What is wrong with people?

Seriously? So last night I was on cnn.com catching up on the national news, and I came across this story. The video made me cry. Any adult who can do that to children has no business being around them. I hope they get jail time. Even the older sibling (who was no older than 4 or 5) who tried to save the younger brother knew what was going on was wrong. How could a parent think it's right?


Then this morning I see this story in the paper. Now I know we don't have all the information yet, but seriously... what is wrong with people? Even in the best case scenario that the child died of natural causes, what made the mother think it's ok not to contact the authorities?

It breaks my heart that things like this happen at all - and that it happens to children just makes it that much worse. It brings out the 'mama bear' in me - I want to help and protect these children, but the best I can do is protect my own!

More Cancer

It seems at least once a year I know someone who gets cancer. Some years it's more than that, but minimum it's once a year. This year it's been more, and yesterday we got the news that someone close to us has been diagnosed. Later this month we'll hear back about that person's bone scan, so we'll know more about the severity.

This familiar and frustrating waiting has me feeling very helpless. We live far from the family, so we can't make meals or visit or anything of that sort. I'm almost afraid to start a prayer shawl since the last person I knit one for didn't make it.

Of course I've started researching this type of cancer and actually know a lot about it since a couple years ago another person close to us had the same type (and is in remission). I find that the more I know, the more I'm able to deal with the bad news and figure out ways to help out.

Getting the news so close to the holidays is hard for me, though I'm sure much harder for others involved. For selfish me, this is the first year in 9 years of marriage that we aren't spending Thanksgiving with extended family. This year has been filled with change, so it would be nice to be grounded again at a big family dinner. We'll be up with family during December, so I'll just have to wait until then.

My heart and prayers go out to this family and others dealing with cancer. And to the researchers trying to cure this awful disease.

Hat Pattern

I've had a bunch of questions about my hats, so here's my basic pattern. Happy knitting!

Super Chunky, Super Easy Hat
Size - fits most
Yarn - Super Chunky or Chunky
Needles - Size 8, 16" circular

Cast on 44. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: K2, P2. Continue rnds of K2, P2 ribbing until the piece measures 7-1/2".
Next rnd: K2, P2tog to end (33 stitches)
Next rnd: K2, P1 to end
Next rnd: K2tog, P1 to end (22 stitches)
Next rnd: K1, P1 to end
Next rnd: K2tog to end (11 stitches)
Next rnd: K2tog 5 times, K1 (6 stitches)
Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches.
Weave in ends.

Finally Etsy!

Back at the end of August I created an Etsy shop to sell knit items as well as accessories. Unfortunately, no sooner had I set it up and my little one ended up in the hospital. This week I finally put up a few items and have plans to add more in the coming weeks.

Check it out!

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! I love watching scary movies, I love being scared, and I love dressing up in ridiculous costumes! This year I'm exhausted from traveling and work, but we did take the time to carve pumpkins....

Then the boys got dressed up to go trick-or-treating....

It was a lot of fun!

In knitting news, I knit another pair of fetching, this time for myself. They're one cable short since I was using left over yarn from the other two I knit. I still love them!

And next year I'm totally making some of these projects.... skull hats, pumpkin, morticia's washcloth, or the pirate hat. So much knitting, so little time!

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it's almost Halloween! We've been so busy here - the boys have school and sports, I have work, the boys, knitting and friends, and my husband has been consistently working late on a project the last few weeks. Where did the time go? Soon it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then hopefully some downtime.

We hosted a wonderful Halloween party this past weekend for some kids in Kyle's class as well as the neighbors. It was a blast, but I'm still exhausted from it. And I'm traveling up north for work this week. I'm a little ball of stress with all these activities and lack of sleep.

I've been knitting like crazy! I knit hats for the boys and the neighbors - 6 hats in all!

Two Christmas presents down... way too many to go. I finished these 'fetchings' for my SIL, and did another pair in green for another SIL.

I think I want a pair of fetching as well, but I'm going to use the leftovers from the two pair I knit for the SILs. And I've got a little yarn left over from the liesel, so if I need it I can use that as well - should be pretty!

Happy Halloween!

Liesel... Faith

It's feeling a lot like fall. I found some beautiful yarn a few weeks ago (correction... beautiful color, yucky yarn), and needed a pattern to go with it. For me the creative process is usually like this - I find something I love (like the color of this yarn) and it speaks to me. This particular something said 'fall' and 'leaves', but the yarn felt weird enough that I knew better than a sweater. I love ravelry - I searched the patterns for a free lace scarf and found several. This one of course really stood out because of the leaves in the pattern. I haven't been a big fan of lace... too much concentration needed. Knitting for me is more about the repetition - it's a comfort. This pattern has converted me. I loved it! In fact I may knit this for other people as well. This is one of my favorite projects of all time!

Which brings me back to faith. Knitting lace is an act of faith. You can read the pattern or the chart, but until you've knit it, you don't know it will turn out like the picture. Lately I've felt as though I need to have more faith. I know there's a plan for me, but what is it? Will I ever know what it is? May my life be the pattern I invision and may I read the pattern correctly and not completely screw it up...

Random Animal Day

DS is doing much better today. Tomorrow he has his post-op appointment with his surgeon. Getting past that appointment will make me feel much better. DS did get to go to preschool for a few hours today, so I got to catch up on work.

When I went out to the garage to the car so I could pick him up, this is what I found...

It's a little hard to see, but there's a hummingbird sitting up on the garage door support. Poor thing can't find her way out. Hopefully she'll get out before tonight when we close the door for the evening.

We went out to play and I had seen a small lizard earlier on the deck, so we were looking for it and instead found this in the grill....

Isn't he adorable????

MRSA

There hasn't been a lot of knitting or blogging or anything lately because my youngest DS and my DH have MRSA. It's basically a bad staph infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics well. DH noticed it first on his hand and then a few days later we noticed it on DS. My theory though is that DS had it first on his foot and we didn't notice it until it was on his leg. In the end DH has had only one confirmed abcess from it and DS has four. I first noticed it on DS on the 9th when I picked him up from preschool and immediately took him to the urgent care clinic. They confirmed it was staph, assumed it was MRSA, and put him on the antibiotic they thought would work. Poor kid hurt so bad he couldn't walk. We noticed the other three abscesses over the next 24 hours. On the 11th, DH's culture came back to confirm it was MRSA so on the 12th I brought DS to his pediatrician. She lanced his two worst abcesses and upped his dose of antibiotic. She also outlined the infection on his belly in marker so we could see if it got worse. On the 13th we brought him back to the pedi because it was worse and they sent us to the hospital. DS spent Saturday night on IV antibiotics and on Sunday had minor surgery to lance the three remaining abcesses. Fortunately they put him under a general anesthesia, so he doesn't remember it. They had to pack in gauze in all three. Poor kid. He was released from the hospital later that night. Monday we were back at the pedi office to have his wounds checked and she was able to remove the packing completely from his two on his legs. She had to pull out part of the packing from his stomach, but we had to wait until Tuesday to get the rest taken out. Tuesday we got a call from the pedi office that the MRSA DS has is resistant to part of the antibiotic he's on, but that it could work. If we notice anything changing in a negative way with him we'll have to go back in for an additional antibiotic or to have him admitted again. We also had to remove the rest of his packing ourselves on Tuesday. He actually did it himself - it was amazing to see him just grit his teeth and pull it out. So far it looks like it's healing ok, but the one on his stomach is definitely tender to the touch.

DH is doing better, but his dr put him on a new antibiotic today. Hopefully it will help.

Now our neighbor has it as well. I'm very worried about him - after listening to his mother about how their doctor has handled his illness.... well I certainly would never bring my child to that incompetent office.

With the amount of praying I've been doing lately, God probably recognizes me simply by my voice at this point. I cannot believe everything we've been through in the last week. Never in my life have I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but the last 8 days I've been so wrapped up in taking care of DS I really wish I could be a SAHM and take care of him full-time. I know I can't protect him from everything, but I wish I could.

Raising Kids

First, I'm almost done the afghan - just need to seam two more panels on. I'm so happy with it - I love the colors and it will be a wonderful compliment to our living room.

I've been thinking a lot this week about my sons and what it takes to raise children in this world. It's scary how much bad is out there. There's so much good I want for them, and I don't want them to think everything will be handed to them. They need to know how to work and struggle through things, but I don't want their spirits to break and for them to give up. I want them to look back at their childhood and smile, but also to have learned the lessons they'll need to prosper in the future. I know there will be disappointments, but I hope they'll learn from them. I want them to count on each other and learn how to trust others. And I hope they have common sense. I worry about drugs and gangs - I know their lives will be touched by both influences, and I hope they have the character not to give in. I pray that they learn the value of hard work and the value of a good friend.

Of course above all I hope and pray that they are happy and content in this life.

So much knitting!

I've finished a butterfly washcloth and soap sock for Victoria, a new hat for Erica and I'm 65% done with my Ravelympics Afghan. Clearly I'm not finishing that in time for the closing ceremonies, but I'm very happy I'm so far through it. I love the colors!

Chocolate Mug Cake

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE (posted on Ravelry by Gadgetgirlnz)

4 tablespoons cake flour(that’s plain flour, not self-raising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1 tbs oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips(optional)
small splash of vanilla essence
1 coffee mug
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla essence, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT!

I think I'm in love with this recipe... it's magic how the cake just pops out of the mug after cooking!

Identity Crisis

WTF? Again I'm having one of my identity crises. How many of these must I endure in one lifetime? I could feel it coming on a few weeks ago and while I'm holding on tightly to my life, I can feel it building into a full-blown hurricane.

I've had many over the years, and in the end they help me successfully plan out where I'm going next in life. My 'most successful' identity crises happened when I was 22, just married and hated my job. I decided this was not how I wanted to live, and that I needed a 10 year plan. After studying First Things First I decided that by the time I was 28 I needed a job where I could work at home so when I started having kids at age 31 I could be home with them and keep my career going.

Now I'm 31, have 2 kids and work at home full-time. I have a great job, a nice house, time to go to the gym, hang out by the pool, knit, read, etc. But again I'm having an identity crisis. Feeling this upheaval coming I decided to purchase Eat, Pray, Love - the book just called to me. Last year I had contemplated reading it, but a friend read it and her review was pretty harsh... something like "the narcisstic whinings of a selfish little rich girl who dropped everything in her life to travel for a year". So far I can see why this friend had that opinion, but I don't necessarily share it. Elizabeth Gilbert's life is far from mine and I would not give up my family for a year-long trip to 3 incredible places, but I do understand the need to know myself. I just need to find a way to do it here in reality.

As I try to figure all this out for myself, here's a thought from the book I particularly like "... it is better to lie your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection."

Soap Socks

In the last week I've had 3 or 4 people ask me for my pattern... so I guess it's time to write it out!

Easy Soap Sock

Sugar'n Cream dishcloth solid

size 7 dpns

size E crochet hook

CO 31 and divide across 3 dpns (10, 10, 11)

Join and knit one round, when you get to the last stitch k2tog with the first stitch (10,10,10)

Rnd 2: *k2tog, yo* repeat for entire round

Rnd 3: k

Rnd 4: either begin seed stitch here, or k in new color (as pictured) for 2 rounds.

Rnd 6: begin seed stitch if you haven't all ready

Continue in seed stitch until sock measures approximately 5"

Arrange stitches on 2 needles (15,15) and turn inside out. Using a third needle, bind off using the 3 needle bind off. Weave in ends.

Crochet a cord (used color from round 4 in picture), and thread through eyelets.

Put your favorite soap in your new soap sock and tie off. Makes a great gift!

Knitting groups everywhere!

Such a different place this is... in Maine there were tons of LYS and a few knitting groups. Here there's a few LYS and tons of knitting groups. And they actually meet... on a regular basis... it's amazing. I've attended 3 meetings with 3 different groups so far. Tomorrow is a KIP at the mall. What a great way to meet people!

My sweater is coming along. I've got another inch and I can finally attach the two ends and knit in the round. I'm so easily distracted by other projects and other hobbies. We've been going to spinning class a bunch this week. It's so fun and a phenomonal workout. Last night we did Cycle Fusion where you do 40 minutes spinning and then 20 using resistance bands. My abs are killing me today. I'm down 10.5 lbs since starting Weight Watchers!

Kyle's in school, so now Greyci has the couch to herself during the day...

Progress!

After ripping out a bunch of my sweater I was pretty bummed. But I joined a knitting group Tuesday night and am almost back to where I was when I had to rip it out. A little progress! I finally got propane for my new grill. Let the grilling begin - more progress! In my first week in Weight Watchers I lost 4 lbs. So far I've lost another 2 this week. More progress! Now I just need to make it through the work week and get to the weekend...

Frogged...

I opened my knitting bag last night and pulled out the sweater that had been hibernating during the move. When I was trying to figure out where in the pattern I had left off I noticed that I had done ALL of my increases wrong.... ugh! So I ripped out 2 inches and started that part over. UGH!!!! But I deserve to have the sweater I want and if I'm going to make something that I wear, it had to be corrected since I noticed I was doing it wrong!

This is Jerry. He's super-cute and we think he's happiest on Greyci's back.

And in my first week of Weight Watchers I lost 4 lbs! Not bad... though the realist in my expects this all to revert to my starting weight any moment now.

Greyci

Here's our new baby Greyci!

She's not really a baby, but a 1-1/2 year old yellow lab mix. We got her from a family who couldn't keep her because of allergies. They got her 2 weeks ago from her owner who had to find her a new home because she moved for work and couldn't have a dog at her new apartment. And that owner got her from a shelter... poor girl has had an unsettled life. She's very good, house broken, and definitely loves us. I took her on my run tonight and she looks exhausted :)

Two posts in one day!

Since this is a blog and theoretically an online journal, I need to post again. Tomorrow I start Weight Watchers online. I need something to get me on track with my weightloss. I'm sick of being a size 16 (although it is way better than being a 22, which I was last year!). Plus, I think losing weight will help with my energy level and is a good thing to focus on now that we've moved. With any luck I'll get down a size or two before I go back to work up in MA!

No knitting but a new favorite recipe!

We still don't have a working oven and haven't filled up the propane tank for the grill, so I've been struggling for easy recipes lately. Last night I tried one from my son K's school cookbook and both kids had seconds! I had cold leftovers on my salad today and it was still good. Gotta love a good, easy recipe!

Herbed Pork in White Wine Sauce by Delaney Coyne
2 lbs. sliced boneless pork
McCormick Montreal chicken seasoning
2 tbs. Olive Oil
1-1/2 c. white cooking wine

Sprinkle pork with seasoning on both sides and let stand for 15 mins. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a saute pan. Add seasoned pork and brown on both sides. Remove pork from pan and cover to keep warm. Add wine to pan and stir, bringing to boil. Boil to reduce liquid by half, then add pork back in to pan. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

And we're back

So the last couple months have been insane - last week we moved into our new house in NC. Just for giggles I need to post the name of the town... Fuquay-Varina. We're on the Varina side, but seriously I'm not sure when I'll be able to stop giggling when I say the name of the town. And last night I discovered thanks to my horrible penmanship that Varina is only one letter off from vagina. Feel free to giggle away....

Knitting hasn't really been happening, other than a few small projects. I just need to block and line Dad's father's day tie and that will be done. I'm crocheting a mouse for Kyle. And then there's the sweater I started for myself ages ago and the socks that will never end.

Today's blog is brought to you by my Senseo coffee maker. I'm fairly impressed with it considering it only cost $15. My only gripe is the size of the "cup"... yes, I realize this was designed by Europeans and I'm an American (we love things big), but it takes 4 "cups" to fill my favorite mug!

Knitting Tattoo

A huge thank you to Danielle at Sanctuary here in Portland. Exactly what I wanted! I have to say I really like the studio at Sanctuary - very clean and light and open. For a while there the sun actually seemed to be streaming in!

Not the best picture because it's on my right side and trying to take it myself was tough... but you get the idea and can see some of the detail - Danielle really is an artist and I love the shading!

Kyle's Bunny - Finished!

Kyle's Bunny is done - it only took two days! He's so happy to have it. He was very jealous that his brother got one first, so all is good in life now. Now I feel more ready for Easter... at least I'm not rushing to finish up projects for it. I'm hoping that Kyle will wear his sweater I knit to Easter dinner (he swears he'll never wear it).

Happy Easter!

Easter? Really?

Easter is wayyyyyyy too early this year. Just a week ago my mother mentioned that it's this month. Who decided that?!? I had hoped to knit the boys each a dinosaur as a gift, but the pattern I have is too involved, so they're getting bunnies. Last year I knit them chicks that didn't come out great so anything will be better. Dyl's sick so we were up most of the night and I managed to finish his in a day and a half. He loves the thing. This morning I had to serve them both pancakes and the bunny got my chair at the table. It's so darn cute!

On a completely different note - is it possible for the awful weather to stop? Seriously... another storm today. Yesterday was beautiful so I went for a run and Kyle rode his new bike. It was fun and I felt like we were out of hibernation. Now we're getting an ice storm. I'm almost at the point that I would take any amount of money for the house just so we can move!

Selling the House

The house has been on the market for 11 days now (http://www.realtor.com/realestate/portland-me-04103-1096641630/) and we've had 10 showings! Good? maybe. Eventually someone will love it enough to make it their own, but until then we have to keep it spotless and repeatedly hear about how low the ceilings are.... as though we didn't all ready know it. The virutal tour our agent did is gorgeous and I watch it often so I can feel better about this process.

It's not that I don't like the concept of selling and moving to a warmer climate, but I feel like I own a B&B (mental note to never own a B&B). We've only had 3 days in the last 11 that didn't have showings, so everyday I'm cleaning like a mad woman. I'm afraid to use the stove - it's so shiny and clean. I broke down and made spaghetti and meatballs Sunday night and ended up spending and extra 45 minutes scrubbing the little red spaghetti sauce droplets off the stovetop. Then there's this whole issue of being kicked out of my house and office on a regular basis. I'm all caught up on any errand I could possibly want or need to do. My car parked around the corner from my house is my new place for returning calls - if only we had decided to have wi-fi at home... I could probably work from there as well!

Cleaning out

Spring cleaning has come really early for us this year. We're getting the house ready to list - ideally on March 1st. This means going through 5 years of stuff, getting rid of what we don't need/want, packing stuff we don't need right now, but will want or need after the move, and then sorting through everything we're keeping. It's seriously cathartic. Why do I hang onto so much stuff? My house feels calmer the more stuff we get rid of and pack away.

Part of this now is that I'm trying to finish all those outstanding projects. Believe it or not, in the last 24 hours I've completed two of my 3 WIPs. Crazy. And I like them both. I did another dishcloth - I love the finished product, but hated the way the pattern was written, so I wasn't into finishing it. Now it's done. And the sweater for Jackson is done. It's gorgeous and I'm sending it down today. He was born on Friday, so I'm only a little late.

Now onto my last WIP - my socks. I just haven't felt like working on them, but now I'm going to finish them - before we move.... hopefully!

Orange Moebius Cowl done!

That was fast! It's been a while since I've done any moebius projects (I went crazy with them for a while last year), so it was nice to do one and have it come out so perfect. I can't wait to wear this with some of my sweaters. I love orange!

And now onto the baby sweater. It's not that I don't love to do it, it's that the project is a bit tedious. So I plan to reward myself - after I complete the back I can do my Drops headband, then I have to do front. I'll have to come up with another reward after I do it. So far I've done the first 10 rows, so that's progress!

And today I signed up for the National Body Challenge. In the past year, I've lost 35 lbs and gained 5 back. My goal for the next 6 months is to lose another 20. After the National Body Challenge I'm going to join Weight Watchers online - I just need something to keep me on track. It's so exciting - I've seen myself change a lot in the last year, it will be fun to see the changes this year!

New Year

Woo hoo 2007 is finally over! That was a tough year. I think ending it by having to bring my 3 cats to a shelter probably was fitting given everything else that happened. Anyway, 2008 had better be better than 2007. So what are the plans for 2008? We're getting our house ready to sell, so we can move to NC. Then hopefully I'll do well on my LSATs and get into a great law school for fall 2009 or 2010. Really, just being out of New England for a while will be great! The winters are too much for me and I prefer hot and humid weather. I just feel better when it's 85 out.

On the needles this year are a few musts - first I had to finish my mom's birthday present. It's the Irish Hiking Scarf from Hello Yarn. Super-popular on Ravelry and this is actually the second one I've made since the first went to Liz for Christmas. The yarn is interesting. I hope she likes it... who am I kidding? she likes it, she doesn't... at least I made it and I like it.

Then there's the baby sweater for Noah and Shelley's little guy due in February. I can't wait - they'll make great parents. And finally some projects for me! I'm working on a Moebius Cowl in an orange silk boucle. Once that's done I'm going to do this headband - I've got some left over yarns that might work well for it. That's enough for now... although I swear my ravelry queue grows weekly! Happy Knitting in 2008!