Too Much Fun

If you don't want to read the rant please skip down to the
Let me just say that there is such a thing - when you have to take care of a 22 month old after the fun has settled. Her father has a struck out once again. I believe I'm winning the game. When I dropped her off yesterday, he was a little quiet/grumpy. I put it down to the fact that he was on nights and at 9:55 am he would have only had about 6 or so hours - child naps however so he was bound to get a couple hours later on. But I have rethought it - I was perky and very happy and looking very fine - I made an extra effort as once the little gurl was dropped off, I wasn't going to get spit/spilled/walked on by a child. Made a point of telling him I wasn't sure when I would be conscious the next day as wasn't entirely sure would make it home that night. Dumb move on my part - should have said - I'll pick her up at 1:00 pm or something. Obviously I am not allowed to go out and have fun if he isn't there.
For all the Mom's out there who like just a little vacation - I got exactly 24 hours without a child. No more.
He called a little after 9:00 am this morning and it was quite obvious from his tone of voice that he
1) didn't think I should still be sleeping,
2) had things to do and didn't want her with him anymore, and
3) really really felt put upon and it was time for her to come home.
I threw him a couple of balls (sorry for the baseball humour)
1) I'm just waking up cause I didn't get to bed until 4:00 am, (swung at that one)
2) I need coffee and then it will likely be close to noon before I get there (he fouled off that one with - I can bring her home),
3) Is she okay - not well? that one went right by him.
Regardless, by the time I got upstairs, I felt that driving anywhere was too much for the day, and there was laundry and I can go those places tomorrow, so I called and suggested he bring her home when he was ready - (knowing that I had a half hour at the most)
She was home at 10:00 am.
He had car problems and is not a happy guy as he has to move to a cheaper place and....
BLAGH BLAGH BLAGH - I will not take you back ever cause you just don't get it!

Stitch n Pitch and a Day/Night in Toronto
I had heaps of fun yesterday - sight shopping - didn't actually buy anything except food and drinks.. relaxing GO train ride with knitting involved and great conversation - Thanks KRIS! Delicious lunch at FRAN's across from Massey Music Hall - lovely vegetable quesadilla and twisted Bellinis. Lots of walking.
Getting the tickets at the stadium was just wonderful - I was at the window before i realized the confirmation email said Gate 9, not Gate 2 (or 1 as I thought I was at). So we walked halfway around the dome to get to gate - To be told that all the tickets were at GATE 1. I suggested (sweetly) that perhaps they should advise Gate 2 of this detail as the lady behind me in line had been behind me at Gate 2.
We went into Hard Rock Cafe for some more drinks (it was now 5:00 pm and lunch was done at 3:30 pm. Appletini's were my choice and some pleasant conversation with a lovely couple and their daughter and a guy who thought a little too much about himself (and pissed off the bartender). Then it was off to pick up our bags of loot - not bad some nice blue yarns and a pattern book with a couple I may try (pays to be able to pick from the bag of someone who doesn't care). I knitted happily through the game (duet socks and socks that are not for Mom - so not her colours) and some seat switching cause was in the wrong spot. The Yarn Harlot was there with her family as were some 500 other stitchers. She has pictures here - I can just see myself in the 2nd last picture - top left hand corner - beside the green lady.
The Blue Jays won - and it was all done by 10:00 pm.
We went to the Boiler House (the big gurl's father is Head Chef there). I had tried all day to get him on the phone and decided to just go and see. Thank you very much Eric, Verna? and Jarrod? for a wonderful dining experience. What a place, so peaceful after the pleasures of Yonge, Front and Bay streets. I definitely recommend it for something a little different in the hear of Toronto!!
We had to tip Jarrod for his service and that was it (pays to know the head chef). He also drove us to the Go Station so we could catch the last bus out of town.
I have not consumed that much alcohol in less than 12 hours in a very long time. (pre little gurl is my guess). Yet the after effects don't hit until much later. Do others have this talent - when you are done drinking, coffee sobers you up, and the next day all hell breaks loose? My stomach is still churning a little. I have drunk so much water and slept it off, but that day after drinking is hell. I think the problem is that I didn't throw up - if I recall college days with Kris, you threw up before going to sleep. I didn't feel the pain then - just really tired. Even avoided adding beer into the mix - could not resist the red wine with dinner as it was quality.
Am off to bed with tylenol and another litre of water.
By the way I have startitis in knitting as I have two socks on the needles, what looks like fingerless mitts (cuff too tight for foot and really love the feel of the yarn) a monster hat and of course all the other WIPs.

FO, SAM4, SP, SC, SnP, VaKay, WIP

So them are a lot of weird short forms.

Some you may know and some, well I am a little spun.

My FO - Picot edged vanilla socks in Marks & Katten #1907.

These were knit on 2.5 mm over 64 sts. If I make a pair for myself in this yarn I need to use 2.0 mm over 60 sts - they are a loose fit for me. Thankfully Mel has bigger feet than me and she just loved the one she tried on Friday! These were my August socks for SAM4.

SP - I am doing Secret Pal 11 and have been matched. This is going to be such fun. I can't wait to spoil my pal. And maybe get a little bit spoiled myself.

SC - Sock Clubs. Very dangerous stuff. There is the booty club - with lovely Rum Runner yarn for July. Then in September, I have the lucky lurker club coming my way. And I accidentally signed up for another club today from Robyn's Nest. These cotton pickin items just fall into my cart and oops bought another.

SnP - Tomorrow it is off to Toronto to see the Blue Jays play the Angels. Trying to figure which project is the least hazardous, but the most portable.

VaKay - Today was my last day or work until Monday. Also some vacation time from the big gurl and the little gurl goes tomorrow for sleep at dad's while I am gallivanting in Toronto. May not come home until Thursday. Friday we shop at Ikea (and the big gurl comes home). Maybe just some mommy time.

WIP - My skinny duet sock yarn in Cowgirl. This is round three - these also did not work as Monkeys (cause I want to start toe up). This is the pattern I created for the first try but I have changed the plain rows a little to space it out. We will see. If this one is frogged then I do not know if these socks will ever be. I am trying to decide on yarn for a pair for Mom. I have a very similar colour in yarntini, but I am thinking colours more along the lines of the Marks & Katten. Who knows. There is an Opal in the stash - so that may be the next choice. (Regia Cotton already started and frogged and so was the Colinnette. I know why some people don't knit for others!!!

Friday

It's Friday. That great last day of the work week (for the majority of the population). I went into work for 8:30 am - walked in with some yummy eye candy, but still haven't figured out if he's just flirting or hitting on me. I never could tell. At break/lunch I ran down to the LYS that is closing for a circular needle for the Squatty #2. Came back with the circ, Manos Del Uruguay Malabrigo in lovely purple, and the last four skeins of baby alpaca in pale pink/purple - 2 of each. yum!
Left work early because the big gurl was doing School Age Idol for daycare. It was... cute but scary. 5, 6, 7, 8 year olds gyrating like the rock stars. To quote the big gurl - I have sparklies on because that's what rock stars do. Worth leaving work early for, but still disturbing - slow down my big gurl, you don't want to grow up too fast!!!
We went to Mel's for dinner and Kris joined us. It was fun, a little wine, some pizza - Mango Chicken mmmmmmmm, and some Treatza Pizza - and the guy behind the counter - I could have taken him home with me. Very nice.

Can I rant a moment?
What is the matter with drivers today? This afternoon, I turned a corner and well, there was a dump truck in front of me, so I drove about 40 km per hour. I have this dislike of hitting trucks and my gurl was in the car and well, safety? The lady behind me honks on the horn (presumable because I am driving too slow) and follows on my tail. Almost wanted her to rear end me when I had to go from 40 km to 0 because of the red light that made the dump truck stop. She then proceeded to DRIVE BEHIND the same dump truck once we had a second lane. And she was in a hurry why???? did I accidentally get between her and the love of her life? I don't know, but if the big gurl hadn't been in the car, I may have succumbed to road rage.
Then, lets talk about people who don't know the rules of the road. On the way to dinner tonight, I was detoured through a construction zone (Dairy Queen was halfway in between). I pulled up to the red flashing stop lights, stopped, waited 3 seconds and my turn ... and was forced to wait while 3 different drivers drove straight through the light without stopping. Now, to give them credit, I craned my neck to verify that all the lights were flashing RED and they did not have an orange flasher. They were definitely all red. Thank you the gentleman who, before my horn honked (split second) stopped and allowed me to take my belated turn. As I stated to my friends. A cop could make a killing at that light - enough to buy his own Tim Horton's franchise. I admit that I am not a perfect driver, but these people did not even see the lights.
Rant completed.
I am going to bed now, as am almost to toe of socks and this is not a good time of night to knit them. Ragan has beat me by finishing hers first, but I still have to work and she has a little time before school starts again. Of a positive note, Mel tried the finished one on and it fit her perfectly. I think that is all the inspiration I need to finish them now!!!
Have a great week-end. I am off to drop the big gurl at Oma and Opa's for a whole week. Wednesday is stitch n pitch AND the Yarn Harlot is going!!! Wow!!
I'm just hoping poor Kris will be able to handle all the fibrey/yarny goodness, being a non-knitter and all that.

Sock devastation

So, last night I sat to work on my pretty socks of which there are no pictures and will be none. The toe was too long in comparison to the heel and the increases were off and... they have been frogged - all the way. It hurts. But I will get over it and finish my July socks and start another pair - my Mom has a birthday at the end of the month. I will have to dig in the yarn stash and see what I can see.
I love your yarn Angela, I just have to figure out proper dimensions for the contrasting heel and toe!!!

Funny Gurlz

On Friday, I was pleasantly knitting and trying to escape the heat, when the phone rang. A friend had invited us for dinner previously but I had forgotten and thus not gone. Since the gurlz were still up and there were other gurlz there, we went. A great time was had by all. Take a peek at these future stars in action.

Or not. I have no clue how to put a video on here and am not into downloading vids of my gurlz to Youtube or google. So they will remain unpublished. They are so beautiful. Here is a pic of them with one of their new friends. There is a fourth gurl who is all of 2 weeks older than my little gurl. The dark haired beauty is a year younger than my big gurl. But size and age doesn't matter! I met the mom when we were both only a little over 4 months pregnant. Hadn't seen her since then.

Back to knitting on the hell socks. I am not liking them - even though I love them. Must complete one of the pairs so I can cast on something else!!!

The long weekend

Well - what a week end. Today is a holiday and we were well not really holidaying, but lots of things got done FINALLY.
I didn't take pictures, because, I never thought of it and it was hot.
I have a clothesline!!!! And the first loads have been folded and put ... they are still in the hamper. There is a gate that I can keep the gurlz in with (it was free) The apartment stairs which shook and wobbled and well, I feared for my sanity, have been levelled and supported and they are wonderful! The cables and wireds and junk on the side of the house have been removed and only those that actually provide a service are remaining.
Pictures have been hung, there is a bulletin board in the office, and the bathroom and kitchen sparkled for a while. The big gurlz desk and craft supplies are organized once again.
How you ask? My Mom and Dad came for the week-end and helped out. Dad went to visit a guy who he is helping to buy a house and came home with two lovely black gates. The house is becoming mine some more. Only 8 months since we moved in.
The clothesline and stairs were on the top of the list of things to do.
On the knitting front, I have turned the heels on my cowgirl socks. And I think I am satisfied with how they are coming along. My foot is so wide at the ankle/heel area, that the yarn was really stretching and they were frogged twice and replotted 3 times after the 3 heel was completed. I will see after the next pattern repeat what happens. Squatty #1 is on a time out as I figure out the rest of it, and squatty #2 is started, but has been deserted in favour of the socks.
My Yarn Pirate and Monster Hat kits arrived. Thank you Georgia and Jacey. Everything is lovely. I must find the time to knit those too.
That's it for now. Have a great night and pictures will come someday.

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love the 100% wools and the wool blends. Cotton is nice because it is washable, but my wrists get sore. I'm not that crazy about *fun* yarn - the furs and stuff, because i find them difficult to knit with.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a crafter's tote and use the top layer to lay the different needles in along with a chocolate tin with a hinged lid for the hooks and I also have some hanging on my pegboard in my 1/4 finished craft nook (half my bedroom).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I started knitting when I was 6 or so and my Beppe taught me the basics. The rest I picked up over the years. I then perused whatever how to books my Mom had and scoured the thrift stores for magazines and projects. There was a huge wish list with only a few items actually being completed.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I would say that I am an intermediate knitter. There are things that make absolutely no sense to me and others that I read and know what it will be. I am willing to try, it's just budgeting the time for a pattern repeat or section that needs to be worked.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I am sensitive to many perfumes and fragrances. (probably allergic to one ingredient,but most of them just make me sneeze). I love the honey scents and most fruit scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes
Favorite candy? Dark chocolate, and real fruit gummies. I love the way the gummies taste like the fruit and are *good for you*.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I enjoy crochet, sewing, am working on a quilt, needlepoint, cross stitch and occasionally do scrapbooking. I love to get in the garden and am a decent cook/baker. I try to do a lot myself, but usually need some help. Do you spin? No. I think for now, I have enough on the go.


8. What kind of music do you like? Country and some of the older soft rock. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I don't know - I'm not even sure what an MP3 is. I know my sister-in-law made me a CD and that plays well.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? I love blue and brown (chocolate colour)
Any colors you just can't stand? I'm not crazy about neon and pastel shades, but most colours I like.

10. What is your family situation? Three gurlz - 31, 6 and 22 months Do you have any pets? one fish, a beta named Buddy or Goldie, depending on the day.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes to all of these. We get lots of snow.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Currently socks - they are quicker than sweaters. I enjoy knitting and crocheting doll clothes. I also have discovered a love for the join as you go projects/knit a square and pick up your next square on the edge. I hate seams.

13. What are you knitting right now? A pair of socks for a friend. Also working on a purse for my niece and there are always the UFO's. I want to make my Christmas gifts this year.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes, because then I feel that special link with the giver/maker.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
The circulars and dpns are turning into my favourite for everything.
Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? like the aluminum (addi turbos) for circ, but the bamboo are lovely for dpn. I haven't found a plastic I particularly like.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I have a lovely yarn winder that has saved me countless hours but no swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
my oldest UFO (non knitting) is 11 years old - the lovely couple celebrate 10 years and the cross stitch is not done.
In knitting land, it is a Moeibus wrap in lovely kid seta. It's my leave it for a while, knit a few rows and then pick something else up. It began as a gorgeous sweater, but because of the lace effect, the dropped stitches (2) were very visible and impossible to pick up.

18. What is your favorite holiday? the non-commercial ones. My favourite holiday 'symbol' is the angel - we collect ornaments for our Christmas tree.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Does yarn count? I love cookie cutters in different shapes. I'm always looking for something a little unique. I have a cat figure collection from when I was younger.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Books - Knitting Lingerie Style and I would like a sock knitting book, but haven't found one that really strikes me. I have a hard time following the couple I've borrowed from the library. Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb
Interweave Felt - the new one out now.

Yarn, this colour and I'd like to make my sister some socks in the Tiffany colours. I would like the yarn to make the 25th anniversary VK cover (the actual magazine cover) scarf by Nicki Epstein.

Patterns - there was one I saw on someones blog the other day, and forgot to write down the name.
Needles - something a little different. Normal to knit with but looking special or something.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None at the present. I find that I check the magazines at the store and pick the ones I like.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to do some lace knitting. Nothing to crazy in the pattern department, but I would like to make a shawl.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am becoming a sock knitter. My third and fourth pairs are on the needles and I want to make some monkey socks. My foot is 8 3/4 long by 9 around.

23. When is your birthday?
December 2nd

24. Are you on Ravelry?
Not yet - I'm in the 11,000, so a little wait is in store.