You can't pick your family... or can you?

I've always heard "you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your family." Lately, I've been wondering if that is true. I have a family (a large one, in fact, full of cousins, second cousins, aunts, uncles...) that I love and I would do so much for each and every one of them. But, I have a second family. No, I'm not counting in-laws (or in my case, hope-to-be-future-in-laws.... PC's family) and such. No... I'm talking about my friends who are my family.

I mentioned my 'niece' Noodle in the last post. She's not my brother's child. She has none of my genetic material in her. No, she's our friends' daughter and she is my niece. My friend Mari (see sidebar for her site!) and my friend S (who's giving me a nephew- RemDog (nickname-- she's not naming her kid RemDog after Jerry Remy) are as close as sisters to me. I call them when I need support, need to laugh, need to cry. We share secrets and stories. We talk about everything-- nothing's off limits. I never had sisters and I finally do.

Now, my brother's wife is expecting their first child (we are very excited!) and this will just add to my "brood" of nieces and nephews.

We had a lengthy discussion at work once about what constitutes "family"--- we have a company policy that if you or dependent parent, spouse or child is sick, you can take sick time (it's unlimited... to a point) freely without question. PC and I live together. He's my family. He cares for me when I am sick; I care for him when he is sick. An incident landed us in the ER one night and into the following morning... PC was sick. He needed me. I stayed. I called into work (waiting until someone was there to answer the phone... I hate leaving "I'm sick" messages on voicemail) and when I went in the following day, was informed I needed to take a vacation day b/c "he's not your family." This decision has since been changed ( I think once they heard themselves say that OUT LOUD they realized how asinine it sounded) and we have had discussions about how the American family is changing: two mommys, two daddys, unmarried parents, living with grandparents or uncles/aunts, single parent families, siblings raising younger siblings... all of these constituting a family.

Where on earth am I going with this?

The Red Scarf Project (Norma's got way more details) for the Orphan Foundation. Kids who have "aged out" of the foster system and are headed off to college. Alone. No one to move them in, make their bed, and beg them to call every night. No one to rush home to for Thanksgiving break. And more importantly, no one to send those oh-so-important care packages to college. My care packages usually arrived with my parents on a weekend visit. Cookies from my mom. A banana bread from my Nana. My dad brought me a wee rose bush one visit for Valentine's Day.


So, I knit a red scarf...did you?? I'm knitting another one, I hope.... are you??

in need of an update!

Remember the Abby-Cadabby sweater? Well, here she is (unblocked)--- ready for her party! The real Abby Cadabby was very pleased with her sweater and her thank-you note photo was her in her sweater !!! (thanks, Stef... she is adorable!) The back "wings" gave me fits... I think I knit and crocheted 8 separate wings. In the end, some off-the-cuff crochet (a combo of single, double and 1/2 double crochet stitches) works well.





















PC's contribution to the gift? Well, he was my "does this look cute or creepy" sounding board. You all know how cartoon-y things can go really well or HORRIBLY wrong, right? I think this went right. Oh, and PC was the source of one very blonde, very fairy, princess wand to complete the outfit. Abby-Cadabby herself loved it.

Can't forget about my niece, hereafter referred to as "Noodle" or "Her Noodleness." This Classic Elite Cotton Bamboo was picked up last night at Island Yarn in Waltham. Oh, you didn't know Vicki was open LATE on Mondays? LATE as in 8:30pm!!! She hosts a knit-night there for whoever wants to sit and knit from 6-ish to 8:30pm every Monday (check on holidays). Now, my Noodle is a girl with class and distinction. And, well... as an Eastern European beauty (like her mom), pale pink is a "notsomuch" color on her. Her one and only Auntie-knit sweater is a rich buttery coral color. Looks fab on her! So, a dark raspberry-merlot color will really make her skin shine!










I am casting on for this at lunch: HoneyPie (see Ravelry for info). A few things about this pattern- there is no yardage provided. At all. I have 3 balls of Bamboo (130yds per ball) and one "held" at Island Yarn. (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Vicki? No "buy 4 now... return it later"--- no, no, no... "take 3, I'll hold one behind the counter if you need it." Oh my god... totally crushing on my yarn shop!)











Tomorrow: charity starts at home. Or, what I did for the The Orphan Foundation (a red "Plus" some colors scarf--- wear sunglasses to view tomorrow's photos. you've been warned.) and for a friend at the Metro West Knitting Guild. I hate knitting chemo caps, but when it's the only help you can offer, you put every ounce of love and prayer into each and every stitch. With my dad on the road to cancer-remission, knitting chemo caps still makes me cry... reminds me of how much I almost lost.

More tomorrow.

Clothes are packed.
Grocery list is ready.
New Saturn's gassed up.
PC's out of work already.
Pumpkin's going to "grandma's" for awhile.

It's been 2 years since we've done this and 1 year since we went somewhere without an ulterior motive (wedding, family, etc).

See you next week... and yes, the knitting is packed too!

Happy Dancing

1 down, 12 to go....


survived my first MS Project Management course .... with an A!!!

I think that deserves a yarny treat, don't you?

Don't you just love it when an LYS really gets on board with something? One of my LYS is now providing reusable bags for purchases (just like the grocery store!) that are free of charge until Labor Day and priced "reasonably" after that. They look like the grocery bags, so I am thinking the fee will be nominal and probably not a huge income booster for the shop. I like this shop for a whole variety of reasons, the first being the staff... fun, friendly and superb knitters. A few are on Ravelry and they try very hard to keep up with the ever-changing hearts of knitters. Plus, they have an awesome "back room" where you can go dig for your yarn, if you ask nice.

Wild & Woolly on Meriam Street in Lexington, MA.

Tell Pat at the front counter I said hi!!

*ahem* PC?

If anyone wants to know what I'd like for my birthday--- this would be good. Or at least some funds toward it. :)

WANT.

Porn

Yup. I said it. P.O.R.N.

I am talking about the new American Apparel advertisements all over the blogs, boston.com, cnn.com... they are everywhere. I don't shop there. Never had. And I can honestly say, no matter how much certain teenage relatives might beg, I will not spend any of my money there.

Why?

The ads!! Young girls in short skirts on their hands and knees crawling? Two girls and one guy "snuggled" up wearing underwear and socks only?

I am NOT A PRUDE. I can appreciate a racy ad (David Beckham's underwear ad? winner!) as much as anyone else, but this is bordering on child pornography and I am vehemently opposed to children being shown as sexual objects. I hate seeing 8 year old girls wearing make-up and half shirts. I am glad the "show your belly" thing has passed as well as super-duper-ultra low rise jeans + thong! trend.... but, these ads.... blech.

I have been quiet about them for several months... quietly seething and keeping my mouth shut. But, with school starting in a few weeks and knowing that girls will want to wear this to school... I need to speak up! We don't have kids, but we have teacher-friends and this is just so not acceptable. Teens are being lured into sexual relationships by each other and the media and then we complain when kids are actually having sex! I'm sorry, but if you buy your daughter a dress from a store that advertises it being worn while she's on all fours, crawling and writhing, you have no business complaining when you come home and find her in just that position.

Rant over. Seriously reconsidering having kids knowing this is what i am up against.

Why I became a scientist

I so want his job!

Because....

Danielle pushed Thom off a bridge and Terri threw Pete under the bus....

PC has been sent along after them.....

Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
PC: It makes you happy.

Me: What is your least favorite thing about my knitting?
PC: It has taken over the house.

Me: Do you think knitters have an expensive hobby?
PC: Umm.. No, it doesn't have to be. It can be.

Me: Do you think my knitting is on the expensive end?
PC: I have no idea... based on the amount of yarn you buy, probably, but I don't know how much yarn costs. I don't ask because we don't share bank accounts.

Me: Do you have any hobbies?
PC: I read, it's not really a hobby.

Me: What about all those first edition signed Harry Cruz books on the special bookshelf?
PC: What about them?

Me: Are they a hobby?
PC: They're a collection. I bought them because I wanted to read them.

Me: Has my knitting in public ever embarrassed you?
PC: (shakes head) No.

Me: Never?
PC: Never.

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
PC: Uh, Cherry Tree Hill. Is that what it is?

Me: That's my favorite sock yarn. What about type of yarn?
PC: Ummm... (pause for thinking) I'd say merino wool or alpaca.

Me: Alpaca it is!! Can we buy some alpacas?
PC: If you got the money, buy away... we'll put them in the backyard. The landlord won't notice.

Me: So, can you name other knitting blogs?
PC: Yarn Harlot, (squints face).. the one on the train-- the Subway Knitter or whatever. I'm sure there is more. I know you've mentioned them.

Me: So, do you mind that I want to check out yarn stores everywhere we go?
PC:(laughs nervously) No more than you mind that I want to check out music stores wherever we go. Or used bookstores.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
PC: Importance to who? Me or you?

Me: Me. Knitters!
PC: To test out the pattern you are going to use, the yarn you are going to use. To make sure it works right. It's like a trial run.

Me: very good. Do you read Minestrone Soup?
PC: yes.

Me: Have you ever left a comment?
PC: I think I have. I usually just make my comment to you as you walk past me when I am reading it.

Me: Do you like my blogging?
PC: yes.

Me: Do you think the house would be cleaner if I didn't knit?
PC: Yes. Definitely

Me: Because of the yarn everywhere or the time I spend knitting?
PC: Both.

Me: okay. I guess I should stop bloggin' today and go grocery shopping (point taken). Thank you for helping me out... Anything you want to say to the people who read this?

PC: No.

Money, money, money

So, I wouldn't say "money problems" but more money concerns have been a topic of conversation in our house lately. And while we can always pay our bills , with a wee bit for fun and adventure, and we have less than a couple hundred on the credit card bills... sometimes it gets tight. Or ... at least tight enough that we say "hmm... where did our money go???"

Great people that you all are... I thought I'd ask for some advice. Trimming the fat, so-to-speak, without losing a lifestyle... is it worth it?

My ideas:
1. cut grocery bill. We have started doing this by going with a list, shopping BJs and Russo's (cheapest produce in MA, I swear) and Trader Joe's (yes, for whole wheat pasta and some non-traditional "staples" (quinoa, couscous, better'n'butter) it's cheaper)

Q: what about a meat CSA?? Have you done this? One of the ones I am interested in is 10lbs for $70/month, with a 6 month committment. Would 10lbs last 2 people a whole month?

2. no more home phone service. :( We use our cell phones almost exclusively, but our internet is bundled with our phone (our house can't support digital cable-- -something about wires), so this will be tricky, but doable. I hope.

3. switching banks (i am doing this!) to one with better online banking...so, who do you like better??

A) citizen's bank
B) sovereign bank
C) alternative... suggest one!

So... there you have it. Not really money woes, but money thoughts. (Please don't think we're broke or need anything, we really don't--- it's just time to be adults and think about money in a smarter way!)

:)Mini

Going to NH to have kids...???

I know times are tough, and I am not a homeowner (yet), but c'mon...

Kids are too expensive and are "not encouraged" in Massachusetts towns?

Can anyone say: one step too far? If you can afford to live there, buy a house and pop out some kids.

In the famous words of Charlie Brown (my hero): Good Grief!

Durgin Park

You want to know a good time? Meet the following people for dinner at Durgin Park (in Quincy Market):

Carole (& Dale)
Claudia
Sandy
Norma
Carol
Terri

I don't think I forget anyone! We all met (via Sandy) for dinner to celebrate Norma's visit to the "flatlands" of Massachusetts and Sandy's "staycation." A yummy dinner at a very traditional New England restaurant (that in 30.5 years in Boston, I had never eaten at!) and some great conversation. I wish I could have joined them for Shakespeare on the Common, but I had some things to get done at home. And, I totally forgot my camera. *doh*

Knitting photos for tomorrow--- Abby -Cadabby is coming along nicely. She went through a stage of "ohmygodthatisthecreepiestclownlookingfaceihaveeverseen." She's over that now. She looks like Abby-Cadabby now. I think.

It's Like Magic!

This is being converted into an intarsia sweater for a two-year old. I hope. If not, it'll be her Christmas gift.
















Can we all be a little thankful for KnitPro?

I Knit.

I really do knit. And today, I'm proving it.

A "miss dashwood" hat for Baby C--- she needs a sunhat and this is the closest thing I could find that would be small enough. It won't look so pointy on her head.

And, for Master R (due in Sept), here is a wee preppy sweater. It's modelled after a sweater at Jacadi... a VERY high end childrens' shop in Paris. My friend Syl is Parisian and she's the one having the baby... so, here it is. I should be done with it tonight. It's Baby Ull on US3. :) I love the preppy collar and the raglan sleeves.... too cute!

Stolen Meme

Top 10 Vacation Memories...

(in no particular order)

1. The sun bouncing off the water at Rand Pond Campground (where we spent all of our summers) in NH.... at 4:30 pm. It glistened and sparkled like diamonds. The temperature would just start to change and you could smell the grills being lit.
2. The thunderstorm at Lake Androscoggin in Maine. PC and I were woken up by lightning illuminating our tent. I promptly hid under PC and then he had to convince me to run for the truck. We slept the whole night in my brother's pick-up.
3. Our first trip to Disney together. Being able to pet a rhino at the Animal Kingdom.
4. My first trip to Disney as a kid--- picking grapefruit in my great-uncle's backyard for breakfast (we had no idea grapefruit came on trees and that you could eat food from your yard... what a bunch of city kids!) and learning to "speak dolphin" from my grandfather. Mostly, this involved me going "eeee! eeee!" whenever asked something. I'm not sure my mom ever forgave him for that one. The trip home when the RV broke down and my dad was laughing b/c it was the only time my mom didn't have bobby pins in her hair and my dad really needed one to fix the engine.
5. DC last year... being able to get lost in a new city with PC. Way more fun that it sounds.
6. Summer vacation 6 years ago: 2 weeks on the Cape (wellfleet) with my friend, Margy. She worked and I went to the beach. Swam with seals on the harbor side beaches. Saw a shark fin on the ocean side. I still prefer the kettle ponds for swimming. No seals. No sharks.
7. Playing ping-pong and listening to the juke box at the Rec Hall with my brothers--- I think what I loved the most is that we were less siblings and more friends then.
8. Being the only girl to enter and win the BMX competition at the campground's labor Day events. My dad was SO proud.
9. Watching my brother run like a madman away from "a wild boar!!!" on a hiking trail that turned out to be an escaped pig from the farm next door.
10. Anything we did at Conway Lake, including forgetting the rainfly, swimming at Echo Lake, riding the train to the Notch, watching fireworks from our site, eating too many hotdogs, celebrating our first non-smoking camping trip.

I love to camp and we're hoping to bring this love of camping to our kids someday. So, honey--- wanna go camping with me?

:) Kate

Remember this Post?

You all remember when I had my "incident" with a cyclist a few weeks back? Well, today on the "green blog" via the Boston Globe, I saw this article and HAD to comment. If you read the comments, I am "minisoup" and I am not alone!!!! (please read!!!)

My idea: Cycling Licenses. If I need a license to drive, you need one to 'ride'.


Best Quote:

"We're out there obeying the rules, getting exercise, and saving gasoline. We've ridden in charity rides that benefit cancer, mental retardation, poor children, multiple sclerosis, and myriad other causes."

How on earth does participating in charitable bike rides factor into one's ability to obey laws?

I have to say.... I am so disappointed with the author of this blog.

The Great Debate

I've been torn about writing this post. Really torn. Because, really? Saturday of last weekend was "all about Kate" and this is something I specifically wanted to do. And I did it. And I feel dirty.

A preface: PC and I are zoo-afficianados. We are Zoo New England Members, we planned a trip to DC around the National Zoo (our hotel was within walking distance), and have considered going to San Diego ONLY to see the Zoo. A major defect of the trip to NYC recently was the lack of two zoo visits (Central Park and Bronx).

Saturday, PC had purchased tickets for me and him to go see the live broadcast of the Prairie Home Companion. I * heart* this radio show. Love it. Love it. Love it. I like the old-timey songs, the silly jokes, the bad 'acting' and the guests they have. (FYI: the guest was Donald Hall. ) It was held at Tanglewood and we had packed a picnic for dinner. Tanglewood is a 2-2 1/2 hour drive from our home in MetroWest Boston.... and Tanglewood was worth the drive and gas!

Along the way, we stopped at someplace that we knew could go 1) really well or 2) really bad. The Lupa Zoo.
I am hesitant to blog a poor review of something. Normally, this is because most things that I don't enjoy (slam dancing, drinking beer from funnels or japanese game shows) are simply "not my taste" and I assume that just b/c I don't like something, doesn't mean it's bad.

The Lupa Zoo? Bad. Bad. Bad. We went there simply for one reason: the ability to feed a giraffe. (note: i love giraffes, and this was a "dream" to do this) Well, I fed the giraffe and then spent an hour trying not to cry b/c of the traumatic nature of this place.

What the Lupa Zoo is doing wrong:

1. feeding animals a very generic "peanut-corn-seed-stale bread" snack mix that is used for all the animals. Most of the animals did not have a food source visible beyond the "petting zoo" mix that you had to buy. Animals were conditioned to run to a "feeding tube" (PVC pipe) that you sent the food down.
   
2. poor maintenance of the animal facilities. The primate barn? Stunk like urine and feces and was over 100 deg F inside. In a large fencing material dome, there were several variety of birds, but the sheer number was overwhelming. Bird feces abounded. There was no "green" space for the animals. 95% were on dirt.
   
3. Size of animal facilities. Three Himalayan bears (all pretty big) shared a space that was about the size of an expensive house's living room. I know not all zoos have the square footage or the ability to maintain large "natural" habitats, but if you cannot: do not. Get it? Okay.
   
4. moving on... my giraffe. Emaciated. Drooping skin. Being fed bananas and apples cut in half. Sounds good, no? THE LABELS WERE STILL ON THE FRUIT. I fed plastic fruit labels to a giraffe (we noticed after the first apple was already gulped down) and I am thinking: hundreds of people have fed this poor animal something 100% indigestible.
   
5. overwhelming number of FLIES.
   

If you are in the Ludlow area, please please do not go here. I am a strong supporter of zoos and aquariums and I have to say, this was despicable. I am drafting a letter the AZA (association of zoos and aquariums). Needless to say, I could not find any association or accreditation information on this zoo. A private zoo will be, among other things, run like a business with cost-effective measure taken. A well cared for private zoo also in the area, Southwick Zoo, has a wonderful reputation, helpful staff, well cared for animals and informative/educated personnel. if you are going to drive to a private zoo, drive to that one. But, remember to support your local non-profit zoo: Franklin Park, Stone Zoo (new bears!) and Roger Williams Zoo...

Knitting photos tomorrow.

:)

How to spend a leisurely Sunday

1. Enforce "no plans" rule with significant other on Friday night.
2. Whine a little about the fact that you haven't had a "real" weekend in months (mostly due to your own planning and friend/family committments on your side; ignore this --- whine anyway)
3. Wander off on Saturday to "poke at yard sales" and get a manicure.
4. Walk into a trap of yard sale (for charity. for American Cancer Society: ahem. Anyone remember Dad? And Dad's cancer? In remission? hello heartstrings... feel the tug).
5. Buy a gorgeous rocker (needs some love. Okay a LOT of love) and side table
6. Bring it home to put in bedroom.
side note: in September, when I am "moved" to the bedroom on Sundays so that the living room can become "mantown" for football, I need a place to knit. We can all agree that sitting on your bed is not a comfy knitting place. And it gets your pillows hot. I hate hot pillows.
7. Persuade significant other to help you move some furniture around on Sunday.
8. Get up Sunday a.m.: go to gym. Run at the gym.
9. Come home: complain and make coffee.
10. Ask SO for advice on moving room around.
11. decide it's way too much effort and may not work.
12. move one piece of furniture and smoosh some more together.
13. Clean.entire.bedroom and closet and under bed and vacuum ( thank you PC) and dust and oh.my.god....

your bedroom is clean, orderly and you have 3 bags of clothes for donation. And I haven't even gone through my drawers.

Give some love to Mariuca (blog in sidebar and regular commenter here)-- my best girlfriend who is currently IN LABOR with her first baby, hereby named mini-C, 5 1/2 weeks early. Yup. Breath is held. Nothing I do in my lab today, including if I cured cancer, would be equivalent to what she is doing RIGHT NOW.

Please, God, keep Mari and the baby safe. Let Al be strong in all ways possible.

(add your well wishes and I will send them along to Mari this week.)

EDITED TO ADD:
IT'S A GIRL!!!! Healthy 6lbs both Mom and Baby are doing GREAT!!

I hate it when he does this....

I hate it when PC's right. And he is. And I am admitting it. And I hate it.

We have an agreement. He likes the gym. He likes the lifting of weights and running on the treadmill (okay, he doesn't like that part, but he does it). Me? I'd rather play tennis. But, in order to play tennis, I need to be stronger. In order to be stronger (oh and stamina too!), I need to work out. To work out, I need to go to the gym. I don't love the gym. I go. I work out. I count each and every stupid minute.

For a few months, I was up at 4:30a.m. and off to the gym (arriving by 5:05am) for 30-60 minutes about 5-6 times a week. I was seeing results, I was increasing my activity. Then we went to the wedding in NYC. I was so exhausted (emotionally, financially, physically) from that trip, that I haven't been to the gym. That was 3 weeks ago.

This week, PC woke me up at 4;30 and said "go.to.the.gym" He was not fooling around. He was serious. He wants me to be happier and have more energy. He wants me to lose weight (me too!). And he wants me healthier.

* side note: am working out, eating better, but not watching my WW points... am trying to eat only 3 meals a day and work in 3 dairies and 0 pt veggies. i am also losing bread, rice, potatoes and non-fruit sugar on Monday. hello headaches, but I need to bust through my sugar addiction.

Well, damn it if yesterday and today, I went to the gym and I feel great. I know that my "funks" are a sign of mild depression (associated with PCOS along with difficulty losing weight, ease of gaining weight, facial hair, hair loss and hormones on heroine). But, really--- it only took 2 days of returning to the gym and I feel great.

And last night, I got my hair cut and colored. It's darker and redder (love it) and it's very short and sassy (love it). PC always loved my longer hair until he realized that I wore it up 99% of the time. I look better with shorter hair and feel better with shorter hair. But, with all new haircuts, I tried to do it myself this morning and used too much of the "goo" for my hair and well... I need to work on this a bit I think. (PC is responsible for the hair too... when I complained that I needed a new style, he said "ask the stylist" and I did... I have never seen a woman so excited to help me with something new. She said people usually sit in the chair and say "I want a change, but no bangs, keep the length and the color")

* for those in the Boston area: I went to Newton Hair Company on Watertown Street, in the Nonantum Section of Newton. Reasonable: wash, cut, color, blow out, style and eyebrows: $100.

Practice makes perfect, right?

Big problem with top of the mitten, so no photo until I hear back from the designer. I think it's me. I think I forgot how to read directions.

Thing the second, I want to say something about bicycles and cars. I like my car. In fact, I love my car. It's reliable and (somewhat) new and I get decent gas mileage. I like bikes. I think riding a bike to work is a genius idea. I think bike lanes are a good thing. But, I have begun to believe that I don't like bike riders.

Before the flaming begins, bear with me, and hear me out, okay? I drive through some very "hot" biking neighborhoods on my way to work. I pass about 50-70 people on bikes each day, to and from work. That's a large sample number to work with considering I have working on this street for 3 years. I have seen some pretty strange behavior on bikes such as : riding on a highway, stopping for no reason in the middle of the road, not stopping for stop lights, etc.

Okay, so why don't I like bike riders? When I was small, I learned to ride a bike in a very bike-friendly town. There were rules. You ride with traffic, not against. You obey traffic laws. Like stopping at red lights, moving through green ones, signalling right and left, etc. You pay attention to what's around you. I wait patiently behind lines of bikes if I can't get around them.

I also know that I am a good driver (ask anyone, I do tailgate, but I do obey traffic and speed laws with scary attention) and there are bad drivers out there. So, I imagine that good cyclists and bad cyclists are out there. Here's a bad one:

This morning, a cyclist,wearing an iPod, wove through traffic to a stop light. He was between the drivers' side of my car and the passenger side of another car. I was in the right lane. With my blinker on. Indicating my intent to turn right. The light changed (no turn on red sign present) and I proceeded to turn right. So did the bike. Without warning. Darted right in front of my car as I was accelerating. I almost hit him. I slammed on my brakes and yanked the wheel to the right, hitting my horn to alert him I was close. I was terrified of hitting this man. He pulled over. He indicated that I should too. I did, thinking "oh. my. god. I hit a person" and was then treated to a 5 minute "you-stupid-f*&^%#-C&^# SUV driving gas whore! YOU need to watch out for US on the road... that's YOUR job. NOT MINE. SHARE the road you B#$%^!!" tirade. Fortunately for me, there was an officer nearby working a detail. He came over and calmed the cyclist down.

And gave him a $500 ticket for failing to signal, taking a right turn from a left lane and wearing an iPod while operating a bicycle. When I left he was arguing with the cop that "he couldn't get a ticket, he wasn't in a car." I heard the officer say "the rules of the road are the rules of the road."

Ah. Karma.

PC made me a commercial

I love that I might cause drowsiness and potential paralysis. Or is that just my cooking?

Mitten Mania

I think knitting mittens is addictive. Really, the options for mittens are pretty much unlimited. Cables. Colorwork. Fancy texture stitches. And you can show them off. Unlike socks, where you must remove your shoes to show off the whole thing, you can easily pass your mittens around a group of impressed friends/family/coworkers. Living in Boston makes mittens a must-have. Last year, I made a pair of orange and white mittens from Cascade 220. I love these mittens. Also, I learned something very important. I don't like "wimpy" mittens. I mean mittens in fingering weight. I have found that some nice worsted wool and my trusty US2 dpns make a very warm, durable mitten. Heck, I wore my orange/white ones daily throughout the winter and they never even felted! So, when looking at the Ravelry boards... there was a cry for mitten test knitters--- I answered the call. A sadly blogless Sophia asked me to test knit, Maude, a pattern to be available in the fall, I think.


A few mods to Maude. The first, it called for fingering weight. I cast on with Cascade 220. Right now, I am searching for typos, confusing directions and any errors.


A few comments.
1. great pattern.
2. easy to memorize. I have been knitting from memory since the first repeat.
3. easy to swap around colors. I have chosen tone on tone blues, but image this in stark white and red. Or a charcoal gray and bright green.

Mittens will be filling my Christmas knitting basket this year.

Tell me: what's your favorite mitten pattern?

Operation Kill Mickey

Yup, had every intention of taking some photos of knitting this morning (not exciting knitting... nope, just an angora scarf and some golf club covers--- Fathers' Day, y'know), but we have had a "houseguest" for 2 days.

Our houseguest is unwanted and probably terrified by now. A large orange cat has stalked it and played with it, but has not quite completed "enhanced interrogation" as of 7am.

I hate mice.
I killed hundreds of mice at my first job.
I snapped their little necks humanely and for the sake of science.
Those were germ-free, clean, scientifically bred white mice with pink noses.
Our houseguest did not grow up in a sterile environment.

So, "el gato pequeno" (wee kitty; our nickname for Pumpkin, the wonder cat) is a good hunter. And she LOVES to hunt. Loves it. She was panting and stopping for water breaks. She meowed at us to help her look.for.the.mouse! At one point last night, PC was trying to coax her to bring the still-alive prisoner back to him (so he could get rid of it) b/c she seemed to be bringing it to me. A gift. A token of love and affection.

On top of all of this : it's hot. I mean real hot. Mean hot. Tap a hydrant hot. We have AC and we use it... but it's not even July yet and I hate the heat.

Photos tonight come hell or high water. Knitting photos. I'm not taking a photo of the mouse. I might take a photo of the hunter though. ;)

Another meme

Yeah, I am calling this one in....

(stolen from Sandy)

10 things that have changed since you were in High School:

1. We had a smoking section. Yup. There was a section of the outside that had cigarette cans and if you were caught smoking in a non-smoking section, you had to spend your lunch picking up the butts on campus. All of them.

2. 90210 was on the tv. And it was a big deal. Now Tori Spelling has babies and a reality show.

3. The student parking lot looked like a student parking lot. I rode by a local high school the other day and the student parking had 3 Mercedes and 4 Land Rovers. I remember my first car arrived on a flat bed truck without an engine. My dad made me pay for every part he used to fix it. I loved that car. I loved every car I had... and I appreciate a car now.

4. Sweet 16 parties were in your parents' house. If you were lucky (or in my town, you were sharing a party with a cousin-- we all had cousins our own age, or even in the same grade!), you had it at the VFW. Nobody's parents rented the Taj Mahal. No one had a famous singer (if the football team showed up, you would appropriately swoon). And most of us had to share our "new" ( i.e. Mom's) car with our parents and one or more siblings.

5. School dances were held.... at school. In the cafeteria, with streamers and off-market Kool Aid. A local dj played popular music and we danced all night long. Or until 10:30 pm, when the moms would be outside picking everyone up.

6. Cell Phones, TIVO and DVDs were not invented.

7. Call Waiting and Call forwarding was new.

8. Kids were busy: cheerleading, clubs, working PT.... and doing my honors classwork. My mom never made excuses for us... it was my fault if I was a) late for work, b) didn't do an assignment or c) let my grades slip. I was told I was to be responsible and my parents sided with my teachers. Every.time. (Note: this made the transition to college very easy... I already knew how to be responsible)

9. Having a beer in the woods on a Friday night was a big deal. Not too many kids were having orgies or doing serious drugs (some were, but it was not the majority). Kids were having sex, but no one was bragging about it.

10. We said the pledge of allegiance, we had moments of silence for special events, we faced the flag at sporting events.

Since I haven't taken any knitting photos

A meme (a la PumpkinMama)

1. What were you doing 10 years ago.
Huh. I had to think about this one. 10years ago was 1998. I was finishing my junior year in college and starting my first ever laboratory job as an intern at a local biotech firm.

2. 5 things on my to-do list today.
Besides the 28 things on my work one? Personal to-do list: start packing list for this weekend's wedding. Download hotel/rehearsal/bus information and print out 2 copies. Laundry, laundry, laundry. Make world famous meatloaf and mashed cauliflower to make PC smile. Make mani-pedi and eyebrow appointments for pre-wedding.

3. Snacks I enjoy.
Popcorn, popcorn, more popcorn. Fruit with cheese.... yummmmm.....

4. If I were a billionaire instantly, I would:
-pay off our new car, my student loans, my parent's bills
-move into our very own house. (maybe something like the one we saw this weekend?? in the "fancy neighborhood"?)
-buy PC all the books he could ever read. In first editions.
-stay home and knit, play tennis, give money to charities, hang out with my friends and my mom.
-buy my mom a smaller, sportier, reliable car
-get a dog. Or 4.
-get married
-have a baby
-see my trainer.every.day

5. Places I have lived:
Melrose MA, Goffstown NH, Melrose MA, Newton MA

Tagging: anyone who wants to play along... leave a link to your meme if you like!

good week/bad week

You know what I want to do right now? go home and knit. Seriously. I just want to go home and knit. Or drive. Yeah. I am loving the new car. I do feel a little guilty about driving a V6 in a $4 a gallon world, but I am a snow-panicker and honestly, I drive 11 miles to work. I am not indepently to blame for global warming. And, now that PC has my old 4 cylinder, he's doing 1/2 the driving. And he has a 3 mile commute to work.

Mornings lately have been wonderful for driving into work. It's light, but not bright yet... and the air is crisp. I prefer early spring and fall weather to all others. I hate hot weather. New Englanders are celebrating b/c we will have our 1st 85 deg day on Monday and I'm all like "where's the AC?" I have always been like this.

Mornings have also been well, tough. For about 6 weeks, I got up at 4:45am, changed, hit the gym and came home, went to work. for the past 2 weeks, I have been sleeping in and skipping the gym. This needs to change ASAP, if not sooner. My body clock feels off and I am kinda grumpy b/c of it. I think a lot of this is me missing my "mojo" lately. I am in a kind of workplace burnout-funk (I need a good long weekend and a new project and sense of responsibility) combined with wedding funk. Honestly, honored to be the maid of honor in the wedding next weekend, not happy about having to stay 2 nights in an exorbitantly expensive hotel in NYC and play servant/errand girl to the bride all weekend. I know, I know.. harsh. I do love my friend who's getting married and I love her hubby-to-be, but right now-- money is just stressing me out.

I think it's because of the following:
1. moving Sept 1. Anyone want to help us move? Anyone know a good 1+ bedroom in the Metrowest area with 2 car parking available for under $1200??
2. school. I start school July 7. Completly ecstatic. But, must pay all money up front and then get reimbursed.
3. Disney World. majorly expensive vacation in the fall ( made less expensive by PC's very generous parental units ) that has me cringing when I see the price of airlines going up-up and away! At least we have AAA and will save a little on Park Hopper tickets. And, since we are adults, our biggest expense is food... not toys. :)
4. saving money. I am a little late to the financial responsibility game, but honestly, with home prices as low as they are (sorry, good for those of us who want to buy, bad for you who just did) and everyone telling us "ohh... you could get a house for a steal!".... it's time to start thinking more than just 2-3 paychecks ahead. Add in the very unexpected car payments for the next 5 years... ugh.

I know I am sort of mentally dumping out there today, but it's what's on my mind and when I am stressed, I just need to throw it all out there and see what happens.

-mini

These are our friends. Our friends are having a baby!!! Their dear sweet little girl will be here in a few short weeks--- everyone's excited to meet her! Of course, this wee one will need some sweaters for her first few New England winters, but we're waiting to see how big she's going to be before I begin that knitting! :)

A word about my friend, M (shown above). It's funny how we became friends... she married A and we met when I started dating PC, A's friend. Now, A and PC were always friends, but never really did stuff "outside the group" and since M and I were always outside the group, we naturally did what women do--- we became friends and now the guys hang out all the time. M is the best kind of friend. The one who emails you at 3:55 pm to say "5 more minutes!!" until you both leave. The one who really appreciates a trip to the Christmas Tree Shop. She's the friend who's cabinets you can rifle through looking for tea bags. My mom once remarked that seeing me with M and S (another great friend) was like seeing me with sisters.

Now, M is having a baby. A long awaited baby. A long wished for baby. She's nervous. She's scared. And she's gonna be a wonderful mom. A's going to be the best dad ... and he will be completely wrapped around that little pink finger from day one. I'm very honored to have friends like these... we love them and we are so happy to be part of their lives. Baby C, you are going to have great parents and you will always be surrounded by people who love you. And yes, I'll sing the Katy Duck song to you.

baby sweater, receiving blankets, and quilt (under sweater) for C.

WW Would've Been Wednesday

Yikes! I missed a WW wed! So, you will get it today, Friday, instead... "and you'll like it!"(said in my best mom voice.)

This weekend is the American Festival of Momness. My mom has a lot of momness.

• She owns mom-jeans, but 2 years ago finally said "what about straight leg?"
• My mom has said things like "I brought you into this world and I can take you out!" with a straight face.
• My mom's spit has magic dirt removing qualities.
• My mom bravely took 3 hungry kids to mass every week. By herself.
• My mom makes the best chocolate cake with icing (the cake must have a hole in the middle).
• My mom tolerated me from age 12-22, when I knew everything.
• My mom tolerates me now, when I admit I have no idea what I am doing.
• My mom allowed "mental health days" when you didn't want to go to school.
• My mom played more than she did housework.
• My mom knows how to throw a football and cook a pot roast.
• My mom is a world reknowned emergency doll surgeon: complete with dishtowel "mask" over her face, spatula "defibrilolaters", flashlight and "sterile" dish gloves. She never lost a patient. And she let me say "Stat!"

So, this weekend, b/c my mom (and PC's mom) need to be celebrated, I am hosting my 3rd Mom-Day Brunch. The menu includes: hashbrown potato quiche, french toast souffle, salad, cheddar/apple kisses (PC is making these), and fruit salad and pastry (if my brothers remember it's their job to pick these items up).

Hash Brown Potato Quiche (or White trash tater tots 'n eggs)

Ingredients:

• 1 bag tatertots, thawed
• 5 eggs (or egg beater equivalents)
• 1/2 ham steak, diced
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt

In a pie dish, put 1/2 the bag of tater tots. Mash with potato masher and form into the "bottom crust" of the quiche. Line the sides with the intact tater tots. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes. Put cheese and ham in cooked crusts. Beat eggs, milk and salt together. Pour into quiche crusts, over ham and cheese. Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes (Until eggs are set). Serve with salad to your favorite mom.

No points on this one... though, i think with the egg beaters, it's like 6 per slice. Makes 6 slices.

Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh My!

Now, lion cupcakes don't get made for just any old birthday....

It was M's 1st birthday!

A jungle party!

Pattern: backpack based on the backpack pattern from Jujube & Lolo.

Elephant: my own design :)















Lion: my own design














"M" puppet: my own design














Lion-y pocket: loopy stitch from Grr... the washcloth (free on knitty), but I did the face as intarsia with duplicate stitch. I think it came out pretty cute.

Most important: the birthday boy liked it, and he can now take his treasures with him... it'll be more useful this summer when he is running around and will be feeling more independent.

whirlwind

I have knitting to show. Finished knitting and just-started knitting. Pictures tonight. (I'm not at home).

Weekend of whirls. We took the new car for a whirl. A few of them actually. Friday we found out that my dear friend, S, will be having a BOY in September! S, her hubby and her step-kids are super excited. :) Saturday was all about PC--- specifically, PC needing a suit. We have a wedding in NYC (oh, yeah: Manhattan here we come!) at the end of the month. I am the maid-of-honor, so my outfit is covered, but PC, well.... when you lose 75lbs, you have to buy a new suit. Think navy pin stripes. *me-ow* PC doesn't wear a suit very often, but when he does: hubba hubba!

Saturday night was a wee adventure to Coolidge Corner. Dinner at b.good. Oh how we LOVE b.good. (WW girls: they give you the nutritional info ON THE SIGNS in their restaurants. And you can email Jon and Anthony for any more specific info. PC and I used to have date night at their restaurant on Dartmouth for a long time... ) Then off to the Trader Joe's (they have booze) for wine, beer, tuna-for-cats, and turkey jerky. A quick diversion to Finale for coffee and dessert. Oh.my.god. Orgasmic chocolate creation --- and I left 1/2 of it on the plate. I guess working out and changing the diet is working. And now we know: next time PC and I will share a dessert there.

Sunday was our friends' son's 1st birthday!( there are photos of his cupcakes here) A jungle theme set the mood... it was nice to chat with good friends and catch up. Watching everyone's kids grow up so fast... makes you realize that time does move quickly. PC and I love kids,but right now, we are very happy to come home to one very happy cat.

Speaking of Pumpkin: tomorrow is her 2 year adopt-iversary. :) 2 years and she's still better entertainment than the tv. Just this morning, she jumped on my lap for pre-work snuggles and tried to drink my tea. And then she bit me.

Photos of a jungle themed backpack and the start of PC's sweater tomorrow.

:)

May Day

My middle name is Mae. I always thought that having my name spelled like that made me special. I thought that I was called by my first and middle names as a child made me special. Later I found out it was to distinguish me from all the other kids with my name. My full first name is long and very traditional (my dad picked it) and my nickname is common and "cutened me up" a bit (so says my mom).

So, until I was about 6 , I thought May 1 was "Katie Mae Day" and not May Day. Hm.

And before I forget: Karen touch Eddie Izzard. She knit him socks and handed to him in person. I would have passed out. Karen's stronger than me.

Happy Maryland Sheep and Wool to all of you--- busting at the seams to hurryupandgetthecarpackedandgetontheroadthereisyarnwaitingtobebought. (yes, I wanted it all one word) :) Think of me--- not buying any yarn and avoiding all those crowds.

WW Wednesday

Goop. Yup. My mom "named" it when we were kids and I have to say there isn't one among the three of us who don't drool when we hear it. Goop.

Goop came to be as a remedy for the first big recession in the 80s. My dad was in construction/heavy equipment and he was out of work. A lot. So, he went to work at the local schools system (janitorial) and my mom learned to drive school buses. Dinners became faster and the grocery bill for a family of 5 needed to extend farther. My mom, always a bastion of good nutrition, wanted her very energetic kids to have red meat at least 1-2 times per week and make sure veggies got in us (some of us, ahem: J!, were resistant to any and all veggies). But, a small grocery budget and red meat (i.e. steak) for a family of 5?? Let's just say, the steak "needed a little somethin'" to be more appealing.

Goop: that somethin' special! And since we are (or soon will be) in another recession and everyone's looking for ways to reduce the cost of food, I thought I'd share it with you.

WW: 2 points per 1/4 cup. Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
4 big mushrooms, sliced
1 tomato, sliced (strange, but the pinker "not-ripened-on-the-vine" (y'know:cheap ones!) work best
1 large bottle of Fat Free Italian Dressing (Wish Bone brand is the best, and on sale)

Directions:
Put everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve hot over steak tips, strip steaks, chicken, etc. YUMMY.

Nipple Tape

A few weeks ago, my guild (MetroWest Knitting Guild) hosted Joan Michael-McGowan as a guest teacher for a weekend. There were many wonderful classes offered, but I only participated in two: vintage knitting and whip your knits.

Vintage knitting gave us old lace patterns that would be great accents to blankets, pillowcases and even plain ole stockinette sweaters. Not my normal cup'o'tea, but i am trying to step outside my comfort zone (not with car purchases, but more about that later).

Whip your knits was probably the best thing I have ever done in terms of understanding knitting for myself. The first exercise resulted in the photo you see above: nipple tape. And waist tape and arm tape. By buddying up and armed with masking tape and our trusty sheepy tape measures,Trinknitty and I set to work, measuring each other and writing down the measurements. Oh.my.goodness. What an eyeopener!

Now, Item #1. You have a photo of ME on the blog. Yup. Talk about WAY outside my comfort zone, but I have to tell you.... last year a photo of myself that I saw put me in a state of depression--- well, it was bad. This year, with WW and the gym and tennis (starts tonight!!!), I am slightly smaller. And, you can tell by the smile on my face, I am having so much fun at this class. So, maybe more Mini photos "IRL" (in real life) as I am know going to try to knit more for ME!!

Tonight I pick up the new car. I think her name will be Betty Sue, the Vue. The Kia's name was "ka-ka-kia!" b/c my grampy used to sing "ka-ka-ka-kay-teeeee" to me all.the.time. I miss that. There's a lot involved in my heart with handing over the Kia to PC and taking on the new car. My first adult purchase was that car. It was the first thing over a thousand dollars that I owned. I learned alot buying and paying for that car. PC keeps asking me why I don't seem more outwardly excited about the Vue... and it's kind of hard to explain. I know I will love this car. But, while we were test driving cars, I had the opportunity to buy something "fully loaded" and kinda sexy. Not so "soccer mom" or "safe and reliable". Something that would turn heads. But, as with all things in my life, practicality won out (PC says this is an endearing quality of mine) and I bought the Vue. And I will love it (I already do--- they're giving her a bath and installing the remote start today), but doesn't everyone want to be the sports car once in their life?

Unexpected Expenses

Okay. The yarn stash is officially at maximum capacity. The beloved Kia (my car for the past 10 years) has been a "problem" for a few months. She groans, I offer a quick fix, my wallet cries. We get along for a few weeks, she cries a little more, I sigh, open wallet and start feeling weepy myself. There have been hushed discussions about quality of life and "being able to get places, like work"... decisions have been made and considered.

Banks were called.

Decisions were made.

Cars were driven.

Dealers were pushy and ready to deal.

Overall, the result is that the Kia will live on in our family, as PC's back-n-forth to work car, with some repairs (will save us buying 2 cars this year!!!) and *fingers crossed* this will be in the driveway Tuesday night:

2007 Saturn Vue,V6, 3.7L, 270 hp, AWD

Got her for a steal at Saturn of Norwood. A review of my service later this week. I have to say, having been "among" car dealers for over 3 days straight, I felt confident buying my new baby here. Oh, and the finance guy even got me a lower rate than I was preapproved. Even better.

So, yarn shopping: no mas until Christmas. So, feel free to send yarn!

:) kate

Pressure

I am really glad so many of you like the "WW Wednesday" idea... please let me know if you have a favorite or if you made any changes to a recipe that I should know about (i.e. "adding BBQ sauce really yummed it up!").

Pressure. Pressure at work (big presentation next Friday--- trying not to throw up). Pressure at home--- huge car repairs and car buying decisions to be made. Pressure from knitting. Yup. I have some projects to complete and I am trying to not impose deadlines. Baby C--- you will have hand knit items, but if your baby blanket doesn't start behaving itself, permanent time out!!! I am also working on some stash reduction (stop laughing!!).

On my knitting queue:

baby backpack (jungle theme) for Baby M's 1st b-day, complete with finger puppets.
baby blankie (knit) for Baby C's shower
baby quilt (sewn) for Baby C's shower
orange aran wiggles for me!
cotton pullover for me.
fionn for PC
Oh Canada! for me (using Kim's yarn)
Cobblestone for my dad
Mr. Green Jeans for my mom
10 pairs of socks

That's my list for the year. I might add in another sweater for myself right around Christmas.
Oh, one more pressure:

DID I MENTION I START GRADUATE SCHOOL THIS SUMMER??

(you knew there was a reason I wasn't blogging, didn't you?)

WW Wednesday

I swear: I knit. I do. I just haven't been taking photos and who wants a knitting post without photos? So, until I get my butt in gear (Saturday? I have free time on Saturday b/c the NFL draft is Saturday and PC will be glued to the tv.), you get another recipe. This is a PC favorite:

Greek Burgers:

Ingredients:
1 lb ground lean turkey
2 tsp olive oil
8 ounces fat free feta, crumbled
2 tbsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat grill pan, broiler, grill, indoor grill-y thing until hot. Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl and shape into 4 patties. Grill 20 minutes (it's poultry--- make sure you cook it all the way through) over med-high heat.

Serve with lite whole wheat rolls (Stop'N'Shop brand: 1 pt) and hummus or yogurt/cucumber sauce. Delish!!

WW: 5pts each (makes BIG BURGERS)

WW Wednesday

I do Weight watchers. kinda. I haven't been going to meetings b/c my clothes are looser and I am in better shape, but the lbs... they aren't coming off. Surprised? I am! Many discussions with the trainer and the PC, I guess this is normal when you are working out.

Anywho.... I have a new "blog thing" I want to try: WW Wednesdays. I will post a WW friendly recipe (complete with points) that PC and I have tried and liked. I know some of you out there are also being a little bit more calorie conscious, so we all help each other, no?

Today is something I made up this week to fill in a meal ( haven't we all done this?). I call it Mexican Lasagna, PC prefers "taco casserole" (we both agreed if we had it in a high school cafeteria, this would be "taco surprise"). I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if anything seems "off" or if I missed a step!

Taco Casserole

Ingredients:
12 small corn tortillas (we like Mannys: 1 point each!)
1-15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 bottle enchillada or taco sauce (pick your poison- and regulate your own heat)
1 lb lean ground turkey
8 ounces corn
2 cups cooked couscous (no oil, no butter)
2 packets low sodium taco seasoning (or whatever you use for taco seasoning)
8 ounces reduced fat "mexican" cheese
1 1/4 cup water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, brown the turkey; add taco seasoning + water once meat is completely cooked. Stir in couscous, corn and black beans. In a casserole dish (Big one!),sprayed with cooking spray, layer 6 tortillas along the bottom. Pour 1/2 the meat-bean-corn-couscous mixture into the casserole dish and spread out evenly. Top with 1/2 the taco or enchillada sauce. Layer 6 more tortillas and the meat mixture. Top with more sauce. Cover the entire casserole with cheese. Bake at 350 F for 20-30 minutes.

Serves: 8
Points: 7 points/ serving

One Month Later

Hi. Did you miss me? I missed all of you! Well, especially you, of course. I'm back with a new outlook, a new routine and am raring to go. Raring might be an overstep. Okay, I'm ready to go.

So, I got a lot of "ohmygodwhodied" when I said I was stepping away from the blog for a breath. Honestly, I stepped away from pretty much everything. And, no, no one died. I'm sure someone somewhere died, but I didn't know them and it wasn't the cause of the emotional upheaval. I'll be honest, I needed a break. I needed to regroup.

Anyone who really knows me (Ahem. PC?) will attest that I crave routine. I like that we watch this show on Tuesdays and I do this activity on Fridays. I like to be busy, I like to do stuff, but I like to know well in advance that I am going to do it. So, in the interest of embracing my routine-loving self, I started a new one. The gym. Yup, this chubby gal is puffing away at the local gym (under the careful eye of my trainer...more about him some other day--- Steve rocks. I *Heart* Steve's training) 5 days a week (soon to be more!). Are you ready for this??

I.lift.weights.

I know!!! I am totally amazed myself! I lift them and I don't mind it so much. I like it better than the damn elliptical. I hate the elliptical. With the fire of a thousand suns, I hate that machine. But my thighs are smaller and it's probably b/c of it, so I'll hate it,but I'll hate it while i am making it work. Combine the crazy 1/2 hour each morning "power workouts" (no stopping--- just as fast, hard, heavy as you can go for 30 minutes) with some sensible eating and you have : a slimmer more streamlined Mini. Who is realizing her body can do some amazing things.

Now, there are a few goals. 1) we are heading to Disney in October--- I want to ride the rides comfortably. 2) zip line in NH--- I need to lose a little more until I can ride it, but then, I am doing it! 3) my 10 year college reunion (!!!) is next year. I'm going and I am looking fabulous. Other things: all of the little peeps in our lives are walking--- I'd like to be able to chase them. :)

Knitting: yup, been doing that. For Chloe. She's a yet-to-appear baby and I have been knitting a little for her. I am very close friends with her mom and so, i'll be knitting for this kid until she's in college.

Some photos this weekend. My guild is having some classes this weekend email me if you are interested:
The Metrowest Knitting Guild proudly presents

A Weekend of Knitting with
Joan McGowan-Michael
of White Lies Designs

April 12-13, 2008
New Arts Center, Newton MA
9:00 am-12 noon; 1:00-4:00 pm each day

Joan McGowan-Michael has been professionally designing clothing and
knitwear for over 25 years. Her company, White Lies Designs,
specializes in unique, vintage-inspired romantic knits for a wide
range of sizes.
She has appeared on local and national television programs including
DIY network’s Knitty Gritty, Shay Pendray’s Needlework Studio and Good
Evening Sacramento. Her designs and articles have been published in
Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knitters, Cast On, and other
knitting publications. She has contributed designs to numerous books
including Stitch-N-Bitch Nation and Big Girl Knits.
Her own book, Knitting Lingerie Style, was released in the Spring of
2007 and has received excellent reviews for its uniquely elegant and
innovative design aesthetic.
Visit her website at http://www.whiteliesdesigns.com and read this
story at http://www.whoknits.com/ISSUEjan08/DSGRjoanjan08.htm

Come for one to four of the classes

Saturday AM (9am-12 noon): Vintage Knitting
Wondering what to do with all those old knitting patterns people
insist on giving you? What's old is new again and with just a little
tweaking, knitters can use those wonderful retro styles to add vintage
flavor to their sweater wardrobe.

Bring: Size 5 needles, 1 ball of DK weight soft wool

Saturday PM (1:00-4:00): Crochet for Knits
Have no fear; if you can knit--you can also crochet!
Sometimes knits cry out for the stability , prettiness or just the
fine finishing touch of a crocheted edge. Learn how to handle a hook
and work some simple crocheted finishes that lend added depth to your
knitted garments.

Homework: With size 6 needle and smooth worsted weight yarn, cast on
30 stitches and work in stockinette st until swatch measures 5 inches.
Bind off. Make two. IMPORTANT: Please steam press your swatches to
make them as flat as possible.
Bring: Your swatches, the same worsted weight yarn, size G or H
crochet hook.


Sunday AM (9:00-12:00 noon): Whip Your Knits into Shape!
Adding designer shaping touches to your knitted garments is easy once
you know a few simple rules and how to apply them. Flatter your
figure by shaping any garment as you knit it. Darts, ease, and short
row shaping are all important elements for a custom fit. Learn which
ones to use to play up your specific body type to its best advantage.

Homework: None.
Bring: Size 7 needles, stitch markers, ball of light colored smooth
worsted weight yarn.

Sunday PM (1:00-4:00 pm) Beading for Knits
Learn how to bead embellish your own knitted garments to give them
that glamorous touch. A plain cardigan or pullover becomes a gorgeous
heirloom in a matter of a few hours! Hand beaded sweaters sell for big
$$. Learn how to duplicate this luxurious look easily for very little
money.$5 per person additional materials fee.

Homework: With plain DK weight wool and size 5 needle cast on 30 sts
and work in stockinette for 6". Bind off. Single crochet around
outside to keep swatch from curling.
Bring: 6"x 6" swatch. Scissors. Sewing thread, white and black.

General Information
Location: The New Arts Center is located in Newtonville, MA at 61
Washington Park, just off Walnut Street and very close to the Star
Market that sits over the Mass Turnpike. Directions are available at
http://www.newartcenter.org/contact/index.html

Lunch: Lunch is at your own expense. There are several sandwich shops
within walking distance of the New Arts Center, or you can bring your
own.

Cancellation Policy: Sorry, we cannot do refunds, but LeAnne will keep
a waiting list of those wanting to participate and will pass it along,
should you not be able to attend. Then, you are responsible for
finding a replacement and working out financial details with them on
your own. We cannot manage substitutions for you. Questions? Contact
Kate Skaare : kskaare@gmail.com

Course Fees:
One Course (Non-members) $50
Two or More Courses (Non-members) $45 each

Radio Silence

There's gonna be some radio/blog silence for awhile. There is some stuff going on and my energy needs to be focused on something and someone else for awhile. There is family stuff, PC and me stuff, just plain ole me stuff and this blog has been a great outlet for me... I am not sure I can have this outlet available and not use it, y'know?

Problem Child

It needs to be ripped. I am not sure I have the heart to do it. I am not sure I can rip back to a recognizable round. Plus, one bambino will be a girl, named C. I have purple. But, baby #2 might be a boy... I need to think on this a bit. Baby C is getting stuff at the shower and some stuff just as we go along....

Here's my "working yarn": (not very portable, is it??) Got this at a JCA sale two years ago. This and 2 other cones: one darker blue and one olive green. Olive is for a sweater for me...













Close-up of the petal-y goodness. I really like this yarn for this project. Maybe it's worth trying to rip back. Yup. I see some constrasting thread in my future.

No excuse

I really don't have an excuse for not blogging lately--- just being busy I guess. My new routine of hitting the gym 5 times a week is eating some of my time though. Have a I mentioned how great my trainer is??

Today will be a whopper of a post: FOs.

First, the WIPs:
1) second bunny hat
2) Aran Wiggles pullover in orange (numero uno) wool.
3) EZ february sweater (in a coral-orange Dale Baby Ull) for Mari's baby-to-be, C.


FO #1:














Pattern: My So-Called Scarf
Yarn: Malabrigo; Jewel Blue (2 skeins)
Needles: US 11
Notes: this went very quickly. I see many more in the future. Malabrigo is sooo soft. this is a gift and I don't want to give it away!

FO#2













FO#3













Pattern: Quicko-Cheapo
Yarn: various encore yarn (wool/acrylic blend)
Needles; US 7 and US 8
Buttons: from Island Yarn
Notes/Mods: changed the neck on the cardigan. Had to rip and re-do the neck on the pullover three times... read the directions carefully. These are both for A, for next year (2 yr old size... A's 18 months now, but a peanut of a kid, so these will fit next fall/winter)

FO#4













Pattern: Bunny Hat from itty bitty hats (Susan B. Anderson)
Yarn: Sublime, pink - 1 ball (127 yds)
Needles: US6, bryspun 16" circulars
Notes: need to make a second one... and add a tail and Ribbons.

FO #5 and #6













Pattern: Kitty (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: acrylic from stash
Needles: US7
Notes: needs whiskers and eyes. Pink is for A, Gray is for M. I see more kitties in the future. PC thinks I am starting an army.