ear infection I got over the 4th of July weekend. My little brother in law was hospitalized, and I’ve been working crazy hours. Honestly? I think I’ve only knit about 10 rows since my last post. I’m not even going to waste time with a progress post. My plan is spend the weekend knitting. We’ll see how far I can get.

Needless to say, I haven’t even started the Mitt-A-Long. Got the yarn, got the thimble, still haven’t picked a pattern. Sweater first, then the mitts. I love the colors of the yarn I picked out. They are just lovely.

So, hopefully next week I can join, but I doubt it.

I haven’t been doing much cooking/baking, either. My heart just isn’t in it. I did find a slab pie recipe I’m dying to try, I just need to find the time. We’ll be moving in October, but we’re already packing, sorting and the like. That’s were alot of my stress is coming from, too. I’m so excited, but there is just so much that goes into moving. G-funk is already picking out what colors she wants in here room. Probably pink and purple. I told Chris we’re getting a parakeet. I love birds, I would love to have a parrot. An eclectus or a parrotlet, but I have neither the time nor the money. A parakeet will be lovely.

Have to admit, I’m pretty upset about Happy Housewife being unavailable. I’m almost out of Day of the Dead, I don’t know what I’m going to do when it runs out.

But, I made a run up to Ulta, needed to pick up more shampoo and conditioner. Lo and behold, they were having a sale! I got my favorite shampoo and conditioner for 36.00. I know, expensive, but I feel that since I only cut my hair once or twice a year, I can splurge on products. Well, not really products as those two things were all I bought. I’m pretty lame and unfeminine. So be it.

Well, that’s all folks! Unless you’re curious about what I’m listening to. Arcade Fire, Matt & Kim, She & Him (love that they rhyme!) and Ryan Paul & The Ardent.

 

Rebel Diamonds

This has been a long week. I have a cold and swimmers ear. Nasty, I know. But I got some baking in:

The recipe is Blueberry Boy Bait. I love this recipe. I love it so very much, it will be made as often as there is fresh blueberries. My hubanero and lil’monster had a little death match over it. Forcing me to promise to make more this weekend. There is something so amazing, and incredible about cooking/baking for my family. It fills me with a joy and satisfaction that is indescribable. Especially when it’s something that they love and enjoy so much. Watching their reactions the first time they ate this is somethin I won’t forget for a long time. And neither will huband’s waist band.

There are things about being a mother that fill me with wonder. Like, how does she see the world? Why does she enjoy the things she does? How does she decide she likes them? Sometimes, I just watch lil’G. I watch her and I wonder. What’s going through her mind? Do I really want to know? (More often than not, the answer is a definite “No.”) I want to keep her like this always. Naive and innocent and full of wonder. I want to keep her safe from everything that will hurt her. But I know that I can’t. No one is capable of that. And even if I could, would I really want to? How would she know true joy without the pain?

Right now, I really am listening to a mix of things. Brandon Heath, Chasen, Robby Seay Band, Paolo Nutini, Shakira…..oh! And Sondre Lerche! How could I forget him?! He is simply divine.