The Height

I am sitting in my chair. Thermos of coffee to the left. Knitting to the right.
T.V. on.

Later, I'll venture to the treadmill. Take a shower.

Might venture to the yarn room to clean it up a bit.

Plan today other than treadmill? Knit. Get a thought going on what my Ravelympics project might be.

Thats it! Ahhhhh.

Day 1 of a 3 Day Weekend

I wish I could say I knitted this, but I didn't....Debbie from Knit Four Together did. But, I could not resist having my picture taken with it.

I should have taken Debbie's picture with it since she was the knitter. Didn't think about that. He's so darn cute...I think I might have to knit one just to have at my house.


We had a great day knitting yesterday at the shop. But, then we always do. It was a great start to a three day weekend.

Because I try to knit on yarn that I bought at the shop, I brought out Cusco from Cheryl Oberle's Knitted Jackets book to work on. I am kind of excited about working on it now.

Even knitted on it last night. Might have to be my Focus project for now.

Three Day Weekend

As a state employee, I get Monday off, which means a 3 Day weekend.

I like 3 day weekends especially when they end on a Monday. I like them even more when they are all mine. Home alone, no where to go, nothing I really have to do. Unless I don't get the laundry done tomorrow then there is that.

My plans for Monday? Knit. Work on the Yarn Room (it needs some serious work). Knit.

Yep, thats it. It's all about me on Monday....well and Martin of course.

Winter Knitting

I often wonder how RTW Designers come up with their ideas for knitware. More often than not, I wish I had the time to sit and try to knock them off in hand knit versions.

Maybe in my next life.

In the mean time, check out this website for some inspiration and possibilities.

http://www.olenazylak.com/

Groundhog Day

Just like the movie, I seem to be starting over every once in awhile. Today, was back to work after a three week vacation/sick week. It became evident yesterday and even more evident, this morning when I went to get dressed that I have must have spent most of that time sitting and eating, because the pants were definitely a little tight. My reminder that it is now time to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon and the exercise routine.

I'm saving the exercising for tomorrow, no really I am. But, started my Weight Watchers program again and am happy to report that Day 1 was a success....ate my veggies and fruit, stayed on points and drank my water.



The next thing I did was shut the t.v. off and left the laptop cover for one hour.
I wanted to do Elizabeth Zimmermann's Almanac this year and started the Aran on the first of January.

Working the Aran requires at least for me, a little bit of quiet.

It seemed to work for me tonight, I was on a roll and managed to get a few rows on it done. It is a slow go and I wanted to keep knitting on it, but also wanted to make sure to have some time to post and check a couple of blogs that I read on a daily basis.

This past weekend, the Mason Dixon blog steered me toward the Glamour article where it is the contention with the writer that if you get 7 1/2 hours of sleep a night, you can lose weight. I don't think that is going to work for me...I like staying up late too much and have to get up early in the morning, but for the time being, I am going to try and get a little more sleep.

I think that is why the bug got me...during my vacation, I had been staying up late and getting up way too early. Can't hurt to try.

Day 1...in my estimation was a success.

What A Guy!

Yesterday, the Tall Guy went shopping for groceries and look what he brought home. Is that a guy?! Somehow, he knew that I did not subscribe to this one....what are the chances?

Anyway, yesterday, the internet went out here right in the middle of the day! What a time for it to go down...so armed with my new magazine I sat in the rocker and actually read the whole magazine.

I don't really ever read a whole magazine. Mostly, I just look at the pictures and read only the articles that I really want to. But, yesterday, I actually read the articles....it was kind of a nice afternoon.

Normally, I don't buy Knit n Style, but rather look at it on the magazine rack to see if there is anything that I would want to knit out of it. This issue, actually, has a couple of designs that I might have to look at a little closer. And maybe the magazine as well.

It's One Degree

Or is that one degrees? Anyway, it's cold here in Central IL and since I am recuperating, I don't have to go outside today...bless the Tall Guy for going out to the store and taking such good care of me.

I hear that some parts of Florida might have freezing rain or light snow today. And the temperatures there are anything but Florida like! And that is the weather report for this hour. At least the sun is shining here!

Last night, I happened upon a series on Neflix that I can watch on my computer...Monarch on the Glen. It is quite good from the four episodes I watched last night, when I couldn't sleep.

The cough medicine I am taking is maybe supposed to make you drowsy. For me it had the opposite effect....made me wide awake. What can I say, I am weird.



I am making some slow progress on my Green Sweater, but it is great knitting while watching movies.

I need to measure Seedling that I knitted last Fall and see what the measurements are for it from the finished edge to the armhole. I like where it hits at the hip and want to duplicate that measurement for the Green Sweater.

There is a correction sheet posted to Ravelry from the first printing of the pattern, but I had already fudged with my figures for the cast on, needing an in between number for the hip cast on. I'll knit for awhile on it and then do some decreases to get it closer to the bust measurement I like.

So that is going to be my mode for the day, sit in my chair, knit and watch Monarch on the Glen on my laptop.

And see if I can make some progress on some knitting projects today.

Why, Thank You!

I am feeling better tonight. I went to the doctor this afternoon, who gave me a script for antibiotics and cough syrup with codene. He added a couple of other over the counter medicines which I have taken.

I might even get back to knitting tonight. I did not feel well enough to go see Franklin with Sue and Julie, and I am dissappointed for that, but content enough to sit inside this weekend while we get super cold temps outside and maybe get back to knitting. I haven't knitted much since last weekend. Thats when you know I am not feeling good when I don't knit!

Just been spending a lot of time on the computer and sitting it my chair, taking care of my farm and fish tank on Facebook --that thing can become addictive, but gave me just enough to do while not feeling well.

I was really dissappointed to read that one of my favorite yarn shops that I have read about, but never got to, hasn't paid a teacher for her services last year....that surprises me and I hope that was an over sight that will be corrected soon, cause that is quite disturbing to me.

Tomorrow rather than knitting in Dunlap, I'll be sitting cozily in my chair and knitting. You all keep warm.

Are You Tired?

Of these posts....felt better enough to go to work yesterday. Felt good until last night, took cough syrup, went to chair. Coughed all night long. The abs hurt, I've coughed so much. I may have to call the doctor and see if I can get in tomorrow. There is no way today, we're getting hit with snow getting there might be a tad difficult. I'm still going to try for work today.

Knitting is out for me tonight. And there is no way that I will make it to Chicago this weekend to see Franklin Habit. I hate that most of all as I was looking forward to it. I had even started doing laundry and laying some things out for the yarn room.

Okay, I'm going to stop now, I can sense that you have all had enough of my whining as well!

UPDATE==Have an appointment for tomorrow morning at the Doctor!

Oh, and Happy Birthday Tall Guy!

Day 2

Yep, took another sick day. Tomorrow, I gotta go back to work. Still have the cough that will not put up or shut up, so I'll have to deal with it.

We are suppose to get 4-6 inches of snow starting sometime tomorrow into Thursday. Then, it is going to get back to sub frigid temperatures and wind.

Friday afternoon, I am off to Chicago for WCKG and Franklin Habit. It is suppose to be a little warmer up there, but more snow...perfect weather for knitting, huh, better pack the boots and sweaters.

Bleccck!

I thought I could do it, but I'm staying home today. Have this dry cough and just feel like going back to bed. Not a good way to start the new year out is it?

Don't really even feel like knitting. Now, you know I don't feel so hot.

Finished!

It's time to go back to work tomorrow...just as I said before the holidays, this is just like when I was a kid and we had to go back to school after being off. I don't wanna go back!

But, before I go back, look what I finished on my Christmas vacation! I wish you could feel/see this in person. It is sooooo cool....no, really it is. It makes me giddy to feel it.

I can hardly wait to block it and get to wear it. I am taking it with me next weekend when I go to Chicago for a weekend with Windy City Knitting Guild and Franklin Habit. I hope he can help me take better pictures of it to convey the softness of these two yarns together.


The pattern is Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown VNeck Cardigan. I really am starting to love working these patterns.

When you are done,and this is liberating to not have to sew any thing together. Ant they fit. Trying it on as I knit works, go figure.

It's Chili


No, really, we are knitting today at Knit 4 Together. It is currently 6 below. I'm taking Chili, Sue is bringing soup. Debbie is bringing tea.

Now, most days if it was 6 below I stay in and keep warm. But, it is Saturday and it is time to knit.

If you are in the area, come join us. The more the merrier and keeps the shop warm.

Happy New Year!

Time to start something new.


A year long adventure into the Knitter's Almanac. A different project a month....I can get into that...and I am vowing to use stash whenever possible. Not a resolution, mind you, a vow.








And the famous green sweater. I can imagine by Camp Time in July, we will have quite the progression of green sweaters to model.


Speaking of camp, hop on over to the Schoolhouse Press website. They are having workshops in Color Knitting and the EPS method. For those of you who want to have the time of your life, I definitely advise you to check these out. I wouldn't mind doing both of them myself!

Be Safe All! Enjoy your weekend, it's back to the cruel world for some of us...but first, lets knit!

2009 Wrap Up

Every December 31st, I like to look back and see what I accomplished in knitting for the past year. This year it surprised me again:

11 Scarves
7 Sweaters
3 Baby Sweaters
2 Washrags
2 Stockings
1 Purse

And the word for 2010 is FOCUS! When I focus on one thing, I accomplish much.

It's Snowin Again!

But, I am content, here in my chair, drinking coffee, knitting, reading and just enjoying the heck out of not having to go out to work. I don't have to go out until New Year's Day. I was going to Dunlap yesterday, but slept in and just stayed in and enjoyed the day. Today, I was going to have lunch with Sue, but with it snowing again, I feel like being a slug and continuing the routine.

I do think I might hop on the treadmill to change it up a bit.
That and the fact that this picture taken a couple of days ago hit really home, that it is time to get back on the Weight Watchers Wagon and the Couch to 5K program. Why wait until the New Year to start?!

The other piece to this picture was my great nephew helping me with dishes. For a two year old, he is unbelievable.....his words not mine "We're a TEAM Auntie Pen"...simply amazing.

Tomorrow --New Year's Knitting

Isn't She Sweet?

This Pure and Simple Bolero was so fun to knit. She won't be wearing it long, but it was fun to see it on her for awhile.

Now, back to knitting for me.

Come On!

Enough....if it cannot snow for Christmas, why now?
And with the temps we are suppose to have this week, it looks like it will be around for awhile. This is now a pain.

Unconventional Christmas Dinner

I've been bloggin all along that this would be a different Christmas and it has been. I am not complaining. Christmas Day was just the Tall Guy, Baby Boy B and me.

And if one cannot be in Mexico at Christmas, and if one's family is missing a few people, it is okay to change it up a bit.

The Tall Guy made homemade pizza. I had a Corona or two. Baby Boy B who was driving and the Tall Guy had soda.

I ate too much, but it was good! Time to get back to Weight Watchin. The jeans are getting a little snug.

Good thing I am not going to Mexico this next year.

Oh We're Not Done Yet

Christmas might have been yesterday, but like birthdays around here that we celebrate on and on, that's what we're doing with Christmas this year. We celebrated on Christmas Eve at the in-laws with some of the family.

On Christmas Day, we got together with Baby B for pizza here at the house. He set up my new wireless printer and then laid on the couch hamming it up while I used my new webbie cam on him.

This gift was a total surprise for me. The Tall Guy was thinkin I could use it on the blog....cannot wait to give it a whirl.

Late tonight, Baby Boy A and his wife will be in from Memphis for a couple of days. We'll get together with my nieces and their parents on Sunday here at the house for another meal....we are going to get 15 of us around the new table...just need to shop for some folding chairs later today so they will all have a seat.


In the meantime, I finished the topdown Bolero from Encore for my great niece. This sweater is just too darn cute!

Cannot wait to see it on her. The turtle neck that I bought to go with is just too off from the pink in the sweater so it is just going to be the sweater for her, but I am happy with the outcome.

If I had just another week or two, I would have made a matching one for my niece. Wouldn't that have been too cute!

Isn't that what we all say about Christmas knitting? If only! Time to start planning for next Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pressies

I am blessed with some great friends.





From work, the best of both worlds, Snoopy and Cardinal baseball. When you lift his head, he plays take me out to the ball game and gives you a Pez.--Thanks Barb and Kristy





From some really "old" friends. Just goes to show if you talk about something long enough, they give up and buy you something you said you would not buy yourself. Thanks Paula, Terri and our really "old" friend.




And last but definitely not least from the Radical Knitters, what fun we have and I am truly blessed to know you all. Thank you Norma, Jo, Linda, Char, Karen and Jean.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Still Knitting

I took a short diversion from the Christmas knitting to do a couple of dishcloths. People love these, heck I love them.

I'm feelin good today. I'm off until the 4th of January....have a nail appointment mid day so I am working toward that. Have dusted and still have on my list before then the bathroom and a little of the kitchen.

Stayed up really late knitting on the bolero jacket for my great niece. It is so cute and I anticipate finishing it tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. Before or after the nail appointment, I have some errands to run. Need some buttons for it and am thinking Morton might have something there. While I am out, I have a couple of short errands to run, Kohls for something to go under the bolero for her and jeans for me. Grocery store for flour and kisses (thought I might make some cookies, okay, I don't bake, so maybe that is why it is going to rain major amounts).

Which brings me to the question? Why when I take a day for myself does it always seem to RAIN majorally? Same thing happened earlier this Fall? But, I won't melt. And it could be worse, it could be snow or ice!

Phase I Complete and Delivered

Finally, all of the scarves that I knitted for the ladies I work with are done and around most of their necks. Now, I just need to finish a couple of little sweaters for the 27th.



For Gracita


For Judy M.


For Nan


For Margie, Kristy, Kathy T.,Misha, Marie, Barb S., Linda A.(for Baby Boy B's Secret Santa gift, and Maria

Did I Miss Something?

I wasn't expecting this yesterday weather. I spent most of the afternoon, surfing the net and doing laundry. Drinking Cinnamon and Spice Dunkin Donuts Coffee, Mystic Tea and Lemon Zinger. Nice day to stay in.

Long about 5 o'clock, I realized that I did not knit a bit and still had a scarf that needed to be done today. I made it! Pictures tomorrow.

It's not as bad as out East, so what I am I complaining about?
They tell us it won't be here long. Ice and Rain coming just in time for Christmas Eve.

Okay, I have had enough of Winter, bring Spring quickly.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Today, the Tall Guy, Baby Boy B and my brother swapped my old table with my mom's table. There is a couple of stories about this table.

The first is that when I was a child it was in our basement and used for holiday parties. It was painted yellow. Dad stripped it years ago and it has been in a couple of mom's houses since then.

It has four leaves(two are in it now) so when fully opened it will sit a gazillion. Problem, none of us have a house that sit a gazillion. But, we always make do. Mom just left it as a round table in her kitchen since she stopped doing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at her house.

At Thanksgiving when Baby Boy A was home we had family down for dinner at our house. We were sitting people everywhere. So, now Christmas comes, and I am the recepient of the table. Plants and coffee table went back up with Baby Boy B until the new year. Some of our furniture (extra end tables) will go to the yarn room and we will throw a couple of leaves in the table and all 12-13 of us will be able to sit around the table together. Cozy it will be, and the first of a new memory.

Norma, remember when you gave me this tablecloth for my lia sophia endeavor? Well, look how nicely it can be converted to my new table. I was thinking about going out and buying a new one for it, but I think even with two extra leaves in it, I can use it. Thank you again!

When Mom was alive and doing Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinners with two leaves in the table, she would throw a fitted sheet over the table as a tablecloth.....what fond memories this table has for me. A friend at work told me just on Friday, it's the little things that will trigger it for you, she was right!

And from my niece and sister-in-law, who gave our family an ornament this year. Thank goodness they gave it to me in private..it reads



Merry Christmas From Heaven
I love you all dearly,
Now don't shed a tear,
I'm spending my Christmas
With Jesus this year..

Okay, enough~back to regularly scheduled blogging.

Today I'm Glad

I live in Central IL and not out East. Just enough to give some atmosphere for the holiday, but not enough to keep me from the yarn shop.

We had a pleasent morning at Knit 4 Together, drinking tea and knitting. Quite a few were in this morning, shopping for yarn and gift certificates.

Then I went out to Walmart and Grand Prairie. Walmart to finish the shopping. Grand Prairie for ME! I was tempted by some Ugg boots, but they did not have them in my size so I decided they were not meant to be!

Finding parking spaces at both places was un real, but I persevered and made it home safely.....I am now done with my Christmas shopping! Still knitting on two things, one scarf has to got be completed for Monday gift giving AND a little sweater for the 27th. I hope to knock it off quickly so I can start knitting for ME!

I'm A Calendar Girl

I could not figure out what I was getting in the mail when my calendar from Knit Camp came yesterday. I had really put the calendar back in the recesses of my mind.

This was a nice surprise. Very well done and I would think alot of work.

I am going to enjoy it all year long.

Good job, Kim and Betts.

An Unexpected Gift

When I got to work yesterday, I had these beauties wrapped up on my desk.

The card read "hand picked, hand made out of cherry". They are so smooth and I can't wait to cast on with them.

When I met up with the gift giver, she told me she bought them at a nearby craft show. How did I miss these gems?

Kinda Cool

I put all my Wool Gatherings into my new binder from Schoolhouse Press. When I ordered the big pack of sleeves, I never figured I'd be using so many.

I guess I have been getting it for quite a while.

Jump On Over




http://www.garnstudio.com/julekalender.php?lang=us

And check out the Drops calendar every day as they reveal a new knit or crochet pattern every day. There are a couple of really cute things over there.

Maybe for next Christmas gift giving.

Happy Hanukkah!

After A Bear Of A Day

I prescribe ordering yarn for the Green Sweater.

Char gave me permission to buy my favorite color. Thank you Char.

This sweater is going to be my treat to me for completing my scarves for Christmas presents. When I complete them.

It's Here!

The new/old Green Sweater pattern finally arrived. I can't start it until I get all my scarves/Christmas presents done.

I think I am going to try using some brown alpaca with a twist that I have, as I did not get in on the original yarn order from Schoolhouse Press.

I am chompin at the bit to start, but I won't.....maybe I 'll start it on Christmas Eve? If I have my other Christmas all ready.

It Started Small

I was just going to get the Weekender. Then, I thought a small tote. And I thought I'd try a different kind of bigger tote. That was it.

Then, I really needed a casual purse. And they had free shipping, so I had to get more than a purse, so I added another knitting tote (I don't need another knitting tote!)

Now, I have a collection. Am I done? I think I have to be.

Never Say Never

It used to be I would say we would never have an artificial tree. Then I said I would never have a table top tree, at least not as the only tree. Okay, so sometimes, I have to eat my words.

A couple of years ago the Tall Guy's parents moved from the big house to a small apartment and we acquired a lot of their furniture which we really could use. And then last May after Mom passed away I acquired a couple of her items as well. It's always been tight here when it comes to Christmas as to where the tree(s) would go. Last year some of the pieces had to be stowed in Baby Boy B's room, downstairs and in the garage to make way for the tree and tables that had to come out of the Yarn Room for our overnight guests.

When the boys were younger, I would have a tree in the living room with all of their ornaments on it. That was the live tree. In the dining room, I would have an artificial tree with all of my Snoopy ornaments and lights. When they grew up and wouldn't help me decorate the tree, I started just putting up the Snoopy tree.

Which brings me to this year. The Yarn Room has an extra chair in it already and there just isn't any room for anything else in it. Baby Boy B is living in my Mom's house til it sells and his room is now the room for overnight guests at Christmas time so I can't fill it up with spare furniture. Besides, when we get together with the whole family, we need all the available seating we can get, left where it is.

This years tree is a 4 foot table top tree. I pulled another collection out to put on it...the knitting/handmade ornaments collection. This is a tree years ago I used downstairs on my sewing table (when I was sewing alot) and when I was going through the phase of wanting a tree in every room.

I outgrew that, thank goodness, since I barely had the patience to put the lights on this 4 footer!

Congratulations!

To Baby Boy A's Wife, the Half Marathon Runner today in Memphis for St Jude.

Atta Girl!

My Feet Hurt!


Last night was our Girls Annual Holiday Bash that I co-plan with two others. For the last two nights I have been on my feet in boots and I can say my feet hurt more than I have ever had them hurt. Ended up last night getting a foot rub from the Tall Guy. He really didn't want to do it, but I whined enough that he relented. It finally took a nice warm bath, two ibuprofen and a cup of tea. It put me to sleep in the chair and here we are.

We always have a different theme each year and this year was Naughty or Nice. We switched the colors to hot pink, black and animal prints to change it up. We had a great time and I think everyone else did too. Since we did it at the College this year, there was no alcohol, but we had a bartender who did Mocktails. The ladies enjoyed that as well, I think.

Which brings me to next years theme, I've committed to knitting at least 45 scarves for it, so my lunchtime project will be scarves all year long.

Get used to seeing lots of scarves. At the moment though, I am knitting on new scarves for my co-workers. Once those are done, I can get back to knitting for me...well after I do a sweater for the great niece for Christmas.

Then it is back to me.

When Will I Learn?

I have told myself time and time again, I will not buy a book sight unseen. So, what did I do? I bought another book without seeing what was in it.

I didn't need to buy it right now. I could have waited. But, no, I saw it on Amazon and added it to my cart without a thought. Yes, there are a few things in there that I might knit down the road, but I did not need to add it to my book collection yet. It could have waited.

Oy...today has been a booger of a day. It started out really good, but long about 9:00 am, it started to go downhill fast. I managed to take about two steps back all day long, so now I've got to fire up the remote access and do some work from home.

And Christmas is now 23 days away.

I'd Like To Report

That I got a whole lot of knitting done this past weekend, but I can't. I did not manage to finish anything and now I am getting a little worried. The weekend was a mixture of ups and downs, goings and comings, but still a great Thanksgiving from my point of view.

When did it become December 1st? So much to do. And if I want to complete my tasks for this year, I need to stop playing Bejeweled Blitz over on Facebook. The just 5 minutes turns into a couple of hours.

I did get caught up on my sleep last night. I can say for sure that after I got home last night from work, I was asleep more than awake. If I wasn't sleeping in the chair, well lets face it I was sleeping in the chair. The cup of tea I fixed myself was still sitting there next to me untouched, when I woke up in the chair.

Okay, back to the knitting not Facebook.