~ New day + New Season = New Me ~

 

Life has been full of numerous changes since April. I finished the last semester not so great but I'm not complaining for I did finish. I took a trip to my hometown, Richmond, for a much needed summer vacation however, I'm still here. After spending the summer visiting and exploring, I was given the responsibility of guardianship for my grandma. In the process, it required that I spend a large amount of time taking care of paperwork and other matters. She is finally in a better situation though there is still more to be done and now I've been given the privilege of being my grandpa's guardian. I now live w/him and will be taking care of his matters to ensure he is getting the assistance he needs. If anyone had told me that I would not be sitting in NY, working on my degree and enjoying city life this fall, I would have called them a liar.

One thing this season is teaching is how to completely rely on my Lord. I've been unemployed since May and have not been successful in obtaining a position that works for my new lifestyle. I did manage to get a part time job but it was inconvenient due to the hour commute. However, I'm not moved and I'm resting in the fact that God is in control. I've been able to spend a considerable amount of time at my home church which has blessed me more than I can truly express. Seeing, being surrounded and encouraged by so many I've known most of my adult life has truly been a blessing. I miss my children especially my grandson, however, I know that this is all temporary and maybe one day I'll get to NY for school or just a vacation. For now I'm learning to enjoy where I am, be who I am for this season and allow it to develop my character.

On the knitting front ~ I've not been very active at all. I'm still working on the same pair of ankle socks that I started 7 months ago. Can't seem to get motivated on them. However, grandpa and I checked out a lys here in Richmond and I got him some Rowan Tweed for a beanie and some sock yarn for my grandson. The beanie is for grandpa and he is excited. I'll post pics later today of the yarn and link the pattern I'm planning to use. Now must return to the kitchen and make some tuna salad. 

Have an awesome day all!

Knit Therapy...aahhhh

Time to share some FOs and WIPs ~ enjoy!

My "love yarn" day treat ~ so yummy soft too :D

Life is good

Its been a busy week already and its only Tuesday lol. Enjoying the activity though and the desire to get my life back to some of the normalcy it once had. Been dealing w/allergy and sinus symptoms to the point of having laryngitis. Starting to feel better but realize I'll prolly be taking some decongestants for the rest of winter so I don't get a sinus infection like last year.

On the knitting front, started my scarf using 10s but not sure I'm liking the look or the feel. Its rather tight and I really want a more loose. Will prolly frog it and start again w/13s or 15s. Planning some socks since I've a ton of sock yarn that is calling my name. Just checked out a new sock book at the library and can't wait to take time to look through it. Its call Country Weekend Socks by Madeline Weston.

Well, back to work and more later. Have a great one!

~ My new project ~

My lovely OSU yarn ~ ready for my scarf...woohoo! Been too long not knitting. Time to let my creativity have its way and my mind to enjoy a good book. Aahh, I do love winter time just as much as fall for these simple pleasures.

Cowls, Cowls, Cowls

This is the lovely package I received from my Swap-Bot pal. Its a very warm cowl too along with a lovely handmade journal. I really like the postcard too...very retro.

Thank you, Amanda!

Whaddup...

Yay! I'm so excited ~ this is what I got in the mail this weekend. Woohoo! you rock SP, its another from my wishlist. I'm so happy and I've had to hide it from Riley because she loves the cover model lol. Anywho, I'm making progress on my Ophelia ~ 4 1/2 inches with 3 1/2 to go. I'm planning some new projects but nothing else on the needles. Need to make some more dishcloths getting ready for upcoming birthday presents.

Been resting more lately since I'm not working 60 hrs last week and this ~ 35 hrs which is more my speed. Need to start lesson plans for Da Boy but may have to wait til after the move. Gotta go to work now, more soon.

Happy knitting!

Progress finally

This is my Ophelia ~ it started off slowly and I've managed to work on it a little here and a little there. I'm happy with it so far and love the fact that its knit all in one piece. Nothing else is going on around my neck of the woods other than work. I've been working alot at both jobs so I'm tired alot.

I've received another package from my SP and will post a pick soon ~ its a copy of "Not Your Mama's Knitting",

Back to work and more soon. Have a wonderful weekend!

PBR '09

Its been a long week and this was the beginning of a great weekend. Woohoo! We will be going again tonight and I hope I get to go tomorrow too but no guarantees at the moment. I've finished another dishcloth and haven't started anything new. Not sure what I will do next though I'm wanting to make something. Just don't know what yet. ;) I'm doing a lot of reading and watching old movies and cartoons, which is so much fun. Well back to work more later.

Have an awesome weekend!

Cloths....

Very quiet around here but I did manage to complete a few cloths and a lovely scarf for my daughter using her stash. Here are a few pictures:

~ Questionnaire SP14 ~

Welcome Secret Pal and thank you,

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? My favs are LB's cotton, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and Merino DK, Sock yarn and soft acrylics ~ lovely baby yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I've makeup brush and pencil cases for most of my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting consistently for almots 3 years and I'd say I was intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, I have an amazon (link in sidebar) and cbd wish list.

5. What's your favorite scent? Sunflowers and a newbie ~ Sensual Amber (personal); for home ~ fresh linen or vanillas.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes, anything chocolate ~ Cadbury Dairy Milk is a fav.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I crochet, cross-stitch, sew, make wreathes and I'm learning to draw. I don't spin but maybe one day.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Mostly classical along with country, christian rock and contemporary. My computer/stereo is MP3 equipped.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Red, red, did I mention red. I don't really have a color I can't stand ~ I love color especially bright ones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am a wife and mother of 3, whom I homeschool.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, especially scarves and hats.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Baby things, dishcloths and footie socks.

13. What are you knitting right now? Dishcloths and 4pr of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, these are special gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I love circs but use all types. Do prefer aluminum but have fallen for Brittany Birch's thx to SP10 pal and bamboo is nice.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, I now own both though I still occassionally use my kids hands. LOL

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Not counting items in storage ~ hmmm, 1 yr old.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Lighthouses, books, band shirts/buttons.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I'd like more Brittany needles. I have e-magazine subscriptions, borrow anything else from the library. I also get Lion Brand/Tahki/SWTC and more updates which I enjoy. You can look at my wishlist for books I'd like to own.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I love knitting in the round and short heel rows. Heel to toe - 9.5"; Toe to ankle - 7.5"; shoe size 7.5/8

23. When is your birthday? Nov 12th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? RockstarMom ;D

Some FOs

Herringbone Scarf for my friend

One for me ;)

Matching Pairs #1 ~ Two-needle Socks by Debbie Bliss
Yarn ~ Wisdom Yarns San Francisco

Matching Pairs #2 ~ Toddler Sock

Sock Wars 4 Sock
Pattern ~ Air Raid
Needles ~ Size 2
Yarn ~ Trekking Pro Natura in 1607

Sock Wars 4 sock ~ closeup

I'm working on getting my knitting mojo back ~ whatcha think? ;)

Relaxing

Thats what I'm doing. It is so awesome. I'm going to make sure that this happens more often since I'm sure that I will be a nicer person to be around since I'm rested and relaxed. The conference was great, much sleep and enlightenment. More on that later. I'm off to enjoy my Tennessee family. Nite!

ps ~ my Sock Wars socks are coming along and I managed to crochet 4 cloths ~ woohoo!

Deep Thinker...who me :)

Deep Thinker You think deeply about things going on in the present, past, and sometimes even future. You often drift off during work or class and start thinking about other things. You always hide what your thoughts from your friends and it often takes a poke or a snap of the fingers to bring you back to reality. Your eyes often portray a different personality than you are. Your eyes are a different part of your soul.

This was one of those facebook quizzes and I thought I'd share my results. I'm not sure but I do believe they got it right. LOL

Life around here has been hectic but I've managed to carve out some quiet and allowed myself to rest. I've not done more than light housework and driving kiddos to work in the last couple of days. I don't plan to do alot in the next few days either since I realize I'm running myself into the ground and its not good. I've been knitting and listening to audio books between my chores which has been great fun. I'm more peaceful too and that I must say is worth every single minute I spend doing nothing. Its hard for me to do nothing but its needed. Another quiz I took actually help me to realize this as well, I may share that one too.

I've finished the first mitten of my WDK Mystery Yarn Ball and started the 2nd ~ halfway done. I've begun working on a Herringbone Neckwarmer for a friend and have plans to do more knitting to including knit night. Yeah me! Haven't been in over 3months. School is coming along and we are getting excited as the summer approaches bringing graduation and our annual trip to NC ~ can't wait.

Well, better be off to get more work done before I return to my knitting and book. Have a wonderful day.

New day

its been a week and I've not much to report. I'm working more than I normally do and now all the kiddos have jobs. Lord help me. Fortunately, the Lord has helped because I was becoming overwhelmed with the whole schedule thing. I'm readjusting my personal schedule for work and home so I can rest more. I know I need to earn more $$ so I can buy yarn, food, yarn, pay for graduation, yarn but I don't want to do so at the expense of my health and sanity. I'm working on my mystery project and finished another scarf this week ~ yeah. I'm reading Winter Study by Nevada Barr and its good. I'm also reading "Among the Mad" ~ Maisie Dobbs ~ love that character. Off to get some housework done ~ menus, laundry, groceries, etc. Have an awesome day!

Its a mystery......

I received my Whoduknit Mystery Yarn Ball from Penny. It is too cool and I can't wait to get started. She sent a new book for me to read "No Graves As Yet" by Anne Perry that looks very interesting. She only gave me the first part of the pattern and has taped up the actual pattern which I can't open yet. I only need one missing piece of info then I can get started and know what I'm making. Heehee ~ off to email her and get that hint.

Its April

So where did the time go. It was just Mar and now its April. I must have been sleep but the truth is I've been busy and stressed. I'm off to bed ~ another 8hr shift on my feet tomorrow and I'm really tired. I've been knitting on my CPH and started a quick scarf today, needed something small for toting to work. Well more over the weekend ~ nite!

Miss me?!

Yeah I know, I could post more via my blackberry but I am too sore for that. I've been not well for over a week and today it was really bad. What I thought was simply allergy issues now has turned into a mini-cold. I say mini cause I don't have full symptoms but the fatigue is awful. The weather here has made this week impossible and caused most of the symptoms and I just found out that we are going from being really cold to being hot again in two days. Lord help me. I'll get some rest and try not to think about it.

On the knitting front ~ I'm making progress on my CPH and focusing on doing several rows a night so that I can get it done. I've started a pair of toddler socks but had to rip them cause the pattern didn't work out. I'll re-start them by the weekend. I plan to make some dishcloths and washcloths for my co-workers but haven't been motivated, so hopefully this weekend I'll get some of them done since I will not be working. Looking forward to a little R&R in Missouri.

Well, I'm going now, talk w/you again soon. Have an awesome week!

~ Lacy Love Scarf ~

I'm done ~ making my lovely scarf. I love the colorway and the pattern, it was an easy knit . Its warm and snuggly. I'm glad I made this one and look forward to making another.

Here it is with details:

Yarn ~ Malabrigo Intenso

Pattern ~ Lacy Scarf by Debbie Bliss

Needles ~ Bamboo 10s

Now to get motivated to finish off my stashalong list. I've only one item left now and I can't seem to get it done. Its my CPH ~ its over a year old and it really needs to be finished up. I'll work on it this week though I really want to start another project. Its the only thing left unfinished, well except for the B2S I have to buy yarn for since it is official ~ the yarn is gone. LOL

I want to make new socks, I want to make a sweater, I want to make dishcloths but for some reason I really am not interested at the moment. Could be the fatigue, the stress, and being sick on an off the past 3 weeks. I don't know but I'm getting excited about receiving packages in the mail and getting DirecTV ~ woohoo. I have sent off my ISE7 package and I will be sending off my KCS4 package in the next day or so. I've all the goodies and I've even scored some local, well to Arkansas, roving for my international pal. Can't wait for her to get that. ;)

I'm looking forward to a mini-vacation soon ~ definitely need it and I can't wait to go to Vegas. Dh and I are finally going, wow its been over a year since we won those tickets. Oh well, better late than never.

Gotta run, need to update and send emails. Have a great evening!

~ Woohoo ~

The lovely Lacy Leaf scarf is done. I need to wash it and block it then gather goodies for my pal. I'm hoping to have it in the mail by Friday. Pics soon.

~ KCS4 ~

Woohoo! Its back ~ Knitters Coffee Swap. I'm ready and getting excited cause my pal lives in Singapore. Here are my answers to the questionaire:

1. Whole bean or ground? both
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? fully-loaded but will try a good cup of decaf
3. Regular or flavored? either ~ really not suppose to have hazelnut ;D
4. How do you drink your coffee? cream and sugar, please
5. Favorite coffee ever? too many to choose especially flavors but enjoy starbucks alot.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I can be fussy.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? lemon crumb bar, chocolate cinnamon bread, or cookies ~ butter or sugar.
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I like it very hot so I can linger over it longer.
9. Yarn/fiber you love? cashmerino, sock yarn and anything soft.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? not fond of novelty yarns or anything too rough but will work w/it if called for in pattern.
11. What's on your needles? Pr of not pedestrian peds, a lacy scarf for my ISE7 pal, and my CPH.
12. Favorite colors? reds ~ deep autumn/fall colors
13. Allergies? hazelnut (but claritin rocks!), green tea and some cat dander
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? nope ~ I'm really easy to please. oh yeah! I love chocolate. ;D