bits and pieces

Beth knit a bit on 'wavy' last night at SnB. She finished the toe of her Galaxy sock and needed something to do. And I've been working on it in the car and wherever. I think it's over a foot and a half now. And Brian is bugging me about getting started on his version. It's a catchy little pattern! And I still can't get over the yarn. $2.49 for 355 yards of a true worsted weight (not skimpy), nicely spun, soft, washable synthetic.

I should be working on bills, etc but I'm finding any excuse I can not to. It's been how long?!?!? Not good.

Brian went to therapy and for a doctor's check today. He's out of his air cast, has been cleared to start back to limited football practice this week (no contact) and regular practice next week. They have a game tomorrow so he won't play in that and Friday they'll watch the films of tomorrow's game. Couple of days next week and then the 8th grade heads to Washington DC, I think on Wednesday, to return Saturday morning. For Brian, the extra time might be a good thing before the next injury!

Zack turned 17 last week. Yikes!!

Angel is about the same as she's been. She still does not fly and sometimes stumbles. She stays on the bottom of the cage with the extra food and water bowls. Not much room down there. I'd like to get a larger cage but the 'larger' ones aren't really much bigger and they cost $75+. And they are less cleanable and don't contain the mess as much as the one I have now. Worth it? Don't think so. Then there is one like a parrot cage but the bars are closer for smaller birds. It would be really cool but it's 'new lower price' is still $350. Ouch! Someday I'd like a larger bird and this could serve double duty... hmmmm...maybe I should consider it anyway.
I do like being able to take Angel out and hold her. And I think there is a part of her that appreciates being brushed. Yes, I said brushed. This wacky lady brushes her bird. I use an old soft toothbrush to try to groom her since she's still not able to do most of her body. Sometimes we go out on the deck in the sunshine and just enjoy the outdoors for a while. Bonding time.

Work, well, that's a 4-letter word so we'll skip that topic for now.

Weather: can you believe it?!?!?
'Liquid sunshine' my mother used to call it. It basically has not rained all summer. We're something like 13+ inches below average. Everything is brown and crispy. The farmers have started harvesting their (pop)corn and other crops since they're dying in the fields.I don't recall anything like it (but I've only been down here for 7 years now). The trees are all shedding their leaves and they didn't even turn pretty fall colors. They just shriveled and fell. Now, to get the temps down a bit. Didn't mother nature get the memo - IT"S FALL!

Ahhh...Massaaaaaage

Yes. I spoiled myself yesterday. A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by one of the local consignment shops and noticed that the salon next door had changed names. It was Aspen but now had a banner over it proclaiming they had become an Identity Salon. Steve had previously gotten me a couple of gift certificates to Aspen and I hadn't used them yet. I was worried so I called them. No, they will take either Identity or Aspen and would I like to make an appointment? Do you do massages? Yes. Ok, sign me up. I asked about evening appointments but she could not offer that, just days and weekends, something about having to have a massage therapist come up from another location. I took it to mean that they had a daytime person but not evenings and still had to fill in their staff. We settled on a noon appointment for yesterday. I came in a bit early, as requested, with my Bengal sock
to keep me company and they had me wait in the reception area. Usually they send you right back to change and then wait. She finally came back and said there was a problem. Apparently they don't have any massage therapists at this location so they were supposed to have someone come up just for me. They didn't. She apologized profusely and offered to either reschedule or see if she could get me in at the Kenwood location, either at a 20% discount. Whichever works, I could go with either. She called Kenwood and got me a 2:30. That gave me a couple of hours to kill. Stopped at the consignment shop (had a few things in the car but she's full to the gills) and then headed down Montgomery Road. That means I just have to stop in at Fiber Naturell. More Tofutsies in a pink/purple/berry kind of color
and a sock pattern for my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap (HSKS3) Partner.
Then off to Identity Kenwood. When the appointment was (re-)scheduled, they were to put a note in the system regarding the discount but she gave me a coupon just in case. I presented that when I got there but they didn't want it at that point.
An hour of working out knots named Steve, Zack, and Brian. Candles. Music. Ahhhh.... I could have stayed forever.
My hour came to an end and I did have to get up and leave. Went to checkout and was able to use 1 gift certificate but put the balance and tip on my debit card. Then I remembered to check on the discount. Nope, they didn't take it off. They could have voided everything and rerung it all or I could hold on to it for another visit. Guess I just have to go back!
(And maybe by then, my twice in-grown, now twice cracked toenail will be grown out enough to have a pedicure, too!)
After such relaxation, I couldn't bring myself to do much work around the house so I knit. I cast on for the next Bengal sock and finally found a cool pattern for the Red Scarf Project.
It is Knitty's Wavy pattern from winter 04. I'm using a very pleasantly soft synthetic I found at Hobby Lobby. It's called "I Love This Yarn" and is made just for Hobby Lobby Stores. I have about 8+" done on that. And I cast on for a still in the design stage of my mind's eye bag for my HSKS3 partner. No pics of that though till after the owl has delivered it all the way to California!

What I learned at Kings Island

Been thinking about posting this all week. Would it be right? Oh well, I guess it's time to finally go for it...
For those not familiar with the area, we have an amusement park just a couple of miles from the house. The boys pass it on their way to and from school each day and can hear the coasters and their riders when outside for gym, sports, etc. It was owned by Paramount but was sold to Cedar Fair last year. We are waiting for the name to change but so far, it is still known as Paramount's Kings Island. It is where Evil Knevil (how do you spell that?)jumped the buses way back when, Grissom from CSI counts The Beast as one of his favorite coasters, and the Brady Bunch visited during their run on tv.
Anyway, they have an old style wooden coaster called the Racer. 2 symmetrical tracks to each carry a car at the same time. 1 runs forward and 1 backwards. They 'race' to the finish (hence, the name). We usually ride the forward facing one. Either the line for backward is too long or one of the boys does not want to ride backwards. I don't remember ever riding backwards. Last weekend, the lines were short so I picked the backwards for a change.
Now, while riding the forward cars, speed, inertia, etc keeps 'the girls' pressed in place. Not a problem. Backward does not work as well. It leaves them out there hanging on for dear life, flapping in the wind and bouncing over every bump.
So, girls, if you have any curves, hold them down or stick with the forward cars!

Still patiently waiting

Ravelry says:

You signed up on August 18, 2007
You are #26768 on the list.
11153 people are ahead of you in line.
7770 people are behind you in line.
44% of the list has been invited so far

There were 17,171 ahead of me somewhere along the line so I guess about 1/3 have made it in the last month. Couple more months, maybe?!?!?

Barely a post

Sorry about the short post last night. I was planning to write more and try to catch up on some email, etc. Then I lost my internet connection. I'm currently cheating and posting from work (shhhh... don't tell!).
I'll try to post more tonight...

Finally!

After some serious digging through wrapping, bags, etc, Beth made her way to this roving. 80% merino/20% silk from River's Edge Weaving Studio.
(The colors are awesome in person!)

Illustration contest

(disclaimer: the following has been plagarized from Angela's blog...)
Angela's friend, Nikki, is an artist. She is an INCREDIBLE artist. And, she's the illustrator of a picture book that is a finalist in this year's ABC's Children's Picture book competition! The title of the book is What's Wrong With Mud? written by Gillian Colley. It is ADORABLE!

Here's what I need for you to do. First of all...starting on September 16, go to the above website and VOTE DAILY for Nikki and Gillian. Second, post a link to this ABC Children's Picture book competition on your blog.

Heck, to pursuade as many people to spread this word as possible, let's make this a contest! Post the link and info on your blog, and then head back to Angela's blog and let her know that you posted it (and send a link), and she'll enter you into a random drawing for some fiber goodness.

Don't forget to go and vote, DAILY, September 16-30. If Nikki and Gillian win this, it would be such a huge break for Nikki. And she *so* deserves the chance to break into the picture book field!!

Quick Pics

My current sock project:

Finished Monkeys:

My new swift 'before:'

and after:

And for Beth:

Free knitting

Yesterday, I posted that after several attempts, I finally got my Crest of the Wave socks started with some Bengal-colored Opal. Got up early this morning and had some time before heading off to church and hangin' with Rose. Then I took it with me to Kings Island. I've taken knitting with me to various amusement parks and never had a problem. Gives me something to do while I wait in line or wait for kids or...
Going in today, I was told to put them away until I got inside, that they were really supposed to be confiscated. I did so and once I was away from the gate area, I resumed my knitting. By the time we got home, I had about 5 or 6 inches done. But I did not like it. The pattern and the fair isle speckles in the yarn were too busy/messy. I had the inkling while we were at the park but I needed to knit so I kept at it.
Tonight I ripped it all out. And then cast on, again. This time I'm just doing a chevron-type pattern, based on the top I was wearing. Just making it up as I go but I do like it much better. Cleaner and neater, shows the striping of the yarn, but still has some character. 5-6 inches of free (re-)knitting!

May I have a moment of silence for the Bengals? Losing to the Browns of all teams?!?!?!

Boys and Carpet Shampooers Don't Mix

This is something I learned last week but forgot to post. I don't want any of you to suffer the same fate!
A couple of Tuesdays ago, while Steve was out of town and the boys and I were at SnB (actually I was knitting, they went to the game store), the dogs had an accident in the house. When we got home, the boys tried to clean it with the SpotLifter. I tried to tell them it was not up to the job but I'm only a mom so I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. They kept at it and told me it came out well. That following weekend, as I was getting ready for the new sofa, and thoroughly vacuuming the house, I found it was not cleaned very well. 'Boys, get the big shampooer and take care of this!'
They got the shampooer and started in on it. Brian could not tell me even what cleaner was in the tank. At one point I found that he was only pivoting the machine from side to side, not running it back and forth to cover the area with the sprayer, brushes, and suction. 'Brian, front to back, like this.' He worked at it and worked at it. Again, I was told it was coming clean. The machine ran and ran.
Brian headed upstairs and the machine still ran. I figured it was Zack's turn with it. Wait a minute, Brian is knocking on Zack's door!?!?! He had just parked it and left it! 'Nope, that does not work either, Brian!'
Somewhere through this, Steve called and I spent some time talking on the phone with him. I only got a glimpse of Brian pouring something (turns out, about a gallon sized tupperware bowl) onto the carpet?!?!
Finally, I go to see what progress is being made and whether the machine could finally be turned off. I push the machine forward and it actually splashed through the water and suds! The carpet looked cleaner beacuse of the white foam bubbles coating it. As the machine tried to soak up the mess, it was foaming out the sides and top of the reservoir. Shades of I Love Lucy or The Brady Bunch and the washing machine. All in my dining room!
Brian still insisted he had only used whatever was in the tank left from last time. I had mixed that tankful with a low sudsing fabric/carpet cleaner.
My turn. I worked and worked at it. Tank after tank of water to dump that had come from my carpet. As I was emptying one of those tanks, I noticed that the new bottle of Dawn Direct Foam was missing. I had just replaced it earlier that day. Did it grow legs and walk away on its own??
'Boys, what happened to the dish soap?'
It was in Brian's room because 'it had gotten mixed in with his shirt' that he had taken up???? (Me thinks he was just trying to hide it.) He retrieved it. With an inch less in it than it had when I put it out! The boys do not wash dishes so... Is my carpet sparkling clean now? Is all the grease gone? I think so!
I rinsed and emptied, rinsed and emptied. Once I finally got down to carpet that did not squish as I walked in it, it actually was cleaner! There might still be a little residue of soap but I'm thinking it's time for an overall professional cleaning anyway...

Pay It Forward Exchange

Copied from Tia

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange.

It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on.

Here is how it works.

I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Remember, it's the first THREE who comment on the blog that they want to participate in the PAY IT FORWARD exchange.

Sounds like fun, adding a bright spot to someone's day. Wanna join me? 1st 3 are in!

Help Me!

My husband is from Nebraska. He is a Husker, through and through (pronounced 'cornhead' by some of us!). Today was a day of football. I would have liked to have company to go to The Wool Gathering at Young's Dairy in Yellow Springs. Nope. ESPN Game Day was coming to you from Lincoln, NE. Gotta watch that. Then, after assorted other football to pass some time, the #14 Huskers are hosting #1 USC. Definitely can't miss that. Must be here to yell at the TV. I'm not thinking the players, coaches, announcers, or refs can hear him but yell he does anyway. Sometimes I have to leave the room. Depends on how the game goes. Currently it is USC 21, NE 10, about to go into half time. Oh well...

I did go to Wool Gathering. Ran into Nancy and Teresia (hope I spelled it right and apologize if I didn't!). I bought something for Beth but can't show you 'cuz then she'll see. I'll have to take a pic in the good light before Tuesday's SnB and then post it after. Also got myself a large winder and a cool cherry swift. Instead of the regular bulky umbrella swift, this is a cross with moveable pegs that sits flat on the table. www.knittingnotionsonline.com has the swifts as well as some soft, beautiful yarn that was oh so tempting.
I have already wound the Bamboobaa from Beth. Do I start another pair of socks and try to work two at once? I took my Monkeys with me to The Fox and the Hound (local sports pub/restaurant that we can eat while Steve watches assorted games) last night. In honor, I had a Green Monkey to drink. The color matched and it tasted good, too! Now I only have to graft the toe and weave 3 ends to finish them. (Check out Angela's post on Tuesday's Monkeys.)
Had to come up with something I could work on while walking and drooling today so I took some Opal in Bengal colors. Took several tries to get the pattern started right (budding migraines do not make easy work of knitting!) but I've got about 1.5" of Crest of the Wave done from More Sensational Knitted Socks.

On a whole different note, I have a brown thumb. I am usually more interested in other activities (such as knitting) too take proper care of my plants. I usually try a couple of pots out on the front steps each year and let them get fried about half way through the summer. Living in a condo, I am somewhat limited and then with the blazing sun on the front side in the morning/early afternoon and on the back all afternoon, I am limited even further. Geraniums are not my favorite scent but they do seem to withstand my torture. And check out this color!
And when I saw this, on sale even, I knew I had to send it to Jacie. She's Steve's neice who spent 8 weeks with us last summer and 1 week this summer. I wasn't working when she was here last year so I was able to knit a bunch for her. This year I didn't. Didn't even get to take her shopping like I wanted. It will probably get mailed this week.
And still in that same color range - some Lana Grossa I picked up last weekend that I forgot to post:

Brian went back to the doctor Wednesday and had more X-rays. Guess what? instead of making things worse by walking on his broken leg, he's healing quickly and will be out of his cast earlier than expected. He is still in the air cast but is off the crutches. He goes this Wednesday for a PT evaluation followed by 2-3 PT sessions/week for 2 weeks. Then he should be all done! He might even get to play football this year...

Abbee says 'hi' So does Ditz

HSKS3 Trivia

1. Who is the Hogwarts teacher that Voldermort performed the Avada Kedavra curse on in Deathly Hallows?

b. Charity Burbage - tortured and killed by Voldermort with the Avada Kedavra curse specifically and in print

2. Who replaces the Muggles studies teacher in Deathly Hallows?
c. Alecto Carrow

3. When Harry meets Mr. Olivander for the first time, which wand law is introduced?
c. The wand chooses the wizard.

4. According to Mr. Ollivander, what is not necessary to take true possession of another wizard's wand?
a. to kill the owner

5. If you know anything about Harry Potter, you will know that Harry's Patronus is a stag. But what is his best friend Ron Weasley's Patronus?
d. Jack Russell Terrier

6. Now for the third member of the trio. What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?
a. Otter

7. What did Mrs. Wealey make to eat the first night that Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place?
a. Stew

8. In book 5, at the start of term feast, what is Ron eating when trying to talk to Nearly Headless Nick?
c. Roast Potato

9. A half-giant called Rubeus Hagrid takes you to Diagon Alley for the first time. To get there, you go into the courtyard of a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. There, Hagrid taps a certain brick on the courtyard wall three times with his pink umbrella, revealing the entrance to Diagon Alley. As he decides which brick to tap, he mutters instructions to himself. What instructions does he mutter?
b. ‘Three up... two across


10. The first place you go in Diagon Alley is Gringotts bank, where you can withdraw money from your vault and Hagrid can withdraw a top-secret package from Vault No. 713 on Dumbledore’s orders. On the second set of doors leading into the bank you notice a poem written. These are the first two lines:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
What is the next line?
d. ‘For those who take, but do not earn


Picture Scavenger Hunt

Rolanda Hooch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MadameHooch.jpg
Firenze
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Firenzeinharrypotter.jpg
Argus Filch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Filchgof.jpg
Moaning Myrtle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Moaning_myrtle_hpcs.jpg
Colin Creavey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Colin_creevey.jpg

Ravelry Update

ravelry > antsy
patiently awaiting your invite?

Found you!
You signed up on August 18, 2007
You are #26768 on the list.
15041 people are ahead of you in line.
5102 people are behind you in line.
36% of the list has been invited so far

I've moved up a little anyway...

comments re: the new sofa

Posted at 11:12 am:
Beth has left a new comment on your post "What a Week!":
Oooh - your new sofa might be there Right Now! Hope it's exactly what you hoped for.
They were out front, unloading it from the truck as Beth was typing. It was in the house by 11:15.

And at 12:12pm:
~Tonia~ has left a new comment on your post "What a Week!":
You should have your couch now. So where are the pictures?? ;)
Right here:
Our place is too small to get a good pic, and I know I need to redo the stuff on the wall, and my pile of knitting paraphanalia in the corner between the sofa and recliners, but there it is! It has been 'furred' already courtesy of The Ditz. Abbee has leaned against it but hasn't climbed up on it yet.
Can't wait for the pillows to come in!

What a Week!

Steve's out of town so I'm officially single-parenting till next Tuesday.
Boys are driving me nuts (anyone want them?!?!)
Last Sunday I went to Yarns & Fabrications' First Sunday Event. It was the first time I've ever gone. Since they are celebrating their 2nd anniversary this month, they had drawings every hour. Of course I entered. Tuesday, as I was trying to get the boys out the door for karate followed by SnB, the phone rang. I had won 10 balls of GGH Goa (cotton/acrylic blend)!
I managed to sneak by on Wednesday to pick it up after work and before taking the car in for an oil change and to track down a rattle that had gotten quite annoying. Saturn of Kings AutoMall had me in and out in about a half hour and the rattle is no more! I've been an official Saturn convert for a few years now and can tell you all about my blue Saturns (Sarah, Suzy, and Ian and the one oddball, white Jane) if you really want to know...
I also received my Patternworks order Tuesday:
Felted Fish pattern
Fir Cone Lace Cardi pattern
Felted Entrelac Bag pattern
Little Leepin' Long Legs pattern (a frog - I have a thing for frogs and I have some bright green wool I haven't known what to do with)
Playful Penguin pattern
Knitting Girl socks (I didn't get to knit them :( )
Prop-It Lite chart holder
Knitting antenna topper
I packed it all up to take with me to SnB. I couldn't wait to show everyone. As I'm pulling everything out, I show Laura the penguin pattern since she has made penguins before. And Nancy pulled out a finished one. Chek it out on her blog. They all said it was priceless and we got a good laugh about it...
Then, Beth gave me 400 yards of absolutely beautiful Bamboobaa Sock yarn (60% superwash merino, 30% bamboo, 10% nylon) from Dyepot.com. The color is called Ice Fairy. She liked one of the blues but not the others so... Thank you Beth! I think it'll be the perfect yarn for those Seduction socks I've been wanting to make.

Have you seen the new KnitPicks Options Harmony Wood Needles? Beautiful and added to my wishlist.
Finished my Moc Croc socks Thursday, ready for wearing Friday. Do you have any idea how hard it is to drive to work with no knitting?!?!? I didn't settle on my next project till today. Monkey Socks from Knitty, with more Sockatta that Bob had given me over the summer.

Work was interesting Friday: It was another Habitat for Humanity fundraiser cookout day. Wait a minute - make that cook in. They had the propane grill inside, on the dock because they were afraid it might rain. The warehouse filled with smoke which set my asthma off. Knowing how our workload is, I had chosen not to buy a lunch ticket anyway so I stayed in the receiving office and just kept working. Others definitely enjoyed the relaxed day. I did, however, buy 3 raffle tickets. They raffled assorted amounts of paid time off. I won another half day!! I had the one half day my boss had given me after trying to keep things going while he was on vacation. I had 1 temp who'd been there for a week (he's since been let go) and a trainee that started that week. I threatened to take this Monday off but the boss didn't like that idea 'cuz he's going to have 1 trainee that's been there a week and picking up very quickly and a new trainee that's already been through some of our other departments for some training. I think he's getting off easy, don't you?!?! Maybe Tueday...
Since I hit 40 hours at about 3:30 yesterday (no OT allowed) and Brian's football practice ended about 4, I left work early to pick him and a neighbor up. Then I was going to drop my 2 off at karate before heading back to a 'Girls Night in' being held at one of our other branches. There is a plumbing supply branch around the corner from where I work that has expanded to include a kitchen, bath, lighting gallery. I need a bib when I walk through the door. Working showers and whirlpools, working kitchen and laundry, etc. Brian decided he'd take off to his room with the phone and his old yearbook and chat the night away. Zack was just moping around not getting ready. I finally just left the house without even telling them goodbye. I called my girlfriend and cried on her shoulder until I parked the car. Allright girl, pull it together and go have some fun! Turns out I was one of the first to RSVP so I got a goodie bag, there was catered food, 10 minute massages, candles, jewelery, wine (I had to drive home so I did not partake of that particular item)...
Today, I disassembled one of the futons and moved other furniture and vacuumed really thoroughly because tomorrow is new sofa day! They called today to tell me what time. 10-12. Hmmm... that interferes with church. But my alternative is to go back in the pot and see what they come up with next time. Guess I'll be missing church. And missing Rosie hugs! I hang out with Rosie during Children's Church and Sunday School. She has Down's but she is an absolute sweetheart and always brings a smile to my face. Have you donated to the Buddy Walk yet??? It's coming up one week from today!

Finished Objects and Projects

Simply Lovely Lace socks:

Sugar & Cream Stripes Dishcloths:

As you probably guessed from my last post, I decided on a pattern for a skein of Sockatta from Hawaii - Moc Croc socks.
In progress:

And the first finished, with garter stitch short row heel and toe (a first for me, thanks Beth!):

Yes, it stripes, but not enough for Mermaid Socks.

And...
I FINALLY picked a new couch. I'm soooo... tired of the college dorm/1st apartment look we've had going but with dogs and boys and the weird layout and...
I've been looking for months. Last time I was in La-Z-Boy, a pair of pillows caught my eye. The sofa wasn't right, but those pillows!

They would be great! They could tie the room together and eliminate the Pittsburg Steelers feel (yellow walls and black recliners ina Bengal town?!?!). We could do Nebraska red or UConn blue. Blue - with the black we already have and the yellow walls would look like a bruise. Red could add some life to the room.
A different sofa would work but it was a bit bland. A sleeper, in darker red, with solid red pillows.

But wait, the pillows of the other sofa work! And they can be special ordered!
The sofa is to be delivered next Sunday, the pillows will be able to be picked up in a few weeks.
Anyone interested in 2 mission-style futons?!?!?


Or, how about a loft bed?














Brian wasn't good at sleeping in it to start with and now with his broken leg, the bed is out and the mattress is on the floor till I find a suitable replacement.

I cleaned out the frog/turtle tank. The last frog passed a couple of weeks ago after quite a few years with us. The tank has been cleaned and moved to the garage. This was to make room for our newest addition. Fred (a girl) has moved in. She is a Leopard Gecko from some of the boys' friends/fellow karate students.
Also cleaned out Angel's tank and moved it to the garage (after using it to mix some soil while repotting several houseplants).

I signed up for Bloglines and have added some blogs to track. Again, thank you Beth.

Zack's laundry is done, but now I have ours and Brian's to do. And Steve is headed out of town tomorrow for 8 days so I'm back to single-parenthood again...

Knitting and Driving?!?!?! And other misc...

Of course! Those who know me, know that I do knit on my way to/from work. There is a lot of traffic and construction so I knit instead of getting all worked up and running folks off the road. It is amazing how much I get done in the car. Besides, I'm a mom and moms have to be able to multitask, right?!?!?

Zack tested for his 2nd degree black belt last night. He made it points-wise but missed on his third breaking technique. Form, knowledge, Nunchucka form, kicking combinations, sparring were mostly 'above average.' Then he had to break 2 boards at once for each of three different breaks. He went through the first 2 pairs easily. The third he missed 3 times (disqualified at that point) and then got it on the 4th once the pressure was off. He can test again in October. You can check out the school at www.keepkicking.com


Brian's getting the hang of his crutches, slowly.
Angel is back in with Teddy again. (Not sure what happened the other day, maybe just an off day.)
Just have 2 ends to weave on the Simply Lovely Lace socks.
What to knit next?
Does this yarn stripe??

Thought this Sockatta would be great for Monkey socks. I thought wrong.
Then I tried it for Mermaid. Wrong again.
Then I stumbled across my pattern for Moc Croc. Much better! Picture(s) another day...

Cleaned some clothes out of my closet. Also need to go through my off-season collection in the basement. Then get it all washed and ready to go to consignment and/or donation.