A Stripper? Seriously.

I love it when the people you are knitting for get excited about what you're knitting for them. My big brother came down this weekend for Thanksgiving dinner (I know! I was suprised too!) and I took measurements for his sweater (oddly enough, his measurements actually mesh right up with the size I'm knitting, no adjusting necessary) and I showed him the sweater so far. He really likes it. "It's just what I wanted," he told me. And mom has requested the Celtic Tote from the latest Knits, but in purple and black. So I picked out a gorgeous shade of purple in Cascade 220 and a beautiful celtic knot button. She's so excited she even told me that if I don't have it done by Christmas, she'll finish it herself. No way. I'm making this purse and both it and the sweater will be done on time. I'm getting close to the neckline shaping on the front on Seans sweater and then I'll finish the back, three needle bind them off and knit the sleeves from the armholes. I decided that a regular drop-shoulder would look just as nice as the modified drop-shoulder that the pattern calls for. It's only a two-stitch decrease for the modified so screw it. The smell of Kookaburra in the air as the socks wash and the feel of Peruvian Highland wool sliding through my fingers, aaaaahhhhh, life is good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah yes, as I write my husbsand is eagerly beginning the ritual of the Thanksgiving day feast. The man was up a six o'clock getting things ready to cook. You have to understand my husbands excitement. In the nine years we've been together, we have never had a Thanksgiving to ourselves. Usually we spend it with his family or mine. This year my family can't make it until this weekend and so it's just us and he even ignored repeated calls from his mother (trying to give a guilt trip. I swear that woman is a nightmare!) The level of excitement my darling is exuding is tantamount to a six year old finding a new bike on Christmas morn. I know people think it's strange that being raised by a mom who cooks like Julia Child, that I don't. I actually do cook, and I'm quite a good cook at that, but I don't enjoy it quite like my husband. I enjoy trying out new recipes and when I'm in the mood to cook he let's me, but he's a back seat chef and he's always cooking over my shoulder so it gets annoying. So today I will knit and spin instead. I'm one and a half inches short of dividing for the front and back on my brothers sweater and I plan on making that plus get some of one side done today. I finished my first attempt at a 3-ply yarn last night.

It's a small skein of BFL, about 25-30 gms. I washed it and it's currently drying in the loo. When it's done I'll see what it's WPI are but I'm guesstimating it's a worsted/aran weight b/c that's what I'm aiming for. The ultimate goal of this experiment is a handspun & handknit gansey for my pops. I'm planning on making it out of Shetland wool. What I really want is to get a good fleece, wash/comb/card and spin it, then knit it for dad. It will probably be the only time I do it like that but I just really want to. I'll knit it from my own design too! Man I'm excited about this! I've started scoping around for a fleece and some handcards/combs. What fun!

Oops...There's a Wall There....

So much for the family coming down this weekend. The brother is being...well....himself. And my mom is at home with a sick puppy. Dutchess, their cockerspaniel, is really not doing well. Poor puppygirl. = ( But, they will be making the trip next weekend, with the exception (probably) of my darling brother. Ya know, he's really lucky I love him. (jerk) My dad made it but he had no choice, he's teaching scuba diving all weekend. Still, I'm glad to see him. I love my Pops, despite the fact that he still treats me like I'm one of his troops. I'm nearly thirty years old and I still stand at attention when he calls me, go figure it must be Pavolovian. He talked me into running tonight and I needed that. He was my first running coach and he's still my best running coach. I had a really nice run and it made me feel better about messing up and eating three donettes. (Even though they equal about 1/2 of a full size doughnut and I've been good all day.) Well, I'm rambling so I'll sign off now.

Doing a Jig, Just for the Hell of It.

I took my Forensic Psychology final this mornin and I rocked it! IT'S OVER! (yes I mean to be shouting, I'm really flippin excited!) I got an "A" on the Physiology Final and that gives me an "A" in the class. Still waiting on the final grade from my Computer Software class, but overall I am one extremely excited girl. AND....... I've lost nine pounds! WooHoo!. Now that school is over I can revamp my running schedule and get back on track before next quarter begins so this weight gain thing doesn't happen again (gotta keep it moving in it's current direction). Back to the Christmas knitting! I'll post pics soon of my progress on Sean's Christmas sweater. He'll be down this weekend for Thanksgiving with my folks (we're doing it early d/t work schedule obligations) so I'll get the final measurements and maybe some pics of my darling big brother too! He's too cute not to show off. I'm also finishing up the first of my Firestarter socks, which I may have to frog and reknit if the sizing is off (the foot looks kinda long, but if it's not too long, I'll wear it as is.)

Brain Hurts, Send Wool Please.

Having spent the last week studying for my Physiology and Biophysics final exam, and pretty much ignoring everything and everyone else in the process, I am very pleased to announce that it is finally over. For better or worse, which I will discover tomorrow, I am done with my most difficult subject until January 7, 2008. Can I get an AMEN! I do have one more test to take on Friday but it's in Forensic Psychology and that subject is so fascinating that it just sticks in my head. Physiology is fascinating too, mind, but there is SO much to remember that it takes much more brain capacity. Wish me luck!

Tired doesn't even begin to describe it. I'm so beyond tired I don't believe there is actually a word left to describe it. This quarter is finally coming to a close and I am looking forward to a break. I've made the final decision to find a new position and leave my current employer. I'm a little disappointed b/c I started applying two weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet from any of the companies except that one listed me as disqualified for a position even though there is no reason for me to be disqualified. I'm beginning to get discouraged. I'd like to start this new position before next quarter. I've been praying and I know that it it's not in God's will it won't happen but I'm hoping he'll will it.

When I first made Noah his Stone's Sweater from the Natural Knitter, it was the end of May and too hot to wear it. Now, to say the least, it is no longer too hot. I let Noah put it on for school last Friday and he hasn't taken it off for more than an hour since (barring time sleeping and showering). He adores it. I've even caught him sniffing it, though I think he picked up this little habit from watching me stop to sniff while I was knitting it. He wore it to church yesterday and just felt the need to tell everyone that his mom made his new sweater and wasn't it the awesomest sweater ever?! Now THAT is satisfaction. I love my kids. I love knitting for my kids. I really love my kids loving that I knit for them. It makes all this mind-numbing schoolwork worth the effort just to be able to buy premium quality yarn to make them the most awesome sweaters/hats/gloves/socks ever. I know not everyone thinks making a sweater for an eight year old out of merino wool is smart, but I really don't care. I love making it and they love wearing it. I have a good supply of wool wash.

So far, so good. School is going super this quarter and I've begun to search for a new position. I'll need one soon b/c I no longer have control over my school schedule anymore. Wright State has me at their mercy until they hand me over my degree. Oh well. I've also lost seven pounds and life is good.

I'm probably going to avoid the computer all weekend. I have another Physiology and Biophysics exam next week and since I barely made an "A" on the last one I realize I'll need to devote a little more time to my studies to keep on top of the information. It's 4.0 or bust this quarter. I will not be denied. Plus, with the knitting needing some quality time, there just isn't enough time for too much dallying on the net.

It was a sign I tell ya, a sign!

There was a thick fog over the land as I made my way to university this morning. It lay over the crops like a quilt and snaked through the hills and over the lakes like a ghost. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful sights I've beheld in a long time. A sunrise/set never fails to put me in awe, but folks underestimate the awe-value of a morning mist. Perhaps it is only because it reminds me so much of where I intend to retreat permanently. It seemed to me, on a morning where I was searching for a reason to keep the car on it's path to school, to be a gift of foresight. It said simply, "Keep hanging in there, hit the books, make the grade, and this is what you can have. A life of simplicity doing what you love, where you love, with those you love most alongside you." I needed that gift ever so much now that I've come to quite literally despise my job and all that it encompasses. It's not the field I despise. I could never not love medicine. Just my current job, my co-workers, hell, even my patients are forcing my....uh..patience? I thank God for those moments in time in which he shows me an ever so small glimpse of his plan and gives me just enough light for the step I am on plus a touch or so toward the end of the path.

Like stubbing your toe, only not as much fun.

My brain is fried! Omg,I thought I knew all there was to know about Excel. To put it mildly, I don't. I've spent the last three hours working on two assignments that kicked my pretty, round arse! Oh well, at least the husband will have an excuse to rub it! ; P

Screw it for Today

That's right, I said screw it for today. I stayed up to an unGodly hour last night studying for a Forensic psych exam and I am too tired to worry about what I'm putting in my mouth. When I'm this exhausted the phrase, "healthy eating" has no place in my working vocabulary. Tomorrow I will pay for today's indiscretion but that is tomorrow and right now all I want is chocolate and my knitting.

First test of the quarter is over, yay! It took me an hour and ten minutes to complete it but I feel that I did well. I bet I get an "A". I know I missed the next to last question b/c I ping-ponged back and forth about it for ten minutes. In the end I chose false and when I double checked the answer was true. Oh well. Can't win'em all! Garter Stitch Aran Pullover is coming along nicely. It should be done in plenty of time for Christmas (only 88 shopping days left!). I figure I'll focus more on getting it done since it works up faster than the Celtic Icon Hoodie and then when I'm in the mood, I'll work on the hoodie. Since the hoodie will now be staying with me, I'll need to slim down in order to wear it and even though I adore the design, sewing up all those pieces and adding a zipper aren't exactly my idea of a good time. I've never added a zipper before. Come to think of it, I've only done sewing up on about two items. I'm more of an EZ knitter and I stick to the round (honestly, I believe circular came before straight). I have no qualms about doing it straight, it just takes longer and I'm usually pressed for time so I prefer minimal finishing. For something as cool as the Icon Hoodie though, I'm willing to take the time and do the work.

Update

Let's see if I can get through this week without falling and breaking my hand. I have a huge test on Wednesday in Physiology so I've been studying like it's going out of style. I guess when I think about it, God planned for me to fall so that it would hurt too much to knit for longer than fifteen minutes at a time. It makes it much easier to choose to study. Also, I've taken a break from the Celtic Icon Hoodie since it'll probably be staying with me instead of becoming a Christmas present (long story don't ask) and I haven't lost enough weight to fit it comfortably yet. Also, I've started on my brother's Garter Stitch Aran Pullover from Tara Jon Mannings' Men In Knits and since I converted it to the round, it's going a lot faster and it's more satisfying at this point.

Today I'm Just Pissed Off

Tell me why a school library would charge a college student $125 each for two books that cost lest than $30 dollars each? And they won't let me just turn them back in and pay the fines. I just don't get that. But this week has been a nightmare anyway so it would just figure that this would happen. I know that this too will pass because I have faith that God is with me and walking with me in this. I know that what I need to do is pray and it will come to pass. It just sucks. Thank God my hand is healing fast and soon I will be back up to full-fledge knitting. I'm sad that my Celtic Icon Hoodie will be staying with me instead of going to it's intended owner, but that was a decision that she made herself. My husband is a felon and her boyfriend is a cop who doesn't want to hang out with a felon and his wife. She said she told him she was still going to hang out with me but let's face it, she's suceptible to his will. Like I said, this week has just sucked. Next week will be better.

Christmas Knitting

Well, so far I've finished two of the four sweaters on my Christmas knitting list. My nephew's and my niece's are both done. I posted pics of them on my MySpace. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I also finished spinning and plying the Lisa Souza roving into sock yarn. It turned out lovely (even if I said so myself which I don't, every knitter/spinner I've shown it too has said so.) Now I have to hurry up and finish the second Sweetpea sock so I can start knitting socks from it. Katie's Celtic Icon Hoodie is coming along nicely but within the first seven lines I found two mistakes in the pattern. Now I have to check the Errata to see if there are anymore mistakes. Oh well. It's going to be a great sweater though. People keep asking me how I can stand to knit sweaters in the heat and it just boggles my mind....... I don't knit outside people. And quite frankly, because my husband works outside, our house is kept so very cold that a wool or alpaca sweater on my lap is very comfortable. Maybe I just have my knitting priorities backward but I base my projects on: 1) How much time I have to devote to them in relation to when they need to be done (if for a gift) and, 2) Whether or not school is in session. Example; right now I have loads of time to knit because school is not in session and therefore I can do larger projects like sweaters. Once school starts in September I will not have the time to devote to larger projects and my projects will also need to be easily taken from class to class. This is my time to knit Christmas sweaters so I can get as much done as humanly possible. Once school starts, so will my prime sock knitting season. Socks are perfect for me when I need a full project to satisfy me and I don't have a lot of time to devote. And they carry like a dream. Well, enough for now.

Okay, so it's been a very busy last two weeks. After getting the notice from WSU that I will not be joining the Nursing program this quarter, I met with CQ, my advisor and she and I worked out a plan. I'll be taking some more of my Nursing required classes and boosting up my GPA so that when I apply again in the winter they will have no choice but to grant me access based on my sterlingness. This mean really boosting the Christmas knitting over the next month b/c come school term Sept 4., I won't be able to knit as much. I'll need to focus on my classes. I love knitting and I love my family and want to bless them with lovely hand-knitted gifts but at the same time, I don't support my family by knitting and I've got a career ahead of me that will allow me to buy LOTs and LOTs of fabulous yarns for fabulous projects and LOTs and LOTs of fabulous fiber to spin and even allow me to purchase that Golding wheel I dream of owning, .....but I've got to get through school first and so I'm taking David Reidy's advice and letting the knitting time find me after the priorities have been met. Thanks David! There's always Christmas break to knit and, well, there's always next year!

Go Big or Stay Home

Has it really been almost three weeks since I posted? Wow. Well, I finished my nephew's Christmas sweater and I'll be posting pictures soon. I had perfect photographing weather on Saturday but alas, I was finishing the sweater that night. We haven't had good photo shoot weather since. It's been gray and yucky. But the sweater looks great if I do say so myself (why not, everyone else I've shown it too says it.) I've now started on my nieces Christmas sweater. It's from the same Cabin Fever book but it's the Twisted Cables Pullover. I'm using Alpaca With A Twist Baby Twist in Orchid. It's the first time I've knit with alpaca. I've got plenty of alpaca fiber to fondle and a couple skeins of Garnstudio alpaca, but I've not knit with it yet. I know they say you shouldn't make sweaters out of alpaca b/c they 'grow' d/t lack of elasticity and that it's too hot for a sweater but quite frankly, the kid never remembers to wear a jacket outside when it's cold so she needs all the help she can get, and also this pattern looks like it will hold pretty well as a sweater with all the twisting involved. We'll see. If nothing else, it is heavenly to knit and I'm enjoying myself. I just hope my sisters - in - law don't mind too much when I tell them to bring the sweaters to me to clean. God forbid I leave it to them. Aside from the kids sweaters I, of course, have socks OTNs. Sweetpeas from this months Knitty, with only a couple modifications. I omitted the ruffled cast-on and just did a plain k2p2 and I'm knitting with zeros so I upped the stitch count by another twenty. The yarn is Schaeffer Anne in a gorgeous blues and greens colorway that I was originally going to make Pomatomas' with but after working the Pomatomas almost halfway down the foot I decided that I really didn't like the socks so I frogged them and saved the yarn for a better pattern. I found the Sweetpeas the next day. I'm doing well on my Christmas(or so) knitting.The kids will have theirs and Katie will have hers. I'm hoping to get my brother's done as well but it may take a little longer than I have available. My brother wants a gansey or a fisherman but I have to find just the right pattern for him. I'll probably end up designing it myself. For my dad, his sweater will be a Christmas/birthday present b/c I hope to have it done by the end of March when he can still wear it. See, my dad's project is special. I'm going to spin the yarn from roving and then knit a sweater I design myself just for him. I'm excited but it's a little daunting. If I buy the roving now, I can work on the spinning during my regularly scheduled spinning time. Then just as soon as my brother's sweater is done I can finish up the spinning if there's any left to do and start the knitting. On a different note, I'm still waiting to hear if I start my nursing classes this term or if I have to wait. If I start this term it's my goal to have a new job in the next month. If I don't start classes this term, it's my goal to have a new job in the next month or two. Either way, I plan to have a new job by Ocotober. I'm feeling pretty puny today, I even went home from work early, so I'm gonna leave off here. But I'll be back in a couple of days with pictures of the nephew sweater, the Sweetpea socks in progress, and the Twisted Cables sweater in progress. As well as pictures of my Dutchess when she comes to visit over the next week.

There are some days in this life of mine that are just going to suck. Today was one of them. Now, yesterday was a bad day. I woke up with a headache and it steadily got worse as the day went on. It took two ibuprofen and two cups of Tension Tamer to even take the edge off. That was nothing compared to today. I pretty much spent all of today sniffling and crying quietly while going about my daily routine at the demonic playground I call my office. So far it's taken an hour of sock knitting on my lunch and an hour of hear and there hand spindling some merino/tencel to start to make me feel human again instead of like this dark creature with leathery black wings and snakes for hair. I'm not kidding, that place sucks all that is decent and good out of me. I start the day a happy, life loving gal and end it a monster with no goodness left in me and a desire to harm. Tonight my children and husband are watching the TATU at the air force base. They wanted me to go with them. I wanted to go with them. I just couldn't. I've spent the last hour getting my resume together and emailing people who I'd like to give me a reference should I need one. I have to leave that place. If I don't, there's no telling what will happen. I've been staying there out of loyalty and today that loyalty was betrayed. In a most cowardly and malicious way. I'm not a perfect christian, seriously I'm flying just above the fire, but I know when it's time to pray and that's what I've been doing all day and what I'll continue to do until such time as it is answered. Matthew 21:22 says it for me "And whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

My Mother and Me

My relationship with my mother is complicated. My mother is a good person. She's very creative and much what they call a 'free spirit'. But my mother is my mother. And being my mother she has a tendency to piss me off more than anyone else can, with the exception of my husband. We were not very close while I was growing up. I was more of a "daddy's girl" and my brother more of "mom's boy". I've always loved her, that's never been an issue. I was fiercely defensive of her when people just didn't 'get' her or her very independent nature. I just wasn't very close to her. I didn't understand her or why she was the way that she was. I never felt that we had anything in common and that I was more like my dad. Then circumstances changed and I found myself relying on my mom a whole lot. Over the last eight years, I've gotten to know my mother a lot better. Some through actual conversation with her and some through just being a mom myself. You see, I've come to understand that the way she behaved quite often was just her being a mom. Not just my mom but A mom. Sometimes moms just have to be moms. And through talking with my mom I've gotten to know her a little better. But she still does some stuff that just irritates the crap out of me. Like automatically assuming that if I'm talking about something in an excited manner then that means that I'll be persuing it. Take for instance the possibility of my taking horse riding lessons. I was very excited about this possibility and my mom was the first person I called seeing as how a) she's my mom and, b) she used to ride and show. Her response was one of immediate dissaproval. Not of the idea itself, but of the cost given my current financial status. I was in a hurry when I called her and also got a little irritated with her so I had to end the call rather abruptly. She, of course, took this to mean I was furious with her and not going to listen to a word she said. So then I talked with my husband about it. He said that though the money looked like it would be available, it really wouldn't be given other expenses I had neglected to remember. *facepalm* Ok, well so much for THAT idea. No go. Maybe after nursing school? He agreed. But it was too late, mom was already pissed and that meant a long time of her being pissed and many future conversations with it being brought up. Then, the un-returned phone calls, and the side comments from my father about how "you've really pissed off your mom. I don't know what you did, but she's awfully upset about something." I just can't win. She's cool with my knitting as long as I'm not buying yarn. She's cool with my buying random ridiculous stuff for the boys as long as it's not for me. I love my mother. God only knows how much I love my mother. But sometimes I just want to kill her. I know the feeling is mutual and though it hurts me to say it, I'm a lot more like my mother than I will ever be willing to admit.