Home Sweet Home

And, I finally have some photos. Ignore the messes and the general "cluttered" feeling in some of the rooms... it's a work in progress. The craft/office space is still under construction as PC needs some space to do some CD organizing (he has a magical system... it involves sitting among the CDs) and I need to maneuver some stuff "away".




















In through the front door....














Living room... w/ recovered sofas...














Dining room.....
















Dining room... other direction.





















Leaving the dining room....




















Single bath in the hall.....Love them penguins!!!













Entering kitchen....














Kitchen for cooking! Check out the NEW appliances!!!














Craft (crap) room--- office is behind where I am standing.














View off the back deck... a peach tree (next to shed) and a HUGE garden... attended to by our landlady, Carmella. :)

Movin' on Up!

We're here. The new apartment is very cute and will shape up nicely... in a few days. Last night, we tackled the last room that we had yet to access (we haven't unpacked it, just accessed it): the office/craft room. And I found the high speed router. All is well again.

A quick story. We got this apartment the same day that Landlady McWeirdo came by to announce us "unfit for Middlesex Rd, Watertown". I had called a realtor (CRG Realty in Newton- ask for Kathy Iovieno) and told her our story. Well, she asked me 10 questions and then said "I'll call you back." Well, having heard that before, I was surprised when she called me back! The address she gave and time to see the apartment fit into our schedule. And the address? Well, the traffic was bad in front of our old apartment that day, so we walked to the listing. Walked. 984 feet.

The apartment is great. I orginally thought it might be too small... but the kitchen? To.die.for. Travertine tiles and stainless steel appliances. A large ceiling fan. Built in microwave. And spacious. 2 BR and attached living room and dining room ( archway in between) make it nice for socializing. :)

The furniture fits well (minus PC's recliner, which has been moved to a reading nook in the office-- maybe he'll work through the stack of books he's got) and the place looks good. The upstairs neighbor is the landlord's daughter and granddaughter and are super nice. Landlord is great too-- he was here all weekend, installing blinds and helping us out. Oh, and my fridge broke (wah!) so he's replacing it with a new one-- also matching stainless steel.

And, before the saga of the move, an apology to PC. I found yarn in every single room of our old apartment. I'm sorry. I never knew I turned our apartment in my yarn storage. I love you and I am sorry.

Moving. If you are in Metro Boston and need a mover, I am openly recommending Benny's Moving in Watertown, MA. They showed up EARLY and ready to move. Diego, the foreman, was great and they really moved stuff fast! We only had one victim: my kitchen island... but I think it was ready to break before they took the wheels off. Sylvie and Amy... I couldn't have done this without you! Both of my friends showed up (Sylvie the a.m. shift, and Amy after lunch) and really helped me get settled in. Sylvie kept the movers moving, assembled furniture, and expertly placed my dining room rug. Amy is the queen of the kitchen drawer liners... she lined every cabinet and drawer in the apartment. :)

Our parents (both sets) came by on Friday to drop off pizza (mine) and Pumpkin (PC's).

I will do a photo tour soon... once I can find the camera. :)

I have been knitting. I have. Ask anyone at the Island Yarn Company's Monday or Thursday knit night.... I've got one active knitting bag that has socks-in-progress b/c that's all I can handle right now. Truly.

What else could a gal in her 30s, with no job, be doing all day?

Packing.

Oh, good Lord, the boxes.

Piles of them.

Piles of newspaper.

Piles of trash.

If you don't hear from me for a week or so, it's because

1. I am moving and too busy
2. I am trapped in/under/behind a box and I need you to call the fire-rescue in Newton.

As PC, Pumpkin and I say good bye to what is our first home as a "family", it's sad to leave. While, we are upgrading and life is good... this is still our first home together and that brings with it a lot of memories. Christmases, special occasions, bringing Pumpkin home.... I keep getting more and more emotional.

Until I think about the kick-ass brand new stainless steel appliances waiting for me around the corner. Then, sad? Not so much. :)

-Mini

Happy Dancing?

We have a home! PC and I will be inhabiting an apartment around the corner from our current place. Same neighborhood, better landlord (we hope, but so far, so good) and a pretty nice apartment.

Now, no job yet. And, I'm going to talk about it, so settle in. There's no job. I've been looking for 6 months. My field has openings, and yes, I've applied to them all, but I feel like a bad penny! Throughout my 10 year career, I've made some bad decisions and job-hopped a bit and now it's coming back to bite me in the tush. The reasons seem clear to me and I saw a good strong future at my old company so the lay-off was a shock. And, it's hard to explain to an HR person that I want this job and I'll stay with this position for years and years, when my resume says 'probably not."

How do you explain that throughout this you learned, you grew and you took responsibility for mistakes you made? Private things affected job decisions (like when my mom was so sick and I was the only one taking her to the ER and missing work? Laid off. They were nice about it, but I know why.) and I don't know how to explain it without sounding whiny.

I have interviewed for a great job and I was told "great fit!" and haven't heard anything. Two emails have gone unanswered. I want it, willing to work my butt off for it... and yet, nothing.

I'm really tired of not working. Of feeling like a mooch on PC. Of not having anywhere to be Mondays at 8am.

Any advice, suggestions and cheering up encouraged. Today's a bad day.

-Mini

Movin' On...

Well, better things must be in our future... thanks for the commiseration with us. Being told that you're "not the right people for the apartment" brings up a few emotions: anger, disappointment, confusion, and feeling diminutive. I think what I struggle is this: we're good people who have been trying hard. We don't have great furniture, I do the best I can do with the apartment I have, and well, if that's not good enough, than what is? PC and I have decided to leave it alone and just simply move on. But it's hard. You wonder "what was is about US that makes us wrong for this place?" and then you wake up at 2am and realize: it's her, not us. She's the one with the problem.

Karma will kick her in the ass or at least down a flight of stairs one of these days.

How's about some knitting?



















Pattern: Baby Blanket ( my own)
Yarn : Shetland Chunky (blue and brown- 3 skeins of each)
Needles: US 10

Notes: I knit this for a friend who's expecting baby #2... well, now. She's due right around now and she's a woman who really appreciates the handknits! And since baby #2 is a boy... blue and brown are so chic and so fun... it was a match made in heaven . Or Pottery Barn. :) Simple pattern: Cast on 22 stitches, knit 36 rows of garter, change colors, rinse and repeat. Make 5 strips of 5 "blocks" and stitch together. I did a simple crocheted edging.



















Meet Abby. Abby was named by her new "mommy", the big sister of the baby-on-the-way. I think it's hard for 2-3 year olds to understand the whole new baby thing, so a new toy might help ease the pain of the baby getting a lot of attention. She's a great little girl who loves loves dolls... so this is perfect. I used the same pattern from Twist as my ladybug for Noodle. I made the dress separate so she can practice "dressing her babies". And, for her birthday, a few teddy bear/ Cabbage Patch kid sweaters are needed and some new clothes for the Abby doll. I am thinking more dresses (at least two), pants, tops and of course, undies for the potty training. :)













I am so happy at her face.... she looks so happy, playful and not at all scary. :) I'm addicted to making these dolls. I have one more to make: a bee for Noodle's first birthday (in 5 short weeks!!!)

"not for bad luck....

I'd have no luck at all! "

I'm not sure who exactly who coined this phrase, but today: it's fitting.

So, I am going to talk trash about someone right now. I don't usually do this, but after reading, you might think I am vindicated.

Our new apartment comes with a whack-job of a landlord, complete with her own 18 points addendum to the lease. We ignored strong indications of the whack-jobness of this woman and signed anyway. Well, flash forward a week. We have a SIGNED lease and she hasn't cashed our checks yet. That's okay, we have a LEASE. And banks have been known to take their time with checks. Running home today, getting ready to head to a birthday party for a very special 2 year old, we get a phone call. It's the new landlady informing us she'll be at OUR current apartment in 10 minutes.

What????

I AM PACKING. Crap is EVERYWHERE. WHY is she coming over??

She claims to have shredded an important document and needed us to re-sign it. Um. Fishy?

Upon walking into our 1/2 packed apartment, she declares we are unsuitable for renting her precious apartment.

Did I mention the part where we changed our addresses with the post office, scheduled utilities to be turned off and on, etc?? Oh, and hired movers.

Let me take a moment to thank PC for being the man he is, not throwing her ass over teakettle down our stairs or punching her in the mouth. She basically told us we aren't clean enough.

What. the. fuck.

PC does have the presence of mind to demand our checks back, and once in hand (she keeps gabbing like we're all old friends now) tells her to "leave our house now."

So, if you are renting an apartment in WATERTOWN MASSACHUSETTS, near the high school--- email me. If' the address matches what we have been through, I will tell you the God's honest truth about what happened to us here.

And, because I know you guys will love these addendums to the standard lease, here are a few of them summarized:

• All mini blinds must be kept exactly 1/2 up or all the way down.
• Windows must be open more than 3 inches if no one is home.
• Landlord retains the right to enter the apartment if she thinks there will be rain and your windows aren't lowered.
• Cat must be brushed regularly.
• There is an approved list of cleaners for the bathroom tiles.
  

Like I said, if not for bad luck in 2009, we'd have none at all. No job, PC's illness, and psychotic landlords.

• 
  

We got the apartment. All 6 rooms and 2 decks! :)

Now all I need is a J-O-B.

Interviews go great... and then nothing.

Gr.

Something will give, right?

apartment

So, we *think* we got the apartment! There is a bit of miscommunication between the realtor, the landlady and us....but it'll be straightened out today. I hope. We want this place. It's huge. It's really really nice. Like, feels like a real home nice. Our current place feels like a 1st apartment. This would be a Home.

And, it'd have a craft room. A whole room for my knitting/sewing adventures. PC would get a library room... and we'd still have living room, dining room, master bedroom, kitchen and two decks. Plus an attic, basement and garage.

Keep fingers crossed and pray.

Oh, and if you live in the Boston (preferably Newton/Watertown/Waltham area) and know a GOOD mover... email me at kskaare@gmail.com.

:)Mini

When the lights go out in the city.....

Mini and PC head to the movies! Yup, a rare Tuesday night movie opportunity arose last night when our entire village lost power. NStar trucks had been seen in the area and well, c'mon... when you see an NStar truck, don't you get nervous?? I know I do. A phone call to the "customer service" line (which closes at 4pm) and being transferred to the "emergency customer service" personnel... a very bored rep told me "umm.. it'll be on at 9:30?"

Which leads to me to something that is bothering the CRAP out of me right now. My generation said "like" every other word growing up. "like, totally" and "like, I like him." But, I have been encountering a whole new crop of language issues lately. And, today (b/c the camera and the computer aren't playing nice): we'll discuss them.

1. Phrasing everything as a question.

C'mon teachers.. chime in here! Not one person under the age of 24 seems capable of making a simple declarative statement. The grocery store clerk who says "that'll be $40?" makes me wonder... is there an option for negotiation here? Should I start bartering with this person? If I say "$35?" will she take less for my dinner party groceries?

What is driving me even more crazy is that I am encountering this in PROFESSIONAL situations! A young recruiter who called me this morning said "I can find you a job?" I don't know... Can he? Or the receptionist where I went to interview who said "oh, he'll be with you in a few minutes?" But, will he? And she followed up with "he's on the phone internationally?" I don't know... I don't know who he's talking to.

PC says I am getting old and crotchety when it comes to these things, but speech pattern is something that can make or break you. Phone interviews are a new, cheap, efficient way to weed out applicants. If you sound like you can't make a single declarative sentence... would I hire you? And, on the flip side, when I have worked with people of this "generational speech", I am often asked "are you asking me that?" which leads me to think: you can't tell a command from a question.

I have a theory. The whole "everyone wins a trophy" and allowing children to have "options available" is a parenting thing that started after my mom was raising children. We were given sandwiches for lunch. No options. If you lost the t-ball game, well, you learned to wipe the tears, shake hands with the winners and try harder next game. I learned to say what I mean and mean what I say. I was taught that ambivalence was the equivalent of lying... if you have a statement, make it! Are we teaching our kids ambivalence?

2) "IM" speak.

"WTF?" I overheard at the gym. I looked up and it was a young girl looking at the *broken* treadmill. Huh. She didn't say "what the fuck", she said "W.T.F." I heard her later, talking to the front desk and she said "I was all like OMG, the treadmill is DOA and I said WTF!" I get what she was saying, but it's a little over the top.

What's wrong with using words? I like words. I like reading words, I like speaking words... and I respect words. Words can hurt, calm, cure, pacify, cut, shred, and project.


So, what do YOU think about this current speech phenom? I know a lot of you (Carole, Ruth, Julie) have kids about this age... and I wonder what you guys think/see/ feel about this. Will it pass? Is it a phase? Colleges are struggling with this as well. Will the next generation in the workforce be an "inquisitive" bunch without a single (non-IM) "declaration"?

Now, don't be shocked... but I actually KNIT. Yup, been known to do it every day, in all sorts of colors and patterns...

And, the last 4 days: nada. Not one stitch made. Why?

I don't like the 'hot' and in Boston, it's been hot. Our breezeless oven of an apartment is reminding me daily why we are moving. No, we haven't found a place yet... we thought we did, we lost it. And, now we might have. I'll keep you updated as much as possible w/o compromising our privacy.

Work. Well, I wish I had better news there too. I had applied for a dream job (one I would have eventually been transferred to at my old company) and was chosen as 1 of 2 candidates to interview (out of hundreds of applications) and I am #2. Sad, but if I choose to look on the bright side, at least I made it that far. Dreams dashed. So, I haven't stopped sending resumes out and calling about positions, but honestly... it's rough out there. I've got to think "next steps" for the future... are any of my skills transferable? Let's see:

• Is there a need anywhere outside biotech/pharma for an assay developer?
• What about someone w/ flu research experience?
• How about a person who can negotiate well w/ vendors?
• Someone w/ a great personality and superb people skills? (those of you who know me *for reals* know that I can charm the stripes off a tiger)

So, the knitting... here's a parade of FOs.














Socks. Yup, a very not-so-exciting pair of socks. I love them though. And, I think my mom will love them too. They are in the "christmas basket" (see Amy: it does exist!) for now.

Pattern: my own: cast on 54 stitches on US2, k2p2 til your bored, switch to stockinette, heel flap and reduce to 52 stitches for foot.
Yarn: ( i think I already blogged this...)














Pattern: duck. (rav link)
Yarn: Paton's chunky in yellow, leftovers in orange and blue
Needles: US 5
Notes: you really have to trust this pattern... it makes no sense until you start sewing it up... but, there were 0 errors in the pattern. Stuffed w/ love and polyfill, he went in my nephew's easter basket.




















Pattern: Feb baby sweater (EZ)
Yarn: Dale Baby Ull
Needles: US 3
Notes: made for Simone's granddaughter, Brooklyn. Simone's in my knitting group and her 1st grandbaby arrived in early April... just before Easter. She needed a cute little sweater, so I happily whipped this one up as a surprise for Grandma.














And, this is my FO... It's Amy's. This is her FIRST COLORWORK MITTEN. Woohoo!!! She dealth w/ the frustration, the tangles, and the "what the f?" moments we all encounter in colorwork mittens like a trooper. Give a shout out for Amy's 1st colorwork mitten!














Oh, and here's my 1st shawl. :) It's the Forest Canopy Shawl.

Pattern: forest canopy (by the beautiful and talented Susan )
Yarn: brown alpaca (it was a birthday gift awhile ago)
Needles: US 5
Notes: love it !

More tomorrow... but wish me luck! I have AN INTERVIEW TOMORROW!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

Okay, Trinity, Carole, Sprite, Alicia and Cindy: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES!

I have been groovin' to the new tunes all weekend.

And, Trin? Pumpkin was subject to a impromptu Michael Franti dance party this morning. I'm not sure it works as well w/ cats, but she likes the video. :)

I wanna send out packages (as I pack up my stash) this week... so if I called your name, get your addy to me ASAP.

:) K

Smart People Knit

Watch CBS Videos Online

If knitting makes my memory better, why can I never find my US 8 needles???

Contest winners announced tomorrow.

:)

Brand New Day! And a CONTEST

Well, the pneumonia/bronchitis combo has apparently left the building. Can we say double yuck? The Z-pack the doc gave me left me waking up this morning feeling FANTASTIC. So fantastic that I have the windows open, the mp3 player hooked up to the stereo and I am pajama-dancin'! C'mon, you know that you do it.

An email from my old college roomie got me thinking about the pajama dance parties we used to have in our townhouse. Just the 3 other girls I lived with, with the stereo blaring something really cheesy and easy to dance to... bustin' a move in our pjs in the living room. Now, those of you who really know me (ahem: Sylvie?), know that I love to dance, dance, dance. Especially to super-cheese-alicious music. So, this morning was dedicated to updating the mp3 playlists for the gym (heading back on Monday).... here are a few gems I downloaded today...

Miami (Will Smith)
My Little Girl (Tim McGraw)
Everything (Michael Buble)--- this makes me think of PC
Akon
Apple Bottom Jeans (T-Pain)
Corinne Bailey Ray

Eclectic, no? Well, that's me... I am like a schizophrenic music listener. I love Metallica (enter Sandman gives me energy), soft rock, love country, and can get jiggy w/ ultra cheeseman Will Smith (must be the ears).

Now, here's a CONTEST. Send me (in the comments) a song that you think I MUST have on my mp3 player for bustin' a move, running at the gym... whatever. If I listen to it and love it, I'll send you something. Don't forget to provide me someway to find you. :) Remember, I love angry girl music, country, rockabilly, punk, etc... but here's what I don't like: screaming. If it's just screaming, I won't listen (sorry). So, good friends: wow me. Show me what I am missing!
Tomorrow, some FOs to show off... for now, enjoy the music. (all links are to youtube.com).

*cough*

I'm sick. Stuffy head, post-nasal drip, cough, sore lungs, sore muscles sick. I would normally say "bad head cold" but the presence of a mild fever yesterday and the muscles--- oh, crap. I have/had the flu.

Be back later... no gym for me today (or since Friday last week) b/c enough energy is required to either take a shower or sit up on the couch today.

Think good non-snotty thoughts for me this week!

:) Mini

...and puppy dog tails

That's what little boys are made of! Our friends, S and D, are expecting their 2nd child this spring... a boy! They have a wonderful toddler/pre-school age daughter, A, who we just adore. She's a great kid with a delightful personality,but I have to say--- she's the ultimate girly-girl. She was just a year old when she started carrying a poodle purse and asking for chapstick?? :) Either way, a second child and a boy will certainly change things in that house!

But, 2nd babies get the cast-offs, don't they? No baby showers to welcome baby #2. No spending hours getting the nursery ready... it's already done! Hmm... but when you are a knitter, you can make a second child a just-for-them gift.




























A baby blanket in the making. The pattern is my own. I will post it with the FO photos. I wanted something soft, rugged, and 100% boy... it's made with Paton's Shetland Chunky (Ice blue and Earth brown) on US 10s. Very simple and easy. And, look for the pattern (for free) here next week.

And, while I am knitting, Pumpkin and PC were doing some of their best deep thinking. (I'm not sure who was snoring louder... PC or the cat!)

Happy St. Pat's to you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm Irish and I think I'm required to drink a beer today.... something about defending the Guiness family against the recession. :)

But, I won't be. Sadly, no. My WW point tracker (side note: do any of you use the online system? Is it crazy or is just me?? the defaults to 'breakfast' are killer and I feel like 99% of the organic brands aren't listed!) says I have 8.5 pts left today. So, what's 8.5 pts??

• 5 cups of baby carrots and 1 100-cal fat free ranch dressing
• 2 100-cal snack packs of cookies + 2 popsicles (sugar free, of course)
• 1 3-ounce chicken breast, 1/2 cup of corn, broccoli and a slice of lite oatmeal bread
• 2 laughing cow cheese wedges + 36 all-bran crackers (garlic seasoned is the best)
• 1 glass of wine + 1/2 cup of Edy's slow churned ice cream
• 12 almonds and 1/2 pint of Guiness

Pretty variable huh? I'm liking the "accountability" of WW again, but I am desperately trying not to eat my AP (activity points) that I earn while at the gym. B/c when you think about it, you are really only going to lose weight if you burn more than you eat, right?

My trainer did all these crazy calculations about my body fat, my weight, my metabolic rate, etc when I joined the gym. Now, most of this is 99% to scare you into hiring a trainer. But, something caught my eye and I flashed back to college. We were able to determine how many calories you burn just being you. It's a calculation like "lifestyle + weight + height + body fat" and you end up with the number of calories that will keep you at the weight you were at. Now, disclaimer: that equation is nowhere near right. It's an example. Okay? So, don't sue me if you calculate that you are 100lbs and need to eat 4500 calories to stay 100lbs and you end up 200lbs. Okay?

So, back to my fat ass at the gym. (a little self-deprecation is good and it keeps me from throwing things at the wee blonde girls at the gym who don't sweat. I mean c'mon! It's the gym! Sweat already!) At my current weight(ahem: 290), I need 3000 calories a day to stay this way. On WW, I am allotted 35 pts/day (plus my 35 'extra points') which is roughly 1pt = 50 calories, so.... 1750 calories per day. That's less than the doctor recommended 2000 calories non-dieting people eat. Also, each workout at the gym (50-60 minutes) earns me 12-14 points (600-700 calories).

Does this mean in reality I am only giving my body, at most, 1150 calories per day to run on? Hmm... no wonder I'm hungry! And, with the strength training, I am burning calories longer after my workout, which is fabulous.

So, a non-knitting post from me. See you tomorrow!

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's another FO!

Pattern: simple 56 st top-down heel flap sock. Reduced stitch count to 52 for the foot. ( I have fat calves).
Yarn: Lana Grassa Meilenweit 6FachSpecial; #8844, lot 26826
Needles: US 2 rosewood dpns
Thoughts: well, I have a whole bunch of the yarn left over. But, I am very happy that my socks are pretty much twins. :)














(ignore pasty white legs the same color as the wall)













Action Shot!
Photographs are courtesy of the lovely PC.

Speaking of PC, I had the unique opportunity to watch PC in a sport tonight. I know! PC curls at the local curling club, Broomstones, and I watched a game tonight. It involves a 'stone' (42 lbs of granite) and 'brooms' (used to smooth the ice so the stone can go faster and longer) and targets. It's a wee bit like bocci ball, but the target doesn't move. :) It was fun and I can see the draw to this kind of game... it is uber-social and very gentlemanly. Everyone was really really nice and I had (besides PC) a personal tutor courtesy of a very patient curler who was waiting for his game to start. And, ladies? If you have a partner who curls... 2 hours of great knitting time near a BAR. With beer. :)

So, when you leave a comment--- don't forget to tell PC "Good Curling!" (It's the equivalent of "happy knitting!" to the non-fiber peeps)!

More FOs this week and a guest-post from Pumpkin. She's been trying to hack into the blog again (changed the password) and I think it's just better to let her say what she needs to say and maybe she'll give me back my knitting needles. :)

Miss Lucille

Meet Miss Lucille. She's the Noodle's new bestest friend!



















Pattern: Sunflowers and Ladybugs (Twist Collective Spring 2009)
Yarn: Cascade 220 (red, white, black- 1 skein each)
Needles: US 2, dpns ; US 6 for wings



















Modifications: I outlined them in Ravelry:

1. no separate shoes. Her shoes are simply a color change from her legs to her feet. Small shoes would have been a choking hazard.

2. face, hands, legs are all the same color. I only had an ‘off white’ wool, so that’s all she’s made from.

3. Her wings are shorter and knit at a larger gauge. I wanted them to have more ‘play’ and I lightly stuffed them with polyfill/wool batting.

Overall, I love her. I can't wait to make another one...I am thinking a Betty the Bee for Noodle's first birthday this summer. What do you think, Noodle? Should Auntie make you a bee to go with your Ladybug?? I need to make the sunflower people for Abby-Cadabby's birthday this summer. I am thinking 3 dolls for her: sunflower boy, sunflower girl and a butterfly. Her's will have removable outfits... Noodle's too little for that just yet.

Oh, and Lucille is the OFFICIAL Island Yarn Sale announcer. Get your butt to Island Yarn today: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE of the same color for a lot of yarns. And I mean a LOT. Vicki's cleaning house for spring deliveries....and that means she needs room! So, a ton of yarn is on sale--- buy one get one free!!! Last night was the preview sale for the Never Enough Yarn club members and I imagine it got wild.

Example: Mirasol 100% baby llama --- $8 a ball--- buy one, get one free of same color. She has whole BAGS of this...

You People Must Hate Me

(Cute cat photo to distract you)

And by you people, I mean you. And you. Oh, and you , over there... yes. You!

It's been weeks since i posted. Weeks.

Gah.

I've been knitting. Alot. I've been job-hunting, which takes a surprisingly large amount of your time. And I've been working out. Some of you saw me at SPA and said hi... and hi right back at'cha.

Working out. Good lord, I have a young, somewhat cute, young trainer named Diego. He's a sweet kid (and truly, he's a kid) who seems to have figured out new and unusual ways to torture me. But, he makes it hurt so good, y'know. I've worked out with a trainer before and loved it. And if I could still afford my old gym, I'd be right there with my old trainer.... kickboxing and loving it. But, the trade off is : new gym is less $/month, more $ for trainers and exactly 200ft from the casa de Mini y PC. So, I go there now. Daily. I know! Me, the chunky, funny girl has been.... RUNNING ON A TREADMILL. I feel very "Biggest Loser" when I am in there--- fat people all huffin' and puffin' on the treadmill and then doing squat thrusts... yeah, I do squats. But, most of all... I feel great when I walk out. Head held high. Thighs quakin', knees shakin'... but I am doing it.

So, 60 minute daily work outs + weight watchers online. Dude, I will be svelte by the Sept wedding PC and I have.

Knitting. Island Yarns in Waltham is having a HUGE buy 1, get 1 50% off sale! I have a gift card there ... oh, the damage. :)






























Okay, so I have to find the ball band for this yarn. It's called "calypso" or something like that. I got it at Island Yarn... it's got an insane amount of yardage (400 + yds) and it's a wool/acrylic single that is super soft. The color changes are amazing. I would guess in total, this is about 8 hours of knitting.

Super Free Pattern (from me):

Cast on 36 stitches
Row 1-3:* k6, p6* (repeat from * to *)
Row 4: *cable 6, p6* (repeat from * to *)
Row 5-8: * k6, p6* (repeat from * to *)
Row 9: *cable 6, p6* (repeat from * to *)

Knit until you run out of yarn.

Cable 6: slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, k3 from LH needle, k3 from cable needle.

:) mini

Ash Wednesday

I haven't blogged in 2 weeks? Jee-sus!

Today's Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent for Catholics, and therefore I have to "give something up" or take on "a task." Since my task for the past few months has been job hunting... I am not ready to take on anything new. So, what will I give up?

Yarn shopping? Already been doing that one.
Eating out? that's been taken care of also....
...
I am thinking: soda.

More knitting updates tomorrow: baby baptism shawl and new sweater for moi on the needles. And, photos.. of course. But, today: nada.

I'll be at SPA this weekend (splitting a room with my friend Amy... will you?

FO Parade!

a few fo's that have been knit, sewn, and gifted already! The striped sweater and the bibs were gifted to my nephew, Jackson, in the hospital and the green sweater and quilt went with us this weekend for a visit.

A really great way to build up your knitting confidence after a knitting disaster (the beige sweater): knit baby stuff. It's cute, it shows off the knitterly talents and it will 99% be certain to fit now, or later.















Name: Jackson's Striped Sweater
Pattern: my own (available if anyone wants it)
Yarn: Dale Baby Ull (white) and Shelridge Farms Sock yarn (brown)- 1 skein each
Needles: US 3 circulars and dpns
Notes: LOVE this sweater... note to self: make more baby sweaters with sock yarn.














Name: baby bibs for Jackson
Materials: all cotton baby bibs and iron-on transfers. I saw these at JoAnn's and couldn't resist! Considering that my brother (the baby-daddy) is an investment banker/stockbrocker/finance guy... how perfect are these bibs? :) I love the "CEO: chief executive offspring" one!













Name: Ribbit! Sweater for Jackson
Yarn: Dyed myself green worsted weight superwash (Base yarn: Kraemer)
Pattern: EZ February Baby sweater... without lace
Needles: US 5 circs and dpns
Notes: really like this pattern, though a few mods: I put the sleeves on spare yarn and did the "quick baby knit" sweater trick where you do the sleeves last. Did the button holes every 6th ridge. Stockinette instead of gull lace pattern.

Name; Frog quilt for Jackson

Pattern: rail fences quilt block (7 inch square) using 3 green fabrics. Sashing is a pale yellow dotted fabric and backing is a wildly striped fabric. :) (his stroller is orange... it'll go well).

Notes: I really need to quilt more. I finally learned how to use the walking foot on my machine and I think this will make quilting more enjoyable for me now.

Body Image and Who I am

Sounds like a pretty serious post, no? Well, it's not. I have spent 1 full day randomly measuring my favorite (and great fitting) Lands' End sweaters. I am not the size I knit. I am like 10 inches smaller. Which is good, b/c I was closer to the size I knit when I cast on for that sweater a year ago.

I won't rip it out yet. It's my first sweater and no matter what, I love it. So, I'm keeping it. For now.

Yesterday, I got to go to my friend Amy's house (nearby) and meet her cat (hi Sacha!) and knit for awhile. She is currently casting on for her first ever sweater and I'm helping her with calculating gauge. She knit a swatch and we blocked it last night. Today, I am following my own advice and knitting a few swatches.

My next sweater project: I think it'll be the neck down hooded tunic from Knitting Pure and Simple.... sans hood. Any comments?

Also, I've been home now for over 2months (legally unemployed for 1) and I have to say a few things: 1) I've been sleeping longer than ever in my life, 2) I still wake up at 7:30 though, 3) I have been eating a handful of All-Bran crackers and 2 wedges of Laughing Cow cheese for breakfast everyday and ....i'm not hungry until lunch! I'm still applying to jobs, but I am not just wallpapering HR departments with my resume. No, I am switching careers and it's taking a lot of networking, relationship building, resume tailoring (for each position), cover letter drafting... and working with a great recruiter/career counselor.

Hopefully some lace photos tomorrow... I've been working on a lace project. But for now....

My first sweater. Not the first sweater I have ever knit. No, I have knit dozens if not almost 100 sweaters. No... this is the first sweater I have ever knit for me. Yup. You can go back and read that again. 28 years of knitting and I have never knit a full grown-up sweater for myself.






























Pattern: Emerald in Knitty
Yarn: Grignasco "Autumn" 70% wool, 30% acrylic (bulky weight)
Needles: US 11 bamboo circulars
Modifications: I added buttons from Wooden Treasures... they are made from pecan tree branches! I loves the buttons!

Overall... I dunno. It kinda hangs on me. The buttons make it VERY heavy...I am thinking of taking off all but one of the buttons. I didn't want to do this b/c I want this to be a full coverage sweater. Also, I am not as fat as I think I am. Seriously. I'm fat, but not as big as I thought. A little lesson in body image, y'know?

I have cast on for my next "meee!!!" sweater, also in a bulky weight, also a raglan and I am thinking.... stop. Cast on for something that makes my heart beat fast... something like.... the Dickinson Pullover (Kathy Zimmerman, IK 2007) or the new swing cardi from Knotion.s

















And now... a few photos of me... in the sweater.




















Any and all feedback greatly appreciated.

A whole new meaning to "ripping"

I was calmly knitting last night when PC came home from his curling match. Yup, that sport with the broom and giant steam iron looking thing.... on ice. I merely looked up and then proceeded to laugh so hard I thought I was split in half.......this is what I saw:

















He played all night like this. Good thing Thursday is the mens' league!!
Curling: dangerous for pants.

Green Knitting

But that's not green is it? Nope, but it is "green" as in environmentally friendly. It's a Swiffer scrubber from the Mason-Dixon Book (#2). I love it. I am hoping I have enough kitchen cotton yarn to make another one. I had read reviews of using them and was impressed that some people thought the purl bumps scrubbed better than the diposable ones. I'll let you know later... I need to wash the kitchen floor.
















In another attempt to be 'green' , these are buttons from my stash... and while they are plastic, they will be well used over and over again.
















And here's the Swiffer... ready for action. Now, I did test this out. This cover fits over my regular swiffer and my swiffer wet-jet. So, it can be sprayed with dusting spray and be used around my woodwork and be fitted to the wet-jet and be used to mop the floor.















And, this is how Pumpkin helps with the housework. She holds down the laundry. (PC had left his sweatshirt on the bed before he left for work... this is what I woke up to.)

New-to-me

On Saturday night, after many many many hours of labor (too many...poor thing), my SIL gave life to my nephew, Jackson Robert. He's 8lbs, 12.2 ounces and 22 inches of pure breathtaking beauty. He's the first son of the first son in our family. The first grandchild... and he has already been bestowed with handknits. :)

PC and I met him today and we're going to pop down to bring his very tired parents dinner this weekend.

This weekend I held my first "nephew", R... a best girlfriend's son and my brother's first child. In less than 24 hours...one is 4 months, one is 20 hours.

Many don't believe in these things, but I am thanking God for all the good in my life tonight. I have PC, healthy and receiving the best healthcare on the planet... a new life in our family... my parents (both alive to see their grandbaby...something 3 years ago wasn't a guarantee)... and my friends... who have become my family.

Knitting updates tomorrow....

PC's better... and I am still a knitter.

Finally Friday. Oh, so many things to say you all and so many thanks to give.

PC's fine. Well, he will be. He was admitted to the hospital with severely elevated high blood pressure. Think of everyone you know with high blood pressure and guess their number.

I'll wait.

Back?

Add 50 to each number and you probably are still lower than PC. Ugh. So, now we play the medication game... trying out drug combos and working with his super awesome doctor (seriously, love.this.guy.) to make miracles happen.

So everyone knows. I don't hate nurses or ER docs. I hate not knowing. I hate being scared. I hate not being able to help the one I love when he is sick and we don't know why.

But, as a knitter.... we all know what i did in the ER right? I knit. And knit. And knit.

I also went to my retreat. PC insisted and we have family nearby and as he said "either go or stare at me all weekend... your choice". I chose wisely. (and I left the cat in charge as PC's nurse). My guild's retreat...well, what happens at Whispering Pines, stays at Whispering Pines. I will say that I love this group of women more and more each time I see them. I was surrounded by well wishes, positive energy and wool all weekend.

Onto the knitting:
I knit these socks for me. I don't like them. They are knit on US3s, this makes this very warm. I need warm socks, not very warm socks. My mom... she needs VERY warm socks. Dog walking socks. Making dinner while standing on the concrete floor socks.

Meet Mom's Socks:































Hello Yarn's fat sock yarn. Colorway... umm. I forget. I call it Dennis the Menace b/c it's the colors that kid would wear in the comics. Simple sock formula:

CO 54
K2p2 for 3 inches
Knit for 4 inches; make heel, make gusset, decrease to 48 stitches for foot. Knit foot until 7 inches. Decrease toe evenly on the sides (ssk and k2tog). Kitchener.
Make 2nd sock.

And finally.......















(ignore the mess on my dresser... it's' been hectic around here)
Nurse Pumpkin is happy that her PC is healthy... being a nurse is exhausting!

my words are not enough

9.5 hours from walking into the ER to walking out .... without PC.

I won't sleep tonight... or any other night until he's home.

I can't (won't) discuss it here, but he'll be fine and home soon.

And, if tonight's any indication of what I'll be like as a mom.... well, if I defend my children like I defended PC's patient rights....watch out. As I said to the smart-mouth ER attending (around hour 8): "You're dealing with a mama-hawk now... you have lots of patients, I have ONE of HIM."

(Plus some ugly biotch of a nurse called me PC's mom... if I had more energy I would have punched her.... especially after she laughed through her apology... can we say professionalism?)

Nobody told me we'd have to do the scary stuff too.

Supposedly leaving for Whispering Pines knitting retreat tomorrow... we'll see if he's home and happy...

love,
mini

Non-knitting

So, I have to tell you about a customer service experience I just had.

Lands End.

I ordered jeans (a plus size gal is always trying to find good jeans) and love the many inseam options (I am big, but not tall). They arrived tonight and I tried them on. Waist perfect. Bum is perfect. Legs.. a wee bit too long. Hmm. But last year, I ordered corduroys from them with a shorter inseam and they were too short. Like "where' s the flood?" short.

What to do.

I need new jeans. For this weekend.

Hmm...

I know!

Lands End has ONLINE help people. You 'chat' with them, give them your address, they look up your order.... and they help. So, thank you Jillian L of LandsEnd! She told me to wash them, try them back on.... and if they are still too long: SEND THEM BACK.

Oh. my.

LandsEnd...you just got my business for LIFE.

Add to that: my 2 pair of jeans, pajamas, 2 tops and a cashmere sweater were less than I would have paid for just the 2 jeans and pajamas?

Brioche and MWKG

Hey all... as some of you know (and others don't)... I'm involved in the MetroWest Knitting Guild. I love it. It's a great guild with nice members and a very relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes too relaxed, but I am working on it.





WHERE: Needham Public Library, Needham MA (community room)


WHEN: every 2nd Wednesday of each month , 6:45 pm-8:45pm


WHO: Lots of people!


WHY: knitting, workshops, fashions shows, guest speakers, tutorials....





We meet tomorrow, January 14th, and we are learning BRIOCHE stitch. A member of the guild will be teaching the class and you only need to bring yourself, $20 (a full years' dues!), and some worsted weight yarn, size 8 (or appropriate) needles (circs, dpns or straights) and a can-do attitude!



Here's a glimpse of my pre-class exercise. The member who is teaching (Becky) is great and wanted one more person who "got it" to be there to help her out. :)
















This is Red Heart Sport weight acrylic (yup, I said the nasty word) on US6 circulars, 16 inches, cast on 66 stitches and then work brioche in a circle.

I am loving this so much I am considering casting on for a sweater (in wool), brioche stitch, raglan with a zipper... totally cute, right?

Eeek! A mouse!

A cat to chase the mice......














Happily ever after....














HAT:
Pattern: Hello Yarn's Anime Bonnet (basic for the hat) with cat ear modications, different embroidery and a crochet edge.
Yarn: Paton's Decor (25 % wool, 75% acrylic) in white, pink and gray.
Needles: US 6 dpns and circulars

MITTENS:
Pattern: my own (look for it as a freebie in the next week or so)
Yarn: Paton's Decor (25 % wool, 75% acrylic) in white, pink and gray.
Needles: US 6 dpns

Notes:

Made this for my cousin S's daughter, O. She's a great little kid, finally finding her own way in the world (18 months is a great age) and she's one of those babies, when you look in her eyes, you know she's going to be a good person. A thoughtful, caring person. It's hard to describe. S and her hubby are doing a great job with her... she signs!! And she's a good hugger and giggles from her toes.

Last night at a family party, she was gifted with the mittens ("mice go squeak! squeak!" and "kitties say MEOW!!!") and she liked them. ( mom loved them). It was nice to be able to knit for this little one. It won't be the last time. I think we need another flower top sweater, like her cousins' from last year....what do you think S? Blues on your gorgeous little blonde?

And b/c you haven't seen Pumpkin in awhile... this is what she is like 90% of the time... playing like a new kitten. Santa Paws brought her a fish that hooks to the window and dangles.... she likes the taste of PC's feet better.

New Year's Resolution: to knit more??

Happy New Year! I spent New Years' Eve snuggled with PC, waiting for the ball to drop. We are the least exciting NYE couple: early pajamas, homemade meatloaf and shoveling. Those surprise 8 inches of snow? Not fun at all.


New Years' Day... off to Aswiminknits' 2nd annual 1st Day knitting party. Yummy food, friends (new and old) getting together to knit and laugh. I got to finally meet Splityarn , Woolyheaded, Blogless Manise (see Kathy? Manise is getting blog-play over here at Blogger!) and Maryse. Julie, Jess, PumpkinMama, Terri, Cheryl ... were all there. I realized how much I enjoy spending time with these women. As an adult, it can be really hard to make friends and I have always been super jealous of women who can do this with ease. Everyone here made me feel very comfortable and I think (hope?) I fit right in.


One big thing was to show Erin (pumpkinmama) the cowl I made with the yarn she spun for me. Remember that? It's been morphed into 3 other non-blogged projects and then ripppped. But, the firefly cowl... to die for. Perfect for a worsted handspun. I only have about 5 yds left! It's super warm and soft to the touch and I love it!!!

Details:
Yarn: PumpkinMama (Etsy) handspun yarn
Pattern: Dragonfly Fire Cowl
Needles: US 9, circular needles
Notes: Love this pattern. I made the "slouchier" version b/c i have a thick neck and wanted some room to breathe. It only took me about 6 hours to knit this from start to finish.


Next up on the FO parade, a scarf. Destined for the "next Christmas" basket I think, but the pattern is divine. I used Schaefer Miss Priss in the Elena Piscopia colorway. One of the really great things about this pattern is that is you have to email Li to get it. She sends you a nice email, a great pattern and you have a new friend! So, Li... I used the modification for the edge (the slip first stitch, ktbl on last stitch) and it worked great.

Yarn: Schaefer Miss Priss, Elena Piscopia colorway
Pattern: Herringbone Rib Scarf by Li Boesen (Life's a Stitch)
Needles: US 9, circulars (nylon)
Notes: I damn near ran out of yarn. The Miss Priss is 280 yds, but it's scant. I didn't block this (yet) b/c Miss Priss is merino so super stretchy and I like the squishy-ness of this rib. It only took 1 long movie (Mystic River on AMC) + 2 hours to finish this scarf. I see a few more in my future.

I did a sock wash the other day and realized... I need new socks! I had one sock just about finished in the SockHop yarn I had... so I finished it up and cast on for sock #2. They are not identical twins at all. Nor fraternal. First cousins? Maybe. My standard toe-up sock (Wendy's toe-up sock from her Wendyknits book) pattern and no gauge change. I am wearing them today and I am LOVING this yarn. It might be worth seeking out the waiting list for more... but I have some sock yarn and I promised PC: no job, no yarn shopping. :(

Yarn: Crown Mountain Farms, Sock Hop Handspun yarn, Respect colorway
Pattern: Wendy's toe-up sock formula (64 stitches around on foot and leg)
Needles: US 1 Susan bates aluminum dpns (all 5)
Notes: love these socks... I even have some yarn left over... I'm going to weigh the leftovers to see if i have enough for a 2nd pair! I might!