Saturday, July 25, 2009

Stop Me From Casting On - PLEASE

I don' know what's wrong with me, but I can't stop casting on new projects. Let's take a bit of inventory shall we?

On the needles:
1. Featherweight Cardigan
2. Elsewhere Cardigan
3. Amelia Cardigan (anyone seeing a pattern here?????)
4. 2nd Circle Sock
5. First Spring Forward Sock
6. Ishbel Scarf/Shawl
7. Emma's Paris Shawl
8. 2nd Sock Hop sock
9. Lavalette Shawl
10. Milkweed Shawl

and these are just the ones that are out where I can see them. Who knows how many are tucked in the many knitting bags in closets and in the basement and in the dormer and . . . .

Hi, I am a knitaholic -- whatever. . .

Ooooooooooom the new Vogue Knitting arrived in the mail and now I want to cast on a couple of amazing hats and. . . .

Yep, a little ADD going on in the knitting realm here. I've been pretty good about stash diving to start all these projects, but you know, I really should try to finish some of these. Of course, the fact that I am built for comfort and not for speed means that the cardigans are of ginormous proportions and take FOREVER to even work a row. Yes I know if I knit in pieces it would not seem so daunting but then I would have to sew those pieces together and let's just say -- not going to happen. So I knit and purl and knit and purl and . . .you get the picture. Wait until I decide I need to knit some Christmas gifts. Hehehehe. Well, I won't get that cast on bug until December so I have a few month to play with my stash and cast on more stuff.

In my defense, I am totally a process knitter. I love the stitches, the patterns, the yarn, and watching everything come together and then I see another pattern, an interesting stitch, an amazing yarn and off I go to process knit some more. When (and if) I finish something, I am always disappointed because the knitting is done. So that is why I have lots of in progress projects. It is all about the process.

On the pugger front, they are all snoring away right now. Each has a bed/pillow or pile of toys to call their own and are curled up, snoozing and looking way too cute. So cute in fact, I must go kiss each and every one of them.

Happy Saturday everyone. Keep sending Walter healing thoughts. He came through his surgery with flying colors and is now on the long road to recovery. His mom could use some web hugs as well. She has been through so much during this time, so send them both some pug love if you get a chance.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Some Knitting Goodies

Let's begin this with yarny goodness, shall we?Isn' that a lovely hank o'sock yarny goodness? I can't wait to wind it into a yarny cake and get it cast on. I am thinking I'll do Ysolda's little scarf in this yummy yarn since it is almost too beautiful to make into socks. We'll see. It will tell me what it wants to be when I wind it up. I'll keep you posted.
Also added a great book to the knitting library. Knitted gifts is fully of wonderful patterns and who knows, I might actually start my holiday knitting before December -- or maybe not. At least I'll have some great ideas.

This lovely little sockie is Spring Forward from Knitty in Malabrigo. It is such a fun pattern to knit and the yarn, oh the yarn, just a true pleasure. It has been keeping me well entertained and occupied. Got to love that in a project.

The shawl continues, but I admit I've been at it long enough that the honeymoon is over and I am getting a wee bit bored. No worries, I'll slog through. I'm almost done, I can't give up to my ADA now -- hehehehe.

It is a bit chilly and rainy here today -- my favorite kind of weather. The pugs are all around me snoring and life is good. Mom continues to improve and I am hopeful that next week will be a much better one. If not, well, I've had lots of practice getting through rough weeks, so no biggie.

Have a great Saturday, enjoy your fur babies and fondle your knitting.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Friday Finally

Amazingly, with all that has been happening recently, there has been knitting. I've been working on a shawl in Fleece Artist something or other (who knows where the ball band is) and it is coming along nicely. When finished, I will probably give this to mom, since she keeps telling me that it is her shawl. The older she gets, the more child-like.

Also on the needles are the Spring Forward Socks in Malabrigo sock, whisper cardigan in Koigu (this one will take FOREVER!). I also have a couple of single socks just begging for mates and a ginormous pile of yarn enticing me to cast on yet another project.

The pugs are cute, cute, cute. They have been sweet and loving and, of course, really silly. There is something about those smooshed faces that just make you smile.

Today mom is having surgery. They found a blood clot in her left leg and so are doing surgery to install a filter to prevent the clot from moving up to her heart or brain. The nurses at St. John's Westshore have been AMAZING and WONDERFUL. They are so sweet and patient with mom (who can be a real handful). They finally got all the blood out of her hair and she is looking less like an extra from the Texas Chainsaw massacre and more like herself.

I have also been looking at nursing homes closer to my house since I'm not sure I will keep her at her current facility. It is all up in the air right now, but they tell me that it is better if I am going to relocate her, that I do it from the hospital instead of letting her return to her current facility and then moving her out. Less confusing/disruptive. Before I make any decisions, I am going to meet with the administrator and see if I can get some of this straightened out. Good times.

Well, back to the hospital. Have a great weekend and happy knitting!



Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Why is it only Wednesday?


We want it to be Friday. Really. Sigh. Some weeks take forever and this is one of those weeks. One of our dearest doggie friends, Holly the standard poodle, went over the rainbow bridge last night. She lived a long and wonderful life, but we miss having her presence here on earth. Sigh.

That said, Grandma is not doing very well and mommy is sad AND Woody is declining. His old back injury has flaired up and he is having a hard time walking. Mommy is very sad about all of this and try as we might, we have not been able to cheer her up.

On happier notes, mommy stayed home yesterday and we got to play in the yard and chase each other round and round the big tree! Bodhi is very fast, but sometimes we trick him and double back on him. Hehehehehe.

There are some kitties that live behind us and they like to sit on the other side of the fence and tease us. Myoki is plotting to get through the fence so he can introduce himself properly. Mommy is always coming up with new and inventive ways to keep him from digging under the fence. It is good to keep mommy occupied so she is not so sad.

Well, I'd better sign off before mommy finds out I've been on the computer. Besides, I think I hear the treat can. Hope you all have a great Wednesday.

Snuggles and snorts, Ho-Tei

Friday, July 10, 2009

Good Thing it is Friday


Some mornings just start out bad and make you nervous about the rest of the day. Today is one of those days.
Do you see that sweet, little white honorary pug? Well, Princess Popperina was a naughty naughty girl this morning. At 5 a.m. the pack decided that they had enough sleeping and needed a potty break. Ever the loving momma, I drug my sleepy self out of the bed and took them out for some taking care of business action. Well, Ms. Poppy was, apparently, having some intestinal disturbances that resulted in a bit of loose poop. Sigh. While I was heading over to clean up her deposit, SHE ROLLED IN IT!!!! Aughhhhhhh! So at 5:20 this morning I was giving a poopy Poppy a bath. Good thing I love her. I am thinking that this was not the way I would have chosen to start the day. Sure hope the rest of the day goes cleaner.

On a happier and greener note, I picked up my CSA share last night. I love, love love City Fresh. Last night's harvest was cabbage, kale, beets, red raspberries, onions, zucchini, and yellow squash. Yum, yum, yum! There is nothing better than fresh from the farm produce.

On the knitting front, I'm still working on the Spring Forward socks in Malabrigo and plain old socks in Sock Pixie's cashmerino. I have 3 other socks that need mates -- apparently I got distracted, hehehehe. I'm also working on my Imogen, but miles of stockinette stitch is best reserved for a great tv/movie watching to keep the mind from going mad.

Well, I need more coffee and to start getting ready for work. Have a fabulous Friday all.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What happened to Monday?

Poor Myoki has a bladder infection. He is being a trooper, but here is hoping the meds kick in soon. Poor sweet, handsome angel.

I can't believe it is Tuesday already. Is it just me or is time flying by at an alarming rate? Whew, makes me tired just thinking about it. Yesterday was uneventful. Worked, walked the pups, knitted a bit and fell asleep on the couch. The excitement of it all is exhausting!

Sure hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Where is June?

What happened to June? Did we have June this year? I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by and how I seem to be missing it! Slow down, damnit!!


There, I feel better now.

All the pugs and Poppy are fat, sassy and loving life. Bodhi has become one of the pack and delights in giving his older brothers hell. He lives for them to chase him. Oh, to have such energy. He is a boing boing butt for sure.



I've done some knitting, some yarn acquisition and some house cleaning. The knitting and yarn acquisition were the most fun. I also got some alpaca for spinning, but have not undertaken that project yet. The focus of this weekend has been to unearth UFOs and see if they should be finished or ripped. I've found 3 -- one is a keeper and 2 must go. It amazes me how much I dislike knitting with cotton and yet, I continue to knit with cotton. You guessed it, the 2 projects going to the frog pond are cotton. Apparently, I believe if I can find the right pattern the cotton love will come. So far, not so much.

The best part of this weekend has been hanging out with the pups, reading magazines, a little knitting and eating ice cream for dinner. Yep, I do know how to celebrate the 4th! The fur babies were great about the fireworks. They slept through the entire evening.

And now, it is time to get ready to return to the land of the employed. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and got to spend lots of time with the ones you love.