The End and A Beginning

The end: We've really enjoyed having squash in the backyard. The kids are more likely to eat their veggies if they get to pick them. But somehow, our plant always suffer from mold on the leaves. Here's a blossom shot before we dig them up. I love this cheery yellow. I think next year I may mix my veggies in the regular flower beds. I like seeing the geraniums in the background here.

A beginning: Last year in our frost (I know it was like a week I shouldn't complain) we lost a bunch of plants that are perennials here, but annuals in other climates. We've just replaced the Penta. I can't wait to see the humming birds visit this one.

Healthwise: I'm so enjoying these Friday Flowers. They make me happy. Especially when I can't get out in the yard like before. I'm waiting to see an orthopedist now. I still can't walk on the grass with out paying for it! I know there are so many others who know how I feel...so this just helps me to pray for the when they have blue days. And I know that God has a lesson for me in all of this. I'm thinking that I'll have to post bought flowers in a bit...or dig into my archive. But, these bring me such joy...I just hope they light up the day for you too.

Pray for me...

I'm working on the handle of my Sidekick...and I may run out of yarn!!! If I do run out, I'm hoping that what I buy will match enough to finish the tab that closes the purse. I'll work on it later today. But last night...when I went to bed, I was worried. I'm anxious to get this bag in the washer. Because I need those #11 needles...and because I think my pal will be getting a SWS purse. There's a colorway that fits her likes perfectly.

***ETA*** The yarn is not enough. If I squeeze...it will make the handle, or maybe just close. But, there's no way I'll have enough for the flap. So, do I rip back the handle...and knit the flap with this skein of yarn. Then use the new yarn for the handle. Or do I rip back to where I cast off for the handle and the flap and start a new skein there. Either way, I won't make any more progress until I make it to Michael's.

Miles of I-cord

Knitwise:

It seems that there hasn't been much going on here...and most of that is because I've been knitting miles of I-cord. My least favorite part about finishing a felted bag is the I-cord straps. I've been working on a little bag with F (M's cousin) and I want one long strap that will hang across my chest...I feel I'll be knitting I-cord forever. I haven't photographed that bag since I started it...but I will take a picture of mine (felted) and F's before shrinking together.

I finished my first sock!!!...and I followed the directions on closing the toe to a T...and I don't like how it looks. I think I'll pull that out and re-kitchener the toe. So, that's why there are still ends hanging. I haven't had time to cast on the 2nd sock. I'm afraid of falling into the 2nd sock black hole.

I've been working on my Sidekick. Should it bother me that the increases don't line up. I'm just ready to decrease...and I can't decide if I want to rip it out and fix it. It is a felted bag...so the increased should be hidden. But, if they don't line up will it be lop-sided?

I knit another head scarf for my MIL. I picked up the yarn on Friday at the LYS and was done with this one on Sunday night. This one is just plain stockinette with 2 garter stitches at either end of each row. I need to get it in the mail.

While I was at the LYS (mine is really a yarn corner in a quilt shop)...5 brought me over to this fabric he'd been looking at...and remembering from last time. It's a super fuzzy, incredibly soft, green. I found this flannel to go with it. The green is 60" wide and the Dick and Jane is 45" wide so I bought the opposite of each...and we'll just sew the 2 together. No filling. And once it's together, we'll decide to machine quilt or just tack and tie with embroidery floss. When we got home, he laid on the couch cuddeling in the fabric.

First Day of Kindergarten

I'll take photos later...today is a special day. Right now 5 is out to breakfast with his dad. Such a special treat for the first day of school. 4 is a little sad. He said, "I thought today was my first day of school too..."

***ETA*** If anyone is really interested here's the rest of yesterday's story.

FFBE Contest #1

1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why? I love Cascade 220! There's such a color selection at my LYS.

2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog. Kaili S. is from Estonia

3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog. Vicki S. has 2 dogs- Bart and Duchess

4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog. Heather J. is a mom of 3 (like me).

5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why! (Yea, I know part of September and November are technically fall, but for this question, only October and November matter!) This one is easy. November. My first baby was born in November!

It's not Friday?!?!

Last week I thought it was Friday on Thursday. And this week, when I sat down to post, I looked at the date in the bottom corner of the computer. FRIDAY! So I left the computer, and took the camera outside for a few bloom shots. The rest of the day was a whirlwind. So, here's my Friday flowers...and I'll just pretend it's still Friday. Two years ago, when M re-landscaped the front yard, it was because we had to. The sprinklers didn't provide adequate coverage and there were always dead spots in the lawn. And the only other plant in the yard was this shrub with thorns long enough to skewer a child. Since M was doing all the digging...and there was a lot...he picked most of the plants. This pampas grass is his favorite (but I keep thinking he has lots of favorites...I guess I do too). On the plant tag, it said this would be dwarf. I'm not sure if we just got the wrong plant, or if the grass liked the topsoil fill we used to shape the planting area too much. But this thing is at least 10' tall. On the plus side, it makes a great visual barrier. Look it hides most of my neighbor's house. I do love it when it blooms, but that's only once a year. These blooms will look good until it rains...then they loose their fluffiness.

Oh, there was one other growing thing in the yard. A liquid amber. It was lifting our driveway (who's idea was it to plant the thing too close to the driveway and the foundation of the house). So last year we had that removed. (If you want a real story...read this I found when looking for an image...don't you love google) I really will miss the gorgeous RED/ORANGE/YELLOW leaves right out my kitchen window this fall. We'll eventually plant another tree, but we'll be careful in our choice.

Knitwise: I was going to add a photo of my first finished sock...but blogger won't let me add the image. I'll just publish this post and try again later.

Exchange: Our swap partners are out. I'm waiting to hear from my upstream...I've already sent an email to my downstream. I can't wait to get started filling her box.

a day in the life (1)

I've been meaning to do this since I started the blog. My 2 is with her Nana...and life with just the boys is so much less crazy. I've been trying to make this time special for them. So, here is our day....knitting once the little ones are asleep.

When I organized my recipes, I came across this.

I thought it would make a fun breakfast.

5 said: I don't eat eggs that aren't scrambled.

So, I thought about it and gave the kids an alphabet lesson...

...while I scrambled eggs.
And of course, our eggs need cheese! I made the inside letter a little cinnamon toast for their dessert when they finished the eggs.
Then we headed to the mall for some long over do portraits. I treated the boys to pretzel dogs at Auntie Anne's while I chose the portraits I wanted to buy. We spent the afternoon building legos. I still have to help quite a bit...this is where I'm thankful that I spent my childhood building with legos...I built building...thus my architectural degree. My little bro...built cars...he's a mechanical engineer...designing suspension. See what legos will teach you.

M came home early so we were able to enjoy a family dinner together. I made burritos. It was amazing to cook while the boys played with their legos...I do miss 2...but she's a handful when trying to cook. (aren't all 2 year olds)

After dinner M took the boys to Home Depot for a little special project he's working on. He came home with muratic acid, and we don't have a swimming pool...I don't think I want to know. I was able to finish my Dream Swatch. The MIL & FIL are coming for dinner tonight...and I'll be able to give it to her. I hope she likes it.

And since I was lazy when I cast on for the Dream Swatch...I was using my US #5 dpn's. They were nice and short...but I really needed them to cast on for my first sock. It's probably good that it pushed me to finish quickly even though the linen was too splitty for this pattern. The 3-ply of the linen didn't want to stay together when I crossed the stitches. Otherwise...this was a fun knit.

And...MY FIRST SOCK!!! This should move quickly enough that I'll be able to see the heel turn and move on to less acrylic yarn. I do love these colors though. The colors are pretty accurate since I waited for sunlight to take the knitting photos.

Sidekick and some organizing.

Knitwise: Here's my Sidekick. I've just started the 2nd ball of yarn. I love the striping. And I'm sure this denim color will be great for me...or maybe I'll decide to give the bag to a friend. You just can't go wrong with something that matches your jeans. On the size 11's this is knitting up super quick. I tried to be all artistic with the photo in our hydrangea...and check out the wiffle ball! =0) Schoolwise: I didn't get as much knitting done this weekend as I would have liked. We made a trip to IKEA (it was so much easier since Nana has 2.) We had breakfast there...then picked up this shelf for our school stuff. I think organizing will help me to freak out less. Notice I didn't say "not freak out"...I just said LESS. One of my biggest fears is being able to keep track of all the books. The ones from our charter resource library, the ones that are consumable and we don't have to return, the ones from the city library, and the ones we own! Now they are in separate cubbies. Hopefully that works or we'll owe lots of places $$$ at the end of the year.
I'm most proud of the work I did to organize loose papers into binders. The garden binder has ideas for us...we dream of a wood burning pizza oven. Wouldn't that be so cool! And I really want to be the house all the kids hang out at...so I can keep an eye on mine. I think that would be a kid magnet. The food binder holds all the recipes I've torn from magazines. Some I've tried...some I'd like to try...and some I probably never will. The travel...isn't as exotic as it sounds. I've pulled weekend trips and drives from Sunset or AAA and I'm collecting places I'd like to take the kids. And the KNIT...I've finally gathered all my patterns in this binder. YEAH!

Healthwise: I did minimal walking at IKEA since that can be a workout. I took every shortcut...since we knew just what we wanted and we're so familiar with the store...I really didn't do excessive walking. But still, by the time we loaded the shelf on the cart...I was in such pain that I sat on top of the cart and the kids climbed up with me and M pushed us all through the store. I'm super frustrated that I'm able to do all that I want. M took the boys to Disneyland today without me. I would have needed a wheelchair. =0( I don't want to complain....I just am so sad that my kids see mom as weak. I want to be a fun mom...and I can't even walk on uneven surfaces...that means at the park, I have to stick to the sidewalk and not take the grass. Who would have thought it would turn in to this. Thursday will be 6 weeks...

FFBE Questionnaire

How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?
I originally learned to knit and crochet when I was 12 and spent several weeks at my Gram & Gramp's house during the summer. I picked up knitting at a Weight Watcher's meeting. I was loosing weight after baby #2 (almost 4 years ago). A friend I'd met at the meetings brought in this scarf knit with cream homespun and cream fun fur on size 19's. I just had to have one. (Now I giggle a bit when I think of all that fur...at least it got me knitting.) She told me what to buy...and then next week after weigh in...it took me about 15 min to re-learn how to knit. I finished that scarf in about 4 hours...and I was hooked. I wouldn't see the friend for another week. So, I called my Gram and she taught me how to bind off over the phone.

What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
My first felted object was this lime purse. A friend was going to take a class at my LYS. Back then I didn't know there even was a LYS. I only knew about Michael's. I went with her...and the instructor said I didn't really need to take the class...it was beginning knitting...and helped me pick out the Pursenalities book and yarn to complete the Vintage Bubble Bag.

What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?
That's a hard question...I love all colors. But, I wouldn't want to carry an orange bag. And even though I love pink, I wouldn't want a hot pink bag...because I already have this one. I wouldn't want a lime bag either...because that's the one I made myself. I also have this sunset tote waiting to be felted. Maybe something chocolate brown...that seems good for fall. And I love Chocolate! Here's some of my favorite colors these days...

What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)
I need to be able to put the purse over my shoulder. With little ones all around me...I rarely have a free hand. And I'd like the bag to close somehow. I'm realizing I like my Coco bag better than my lime bag because of the magnetic closure. I don't want to say too much, because I want to be surprised...but I like this one. A button or a flap like in the messenger style would be ok, or even a magnet or zipper...just not totally open. Not too big...it gets too heavy. Not too small...my wallet is kind of big.

What handbag or bag are you carrying today?
M bought me this for my birthday. It’s my basic everyday bag. I swap out for fun colors, but this is practical.

Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?
My travel knitting is in my Coco Bag =0) In it is a pair of fetching.

What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
I'll try knitting anything. I love cables. I'm knitting Morestripes because I liked the vest...and because I could try steeking. I'm also trying my first pair of socks. I just don't think I have the patience for fair isle right now.

What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
I think different needles for different projects. I like addies for felted bags...so the wool slips off and I can knit quickly. I love my bamboo dpn's...because they're sticky and with dpn's I need sticky.

What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
I know this is 2...but they're both on my dream list. I'm dyeing to dye my own yarn. I keep seeing kool-aid dyed yarn in blogland...and I think that has got to be so much fun! And, I'd love to try a felted hat...like this one.

What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
I can't wait to try a denim yarn.

What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?

• I drink coffee. What...you say that can't be a hobby?!? I spend lots of time with this hobby...okay...so really one of my favorite things is to visit cute coffee shops and sip away the morning.
• I Garden...or should I say M gardens. I used to be more involved. These days I knit...and oversee where the plantings go. He digs the large holes in the yard...to plant 5 or 15 gallon pots, I plant little 6-packs.
• I read. Although these days it's more children's books than anything.
• I used to Counted Cross Stitch. I'll probably pick that up again when I'm not so afraid of loosing a needle and having 2 step on it.
• I used to sew. My reverse button was broken for at least 2 years. I finally found a good repair shop...and we're back in business. I really need to get some linings in my felted bags.
  

Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Rocks. I have rocks from everyplace I've ever been. Some I bought...some I just picked up off the ground. They were beautiful in a jar...until the collection got too big. Many of them are house surrounding the bird bath.

What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
I LOVE DARK CHOCOLATE! I don't like cherries in my chocolate. I don't like coconut. I'm totally open to try new things.
I'm allergic to Seafood of any kind ESPECIALLY SHELLFISH. Now, I wouldn't expect to find shrimp or lobster in my package...but these days it's sneaking into yarn. I have to beware of SWTC tofutsies.

Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)
3 kids...5, 4, & 2...boy, boy, girl.

What kind of project best personifies you and why?
An afghan...I'm kind of a homebody...and unless it's small pieces like miters, an afghan isn't your travel project. I love being home with my family...and as fall crispens (if that's not a word, I'm making it up) the air...I love hot tea and sitting by the fire. I love to curl up on the couch and read to my kids. We like to play boardgames (well 5 & 4). Since it's still HOT as I'm writing this...our fires are in the backyard fire pit...and we are addicted to roasting marshmallows.

What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!

I read on Miss Me's questionnaire, that she was married in the fall. Me too. October 9, 1999. We honeymooned in Boston. That trip was the perfect combination of all things I love about fall. During our stay in Boston, the Red Sox were in the play-offs...and the whole city came alive. We walked down to City Hall where there were jumbo TV's and at least 2500 people watching the game. There were all sorts of food vendors too. I love the fresh roasted nuts. We took a drive through New Hampshire...I love the changing colors of the leaves. I love soup! That may seem a little silly, but I love warm soup especially in a bread bowl. It's been too hot and humid around here to think of soup.

Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.

• pay off our mortgage.
• finish all our home repairs and renovations.
• buy a place at the beach to enjoy with our extended family.

A Few of my Favorites...

Geranium's are some of my favorite flowers. I think because there were tons of pink ones around the house I grew up in. I remember picking my mom little bouquets that she would place in a crystal vase. Now, I find myself even putting weeds in a vase if a little one cuts them for me. This lavender one came from a I took a clipping from my friend's first house.

This salmon one I bought on a whim at Target last year. I love the variegated leaves on this one. And I love the grouping in our yard...this geranium, a dwarf flax, and our bird of paradise. I just wish there were more blooms on the geranium right now. And the bird of paradise really needs to be dead-headed. When all is in bloom...I love this grouping of oranges and salmons. Highlighted by the purple iris to the right, high society garlic to the left, and the purple in the bird of paradise.I also love the softness of a Crepe Myrtle. We planted a 15 gallon pot about 2 years ago. It's getting there...but it's not huge yet. We want to keep it shrub-like rather than trimmed as a standard tree.
Here the frilly pink is juxtaposed by under plantings of Mexican Feather Grass. The feather grass is beautiful when it glows with the sunset. Since I'm not doing the digging in our yard...we have a lot of grasses in our yard. Those are M's favorites. Our zebra grass and a dwarf pampas are about to bloom. Maybe they'll have bloomed enough to photograph for next week.

Knitwise:

• I'm a little past the 1/2 way point on the Dream Swatch. I'm hoping to be done by the weekend. I did email my photo and the link to the pdf pattern to my MIL so she could see it. She loved the way it looked in Wendy's hair. She's excited to see the one I'm knitting.
• I finished the bottom of the Sidekick bag and picked up stitches all the way around. I love the SWS...except that like mohair...I find little fluffs in my eyelashes. And don't wear light colors then knit with navy...I end up looking linty. Other than that...it's a dream. Soft, fun to watch color changes, knits up quick. I'll have a purse in no time.
• I bought some cheap sock yarn for a practice run. I know, I shouldn't knit with 100%acrylic...but for $3.50 a sock...I could always give them away. I bought Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in Vintage. I've been looking at this colorway every time I'm Michael's for wool. If you look at the Vintage link and then click on the feet...there's a free pattern to download. I really wanted something this basic for my first try. If any sock knitters see me headed for disaster before I cast on, let me know. I'm just guessing that I make the M and hope for the best. If these don't work out, then I'll pay $35 for the sock class at my LYS. And while I'm thinking about it...I'm not sure if I'll really wear socks. Except for Karen Neuberger socks, and white socks for when I walk in the evening...I've maybe worn socks 5x in the last year. Or maybe this is a whole new start for me.

Exchangewise:

I signed up for the FALL FELTED BAG EXCHANGE. I'm not as fast as Miss Me (my upstream from the Spring Exchange) who already has her questionnaire up...but I'll be posting that this weekend. I'm so excited to have something for me to look forward to as we start school. As of this morning...there are already 28 signed up! I recognize about 1/2 the names...and there's a bunch of new ones I'll go look at. Now, how do I make the button on the sidebar link to the FFBE blog?

Dream Swatch

My MIL had surgery last week to remove some skin cancer right wher the hair line meets the forehead. This time the surgeon needed to shave 3 or 4" of her hair, instead of just pulling it back . I started Wendy's Dream Swatch in some linen. I know the stitch definition isn't the same, but I'm hoping this will blend in rather than stick out. And maybe when her hair grows back in a little I'll try a fun color...

Yeah Prizes!

Yesterday, all this came in the mail. (I wrote the note!)

I won a prize at the end of the SFBE. And Anne sent such a wonderful prize. The candle came open during shipping...so everything smells like lilacs, YUM! And the notepad is already on my fridge waiting for notes. AND...I've been wanting to try Patons SWS, but I've not had a reason to buy any just yet. I'm really trying to knit with my stash. I was so excited to knit with this...
...I've already cast on for the Sidekick. I saw it here during the SFBE and wanted to make one. I know I'll enjoy knitting this. And tomorrow...the 15...sign ups start for the FFBE. Join the fun.

Fetching

Last weekend, when I just HAD TO CAST ON for something different, I picked up this ball of Foxglove destined to become Knitty's Fetching. I cast-on.

I worked on this in between working on the Baby Bolero. And lickety split...one glove finished...

...and another on the needles today.

Knitting Update!

Baby Bolero:
I lost my US #8 DPN's and couldn't start the sleeves on the 2nd Baby Bolero. I almost went out and bought another set. I sent the kids on a scavenger hunt...looking under the couch and between all the cushions...under the coffee table...anywhere they could think. We eventually found them...but then I had to knit a couple of late nights to finish for the baby shower today. I'm so happy with the set of sweaters for my friends twins. These kids have been prayed for for 5 years. Very fitting names...Gabriel Michael and Hannah Elizabeth. May God bring you both safely into this world.

Hibiscus

I really thought we had lost this one with the frost we had this winter. It took awhile to bounce back. And this is the first bloom this year! Somehow, hibiscus can just take me to another place.

Fall Felted Bag Exchange!

I had so much fun participating in the Spring Felted Bag Exchange. It was my first exchange, and I LOVED the swap, but I know my limits. So for me...2 swaps a year is probably a good number. Ann and Chan who ran this spring swap did a fantastic job with fun little contests that helped me get to know the other bloggers. And the group of ladies in the swap were so fun. So...I can't wait for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. Sign ups are coming soon! August 15th! I'll post again about them here.

I WANT TO PAINT!

Some wordiness and a picture:
Here's a little background. 3 years ago in August, some of the high school girls from church came over and helped me peal the wallpaper in the entry and hall. I paid them in lip gloss...and we had a blast. They had just returned from Portugal, and told me all about their trip with Royal Servants while we worked. My boys were almost 3 and 17 months. We had just returned from a trip with 60 other high schoolers where I was the cook for 72 people for 11 days. I was moving along well...I felt like I was accomplishing lots (home repairs) and I could handle excursions with 2 small children. We finished pealing the wall paper, and then the next weekend I was sick...so we didn't get together to paint like planned (yes...I was going to let high school girls paint with me...worst case scenario, I'd re-coat.) The next weekend I was still nauseous. HMMM....do you know where this is going? I found out I was pregnant. The paint never happened. Whereas I was hardly sick with the boys, baby #3 nearly killed me. I was ill the whole 9 months! Then add some bed rest starting in January for a baby due in May...with a 3 yr old and an almost 2 yr old. I was totally over the fact that the hall was a mess. I just wanted to deliver a healthy child.

Fast Forward to today...I was all geared up to finish painting the hall (we actually painted the entry Thanksgiving 2005...we had 3 cases of pink eye so we couldn't visit with family...but the boys had a blast as we let them loose with paint rollers and primer.) M & I even started with the trim. Enter knee injury! I'm so frustrated! I have to trust that God's timing is perfect. I do know that He loves me whether my hall is painted or still has little pieces of wallpaper glue. I just get tired of unfinished projects (the hall isn't the only one...our Master bedroom has no baseboards...) My goal was to finish up some projects before starting homeschooling August 27th. Now, I'm settling in to the fact that it won't happen. So, if we haven't found time before Katie returns from Indiana (Taylor University) I'll pay her...it will be 4 years from when she started the project with me.

Now, I guess if this was just slap up a coat of paint, then we would have painted here somewhere inbetween. We painted 2's room (well, M did) just before she was born. And then we painted the boys room the Christmas she was 8 months old. But, the glue of the wall paper had damaged the wall. We would have actually re-wallpapered with a grass cloth. Except that just won't hold up in a high traffic area...or to toddler hands dragging on the walls as they walk. So, I decided to texture the walls giving it the grass cloth appearance, and covering pits in the wall. This may be something that's out there in some book or something...but I swear I came up with this myself...3 years ago.

I bought ceiling texture (the stuff used to make those ugly cottage cheese ceilings). I used a wide putty knife to 'frost' 10" of wall floor to ceiling about 1/4" thick...and quickly because this stuff dries. Then I used a wall paper brush (about 12" wide with firm bristles about 1" long) to drag from ceiling to floor in one motion. This was incredibly messy. When I got to the bottom of each stroke, the brush needed to be washed outside. M became a brush runner, washing one and returning it to me, while I durtied another brush in that amount of time. Once the process was started, we realized that I'd have to do the entire area since one persons' drag was different and left a different texture. The texture was just what we were going for. It needed to be coated with primer before continuing. We used Kilz witch smells horrific. When the primer was dry, then the wall needed 2 coats of paint. The first coat of paint had to be done with a brush to get inbetween the lines of texture. Then M did the 2nd coat of paint with a roller after I had cut in with a brush. 3 days to finish our ity-bity entry. But, we love the finished product. I think that's what keeps us waiting on the hall. We know it's a long process. And we know that we'll have to arrange for the kiddos to spend the night somewhere because the smell is really bad. Since school is about to start...I now extend my goal. Have the hall painted before the 4th anniversary of peeling the wallpaper. (And yes, the wall paper was that bad...it's been better to live with white walls spotted with glue for 3 years)

Wall texture is hard to photograph. Expecially since I don't have a big fancy digital camera. This is the best I could do. No flash. Camera sitting on a little box shelf with timer. Paint color is pretty true in this photo. Frazee: Market Basket.

I feel like a dork.

Friday Flowers:
Last night as I was getting ready for bed...I realized that yesterday wasn't FRIDAY!!! So, I wasn't just posting my Friday Flowers early. I worked extra hard to get that out yesterday morning with everything else that was going on. I guess I can just TGIF today...again. So, tonight I'm meeting with F and L for knitting.

Schoolwise:
This morning our EF (educational facilitator) is bringing over the rest of our curriculum and working out the first few weeks of school with me. Sometimes when I remember that we begin school on the 27th (we're using a charter...so we have set start/end dates) I freak out a little. While I'm totally convinced that HS is the best choice for my family...I'm not convinced that we'll still have clean clothes to wear.

Healthwise:
Thanks to those who've asked. I am healing. I think this is a slow process. Yesterday, since it wasn't Friday, was 3 weeks. I'm able to walk...and most days I can handle my responsibilities at home. I do all this with a brace on. And if I take the brace off, then my leg feels like a spaghetti noodle. The part that's made this difficult is that it's my right knee. And I can't drive! I can't push on the gas for very long...and my leg doesn't have the power available to push the brake. I can't imagine if there was a need for me to hit the break hard...we'd just crash. So, friends pick me up if I'm going out (like tonight). My mom has driven me to the Dr. (hello, I feel 12) and to the grocery store. And our church is close enough I can use my left foot. Mostly we've just been home a lot. I think the kids really enjoy just being able to play. I'm trying to decide if/when to return to the Dr. to see if there's something else I should be doing. At this point, since it was a pull and not a tear in the ligament...the Dr. said I could expect to be in pain for 4 weeks...so I still have another week.

Iris

Before my neighbor moved, she divided her iris' and shared these with us. I really enjoy them. I wish I had gotten a clipping from her Matilija Poppy. I can still see it in her yard, but the new neighbor isn't a garden lover like she was. Knitwise: I'm meeting M's cousin again for knitting tonight. We've been meeting every week for 3 weeks and she's making progress with the knit and purl stitch. She brought her knitting into the breakroom at her work, and another gal asked if I could teach her too. Great! I'm passing the baton! This world will be full of sticks and string soon. We're planning on making this a regular meeting...2 Friday's a month. I'm so excited. Maybe I'll be able to gather a group to go see the Yarn Harlot in September.

August Hula-Swag

Get your desktop calander here. I've been enjoying these every month. Thanks Scout and Cynthia!