Hanging tough....

Traveling is fun, but also quite exhausting. We have almost all our visits under our belt and we are having some much deserved down time. My brother has a wood burning stove in his house and likes to keep the house temperature around 80, which was making it a tad difficult for me to breathe.

Anyway, my mom treated me to a 90 minute massage which was pure heaven. My shoulder felt brand spanking new and it was wonderful. I haven't been knitting as much as I had hoped. I figure it might be rude to just pull it out while visiting with my family and friends.

The kids have been glued to the iPads like crack addicts and I am sure that they will all have withdrawl symptoms once we get home and the regular routine kicks back in.

I am off to put my child to bed and to hopefully knit a round or two before I go off to bed. My hubby did tell me that I looked really HOT last night with the Vaseline and nose strip on my nose and a tissue stuffed up the dripping nostril. I had to remind him, in sickness and in health....

We have one more visit tomorrow and then we are airport bound.....we will ring in the New Year at home!

Happy Knitting!

Sick as a dog.....

It hit like a slap in the face. A cold, a miserable cold. People can see me coming with the red nose. I ran into CVS and bought a whole bunch of stuff, still feel like crap. Kyle even took me to a yarn store and I came out empty handed. Kyle did not even know that was possible!

That's how miserable I feel.....early to bed....sniff, sniff, sniff.....

We've arrived safe, but tired....

Greetings from Massachusetts!

Bryce woke up at 4:00am complaining that his ear hurt and fortunately, I had Tylenol to give him and so far so good.

The flight was a bit bumpy. Flying time was 45 minutes...I love it!

Did I mention that my girlfriend Angie gave me the Aran Knitting book by Alice Starmore...I love all the sweaters, but the directions give me the sweats. :)

I must go and visit and be somewhat social.

I am getting my New Year's knitting to do list ready.

Happy knitting!

Vacation.....

Greetings from some hotel near the airport. Since we have a 7:45am flight, we thought it easier to be 5 minutes away than have to get up at 4:00am to get here. I am not quite convinced that this was the easier way to go, but whatever.

I did get in some quality time at the Outlets.....so, yes, it was worth it. It was worth not cooking in my kitchen...frankly, I was getting tired of always cooking.

We are headed to Massachusetts to see the parental units and siblings and their kids....Christmas continues despite me wanting it to be over already! This is a really quick trip and our time is all spoken for. I am managing to get in a massage on Friday morning with our regular massage therapist....I am looking forward to this the most I think.

This is not a vacation. This is an obligation and it is exhausting, especially when your child isn't feeling well. I won't go in to more details because I will just get pissed off.

My mom is surprising Bryce by meeting us at the airport when we depart on Saturday evening and she will join us for a week in Maryland. That will be lovely. I made Kyle take Fresca to the kennel because I get way to emotional about leaving her. I think it had the same effect on him because he mentioned getting her on Saturday night, no matter what time we get home. Yep, broke his heart....okay, just thinking about it made me cry....sniff, sniff.....

The boys are both sound asleep and snoring and I don't have any light to knit by....wrong on too many levels, so here I sit typing away.

Kyle packed the camera before I could upload some pictures. So, no pictures until we return.

Sweet dreams and happy knitting!

Merry Christmas.....

I hope you all have had a wonderful day. The spirit of Christmas is very much alive and well here in my home. Last night, Bryce had binoculars and was trying to spot Santa from the sunroom while we tracked him via NORAD. It is wonderful to see Christmas through their eyes again, because sometimes we get lost in all the "other" stuff.

Bryce got a bit too excited and had a hard time falling asleep, which prevented Santa's elves from getting the job done. I feel asleep in Bryce's bed way before him only to have him wake me up to see if I was sleeping. It was a good 1:30am before everything was done and we could sleep, only to be awoken at 6:30am by a very excited boy. I asked Kyle, did we ever actually sleep? He looked as bad as me. I couldn't get coffee into myself fast enough.

A wonderful day was had by all here. Hubby must have listened very hard this year because it was a very knitty Christmas. Most impressed was I by the beautiful skein of Cashmere and the GC for Signature Needles, the yarn swift and winder, and the storage unit for some of my yarn. Very impressed indeed. I think the Signature App on the iPad helped a lot, along with the whining from me.....LOL!

More tomorrow....fallin asleep......

Is it Christmas yet....??

The gift shawl was a really big hit!! I think I was so excited, the kind of excited that kids feel on Christmas morning. So excited that I forgot the camera in the car. I'll make sure I get an action shot. She looked so beautiful in it...brought me such joy to give it to her.

My day started with a rare treat, I had a manicure, a once a year treat. Then I spent a lovely afternoon at the shop enjoying the company of my friends, making a really quick, impressive and totally impulsive gift for my mom and enjoying some fabulous food. Until my phone rang and my son was on the other end..."when are you coming home so we can decorate the cookies"?...and home I went and decorating was done and now we are all relaxing and I could really go to bed but I just remembered that I haven't wrapped one darn gift. So you know what I will be doing as soon as they head upstairs. Start wrapping like a woman possessed. First I need to remember where I have hidden everything  :-p  I am sadly serious.

I am working tomorrow at the shop from 10-1 and then maybe a quick trip to the grocery store for a few things. I think I should make a list so I don't forget anything.

The friend who was gifted with the shawl invited me and my family to her house for Christmas dinner. I was so touched as was my husband. Having no immediate family in the area always makes our holidays a little different and a bit lonely. So this is a very special invite for us and we are so looking forward spending the holiday with such special people.

Ok, I have to get cracking....!!

So worth it....

Today was a day spent with sugar, butter and flour and yarn and these are just some of my favorite things! Today did not go as planned due to various degrees of distractions. First there is the sick child and then there are the cookies that had to be baked and the special knitting project that HAD TO BE DONE AND BLOCKED TONIGHT!

I was panicked, panicking and practically sweating while finishing. I was successful. However, I do not recommend deadline knitting, it is terribly stressful and then it is no longer fun, especially when you start swearing at it and calling it bad names and basically start praying that during the night the knitting fairy will come and finish it for you....this did not happen.

But now, as I look at it on the blocking board, it was so worth it. It is beautiful in its' simplicity and the recipient is going to love it. I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

I thought a picture of it would be lovely, but that would mean that I have to climb on a stool to get a good shot of it and I am so tired, that the risk of me falling was too great. I think a picture of my dear friend wearing it would be more appropriate and more beautiful.

So, I have my sugar cookies done, snickerdoodles done, biscottti for tomorrow done and not a gift wrapped....details. The knitted gift was really the priority, now I can breathe again....

Observation....

I worked today at the shop from 10-9, and yes, I am exhausted. But while I was there assisting some gentlemen with their purchases for the knitter in their lives, I noticed a common mood amongst the men, like they were there because it was on their knitters list, but they seemed a little put out by this.

Upon reflection, there were maybe 6 men in today and really only 2 had a sour puss on for a face. My particular favorite for a hubby and his wife. She went merrily about getting some yarn and needles and a little of this and that and she kept directing her husband to the beautiful yarn bowls we have and he sat there and made a very familiar face, a face I see my husband make countless times. Men, this doesn't get any easier for you, she's there, she's picking it out and it's on her list...get your head out of your ass and make the knitter in your life happy. I promise it will not hurt you!! The others I just acknowledged  how sweet it was of them to care about their knitters wish list.

I struggle with the same thing with my husband, which is why I bought a ball winder and swift, brought it home and said, "this is what I really, really want, now go wrap it", and there was still a face....??

Words of wisdom for you non-knitters, it is in your best interest to keep us happy because we have the power to make your life miserable. We don't want to do it, but it may be necessary.

On a different note, the shawl is growing bigger and it must be done and blocked tomorrow. Also, I have a sick cherub and this was the EXACT same time as last year...fun, fun.

Cookies....doughs are made and the cooking making will take place tomorrow. Hope my little guys is up to it.

If I didn't have the sick child I think I might have a cup of coffee and do a knitting marathon...oh well, off to bed I go.

Happy Knitting!

Mmmm...cookie dough!

Sugar cookie dough made and chilling. I love how the flour went "poof" all over me while adding it to the butter and sugar....too many things on my mind. I figure there is really no point in really cleaning the kitchen until ALL the baking is done.

The special shawl that I have been working on is just a mere 7 rows from being done and since I will be at work tomorrow from 10-9, I can get it blocked and ready for gifting on Friday...I am so excited to give it to my friend.

I had a PT sessions this morning and they gave me a little traction and I loved it. I have been pain free all day. They told me you can buy one and use it at home by utilizing a door. Can't you just see me handing from my door, cripes, I get a wicked case of the giggles just thinking about Kyle's face as he happens upon that scene...ROFLMAO....! I might investigate this in the New Year.

I am missing, literally, missing all my needlepoint Christmas ornaments. I know that they are tucked away safe...somewhere....but they need to be found ASAP or I am going to have a full blown meltdown. I found the safe place and here are a small sample of my treasures...

A small tribute to my favorite adult beverage! Actually, I could use one of these soon!

Happy Knitting!!

Late start.....

Yikes, I slept until 10:30 am this morning and frankly, I felt like I could have slept all day. Burning the candle at both ends is catching up to me. Christmas duties are not helping. Being Santa's helper is exhausting.

This is one of my holiday needlepoint decorations I have made. I love snowmen, they can be out all winter.

My holiday knitting has turned into knitting for the New Year. Other than the shawlette that I am really trying to finish, there isn't an immediate rush for anything to be finished.

Now comes my favorite part of Christmas, the baking! I have my cook books out and I am looking to add to my repertoire. I always do the traditional sugar cookie cutouts and I have a beautiful collection of cookie cutters. The decorating is so much fun and now that Bryce helps, the memories are even better. My cookie decorating supplies are crazy and fabulous and I love all my stuff. Sanding sugars, gel colors to color the royal icing, powdered colors to color the sanding sugar....let's just say it's involved and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So random, it's ridiculous....

Happy Monday!
 I have several things to mention, so here goes.

1.  Christmas is coming, despite my protest.

2.  Most holiday songs sung proclaiming It's the Most Wonderful Season of All, are sung by men who don't have to do all the thinking, all the shopping, all the baking, all the wrapping..get the picture!

3.  My husband cleaned the garage. You could eat off the floor, guess he didn't look at the house that we actually LIVE in....UGH!

4.  My son keeps asking me questions, I answer and then he ask, "what does that mean"...seriously??

5.  Hubby ask me what's on my wish list, I tell him, he makes a face and here come some sucky gifts.

6.  I haven't stepped one little foot in any retail establishment...YEAH...I love the Internet.

7.  I left the house this morning with my turtleneck on backwards and didn't even care.

8.  This cold is bumming me out. Can't smell or taste anything. Worst time of the year for that to happen.

9.  Holiday knitting....not so sure it is going to happen.

10. Angie's shawlette is coming out really cute. Might need to make myself one.

11. Have to pull myself together for a meeting at school.

12. I have forwarded the Yarn Harlot's Blog to my stupid husband. Maybe her blog will help him with his understand his knitting wife.

13. Signature Needles are so beyond fabulous especially when they have your name engraved on them.

14. Fresca is using the Christmas tree to scratch her back.

Well, I am off to clean myself up, straighten out my clothes and put away all the groceries that I just left on the counter.

Hopefully, I can knit or sew for a bit today, it's really not looking promising at the moment.

Happy Knitting

Charts.....

I really need to learn to read charts for lace.

I am completely ticked off at myself at the moment.

I tried to substitute a different pattern and I am not happy.

I need one of those nifty chart holders.

I NEED TO LEARN TO READ CHARTS......HELP!

ID10t Error....

OMG...I have lost my ability to count. For those of you who do not understand the title of this post, it is a slang word used where the error is at the end user and basically it spells IDIOT...but if you were speaking with a customer you would call it the above...it sounds better than calling yourself an idiot.

I guess this is what I get for trying to knit a gift under too much stress. I am totally ticked off about the whole thing. I will mull this over while at stitch group tonight.

More later....

A Wee Knit....

I spent the day with my boys doing family things. A little shopping and a lot of decorating. The boys were very busy getting the outside of the house all twinkly and bright. I was inside making room for the tree. I always forget about the minor disruption this causes.
Bryce went to town decorating the tree and I took some time to adore some of my ornaments. All have been homemade, including my needlepoint ornaments. Among the beauty, I discovered a wee knit ornament which I didn't remember I had. I love how the ornaments bring back some great memories of Christmases past.

A wee knit in our tree. Bryce was very interested in this and thought it was really funny. There really is nothing like Christmas through a childs' eyes.

Speaking of wee, I have been doing a wee bit of knitting and I feel a wee bit better. I know I shouldn't push it, but there are gifts that need to be knit and the clock is ticking.

I did get a beautiful something in the mail and my name was on it!! Yes, a beautiful circular needle with my name on it, how cool is that. Just go to http://www.signatureneedlearts.com/ and you can have some too!

I am off to do a wee bit of knitting in the spirit of the season.

Happy Knitting!

Epiphany .....

I am still sidelined, so I have time on my hands, no pun intended, to reflect on a shawl that went all wonky on me. It appears to be an "end user" error. My friend Karen uses this term and it really does fit when I tell you what I did.

Everything was going fine until the "pain medication" knitting took place. That is where the K2's apparently became K2tog.... Oooops. No wonder things were off, to say the least.

For some reason, if I am sick or have an injury and have to take some sort of medicine, I apparently think that I am some sort of super woman and I can knit...... Not so much! Sadly, this has been proven several times over. :-(

I was hoping that my new knitting needles would be in my mailbox today, no such luck. As soon as they arrive, I will get a picture. A picture you ask, of needles, trust me, these are special needles.

I guess since my hands are free, laundry should get done.

Happy Knitting!

Still sidelined....

Bryce greeted me this morning with a jolly Merry Christmas...it's going to be a long month.

I am freaking out about my knitted gifts. Nothing is feeling better yet.

My small shawls group is wonderful. We are working on Ishbel, a lovely shawlette. I really love this group. It's always a wonderful evening.

I have been running around all week with one thing or another and I have dedicated tomorrow as pajama day. I can keep myself busy organizing and cleaning and quite possibly, a nap.

I figured out what I was doing wrong on the birthday shawl and it was an end user error....that means ME. Instead of a K2, I inadvertently was doing a K2tog....
Honestly, I just wanted to drive the needles through my brain I felt like such a idiot. Lesson learned.

Speaking of needles, Signature Needles now offers engraving on your needles. I have a pair coming with my name on them. I will take a picture as soon as my package arrives.

FYI....24 days till Christmas! ;-)