My brain hurts

Or maybe it has something to do with being cooped up, inside, because of the rain, with a classful of Grade 6/7's (smells and all) and the painters are at the school, and they are using some kind of enamel stink bomb paint, so you have to close the door. And the normally quiet, well behaved darlings have become, well, true teenagers. Oh my. Oh my.
My brain hurts.

I am knitting on a couple of things- my entrelac sweater is now joined at the shoulders, and the collar is just about done. The sleeves are going to be knit next, in stocking stitch (not in entrelac) The reason? I really don't think Popeye arms are "in" this season.

And... I have been knitting the Mason-Dixon style of "warsh rags" or whatever they called them-for my neighbour's daughter. She really likes them as face cloths, so hey-that's what you want, that's what you get (her birthday is coming up- she is either 12 or 13-can't recall). And she likes them all wrapped up around a nice bar of soap. With a ribbon. I knit her two in the summer, I have another 2 done, and I thought I would try for one more.

Man, I can be boring. Sorry. It's because my brain hurts.

Oooo-eee! I got my sock blockers! I actually have a picture (but don't currently have the camera) because Becky (the designer and artist) wanted to see my face when I got them. Just imagine a huge grin and lots of happy giggling- then you would get my face.
School is chugging along- it has some highs, some lows. I am finding it the hardest to do the full day- I come home ready to fall into bed. Hopefully, things will improve!
So- what have I been working on? Oh- the Breton sweater from Interweave (out of Fleece Artist Wensleydale Longwool in a range of mossy greens). The entrelac sweater. Big Blue (I have to re-assess as to whether or not I like the sleeve) And dish cloths (or "warsh rags") for my neighbour's daughter (she is 12- she loves them for her face cloths-and her birthday is coming up) I am using the pattern from the Mason Dixon girls- quite addictive. And socks. Always socks. And my fingers are STILL itching to start a new project! I must be out of my mind. On the PA Day (that would be a teacher in-service day) I stopped a principal and asked her about her gorgeous sweater-it was 1 strand laceweight mohair, and one of a cotton with nubs of different colours on it, knit into a cabled and openwork cutaway sweater. It was storebought, and it was really gorgeous! I can see that one would be able to reproduce it without much trouble. She even took it off for me to get a good look at it (she was a knitter, so she understood). And I am itching to try a knit skirt. It is of my own design-and it is begging to get out!
Hold me back, dear Lord!

For those who have lost a fur friend.....

This came from a friend-it works for me.

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own - live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. we cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan...

not gone, just gone on ahead.

R.I.P.

Mr. Boufu Butterscotch

May, 1995-September, 2006

God bless, little fur man.

Just a hint.....

Well, ya see, it's like this. I entered that KSKSwap (Knit Sock Kit Swap) and had a riot. I had, undeniably, the very best of both worlds. The person I gave to was appreciative of my efforts, sent wonderful emails, and was great fun to "chat with". The person who gave to me is imaginative, creative, a great emailer, and a very generous new friend. How generous, you ask? Well, hold on to your socks (heh heh) she made me a custom pair of sock blockers, after quizzing me on my likes and dislikes. She MADE them. She has a business making them and selling them- (Go and see- this is her blog- http://knitting-interrupted.com/ - the link to her store is there at the top)- but LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are MINE. Mine, mine, mine!!!!!! They are spectacular. Stupendous, gorgeous, copacetic, awesome, marvellous, and made even dearer because they were made for me. MADE for me. Oh I am so thrilled with them. Beck says she wants a picture of me with them- since she is sure there will be a grin there. (Oh yeah- there will be).
I am so lucky. I really am.

Wanna see somethin' purty??????

This would be the back, and part of the front, of my entrelac sweater. I am using Noro Silk Garden in colour 211, and am sort of, kinda using the Debbie Bliss pattern (I always change patterns). This is the sweater I had totally forgotten about I had put it away last spring and then promptly forgot about it (Hmm-maybe I have too many projects???) But I do love it.
Bouf-still hanging on-still being force fed. Still worried.

Today is an "at home day"

Because I suffer from chronic pain, I sometimes have to take a day off to put my knees up. And ignore the housekeeping. And just try to get back on an even keel. Today is that day. Sometimes, as a teacher, it is almost MORE trouble than it is worth to take a day off. The issue is have to write up every little thing that you do during the day so that someone else can do it for you. Blah. But it's done. I'm home. I hope to be able to return tomorrow.
New Knitty is up. It is completely awesome ! They get better all the time, I tell ya.
Bouf is not doing well. I tend to cry about that. So, if you know me, please don't ask about him.
And my knitting????? Well, I had forgotten about a sweater that I started last year-totally forgotten-it is an entrelac made out of a beautiful shade of Noro Kureyon. Pics when hubby brings the camera home-but the back is done, the front is almost done, then the sleeves and neck to go. Big Blue is on hold again-having issues around the sleeves. I made then snug (copying off a sweater I love) but now? Maybe too snug? heck-I have knit this sweater a gabillion times-I should have more to show.
I hear there is a knit-get together here in Kingston tomorrow night. Let me know if you want details!!!!!
Later-

Stuff.

One week down, and how many to go? Yow. Too many right now for my poor knee to consider. (it hurts) And Boufie? Well, he is still a big mystery. He went in for a nose to tail x-ray of his gastro system-and ? - nothing irregular. Blood tests? Nada. Nothing to report. Test for Addison's? negative. So the vet starts thinking about maybe something to do with spasms around the opening to his stomach (it slams shut so that nothing gets in) Maybe. How does one treat it? Prednisone. Okay-let's try one shot, see how it goes. OMG. He came home and ate (he ate!) and drank (like crazy) and even had a little play! And then it wore off. Back we go. Another shot. Not as spectacular, but the little fur guy is hungry again, eats and drinks. In fact, last night, we took him over to the airport (one of his all time favourite places) for a TGIF (and fish fry)-the best part of it all, I think, was when I looked over and saw my daughter riding her two wheeler around the ramp (it was allowed) (she only started to ride this two wheeler about 3 weeks ago- after almost 3 years of trying) and Bouf? he was sitting on the grass, throwing a chew bone up in the air and catching it, then rolling over on his back! In the meantime, my husband was giving rides in the airplane he and his students built. I had a bit of knitting in hand, and a comfy chair.

ALL'S WELL IN MY WORLD

Wedding rings...and other things.....

(click for big, by the way)
Michelle, over at http://www.alwayscastingon.blogspot.com/ is getting married (yeah!) and she and I have had a couple of emails about wedding rings. My husband and I had ours made for us, by an extremely talented artist, named Kim Snyder (and he is here, in Kingston). The guy is amazing! Now I am not a great photographer, but the rings are really something. They are called "water rings"- they symbolize "never ending love" since water, of course, has no beginning and no end. (blah blah blah) He said he designed them on a canoeing trip. (or a rafting trip-can't recall) (It has been over 12 years, after all). My ring has a little "window" in it-S's does not. The idea behind that is when (if?) you have babies, the window can hold a small diamond for each baby. (my diamond is on the way-A is 8 years old now!) So Michelle-this one's for you! All the best!

Give me an S...give me a C.... an H......

And that spells SCHOOL! I went back to full time teaching today (I haven't taught full time for a gadjillion years) . And my legs HURT. Big time. So I think I will be taking it fairly easy tonight- maybe some marking, a bit of knitting, and watching my hubby on CKWS TV at 5:30 (yeah- he was interviewed flying the airplane the kids built- and it is airing tonight as a "get back to school" feature)-I must admit, it does give me a big kick to see him on the tube. In the meantime-A had a fairly good start- said she had one problem because on of her friends yelled at her (this is another 8 year old who seriously needs to take a pill sometimes- the other kid, not my A) (My A tends to be a bit more laid back). The dog goes in for more tests tomorrow- X rays and blood tests-heaven knows how much this is going to cost! But he is frisky and happy-I just want him to be well, too.
More later....maybe even about knitting!

Last day before work!

Now remember here, I haven't been to work since March 23 (knee replacement, ya know). And I haven't worked full time since, oh-the 90's sometime. But, since Great West Life, in all their wisdom, have decided that I can no longer be considered disabled (since I don't have the old knee anymore-it is all titanium or whatever)-but the fact that the recovery has not gone really well matters not to them. THEIR doctor said I am ok (never met the doctor) but MY doctor said I needed the summer to recover. Still waiting to hear the final decision ( I, of course, appealed it). But, in the meantime, the bank account needs to be fed. So-ready or not-here I go. Back to work. (And my leg is not really ready-heck-the doc won't even let me go to physio-says my knee is not ready-so how is the job of an elementary teacher considered to be OK?) An interesting aside-the person who handles my file at the insurance company changed jobs. The one who replaced her is the same person who has been responsible for cutting off my disability 4 times now (most memorable- a phone call 6 days before Christmas, and 10 days before we took possession of our first house together). I am beginning to think this is personal. (By the way-each time the disability has been cut off, it has been re-instated-the company was found to be in error). Okay-rant over. Bouf is still not great-we will be trying out a new vet-one that will listen to us, and has equipment that works (the x rays have not worked out, because the machine is very old and keeps on breaking down). Keep your fingers crossed that he will be fine. Or at least better.
And the good news of the day???? If you are in Kingston (Ontario) you MUST try out the Jade Garden restaurant (on Bath at McEwen)-the best Chinese food I have had in quite awhile. My neighbour and I (and our families) went out last night (and took my mom) for a massive feed. Awesome. AND-fed 7 people for just under 70 bucks (including the Chinese beer). So go. Have a good feed. You know ya wanna. Family run business, by the way.
Later......
God these things are addictive.... (but oh so true, of course)

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Eyeballs

Hmm-seems I have some minor issues with my eyes- after spending five hours at the Emergency Eye Clinic. Don't get me wrong-I don't mind waiting for awhile in a hospital-means that I am not that sick-but they gave me an appointment!!!! Seems they gave the other 18 people the same appointment time. What's with that? Anyhow-the reason I went is because I had a red looking eye-and if I go to school with a red looking eye, the principal will point at me and say PINK EYE! and send me home (wait-what's wrong with that idea?? hmmmm) So I wanted to know, anyway. Seems it is related to my rosacea-it's like a super oil production in your eyelids-causing bacteria to clog on your eyelashes, combined with very dry eyes, and an allergy to something in the air. Sooooooo-a bunch of eye drops, and hot compresses-should clear it up. So how long with this regime-uh, dunno-until it's gone. So now I get to see the opthamologist in her regular clinic in 4 to 6 weeks. Seems she wants to follow me for awhile. It was kind of interesting when her resident told me to do one thing, and when I repeated it to her, she said,"Oh no no no-that would cause more harm than good." So how many people has he been telling this to, only to be considered wrong by the expert? (Glad I said something) She (the opthamologist) also found some preservative-free artificial tears, and preservative-free allergy drops-some free samples-because of all my contact allergies. Cool.
In knitting news-the wee baby who is getting the lambie suit is born-Riley, weighing in at 8 pounds 4 oz, almost 22 inches long-and he was about 4 weeks early! (apparently) The momma is doing fine-she must feel great now-since she is only about 4 ft 11 (wee baby must have been rolled up in a ball!) It was a C-section-apparently he started hollering as soon as his head was out! So that is going out to him. And my older sister, who sews and quilts and is way big into heirloom sewing, makes these hanky bonnets-a bit of batiste and lace-and a couple of stitches-voila- a bonnet. But the neat thing is that it comes with a poem-about the bonnet being worn by the baby, then, as a bride, take the stitches out, and it will become a hanky to carry with her bouquet. If the baby is a boy-it then becomes a gift to his bride on their wedding day. Cool, eh? Gets every hormonal mama weepy in under 10 seconds! Annie had one-I popped it on her head to be baptized in (on my first Mother's Day), and now it sits in her special box. (My sister sells these hanky bonnets, by the way).
And so-a little over 48 hours until school starts. And I go to work. Can you tell how tickled I am?

Just in case you think I haven't been knitting......

1. (You can click for big for any of these)
2.
3.
4.
5.
As I get ready for school (I teach Grade 6/7) and I realize today is the last Friday I can call my own for the next 10 months (brr-frightening!!!!!!) I thought I had best let people in on the fact that I really and truly DO knit!
Here's proof of what I have been up to.................
Picture #1- a green mohair blend scarf (Fleece Artist, of course) to go with the green sweater (#3)(This sweater is Fleece Artist Wensleydale longwool-like mohair without the fluffy falling off) (the pattern is out of Interweave) ( and yes, one teensy mistake- I am just going to sew a stitch over top-it will look like I twisted the damn stitch properly-so no, not going to rip that sucker out) Pic #2 is an aran made from Araucania wool, in a lovely mottled navy blue (I LOVE this yarn) The pattern is out of the Green Mountain Spinnery book (lots of good, basic patterns)(but with some flair). This is the front-the back is supposed to be this fancy, but I did the fancy "skirt" with a plain back. Next up-saddle shoulders on the sleeves.
Pic #4 is my Funky Scarf for the Funky Scarf Swap (so far-it isn't done) And the last picture is, of course, Big Blue with her new sleeve. I had knit all but an inch or two of the second sleeve , thought I ran out of yarn, ripped the sleeves out, then found the other ball. Hmmmmm. Made the sleeves narrower, but instead of the lovely striping I was getting, I got blotches and pooling and not so pretty. I tried modular sleeves-didn't care for them. Found this zig zag stitch-loved it-edged it in the Fleece Artist Ottawa-ta da! One narrow sleeve (I like narrower sleeves- they look better on me). Add about 3 other sweaters that are "almost done" and you have my works in progress. Crazy, hunh?
And- I checked out the proof for a pattern I designed for an upcoming book-oh my. They made me sound so smart. I could cry-I really could.
Bouf is eating today-I think he figured that since we have stopped picking at him, it's time to just eat and be normal again. The blood tests to show whether or not the dog has cancer were negative (Thank God). But he might have some sort of benign cyst or something growing inside his system. I am worried about him. But he does enjoy sitting on my knitting. So I plan to let him.

My Bouf Meister

Well, Bouf went in for testing for Addison's- came back negative. Now the vet is wondering about an xray or an ultrasound-just to see if he isn't growing something. Hmm- still doesn't make me feel really great. But he has been taking Zantac all week, as well as an antibiotic. His bark is different- sort of hoarse. But he is some better! (In fact, he got me up in the middle of the night, kicking on the fridge door- looking for leftovers-this is a favourite trick of his when he is feeling well) Thank you for all of the good will comments about my little fur boy. He truly is a special little guy. Next week will bring another set of tests for him-we'll see what that brings.

My Bouf

My boy is sick. Just because he is a furry covered, canine variety of boy doesn't make him any less my boy.
He is 11-but very "puppy frisky". When he came home with us (he was my first anniversary present) he was touted to be a SCHNOODLE (part poodle part schnauzer). But I really do think his mommy was a tramp! I think there is a cocker spaniel in his background. He is often mistaken for a soft coated wheaton pup (this picture doesn't really show that side of him to well). But he has weathered me through lots of knee surgery and "staying at home because my leg hurts" times. We never formally trained him-he really only knows "stupid pet tricks". (like he knows all of his 20 odd toys by name, and will go and fetch them when asked for a specific one). (Really) The vet thinks he might have Addison's-which is treatable, but requires a ton of money to find out. So off he goes to the vet today. More news tomorrow.

Weekend stuff

We went to a wedding at the Warplanes Museum in Hamilton, Ontario- it was really neat! The wedding itself was in a meeting room, and the reception was in the museum itself. (the groom is a pilot-so that was the connection) The bride and groom, at an earlier date, had taken a staged photo- he was beside the Lancaster(big, rare airplane) (my husband actually had a hand in restoring this one- there are only 2 left that actually fly-this is one of them) in a WW1 pilot's uniform- she had a flowing dress and her very long hair down, flower on the side- and the scene was one of her saying good-bye to her pilot husband, maybe for the last time. The photo was done in a tonal sepia print- very, very cool. (I think they used it as their engagement photo). The place cards were printed boarding passes, and the little gift at each seat was a little wooden airplane (the bride apparently made all of them- from kits, but still!!!!!). The music was upbeat-with some of the war songs thrown in. If you are planning wedding- this was very interesting. The service was impeccable. The setting for the reception was fascinating- we were sitting there, between these airplanes-couldn't beat that. We stayed in a Holiday Inn Express overnight (only had to tell one group-a family, it looked like, to go and yell and chat outside their own door)-and came back home on Sunday. Today, I had planned to go into school (it does start soon) but I need to take my daughter to a birthday party- at this child's family cottage- up near Chaffey's locks!!!!! So- can't really drive her there and then go to school, then come back and get her (at that point, I am closer to Perth or Westport) So that messes up a day. Well, I will go in tomorrow- and go and see what's up. Sean will be taking the little doggie in to see what is wrong with him- he has a hard time keeping his food down, and he coughs. I am so worried it is something really serious. I won't be able to talk about it if it is.

I got it-I got it!!!

Okay-enough whining here-I got me some loot! And without further ado, may I present............the BOX!
Okay-it came in a beautifully wrapped box,, and each thing was wrapped up in differently coloured tissue-it was really lovely-but, well, I was, um, anxious! So I ripped it all open before I took a picture of it!!!! Inside-a lovely felted bag, some hand dyed (hand dyed!!!) yarn with a nice challenging pattern (toe up AND 2 circs), a little knitted goodie bag with a shell inside, a couple of little boxes-with some cool stitch markers and a Florida tag-and a journal. Now, my pal said she had a special note for me-hmmmmmm-must have forgotten it, hmmmmmm-look around a bit-oh here it is-IN the journal. OMG. This is what was in the note-
A gift certificate-for my own LEGGY CREATIONS! Yessirree- my secret pal was none other than Becky, from http://knitting-interrupted.com/ She is the person I have been telling you about with those awesome sock blockers. Go and see her store at http://leggycreations.com/ It is worth the visit!!!!!! Thank you, Becky-it was well worth the wait!!!!!!! You done spoiled this old girl. Me happy.

What to do while you are still waiting...........

Edit: added later in the day:
It came! It came! I am a happy girl!!!!!!!
I will put pictures in tomorrow's blog-but let's just say-I have been spoiled !


Still waiting for that parcel to arrive- I thought for sure yesterday....now I am resigned to the fact that it will come-well, sometime. No amount of throwing up my fist to the sky and cursing the postal system, or doing the strange, contorted "package bringing" dance out on the lawn (and terrifying the neighbour's kids in the process) will help me at this point.
And so, I digress.
As some may know, I am quite interested in designing things. I do not fit easily into commercial patterns (for starters, my top half and my bottom half are of different sizes) I am also of, well, generous proportions. (I have two rather petite sisters-and when I was 15, I asked my dad, "What happened here????????" He said, "Well, you were made fast, and you were made in the dark." OMG. Never asked the man another thing again in my life!!!!!!!!!!) So I am used to adjusting patterns, or just starting from scratch. As well, math is not a challenge for me, so playing with the numbers is manageable. I often help others alter patterns (usually making the pattern bigger) But I had never designed for the general public. Enter http://knitty.com Excellent bunch of people. AND they are okay with people who want to design, but have never taken the schooling to be "a designer". I had an idea (it seems AGES ago) for a baby bikini. Out of Cascade Fixation. And in leopard print. With frills on the bum. The wee babe up the street was my model. Enter Knitty . They published the pattern. And that started me on designing other things. Coats, sweaters, Hawaiian costumes, whatever could be imagined and knit.
And now I have another pattern in the works-the editors want me to write my bio-100 words or less-so I had better get cracking and get that done.
While waiting for the mailman.

I think I've got it....

The Funky Scarf thing- NOT the parcel thing (had a dream last night that today was the day the package came) (We'll see) . This is taking up a fair bit of time-I think because I have no idea what is truly funky. No clue.
Anyhow- the scarf thing-my partner (the giftee, not the giver) said that if her job was different, she would like to have pink hair. Okay-------getting a picture here-this is a girl who likes to take calculated risks. So- I was checking out Jane Thornley (you can see her stuff here http://www.janethornley.com/journal_knitters.php ). She uses a main idea- like a colour, or a picture, or something from her garden, to focus in her work, then knits something. She has a very interesting stash, methinks, judging by the mix of things she uses. So I thought- hey-I could do that! I started with a colour family (purples and pinks) and gathered up all the bits that I had that would work together-then arranged it all in a grouping so I could look at it for awhile (gotta make sure the light wasn't giving me a false reading of colour). I have been walking past it for 2 days now- so far so good. I think I need to add a colour-it will probably be that acidic green in very small quantities. Then I will try to set up the beading.(Jane says she just doesn't do plain) I think we might have a winner here.
If I get up off my lazy b--- today, I just might take a picture of my grouping- let me know if you even want to see it.

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

It's still not here. I can't even talk about it.
As promised- here is the picture of the other attempt at a funky scarf- this was based on a description (and a pattern, as I recall) from an Interweave Knits magazine- about using the pooling tendency of variegated yarns to your advantage, and making a sort of IKAT design. So this is what came up with (I think it is Little Lola- except that I probably called it Anne yesterday). It is interesting, yes, but...? I can't say I am truly wild about it. So- back to the think tank it goes (or brain drain, depending on the day)

In yesterday's blog, I linked to the Interweave scarf gallery, and got a comment from one very talented Mandy (http://yarnageddon.com/) and she agreed with me about the general design of the submissions being "interesting, but..." except for one- the "Me and My Shadow" idea. She refers to it as "Brilliant"- and when you sit and think about it- it truly, truly is. (Go and see it- check out yesterday's blog for a link) If I had made a shadow of myself, and then wrapped it round and round my neck- yes, I would be very very warm. But the whole idea of shaping something to represent "x" and then using it in such a way so that no one really knows what it is (other than a scarf) -very intriguing.
I just got an email saying I have to write a 100 word bio of myself. Geesh. What to say? What NOT to say? Any ideas?