a little bit of insanknity

Testing....testing...is this thing on?

2011-10-24T17:06:00.001-04:00

Back again after another long break. Testing out the iPad, Barkley trying to climb into my lap, should be starting dinner. Yep. That about sounds right. Oh, and if you press the wrong button, don't panic...just go back and hit the app again it will open right back up. Also, auto correct has its ups and downs. Just sayin.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Still going strong

2011-01-25T23:05:00.000-05:00

I am still going strong. I started this journey 11 days ago, and have gone to eight classes in those 11 days. Not bad I guess. Actually, rather amazing!

My plan is to go every day this week, five for five and deal with the weekend when it gets here :). My postures are really improving rapidly. But the strange thing is how much I crave the heat of the room. This is one thing I cannot figure out. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I dislike the heat and humidity that comes with the summer months. I am not a sun worshiper at all, avoid the beach, stay in doors when the temperatures get to high, but there is something about the heat of the Bikram room that comforts me. As the sweat drips down my limbs, as I hold the postures, concentrating on my muscles, and listening to the teacher telling me how to move my body next. Can't figure it out. Is sweating a huge puddle in the middle of your yoga mat and being ok with that, different then being slightly overheated and uncomfortable when the temps hit 90 outside? Definitely, I love the feeling of 90 minutes of 105 degrees and 40% humidity concentrating and moving my body into postures that strengthen and lengthen it, I can do with the uncomfortable 90 degree days....just saying!

Today I got my knee to lock in Standing Head to Knee pose, and I'm working on kicking out my leg. Tomorrow's another day. More healthy food, much hydration and more yoga. It will be a good day!

Namaste..

Dare I say I like it?

2011-01-21T19:36:00.000-05:00

So, Thursday's class was really great. I am getting better at my postures, thankfully, and still committed to going as often as possible. So far I have gone 5 out of 7 days and plan on going tomorrow for the 4:00 class with Ashley. She wants to try it out.

I have come across some wonderful blogs and have spent a lot of time reading through them, getting a feel for other perspectives of this thing we call Bikram.

I still cannot understand what it is about this concept that has me so motivated to participate. 90 minutes in a room heated to 105 degrees and 40% humidity is not my usual idea of something appealing. Yet there is something about this that calls to me, captivates me, draws me in. Hard to explain. The heat, the silence, the dialogue the teachers use, the repetition is comforting to me. Striving to better myself each and every session.

I wonder how long before my eyes will notice a difference in my body....my mind likes the places it goes though.

Chronicles and Time Lines

2011-01-19T23:10:00.000-05:00

Health has taken a front seat lately. I checked with the Bikram Yoga Williamsville studio and Becky, the owner, was more than happy to start my three month unlimited membership whenever I wanted to. Fabulous, seeing as how I had taken the 10 days for $20 introduction offer last year, then paid for the three month membership and promptly stopped going. So, Saturday was my first official class. It went sweaty well! And I went back again on Sunday and Monday! Three in a row! I decided to take Tuesday off, but got right back into it with a 5:00 class on Wednesday.

I cannot believe that I am really making myself accountable and reorganizing my life around this. Tomorrow will bring either a 6:00 or 8:00 PM class, I think I will shoot for the 6:00 PM.

I started this journey the week before by organizing the pantries, making shopping lists, writing menus for the week and eating healthier. I really want to give this year the best I've got, and I believe Bikram Yoga will play a huge role in getting "myself" back.

I'm hoping to chronicle my experiences as a reminder and a motivator, although it might only be a few words here and there, even my knitting time has dropped significantly! Goodness knows time is at a premium now, but I will make this work!!

Today's class I was able to do triangle pose awesome, and it felt great! Need to work on balance poses. Stamina will come with time.
Happy smiley face!

As Promised...warning many photos!

2010-10-31T16:36:00.000-04:00

I finally have the photos of last weekend loaded....lots to see, sorry :)

Jordan and mommy saying hello to big brother James.

"Leaving a pumpkin for my big brother"

Listening to grandma read poems and getting ready to send James his birthday balloons.

We remember you James Michael, and think of you every day.

Happy Birthday big brother, I love you.

Me and daddy miss you.

But you are a constant part of our family, every day.
This is how we have chosen to memorialize our little angel. He is a prominent part of our family, and we miss him every day. The years have helped to dull the pain of losing him, but we will never be the same without him. We are so blessed and happy to have his little brother Jordan in our life now. He is our second blessing from heaven.

The shawl (I secretly wanted to keep, lol!) it turned out wonderfully!

Told ya there were a lot of pictures! Hope you enjoyed them. And I am even contemplating writing another entry, with words this time, Oh My!

A little ahead a little behind

2010-10-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

I have photos of the weekend, I have to get them up....It was a lovely gathering for James' angelversary. I cannot believe it has been four years since he came into my life, and four years that I have lived without him. My heart will never heal, and my life has changed forever. Rob and I went to see Augusten Burroughs on Friday night and unbelievably he spoke about the death of a child in a persons life, it was incredible. He spoke as if he had known what it was like. It was exactly how one feels after the lose of a child, the giant hole in your heart, the crashing, shattering emptiness that is never filled, never goes away, is never healed. Time goes by and the hole stays. After a while you can stop the 24-7 flow of tears, the paralyzing anguish, the deep dark depth of pain. Eventually, the sun will shine again, and the first time you laugh, the guilt is unbelievable, but you do laugh again. Time will never heal the pain, it only dulls it to the point were you can actually live one day to the next.

New Meds.......day three, fun stuff. Just want to keep tabs on the progress cause the brain isn't working so well! Pain still there, but the "ride" ain't so bad, lol.

Finished another Meret Beret, for Danielle. She likes the one I have made for Sarah and wants one for herself! And I made another Simple Things shawl , this one for Michaelene, she needs a little lovin' with everything going on in her life right now.....

I'll be back with pictures later.....

Here we go again

2010-07-12T11:54:00.001-04:00

Here we go again, playing catch-up...
Class day

And the prom

Doesn't she look stunning? He's not half bad either, haha... but then she let's her real personality shine through!!!

You can always count on Sarah to make you smile!
Then came graduation!

They did it! I'm so proud of them!!!

and it's never a complete celebration without a picture of Jordan...!

Ahh, now that it's over, I can't believe how fast it actually went. All of my biological children and one step-child are done with high school....on to their adult lives.....only one step-child left in middle school...the house is a quiet place....sort of! Home is where the heart is, and mom and dad live! And the washing machine resides and so does the refrigerator and lots of good advice! LOL!

Consistency

2010-06-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

Striving for consistency...in this blog.

So much has happened since the last time I have been here. The Spring Fling was simply amazing! I am so thankful I had the opportunity to attend and meet all the wonderful people and share stories and laughter! I will definitely be throwing my hat into the lottery for next year, with fingers crossed!

Sheri, her family and the elves from The Loopy Ewe made the event one of the most memorable and exciting gatherings I have had the pleasure of attending ever. She is a dynamo with a huge heart and a smile to match!!! Great friends, great food, fabulous teachers, wonderful accommodations, a FABULOUS trip to LOOPY CENTRAL with a whole lotta purchasing going on, how could anyone ask for more!!! Thanks so much for a grand time!

The following weekend it was off to Maryland Sheep and Wool ~

Enough Said!

Since then things have been up and down....a confirmed diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, new doctors, lots of research, talk of medications, or not, alternative treatments, etc....
More research, day by day, more information, one step at a time.

On a very sad note, my little brother lost his battle. He passed on May 21, 2010. So much to say, no words to say it with. A long sad story, yet to be told.

I hope you have finally found peace little brother. Marc J. Wierzbowski

Overload

2010-04-15T18:57:00.000-04:00

Seven days till Spring Fling and I am already on overload! I have mental lists running through my brain. I suppose I should write some of this stuff down so I don't forget - a wide variety of stuff to bring - from yarn and needles to Beef on Weck....yes you read that right, Beef on Weck. Don't Ask!

What to wear, check the weather; what I need for class, check the requirements and try and decide; what to work on, OMB just check your wip pile for pete's sake and try and refrain from starting something new "just for Fling"! And the arrival dinner and meeting all the new people, and the shopping at The Loopy Ewe IN PERSON!...and I have learned there is a Loopy Ewe song, how amazing is that? Can't wait to participate in that! I can feel myself getting carried away! The anticipation is just too much! I may just bust before next week......I really should make some lists.

And guess what, when it is all said and done, and I have made memories to last a life time and survived laugh headaches that you cannot imagine....I get to come home and get ready for Maryland Sheep and Wool....how awesome is that?

Randomness

2010-04-14T21:40:00.001-04:00

Randomness.....I cannot wait till Fling...I may even start to hyperventilate a little bit every time I think about it. And after Fling comes Maryland Sheep and Wool, amazing! I simply can't believe that I got lucky enough to be able to go to both events this year. With all the bad karma lately, this is really a stroke of impossibly good luck!

Happened to score Bugga today at The Loopy Ewe update! I see four new shawls in my future. Deciding on four patterns should prove to be interesting.

Deciding on what knitting to take with me to Fling should prove to be interesting! I have works in progress, but I would love to cast on something new. I also know that I should NOT attempt anything that remotely needs any sort of attention or counting on my part. Vanilla socks anyone? If only I knit socks...no better time to start than now, huh?

I guess I should go attack some of those wips. See how far I get, then I can decide what's next!

Fabulous Friday

2010-04-02T18:28:00.000-04:00

It's Buffalo, April 2nd, and it is 78 degrees outside! Awesome! And what a day it's been, great weather, a visit from my favorite little man, Jordan, a trip to see Jon at HOD Tattoo to watch Lynn get her memorial tattoo for James Michael

and a stop at Louie's for lunch.....

and to top it off, a walk with Millie the older of our two dogs and a "new" used bike that is perfect for me!!!
It certainly is a fabulous Friday!

I did it!

2010-03-27T18:54:00.014-04:00

With very little to spare...

Yep, that says 7 grams left....I was so worried I would not have enough. I am so thrilled that I did. Yarn - Bugga sock yarn by The Sanguine Gryphone Colorway - Bog Fritillary

Traveling Woman finished! Blocking, hoping for sunshine tomorrow to get a really good photo! Added two extra repeats of chart A...with crossed fingers!

Next up, another Mara made with this - Tosh DK from The Loopy Ewe!

Cutting it close.....

2010-03-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

Only a few more rows to go and the bind off. So, taking bets if I'm going to make it or not.

Traveling Woman shawl, two extra repeats of chart A. Might only be one extra repeat, only time will tell!-- Post From My iPhone

Sunshine on a cloudy day......

2010-03-23T22:01:00.001-04:00

Back to the blog....so much is going on. Most of it not good news. But this is what keeps me sane.
He's too cute for words...

and I'm so glad he's here.......

Missing You My Sweet Baby James

2009-10-23T18:09:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe that it has been three years since you came into this world. I cannot believe that it has been three years that we have lived without you. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, and still so many things are so foggy I cannot put two and two together to complete the time line. They told me I could write a journal, both to remember and to help heal....I thought "how could I ever forget..." but time does make memories fade somewhat - or details a little less prominent. I wish I would have written the story accurately. But I just couldn't do it at that time, the pain was too immense, the emotions too raw, my heart too shattered to contemplate reliving it long enough to put pen to paper and make those memories concrete.

My daughter, on the other hand, poured her heart out onto paper, page after page, journal after journal....filled them up with thoughts and words and tears......that is how she was able to breath every day, turning one day into the next, continuing on without you.

I carried the scars on my heart - hate, anger, indifference - I crawled into the pit of despair and did not want to even try to climb out. Content to stay and lick my wounds, hide the pieces of my shattered heart away. Time is an amazing thing though, it goes on, as much as we refuse to participate. And things happen, the seasons change, the sun shines, the stars come out at night....one day turns into the next - people help you and hold your hand, and share their love with you. And one day isn't so bleak, and then another day I can smile when I think of you. Your memory brings me comfort not pain, that is how I know it will be ok.

And then one glorious day, you have a baby brother. You brought him to us safe and sound, to love and cherish. We make sure he knows that he has the most amazing brother, an angel brother in heaven's garden, watching out for him and smiling down on him every day of his life.

I miss you so much my dear James....I will see you one day, this I know for certain.

In loving memory of James Michael Bargmann, my first grandson, born an angel on October 23, 2006.

Christine, me and Melodie

2009-10-22T19:51:00.001-04:00

chris, me & mel
Originally uploaded by otherlucy

The culmination of a wonderful weekend!

Rhinebeck

2009-10-22T19:12:00.003-04:00

We came, we saw, we conquered! A proverbial wonderland of fiber and fiber related goodness. That is what awaited us in Rhinebeck at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. It was an overwhelming site of color, fiber art and people!

Now, to make things out of all the fiber I purchased!!!

Trying something new

2009-08-31T11:41:00.001-04:00

This is what I am working on right now. In the parking lot of the Buffalo News as I wait for Sarah to finish her orientation to become a contributor to the NEXT Publication for teens. I'm planning on having the left one done in time for the Hemlock (Finger Lakes Fiber Fest). Might just be chilly enough to wear them in 20! Days considering the weather lately.

Oh, the new part... Blogging from my phone. I might actually do this more often now! Cool huh?

-- Post From My iPhone

Sunday, sun day...

2009-05-03T12:39:00.005-04:00

This is what 7 months old looks like!

It is Sunday, the sun is out, but it won't last long...the prediction is, starting Tuesday it will rain for about 5 days...oh well, that is Spring, right? Take it while you can get it.

The house is quiet and I have the entire day to knit. My "room" is organized once again, everything has been put away. I just have a few pictures to take of some new skeins to add to the stash, and then I can either continue on with some started projects or cast on for some new ones.....ahh the decisions I face. Startitis is such a nag. For a while I was overcome with a burning desire to learn toe up socks. I did master the cast on using Judy's Magic Loop method, excellent video done by Cat Bordhi, and that is as far as I have gotten! I can cast on and create the toe section. I purchased Wendy Johnson's new book Socks From The Toe Up but still have not sat down and gone through it yet. I also got Cookie A's new book Sock Innovations but sadly have not really gone through that one either. Oh, I have oohhed and ahhed at the pretty pictures, and dreamed of making all the socks, but that is a far as I have gotten!!

Seems my latest quest is LACE! I must be absolutely crazy, but for some reason the siren song of lace is calling my name. For someone with a year's worth of knitting knowledge and a limited amount of patience, I do not know why she has picked on me???? I have some ideas, and a crazy notion that I might be able to pull it off...and some wonderful friends on Ravelry that are very supportive...who knows, it might work?

Learning something new and such

2009-03-05T20:37:00.005-05:00

Jordan - 5 months old - my other obsession :)

Toe up socks, my new obsession. I have to learn how to knit toe up socks. I have learned Judy's Magic cast on....and need to continue on from there and make the rest of the sock. I don't know where the need to conquer this technique came from, but have purchased the required circular needles needed (sizes 2's and 3's both 24") and I have this feeling that I need to finish up my current projects so that I can start knitting toe up socks....notice the plural!!!

Yes, I did say sizes 2 and 3.....I have tried to make socks with size 1's before, only to be disappointed at the outcome...my feet are big, size 9, and I find that my socks need 2's and 3's. I just bought size 3 Kollage needles this weekend to try out...cuff down, Basis Sock Pattern, from the Yarn Harlot's book Knitting Rules. Yes, cuff down, dpn's....not toe up....I was waiting for the circs to come so I decided to cast on cuff downs.....it has got to be STARTITIS......I just have this urge to start new projects.

I am also stash building. It is an important part of a knitters life! I have finally organized my stash and have it documented on my Ravelry page. Almost all updated, except for the new skeins I got this past weekend on our trip to Erie to pick up L and my super lucky Woolmeise update that I happened to hit today.

Well, a blogger I am not....off to pick a project, and finish something!

'Tis the day after Christmas...

2008-12-26T13:37:00.004-05:00

'Tis the day after Christmas and all through the house, everyone is stirring.

It was a very nice Christmas, Danielle and Jay are engaged! As if there was ever any doubt. It just makes them so happy to be official, though. All the kids got many presents and the family is very happy and warm, safe and secure. It is a good feeling.

I reflect on another year, the things that have come about, the consequences of my actions and decisions in life. I am in a very good place, thankful for all that I have, hoping to make a difference in others lives, blessed for what has been given to me and what I have worked for. Still trying to influence and guide the paths of my children. So happy to have my grandson Jordan, still missing my grandson James sooo much.

Almost finished with Christmas knitting, that is funny! One more pair of croc socks to make, but those are fast and Jaci will have them within the week...then it will be on to finish my swap partner's **********, and pack up her goodies and send off her package!!!!! After that I plan to go into my knitting room (I iz so lucky to have a room!) and "clean" (fondle the yarn). I will then probably come down with a major case of startitis .... as I just received a wonderful skein of hand dyed from Sarah at Perfect Day Yarns from the Dead Poet Sock Club and it is calling me, along with some other wonderful skeins that I have been putting on hold that I purchased from
The Loopy Ewe and Jen at Wool Girl.

I also joined the Spiritstitching Circle 2009. Lime & Violet's Intention Yarn knitting project for the year 2009, sounds extremely inviting, click the link. Waiting on the info. for the 2009 Wool Girl Sock Club payment! I know there is an indie dyers sock club in there too, somewhere, just can't think of it off the top of my head. So, sorry, and will post the address as soon as I remember it, I PROMISE!

Jeeze, 2009 is looking like a stash building year! Good thing, cause it will be my one year anniversary as a knitter and goodness knows I NEEDZ ME SOME STASH!!!!!!!!!!! Then I need to get myself some organization!

Off to knit....

Another Week

2008-11-09T19:29:00.006-05:00

It is Sunday night already. At least I feel like I have accomplished something! Dinner is done (yes I cooked, a miracle I know)...and there is dinner for tomorrow already done. I also have dinners planned for the rest of the week...that is saying something.....my evil plan is to feed these people so that I can knit!!!

My order from The Loopy Ewe should be arriving tomorrow. That order contains the yarn I need to make the item I am using for my loopy swap...can't wait to get that started and see how it goes.

Tuesday is Veteran's Day - honor our brave men and women - past and present- who fight for our freedom. School is closed, and I have the day off, so a little extra knitting might be in the plan.

I'm almost done with my 4th pair of Croc Socks, only 2 more pair to go!

Hats, fingerless mitts, and socks, socks, socks, still in the works!! Oh, and I signed up for the Perfect Day Yarn sock club!! Yikes.....that makes 2 sock clubs and the swap....I gotta stop!

Off to drop the boy at the greyhound station so he can go back to school...and hopefully knit a bit before bed.....

The Loopy Swap

2008-11-07T20:02:00.003-05:00

Well, the Loopy Swap is officially on! I have my upstream and downstream partners and ideas galore!

Researched a pattern, ordered the yarn, and just waiting for it to arrive so that I can get started knitting! Decided an early start is a good idea, since Christmas knitting is probably going to be out of control! All of the kids have put in their requests for a variety of knitted items for Christmas, so I have to get crackin'.....

This is my first swap, and being the overachiever that I tend to want to be, I really want to do right by my partner.....I think I will...I have some good ideas, that I feel she will like, and some little spys out there helping me...how could I go wrong....and I have found this is a great way to make new friends! All is good.

Happy Weekend, I'm off to knit..... :)

November already?

2008-11-03T22:11:00.009-05:00

Well, as we can all see, I have been a sporatic (at best) blogger. I promise to start trying to get organized and attempt to do my blogging at least a few times a week!!
Let's see how long I can keep that up...

First, introducing my new grandson (who is now 6 weeks old!)
Jordan James - born 9/24/08 - 6 lbs. 13 oz. 19 in. at 1:04 pm

Making huge strides in stash building! I have been a frequent flyer at Woolgirl, Loopy Ewe, and Simply Socks, not to mention the trips to my LYS, Have Ewe Any Wool. I also recently purchased a swift to make life soooo much easier with my ball winder. Have been overcome with a love of sock yarn...joined the Knitting Purls sock club for 2009, was lucky enough to get a spot in the Woolgirl Sock Club 2009 and I'm in my first swap with the Loopy Ewe group on Ravelry .

Finished a couple of flap hats for my little lovey Jordan and for my friend's grandson Carmine. Great, easy knit that will keep their heads nice and warm this winter. Although now I have 4 requests from the "big kids" for the same kind of hats!! Made Jordan's on the big side, he is growing so fast I'm afraid it won't fit by January!

Well, I got the name of the person I get to spoil for the Loopy Swap, so I'm off to make plans for knitting and purchasing!!

Keeping Up...not even trying!

2008-09-14T14:53:00.005-04:00

My days have been consumed with hurry up and wait. My daughter is due "any day now". What exactly that means is anyone's guess. Babies come when they are good and ready. Although, I must admit this has been the hardest weeks to deal with after what happened with James. Not knowing why he passed at 37 weeks, at the onset of labor is a frightening thing to deal with when she must go past the 37 week mark and stay calm, Jordan is not ready to come. Tuesday is 38 weeks, so far so good....we keep praying.

So, my mind is kept occupied by thoughts of knitting, yarn buying, needle purchasing, project starting, and frogging, and finishing....all while trying to pacify my son who just went away to school and calls me with cries of "I want to come home." He is suffering from major homesickness, which is common, and he is only 45 minutes away! A full time job that demands my attention, as the school year is just starting, and that is were I work, in a school. Another daughter who is off in PA, with her own set of problems, that needs my shoulder as much as I need hers, but I can't forget that I am that one that needs to be the adult no matter how grown up she has become, and yet another daughter who is trying out the 11th grade and expanding her wings into the realm of dating and all that entails.... Add to that the newly 16 year old stepdaughter who is also in the dating game and the new to middle school 6th grader who is about to loose all his brain power and common sense until he get through puberty (it should come back some time around 2017!)....thank goodness my husband is an understanding man!

Jeeze, I just want to knit!!!! So, I did manage to finish the BSJ that I was making for Jordan and I even had enough yarn left for a cute little hat...
I started a shawl that I planned from a pattern I got from Elmwood Yarn Shop called the Roberta Scarf, one of the women at the shop modified the pattern to make it shawl size. I am doing mine from Peruvian Alpaca....cast that on and got about 5 rows in, noticed a mistake, and also received my shipment of Southwestern Trading Co Bamboo and decided as long as I have to frog the shawl I might as well start my clapotis instead.....could I possibly have startitis?

Well, I am not worrying about it....all I know is that today is Sunday, the house is empty, quiet, and I am going to get my beautiful bamboo and cast on for my clapotis....it is a right of passage for all knitters, is it not?

Can you say "Plurk"???

2008-09-03T21:25:00.004-04:00

Ok, I have found Plurk. It all started with Lime & Violet Podcasts. Which grew into new information that I could Google and learn about. Which grew into more new stuff to learn about, as in yarn, roving, fleece and now Plurk!

I have found Plurk and my life will never be the same. And I definitely need more hours in a day...

If anyone wants to find me, I'm lucytoo on Plurk....see you there!

Back in the saddle...

2008-09-01T12:21:00.005-04:00

No excuses, this has got to be a daily event. I cannot believe that I have not been here since the beginning of August...unacceptable.

I am sorry to say that I am looking forward to the beginning of the school year, the season of Autumn and all that it brings. The cooler weather, a somewhat more scheduled life (hahaha) and MORE KNITTING! Two kids are off at college. One in Erie, PA and one in Fredonia. One is about 10 days away from having my grandson (yipee, baby knitting) and only three left at home, two are juniors in high school and one is just starting middle school in sixth grade. School brings schedules and order to my house, I crave that.

I have been working diligently on my Baby Surprise Jacket, it is coming along just great. The Ravelympics were more than I could handle at the time...no one told me I was crazy to try and do six projects in 10 days while planning and throwing a graduation party, a baby shower and buying a new car!!! I did manage to complete one of three hats and one pair of three pair of croc socks that I am planning for Christmas presents...I see Christmas chaos looming in my future.

Well, I have a trip to Fredonia to drop off the Freshman on my schedule for today and that is it. The rest of my time is for knitting, I told everyone that today is mine! Everyone else had me doing things this weekend...soooo, today is for me! Happy knitting, Angela

Day Two Ravelympics

2008-08-09T11:23:00.004-04:00

For all my friends on Ravelry, this will make sense.

Day Two and I am not off to a good start...being a new knitter I thought I found the perfect, and easy pattern for a warm beanie cap for three Christmas gifts for guys on my list...one son, one daughter's fiance, and one daughter's boyfriend. Cast on some wonderful Mission Falls 1824 wool and set about my event. Not until I was 90% finished with my cap did I find out that it would be to small for the guys!!!!! It would be a great hat for smaller size heads, it is beautiful, and warm and soft, but still TO SMALL!!!!

Quandary to sleep on, do I finish the hat and gift it to a daughter on my list? I still must find a new, larger, pattern for the hats that I need for Christmas, but at least I would have 0ne leg of the race done for the Ravelympics.....or do I reclaim the yarn and start that hat over so that I finish with 3 hats for guys as originally signed up for??? Oh the ethics of it all.....

I would feel like I am cheating, and I am not a cheater!!!! Go Team Buffalo...I am off to frog the hat and reclaim the yarn. Motrin in on my list of allowable enhancements, I will be stopping at the medical station on my way to the stadium for frogging!

How to knit faster?

2008-08-05T20:33:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I have spent the past 2 days researching knitting techniques. Not knitting, researching. I have no idea what brought this on. I just realized that I knit in a strange way. I hold my yarn in the continental style but I also throw my yarn in the english style.....can you just picture that? Strange, and time consuming.....I want to learn to knit faster, I want my projects to just fall from my needles......I have too many things cast on and I want to finish some of these things cause I want to start more things!!!!

I have been reading books by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (The Yarn Harlot)...she is such a great role model! And I happened to see a video of her on You Tube, the woman can knit like the wind (to coin a phrase from Cast-On the podcast)....I want that!!!!!!

If I am to get what I want I suppose I should stop researching and start knitting, huh?
Off to practice.....it's not going to easy or fun at first....I just hope it pays off in the end.

2008-07-30T23:14:00.003-04:00

I started my search to find out FAQ about blogging. I am new to this whole blog universe and wanted to get some information on making my blog more "my own". Finding info. on creating my own headers and how to use widgets and counters, etc.

After reading some very interesting and helpful information that I have bookmarked for future use, I somehow came upon this blog, Not Just About Cancer, I could not stop reading it...

Puts things into perspective, don't ya think?

Party over...on to the Ravelympics!!

2008-07-28T19:01:00.004-04:00

Graduation Party had many pitfalls, but all in all it was a good time had by all...amen it is over!

Onward and upward, as they say. Too much to get done and so little time left. Of course that is why I decided to add more excitement to my daily life and join the Ravelympics. (excitement - stress) those words are interchangeable!! Before you know it Frankie will leave for Fredonia, school will open and I had better be ready!!! Frankie still needs his wisdom teeth out, that pile on my desk at work still needs to be attacked....and now I need to get Danielle's Baby Shower going, because before you know it Jordan will be here!!

That is why I decided that the Ravelympics was a good idea :) get some of those Christmas gifts done and out of the way. Three pair of socks and three skull caps should keep me busy for 17 days. Goodness knows I need to be kept busy ;)....lol!

Will post pictures of the party later~

When it rains, it floods!!! or Murphy's Law....

2008-07-27T00:12:00.004-04:00

Ok, so how come when one thing goes a little crazy, everything else goes to heck in a hand basket?
The graduation party is Sunday, and of course there is a baseball tournament in Lewiston all weekend....ok, we can deal with that....just have to work around it....and get everyone to chip in and help out. Get this place ready for a party, no problem! Of course, it would not be a sane life if something major didn't go wrong....so my van decides to take a crap, we are talking a MAJOR CRAP! Own payments on it, can't sell it, won't get a trade in on it, it doesn't work (!!!) and will now have to put major funding into it to make it drivable again.....and wouldn't you know it, the warranty expired when???? 2,000 miles ago, now doesn't that just figure.

Like I said, Murphy's Law....if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen big time, and it's gonna happen to me!!
So, to make myself feel better, I signed on for the Ravelympics!! Go Team Buffalo!
I have signed on for 3 skull caps and 3 pair of croc socks for Christmas gift giving.....it will be a miracle if I finish them all in 17 days, but heck, I always aspired to be an over achiever......and besides, it will get my mind of the van repairs!

One day at a time, and it will all work out, that's what my hubby always tells me, and so far he's been pretty much on the mark. Love that guy.

Works in progress

2008-07-22T22:41:00.014-04:00

Some days I feel as if I am in overdrive! The "compartments" of my life all need my attention - work, home, kids....groceries, the vet, college applications, laundry, the pile of files on my desk, rides to work for teens learning responsibility....and all the while a long list of knitting projects runs through my brain...begging for my attention!!! As far as I can tell, I am "normal"! Good to know.

I decided to document my wips (works in progress) tonight, I cast on the baby surprise jacket the other day after watching the dvd and realizing that it was not a difficult pattern at all, and Danielle only has 9 more weeks before "Jordan" is born! I'm still working on the 5 pair of Croc Sox for the girls for Christmas, my Neck Down Cardigan, a pair of socks, and a wool knit clutch that will be felted - my first felting try! I just ordered the yarn for 3 skull caps for x-mas gifts for the boys...and I have some wonderful alpaca that I want to use to make some fingerless gloves for myself. So, is this getting a little out of hand, or what?

Organize, prioritize, time management.....and fly by the seat of your pants, that's my motto!

In the beginning...

2008-07-21T21:27:00.007-04:00

Every moment that passes is gone forever. Make the most of them. Go forward and take each day as a new opportunity to live, to learn and to love with all you've got! Try not to get caught up in the stresses of life, they will drag you down. Remember to smile, embrace the moment, find good in the people around you and in the things you do.

Love with all your heart, laugh at the silliness of life, and learn things that make life easier, make you happy and help you help others!

and so it begins.....