Silence


That is what yesterday's shopping trip could have a title of. Von Maur is my new best shopping place, but I still don't have a dress. They do, however, continually get dresses in and the sales person told me they had not gotten their March dresses in yet. Which leads me to believe that with three months til the wedding I still could find something there. I did buy a birthday present and something for myself (I'll show tomorrow).

I did also hit Coldwater Creek and a bridal shop on my way home. If I order from the bridal shop, to get a rush on it to get by May could cost around $450 -$500 with alterations. Not happening.

So, to soothe my attitude, I stopped at one of the yarn shops I could find. Didn't buy any yarn, but the owner heard my story of woes on the dress shopping and suggested I look on line at Chadwicks. So, here are two possible options I am leaning toward, the second not so much, but an option.


I am leaning towards ordering this one and seeing how it looks. It has some slight glitz on the top which means that the Mananita would not be needed. The color is okay and I would also rethink the jewelry. I can do that.


This one is only an option, because, I might be able to do the mananita for it, but it is a mint color, which means I might have to go with a cream color for it instead of the caribe blue. The length on this picture is deceiving, it is 20" from the waist, which almost hits me where a tea length would. The sash would go.

If I choose either of these dresses, the caribe blue yarn then could go back to being the shawl I bought it for. What a process this is. For today, I am going back to regular scheduling knitting...I have had enough of worrying about the dress and even the mananita. I feel like I have knitted it several times over. I have Knit Camp knitting to think about!

It's Do Or Die

Tomorrow, I am going dress shopping. I know what I am looking for is going to be over in Bloomington and then I am going to be ready to seriously be done talking about it.


With the help of fellow Radical Knitter, Linda and Ronna over at Ravelry, I have decided to tackle the Mananita IF tomorrow's dress does not have a jacket possibility.

I am going armed with my bag of goodies - purse from Norma, shoe from Margie (not pictured), swatch of yarn from possible Mananita and jewelry from lia sophia. These are what I have in my mind as to the colors I want.

Stay tuned, I hope to have this one settled tomorrow! Wish me luck.

And if it does not work out, there are a couple of yarn shops that I'll just have to stop at to drown my sorrows!

Hey, I can rationalize anything.

We're Going To Disneyland!

Well, not really, but Wisconsin and a Knitter's version of Disneyland! Char, Linda and I got into Knit Camp 2.75

Let the knitting begin!

A Short Story About Two Projects

The Mananita...the yarn is just way too soft for it. Here it is after I tore it out. I am giving serious thought to ordering the unspun laceweight icelandic in sage for it.

The Roseleaf Tunic....in timeout for now.

First the dress/color and then I'll devote some time to the knitting of the accessory, which is still up for grabs.

To be continued.

I'm Sayin Nothin About The Weather

But, will bore you with another subject that you are going to be tired of real soon. My hunt for the mother of the groom dress....I have not found one yet. And nothing I see really trips my trigger. I have it in my mind what I want, and I might be forced to have it made or make it myself.

Anyway, now you all get to vote...assuming I find what I want, a simple sheath dress or two piece outfit, but it either will need a jacket from what I see or something to hide two figure flaws...the hips and the arms.

Please help me decide which direction to go, PLEASE!

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171269406137377650" />The Roseleaf Tunic or the Mananita?

Using the Caribe Blue silk and wool that originally was the wing of the moth shawl OR should I continue with the Wing of the Moth.

Wedding Deadline - May 31st. Help me please!

Ocean Waves

I started thinking I would make the Hybrid Sweater and then switched to the Brooks Sweater from The Opionionated Knitter. All along I have been knitting not knowing if I would make it into a cardigan or just leave as a pullover. I need the practice on steeking and horizontal buttonholes so that is where I was leaning. Until, I tried it on last night.

I decided it really looks nice as a pullover. But, once again the sleeves are too long, and I could roll them up past the cuff, but frankly, I am getting tired of that. And I was not real happy with where the shaping hit. It was about an inch too far over. So, I ripped it out. Ripped back the sleeve a couple of inches and have reconnected it.

It's not a bad think, and I will be happier with it and the fit! And it is a great idiot knitting project. I am off today. But, can't work on it....I have to see how far I can get on the baby sweater for Thursday. Today is laundry day (didn't do much of it this weekend) and knitting on the baby sweater. I was going dress shopping, but I just don't have it in me today....have to be in the mood and I am not!

What Every Radical Knitter Does

The first thing I did, after Mapquesting my trip to Iowa yesterday, was what every Radical Knitter does. I got my handy knit shop guide out and looked for new yarn shops that were in route. What did I find?

Nothing. Nada. Not a one! What? So, I went online - none!

Fort Madison is so quaint. Just a few hours down from Muscatine where there is a yarn shop. It sits along the Mississippi River. I bet it is great place to be in the spring, summer and fall.

But, no yarn shop....so I went to the shower and came home. Yarnless. My knitting was in the back seat for those who wondered if I knitted while I drove. There were times when I thought about stopping and getting it up front with me, but I didn't want to take the time to stop and get it out. Just in a hurry to get there and then get home for our brother-in-law's birthday party.

By the way the bride loved the sewing machine. I think it was a good choice.

I took tomorrow off too. I thought I would go dress shopping for the mother of the groom. But, it is supposed to be kind of rainy tomorrow so I am going to run up to Grand Prairie today and see what Bergners has. Maybe, tomorrow, I stay in and knit on the baby sweater. Wouldn't that be a fun day off?! I think so! Let it rain, I'll have my knitting and coffee!

I'm Off To Iowa

Not for Arnhild's camp as originally planned. But to a shower for Baby Boy A's fiance. I toyed with several options for a shower gift. This probably isn't the most ever needed item, but from a mother who knits and sewed quite a bit before I became a full radical knitter, I think every house should have a sewing machine.

Also, I am giving her a sack of common thread colors, scissors, measuring tape, hand sewing needles etc.

It's not the most common shower present, but it saves hunting someone up to hem some pants when mom isn't going to be in the same city or even state.

Damn Snow!

If it's not the weather we are talking about, it's the flu stuff that is going around! The weather played a cabosh on the Radicals getting together out at Knit 4 Together again this Thursday night. Not that I needed anything, because I was there last Saturday for a real quick trip to pick up some yarn to finish my Brooks Sweater.

I'm off today and Monday. I originally took the days off for Arnhild's Knit Camp, but since plans changed, I still left them on the books. I have errands to run today for a shower I am going to tomorrow and one that I am giving next Thursday at work.

This is the February sweater from Knitter's Almanac that I hope to have for the shower next week. I figured last night when I did not go to Knitting that I would come home and make a dent in it. But, somehow, I was asleep in the chair before 9.

Monday's plan (if the weather) cooperates is to go Mother of the Groom dress shopping. As always, I hope to drop a few pounds before the wedding (officially I went back to WW last Monday), but I better see what is out there, I feel the time crunch coming. The shawl I believe has been abandoned based on what I saw out there on a recent dress shopping expedition.

I spent some time last night (before sleeping in the chair) to take some pictures so I have some things to post about in the next couple of days on the blog. I've been kind of lazy on the posting lately as well as have not been checking my Ravelry buds, but with a couple of days off I hope to catch up on some internet time!

Love These Markers

My friend Julie gave them to me a couple of years ago. I used them on occasion, but when working this Brooks Sweater from The Opinionated Knitter, they really come in handy. The decreases at the yoke, have you working them at marker 1, 2, 3 and 4. Mine have numbers 1 and 2 on them which helps me as I am working them to know where I am at. And they are so my colors.

I did not make it to Knit 4 Together on Thursday, and now I am running out of yarn for my sweater, so I am going to try and make a quick trip out there this afternoon, just to pick up a couple of extra skeins. Yea, right!

Happy Valentines Day!

Tonight is Knit Night at Dunlap and I have a list of things to look at. It is my Valentine's present to me.

Aren't I nice to me?

As always, I am working on several different projects that I hope to have photos for later. They include: the Brooks Sweater from The Opinionated Knitter out of Ocean Waves Brown Sheep, the Taos jacket, the Ribbi Cardi and a new sweater by Christiane from Knit Four Together in Dunlap.

And the list continues......

Sleeping Aids


At night when I go to bed, to help sleep along I listen to knitting podcasts on my MP3 player. There is something so soothing about the voices or maybe it is just the relaxing discussion of knitting, but it does the trick every time. Eventually, if I really want to listen to the podcast I have to do it sitting at my computer.

Meg's DVDs and tapes do the same trick if I am really tired. I got my new Rib Warmer DVD from Schoolhouse Press yesterday. After getting home from visiting family in from Minnesota last night, and every one else here was either in bed, working or out for the night, I popped it in to watch just a little of it before heading down to bed.


Next thing I know Baby Boy B was coming home, shutting the t.v. off and I am snuggling down. I woke up this morning, all snuggled down in my electric blanket, light still on and in my chair still in my clothes of yesterday!

Meg's voice was so soothing and after a long day, she just lulled me to sleep with thoughts of my next ribwarmer and how I could put sleeves on it.

I won't get much time today to watch it again since the family is still here for a funeral today, but tomorrow when the high is supposed to be aroun 11 degrees, I'll pop it in again when I am not so tired so I can see it in it's entirety.

But for those who might have sleeping problems, I recommend Podcasts or one of Meg or EZ's tapings, they just wrap you so snuggly up and off you go.

My Favorite Places

What a wonder the internet is! I must admit it keeps me from knitting sometimes, but it is such a wealth of information. Today, I'll share some of my favorite blog places or websites I visit almost daily.

http://blackdog.threadbearfiberarts.com/
http://theraineysisters.com/
http://fibernating.blogspot.com/
http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/
http://www.chicknits.com/rambles/
http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/
http://aquaknits.factotum23.com/index.php
http://www.ravelry.com
http://techknitting.blogspot.com
http://www.schoolhousepress.com - for Meg's KAL

New Catalogs

I love getting mail. I wonder how that started? I especially like new knitting catalogs and new knitting magazines. And this one did not come in the mail, but it is a favorite too! Those who know me well, know that I sell from it as a part time job....it helps me pay for knit camp and my February vacations. I love when a new jewelry catalog comes out and one just did. It has some cool things in it!shameless self promotion: http://www.liasophia.com/pennyhalverson look under my business and check out the online catalog.

This is the first time that I have gotten the Yarn Barn catalog in the mail, and a gal could do some serious damage from it. But, I really am trying right now to work with a couple of things that are on my plate before going off on another yarn shopping excursion. Well, the stupid weather has been a factor lately too.

I Could Have Been In Jamaica

I woke up this morning thinking that my cohorts in crime were sitting at the airport getting ready to board the plane. I thought about them at noon, figuring they were on the bus to their destination. And around 4:15 I called my travel partner and left her a message that we could be having a cocktail, sitting in the sand instead of sitting here in Illinois, listening to the thunder, watching the lightening and shoveling some more snow and ice from the drives.

This is so unfair!!! And not very fair for her either....maybe next year! And the other couple we travel with may decide to go with us too, depending on the destination. I really needed to save the $ from this year.

The requested Farmington scarf is done. I started knitting on one of the sleeves this afternoon of the Hybrid Cardigan. That's what got me to thinking again about sun and sand and pretty blue water.

Okay, I'm done whining about it and feeling sorry for myself! Really, I am. Really!

I Don't Care What Phil Said

Spring is coming. I have had enough of the snow and the wind! I'm tired of putting on my boots. I'm not tired of wearing my sweaters though.

I should have went into work yesterday. It was interesting who showed up for work. People who probably live in a more country like atmosphere made it in, those of us in the city, did not. But, maybe that's because they have the county and state clearing their roads, where we depend on the city to clear our side streets. Something that ours is just doing this morning, after the parking ban was lifted early last night.

But, I had a good day yesterday anyway. I signed up for Knit Camp 2.75. Listened to a couple of podcasts "Stash and Burn". Knitted a bit. Did some laundry. And last night we went for groceries.

So, today, fighting the urge to go yarn shopping, I am staying in and doing some more laundry and knitting more on the requested scarf.

I'm Stayin Home Today

I had a 9:30 appointment that was rescheduled. I had planned on maybe going in with the tall guy this morning, but wasn't ready when he was ready to go.....I let the younger twin take my car to his work out in the country....so I don't have transportation in.

It looks like our main road is moving better than it was an hour ago, and I probably should have made the tall guy wait for me. But, then I talked to a couple of my other co-workers who live here and they were not going out, so I said what the heck, I'll take a vacation day.

I'll get a head start on my laundry, knit some, surf the internet and sign up for knit camp! Woo hoo!

Recognize These?

They're back!

My friend's niece liked her scarf so much that I have been asked to make another by the 12th of next month. Normally, I would have said no, but my friend has been off work since June due to an accident, and I just couldn't say no.

So, I am taking a little time off from the other knitting projects to do this scarf.

I hope to have it pretty well finished by the weekend and be back to regular scheduled knitting!

Okay, Christmas Is Officially Over


I got some Christmas presents yesterday, from the gal I work with. Problems and vacations got in the way, but look what I got yesterday. A new reading book that I had never heard of. And don't ya just love the sweatshirt?

The weather may indicate that Christmas like feel, but the season is over, so come on mother nature get with it! Bring spring on!

And A Side Note

Or more like a back note from yesterday....not only do the arms need some work, but someone needs to stand up straighter and the whole from behind view is in need of some help. So, tomorrow, it is up when the alarm clock goes off and onto the treadmill. There is just a little more than four months til the wedding and I have a whole lot of work to do!

The Obvious

I really like my new vest....but I really need to start using some weights for those arms! I've only been saying that for about 25 years now.


This is going to be a great casual day vest to wear to work. The yarn was just a dream to work with. I have used other Alpaca With A Twist yarn and loved it too.

I have about a half of a ball yet and trying to decide what I can do with it?



Yesterday, I sat at my dining room (yes after I dusted and vacuumed both the living room and dining room) and sewed my Plymouth Yarn Vest pattern together. I have added an additional 2 inches to the lower back and I am pleased with how far it comes down. I knitted it from Alpaca With A Twist - Big Baby.
I wasn't sure initally how this was going to all come together when I laid it out on the couch since I had added two extra inches. So, I just sat down, followed the instructions and sewed on blind faith.

I wasn't disappointed! I just love it! Even if in my mind I am a size 10 and have skinny arms! It is all about how you feel!

I've Really Got To Clean Today

The dust is piling up, the paperwork from the lia sophia business is piling up, the laundry is spilling out of the baskets....but

I have things I want to work on and/or rather start~~

I am dying to pull this kit out and start it.

My Ribbi Cardi has problems and needs to be picked back up
I want to start some mittens, I am so tired of my fingers being cold in gloves
I want to start my moebius from my unspun icelandic, I am so tired of the wind whipping my hair around and freezing the ears off (god, am I getting old?)
I need to update my projects in Ravelry
I need to sew up my vest from Alpaca Big Baby
I want to start the new vest with sleeves that Christiane gave me the directions for
I need to be working on my gansey
I need to be working on two other sweaters just in case more yarn is needed before I can't get any more of the dye lot from Knit 4 Together.

Where to start? Man I need major help! How does the rest of the world tame their knit projects?

This Is Gonna Be A Vest?


I have great confidence that it will. The Alpaca Twist that it is knit out of just feels so good. I could revert back to a toddler and just sit with my blankey of alpaca, it's that soft.

Christiane from out at Knit 4 Together in Dunlap, created a pattern from Encore with sleeves. I can't wait to try it out next. I might have some in the yarn room that might be okay for it. Too bad I have to work today!

We're Bravin the Cold

And knitting at Knit 4 Together, come join us. This Char and Linda (sorry ladies, I needed a picture) at Knit Camp last year....I'm behind the camera. But, the three of us are gearing up to put our apps in next week for July's Camp. Believe it or not, it will be here before we know it!

And aren't we glad!!?

Round And Round She Goes

If I can't go to the Ocean next month at least I am going to be knitting on Ocean Waves yarn! I am not sure exactly what this will be, I have about 12 inches to go until I have to make a decision. The thought is either a steeked cardigan or pullover. At the moment, I am leaning toward EZ's Hybrid, Saddle or Raglan sleeve. I deal with all those issues later!

Had a great day off today, got together with some friends I used to work with for lunch and then went deep into the country to see one their new houses. Oh how envious of it I am. Except for the time it takes to get to and fro, but what a lovely house she has!

We celebrated Christmas there today too so now I think the house is now officially over!

Whats Up?

The back halves of the Taos jacket have been sewn together. I am not liking this look. Sure, I can't see it when I wear it, but everyone else will as I walk away. I know that it is the nature of the yarn, so the pattern says, but I just don't like it. At first I thought it was because I started the second half knitting from the outside of the ball instead of the inside.

But, then I started a new half to see if by knitting from the outside made any difference. I thought I had it all figured out, until I realized that being the case, these two sides should be different not the same since I started with the other half first!
So, I went out to Knit 4 Together and looked at their sample and discussed with Claudia. The shop sample is not as noticeable as mine, but still evident.

So, I am knitting a new half. I'll see how it progresses, but at the moment, it is time out....there are others calling me!

It's 1 Degree

And I am staying in. I need one more skein of the Alpaca, but I'm going to call Knit 4 Together and have them put a skein back for me to pick up on Thursday night when we go out there.

In the mean time, I have a new idea for some Brown Sheep that I bought last week out there too. I'll show you the results tomorrow.


There is not much to watch on t.v.(until the U of I game at 1:00) while I knit today, and I could dust and clean, but heh, I got two other days this long weekend in which to do that. So, for t.v. entertainment, I am watching some knitting DVDs and thinking about making a Moebius scarf out of my Unspun Icelandic. And of course working on a new cardigan thought out of the Brown Sheep.

There is a companion book that I just love looking at while watching the DVD. Available from Meg at www.schoolhousepress.com

Today is a day to have the coffee pot on, a warm sweater on my back, a pot of chili cooking and thankin my lucky stars that years ago I did not pass the Civil Service Exam for mail carriers!

High of 7 Low of 3

That is tomorrow's forecast. Now, the only thing that will get me out tomorrow is if I see that I need to go to the yarn shop tomorrow! That would be it.

If not, I will be knitting and doing laundry this weekend until I have to meet friends from work on Monday at noon for our Christmas Get Together!

Some people I know will be by then floating on a nice cruise ship! But, they won't have their knitting with them! Huh?

With the cold weather upon us and Radical Knitting last night, I have a couple of ideas that I think I "need" to do. Some nice mittens and a moebius out of alpaca...and today's blog over at Brooklyn Tweed has me thinkin a Pi Shawl would be nice too, one without lace pattern.

I could use my leftover Unspuns from the Pelerine for a Pi Shawl. Just a few thoughts for today from the deep freeze.

Feel-i-tor


Emeril always wants us to have smellavision. I want to have a Feelitor, that's a monitor that you can reach out and feel.


After problems with the Taos Jacket (more later), I needed something to distract myself. So, I bought this Alpaca With A Twist Big Baby on Saturday at Knit 4 Together in Dunlap. The vest like pattern was there for me to try on and it just wraps you in a big hug.

I find myself just scrunching the fabric up in my hands in between rows. It just feels sooooooo good. And I needed something to boost my knitting moral up. It was kind of like getting away from cabin fever on Saturday. The sun was shining, I sat in a yarn shop and looked at patterns and bought yarn.

I think I might have to do that more often!

Technical Difficulties

Blogger is having a problem uploading photos for today, so I'll try again tomorrow for pics of something I picked up at Knit 4 Together on Saturday. I'm having fun with it and can't wait to show you more.

In the mean time, knit something today, I am!

I'm Going Shoppin

The sun is somewhat shining. I have had with what I am knitting. I need to go out and fondle some yarn. I have a list! I have my Xmas money.

I am out of here! And I think I am going two places today! How's that for a fix!

I'm Off!

So I'm Getting Ready For Bed

I am tired and falling asleep in the chair with my knitting in my hand.
But, it is kind of early, so I go to the computer to check a few websites, just a few. Right. Right. And I stumble across a Snoopy wash cloth. It calls me.....I must have the pattern. So, I join the yahoo group. At the moment, I am just waiting for my membership approval email so I can check the pattern out.

I am definitely making me some of these. And the gal I work with for her birthday next fall. And maybe for some of those ladies at work, just because, I must spread the wealth.

Aren't they the cutest? Makes me want to cast at least one on! But, first I gotta get the pattern. Can't wait to see what other patterns they have. I'm fully awake now. Damn that internet.

February Vacations

About now, every year for about 8 years, I have been getting in gear for my February vacation to warm and sunny Mexico with my friend with our local radio station. This year, she is under the weather and we felt it was best if we stayed in the country.

It is kind of funny to not have the pressure of being thinner and getting tan in time to go. With the wedding coming in less than 5 months though, there still is a little pressure, it is just a little further off.

Yesterday was the first weigh in at WW that I had since before we took our break. The consensus was that most of us gained a bit. That going into it, I did not feel so bad with my 4 pound weight gain. But, now, it is back to business.

Oh, and vacation in February? I am still taking a small one with my friend Julie. We will meet up with her sister in Ames Iowa for Arnhild's Knit Camp. Last year, we got stuck for an extra day due to a snow and ice storm!
What a hardship! An extra night of knitting and pizza.

Oy, I should be so unlucky this year.

Sleep On It

When I went to bed on Friday night, I had it in my mind to get up and cast on for EZ's Hybrid Cardigan incorporating some of Brooklyn Tweeds rib at the sides. But, as yesterday's readers could tell, when I woke up I had yarn shopping on my mind.

After showering, I sat down in my chair and took a little nap. I woke up around 11:00, had lunch and then another thought went into my mind.

This green and lonely skein of Encore have been on my mind for quite some time. I wanted to use it up and had been kicking several ideas around. This hit me when I woke up from my little morning nap.
Why not do Bonne Marie's pattern (one of two that are on my mind yet to do this winter)? The pattern has you doing it in pieces and those who know me, know that I have a adversion to sewing up. I hate doing it! And my sewing up look sometimes reflect that.

It took me a few tries to get this right, but I am finally happy with the end results. There will be just a trace of the blue in the body, I'm on the fly with where at this time.

Sometimes, it helps to sleep on it.

$50 In My Pocket


I don't NEED to, but I am itchin to go to the yarn shop. And you know what makes it even worse, I am itchin to go to two!

Maybe that is why I can't make any decisions when it comes to knitting right now. I know I should be finishing the Taos jacket, but I want to be knitting on so many other things too. But, the three yarns that I have on tap are just NOT what I want!

I have $50 in Christmas that just seems like it wants to be used. I'm just like I was when I was kid. It's burnin a hole in my pocket and screamin to be spent on yarn!

I'm a case aren't I? Let's see what the day brings!

It May Be New Year

But, I am still celebrating and the gifts are still coming! This was the year for exchanging some really cool knitting gadgets! I love them. A case to hold them from Linda and from Jo oh so many goodies to add to the case.

Aren't my knitting friends the greatest!

I'm Already Thinkin About Next Year

Yep, I am alredy thinking about what I can do for those gals at work. Felting! Some are going to get felted clogs (thanks Char for putting that idea in my mind) and the others are going to get maybe something from one of these two books. There is a small purse for those young, tiny things and some mittens or hot pad gloves for others.

It will be different and give me a chance to use up those leftover all wool yarns that I have ones and twos of!

The Party Is Over

It's back to work. Where did 9 days go? I did not accomplish much off of my list. I didn't get the fabric checked, the basement cleaned or any of the many sweaters I wanted to finish done either. But it was a great vacation. I spent alot of time around my chair, read a couple of books and yesterday spent a great afternoon knitting with friends.


I've got quite the mess to sort through around my chair, but I think I'll save it for tonight.


Now, today, it is 1 degrees outside and it is back to work! (What sweater to wear today?) My email is probably going to take me most of the morning to wade through. Of course, there will be a lot of junk to toss. Because, I like what I do at work, it is not so bad having to go back to work, it's just the having to get dressed before noon that bothers me!

And a side note --you know you have watched too much t.v. while off, when you are sick of seeing the Weight Watcher commercials. Seems like they were sponsoring everything the past couple of days. Talk about media blitz!

Happy New Year!





The wind is blowin as I sit here posting the first blog of the new year. Baby, it's cold outside, we are at our high of 18 an hour ago! But, by Sunday, it is suppose to be 60 degrees. Whats happening with that? The best part of all of our snow and ice lately is that it comes and then we get this totally warm stuff that melts it away.

Later this morning, I am off to spend a few hours at Norma's for her New Year Open House. I look forward to spending time this afternoon with friends knitting and eating a bit (but not too much, cause yesterday was a new day for WW)Then later it will be home to prepare for going back to work tomorrow! No, NO, NO, I don't want to go!

I spent last night, listening to Stash and Burn's Podcast, checking out a new KAL on Ravelry for the Tilted Duster that has been callin me since the issue came out last Fall. And that purple Encore would look pretty neat in it. I think I am going to do it! Isn't it a rule that when something occupies your mind so much that it is best to do it?

Again, have a Happy New Year and Go ILLINI!!!!

2008 Resolutions

You betcha I make them. I even write them down. Alot of years, I don't get past day 1, but each year it is kind of cool to reflect forward and backwards.

There are things I hoped to accomplish before I turned 50. It didn't happen. Now, I am hoping at least one of them makes it during my 50th year, but if it doesn't, there is always the 60th year!

5 Months from today, Baby Boy A will be getting married. There will be the Knitting Room when he moves out in place of his bedroom, or a room I think I will call the Home of PJKNITS! Like the dollar allowance, I used to spend 100 ways, there are 100 things that I need to put in that room, but alas, we will save that for a post later this Spring!

I have spent alot of the past week trying to decide where I want to be knitting wise for 2008 and I see that some of the things that were on the 2007 list are making a return engagement to the 2008 list. Funny, some of the non knitting things are making a return engagement to the 2008 list too!

My 2008 List (not really resolutions, lets just call them hopes, want tos, lofty ideas or just whatever)

WIPS - work on getting at least 6 of them done, okay maybe 2

Bills - work on a cash basis, if I don't have the cash, don't buy it! Well, unless, it is like a major repair

New Yarn Acquisitions - not really a yarn diet, just a little more watching of what comes home in the Yarn Mobile. I am kind of a stickler, when I knit at a shop, I like to be knitting on yarn that I purchased there. So, only buy yarn as needed for this.

Weight and Exercise - they go hand in hand....wouldn't it be nice to be a little thinner/toner by the wedding?

Be prepared. Don't wait for the day before the birthday, baby shower or holiday to finish the gift. Yea, right!

Use the techniques/lessons that I have learned from EZ/Meg. Or rather, re-learn them and then use them. Like a running coach once said, you can't expect to run the race, if you only run on Wednesday nights!

Be happy. Surround myself with happy people. Be thankful for good health, great friends and loving family (even when they drive me nuts. Make the most of every opportunity given.

So, until tomorrow, have a happy and safe New Year's Eve. I love you! --Penny