Relaxing Knitting

On Sunday some of the members of my knitting group came over and we spent 4 hours knitting, chatting and snacking. It was so nice to sit and relax. Michelle and Tina worked on socks, Maggie on a baby blanket, Abby on legwarmers, Betty on a shawl, Robin on her cardigan and I worked on Alex's fingerless mitts as well as my Ingenue sweater.

Maggie brought her two week old daughter Margaret. Oooo baby noises. She was so sweet.

The weather was unseasonably warm, we had the door open and the thermostat read 75 degrees.

I was so proud of how nice the house looked, still decorated for the holidays. I might be sad to see it all come down next week.

I also received my certificate certifying that I have completed my real estate course. Now I need to find a broker to work with and take my licensing test. Then I'll be ready to work!

She's Here!

Let me introduce you to Dorothy, Dottie for short. My new to me loom. The first shows her on the Dining room table and the second with my warp chains ready to be dressed.

Tomorrow I will take the first big leap and dress my loom. the I will be weaving a sampler. I am using Harrisville Shetland in Bermuda Blue and Oatmeal.

In the food department I have had a little backslide. I haven't gained any weight back but have to get on the ball. I am weak in the planning department. I need to have more things available to eat at home so as not to be tempted. My exercise plan is to walk daily, lift weights Monday thru Saturday. I will work the upper MWF and lower TTHS.

I haven't knit much this week due to a visit from my Mom. So the plan for the week coming up is to finish a sock. Creating a pair and not another lonely first sock.

An Early Birthday Present

Woo Hoo! My family gave me an early birthday gift.

My very own digital camera. I am so excited it, is charging as I write. Photos to come soon!!!

Today has been a day for details. I registered Derrick, Alex and my BIL Troy to become Scuba certified when we next visit Key West. I registered myself for a beginning weaving class in June. Paid some bills. And have more paperwork to do tonight. All this to keep from cleaning the dining room. The dining table we bought for Amber last year is too big for her new house. Since it is much larger than mine, I get it back. Andy and his friend are bringing it tonight and I should have the room clean for the new addition.

I also found out today that my mom is coming for a visit on Friday and staying until April 9. I'll have to plan a few nice meals.

Last week I bought a used loom. It is a Leclerc Dorothy, 15in 4 shaft table loom. It should be great for learning. From everything I have read recently I think I will want a wider loom later, and probably a floor loom.

I can't pick it up until Thursday so photos will follow. I am so excited I can hardly wait. I'm just sorry that my class isn't until June. I'm sure I'll have to tinker with it before hand!

The sock above is finished and the second is on the needles. It is a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks and the yarn is KPPPM.

Talented

Last night I watched my son play is bass on a real stage in a real tavern. I know that his talent doesn't come from me, but boy does he have it.

It was a kick watching the crowd from my chosen bar stool in the rear of the bar. As I sipped my ale I almost giggled out loud. Does this mean I am cool by association?

Still knitting on Derrick's sock. I may finish it this weekend and be able to start #2.

The new lifestyle is going well. I am starting to have more energy, no more headaches from caffeine withdrawal. I am going to put some work into being more prepared next week. Big grocery shopping trip on the horizon.

Feast or Famine

You know sometimes there is nothing to talk about and other times too much!!

I have finally started to put photos in my Ravelry Notebook. It is so much fun. I can't wait to buy a digital camera of my own. I haven't done any knitting since Tuesday night's Fiber Floozies Meet Up. I better get moving I have so many projects in the works and more I want to start!

We have a foster girl named Pearl (that's her above lounging with Goblin) and a boy will be arriving tomorrow. The fact that there will be six mouths to feed is crazy. I love dinnertime, They all sit at my feet and talk to me as I prepare their food. It sounds like an opera!

In other VERY exciting news....I have signed on with Initials inc. to sell their line of personalized products. I am so pleased with the quality of the items and can't wait to hold my first open house and shows. I have everything ready and am in the process of doing a mailing and invite to my open house. I am posting a photo of my Sassy Jubilee Bag that I designed. Stay tuned for more about this awesome company and products.

On the home front the Love of My Life is home-improving yet again. Suffice it to say that every surface is covered in drywall dust and sawdust. The dining room is now smaller and more intimate. It is getting all new and very substantial moldings.Painting to happen next week. For an Accountant and Financial Planner he does good work. He is such a perfectionist and artist at heart that every job he tackles turns out better than professional.

A Wonderful Sunday

Sunday I hosted my knitting meetup group. I prepare an awesome (if I do say so myself) Chesapeake Chowder. I do have to Thank the Love of My Life and my son for Cleaning the entire house. They were such a huge help. They even did the baseboards. I will definitely be keeping them!

There ended up being nine of us. It was such a great way to spend an overcast winters day. I worked on a pair of cabled sock made with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, and Alex's tribal sweater. Thanks to Cheryl for un-knotting the yarn that Loki "knitted". That puppy sure has good taste. He tangled a baby alpaca, wool and silk blend that I am using for Alex's sweater. Michelle brought cookies and socks to knit. We had two new people join our group Lenore and Kathy. We were also glad that a few we haven't seen in a while were able to attend. Robin came with her daughter Veronica. Veronica brought a friend, Abby. I love seeing the next generation appreciating hand work. Amber (not my Amber) was here to share all her big news. She is engaged, so can now safely knit a sweater for her sweetheart. Her other news was that she is being deployed to Iraq for 6 months.

I am so blessed to have a hobby that allows me to meet and become friends with so many awesome people.

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want to

Actually I don't feel like crying. It's no so bad this turning 41.

I was supposed to go to dinner at my sisters yesterday and have birthday cake, however I felt awful so I stayed home. We are having dinner tomorrow (leftovers) instead. Last year the Love of My Life gave me a surprise party bless him. I didn't cooperate and he had to fight me every step of the way. I was happy after I figured out what he had done. This year I am happy to just be home. I will spend a quiet evening as Love has to work. You see Love and I have never made a big to do about birthday's or anniversaries. Everyday we have with each other is special. I don't mean to sound mushy, we just really enjoy each others company.

I grew up not celebrating my birthday until after April 15, I come from and accountant and a homemaker. When I was very young my mom planned the party and did all the work, as I grew older we just postponed the party until we could have a family dinner. I always made a big deal of birthdays until my kids were old enough to decide what they wanted to do. Usually they just choose to have dinner with the family followed by their favorite desert. They choose the restaurant or meal for me to cook.

In knitting news.. I must fill our must fill out my questionnaire for my pal in the hurricane sock club. I am 1/2 way finished my cabled rug from Simple Knits for Sophisticated Living, and almost 1/2 finished the tank from One Skein.

I also borrowed a digital camera from my mom so I can post pictures. Yay!

Hurricane Sock Party 2007

In getting ready for HSP2007 I have been busily shopping. What fun to shop for gifts.

I also took my latest foster Lola to her forever home. It is so bittersweet saying goodbye. On one hand I know she will be so happy as the companion of a teenager, on the other I will miss her cuddles and antics.

It is quiet here now. If you consider having 1 Mastiff, 2 Pugs and an African Gray Parrot, and one teenaged boy quiet.

Other knitting news.. I finished a scarf that has been hanging around forever, and a dishcloth for my daughter. That gave me permission to cast on for another spa cloth, pillow cover, and socks.