Saturday, December 30, 2006

My Wish for You

I hope you all have a wonderful, healthy, happy New Year! I'll be back in 2007 alive and kickin'!
Happy Knitting!

Friday, December 29, 2006

Christmas Swap Update

The second half of the Christmas Swap gift to Kathy has arrived. You'll have to go to her blog to see a picture of "her" because for some reason I can't find my picture in my computer. But, she liked it and I'm thrilled and I love her name!

Happy Knitting!

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Caution:Knitting Content Ahead!

I had every intention of getting on here and doing a Christmas post but time just got away from me. My parents arrived last Thursday, the Baby Boy arrived Friday at noon and it was busy, busy until Tuesday when they left. Blogging is something I'm always thinking about (someone else said that on their blog this week - I'm not copying it, I'm agreeing with it) but just never seem to sit and do too often. The picture thing is a pain in my side and even though I have the new blogger and have a webshots account it still doesn't do what I tell it to. I'll try to get more organized in 2007 and blog more, but no promises. :o)This is one of 3 scarves I've made since just before Christmas. This one belongs to the Baby Girl who insisted she needed a red and white scarf as soon as she got home from College. It took me longer than any of them cause, well, I kind of had a heart attack right in the middle of it. There's a mistake in the middle of it too, I told her I wouldn't fix it, it would remind her of her Mom's rough night.
Specs: Cascade 220-1 skein in red
Telemark in off white - 2 skeins
Needles size 10 1/2
Pattern: Odd Ball Knitting; Silk Bamboo Ribbed Scarf
Of course hers looks totally different because of the double yarn and bigger needles but the pattern was fun and she loves it.

I also made a scarf for her best friend/roommate that was done in the Yarn Harlots one row pattern in blue (cotton ease) and white (telemark). She loved hers too, and of course, we forgot to take a picture before she went home with it. Same thing happened with the Baby Boys. His is done in a Heathery Cascade 220, black and rust colored and then black Telemark. He was surprised because I was knitting it sitting here visiting with him Tuesday morning before he left and then I cast off, wrapped it around his neck and said this is for you so you don't get cold. Probably thinks I'm nuts but one of these days he'll be very happy he has it. His was also done in the Yarn Harlots Pattern. Great pattern if any of you need a quick knit, if you hold 2 strands together and do them on 10 1/2 or 11 needle. The blue and white one took me 2 days.
This is what the Baby Girl gave me for Christmas, minus the bear. More on him below. She went to my FLYS and picked out all these yarns herself. Even picked out that blue one on the bottom right because it has music notes (remember? she's my muscian)on the band. I was doing a happy dance! The Alpaca Grand is SO soft and snuggly. The Atacama is hand died and beautiful and she even looked into the glass case where all the top notch stuff is and bought me this skein of red Angora! Then she went to the store with her Daddy and "helped" him fill my stocking and I got the most wonderful bunch of knitters "must haves." You know, the sticky notes, pens, mechanical pencils, all those things that have to be in the knitting bag. That was a great surprise.
And, this adorable little thing is from my Oldest Baby Girl and 3 grandkids. Isn't it cute? She has on a knitted poncho and it came with a poem my daughter wrote for me, which I can't type here cause I can't get thru the 1st sentance without crying. It's really sweet though and goes right to the heart! So, this is now sitting in my sunroom, where I do all my knitting, watching over me. I love it! It was a very special Christmas for her this year because she is now a single mom and managed to give her 3 little ones a great Christmas and spoiled all of us too!

From my Baby Boy I got a Starbucks gift card (YEAH) and can't wait to use it. He got us all one and we've made plans to go to the big City tomorrow so we can get some Starbucks anything! I also got a gift certificate to Bed, Bath and Beyond, which isn't that far from Starbucks, so I'll go in there tomorrow too and see if I can find any good bargains. My Baby Boy knows what his Mom likes, huh?

I got a bunch of other stuff but that's enough typing for one day. The Baby Girl is getting bored so I'll go find something for her to do! (that'll never happen) I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I hope I'm back before New Years Eve with another FO, also a Christmas present from the Baby Girl, but I want to get it done before I show it off.

Happy Knitting!

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Late?

Here's hoping you had a very Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Blue Skies Over Georgia

I keep telling myself that it's December 16th but look at this sky! Beautiful! That is one of our 7 pecan trees. No leaves and no pecans. Not one pecan from 7 trees this year. That's not good cause I'm not paying for pecans!

What was the temperature you might ask? I'm not sure, see if you can figure it out. These are all within 10 feet of my deck. Go figure!
I'm working on a REALLY BIG sock and then I'm going to try really hard to get the Bistrow sweater sewn up. Maybe after a short little nap. I didn't take Beth's advice (forgot about it really) about the Chia Tea Latte before bedtime. Well, had one last night around 7 and watched that dang clock go around all night long. Finally said the heck with it at 5:30 and got up. Now I'm really, really sleepy.

Happy Knitting!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

12 Days to Go!

This is my 2006 Snowman. I collect snowmen and usually only the ones that say Let it Snow but this one was so cute I couldn't resist. And, it came from a school fundraiser and how can you say no to your granddaughter when she asks you to buy something so she can win a prize. Win she did, too, a huge stuffed tiger from some kids movie. Anyway, 12 Days till Christmas. Are you ready?


This soap was in a box of goodies my Baby Boy sent me to help pass the time when I got home from the hospital. I was so surprised! I wish I had taken a picture of everything but I forgot. I got 3 magazines, some yummy German cookies, this soap, a Saduku book and the neatest bar of chocolate you've ever seen. Dang, I meant to take a picture of that and I forgot. Hold on, I'll go get the camera, you have to see this chocolate bar....
I haven't touched it yet, as you can see, cause I'm trying really hard to stick to the no fat, no fried, no fast food heart disease patients rules. So far I guess I've done pretty good, I've lost 8 pounds (yippy) and haven't missed the junk food too much. Just knowing that this chocolate "Emergency Bar" is in my drawer helps lots though!
These arrived yesterday amidst all the Christmas packages. The UPS guy must be sick of our address by now. I ordered them as my reward for sticking to all the new rules for 2 whole weeks! I'm going to gift myself every week until, well, until I run out of gifts to me! The Artic Lace is very interesting to read and there are some gorgeous patterns in it I can't wait to try. This is my 3rd book of the Barbara Walker series and although I haven't looked thru it yet I'm sure it's great. #4 might be next weeks gift. The Victorian Lace Today book is like going on a trip and the pictures are beautiful! There's lots in there I want to make too.
This cute little couple was made for my mother-in-law, by me, several years ago (like 15) and I got them back when she passed away this past June. The color is aweful but I wanted to put them in here and didn't want to go outside. (Lazy) Her dress is actually peach and his pants are tan with dark brown trim. I made both my mother and mother-in-law a pair of them for Christmas that year. They're all crochet and were lots of fun. I always wanted to do a pair for me but never got around to it. So, now I have a pair, passed down after 15 years. My Mom's are done in blue and sit on a little childs potty chair in her room.

I'm working on my swap pals Christmas present, the handmade part and hoping to finish it up today. Better late than never!! She's been a great sport about it and I'm glad I'm still around to make it. :o) Thanks again Kathy!

Might just work on putting together my Bistrow sweater this afternoon if I'm up to it. It's all done, just the dreaded part of putting it all together.

Hope you're all enjoying your Christmas preperations and taking it all with a grain of salt! Don't forget, chill out every now and again and relax FOR YOU! Stress causes Heart Disease in women......I didn't even know that the indigestion I was having so much was a sign of heart disease! There's a great web site that is full of info and even though this might bore you to death, if you don't read it you might find yourself in my shoes and believe me, that was NO fun!

Happy Knitting!
Women's Heart Health

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Accents and Sunday Drives

What American accent do you have?
Your Result: The Northeast

Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak.

The Midland

The Inland North

Philadelphia

Boston

The South

The West

North Central

What American accent do you have?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz
I really had fun with this! I'm from Rhode Island, so this was pretty good. Even after living in the Southeast for 15 years I've still got it. But, I knew that, everyone in the South reminds me of it every time I open my mouth.

BTB took me for a ride today for a change of scenery. I love "This Old House" but after 10 days I needed a change. It was cold (21 this morning) but a beautiful day so we took a drive, stopped at Starbucks to get me a Vanilla Chia Tea Latte (YUMMO) and then lunch at Applebee's. That was such a treat and since they have the Weight Watchers menu I didn't blow my low fat, low cholesterol way of eating. Oh, and if you're not a coffee drinker, like me (I have cocoa/hot choclate every morning) try the Starbucks Vanilla Chia Tea Latte. It's out of this world!!!! I'm not a tea drinker either but this is totally different than anything I've ever had before.

Hoping to finish my fathers Christmas present that I started last November tomorrow so maybe pictures of it if I can work up enough umph to take the pictures.

Happy Knitting!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Christmas Swap Gift

I'm not a photographer, although I always wished I were, but here's a picture of the pile of gorgeous Christmas gifts my Christmas Swap partner, Kathy, sent to me. I just wish I could have gotten a better shot. In the background is the cutest, silkiest scarf with my favorite Christmas collectibles, Snowmen, on it and Merry Christmas written on it. Then, to the right are some chocolate covered spoons! The Baby Girl and I dug into this package FAST! Kathy made the handbag in the center and it's lined in the softest, silkiest fabric and she put a little Ginger Bread pin on the front. You can't see the button too well - told you I was a terrible photographer. The little purple silk bag had Kathy's handmade earrings in it and 2 bracelets and a necklace. I wore the necklace the night the package arrived. It's the one hanging from the left corner of the bag. Kathy I can't thank you enough for such a terrific gift. I love each and every item you sent me and will cherish them as my first ever swap gifts. Thank you!
This is a Hermione mitten that I made for the Baby Girl cause she's freezing walking to classes in this very unseasonably freezing Georgia weather. Well, she came home for Thanksgiving, said she loved the mitten but she doesn't have anything purple, could I make some red ones to go with the scarf she also asked me to make? Well, the scarf is trying to get done but the mittens are going to have to wait cause I've got to get some stuff off the needles so I can quit thinking about them. But, this is a fun mitten to make and only took 2 nights. Next time around I'll do it without the bobbles, they're just not my style.



The only good thing that came out of this heart attack business is the gorgeous flowers I've gotten. I've never owned a Poinsettia before and this one came from our friends and I got another one just like it from my parents. There's actually 2 plants in that basket. See the little flowers getting ready to burst open in that bottom right leaf? Beautiful. The cut flowers above are from my good friend who lives in Atlanta and gave me heck for having the heart attack. She's a year older than me and like me, couldn't believe it when she got the call. I also got another cut flower arrangement in a basket from my daughters roommates family. So, I'm feeling a little special.

Thanks for all the well wishes that you've all left in my comments. It's so nice to hear from you all. I'm feeling better but hate this sitting around stuff. My exercise is walking for 5 mintues twice a day and the rest of the time I'm to take it easy. BTB is making darn sure of that so when I think I'm going to sneak in a minute of something besides sitting he gets after me. So, back to my perch I go. I'm starting to knit a little but dang, I just can't concentrate. It's kind of hard to count rows when your brain is still trying to figure out why you had a heart attack at 49 and you read all the stuff about the stents they put in you to save your life. Yeah, I have them, 3 of them, and the drug coated ones, so I'm worried. Oh well, seems stress helped me get to that point so now I need to learn to get over it. I'll let the Dr. figure out what he's going to do about them when the time comes.

Don't stress out over your Christmas plans and to-do list. It's not worth it. My Christmas shopping is about done and I've done every bit of it with the computer and a credit card. The UPS guy brings it to my door - no gas, no crouds, no stress. LOL Not my usual way of doing things, but, for this year it worked. ENJOY THE SEASON!

Happy Knitting!

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Happy to be here!

So, how'd you like my guest blogger? She didn't do so bad, huh? Thank you Baby Girl, for handling that for your YOUNG Mommy~!

I'm telling you, what a week! I had a major heart attack (yes, me, at 49 years old! No, I'm not old enough for Grandchildren, never mind a heart attack), surgery followed as soon as I got to the the ER with 3 stents in my right artery and I came home last night around 7. Modern Medicine is amazing. My Dr. told me if I'd had this just 15 years ago I'd probably not survived (me - at only 49!)and if I had I'd have been in the hospital for weeks. I'm home now, being pampered, babied and cared for by my own personal "First Responder" BTB and doing nothing for the next 6 weeks! Can't even do any Christmas Shopping - Drs. orders. So, might actually get some knitting done but so far I haven't felt like it.

I hope you're all doing well, things are going well for you and that you enjoy your Holidays. I will, I'm here, I am a very grateful gal!

Sheri in GA

Note! The Christmas Swap gift will go out Saturday (can't manage if for the 1st) minus the knitted part - but hopefully that will arrive to you before Christmas Kathy. But, if not, it'll make a great New Years gift too!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

News from the Baby Girl.

Hi All! This is the Scrappy Knitter's baby girl. I was told to get on here an update everyone on the events of the past 24 hours. My Mommy had a heart attack last night. She's okay now. She had surgery as soon as she arrived at the hospital and says that she feels 200% better because of it. That was definitely good news for all of us. My Mommy is the one who holds the family together so I don't know how we would have survived had the situation turned out for the worst. I would definitely rather be with her right now but it's finals week in college and I don't think she'd be too happy if I flunked my first semester...I don't want to be the cause of a second heart attack. ;-) Just thought I'd let you guys know why she hasn't been on here. Please keep her in your prayers.

Kathy- My Mommy says that she will send out your Christmas present as soon as she can...but she'll have to send the actual knitted part a little later because it isn't finished (but I've seen it...and it is most definitely worth the wait!). She didn't want you to think she had forgotten. (Oh, and I saw the bag and jewewly you sent her. Too cute!)

Hope you all are having a good week!

Love, Her Baby Girl

Monday, November 27, 2006

A Knitters Medical Updates

No pictures, I was too pooped to move today. Maybe tomorrow AFTER the gym.

Just wanted to update my blog on the medical conditions of everyone. First off, the Baby Girl went to the campus infirmary this morning and she has a major ear infection in one ear and a not-so-major ear infection in the other. She called and said "Mom, you'd be so proud of me. I went to the clinic, got checked out and got drugs." Guess I should mention here that this is a kid that doesn't like going to Drs. and never does, unless it hurts as bad as an ear infection I guess and hates taking medicine. And, no clarinet for atleast the rest of the week. So, her Professor put off her final until next Monday. Good thing! Clarinetists can actually rupture their ear drums if they play with an infection.

After a 6 hour ride home yesterday and a really bad nights sleep, my father went to the Drs. this morning and he has a compressed vertabrae in his spine and his back was out of whack. He's feeling better this afternoon, just achey and goes back Wednesday and then they think that'll be it. He said the deep muscle massage was the best! All I did today was wait for the phone to ring to tell me how everyone was doing. I hate it when they're in pain, makes me worry too much and I walk around thinking about them till they call. Jeesh!

The broken legged Granddaughter couldn't get to school fast enough this morning to have all her friends sign her new, bright red cast. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it, but, I'll get one before it comes off.

My oldest daughter, who along with her oldest daughter, her father and I, were the healthiest ones for the holiday but, she messed that up yesterday. She was hanging Christmas lights outside and when she stepped off the chair she stepped wrong and twisted her knee! And, the oldest Granddaughter woke up this morning barfing her guts out so she's home in bed. Ever hear when it rains it pours? Guess it does around here. BTB and I are just tired, hoping we're not coming down with anything and not moving off our respective chairs in hopes that it'll keep us healthy!

My Grandson is doing well. He called me last night, whimpering, to tell me he really missed his Mommy and broke my heart. She was up there first thing this morning and when he told her he was getting a little home sick she said she was getting "son sick." He thought that was a hoot. We're hoping he'll be coming home with us when I go up with his Mom on Friday.

So, that's the medical update from the world of the Scrappy Knitter. Mom and my son are just fine and so far no complaints with them. Lets hope the rest of them do a whole lot better at Christmas, when they're all coming back for more.

Happy Knitting!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Life is Good - Crazy But Good!

This has been the most crazy couple of weeks I've lived thru in awhile so instead of writing all about it (I tend to be long winded when it comes to this blog) I'm just going to write them out in order so a year from now I can remember them all. It's been an adventure to say the least.

1. Grandson in the hospital for 6 days, meaning I stayed at their house for 6 days taking care of the 2 granddaughters. Granddaughter #2 also broke her leg in 2 places the day before they left for the hospital, so I had crutches and a one legged child to deal with.
2. Had one day to clean the house, do laundry, etc.
3. The day after arriving home from my babysitting job my parents, son, and Baby Girl arrived home for Thanksgiving.
4. Baked all day on Wednesday; deep dish apple pie, blueberry pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie, and these truffles -
Yum! First time I've made them and they were delicious.
5. My father spent the day Wednesday painting the trim in my sunroom while Mom and I baked.
6. BTB, the Baby Boy, the Baby Girl, my father, the Baby Girls best friend, BTB Best friend and his son all went skeet shooting the day after Thanksgiving. The Baby Girl has a huge bruise on her arm from the gun kicking so next time Dad says she's getting a smaller gun.
7. Parents left this morning in a rush cause evidently the painting didn't agree with my Father and he can hardly walk. I hope driving the 6 hours home doesn't agrivate it. He'll be at the Chiropractors office first thing in the morning.
8. Baby Boy left right after the parents and stopped at his oldest sisters to fix the light on her fish tank before heading home near Atlanta.
9. The Baby Girl is looking like this today -
She was going to leave at 9 this morning and woke up with a major earache so she's still on my couch, wrapped up in everyones favorite quilt (my No Peeky 9 Patch E-bay Nap Quilt), sound asleep with advil and day quil in her belly. She has all her finals this week and being a clarinetist makes it really hard with an ear infection. So, she's a wreck but atleast she's sleeping!
10. The Friday after Thanksgiving my grandson went back into the hospital for another round of tests so this week is up in the air too. Hoping to stay put on Monday and go up with my oldest daughter Wed or Thursday to see him. It's a 2 hour ride, so we have to time it just right to get the girls to and from school.

Thats been the last 2 weeks! Crazy but we're all still glad we got to spend Thanksgiving together and really had a good meal, good laughs and lots of hands of rummy!

Knitting, yes, I still do knit. While at my daughters last week I worked on Sven, a Scandanavian Santa I'm knitting for my father for Christmas. He's almost done and hopefully will be under the Christmas tree when they arrive in a month. I don't have a picture of him but will before I wrap him. I've also finished my Bristow sweater from www.knitty.com but there hasn't been time to pin it out to show off on here. I will, when I catch my breath. I've also worked on another pair of socks as my mindless knitting and love them! These are done in Regia Silk and EVERYONE here this week wants a pair. That's not happenin', I don't like making socks but I want enough for every day of the week for me! Selfish, huh? Here's the first one-
The second one is done but I havne't done the binding off of the toe yet. Maybe today if I'm lucky.
The Baby Girl also requested a long scarf as soon as she walked in the door on Wednesday so I've been knitting her a red and white scarf all weekend while visiting with everyone. It won't be done today like she hoped but hopefully I can take it up to her on Wed when I go have lunch with her. It's been really cold here in the mornings and she's getting a little chilly walking to her 8 o'clock class every morning. I'm shocked, she asked me to knit her one instead of running to the store and buying one. What a girl!
So, I think I've covered just about everything. I recieved my Christmas Swap gift over the holiday weekend and it's amazing! I'll try to blog and show pictures of all my loot tomorrow or Tuesday if life slows down just a tad.
Happy Knitting!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Turkey Day!

Have a wonderful, filling, safe Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Knitting!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

11-11-2006

I always sent my father-in-law an e-card on this day to let him know I was thinking of him on Veteran's Day. He served in the Korean War. He passed away 2 years ago in August and the first thing I thought this morning, after thinking my Baby Boy was 26, was that I couldn't send him one. So, to all Veteran's, past and present, Thank you!

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy!

11-11-80
He is 26 today! Like every mother, I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday!

I love you Nick! Hope it's a great year.

Knitting news later in the week.

Happy Knitting!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Did Ya? I did!

Did you vote? I did. If you didn't, don't complain!








My new socks. Love them! My feet are so happy.

Happy Knitting!

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Happy Pugs

Indian Pugs
Hawaiian Pugs (that's Libby in the multi colored)
Cowboy pugs
Pretty Black Pugs dressed in Pink
Just plain pugs
Groups of Pugs (that's Libby, on the right)
I'd guess there were a couple of hundred pugs at this years Southeast Pug Rescue Assoc. Pug Fest. What a hoot!

Friday, November 03, 2006

Busy as a ...............

Bee? Beaver? Just busy as a knitter, wife, mother, grandmother, just plain busy. Now, if I can get blogger to upload my pictures I might just get this post posted. Only been trying for a week!
My socks are finally finished. I've been working on them since June! I'm not a fast sock knitter or that excited about knitting socks, but I sure love wearing them. So, I now have 3 pair of home knit socks. #4 is on the needles.














Remember I said I was going to No. GA for the weekend? Well, can't go up there without stopping at the Yarn Garden. They had a big sale on Cascade 220 regular and superwash. 20% off the regular and a whopping 40% off the superwash. I bought some brown (6 skeins), the pink isn't really that pinky, it's more like a light rose color(6 skeins). BTB picked it out for me for the Many Buttoned Vest in Folk Vests. It's too hard tryin to pick one color out of that table full she had. The green tweed and white are just because I couldn't walk out of there with just 12 skeins. I also saw a lady who was knitting (they have the cutest little sit and knit room) and she was making socks out of Regia Silk and I fell in love with the color. So, those are my 4th socks that are now on the needles. Might have them done about April! There's also a store/warehouse up there that BTB and I love to walk around and I found this little lamb peg hook and just had to have it for my sunroom. I'm thinking of making some little tiny, mini socks to hang on it. Maybe a sweater and mittens too, since it has three pegs.














These cute little guys are from Mayfield Dairy near Commerce, GA. We looked thru their entire gift shop just to find some more sheep. Cute huh? Oh, and if you've never had Mayfield ice cream. Oh YUM! If you go to their gift shop and get a cone, it's C.H.E.A.P. - the least amount we've paid for 3 cones in years and years! I'm talking like a dollar a cone for a small and only 2 dollars a cone for the large. Last time we had a cone out it cost us around 9 or 10 dollars. Oh, and why 3 cones? Cause our Baby Boy met us up there on Friday (it rained, no work for surveyors when it rains) and spend the whole day with his Mommy and Daddy! That was a bigger treat than the ice cream (well, a close first, I love ice-cream!)














We also went to the Southeast Pug Rescue Pug Fest and what a great time that was! Have you ever seen a few hundred pugs all in one building? They are hilarious and after 2 hours we had to leave because my cheeks hurt so bad from all the laughing and smiling. Libby had a great time and I'll show pictures of her and all her new friends next time. Blogger isn't being too cooperative uploading these pictures and it's taking forever! But, here's what we bought. I got a journal to keep all our puggy info in and a gorgeous, hand made bowl with a pug in the center. These are the exact colors of my new kitchen so we couldn't pass it up. Libby had fun too, but was glad to get back into her truck, where it was quiet. I also got a couple of cute books written by a woman that has a pug named Wilson.














I had so much to put down here but now it's been so long I'm tired. The weather changed again last night and I woke up with a major sinus headache and have done nothing all morning. I wish the weather would just stay put. It was in the 80's on Wed and today it's 51! I like 80 and I like 51, but it's got to stay one way or the other. So, I'm off to fix a boiling hot bowl of chicken and rice soup and maybe work on that gorgeous Regia Silk sock. Pug pictures next time and the rest of my weekend.

Happy Knitting!

Monday, October 23, 2006

Happy Birthday Jay!

Today my grandson turns 8 years old. Wow, does time fly. And, I got to name him! His parents wanted him to be a junior but they didn't want to use his fathers name. Since his middle name is James I said why not call him Jay? It stuck. No pictures of him cause, well, all those pictures are on my PC and when the hard drive crashed I lost them all. Not a good thing.

So, happy birthday Jay. I love you lots.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Life Gets in the Way of my Knitting!

Are you ready for a long post? I've been busier than ever lately and will share it all with you. Yes, I have been knitting but haven't really had the time to take any decent pictures, but I'll try to sneak a few in here if blogger will let me.

Where to start. I guess the beginning of Sept. My oldest went into the hospital for a severe case of strep - I think I've blogged a little about that. Well, while in there for that they found out she had sleep apena, so, I've had to go up for the night twice since then so she could go into the hospital again for the sleep apnea testing. Of course, she has to be asleep so she goes in at 8:30 p.m. and is discharged at 6 a.m. So, that was interesting!

The Baby Girls College had a Family Weekend last weekend. They have all kinds of things they do on campus for the famlies but since the Oldest Baby Girl has 3 little kids it's too hard to try to stick to someone else's schedule. So, the Oldest Baby Girl, the Baby Girl, her best friend and I came up with our own Family Weekend. I stayed at the Oldest Baby Girls from Friday night till Sunday afternoon as did the Baby Girl and her best friend/roommate. We had a blast! We all went to a place where you paint pottery, then they glaze and fire it and you pick it up a few days later. I did a sheep for my collection. He's super, and a bank to save my quarters in for my yarn shop spree's - isn't he cute?

Saturday morning we all went to IHOP for breakfast, then went to the campus store and bought STUFF, then a football game at 1, pizza and movies that night and then Sunday morning we went to church and then out to lunch. I am so glad we did it that way, it was fun for even the little ones. Got to sleep in my own bed Sunday night and then Monday afternoon she called to say the hospital had a cancellation for the sleep apnea testing room and she really wanted to get it all over with so could I come back up to stay with the kids another night. I hadn't even unpacked my cot, my suitcase, so, off I went. Got home Tuesday morning then had to go back up there cause, well, Wednesday is the day I take the Baby Girl out to lunch and I had my hair done. Tired? Yup, I'm tired, and that's only a week or so of the craziness! It's been like this since the first of September!

Do I knit. Yes, lots. Do you know how much knitting you can get done when you watch 3 grandkids that are in bed by 8 (well, the oldest by 9 but she doesn't need me for anything)? Lets see. Amost done the dang sleeve for Bistrow. I swear those sleeves don't end! And I still have one to go. I'm working on the scarf that Vera blogged about and am loving it. I'm doing it in Rowan Cashcotton in a pale green. It is such a soft yarn and a great pattern for mindless knitting. You know, football games, grandkid sitting, waiting in the car. Since I'm not too good or too fast at socks, scarves seem to be my waiting knit. I'm about done with one felted slipper from Fiber Trends in Cascade 220. One more of those to go. I'm still plugging along on my socks but haven't picked them up in awhile. Knitting with dbl pts isn't something I can do fast, quick or without looking every once in awhile so I don't work on them too much. So, knitting is keeping me busy, I'm just not real fast since I do it more for enjoyment than to hurry up and get something done. And, as you can see from the last paragraph, life gets in the way and slows me down even more.

BTB and I are off for 4 days this week camping. We're going to a Pug Fest! Can you imagine 400+ pugs all in one place? One year their web site said they had 700! Libby (Liberty) is going as either Betsy Ross or as a very patriotic pug. I'm going to make her a red, white and blue cape and a night cap sort of hat. Had thought about the Statue of Liberty but didn't have the time to figure out the costume. I can whip up a cape and a hat to fit a pug pretty fast on the sewing machine. We're also going to spend the day Friday with My Baby Boy, who lives up that way. It's been a few months since I've seen him so I'm ready for my big bear hug. Oh, and great timing from The Yarn Garden up there. They sent me an e-mail this morning that they're having a Cascade 220 sale and guess who's going? BTB says "anything you want Babe" so it's on the list.

Are you tired of reading yet? Did you guess where I'm going to be wearing my Mystery Stole II at? I was going to make this a contest because I have a book to give away but I remembered that I posted a comment to Ann's blog, so, that won't work. Anyway, BTB is taking me on my dream vacation to......drum roll please.......the Keys! Yup, all the way to the bottom, just like Ann did a few weeks ago. We'll be camping right on the beach, watching the sunset, then we'll turn around and watch it rise. I've always wanted to spend a week sitting on a beach knitting and reading and listening to the waves and that super, terrific, wonderful man I married is taking me down for 2 weeks! I will be in total heaven! We're going in January, 2007, so I need to get one of those ticker things up there on top of my blog for my count down because let me tell you, I am one excited lady!

I'll have to think of a contest to have to give away the book. I'll think about it with BTB's help while we're in the GA mountains watching pugs!

See you when we get back and I hope to have some more knitting to share with you and yarn aquisitions from my yarn shopping spree. It's not Rineback, but it's better than nothing!

Happy Knitting!

Friday, October 20, 2006

Most Hate Them, I Like Them!

Think about it. How else can you keep track of your kids? I save every one of these that my 3 kids send me. That's how I know what they like, what they hate. So, because life is keeping me unusually busy (and tired), I give you this..........

48 Things You Could Care Less About. . .

1. FIRST NAME? Sharon

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope, Mom just liked the name.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I don't cry much, I water up a lot. I water up every time I leave the Baby Girl, or the Baby Girl leaves me.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I like my typing better.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Ham and cheese (oh, lunchmeat - ham)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? As long as I understood my moods, sure, I'd make a great friend.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No, you know at some point in life someone is going to read it, and that wouldn't work.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, lost those suckers at the age of 13, same time I met BTB.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Oh, heck no!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? My Favorite is Lucky Charms, but, I eat Raison Bran Crunch.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I live in the sunny south so no, I wear flip flops or sandles until about November, then I wear clogs.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I guess, hope I don't have to find out again.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate Chip - with big hunks of chocolate!

14. SHOE SIZE? 9 1/2 Used to be a 9 but something happened a few years ago and it went up a 1/2 size.

5. RED OR PINK? Red is my favorite color of all time but lately I find myself buying more and more pink. Age related?

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Besides the fact I hate cleaning house? Letting myself get a paunch!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Right now BTB. He went to the Baby Girls High School to work in the consession stand again cause it's homecoming and his best bud said they'd be real busy and need the help.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? How else will I find out about you?

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black shorts, white shirt, denim blue flip flops.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Chocolate pudding with the free 1/4 cup of lite cool whip on top. A dieters delight!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Fox News (see, you just found out something about me you didn't know. I love Fox News).

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? RED

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Newborn babies, fresh baked bread, English Leather, my Mom (she always smells so good).

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The Baby Girl (thought I was going to have to say some politician looking for my vote, but, she called while filling this out. Good kid).

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Hmm, I don't notice anything, I guess. Unless they're dirty, stink or have rotted teeth.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I don't know her, but I love her blog!

27. FAVORITE DRINK? A.M. Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate (cocoa), Midday Nestle' Water, P.M. More water

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Used to be baseball (Boston Red Soxs) but, now? Football if the Baby Girl is in the Marching Band at half time.

29. EYE COLOR? Brown

30. HAT SIZE? Average - never measured my head before.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I wish! I wear glasses - bifocals no less.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Crab legs

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings most of the time. I like scary movies if I'm not home alone (like now)

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither! Summer here is too dang hot and winter is so cold it goes thru you like mist. I like fall and spring.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Both! What can be better than a big hug and kiss? Notta!

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate cake with white frosting.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Do you read my blog? If you read blogs, you're probably sick of these things.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? whoever doesn't feel like figuring all this stuff out about yourself.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? I just finished one last night but can't remember the name or author. It was good though!

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? I have a Vaio, so, no mouse pad.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Everybody Loves Raymond and some History Channel thing about a huge ship.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My 3 kids and their Dad having a discussion about anything. Love hearing them all talking together.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? When in RI the furthest was Montana, since living in GA the furthest has been RI. LOL

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I don't have any talents, I gave them all to my kids.

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Warwick, Rhode Island

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No-one sent it, I got it from Stitches of Violet's blog.

Happy Knitting!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

I Love Gold!

Just so you know I'm still around. Been busy around here. Here's something for you to read, I've been finding this quiz on lots of blogs. It's pretty accurate too, which is nice. :o)
Happy Knitting!






What Color is Your Brain?




GOLD:

At work or in school: I like set routines and organized ways of doing thingsl rules and directions are a great help to me. I prefer to stay on one topic at a time. I need to know what is expected of me, and I always want to know if I am on the right track. I like subjects that are useful and traditional, such as business, accounting, history and government.
With friends: I prefer people who are careful with their money and who make plans ahead of time. I like my friends to be loyal, dependable and on time. I am serious about love and show it in many practical ways.
With family: I like stability and security and enjoy traditions and frequent celebrations. I like to spend holidays with family members, and I plan ahead for such gatherings.
Take this quiz!








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Wednesday, October 04, 2006

A Sweater that Fits!

Sitcom Chick Sweater
Pattern - Bonnie Marie @ Knitty
Yarn - Cotton Ease by Lion Brand
Color - Pistachio
Needle Size - 7 (I think)

Great sweater, great fit, I love everything about it. It looks a little crumpled because, believe it or not it was chilly this morning when I went to have lunch with my 2 daughters and I had to put it on. I'm going to try putting some elastic thread in the ribbing on the sleeves because I like them pushed up (as you can see by the wrinkles in the sleeves) and they wouldn't stay up. BTB took the picture and didn't bother telling me that the right front was turned in (that's a man for ya) but I put a button on both sides because I won't need to button it. The buttons are silver pinwheel type and I really like them on there.

I finished my Mystery II Stole this past weekend and just got around to blocking it yesterday. BTB came home and said "Bet whoever wrote that pattern didn't expect it to become a hallway runner." Smart butt! The hall was the only place long enough, and gated, to lay it out. It came out great and I really love it. Guess where I'm going to wear it to? I'll keep you guessing till next time, can't have the post going on forever.
Mystery Stole II
Pattern by - Melonie at Pink Lemon Twist
Yarn - Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud
Color - Iris
Needles - Knit Picks Options
Size - 4
I'll try to have some non blocking shots next time.






This is the Baby Girls Marching Band - College Style. There's nothing quit like going to a GA football game and waiting for halftime to see your Baby Girl! I take binoculars so I can see her up close! She makes us proud! So far we've been to all her home games and this weekend I get to go all by myself. BTB (don't laugh) is driving the U-Haul with all the band instruments to an away game for the Baby Girls High School! I keep telling him we've graduated to college but he hasn't got it yet. They're also having their classic (Marching Band competition) next weekend and he's working at that too. She and I will not let him live it down!














I'm still working on the cabled sweater and should have the other front done soon. I'm trying to decide what to knit next but haven't come up with anything, although I have tons of ideas. I hate to have to buy more yarn (cough cough) but the 2 or 3 patterns I've pulled out call for yarn I don't have. Imagine that!

I've also joined the Handmade Christmas Gift Swap that Beth is hostessing. I'm excited about it as it's my first swap but nervous about it cause I don't have too many ideas yet about what to make my swap pal, Kathy. But, I'm sure I'll come up with something, just hope she likes what I come up with.

So, until next time, Happy Knitting!





Edit - All those dang spaces weren't in there when I wrote this thing! Jeesh! I think it's time I figure out this html stuff and get this blog up to speed. I bought a book but it doesn't tell me much so this weekend while BTB is away I think I'm going to spend some time figuring out this blogging stuff. I'm tired of spending all this time writing and getting the pictures just so and then they don't look right on the blog. Wish me luck! Can you really teach an old dog new tricks? I sure hope so!!!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Cameo is nice!

You Are Cameo

You are understanding and very empathetic.
You don't tend to have acquaintances. Everyone is your friend.
And all of your friends tend to be friends. You have a knack for bringing very different people together.


Thanks to Beth for this idea.

Monday, September 18, 2006

The Pug and the Hog

Yes, Libby loves the hedgehog. Here's proof:
Meeting the "Hog" for the 1st time
Getting a little closer
The "Kiss" between Hog and Pug

The culprit of the missing hedgehog is the one smiling in the background of each of these pictures!

Happy Knitting!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Yes, still here, and yes, I still knit!

It's been an amazing couple of weeks around here to say the least! Spent a week with the oldest baby girls kids while she spent a week in the hospital! Wow, you can get a lot of knitting done while your kid's in the hospital and all she wants to do is sleep.
I stayed with her the first night because she was so bad and then spent the days with her and the nights with my grandkids. 3 kids can wear you out when you're my age! She's on the mend but still not 100%. She had a bad case of strep throat, tonsilitis and now they're thinking it all stems from Mono! She has to go tomorrow for another blood test but they're thinking that's what it is. What's really ironic, they rushed her into the hospital the night of her 29th birthday, so, we spent the night together just like we did 29 years ago. Scared me to death, she did! 29 years ago she just made me really happy to be a Mom! Oh, and the vest that I made while I watched her sleep? It's from Mountain Colors in their Merino Ribbon. It is wonderful yarn and a really fun project. I have another pattern for a button down vest that I'll do one of these days, but that Merino Ribbon isn't cheap, so it'll wait awhile in the "things to do pile."
This is what a marching band student looks like after 6 weeks of being outside in 100 degree weather for Marching Band! Bruised toe, ant bites (yes, in the South those ants BITE hard) and a tan line from flip flops! She came home and spent the long holiday weekend with us and we enjoyed every minute of it. While she was here I was making myself a little present, but, I lost it to my College Freshman who decided he had to go home and live with her in her apartment or he'd be really upset. What was it you ask? This:

Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw? I did it all in one day, except his eyes. I'm just going to have to make me one now, this little guy now resides in a college apartment with a thief and here I thought my knitting bored her! This is a Fiber Trends pattern that I found awhile ago and I ordered the complete kit here. It's the huggable hedgehog. Time to order another one.

And this - (not yet blocked)is the Sitcom Chic sweater from Bonnie Marie Burnes. It's also the first time I ever used Lion Brands Cotton Ease and I loved it! Loved it so much I'm now making the Bristow sweater from Knitty (by Melonie Gibbins) in the red Cotton Ease! I ordered every color that Smiley's had available a few weeks ago when Bron was talking about it. Love it, it's exactly right for the temperatures here in the South in the middle of the winter.

I've also been working on this -
Excuse the pug butt, but, she's a pug, always loves being in pictures, no matter which end is showing. This is the Mystery Stole II project I've been working on forever! I have the last 2 repeats of the second side to go, then the edging and it'll be done. It's a beautiful stole and I've really enjoyed working on it. I'm doing it in Knitpicks Alpace Cloud in the color Iris. I've had this yarn forever but never liked the little, tiny laceweight yarns, so I doubled it and it's turning out great. It's going to be nice and big to wrap myself in when I'm freezing this winter. Or, I might just hang it from the stair bannister and admire it forever.

I found these today while in the big city and for less than a dollar each, I couldn't resist spelling out my very favorite past time and putting them in my sunroom/knitting spot. They're just wooden blocks with letters carved into them but they fit just perfect over my sunroom window.

And, one last picture. I've blogged before about Squirt, the kitten that showed up on our doorstep back in March or April, well, this showed up about 3 weeks ago and, yes, he's staying by the looks of things. As if 2 dogs, 2 10 year old cats, one "old" kitten weren't enough we now have a new one to add to the list. He's got the most gorgeous eyes and HUGE ears! I'm trying to find out how to say "ears" in another language so we can call him that.

If Blogger wasn't so dang slow at uploading pictures, etc, I might blog a little more often, but, this has just taken me almost an hour and I have lots of knitting to get to. So, till next time - Happy Knitting.