Still Knitting After All These Years!

I am stilllllllll knitting on the cotton top shown in the previous blog. I am almost done with the sleeves. The back and front have been seamed together so I could measure for the length of the sleeves. I will have the sleeves done tonight. Finish the neckline on sweater and I hope to have the top finished this weekend to take to Mom's with me.

I have one new photo to update you all with. This is Jackson on the right and his friend Langston. The parents have been friends for years, so Jackson and Langston were 'born' friends. They are just a couple weeks apart in age so they will be a joy to watch grow up together. That Jackson knows how to flirt with a camera. He always smiles when he sees one! Langston looks scared of them.

Signs of Summer

Signs of summer comes with lots of visuals. Like swimming pools, shorts, no school for grandkids. But as life gets older (note I said life, not me) mine comes in the forms of what I am knitting when the heat arrives. Above is a cotton/acrylic t-shirt style top I am knitting for myself. Its Berroco Calico. Bought on sale. Love that sale yarn. The back is completed and the front is about done. Then all is left is sleeves and sewing it up. I was looking for something I could knit and stand to wear in the summer heat here. I have some cotton that I found in my stash (it was well hidden, from myself I guess) That in my mind I am trying to figure out what kind of top I can knit with. I bought it in 1989. It is time it surfaced and was put into use.

I have also started another part time, temp job. I am work 2 days a week with friends at my LYS, giving the owners time to search for a full time employee. I like this job, maybe because I know its temp and its only 2 afternoons a week. But by Friday afternoon I can feel those hours. I do enjoy watching others shop and what they are knitting. I am also taking this job as a short semester at the college of knitting. I am learning that gauge thing better and also taking in all the colors possible in the world. I also like to think of it as 'Fondling the Cashmere'.

This last photo is of a plant which has bloomed in last few days. My Knitting Guru's husband has this terrific green thumb and he gave this to me a week ago....... Look Guru and Hubby, its still alive. But I forgot the name of it!! Help remind me the name. Does this all give you a clue about my 'green thumb'? It falls in there with my gauge issues on knitting.

I am off to meet up with the Lawn Mower. Another sign of summer!!!!!

Guess Who?

"Hey Bro, is that my prom date or yours?"

Questions of Life

No photo's in today's blog. They would frighten you if I had had enough nerve to even have taken one.

Sometimes I wonder if I am aging gracefully. Which I see so many doing so well. I see whiter hair, a wrinkle here, a sag there and say, 'ok I can deal with those' I won't turn on the light in the bathroom and they almost don't exist. I dress age appropriate, I believe. I don't wear cut off jean shorts where the bottom of my bottom can hang out. I am smart enough to know that slapping sound I hear behind me when I walk is that bottom and it can't be a pretty picture. I have learned to not be afraid to ask for my senior discount. (fixed income ya know) I try hard not to offer my 'wise' advice to the younger generations. But yesterday I saw something that really brought all these little things to light and wonder if I am doing the right thing or not.

I went knitting with friends, and stopped at In N Out for my weekly burger fix sitting quietly at a table reading my book and savoring every bite of my meal, when I hear this loud voice at the door. I have to look up to see what is happening. Standing in the door way is a sight that made me lay down my burger, stop dipping the fries in the catsup and stare. I mean stare. It was impossible to turn my head and be polite even. I was so involved in my stare I didn't even think to take out my phone and snap a photo!! Standing there was a woman wearing very tight leopard spotted shorts.... short shorts. A black skin tight tank top. Bleached out white hair pulled up in a pony tail. Long dangly earrings that brushed her shoulder tops. Bright red cheeks and eyes that I couldn't even focus on for color as the round black circles around them stunned me. Now I realize maybe this doesn't seem the most outrageous thing. But the final straw was the black fish net leggings that just set this outfit off. Yes I said fish net. Bright red (I think they matched her cheeks) toenails. In some wedge kinda thong shoes. She was actually yelling at someone that she had found a table outside, like maybe if anyone in the restaurant missed her, they would notice after the shout out!! To fill in the rest of this image is... she was not a dainty small lady, nooooo. She was maybe older than me even. There I sat feeling so under dressed to be in the public. I was wearing denim cropped pants, a plain yellow t shirt, with some sandals. I could easy of blended in with the wall paper if in fact In N Out had wallpaper. Now the question to all of you, who follow my extremely exciting thrilling life on this blog, am I not dressing right? Do I need a wardrobe consultant? This is your chance to tell me the truth. Go for it!

On the knitting side of life I am fighting with the GAUGE issue. Just when I think I understand it and knit along, I go outta gauge. I had this idea from watching the Queen of Cables, that a few cotton t shirt kinda tops would give me something to wear in summer months, and they have to be easy to make up. Right? .....NOT!

Cotton knits so different than other yarns, that you have to go back to bamboo needles to keep the stuff on the needles even. Well that gauge didn't work either, so back to the Options. I cast on for the 4th time at 10 pm last nite, in bed and knit 4 rows. I have made up my mind. This is it no matter what this 'cute' little t shirt looks like or who it will even fit.

KNIT ON!!!

In Order To Not Annoy My Few Friends...

In Order to not annoy my few friends, by filling their email with pictures of the darling grandson, I will add them to the blog where I can fill in my perfect comments. You know the ones that are like cartoon captions! Above is Jackson and his beautiful sister, the soccer player. Jackson, being almost 4 months old has already attended more than his life time share of soccer games between this sister or his brother. Some weekends it means 3 to 4 games. Jackson is having a look like..... 'How come S. has teeth and I don't?' And she has brand new shinny braces to add to them. They look swell!!!

Below is a picture of Jackson looking shocked to realize he has more hair than his Dad. See what you have to look forward to Jackson? Not to worry dear Grammie will knit you a wig.

Who Knew? Buttons!

Who knew that there was a Button Society, Button Clubs!!!! Serious people with magnifying glasses, small flashlights around their necks, searching boxes, cards of buttons. How was I to know there were antique buttons selling for huge amounts of money! Felted and I attended a Button Show on Saturday morning only to discover this was serious collecting. We went with the intentions of finding some unique buttons to use on our knitted sweaters and/or make some easy jewelry.

The above button is a one of a kind. I just love the curves of it and the neutral color. I bought it with the intention it would make an outstanding statement on a swing jacket. Something simple. Yesterday afternoon I found the yarn (but did not buy) that matched this and a pattern of a seed stitch swing jacket!! Perfect. I am just not in a yarn buying frame of mind. But the plan is there in my mind.

This set of buttons are old, made of celluloid. They are very light in weight which would be terrific on a sweater. I have a vision of a simple black sweater, with 6 of these down the front. The buttons would be the statement of the sweater. The one large button on upper left corner again would be a great single button on a jacket. These buttons are pre plastic and are probably from the 30's.

The buttons to the right are plastic, most probably from the 40's. There was enough for a sweater and at 6 for a dollar or 25 cents each. How could I go wrong at the price. It beats buying new buttons. The color is very accurate. Not sure what they will show up on but I love them. Mainly that they came from my 'era'. Beings a 40's child I can relate to them.


These 3 buttons are nicely stacked to make a broach or pin which ever you choose to call it. It is a matter of finding some buttons of different shapes and sizes that stack together to make designs. These came from a 10 cent 'poke' basket as the collectors call them. All in all it was an interesting venture, with minimal costs and fun finds.

Am Knitting but........

I am knitting..... garter stitch...... lots of garter stitch. I can't tell you or show you as it is a gift for a baby shower. I will take photo's and post after the shower. I just want you to all know the needles are not resting.

So instead of showing photo's of what I am currently working on, I give you one of my most beautiful granddaughters. This is the youngest granddaughter. Last Friday nite I attended the annual Author's Night at her school. On the first day of school they are given a year long study of writing books. They can write as many as they want, doing their own art work along with the stories. Then at the end of the year, they select one of their stories to read to parents and families who are invited to attend. Ms. K. made us all smile and laugh with her story. And her art work is outstanding. Isn't she beautiful? Hard to beleive she is going to be 10 soon. She looks so grown up. I still see her running out the front door of her house when she would see me drive up and leap up for me to catch her. She was about 3 last time she tried that. I would not be able to do it anymore.

Road Trip!!!

Another road trip back to Petaluma! We found a very sweet little yarn shop there last June when we went to hear the Yarn Harlot speak. The Knitterly is a great little shop full of great yarn. Even the sale baskets were full of good stuff. The staff is also just super and right there to help you. This trip to The Knitterly was for a Habu Class. On this trip was our very very good driver, Felted, seen here on the right.

And on her very first road trip with us is Auntie M. By attaching a link to her blog and with her very new lap top computer, I have now put the pressure on her to keep her blog up to date with great photo's and stories of her knitting. She does some beautiful stuff. I am happy to

report that Auntie M survived the trip and even held her own with the rest of us.

Somehow in this busy busy day, I missed a photo of SSChar who also was present and acted as the official assistant to the driver. Reading maps and the first to inform the actual driver she was going the wrong way and was lost!! She took a lot of pressure off those of us in the back seat that were just along for the ride. Please forgive me SSChar for no photo, I think it was cuz you were always hiding out in the restrooms.

Now you ask about the class, I just know you are. Habu yarn is fairly new to the market and slowly coming into being in more and more shops. I first saw it about a year and half ago in Washington DC. Nice colorways that come on cones or small fluffy tiny bundles. But along with many, I wondered what does one knit with this? The Knitterly had a short class along with their trunk show which was full of great samples that anyone could try on. Breath taking sweaters and coats. Even a few dresses that were very lacy and cute. The above yarn is on the left Linen paper, on the right is silk. The 2 cones make up a cute small bag that is so sweet. I got the small one, Felted got the bigger size in same colorway.

The class consisted of learning to read Japanese patterns which come along with these yarns. They are very simply defined patterns and once you understand the concept of reading one it leads to simplified knitting. Any pattern could be converted to one page if written in this style. Below are the samples of a jacket pattern. ALL of the pattern is one page with the second page being a work sheet of rows. You write in when the increases and decreases are. THATS IT!! The drawing of the item has all the wording a person would ever need. I wish I could explain this fully to you. I grasp the idea but not how to share it.

After a few hours at The Knitterly, we found a wonderful tea room for lunch. The food was yummmmmmy and the setting was so sweet. I had a great egg salad sandwich on a croissant with Raspberry Ice Tea!!! Fresh fruit was also on the plate. All of it was great.
Last but not least the rest of our shopping for me was 2 balls of Kidsilk Haze. This will make up 2 scarves. I say for me now, but am betting someone will get one for Christmas. I got this at a shop in Sonoma called Bella. She had some great sale prices on yarn. I know someone else got some Rowan also on sale. Another cute little knitting shop with the owner right there to assist us.



This Merlin is a yarn by Louet. Linen and Merino lace weight. I got all 3 skeins on sale with a total of 750 yards. Not sure what is in my mind for this but at the price it captured me. This yarn came from The Knitterly.

It was a great day for a drive to the wine country. The country side was beautiful to see. Vinyards and more vinyards. Both Petaluma and Sonoma are great little towns with lots of history. We stopped at a couple other shops in Sonoma and ended the day with Ice Cream and Geleto. Sigh, Got to love a good road trip where you get to knit coming and going, someone else does the driving and there was loads of laughter.

This and this and more of this!

Some of this,

Alot of this,

More of this,


Because of this!

And most of all fear of this!!

Temps setting at 100 degrees for a few days and its only May. Current life in Sacramento!

Once again THE mtn

Once again, I share a photo of Mt. Shasta. I am attempting to learn to use my camera for some better pictures. Since I have had it I just point and click. That sounded like it is a Smith and Wesson, not a Cannon camera!!! I tend to do the easy way out, but am going to expand my horizons. I spent this weekend in Yreka with Mother. We had a nice time with just us girls. My brother and his wife take a weekend away when I can get up there. On the way home yesterday I stopped in Dunsmuir to take care of my Grandparents grave site. It is important to mother that we do this each May in time for Memorial Day. On Sat we drove out to Little Shasta Cemetery to check Dads family plots. The valley is so green and pretty. Wide open pastures with old ranch homes.

On my drive north I noticed Shasta Lake was so low, I understand better now we are headed into a drought in California. The lake is only 1/2 full. It will get very low before October rains start again.

Knitting content: none!!!! (I need to get back to the needles)

Knitting, babies and such

Knitting along as fast as I can on a baby blanket for a friends shower!! I am doing the corner to corner thing and I am almost down to the decrease side. On Weds while shop hoppin yarn stores, I found the perfect contrast color for border so am looking forward to when I can start it. Something new, and I am always will to attempt something new.

As I said on Weds we did the Yarn Shop Hop. Felted, The Swatch Queen and myself traveled to Nevada City to Meadow Farms Yarn Studio, with a stop at the best Ben Franklin store after. They have an amazing yarn section with lots of great yarns to check out along with patterns, and other important things to the knitting world. Then it was on to Fibers. Each store has its on special yarns and great owners and employee's. I was happy to see Ellen at Meadow Farms again. Starting at Babetta's yesterday, the same threesome then traveled down to Elk Grove to see Knitique and then over to The Yarn Shoppe. Each day the driver was bought lunch by the other 2. Yesterday's lunch had enough left overs I got dinner out of it. Saw beautiful yarn, great knitting bags (which we all know is my thing)! The shops are all unique in their own way, lay outs, staff and little knitting corners where a person can sit down and actually put the yarn on the needles. Had a great 2 days with 2 great friends.

The last thing of the day is my newest picture which is called:

Mommie just washed my hair and I can't do a thing with it!!!

Knitting Pictures - New Model

Remember this sweater?? I just looked back at my Ravelry list and see I called it a size 3 months. How right on I was. Below is the new model wearing the EZ Baby Surprise Sweater. Jackson will be 3 months in one week and below is him modeling his sweater. And I had added a hat out of the left over yarn. Makes me smile to see him wearing this. The only other things he wore were little socks home from hospital and a couple newborn hats.

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever. (You have to know he is cuz his Grammie is telling you)

This wonderful photo is Jackson modeling his Bib Coveralls. I believe he looks a little like my father. Dad would of loved to have seen this great grand child. I hope this summer he is able to travel out to California to meet his Great Grammie B. She is wanting to hold him before he gets to big to snuggle with.

Attempting to Return to the Knitting Side of Life

This was a wonderful neighborhood to visit, I hated leaving. You can walk so many places, catch a Metro ride if you want to go further out then the local neighborhood. I would walk most days and only used Metro once. You can walk to the market, couple good book stores and just about anything else you wanted to see. I did go down to the Library of Congress one Sat. They were opening an the Thomas Jefferson Library. Was beautiful, well done with most of his books reclaimed or replacements found. I also went to the Newseum that opened the second week I was there. It is a will laided out Museum of the history of the media. Great exhibits and I really enjoyed it. The 3 weeks I was there went very fast and before I knew it I was back at the airport on my way home.

This little guy was the main focus of my visit. Here he is saying "pardon me but who are you again". Such a serious look. It was most difficult leaving him behind as I know how much they grow and change in just a few weeks. The other kids are much like they were when I saw them last year. One of the teens is driving now and the other is in the 7th grade discovering the start of the teen age years. I spent most hours with the baby and he was learning to recognize me. His biggest smile was for his mother when she came home from work. Meal time ya know!!

I have gone back to a few of my knitting groups. Tuesday we had a special gathering as Little Kathy had gotten married while I was gone. So there was gifts for her to open. Also CC had returned from her Paris trip and we needed an update of all she saw and did on her trip of a lifetime. I think she enjoyed herself even though she said she didn't see ONE single yarn shop. Who wants to worry about yarn when in Paris. Plans were made for some of us to go to the Yarn Shop Hop. Next Weds we shall go to the 2 shops in Elk Grove and the following Friday we shall be going up to Grass Valley and Nevada City. I always get very homesick when we go up there. Last night I went to Chicks with Sticks and we had a nice turn out. I am waiting for my body to adjust back to west coast time. I was dragging myself home and to bed at 8 pm..... so knitting is slow. I do have a baby shower coming up and trying to figure out if I have time to do a blanket. Hmmmmm do I commit to starting this or just shopping for a gift?

Am also back to work, and playing catch up. Desk was stacked and am glad to know business is picking up somewhat. We need that. Things are bad all over and I see doors closing on the small business man again and again. I am also playing catch up on yard work. Dayum stuff grew like someone fertilized the entire place when I wasn't looking. Spring time always is a race to keep things cut back before it takes over the house. I see a decline in knitting time till we move into the heat of summer and things struggle to survive. I will also be making a trip back up to Mothers over Mothers Day weekend. Lots to do. Have fun and keep those needles moving, (even if I am not)!!!

Yes I have returned...... sort of!

I have returned home. Well I staggered in sometime in the middle of the night last night. I had a lay over in Chicago as our plane was delayed. Daughter was there to pick me up at the airport and bring me to my front door. Then I opened the front door to see where one Duncan (cat) partied the weeks away. MESSY!!!!!!! he moved on to my new couch in the living room and took over. I spent an hour today trying to clean the mess up. Then there were just a few places where he threw up on the carpet. One or 2 new places, on the fairly new carpet, he is using it to sharpen his nails. All in all he is ok and I shall let him live longer. This is not the cat I first had. He has had a personality disorder for the last year I believe. Bi-polar cat maybe. Maybe something evil has carried the real Duncan away and is paying me back for some thing I did in another life with this imitation Duncan. I believe I shall start a new business. One week with Duncan living in your home you are guaranteed to NEVER get a pet. You can get this 'I wanta pet' cure for only $100.00 a week. I will deliver him to you at no extra cost, and pick him up one week later for the low price of a hundred bucks. If I fail to appear at the appointed time to retrieve Duncan....... good luck. Don't try to find me I will be in the Witness Protection Program, living on some warm beach holding a big drink of something that has a cute little paper umbrella sticking out of the top and waiting for the pool boy to rub my back with tanning lotion.

Then very very early this Sunday morning I dressed in the ugliest of sweat suits I have, donned a baseball cap, put on my largest dark glasses and was to sneak off to the 24 hour grocery store to get some half and half so I could start the day with coffee. There I was in my best disguised climbing in the car, keys in the ignition..... silence. Try this again, turn the key.... more silence. DEAD BATTERY!

I was only gone 3 weeks. Batteries die that fast? I suppose to add to the recent car drainage on my yarn funds, tomorrow I will have to go out and purchase a new battery. So I had black coffee, accompanied by no breakfast. Did that help my ever so pleasant personality you ask? Yes!!!!!!! It made me so cranky I came in the house, unpacked both suitcases and had laundry going by 7:30 AM. Then I vaccumed, took the entire fridge apart and filled a garbage bag and cleaned it. (it wasn't this clean when I bought the house) After I regained my sanity, I phoned a neighbor and begged a ride to the grocery store.

Now I ask you, why did I come home? I had a wonderful time in Washington DC.

Grammie's To Do List Before She Leaves

1. Hold me, Rock me.
2. Feed me a bottle
3. Hold me.
4. Read "Babar" to me again.
5. Change my diapers.
6. Hold me.
7. Take me to the Yarn Shop so everyone else can hold me.
8. Feed me a bottle.
9. Read "Mother Goose" clear through.
10.Hold me.
11.Feed me another bottle.
12.Push the stroller to the used book store, again.
13.Rock me to sleep
14.Change my diaper.
15.Read "Goodnight Moon", again.
16.Feed me a bottle.
17.Take me to Eastern Market while she has a breakfast crepe at Sat. Market.
18.Rock me to sleep.
19.Change diapers... AGAIN.
20.Quit tryin to stuff me in her suitcase to see if I fit!!!!

signed/ Jackson S.T. aka JST

A New Reg at the LYS

I am happy to say that Jackson is now a reg at the LYS. They know him by his name even, and fuss over who will hold him next. Little do my kids know I have franchised this babysitting thing out to other knitters. And I actually got about 8 rows knitted yesterday. It is a walk, 8 long blocks, with Jackson in a sling around my shoulders and carrying a knitting bag, stopping at Eastern Market on way home to get groceries for dinner. By time I get back to house I wonder what I was thinking. It is going to be difficult to leave this baby next week. I wonder if United Airlines will be canceling flights around the 19th of April?

Who am I?

I may be changing the blog name soon. I haven't knitted a stitch in 4 days!! Who has time when they are struggling to remember how to speak to adults. I am loving this day time job with such a great lookin guy to spend a quiet day with in my room. Sounds good huh? Brunch out on Sundays. Shopping with a bunch of grand kids. Life is great! I went for an hour walk tonight just looking at all the houses on the Capitol Hill. Most are way over a 100 years old. This place just brings out the history buff in me, and I am so lucky to have a son who has taken the time to know the city he lives in and can tell me about most old places we see as we are riding around, taking kids to soccer, piano lessons or what ever. The family here is watching a series on HBO called John Adams. I am now hooked on it and of course the last in the series is the day after I leave to go home. Another good reason to stay here. LOL. We have had some great family dinners this weekend with all 5 grandkids here. They are the best ever kids. H. is doing so good at school he got an award for outstanding grades. S. always excels at every thing she does. and M is such a good looking guy, driving his own car now. I can't believe he is old enough but he is. L. is just about the same. She holds my hand as we walk along, but never says my name anymore. I think I have only recognized about 3 words she said this time. All in all A GREAT FAMILY!!!!

Day 3 & 4......oh gawd they are bleinding together

Oh I realized I did not write this morning, and I know some of you are unable to start your day with out coffee and an update of my life. The thrills and chills of it all. Day 3 started out very much blending into day 2. I fed Jack about 3 in the after noon and he appeared to not be much interested in a nap so I put him in the Sling bag, which looks like a large Messenger bag. Jeff went out one time and was chatting with a friend when Jackson let out a yowl in the bag, and the guy Jeff was talking to jumped back and asked what he had in his bag. Jeff showed him and he was startled to see a baby!! Ok, back to me, I thought how hard can it be to carry a 7 1/2 lb baby in this lovely man messenger bag, and wander up to Eastern Market and buy a few groceries and fix dinner? Its only 2 1/2 blocks... So off we went. The left shoulder was carrying the weight, with the neck helping. And snug in his bag wrapped in a cozy blankie his Grammie made for him, Jack went out like a light. Well folks the 24 lb kid really started getting heavy about a block out. Now this is disgusting. I can't be in that bad of shape, can I? On I marched, Jack snoozing in his nest... and by the time I reached Eastern Market, that kid had to weigh in at 47 lbs. I wanted to purchase some stuff that wouldn't weight a lot to carry back. 4 chicken breasts, l 1/2 lbs of stew meat. A few small red taters, and a couple small scones. I stashed the wallet back in the bag with the baby, knowing it was weighing in lighter now and started home.. I beleive this kid must be big enough to start Kindergarten now. And dayum who knew 1 1/2 stew meat could weigh up to 9 lbs or more. After the 11 mile hike back home, up hill both ways, I was glad to see the front door of the house and hear the dayum dogs barking at me even. I started dinner. I fed Jack his last bottle. His mother was due home soon. SURPRISE! The Senate was in session till very late last night and his mother/father and couple brothers and sisters didn't show up till 10:30 PM. Yeah I told Jack, the milk supplier was going to be a no show for his dinner. He didn't believe me, so at the appointed time he was to have a bottle still no Mom and milk. He let me know how mad he was at them all wasting tax payers money, and let go with a good healthly lung excercise. I made one of them thar Executive Decisions. (Lots of those happen in DC, believe me) and I searched and found a can of formula.... yes Jack had a meal in a can..... not a boob. So far he has survived this trauma!

Today was the day I had all 5 grandkids, son and daughter in law at home. I cooked, I baked I acted like a real Grammie!! Imagine that.

Day 2

Day 2 was much more organized!! I finally am caught up on time zone and sleep. Showered, dressed and had breakfast before Jack arrived down in my part of the house for the day. He is bathed and smelling so sweet and looking so darling, dressed in the cutest little outfits all matching right down to his socks. Stack of diapers, and bottles also arrived. I seem to be getting ahead of this somewhat. He can now focus on you and even give you little smiles and 'ooooo' back at you. He holds complete 'oooooo' conversations with his father. We had a great late morning nap and then Mom came home and fed him lunch. After a short afternoon nap, his father came home to take Dogs, Grammie and Jack all for a walk. Where did we walk you ask? Down 8th Street to DC Stitches, A YARN SHOP, of course. Then stopped back at Eastern Market for some groceries for dinner. Home and had a great meal. Dad is a super cook. I managed to knit about 10 rows on a sock yesterday. Full time knitting doesn't happen when you have a choice of holding a sweet little one or some knitting needles!!

Day 1

Wow, I survived. Flight was crowded. I had this wild idea that a red eye on a Monday night would not be crowded and there would be a slight chance I could sleep. Even with a couple of Tylenol pms..... no sleep. Landed in rain here and son was there waiting. Home in commute traffic. Its worse here than Sacramento's. Just glad I am not driving in it. Held the baby and had my first cup of coffee. He is so tiny and so adorable. Very snuggly, and I love snuggly babies. My little world is like a studio apt of my own down here. One window allows me to see outside at the world walking by, the trees, the sky. I have a computer of my own even. The only thing this little world is missing is a microwave and coffee pot and I would be staying here. I also forget how much I love Washington DC, till I return each time. I could live here and love the life. You don't need a car, when you have the Metro system, (so clean and easy to use). Yarn shop within 5 blocks, Market places all around on the hill. Son, Grandson and myself loaded up the stroller and walked over to Eastern Market so I have what food I need, back home and his parents were gone to work 2 hours after I got here. We were on our own!!!! After a few bottles, a few diaper changes, we both crashed for a 2 hour nap. I slept 10 hours last night and am ready for my second day as a Grammie/Nanny. Could this be a full time job for me??? will let you know after 3 weeks.

So what would you pack?

Ok you have 3 weeks away from home, you do not know if you will really get to leave the house other than a grocery store shopping, and you get to hold this little guy above all you want, WHAT would you pack for knitting?

Do I want to do small projects like hats and such?
Socks?
More Socks?

The Oblique gets to stay home!! The knitting on it with following pattern and being able to lay it down fast, doesn't work for a Grammie who needs no interruptions while completing this. Just when I think I have settled on one thing another item pops to mind. I guess what ever goes in the suit case before the top slams down and locks.......... will be it. Maybe, I will be surprised when I open the suitcase in DC. LOL

What Janice means

You are fair, honest, and logical.

You are a natural leader, and people respect you.

You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries.

You are rational enough to see every part of a problem.

You are great at giving other people advice.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are very intuitive and wise.

You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination.

You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy.

You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound.

It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly.

You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.

Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are very open.

You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.

You are a naturally creative person.

Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life.

You are very adaptable.You are friendly, charming, and warm.

You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat.

Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible.

But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Women

"A woman has strengths that amaze me, she can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens, she holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying. Cries when she's happy, and laughs when she's afraid, her love is unconditional, there's only one thing wrong with her and that is that sometimes she forgets what she is worth."

What Knitting?

I ask you, does this look like a 5 week old baby? I don't know what happens to them on the east coast but this baby looks ready for pre school. It appears I will be leaving next Monday for my trip to visit Jack. I was told the 31st. but have yet to see the ticket. I fly to LAX, then grab a red eye to DC. I was told to take a Valium and a shot of Jack Daniels so when I arrive at 7 am Tuesday I will be alert and ready for my Grammie duties. I will probably fall off the plane, stagger around looking for luggage, and smell like I spent the night in a jail somewhere getting sober. The baby will only cry when he sees me. "please Daddy this can't be MY Grammie" Or maybe worse, I will still be drunk from my big shot of Jack Daniels, I am not a good drinker. One shot could cover a week long nap for me!

It seems I knit, but have not got a thing to show for it. I was with Mother for 4 days and I don't know why I think I will have time to knit while with her. She is a full time job. Cooking, cleaning, doing her laundry, dressing her, undressing her. She can not even walk around the house alone any more. You must assist her doing everything now. I don't know how my brother does it. I give him a huge hug for his commitments to Mom. He is so good to her. The grand kids had fun, Grandson didn't want to come home. He drives the ATV around the property and loves it. Daughter rode with him. They all hiked, played in the snow there, dug around some old abandon sheds on the property and found some treasures to bring home with them. It was fun to wake up and have the kids around me all day. With limited luggage on airplanes now, I am thinking only thing I can take with me in the way of yarn and needles is sock yarn. I have one pair of socks on the needles and maybe will be packing two skeins of sock yarn to work on there. I don't know, I am trying to figure out this mid season clothes packing. Off to clean house, and run errands its that day of the week!!

Its my blog and I will post more pictures of Jack

Alright!!! I have bedhead that can match my Grammies, and could you turn that flash off and outta my eyes please.

Do these sucky things come in assorted sizes? This one seems rather big! Hurry up Grammie I need your help with these improtant things. My trip is not going to happen on the 22nd. Am waiting to hear from son on date yet.

Help Me Decide

I need all the help I can get. Now Now, don't agree with that statement to fast. I am headed back east to Washington DC to meet one small man. His name is Jack. Son seems to think I should stay 2 months!!!! That request made me homesick before I even leave home. I can't imagine being gone that long. I will be playing the role of Grammie while the family settles back into going to work and such. I think we have settled on me being there 3 weeks. After all what woman wants her mother in law to live in her home for 2 months..... really.

Your duty, as my faith few readers, is to help me decide what knitting to pack. I haven't thought of clothes yet, there is never a problem there. BUT knitting must be thought out. Do I take the yarn I have for a Lady Eleanor Entrelac Shawl? Do I take yarn I have for another sweater? Do I take all the yarn, like in my wildest dreams I will complete one item while there? ohhhhhhh the stress of it all.. What yarn to pack!! I of course will take a pair of socks to work on the plane trip as they never argue with me over 5 little bamboo needles. But the big piece will have to go in suitcase. Now we must also remember that airlines are limiting large pieces to 1 suitcase or they charge. Alright the choice is up to you guys. I expect answers and not laughter here. This is serious stuff.

The Little One

The small one, fed, dry and sleeping. Oh the peace in seeing a small one sleep so contently!! I love the innocence. I will be going back east next month to meet Jack. I can't wait.

Home after a successful trip to Stitches West 2008

The road trip is over, the day of recovery behind me and now to reap the rewards and enjoy the goodies of Stitches West 2008. We arrived a few minutes before the doors opened and got in line with the rest of the power shoppers. You could hear everyone counting down the seconds till the doors opened...... 5.........4........3.....2....1 and the doors opened. With in seconds we were all inside. Which way to go, what to see first?? We went to the Ravelry Booth, signed in for our passport books, and a Hello button we put our name on. They were so swamped right off, we didn't have a chance to tell the girls what a fab job they have done with the best ever Knitting Community. The above photo is the yarn I bought. Bottom left is Peruvian Tweed 100% Alpaca bought from the Yarn Barn, in a brown/gray/blue colorway. 600 yard per skein. This is for a cardigan for myself. The yarn on the right is 70/30 Fine Wool - Bamboo called "Willow" from Brook Farms Yarn. 400 yds per skein. Beautiful feeling yarn. On top of the pile is some Socks that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. In the colorway Rare Gems. I have always wanted to try some of their sock yarn but in most cases when you get to market there is none left. We went directly to the Blue Moon booth as soon as we left Ravelry's booth. I think this was the same path most were running to. There was a line already started here. The skeins hanging on the wall of the booth were breath taking. I had always wanted to see what colorway I was wanting before I bought. Somehow buying off the Internet was just not the same. I love the colors of this skein they will make up in some bright socks. (for myself of course) Everywhere you looked there were yarns, designs and gadgets to amaze. Some new designs in jackets, felted items.... it is sensory overload!
This is the 'goodie' photo. Booths that gave away free buttons got collected. Then I purchased one pin in the shape of a sweater. It has the words Hand Knit on it. Very cute item to wear when out to catch the eye of other knitters. I bought the DPN sock holders. They came 2 to a package and were at the Yarn Barn booth. Have only seen them one other time when a fellow knitter had some. I also bought a pattern for a knitted bag from La Lana Wools of Taos This a booth I had bought patterns from 2 years ago at Stitches West. My last purchases of the day was a knitting satchel bag from Jordana Paige . I first saw this bag 2 years ago and drooled over it then. Since that time have seen several knitters using the bag. I could no longer resist. We got to meet Jordana Paige at her booth, and I have to say she is a smart very pretty young lady who is out dealing with the business world and I hope she makes it. Very sweet lady.

The difference in this visit to Stitches and my past 2 visits, is I went with a plan. I had 5 patterns that I had taken the info on, such as gauge and yardage, and thought if I see what I want for any of these that will be my yarn purchases. No more just seeing yarn and buying with out a plan. I found yarn for 2 of the patterns and that was just right. I did know I wanted some Brooks Farm... just not which pattern it would go for. I like to touch and see the colorways before I buy but I also like to get something 'special' that you can't buy at any yarn shops.

All in all it was a great day, and considering how sick I had been for the week before, with a cold, I did well. We drove off at 4:45 pm after spending a day wandering thru every booth we could. There were several spinning and fiber booths, buttons and beads, leather and wood handles for bags and any imaginable thing you could think of there. As for what I saw other shoppers wearing this year seem to be mostly mitered square items, shawls, sweaters and vests. I also saw a lot of lacy shawls. I will be following other bloggers reports from Stitches West 2008. I know I missed seeing lotsssssss!!

And away we goooooooo !!!

And away we go..... off to Stitches West at 7 am. I am riding with
Linda and Felted and SSChar will be driving down also. The 4 of
us has serious plans for seeing all we can see. It is yarn overload
for all of us. I am looking for some Noro and of course the Socks
that Rock Booth. Also Brooks Farm. Don't know why but guess its because those are items we don't see a lot around here in the LYS. Noro we do but not at the price they claim to have at the Market Place......... Wish us luck... this time tomorrow night I will be ready for a lonnnnnnnnng nites sleep!!

I don't know if I want to take knitting with me or not. There is places to stop the crazy shopping and actually sit down with needles and yarn.

This is nice that my 100th post to this blog, 13 months later, is about a road trip to Stitches. More to come after we survive this.

Moving On with Error

Seeeeeeeeee the error of my ways? Yes I have done a major booboo on my Oblique. It is on the left leaning ladder and its way down on the back of this sweater. I found the error and sort of froze the action. I put the knitting back in a bag, and sat it next to my knitting chair. It has stared at me for almost 2 weeks now. Time to face the monster and FROG!!!!

So in place of knitting on the Oblique and the complaint of a few friends, I knitted this mindless scarf. My friends have pointed out that I seldom make myself something with color, and that gray is not a color. I do always tend to choose dark or gray colors. I think I might be blending in with the wallpaper of life and never stand out. Mindless knitting seems to be my strong point. Why oh why can't I knit lace projects? Why do they seem to always get the best of me.

This scarf is my new mindless project. This is the Noro scarf from Brooklyn Tweeds collection of patterns he has wonderfully shared with us on his blog. Four skeins of Noro, 2 each from different colorways. I am loving this easy, tv watching, knitting and my friends can no longer say I don't have 'color'. Although I am not going to tell them this secret so please keep it quiet, but this is probably my first Christmas knit of 2008.

The baby is growing, life has settled back down for son and family. The older grandkids are adoring having a small bundle of joy to hold and love. I hope it last throught the years when they are ask to babysit!!

I had a wonderful day with my 9 year old granddaughter, we all refer to as Roo, yesterday. We went bead shopping, for a long walk, watched a movie and had a great dinner. Love my day with her, she is so sweet and artistic.

This coming Friday is Stitches West Market day for a few of us. Leaving early on Friday morn, shop til we drop, then return home. I am this time going to Stitches with a plan. I have a couple patterns picked out and if I find the yarn for them there better yet. I went on Yarn overload at my first stitches a couple years ago. Hopefully with a 'plan' I will remain calm and collected. We shall see huh Linda.

Again!!

I can't help myself. Another photo of the new baby and his daddy!!....... Deal with it. This is my last grandchild and I am not there to hold him yet. So you all have to see the picture.

Baby Update

Meet Jackson Scott!! I have to post photo, I have waited 24 hours to see him. His hair is reddish brown and his expression says it all "It was a rough trip getting here."

Baby Jackson

Jackson Scott was born Feb. 7th, 2008 at 12:26AM. Baby is doing great! Mom and Dad are exhausted after 48 hours of labor. You thought I would have a picture of the new guy to post, but so far I have not gotten one. Son has tried, but I think exhaustion has over taken and the pictures are not arriving to my email as he sends them. What did I do for the 48 hours of labor you ask? I made him a blankie. Five skeins of Katia, cast on 1 stitch and increase every row until half way thru the yarn, then decrease every row. I backed this small blankie in some nice soft fabric. Babies like to feel that. I finished knitting this blankie 4 mins after Jack was born. I am guessing he was waiting on me to finish the blankie...... and held on as long as he could!!! I should of knitted faster.