Busy Knitting

I have been super busy knitting and I even did a little crocheting.  I met with Susan and a facebook friend Laura last saturday to just sit and knit.  It was a blast.  I finished 4 projects since I last blogged.  

First, a pair of socks for Liz, knit out of merino, nylon and cashmere 

Next is a dress for Becca's baby for Aunt Michele

Next is a dress for little Gianna...I just love the blue!!!

And finally, I took leftover yarn and crocheted a mat for in front of my sink.  I think I'll put it in front of the bathroom sink as it's smaller than I thought.  The sides are a little wonky because I used different weight yarns, but nonethe less, it was a fun project.

Now, I'm more of a knitter than a crocheter...but I did get a book out of the library, so hopefully it will help  me brush up on my skills a bit.   

In other news, I am finally over bronchitis, Allie is getting over strep and Krista has had a fever and vomiting.  I kept her home from school Monday, but as the day progressed she looked and felt better.  So I sent her Tuesday.  I took Cosmo to get groomed and like 10 minutes after we walked in the door, I get a phone call from the nurse that she has a fever again, so it looks like she gets another day off.

Angelina gets her braces this morning, and Allie has a regular ortho appt.  We also have our final team meeting with Carla and Lisa (Liz can't make it) to discharge Angelina from services.  The therapy has been really helpful and I'm really glad it's something I initiated.

I'm still going to my groups, doing really well.  I realized that no matter what is going on around me, I need to concentrate on myself, put myself first and take care of me.  If I don't do that, I'm not good to anyone else.  It seems to be working well.  If only I could get this sleep issue fixed than I'll be good to go.

Angelina, Allie and Anna are doing Golden Elks Pop Warner Cheer.  They have a competition in May at Great Adventure.  Tammy is going to go with me, that way we can have a fun day and I don't have to worry about it being too much.  It's hard to disappear for the day, but I'm sure Bob will hold down the fort just fine.  I'm so excited.  The last time I was at Great Adventure was with Tammy, Steven and Alex, way before I was married.  Probably in 1995 or 1996.  Crazy.

That's about all.  I should try to go back to sleep.  It's 4am.  Mark got up a little bit ago and is now sleeping in my spot, so I'll have to move him over.  I just love snuggling with him.  When he comes into my bed at night, he has to be snuggled against me, touching me somewhere.  I just love it.  I cherish those moments...I know they will not last too much longer.

I'll blog more soon.  I'm trying to figure out my next projects.  I really want to build up my etsy business, so I'm thinking of knitting up some stock for that.  I got a book about that from the library, brand new, so maybe I'll read that before picking up my needles again LOL.  

Goodnight!!!  Errr, I mean, Good morning!!!

Knitting Away

It's been a super busy knitting weekend.  I finished 3 projects.  I finished a dress that I made for a friend's daughter.  It's called "Her First Party Dress" from the book "The Expectant Knitter".

I used Bernat Baby Soft for the top and pleated bottom and Bernat Baby Jacquards for the body of the dress.  It's a self patterning yarn.

Then I made something for 2 of the social workers where I go to group.  I made an  infinity scarf for one, out of Lion Brand Homespun and size 11 needles.  Just cast on 20 and knit for as long as you want then sew the ends together.

And lastly I knit a pair of fingerless mitts.  I believe I posted my pattern already.  I made these out of Cascade Ecowool which is a blend of merino wool and alpaca.  It's a single ply yarn and super soft!!  I got it at Great Pacific Frame and Yarn Shoppe here in Point Pleasant.  

Now I'm working on socks using Cascade paints in a blue variegated for Lisa…one sock down another to go.  Then I need to start the dress for Aunt Michele for Becca and then make a dress for Gianna.  I just love making those little dresses…they are so cute!!

I've been doing real well otherwise.  It snowed again, so the kids were home from school today.  They were going absolutely nuts.  Alaina has a bad habit of screaming like crazy lately, but she finally calmed down.  That's about all….just keeping busy busy busy!!!

Jordyn and Her Dress

I started her dress 3 days ago and finished yesterday.  It came out so beautiful!!!  I used the "Her First Party Dress" pattern in The Expectant Knitter book.  There are wonderful patterns in that book, highly recommend if you have babies to knit for (especially girls!!).

I think the top took longer than the rest of the dress.  I would've made the pleat longer but I ran out of room on my needle LOL.

Here are a couple of pics of Jordyn from yesterday.  Her and Ash come to spend the day with me at least once a week and I cherish that time we have together.  We have a great time and Ash has a blast with the kids.  The kids adore the baby and Mark cracks her up LOL

So, now that I have insurance, I am getting things done that I couldn't without insurance.  I had a physical last week with my new doctor...LOVE her!!!  Totally worth the drive.  I have to go for blood work as well as take the kids for theirs, so we'll probably go on saturday.  Yesterday I went to the dentist.  I have a couple of cavities and need to 2 crowns, so I'll be going back next Monday.

I go for my appt with Mary today at 9 for my meds...good thing, I need a refill on my trileptal.  Then I have bible study, if my tummy cooperates.  It's been bothering me since before dinner last night.  I'm having a hard time sleeping because of it.  I have a hard time sleeping anyway, but this is a reason now.  Hopefully it's just a 12hr virus like we always get plagued with and I'll feel better by morning.

That's about all...until next time....PEACE

Fun day today.  Hubs went with me to therapy this morning.  Mark played with play doh the entire time.  It was very good.  I had a few realizations and things that I will continue to improve on.  I didn't realize things were so bad.  We are striving to improve our communication as well.

We then stopped at the thrift shop.  I got a nearly brand new Liz Claiborne purse for $1, a tea kettle for $1 and shirts for Mark (he is growing like a weed LOL) for $1 each.  Can't beat that.  People drop off stuff everyday so you never know what you are going to find when you in.

Then we went out for lunch at Mariner's Cove.  They are a breakfast restaurant.  I was craving one of their omelets in the wee hours of this morning.  So I had a cheddar and ham omelet.  It was so delicious.  We had gotten a gift certificate for Christmas.

I was up at 3 am again this morning.  Erin and Bob suggested I not drink caffeine at night anymore….I'm going to give it a try.  With my new meds, it might really be affecting me.  So I bought New Sleepytime Peach Tea by Celestial Seasons…it's herbal and just so delicious and soothing and calming.  I'm going to use my new tea kettle in a  little bit and make some more.  I really hope I sleep tonight because I have a super duper busy day tomorrow.

I've been feeling really good.  I had a mania a couple of weeks ago.  I feel like I am still slightly in it, but in a good way.  I didn't crash this time, which is a relief.  I love feeling this good.  I think the groups are really helping.  I am learning so many new things.  I go almost every day and therapy once a week.

We finally got our Medicaid and HMO cards so my treatment is completely covered.  What a relief.  I already went for an eye exam…my glasses are due in by Friday.  I can't wait.  Angelina picked out these beautiful awesome frames that really compliment my dark hair and skin.  I just love the way I look in them.

I need to make a dentist appointment and an appointment with the primary doctor to establish myself as a patient.  I have to travel south to Lacey area, but it's ok.  Hopefully I like her.

That's about all for today.  I have to pick the girls up from ccd soon…monday nights fly by LOL.

Until next time….PEACE

I haven't been sleeping.  I go to bed around 10 or 10:30 and wake up at 2 or 3 and am up until daylight.  I do laundry, knit, I actually knit hand warmers, a hat and an infinity scarf in 3 days due to my night reveries.  I'm tired but not as tired as I would think I would be.  I take little power naps here and there.  Tonight I'm going to try and stay in bed if I wake up.

Like I mentioned, I get a lot of knitting done when I'm up in the middle of the night, as well as watch my new favorite show Dexter (man is he hot!!!).  In 3 days I knit hand warmers, a hat and an infinity scarf.  Here are some pics

Bob was sick last thursday so I missed my two therapy groups and my knitting group.  That is when I got the yearn for these projects.  This is baby alpaca and boy is it so soft and comfy!!!  I just don't want to take these hand warmers off when I put them on!!

Kids are good.  Staying healthy.  Alaina has a field trip this week, Krista and Allie have well visits the same day, bible study…visit with Mary the APN at Preferred all in the same day.  Tired just thinking about it.

That's about all going on in my little world.  Just wish I could sleep.  Maybe tonight…..

Crazy Night

It's been one heck of a night.  Poor Alaina had stomach pains along with vomiting and Allie was vomiting.  They also had no school today due to a snow storm...again.  My appt with Mary the apn at Preferred was rescheduled for tomorrow and I had to reschedule Allie's well visit appt.  Needless to say, I barely slept last night.  Lately, what else is new.

I was in a mania last week that lasted for about 3 days before I finally started coming down.  Thankfully, this time, there was no big crash.  I feel pretty good, except I am not sleeping well.  I'll probably get an rx for trazadone tomorrow when I go.

Bible study is going well.  Hopefully we'll start faith sharing soon.  That is my favorite.  It's more personal I think.  What a great group of ladies in the group.  I look forward to seeing them every week.

That's about all.  I've been watching Dexter...Sue got me hooked.  I watch about 6 episodes a day...I can't stop watching LOL

Wrist Warmers

Supplies:

worsted weight yarn
4 size 8 dpns

cast on as follows
Needle 1--8
Needle 2--16
Needle 3--8

work 10 rounds in k2p2 ribbing

work 23 rounds straight knitting...stockinette stitch

bind off for thumb

work needle 1.  Needle 2--k5 b/o 6 K5  Needle 3--K

Next round

Needle 1--k   Needle 2--k5  cast on 6  k5  Needle 3--k5

knit for next 10 rounds

work 5 rounds of ribbing

bind off loosely and weave in ends

Now, you can leave the thumb open as is or you can pick up stitches and  knit the thumb


to knit thumb

pick up and 4 stitches on each needle (5 stitches if you need it bigger)

K 9 rounds

Bind off loosely

weave in ends

Make second one