Hello?

I'm still here ...

Busy at work ...

Busy with the kids ...

Knitting when I can ...

Blogging even less ...

Will write more soon.

Happy Mother's Day

I know Mother's Day was last week, but I just have to share.

The day started with the girls fixing me a special breakfast of Special K cereal. It was special because I didn't have to fix it ... good enough for me!

Next, the girls gave me a new bead for my Pandora bracelet. They gave me the August birthstone since that's the month I became a mom.

I'll admit, I picked my gift and told DD#1 exactly what to get and where to go to get it. You do what you gotta do, right?!?

DD#3 gave me a coupon book with coupons good for things like cleaning her room, rubbing my back and snuggling with me ... the best gifts ever!

DD#2 then presented me with a poem she had written for me. As if this wasn't enough, she had the honor of reading it during the program her grade presented Thursday night at the PTA meeting. She received a wonderful response from the audience and brought me, and many others, to tears.

Here is her poem:

MY MOTHER

My mother's really pretty,

My mother's really sweet.

We play lots of fun games,

But it's she I cannot beat.

My mother's really smart.

My mother's funny too.

It is a miracle that I was born from you.

My mother's really good.

My mother's really kind.

I'm so happy that she is really mine.

Quick Post

I didn't manage to post over the weekened due to this:



DD#1 had a very special dance to attend ... prom! The day started bright and early ... she had a hair appointment at 8am and the day didn't end until 4am since the kids went to the after-prom party. They had a great time!

Here are a few Rockin Sock Club photos - completely loving this yarn and pattern:

Happy Monday

Thanks to everyone for crossing everything you could cross and for your good thoughts about DD#1's condition. It worked ... Ex-DH was able to get us an appointment with the neurologist on Friday. We don't have any answers yet, but they are at least trying to figure out what's going on. We have a plan and hopefully something will show up that explains these episodes. Thankfully, she hasn't had another.

I owe you a few photos so here ya go:

These are the socks I finished last week (?). They are made of Regia Bamboo ... LOVE IT!!! The pattern is the Baby Cable Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlotte Schurch. I can't wait to do more patterns from that book and I'm hoping to get her next book, More Sensational Knitted Socks.



Of course I had to get a new pair of socks on the needles right away ... I present Cascade Fixation in the Herringbone Eyelet pattern. These are fun to knit and I've gotten many compliments on them. These picture were taken Friday night ... I did a fair amount of knitting Saturday and have turned the heel on one sock and am on the heel flap of the other.



I didn't get much knitting done yesterday because I took a crochet workshop and practised that when I got home. Here's my first attempt:



Not too shabby, if I do say! The charity group I knit with, From the Heart, offered a workshop yesterday and I decided what the heck, I'd give it a try. There were about 30 ladies there - some had never held a crochet hook before, some with more experience. I knew how to chain stitch, but that was about it. I enjoyed it and am glad I learned to crochet. One of the ladies asked if I would convert from knitting ... NEVER! But it'll be nice to know how to crochet and even add crocheted edges to some of my items.

Crochet does go faster than knitting, so maybe I'll use that for some of my charity work ... crocheted hats and such. We'll see. Regardless, it's great to learn new things.

Trying to catch our breath

DD#1 had another episode of hyperventilating this afternoon at school. I received a call from the school nurse that DD was in the clinic. I literally grabbed my purse and left my desk. Didn't shut down the computer or anything. Told my boss on my way out what was going on.

By the time I got to school to pick her up, the nurse had gotten DD's breathing almost back to normal, which subsequently got her pulse rate down (it was 160 bpm while she was hyperventilating - should be around 120ish).

I took her to the pediatrician and they have no explanation. The doc was concerned that, among other things, it's happened twice in less than a week and there is no obvious "trigger". The doc referred us to another pediatric neuroligist ... whose first available appointment is August 13th!!!!!!!! Neither DD nor I can wait that long ... fortunately my ex-DH works for the facility where the neurologist's practice is so he's trying to get us an earlier appointment. We should know tomorrow when they can see DD.

Please keep your fingers (and knitting needles) crossed that it'll be very soon. We're all terribly afraid this will keep happening.

Not MIA ... not really

It's been an odd couple of weeks here at the Casa de Bling. I've wanted to do nothing more than knit, yet when I sit down, I don't wan't to knit ::gasp:: I'm not sure what's up with this little funk, but it had better pass quickly.

I'm still in recovery mode ... I had to take DD#1 to the emergency room Thursday after work. She was hyperventilating and had a very rapid heart beat and we weren't sure what was going on. Long story short, after an overnight stay here (CJW Hospital) and numerous tests,
they still couldn't determine what had happened or why or if it would happen again. Ugh! I'm going to be on the phone over the next few days with the pediatrician and another neurologist to try to get to the bottom of it all.

DD#1 is fine now, but what a lengthy, exhausting experience it was for everyone.

I did actually pick the knitting up while at the hospital - 28 hours of sitting in a hospital room, waiting and worrying will do that to you. In fact, I have 2 FOs to show for it. I'll try to get photos of those and some that I owe you for other items I've been working on posted in the next day or so.

The Happenings

I can't believe it's been over a week since my last post. There has been much happening ...

The knitting of the socks:

These are the STR Rockin Sock Club "Inside Out" socks in the Monsoon colorway ... still lovin 'em. This pattern has had numerous 1sts for me ... 1st sock of the '07 Rockin Sock Club (okay sorry, that one was SO obvious), 1st toe-up, 1st using different sized needles for different parts, 1st short row toe. And did I mention how much I heart the way these socks are striping?!? Yummy!

The viewing of the art:

This is the artwork of DD#2 (purpley circular abstract) and DD#3 (bluish diamondy-triangular abstract). Their art teacher at school selected these pieces to exhibit at a local mall. Artwork from students all over the county was on display - each school was represented. We went to the opening and took lots of pictures. Daddy and Grandma came to see the exhibit too. The girls were so excited!

The meeting of the little girls:

This is Caroline and Betsy - the BEAUTIFUL daughters of friend and fellow knitter Maggi. Betsy just came into Maggi and Caroline's life in December, when they traveled to China to adopt her. She's such a happy baby - they make a beautiful family! Hi Girls!!!!

And the watching of the hoops:

This is my bracket. I'm holding my own against the guys at work. I finished the 1st round in 1st place, and halfway into the 2nd round I'm in 2nd place. Not bad for the girl that doesn't know jack about basketball! And before you ask, no, I didn't pick my teams based on the color of their uniforms. I don't even know what color any of them wear. BTW - I won the bracket last year!

But not so much of the posting lately ... sorry.

More on Socks

And here's the progress after a few days ... I haven't done as much as I had hoped because I haven't been feeling the best, but I'm feeling much better now, so hopefully more knitting will happen!

I'm casting on for Sock#2 today with Friend - she didn't get her yarn until yesterday and I waited to be able to walk her through the cast on.

And because I know enquiring minds want to know: I'm knitting the medium size using US1 for the toe, heel and leg and US0 for the foot. Although, I'm considering doing the leg on US2. I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know.

To answer a few questions ...

From Mary: Are the purl bumps on the outside of the toe? Yes they are - the toe is knit in garter stitch! Totally cool!!!

From Courtney: Are you having trouble with the toe looking bulbous as the ribbing pulls the sock in tighter? I don't think so - it's slightly larger than the foot, but that's because a) the foot is knit on smaller needles; and b) the foot is ribbed which naturally draws the fabric in. I was also thinking that because I'm using #0 and #1 vs. #1 and #2 that you're using, that may have something to do with it too ... the difference in size from #0 (2mm) to #1 (2.25mm) is not as big as #1 (2.25mm) to #2 (2.75mm) needles. It's only a quarter mm difference on the smaller needles and a half mm on the bigger ones. Maybe - I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud here.

And to Joanne in Blustery Western New York: By all means, write me if you have any questions. I don't claim to have all the answers ::grins:: But I'm sure we can figure them out together!

Hi Rho!!! Hi Wannietta!!! Didn't want to leave you ladies out! Thanks for stopping by and the girls loved the compliments. And Rho, love the new blog name.

In other sock news ... DD#2 finished her first sock! I'll post a photo when she's completed the pair. I actually kitchenered the toe for her, but she'll do the kitchenering on Sock#2 herself. I had her cast on for Sock#2 immediately ... no SecondSockSyndrome here!

Ciao for now!

Show & Tell Time

As promised yesterday, I've got some photos to share.

This is the little baby hat and sock set I finished last week for a co-worker's baby shower gift. I think they turned out great.

And this is the yummy Chocolate Scarf I'm working on:

I know the picture seems a little dark, but that's just how rich the color of this yarn is. Totally lickable, I tell ya!

Here's DD#2 working on ... her FIRST SOCK!!!!!! (Can you tell I'm a proud mama?!?!)

And here are my latest socks:

This is the Baby Cable Rib pattern from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks. I really love this book. This is the first pattern I've done from it, but I can tell there will be more. This was a gift from one of my Secret Pals ... Thanks again Emy!!!!

I'm knitting both socks at the same time and really enjoying it so far. As you can see from 2nd the photo, I've just started the leg/pattern on one sock.

I may have to put these down for a few days as I have one or two more baby gifts to knit for upcoming baby showers at work ... there must be something in the water ... 4 babys due in the next few months ... remind me to stay away from the water!

A Whole Lotta Knittin'

... going on!

I've been working away on my Jaywalkers. I'm using Austermann Step. Can I just say ... I'm loving this yarn! Okay, I'll admit, I work very hard to knit only with yarns I like. Why knit with crap yarn if I don't have to, know what I mean?

This pattern is working up great, too. It's easily memorized. I was hoping to start on Sock #2 this weekend, but didn't get as much knitting done as I had planned.

We had Girl Scouts (need to order any cookies ... let me know!) Friday evening. Saturday I ran errands and went to a party with a friend. Today we had my godson's little brother's 2nd birthday party and then dinner at the parentals'. A very full weekend that didn't leave as much uninterrupted knitting time as I'd like. But alas, I'll have a little time in the morning ... due to the weather, the kids will be going to school 2 hours late. We've got some frozen stuff mixed with rain falling from the sky and it's all freezing up now that it's cold and dark out. Maybe I'll make some french toast for breakfast ... yummm!

I mentioned a whole lotta knittin ... well I wasn't the only one working on a project. DD#2 is working on a hat (oops, forgot to take a picture) and DD#3 (shown at right) is also working on her SECOND hat using the Knifty Knitter she got for Christmas.

She finished one hat already, but it was a smidge short for her. So she gave it to her cousin. It's not this neon in real life.

In that picture of her, she's using a Dora the Explorer tote bag to keep her knitting stuff in but it's just not big enough for the Knifty Knitter looms, so we bought a plain canvas tote and made it not so plain:

Sloppy Joe

I promised to tell you why the quote (When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.) was so appropriate for Saturday.

I am not the most organized mom around. But I manage. I know that things would be easier if I were more organized, but that's another post.

I managed to go to the grocery store Thursday evening and actually get the groceries needed for the next few days meals. I had a menu/plan and I was set! Friday night we grabbed something quick because we didn't get home until after 8pm due to Girl Scouts. So, Saturday I was going to make sloppy joes, tater tots and corn. This wasn't the first time for this particular meal. It's virtually a staple both at my house and my parents' house.

The girls asked what was for dinner as we were driving home. I told them the menu and darn if EVERY ONE of them didn't complain and say they don't like sloppy joes. WHAT?!?!?!?! DD#1 says she's never liked them, she just eats them because we told her too. DD#2 doesn't like it on bread (how else would one eat sloppy joes?). She just wants the meat. DD#3 doesn't like them anymore either. Now mind you, they had just eaten this meal a week ago. And they all ate everything on their plates.

Well, my patience were running a little thin so I basically told them this wasn't Waffle House and they were going to eat what I fixed. If DD#2 wanted only the meat, no bread, fine. Much whining and fussing ensued. But I didn't care ... mom on a mission ... gonna fix the meal I planned!

I get home and start getting ready to cook. I pull out all the ingredients, get the skillet on the stove to start browning the meat, put tater tots on a cookie sheet, pour the corn into a pot. I get the ground beef out. The Manwich can calls for 2 pounds ... I only have 1 pound.

It was time to yield ... I called out for pizza.

Our own Rachael Ray

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was nice. DD#3 is becoming a regular Rachael Ray ... not only does she love watching her show, but she loves helping in the kitchen. Here she is helping with our Thanksgiving feast, making deviled eggs:


And here's the crustless pumpkin pie she helped me with for Thanksgiving:




I've been busy working on SSCPs. I've completed 2 more and should have another 1 or 2 done in the next night or so. I don't have an actual count of how many I'm going to do ... I'm just going to keep knitting away until I run out of time. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'll let you know how that works out.

Well, the knitting needles are calling out to me. More later!

Oh what a beautiful morning!

So I'm at work this morning. I actually got there a little early today. I was responding to emails and retrieving messages from voicemail. A co-worker called to advise she wasn't going to be in today because she wasn't feeling well. On my desk, I keep a clipboard with a list of my team members and where they are that week. As I was writing on that list that she would be out of the office, I noticed that someone had indicated they'd be coming in late because of a doctor appointment that morning. When I looked over to see who it was, I about stroked out ... it was ME!!!!!

So ... at 8:25 ... I take off running out of the office ... I quickly walk the almost 2 blocks to the parking garage (and I had a GREAT parking space this morning) ... I carefully quickly speedily drive break multiple speed laws to get to the local high school to pick up DD#1 (who had literally just gotten off the bus at school) ... we hastily drive to the pediatrician's office for her annual checkup/med check (which I had to wait several weeks to get the appointment).

We made it with 5 minutes to spare. Whew!