Thank You!

I was totally blown away when I found this in my mailbox the other day.

The other day, The Yarn Harlot mentioned that you couldn't complete the phrase, "Knitters are..." I can. Knitters are the knicest people EVER! (yes, I left the k on nicest on purpose.) This came as a suprise from Peggy. Perfect timing too. It came the day before my root canal #9. A day when I really needed a smile.

Cloud Bolero

Cloud Bolero.

Here it is on a friend home for her Spring Break. She humored me with trying on my sweater. I can't get a shot of the back when I'm wearing it myself.

I didn't get close ups...so here it is on me this Thursday when I wore it.

This was fun. I might make another. I could see making it longer...and I saw one on Ravelry with sleeves.

I made it through.

If there ever is such a thing as a perfect root canal, this was it. I can only attribute it to the prayers that were said. I have something to show you...but with the vicodin I took last night, I'm not sure when I'll really feel awake. Thanks...to those of you who prayed.

Today's the day...

I expect it to be nothing less than great. I think I've called in enough prayer support for me to know that when I'm powerless to pray...then intercession is being made for me. M will be home with 2 this afternoon, and the boys are with my mom. If I make it through with minimal pain, then I should have 4 or 5 hours of good knitting time. Otherwise the painkillers take away my ability to count. Maybe I should CO real quick this morning for a felted purse. That's what I knit after all the other dental appointments. All mistakes are hidden in the wash. =0)

Since it is Wednesday, here's my WIP list:

• Clapotis: I've dropped 9 times. I had joined the KAL, but didn't realize there was a deadline. I won't finish by then. I'm still OK with that. I'm enjoying this as a movie knit. Last weekend we watched August Rush. I LOVED that movie. Have you seen it?
  
• Pillowcase lace: Awhile back, some anxiety drove me to read knitting books. I had picked up 3 balls of Paton's Grace (one in each kid's color). I thought we could use it in a spool knitter. But, it didn't have enough give. I love the color variations...and realized that the weight of mercerized cotton met the yarn requirements for the Pillowcase Lace in Weekend Knitting. Somehow this makes me feel all homey...especially when I think of the heirloom pieces that were my great-grandmother's linens. I've knit almost 2 repeats...but I hope that wasn't enough to satisfy my appetite. I don't want this to linger as a WIP.
  
• Lily Cardigan: The one knitting notion I don't have is this. I know it works to make a quick one with some yarn. I really just need to order one. I can't keep track of the 4th row increases without this so it's resting for a bit.
• SquareCake: I'm waiting on a replacement part for my Little Sister set. My #5 dpn's are too short for this project. This is resting too, but it's in a glass jar on a shelf so no one bumps stitches off the needles.
• Jaywalkers: I'm ready for the heel on the 2nd sock. This is usually where I get hung up. I can't just pick it up and knit to Idol. I have to actually count the first row of the heel. So it' sits until a day when I can count.
  

My Cloud Bolero is a FO. And I took photos yesterday on a guest model. I also finished a bucket hat that I just need to felt. This was a from pattern that I received from Ursula in my FFBE box. I made the hat for 2...and I hope to make one for myself. I'm not attaching the flower to the hat before felting. I like the idea of being able to change it out. Hmmm...now that I think about it, I'll CO for a hat for me. There's no real counting there. I'll go rummage my stash of wool scraps. Happy Wednesday to you.

Hard Days

I know that I'm not the only one having hard days. And I know that when I sit back to count my blessings (M, my kids, a house to live in, etc.) I can see that I am truly blessed. In spite of that, I feel like I've had more than my share of hard days lately. Ok...for the last 2 years. I want so badly to be the cup overflowing person. I'm really trying. And I'm reminding myself that "the testing of [my] faith produces endurance."

So, for a little background. I don't know if I've ever written about this here, but my teeth really suffered after my pregnancy with 2. Actually, I had to make an emergency trip to the endodontist when I was 5 months pregnant. Then, I started to visit regularly when she was only 5 days old. The short version -- I had 8 root canals, 9 crowns, and assorted other fillings as a result of my 3rd pregnancy. Our dental bill was similar to the price of a compact car. I was so grateful to finish my regular trips to the dentist just before my little girl's 2nd birthday. And then I've had a few cleanings with good reports. So I was a little sad this time when I had a small cavity. I went in on Friday for the filling. My dentist drilled...and drilled...and then looked at me and said "CRAP!" Seriously, that's what she said. But, I have a different relationship with my dentist since I saw her every 2 weeks for a year. She called my endodontist...and he could see me right then. So, I left with a hole in my mouth and drove the 6 miles between the offices. I tried to do the root canal right then, but without the "happy pill" that I normally take. I couldn't do it. I was to nervous, and started freaking out. He can't work on me when I'm shaking. So, he filled my tooth with cotton, and packed it shut. And I have to go back on Wednesday. I'm in pain...probably not the tooth since he was able to clip the root...more likely the 4 shots I had (2 at the dentist, and 2 with the endodontist). This will be my 9th root canal! It's hard to wrap my mind around that. I spent a good part of Friday evening crying. I feel like crap for not being able to just take the drilling. And I don't really have the luxury of another day to have the appointment and recovery time. And I feel like a bad mom for all the things I've not been able to do since 2 was born...first the teeth, then I had 2 1/2 clean months before my knee...and I just started to drive like a regular person (not with my left leg)...and now another tooth. All this with losing my Dad, and the anniversary of my Gram's death...its just too much to handle for me. Part of me wonders why I need such lessons in endurance. Is it ironic that this was my Good Friday experience. If you've read this far...sorry for the dental woes...but go read this blog, especially this post, it has been so helpful to me lately.

GREENDAY

This was our 2nd annual GreenDay with friends.

Today we played with our green duplos.

Stamped and colored with green crayons, markers, and colored pencils.

Marble painted shamrocks. When they were dry the kid got to cut out the shapes.

Ate lunch...The sandwiches weren't green, but the lemonade was, and so was the jello. =0) Lentil and Split Pea soup for the moms...and Chips with guacamole.

fingerpainted...

played play-dough...

read Little Bear...

Frosted Sugar Cookies...

Made jingle bell bracelets...


& took a nap.... (Well, at least 2 took a nap, and the boys are resting. Our friends are off to pick up some other kids from school.) I thought I'd start to download photos and write my thoughts before our math and reading time. I guess that's where all my time goes. We'll definitely do GreenDay again next year...but we're thinking about celebrating some other colors this spring and into the summer. Should be fun.

Where has all my time gone?

I have 2 posts in draft. I'll get to them sometime. But, sheesh...where has all my time gone? Did the timechange take more than 1 hour? I'll be back soon....

This weekend I did get a mani-pedi. =0) Then dinner out with 30 girlfriends! Then out way to late just chatting with friends! The boys went bowling again. And I got to clean out some closets. I know that closet part doesn't sound fun, but it's great to give away some of our baby things that we no longer need. A HUGE box of toys is going to a Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Today is our GREENDAY! I'm going to try to photograph another DayInTheLife!

Yeah for the Weekend!

Yesterday, I noticed that 5's front tooth had moved since Wednesday. Yes, he's my kid. And yes, I probably looked at him on Thursday, but I just don't remember. Anyways, I called the Pediatric Dentist, and their office isn't open on Friday. I called my dentist and she could see us at 4pm. I took 5 in for an x-ray of his tooth. He's previously had a pulpectomy or a pulpotomy on that tooth. It was important that I remember which...and I couldn't. Anyways, after the x-ray that showed there was indeed infection, and a very large adult tooth pushing its way in, the dentist gave him 2 shots and pulled the tooth. Looking at the tooth (now in a cute blue treasure chest from the dentist), it was easy to see that because the root of the tooth was disolving to allow the baby tooth to fall out, the filling matter was exposed and that was the only thing holding the tooth in his gum...and causing the infection. He's much better now.



And not to be outdone, 6 wiggled harder on the loose tooth he's had for a month now. He's more skiddish about the pain. He didn't want Dad to yank it...so he let me loop a piece of floss over the tooth. All it took was tightening the slip knot and the tooth popped off. It actually flew. We had to search for it a bit...it was stuck to his shirt.

6 doesn't look much different, because he had shark teeth. You know, 2 layers. The adult tooth had fully grown in just behind the baby tooth. I think that's how the tooth hung in there for so long.

So, 2 kids loosing a tooth on the same day. YEAH! Now, I'm just praying that 2 forgets about it. She wants to wiggle her teeth and have the tooth fairy visit. We need her to keep those teeth for a few more years.

This weekend, I'm taking some much needed K-time. I'm letting Dad be Dad...and I'm off duty as Mom. In a bit, I'm heading out for a mani-pedi. Sheesh. I haven't had one in a year. I've just been doing it myself...how ever often that happens. And then I'll have some quiet time before meeting girlfriends for dinner. And one of the girls in our Sunday School class got her husband to take their kids on a slumber party to a friends house...and a bunch of the girls are having a slumber party. When is it that you can gather moms WITH OUT KIDS...and snacks...and share the stuff that's on your heart.

CO-itis

I've been working on another post about the weekend, but I keep getting a G00gle Server Error, and can't load photos. Today, enroute to co-op, 2 spit-up all over herself. I was nervous all day that it was a tummy bug. But, there hasn't been a 2nd overflow, and after her nap she's fine. I was so nervous that I was winding yarn. And looking around on Ravelry. And CO for a Cloud Bolero (ravelry link). I also wound some sock yarn for 2's socks. It's a yummy sherbert color. This nervousness (or maybe I should be honest and call it panic) is good for my knitting. Not so good for getting other things done.

What A Weekend

We started the weekend with 5's party at our house. Monster Trucks for this 5 year old! Dad took the boys to the Monster Jam about a month ago. We would have gone closer to the actual birthday, but they were in some other state at that time.

He chose Love Potion #31 with chocolate cake (we heart Baskin Robins).

I bought a paint-your-own kit for the kids to do during the party. 6 chose green, 5 chose red, and 2 got purple...of course...she was the only girl.

His favorite gift....


Then, my nephew's party was Saturday at the bowling alley. Aren't tiny bowling shoes cute!

Then Sunday, after barely making it to church (I'm the one who struggled with the time change), another party for a 4 y.o. friend. This party was complete with a petting zoo, pony rides and a bounce house. The kids jumped and jumped and I'm the one who's exhausted.

This week I'll be pouring more of myself into the homeschooling part of my day. With the latest in California, our E.F. (educational facilitator) has requested we file our samples differently. And our scheduled visit is this Friday. So, please excuse me if I'm not around much this week. Homeschooling is hard work, but work I love. Paperwork...not so much my thing.

A party at my house...

4 turned 5 this week. Today we're having the party. Lots of wild things and monster trucks at my house tonight. I'm really working on the Supermom part of this. His party is low key. Mostly just a family dinner. M took the day off. He'll take 5 to buy the balloons and stuff. I already have a 31 flavors cake. I'm just hoping and praying that I can stay calm...and not get worked up over how clean my house is. I mean with 4 other people running around today...there's no point. I'm going to keep reminding myself that this party will be remembered for the fun we had. Not whether or not I was able to wipe down all the sticky surfaces. Really...with 6 sets of fast fingers I can't keep up.

Here's some flowers from my yard. The Bird of Paradise in our front yard is gigantic. I think someone planted it then never pruned it...then we moved in. The mound of flowers is about 6' in diameter at the base. The leaves splay to about 10' in diameter and it stands about 8' tall. It hides the view of M's car from the street.

I love these Narcissus. I love that they make the whole yard smell wonderful. I've just learned that I don't like the smell of them in my house.

And when I went out to snap these photos...there was the most gorgeous sunset. I just had to share. Now, I don't know how to adjust all the settings on my camera even though I can. I don't even know if my photo does the God who turns the Earth in His hands justice.

WIP -- Wednesday

I've wanted to do one of these posts for awhile...I'm just not always up to speed. So, don't expect this to be a regular report. And I know it's still Tuesday...for once, I know what day it is. But, tomorrow is 4's Birthday. And our homeschool co-op. I doubt I'll have time to post.

I CO for the Square Cake last week. It's going to be so fun working with the sequins. But, these are my only #5 DPN's. And my #5 circ. is too long to fit the stitches, yet not long enough to magic-loop. I have the Sister's Bamboo Interchangeable Set. But, the #5 tip is the only one that's broken. I emailed Woodland Woolworks, and they responded. Even though I couldn't find anywhere on-line that I could order a replacement tip, they are able to do so. I don't care if it costs a few $$$. It will be worth it to have a complete set. These DPN's are too short for this number of stitches. I think I'll like the silk on bamboo better too...here it seems to slip a bit. I'll pursue the replacement before I work on this more.

I realize that it might be bad to post just one sock...but I'm so excited to have this as a FO. I'm even wearing the one sock right now. I'm not sure I'll be able to start the second sock in the same place in the striping sequence. I do have the pink next...but I don't know if I'll make it so the gray is right at the tips of the picot. That might be tough. I should have planned ahead. I will work on getting the 2nd sock OTN. They are a pretty easy knit for me when I'm not at the heel.

And my Clapotis. I thought that I had a brilliant way to get the most out of the yarn. I'd knit the increases with one cake, then knit the middle section alternating between the 2 cakes, then when the first yarn ran out, I would know it was time to decrease. But, you can see where it gets darker when I start alternating. I decided that I don't care. Once the stitches are all dropped, it won't really matter. And, besides...there are color variations in hand-dyed fabrics. So why not expect the same from a hand-dyed, hand knit. One end will be lighter, one end will be darker...with a blend in the middle. Just don't tell me if you think it looks horrible. When I work on this I get so excited to drop another section that I'll stay up another hour just to be able to finish a repeat. I can see why this is such a popular knit.

I still have a few other projects OTN, but these are the ones that I'm actively working on now. I read through the pattern instruction for the Lily and the V-neck T. I'm trying to decide what size I'll make. And I wanted to see if I had the needles so I could have both those projects OTN at the same time. I'd really like the Lily for Easter, and that's only a month away. The V-neck is so similar to the staples in my wardrobe...I really could use it now.

Gram Knits #3

I found this pattern book when I was cleaning this weekend. I wasn't really looking for it. But, I'm so excited because I never would have looked here for the book. Now I'll put the pattern book with the WIP.

I don't know if you can see this...the price is 20 cents!!! And that's for an entire book...not just one pattern. The copyright is 1948 inside.

Just a quick note...

Anne is asking for links to bloggers that have their own patterns. She's going to make a list featuring them all. I'm sure I've seen more, but this morning I remembered Michelle and Becca have sock patterns posted on their blogs.

Amanda is having a contest. *Pimp My Shop* I added a link to her shop...and to Mary's on my sidebar. I'll be adding others too as I remember.