Recent Sex

Lest you recoil in horror, I'm referring to S.E.X., which in yarn parlance is short for Stash Enhancement Expedition (i.e. buying more yarn). On Friday we lucked into a half day and Pam and I hoofed it all the way up into old downtown Carmel to Stitches n' Scones. Some decent damage to the debit card later and I'm now the proud owner of:

(top photo)

• Four skeins Plymouth Linen Isle in color 7503 228295 (the poetic craft employed by Plymouth for its color names is clearly unrivaled)
• Four skeins Plymouth Linen Isle in color 7471 195690
• Two skeins Blue Sky Alpacas color 627 (note that I wasted no time in dipping into this yarn, I only photographed the front of the sweater, the back is already done)
• One skein each Blue Sky Alpaca in some green color and some yellow color (don't feel like walking across the living room to read the label)

(bottom photo)

• One skein Lamb's Pride Worsted in Brown Heather
• One skein Lamb's Pride Worsted in Old Sage
• One skein Knit One, Crochet Too Paint Box in a variegated green-dark purple colorway
• One super-soft skein of Inca Alpaca color 1108
• One skein Rowan All Seasons Cotton color 191

Best part? There's another sale next Friday at Mass Ave Knit Shop, and I fully intend to go.

Now, For Something Completely Different

Hmmm, I still can't decide if I have quite enough projects going, so this past week Chad and I decided to add some more. We came to the conclusion that if we waited for the time to be right for the mega-remodel, that we'd just never do it. So, without further ado, we've jumped into planning the remodel. The kitchen and two full baths, possibly adding on to the back of the house, some structural correction, and if I have my way - a back deck too.

And when I say kitchen and two baths, I don't mean in any way that there is anything about any of these rooms that's in the least bit salvageable. From the ceiling to the floor and everything in between, including wiring and plumbing, these rooms are a disaster. So, we'll be gutting and starting fresh. This past year my neighborhood became an historically protected neighborhood so now there are all these extra steps that we'll have to go through (ultimately a very good thing, but right now a royal pain in the ass.) Undoubtedly, I'll update you from time to time on my progress (read: spew expletives.)

So, here is the current project list:

1. Meet with Historic Preservation Commission
2. Meet with financial advisor
3. Meet with mortgage broker
4. Identify several potential contractors
5. Meet with contractors
6. Hire contractor
7. Set schedule for remodel
8. one knit baby doll coat
9. one knit afghan (well, half of one anyway)
10. one knit baby blanket
11. one knit child's sweater
12. one felted evening bag
13. two felt advent calendars (approx 3 feet tall each!)
14. four necklaces
15. one mother's bracelet
16. wrap approximately 20 Christmas gifts
17. Keira's first scrapbook
18. At least 5 photo albums worth of photos to organize
19. sew a shirt
20. sew curtains
21. paint my bedroom
22. redecorate my bedroom
23. install one new set of built-in cabinets
24. clean up, refresh, and mulch 2 more flower beds
25. tear out two beds, augment the soil, and replant

Further Evidence

For all of you crafty gals, I'd just like to point out that Keira is reading a recent KnitPicks catalog!

Her first words, walking, first numbers, full sentences - all of these came oh, so easily to Keira. So why, I wondered, was she having so much trouble with colors. Everything was blue. Next, everything was green or purple, often both at the same time. She seemed to know color words, but couldn't seem to apply them correctly. I worried that she might be color blind, and even asked her pediatrician about it. And then, I caught her showing off her knowledge of colors to someone else.

She's been messing with me.

She turned two less than a month ago and she's having me on. A few nights ago, she had her yellow bath crayon* and here's the conversation that ensued:

Me: "What color is your crayon, Keira?"

K: "Ummm, black."

Me: "Nooooo, that's not black. What color is it?"

K: "Light green." She says emphatically, and in all seriousness.

Light green. Light, f*&%ing green. Hmmmmmmm

*For those of you without kids, yes there are actually crayons made specifically for the bath

And So It Begins

The countdown that is. I'm officially, and finally getting excited about the release of Book 7. Don't get me wrong, the minute the publication date was announced I ordered my copy of Deathly Hallows (for the record, I ordered two copies because Chad and I can't share.)
But now, I'm itching to reread the series to get ready for the finale. Not just the finale, but the release of the movie Order of the Phoenix.
Harry Potter isn't your thing? You scoff at the idea of reading these kid's books? Ha, I say thee. Okay, that was over the top, but seriously, if you've not yet given it a shot you really should. I too was a lame-ass and laughed at the idea of Potter-mania, but a wise fellow editor told me, "either read the books or shut up." Since clearly, I'm not one to shut up, I took up the gauntlet and have been hooked ever since. The last train to Hogwarts is leaving, all aboard!

PS - I've now knit two Gryffindor hats for our charity knit along! Wish me luck on a third.

Knock Knock

Hellooooo, is anyone out there? Just checking to see if any of y'all are still reading this. With the exceptions of Meg (to whom I owe a reply), Jill, and Mel, I've not heard from anyone for a while. Reply to this post or send me an email and let me know what you've been up to.
I'd love to do a "where in the world is..." post and brag on all of you talented folk, but first I need to know what you're up to.

And a Fun Time Was Had By All

We did it. Seventeen kids, twenty-one adults, three pony rides, one gallon of bubbles, one giant cake, three deli trees, no casualties. A success. The best part, I had fun too! I love watching these guys run around and have fun. Every single kid was a pleasure to be around, and behaved fabulously. And, in just under a week, Keira has gone from Oberday, to Happy Birthday. [she's also now claiming to be three, for what that's worth]
Now, on to planning our big party for this summer. Hope y'all can make it, if I do say so myself, I can throw a mean party.

Projects (or, The Myth of Getting Caught Up)

I've finished three more knitting projects, started a new knitting project, baked and iced a cake to look like a tiger, cleaned out and reclaimed a flower bed, reseeded the lawn, put in seed for herbs, and hosted a dinner party - in the past week. Why then, does it feel like I can never get anything done? Hmmm, I seem to make progress, but there's just always more.
Deciding that I simply needed to organize a bit, I thought I'd just jot down my list of projects and prioritize them - giving myself a better chance at wrapping up some things so I could get some free time.
Laughable. Simply hysterical. In fact, so funny that I feel I absolutely must share my list with you all. So, here goes. Projects that I have in the works are as follows:

1. one knit shrug
2. one knit hat
3. another knit hat (this one for charity, see blog entry on my new book!)
4. one knit baby doll coat
5. one knit afghan (well, half of one anyway)
6. one knit baby blanket
7. one knit child's sweater
8. one felted evening bag
9. two felt advent calendars (approx 3 feet tall each!)
10. four necklaces
11. one mother's bracelet
12. wrap approximately 20 Christmas gifts
13. Keira's first scrapbook
14. At least 5 photo albums worth of photos to organize
15. sew a shirt
16. sew curtains
17. paint my bedroom
18. redecorate my bedroom
19. install one new set of built-in cabinets
20. bake and ice one large sheet cake (see previous post)
21. menu plan for birthday party (see previous post)
22. shop and cook for birthday party (see previous post)
23. clean up, refresh, and mulch 6 more flower beds
24. tear out two beds, augment the soil, and replant
25. stopped the list at this point, for reasons I hardly think need illumination.
    

O-berday!!!

after cramming a whole fistful of ice cream into her mouth, Keira discovers that yes, ice cream is cold!

Two.


She's two.


Simply impossible to believe, but she's really two.


Yesterday was Keira's birthday (her second, if you couldn't guess.) This is the first special occasion that she's been able to anticipate, and seeing her develop the ability to grasp an abstract concept and get excited about it makes me realize how much she's changed in just 24 short months.


Since her last birthday, she's honed her walking skills and learned run; started to speak in full sentences; begun to grasp pronouns; figured out how to pick up, put down, and manipulate pretty much anything with her hands; has learned to try and share (not consistently, of course); decided to stand her ground without being a bully; started to offer hugs and kisses; learned names and relationships; has developed an imagination; and has figured out how to start holding up her end of the conversation. In short, she's no longer a baby. But I can say that baby or no, I really like the person she's becoming. Now, if we can only keep it that way.


She was so excited for her birthday (or as Keira would say, her O-berday.) She knows Saturday is her party, and that Grandma and Grandpa are coming, so the excitement isn't over yet.


For me, Saturday equals:

• Sixteen kids


• Twenty-some adults


• Pony rides


• Picnic food


• Games, and


• One homemade sheet cake with a jungle theme

Please, for the love of all that is holy, wish me luck.