Umbilical hat from Stitch n Bitch - three shades of cotton ease. Striping of my own "fancy". 

Babies, babies everywhere!

Well, it seems as if everyone is either pregnant or just had a baby. A good friend of mine from work just welcomed her first grandchild, a dear little boy. I am posting the umbilical hat I whipped up (literally) last night. I also now must make a girl version for a coworker who just had a grand daughter born. Plus there are at least 3 otehr girls at work pregnant. Must be the season. . . . . . . .

I am having my big panel interview on the morning of July 29th, the day before we go on vacation! Oh well, at least it will be in their hands while on gone and I will hopefully return to a new job!

Keep your fingers crossed and your hearts praying!

Whew, what a week!

Well, I've been a bit stressed these past few days. I am applying for Manager of Clinical Education at the hospital where I work. I am currently the Nurse Educator for CVICU & MICU. The position became open recently and I put in an opportunity request. I had to go shopping (DARN!) for some suits so that I could interview appropriately. I got some great deals. I found out that I would have a total of 3 different interviews: 1 with the Director over Clinical Education and the current interim Manager of Clinical Education; 1 with the Director of Nursing and the Assistant Director of Nursing and a panel interview made up of 8 members of the hospital leadership, clinical education customers and the staff of the clinical education department. YIKES!

Well, I had the first two interviews yesterday. One was 2 hours long and the other was an hour long. We'll see when the panel interview is set. So far, there are only 2 of us applying for it and we both encouraged each other to apply. We will both be happy either way so, that's a good thing but, whoo boy! I didn't realize that it would be this "involved" of a process. . . . . . .We'll see what happens.

Also, a couple of weeks ago we had to replace our refridgerator (along with EVERYTHING in it) as our previous one just up and died. Well, that was AFTER we had had a service man out for our central air. Well, this past week the air conditioner was once again not working. We had to have them out again this week. YUCK. What we originally thought was only $150 turned out to be another $650. Sigh. THEN, our kitchen sink is not draining properly. Tried the clog busters (drano, liquid plummer or one of those things) to no avail. Tried to clean it out by disconnecting the drain pipes to clean them out and THEY WERE ALL CLEAR! SO, the plumber will be out on Friday afternoon to check out the problem. We think it must be either the disposal, dishwasher or a major clog going out of the house. BIG HUGE SIGH!

Well, what can you do? KNIT THERAPY!!!!! Got a good deal done on what will be a ribbon shawl. Can't really explain it. I'll post a pix when it actually looks like something, kay? The beaded bag is coming along nicely. Im am working on the short rows that give the bag it's curved bottom and base. Gotta get some pix of that as well. . . . . . finally I am completing my brioche stitch square for my stitch of the month afghan. LOVE that stitch. Nice repetetitve knitting withought a lot of thinking involved. VERY GOOD meditative knitting. (insert a relaxed sigh here).

On a final note, I joing Yarn of the Month as suggested by Lolly (see her button to the right). Can't wait to get that in the mail. I am working on my Secret Pal's parcel for this month. Got a bit of a theme thing going so I am working on gathering up appropriate things. While I was out shopping for her, I found some Cotton Ease! Yeah! I got 7 balls of the ice blue color, 1 white, 1 candy blue and 1 blueberry for a striped baby hat that I plan to make and a fabulous 9 balls of Bubble gum. That should be enough for a substantial sweater, right? Amy from Seamstressed (check her button on the right as well . . . .gotta learn how to add the htmls for the links. . . .augh!) is using the light pink cotton ease for her Grace sweater and it looks and feels great. Not sure which sweater I will make from mine. Maybe the Marilyn from IK? Is 9 balls enough? Gotta check that out or go on a hunt for more. Someone please save me (and our credit cards) from myself. MUST. . . . .STOP. . . . . . .BUYING. . . . . . YARN. . . . . .!!!!! (that really was hard to type! tee hee.

Catchya all later. gotta make dinner and put in some meditation time tonight. . . . . OM!

Back of Honeymoon Cami (dog scratch on shoulder and all!) 

Honeymoon Cami - free pattern from Knitty.com 

Here are the "kids". Oh, DH is in there as well! 

Honeymoon Cami

So, after 3 months, 4 weeks of carpal tunnel, and 1 vacation, Honeymoon Cami is done! I am posting pics for all to see. I am pretty excited about this cami. It fits well. I love the shaping of the neck/back edges as well as the sides. The color variation of the yarn (I used Candy in the blue/green colorway) is just as I had hoped for. Would I change anything???? Maybe the bottom edging, but only because the colorway of the yarn camoflauges the eyelets of the edge, otherwise, nope, I wouldn't change a thing.

I am also doing well on my beaded bag. I have completed the entire front of the bag and am working on the short rows that form the bottom and will then work myself up the back. I will post pics when I get it a bit more done.

I am also going to do some bold-faced bragging. I am also posting a pix of my DS and DD (with 4 legs - tee hee). Aren't they dolls?

Uh oh, my DS is morphing! 

Silly pix at Mickey's Philharmagic 

Here we are in front of Norway at EPCOT 

Me and DS with our FAV. . . .STITCH! 

Back from a GREAT time . . . . . .

. . . . . .at Walt Disney World! My BF and her son came with DS and I to WDW this past week. What a FAB time! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland and therefore the 50th anniversary of Disney Parks! YEAH!!!

A GREAT time was had by all. Some pix attached for sharing. Not much knitting done but a lot of FUN was had by all!

An all time "low" in knitting obsession. . . .

Alright, so I need to know. Is there anyone else out there so obsessed with knitting and/or completing a project that they actually. . . . . . . . . knit while stopped at a red light as THEY are driving? I have now reached my peak of knitting obsession.

'nuf said.

yummmmmm, Alpaca & silk, ooooh 

Major, major stash enhancement 

Now, what we have here is a failure to contain myself. . . . .

Whoo boy! Where's the cops when I need them???? I have been out of control on the yarn shopping lately. What you see above is some serious stash enhancement. There are 4 skeins of Alpaca and Silk in the most heavenly shade of granny smith apple green EVER! There's a some Shine in Apricot and 3 different shades of striping sock yarn as well as a lace weight wool in a moss green. All from knit picks. Then there's a hank of Madeira in the green, goldish orange and tan colorway for a phonchette. Lastly there is a beautiful lined basket from Knitwits, oops I forgot to put the knitting notecards and the. . . . . .tant ta da. . . .SWIFT in the pix as well.

OK, seeing that I am off to Disney in 30 hours, I REALLY need to get my yarnohalism in check. Anybody know any good 12 step programs for yarn junkies????

Here I am wearing Amy's Shrug! 

Finally, I posted the pictures. . . . .

Gosh, I really don't like that picture of me but the Shrug is great and I really want to post and credit Amy for it. Thanks again.

BTW, aren't all my boys too cute???? We actually had a great time. We all went to Father's Day at the Jake, the Indians won and afterwards, my DH had bought tickets to play catch on the field! (It was for a Cleveland Indian's Charities fundraiser). I've never seen my F-I-L so excited. He smiled from ear to ear the entire time and through dinner afterwards. I must say, it was pretty cool to watch them in the outfield playing catch. . . . . ..

GO TRIBE!!!!

Here is a Father's day pix of F-I-L, DS and DH!  

See. .. I really DID finish "Tempting" 

What it will look like, kinda (with the clasp on) 

Beginning of beaded purse 

Beads, Beads, Beads (& Tempting, finally. . ..)

OMG, things have been such a whirlwind. DS and I will be off to see Mickey at his FL home on Wednesday. In the meantime, I thought I would catch up on blogging, knitting, etc. . .. .

First, I must thank AMY (www.amylovie.blogspot.com) who sent me a BEAUTIFUL shrug. I must get someone to take a pix of me wearing it as laying it out flat does no justice to it. I have worn it already and gotten many complements. Thanks again Amy (I will post pix tonight hopefully).

Next, I have now ventured into knitting with beads! I am taking a 2 part class to make a lovely little beaded evening bag. Let's see if I remember how to post pictures. I am also going to try to post a picture of my completed Tempting (just so you know that I actually DO finish projects) Tee Hee!!!! (BTW, I am using size 00 needles for the bag and am knitting size 8 perle cotton. . . it's not as bad as it sounds though, really!)

Very, Very bad case of insomnia. . . .

Well, it's 2:00 am and I must be lonely. (not to steal the line from a song but when something fits. . . . .)

Since I am just roaming, I thought I should blog. So much to say, here goes:

Tonight was the first monthly sit, eat, knit and visit at my Birds of a Feather (my fav LYS). There was a small group of us but it was still very fun. Tonight's theme was "Fiesta" so we had chips, salsa (this GREAT peach mango salsa that one of the girl's bought at Cosco, YUMMY!!), margarhitas, Mike's Hard Limeade, etc., etc. We DID actually knit. I got a good deal done on my honeymoon cami. We sat and knitted and talked and laughed. It was great fun.

We were being a bit "off color" in our conversations (a little graphic here and there but it was just us girls and the shop was already closed) so Elizabeth (the shop owner) christened us the "blue knitters". Well, we liked it and it stuck. We even have a mascot already! Cindy, one of the shop employees, had brought all sorts of decorations including this resin figurine of a lady laying back lazily in a polka dotted bathing suit (different shades of blue) with a big ol' hat, a smirk and some sunglasses. That was all it took. She's our mascot. I'll have to get a pix up (if my husband ever gets my computer back up so that I can download pix - he prefers I don't do that on his . . . . ..).

Got home around 11:00 and have been on the computer since. Hubby is in bed sound asleep but I can't seem to get sleepy yet. Oh well,

I had a rough week. Monday as I was coming in to work, I found out that a coworker had been found in her garden over the weekend where she had passed away. It was such a shock. She was an older lady (64) but very active and full of life. I had spoken and joked with her on Friday. It was all so unexpected. The only comfort is that she died doing one of her favorite things. . . .gardening. She died among her beloved flowers. Hopefully, her last moments were peaceful. DH, DS and I had had a planned "off" day to go to Cedar Point ( the absolute BEST amusement park EVER) for Tuesday and we went. I was busy with work on Wednesday and Thursday and I now recognize that I did not allow myself to think about Mary. BUT, today at work we held a memorial service in the hospital chapel. I couldn't help it, it all came out and I cried, and cried, and cried. Not so much for Mary because she is an Angel and is now in a better place, but more so for myself. I cried because I will miss her so much and I feel as if I have truly lost a mentor and good friend. Mary, you always made me feel good about myself and what I was doing at work. You were honest and kind. You loved life as I did and had (and "got") my sense of humor. How huge the empty spot in me is from losing you. Rest in peace and, do me a favor wouldya? Keep an eye out for me? Lord knows I need all the help I can get! Tee hee!

Rest in peace dear friend. You will be missed.

I'm not usually very political, but . . . . . . . .

Oh, oh. I think this is a soap box speech coming out. For those of you with opposing views or beliefs, feel free to share and chime in. Everyone just PLEASE remember to be respectful of everyone else's views and opinions when commenting. My sincerest gratitude in advance for listening, commenting and respecting all others in this forum. So here goes. . . . . .

Ok, so as the title of this post states, I am not usually very political. I pick and choose what issues truly matter to me and they are usually topics that touch my heart. One of the issues that touches me the deepest (because of my own parents flight to freedom from Cuba in 1961) is the issue of freedom. What freedom means, how very little it seems to be appreciated (or understood?) by some, and how selfless and honorable I feel those who fight for our everday freedom are. (bad sentence but you get my point). The following article was printed in the Miami Herald on June 1, 2005. I feel that it is important to let others know that these things DO still happen, this truly IS what is occuring in Castro's regime and that we must all strive to preserve, protect and honor the freedoms that we all are given here in the good ol' US of A! At the end is a beautiful quote from the cuban patriot Jose Marti. I have made an attempt (pathetic I am sure) to translate it in english for you all.


ESCAPE FROM CUBA
`Our only luggage was hope'
BY SERGIO PERODIN JR.
sergioperodin@msn.com

As a child I had an experience that taught me the price that individuals are
willing to pay for freedom.
I was only 7 years old and living in communist Cuba. My parents yearned for
freedom and dreamt of coming to America. They secretly planned to escape,
along with 72 others who shared their dream. We embarked on a wooden
tugboat. Our only luggage was hope, but in that attempt, 41 lives were lost.
Among them, my mother and brother. My father refused to give up hope, and a
short time later, we risked our lives in a second attempt, but on this occasion,
aboard a raft.
It began on the fateful day of July 13, 1994, as we embarked on the 13 de
Marzo tugboat at about 2 a.m. About 13 miles off the coast of Cuba, we were
suddenly attacked by three Cuban tugboats. They rammed us. Pressure hoses,
normally used to put out fires at sea, were used against us. Their impact
was so powerful that children were swept to sea from their parents'
protective embrace.
Those on the tugboats shouted insults over loudspeakers. In a frenzy, they
crashed into the ship, damaging the hull, which caused the tugboat to take
in water rapidly. Within minutes, the ship sank. People were screaming and
begging to be rescued, but those on the tugboats showed no pity. They
circled us and made whirlpools in the water, causing men, women and children
to be lost forever in a black sea of despair.
After what seemed an eternity of brutal abuse, the tugboats finally stopped
and began picking up survivors. My mother and brother were not among them.
Those of us who survived, more dead than alive from the ordeal, were not taken
to receive medical assistance. Instead, we were taken to prison, where my father remained. I was later sent home in a small van and handed over to my aunt, to take care of me.
A month later, my dad was released from prison, and we were more determined than ever to attempt our search for liberty once more. It took about two weeks to build a raft. One night we embarked on the raft along with seven others and began navigating the seas with wooden paddles. We paddled for a whole day and suddenly we got caught in a storm. We tied ourselves to the raft with ropes and fell asleep from exhaustion. When we woke up, we noticed that we were being taken back to the coast of Cuba by the rough currents of the storm.
At that instant, it seemed as if all our hopes had been lost, but again with all the strength within us, we continued paddling assured that freedom awaited us. We were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and eventually taken to the Guantánamo Naval Base in Cuba.
On Jan. 21, 1995, we finally arrived in the United States. At that moment we felt happier than ever, but there was sadness and anger and disappointment that in our search for a new life, my father and I had lost our most valued treasures -- my mother and brother. Yet the first thing my father and relatives did was fly to Washington and testify before the U.S. Congress on
what has come to be known as the Massacre of the Tugboat 13th of March, perpetrated by the Castro regime.
Two months after our arrival, life showed us how generous it can be. My father met an incredibly loving woman who has been a mother to me. A month later we moved to her apartment and started our new life in the United States, supported by her unconditional love and guidance.
I will be graduating from high school today. Another dream has been achieved. To this day, I remember that awful tragedy and I still struggle with the memories. But I know I have another dream to accomplish for myself and the memory of my mother and brother. I will go to college. I will do it in the land where everything is possible -- in the land where I found something so valuable that people are willing to risk their lives to obtain it.

It is called freedom.

Sergio Perodín Jr., a survivor of the 13 de Marzo tugboat massacre, is
graduating from Coral Gables Senior High today.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/11783845.htm


"Solo la opresión debe temer al pleno ejercicio de la libertad. Libertad es
el derecho que todo hombre tiene a ser honrado, y a pensar y a hablar sin
hipocresía. Un hombre que oculta lo que piensa, o no se atreve a decir lo
que piensa, no es un hombre honrado. Un hombre que obedece a un mal
gobierno, sin trabajar para que el gobierno sea bueno, no es un hombre
honrado."

{"Only oppresion should fear the simple exercise of Liberty.
Liberty is the right of humankind to be honorable, and to think and speak
without hypocrysy. A person that hides what they think, or who
does not dare speak what he thinks, is not an honorable person .
A person that obeys a bad government, without working to make
that government good, is not an honorable person ."}
- José Martí

My Secret Pal 5 Questionnaire is as follows. . . . .

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I must admit that I am mostly a yarn snob. I think that quality work (and time) deserves quality materials. With that said, I do own and use some Lion Brand but no Red Heart. Lion Brand seems to be pretty good quality. I do not like the feel of Red Heart products. Does that make me awful?????

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I haven’t done crochet since I was a child. I would LOVE to learn to spin but I don’t know if I can afford another addiction. . . . . …

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) NOPE!

4. How long have you been knitting? Almost 2 years now but I dove in head first, have not looked back and have not put the needles down yet!

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I think I might just have to start one. Will get back to you on that.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) “Clean” smells. Sage/Citrus, Grass, Meadows, etc. . . . and sometimes “spicy” scents. . . . sandlewood, etc. . .. I really do not like flowery scents very well.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Bring on the Dark Chocolate and raspberries, baby! (either alone or in combo – yummy!)

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? - I do cross-stitch on linen, pulled-thread and hardanger needlework.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Swing dance music, big band dance tunes, alternative rock (evanescence, etc. . .), crooners (Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, the rat pack), pop, mainstream country (Shania, Garth, Faith, etc. . .). I also listen to a lot of new age/relaxation/nature sounds/meditative type music. VERY eclectic taste in music. I listen to CD’s and MP3s all the time.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? Growing up it was PINK! Now I enjoy the pinks, lavendars, soft greens and RED! Familywise, I would say either jewel tones or muted earth tones. (Olives + purples, Tans + Reds) etc. . .. .

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married (16 years in August), 1 son (8 years old) and a 2 year old Pomeranian.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) Gosh, to be able to live comfortably and give my son his education without him having to go into debt as his father and I did. I would love to travel to other continents (have yet to leave N. America). Want to be fluent in French. I want to be ORGANIZED (I hate clutter but can’t seem to get rid of it). I want to be chosen, complete and WIN “The Amazing Race”. It’s my favorite show and a HUGE dream of mine.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Right now I love to make self-striping socks but they do take me awhile. I love merino wool and other “soft” yarns. Love to make quickies with the newer yarns (ladders, ribbons, eyelash, fur, etc. . .) but I like to work with wool also (especially all those beautiful colorways like “manos del uruguay” overdyes). Karabella Aurora 8 is a great example.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Itchy wool. “Harder” fibers – I like my yarn to flow and have drape, even when I am going to felt I use the “softer” wools.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? SOCKs and collecting patterns!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Anything that will make the recipient happy! OK, OK, socks again!

17. What are you knitting right now? Uuuh, socks?! I am also working on a glace neck scarf and blocks of the month from my LKS in manos del uruguay to be made into an afghan. I am also almost done with my honeymoon cami in Candy (cotton blend – blue/green colorway).

18. What do you think about ponchos? LOVE THEM! Made 2 for myself and wear them both! A LOT! Made a couple other ones as gifts.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? CIRCULAR ADDIs are my FAV!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo (or really the rosewood and ebony from Lantern Moon – aah)

21. Are you a sock knitter? Tee hee (see above)

22. How did you learn to knit? Semi-self taught with a little help (about ½ hour from a friend) then I took an intermediate class (increases/decreases) and then I took a sock class – all within 2 months of each other!~

23. How old is your oldest UFO? 4 months (maybe 5)2

4. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Disney’s Thumper or Eeyore! I love puppies and I am a cartoon junky (right now my favs are Avatar, KND and The Fairly odd Parents).

25. What is your favorite holiday? I love to give things for Xmas but I also like Mother’s Day, Easter and Mardi Gras.

26. Is there anything that you collect? You mean besides yarn, right? I love precious moments figurines and nursing memorobilia (old nursing stamps, pictures, equipment, etc.) I like coke and coke products (I have the best 1952 add of a nurse holding a coke – YEAH). I also enjoy any knid of unique or different needlework accessories. I am a cardiac nurse and I love to collect anything with hearts or shaped like hearts. Ooh, I also collect sayings. . . . .inspirational little words or just great quotes of all times or silly sayings to make you laugh!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? – sigh, I only get piecework by interweave press. Have yet to get a knitting subscription.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? “Confessions of a knitting heretic!” “Knitting on the edge”. “Meditations for women who knit too much” (I think that is the title).

29. Are you a “girly” girl? OMG, I am such the “girly” girl. I love makeup and dressing up and looking pretty and sparkly stuff and so on and so forth. THAT SAID, I am NOT afraid to go out without makeup, get dirty, go hiking, fishing or the like.

30. If you could meet anyone, who would you meet? I think that I would love to meet Audrey Hepburn, Princess Di or Saint Therese of the little Flower. These women are very inspirational to me, each in their own unique way.

It's GOOD to be back. . . .

Well, after missing to separate sit 'n knits and 1 stitch of the month, I was back at my sit 'n knit tonight and it felt GREAT! It's so funny how the "little things" tend to mean so much. I loved sitting around with the girls just knitting and talking and laughing, etc. . . .

Found a new little "toy" that I just love. It's a set of 32" circular Addi's where 1 of the needles it a size 15 US (10.0 mm) and the other is a size 7 US (4.5 mm). How would one knit with such a thing you ask? Well let me explain. . . . . . . . .If you are doing stockinette (which I happen to be doing right now) you will end up with alternating rows of size 15 stitches and size 7 stitches. Very cool actually. I guess that you can use them as conventional 15 and 7 needles by just "sliding" your work over as you do for an I-cord. I guess these are used for a specific type of knitting. I used them for a pattern that called for alternating between size 15 and size 7's and then running a ribbon through all the rows of the larger stitches. The knitting them is basically a "lattice" for holding the ribbons and you get a beautiful ribbon scarf or shawl.

It was a class at the shop but I just did it on my own b/c I liked the class model so much. I will have to post pictures as the piece advances (I only have 4-6 rows down right now).

Always something new to learn and something new to buy!!! tee hee tee hee

Good night to all!

I Can't Believe It!!!!!

Ok, not much to do with knitting but I need to have some girly support here. My DH has shaven off his goatee and mustache! YIKES!!!!! Let me explain, HE HAS NO UPPER LIP! He's always had at least a mustache. . . . . . . . .I am not quite sure how to handle this as I keep doing double-takes whenever I look at him. Funny thing is that DS has been wanting him to shave it off for at least a year and he has yet to notice (even after a whole day together out geocaching!)

As far as my knitting goes, my hand is feeling better and better. I am now working on my friend's socks and my honeymoon cami. Hopefully I will be able to finish my cami by the end of the week! YEAH!!!!!!!!! I have completed 1 sock for my friend and am done with the ribbed top of the second sock but. . . . . . . . I HATE THE YARN! It's just, UGLY! she chose a Lion Brand Magic Stripes in the "Denim" colorway. There isn't anything wrong with the yarn except I just do not like the colorway at all. I am finding it very hard to work on the second sock as I sooo don't like the yarn. Has anyone else ever gone through something like this??? I keep trying to focus on how much she will enjoy the socks and she SAYS that she likes them so. . . . . . I keep focusing but I am having a harder and harder time.

I found a new yarn store that I had yet to visit in my area. Very nice and very good selection. They are smaller than the one I usually go to but they had a larger selection of books and patterns and they had more of a selection of "unknown" yarns. They had the Noro and some Debbie Bliss/Rowan/Lamb's Pride. But they also had Lorna's lace which I had yet to see in person and some other very nice hand dyed and smaller company yarn selections. The owner was very friendly and down to earth. Very Very nice place. I picked up a pattern for a beaded shawl, can't remember the designer or the name of the shawl. . . .will get back to you with that. Found a pretty sky blue overdyed hand spun merino to use for the shawl (again, don't know the company but will add it at a later post - yarn and stuff is upstairs and I am downstairs). I can't start the shawl as she did not have enough of the beads that I want and I want to have them all so that they are the same color, etc. . . . I will write as soon as I get THAT started (hopefully that will be after Honeymoon is done). I also bought a book called "Hot Knits". You know how you usually buy a book and will only actually wear 1/2 of the patterns offered? Well, I can honestly say that I would wear 80-90% of the projects in this book. Check it out if you get the chance.

OK, so I had a good shopping experience yesterday and am traumatized by my DH today. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day and I will be used to a clean shaved face. AUUUGH!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

It's friday morning, (late morning, but morning nonetheless) and I am at HOME! Got the day off from the hospital to "help with productivity". WOO HOO!!!!

So, on this beautiful day here I sit, (after sleeping in), sipping tea and blogging. My carpal tunnel is getting better finally and I have (against my MD's advice) picked the needles back up. I am not going overboard, but I am knitting. Aah, the comforts of wool and wood.

Many, many, many thanks to btchwstix for the beatiful blue wool and pink cotton yarns. See her blog as previously mentioned for the whole scoop. The blue wool is screaming "buttonhole bag" while the mission falls cotton is quiet for now. . . . . . . MY computer is out of commission for now and I am on my DH's. I can't post pix when I am on his but I will post the pix of the yarns (and the completed "Tempting") ASAP!. Hopefully I will finish my honeymoon cami as well and post those pictures soon!

DS and I will be out and about after school today on a quest with my other newest passion. . . . .GEOCACHING!! Yeah, it really is so much fun! If you are unaware of this worldwide phenom, got to www.geocaching.com to check it out. They really do the whole thing much more justice than I can. For those who just want a little tidbit, here is my attempt to explain.

Geocaching is a kind of "game". There are caches hidden all over the world be geocachers who then follow the caches visitors online. To geocache you need a GPS unit and a user profile online. Once obtained, you select a geocache to search for, take down the GPS coordinates and go on the hunt. Once at the location you must search for the cache (usually hidden in some wooded area, etc. . .). Upon finding it you sign a log, trade a few trinkets if you choose and then log your visit online. The fun of the whole thing is getting out and about, the "hunt" and seeing some hidden away places that you may not have been aware of otherwise.

We have seen a doe as close as 25 feet from us, beautiful, yet hidden, streams, parks and views that we would have otherwise missed. DS is learning about cardinal directions and how to use a compass. We are learning all about our local wildlife and plants, etc. . . . It really is a great wasy to get out and about. The whole "thrill of the hunt" isn't too shabby either (very Holy Grail-like y'know?). If you have a minute, go over and check it out. Maybe I will see you out on the hunt someday??????

Our very own DAY!

WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY (see http://worldwidekipday.blogspot.com) is coming up on June 11th! Join the movement! Get your stix and knit, knit, knit!

Mother Nature is NOT playing nice!

So, this is supposed to be mid to late spring. My favorite time of the year, mind you. I look forward to spring flowers, crisp days of gardening and sitting on my lawn just taking in nature and it's glory. HA! It's been darn cold. Too darn cold. You would think that Ohio was 1000 miles further north than it is! Lows in the upper 30's and Highs in the low to mid 50's. And the Sun? Whatzit look like again? I don't remember it too well. Y'know, it's bad enough that I am incapacitated for my knitting, but I can't even enjoy being outside. What's a girl to do these days?????

On a GREAT note, I won the blogday contest over at BtchwStx (www.btchwstix.blogspot.com)! Yeah , more yarn to drool over. . . . . . . . .

Hummmmmm, maybe she's got a great idea. Blogday celebrations. That would be a great thing to do since I tried to jump on the bandwagon with RAOK (see right) a bit too late. You know what they say about one man's trash. . . . . . I will have to try to come up with another idea. I can't imagine being as clever as btchwstix but I can give it a whirl (LOL).

HEY, speaking of btchwstix, maybe I could teach myself to knit with my toes as well since I am incapacitated with my hands!!! Of course, with my luck I would get carpal tunnel in my feet and ankles. On second thought, I relinquish that knitting goddess talent over to the almight btchwstix. (Anybody that can knit with her toes is DEFINITELY a knitting goddess to me and should be treated as such). Gonna go read up on my blogs. Gotta figure out how to add the favorite links to the right hand column. . . . . will I EVER get all there is to know about blogging?????????

Auugh! I can't KNIT

Well, after 1 week of numb/tingling right index and middle fingers, I had an EMG today. I have been diagnosed with early carpal tunnel syndrome. Sigh! I have been told that it is from knitting too much (blasphemy) but I really think it has to do with too much typing at work. I have made some ergonomic changes from recommendations I got from my chiropractor and neurologist. My screen is now at eye level, I have gotten my boss to allow me to purchase not only the screen stand but also a document holder and a phone caddy (foamy piece that goes on the phone to help hold the phone on your shoulder). Hopefully this will all work.

Has anyone else ever had an EMG? Let me tell you, it's not as bad as it sounded from my readings, but STILL! The needles weren't bad, it was the multiple shocks all over. That was the bad part. So here I sit, typing (oops) but wearing a hand brace. I must admit it seems to help however, it is too cumbersome to knit while wearing. I must wear it at all times except when bathing. Even while I sleep! YUCK!!!!! Hopefully this will pass as quickly as the neurologist stated (about 2 weeks). I guess I will have time to actually blog regularly now.

I have the best of intentions when it comes to this blog, it's just life and knitting gets in the way.

Well, my HUGE project at work will be over in just over a week. I am a nurse educator for critical care and I am in charge of doing the annual unit-based competencies. Lots of typing (hence the carpal tunnel), lots of meetings to prepare and lots of research. But, it will be done for another year as of May 23rd. YEAH!

I haven't had much response to the blog. How does one go about having people actually visit a blog?????? What's the trick I wonder?????

Back to knitting. Since the last blog, I finished "Tempting" (and worn it twice), started the honeymoon cami and finished a pair of socks. I am still behind on my "stitch of the month" blocks from my LKS knitting group. SIGH (again), so many projects, so little time.

See ya soon!

me!

I think I might have gotten carried away

OK, so I put a few more pictures in than I intended to. But, at least I can show that I truly WAS knitting while I was gone! :-)

With that said, I have made good progress on "tempting". I hope to finish it in a week or so. DH has me nervous now b/c he says it looks too small to him. YIKES! I checked gauge and I followed the pattern. We'll see, I might have Denise's birthday present done extra early if it is too small.

OH well,

time to knit!

Yummy stash for "Tempting" 

Progress on my "Tempting" sweater 

Stash for my own spring shawl 

Primary colored baby albert progress 

Close up of Candi's spring shawl 

Bad picture of Candi's spring shawl 

Hubby's socks 

Close up of the baby apaca poncho 

My finished baby alpaca and coconut poncho 

I can't believe it's February

Dear GOD! I thought I hadn't been here for a few weeks, YIKES it's been a few months!!!!
Well, let's see. I have done quite a bit of knitting since my last post. I've finished my alpaca poncho, a spring shawl, several scarves (for gifts) and a pair of socks for my DH!

I have just taken a bunch of photos to post! Let's see if I can figure out how to start a section for completed works and WIPs!

Right now I have been working on "Tempting" from www.Knitty.com ! I think it's so cute! I am making it in a beautiful periwinkle blue and plan to thread a cream colored ribbon through it. Let's see how it will turn out! I am using karabella it's a wonderful 100% merino and it's sooo soft.

I have pix of that to post as well.

See ya!

Here I am