Oops

So I have this 5month old, who is very cute, but has had this hacking choking cough FOREVER!  Now before you assume anything, she has been to the Doctor (several times) and she is fine.  We also have a big humidifier for the room.

However, the choking cough she has  sounds horrible and she most often does it in the middle of night.  Sometimes it goes on so long I need to go over to get her and check her out.

That is exactly what happened last night, at about 2Am, in my bedroom. The same bedoom that that my husband, who knows my gracefulness, has dark enough for a vampire.   Kennedy starts to cough and choke, so up I get.  As I jump out of bed to rescue her, I move two steps and fall on my dog. I fell hard and landed slpayed out  on the floor and on the dog.   Now my husband is awake and I hear" Heather, Heather, was that you are you alright?" After I reply, the next sound I hear from him is snoring.  He is used to this as I am an amazingly graceful:) person.

Well, the only thing really hurt was my grace.   Magnus, the dog, kindly waited for me to get up before he lept up and ran....er went to sleep far away from me across the room.  I think he felt safer by the window.

Needless to say, Kennedy had stopped coughing by the time I got there and was peacefully back to sleep. Actually, everyone was back to sleep except me..... I was left like  like Larry David awake pondering the political agenda of the Christian conservative(((Shiver))))).

Camera woes

As you know I dropped and messed up my beloved camera.  It now really SUCKS!  And I am using a IPhone as a camera...not that great.  Can not give any real updates or picks of my knitting. Plus I am missing a lot of great pics of the kids.

So let me know what you think for a new camera.  I am going between these two but let me know if you have a better option.

The Olympus in the first picture has 18X Zoom but only 7.1mega pixels, while the Fuji has 10X zoom with 8mega pixels.   I like the zoom option my last had an 8x zoom and I got beautiful pics in Bermuda.

So I am torn they are both the same price but the Fuji does come with that fashionable camera bag:)

Rhonda's 100th Post Contest

Rhonda at http://roavings.blogspot.com/2008/01/100th-post-rings-and-viewer.html
is having a contest. The prize one of her hand made rings...Be sure to check it out and make sure you say I sent you.......
(picture from Rhonda's page)

Winter Doldrums Swap Contest

There are many people who ADORE receiving hand-knit or crochet items; but there are just as many who have no appreciation whatever of how much love, work, and time goes into a hand-made item. Share a story of a hand-made gift you gave to someone and how it worked out - good, bad, or ugly!
Funny you should ask such a question. It is actually my husband. He views knitting as a waste of time and begged me to never make him anything as tacky as a knitted object. It is not just my knitting it is even hand knitted stuff by flawless knitters. He mocks my projects with such comments as who would want hand knitted socks, they would be bumpy and ugly and uncomfortable. Again even the ones in the knitting store by professional. Yes he is an ASS. But he is my ass....
On the positive, the hat and washcloth were very well received by my friend Yvette and the shower guests so I felt very happy!!!

Touch Me!!

No not really, unless you are John Mayer or James Taylor(don't ask about my taste).

I knitted YES knitted my first sock. I did it on DPN and it was not as hard as I thought it to be. For my first pair I did not use the lovely sock yarn Sharon my swap partner gave but instead some cheap (er) worsted weight encore that was easy to work worth and gave quick results. Besides the little redhead claimed my first pair for her and love her I do but I am not using beautiful sock yarn stash on 5yo growing feet!
It turned out well, now it is not perfect as it is the first, but it went SOOOO quick I can not believe it. Kate does have tiny feet for her age, she is 36lbs and 43" wearing only a size91/2 -10(American) shoe size. I do feed her. So the knitting was quick, I used a great and easy to follow pattern: Classic Socks from Yankee Knitter Designs. It has patterns for all sizes from babies to Men's. I made hers in the small size. It also allows for all types yarn and allows you to knit many types of socks besides the plain basic pair I did as my first.
Definitely worth the trip to the yarn B*&** store and the $6.


Question: Are knitting store owners in other countries nicer than here? It is not just where I am in the US, because when I lived in the south I took lessons from the knitting nazi (what I called her) of course she lived 40 years in Canada and was from England?!?!!:? Just curious.

Not a great shot....blame the camera not the photgrapher. I loved this it was easy and fun. I got it on line and just have to remeber where. I am giving it to a friend for her newborn on to be....

Andrew's Umbilical Hat

This is Andrew's Umbilical hat from Stitch'n Bitch. It was an easy mindless pattern that worked well especially after I learned Icord for the fair isle project. Do not be intimidated by it, follow the directions and it is soooo Easy!

Fair Isle Hat

Well with my dead camera I have not had a lot of access to ways to photo ongoing knitting projects but decided to take a few with Ken's IPhone. Bear with me it is not the best camera.....

This is my first fair isle attempt and like I said before a great 1st project it was just interesting enough to make it fun and Not loose your religion!

Pedistrian Frogger

First off let me say: I feel my death will happen in a store parking lot. Anyone who knows me has heard me say this a million times. I hate them they are so dangerous like Frogger with real people. People drive through them like they are an obstacle course to see how fast they can make it around and into the best spot. Kinda like a video game and we are the poor little pedestrian frogs.
So, imagine the fun time I had already had taking around my 5 yo and 5 month old in the Walmart...of course I need diapers and of course they have NOW moved all the Hannah Montana junk err stuff to the front of the store making it impossible for a 5 yo girl to miss. So after 20 minutes of no you have 6 billion shirts, you have the video, you got the wig for Christmas, You do NOT need another Hannah purse! We finally made it through the store and were heading out the door and back to the car.
Let me say: I KNOW that putting the baby in the carrier on top is not the best move, but she was locked in....and onto the cart. I told 5yo put your hand on the cart you know people can not see you....
So off we go, yes I look both ways when out of Nowhere this jackass comes flying around the corner through the crosswalk, (now we really were frogger) so as any good Mother I jerked the cart and the 5yo out of the way. As I did this, the car seat came flying off and down went the 5month old(buckled in TG) onto the ground. At this point I lost my mind and of course the jackass never slowed, however a nice lady who saw it all jumped out to help us and got me back to the car with screaming baby and stunned 5yo in tow.
Baby is screaming with a huge egg developing on her head, I am traumatized, Katie my 5 yo is crying, you know typical day.
So I Head to the doctor, driving of course the speed limit( ya right) when Katie starts screaming about the baby, I turn my head and drive into the median curb destroying my tire. So now I have a crying baby a upset 5 yo, panic mother and blown tire and we still have not gotten to the doctor.
I run next store when I get home on the tire to my neighbor who took one look at me and handed over the car keys and buckled the kids in so I could get to the Doctor.
Happy Ending, Baby fine except the egg bruise, 5yo back at school, car, well after a 1/2 lecture on not panicking my hubby is fixing the tire and getting me a new one.
MORAL: Parking lots are hell on earth and more dangerous than the bathroom for accidents:)

Now that I lived through this maybe knitting socks will seem easy....

Withdraw

I am going through extensive withdraw. I know I posted a few weeks ago about my broken camera. Well it is not really working, so I can not take pictures of my knitting projects. However, more importantly, I can not take pics of my daughters and lately they have been sooo cute together. Kennedy is getting older and more fun so she just laughs at her big sisters antics all the time. Her face lights up when she sees Katie, rolling herself to be close to her and grabbing her face for kisses. Too cute.

On the knitting front, I finished my first fair isle project, a hat. An easy pattern and free on line. I loved it and it was a lot of fun. http://freddyknits.blogspot.com/2005/03/beginners-fair-isle-baby-hat-free.html

As soon as Ken gets home I will take a picture with the iPhone camera so I can post it here. My older daughter took it as her own.

I am now making a quick umbilical hat for a friends son for her shower. I had put this off because I did not know how to do an Icord and was intimidated by it. Now that I have tried it I do not know why I waited so long it was really easy, I just followed directions word for word.

Well tonight it is off to make tea hats with my daughters daisy troop. This should provide a good photo laugh of me!

Contests

News Flash:
Cass at http://shutupimcounting.wordpress.com/ is havinga contest for post number 444. FYI you have toa nswer some questions and I highly suggest checking out her past posts, it makes for great reading. Oh yeah and give me credit for sending ya...Thanks!

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Swap Weekly Question

Weekly Topic: Dishrag. Dishcloth. Face cloth. I've seen folks get all fired up in forums when someone refers to their knit or crochet creation as a dishrag, as that's somehow offensive to them! When you're working on yours, what do you call them? Also, is there a difference between a dishrag and a dishcloth? How bout a facecloth? Are they all really the same thing?

First let me say, I am not that particular and mostly use sponges(for my kitchen get your mind outta the gutter). However, if someone took the time to knit or crochet me a dishcloth, I would NEVER refer to it as a dish rag. I think the term rag implies used up and ready to be used as a household rag to dust or clean the floor:)

A face cloth to me would be softer knit, ie: not knit to scrub, and is used in the shower. I personally call them wash cloths but I think it depends on your location.

When I work I mine I call it what it is going to be used as, ie: I made my daughter a face cloth with a butterfly pattern in pink and then I made a heart designed dish cloth.

Have a Great Weekend!!!

I can jam to John Mayer

In case anyone is wondering (Cass), you can jam to John Mayer....okay maybe just one song....Why Georgia...But you can. Additionally, I think he is more fun to look at than Kelly Clarkson.

Magnus the Amazing Dog

Here is my pain on the ass err wonderful dog Magnus. Yesterday, God felt my life as the parent of a five year old a five month old and two dogs was much too boring. So when I came home from picking up my 5 yo at school, I found that Magnus the PITA (pain in the ass) dog had chewed the cap off the top of windshield washer fluid and De-Icier. So after I called the vet, they referred me to Poison control, who due to the very lethal nature of it..(at this point you know I was completely relaxed while on the phone-----READ PANIC!!!!) had me call Animal poison control. Well long story short and 60 dollars later (it is not a free service) my dog is fine, it is NOT lethal to most dogs....Mainly causes depression, stomach upset, and ataxia (acting like they are drunk....)

Needless to stay after the phone call I opened a beer and sat down got out my knitting and tried to relax till my third child-----I mean my husband, got home:)

Little Cables Hat

This was a great pattern. 

Very easy with enough detail to make it look interesting. I really enjoyed it.

Yarn is Cashmerino Aran from Debbie Bliss in dusty rose. This yarn was from my winter coffe swap pal: Sharon V!!!! 

Thanks Again. I love this yarn!!!

Pray for peace for the family of Cherese taken to soon by violence.

Senseless Violence Pisses Me Off!

This is not for the faint of heart or those in a happy mood:(
I AM REALLY ANGRY AT PEOPLE WHO THINK IT IS SPORT TO TAKE SOMEONES LIFE FOR FUN!

Yesterday two girls, who attend the school I work at, were shot by some people driving by in a car. Let me say( not that it matters) this did not take place in the center of the "hood" but in an upscale middle to high income area. The young girls are both good students at the school. One was shot in the leg and is doing fine except for the emotional scars she will have forever.
The other is in critical condition after being shot in the head.

I am horrified by this senseless act of needless violence. Do not even get me started on the cultural and other aspects of this event. I am saddened for these families torn apart by this incident.

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Swap Questionare

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Knit
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? 7 or 8 needles round
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? peaches and cream or peaches and cream inexpensive but pretty cotton yarn
Is there any that you've been wanting to try? Patterns with letters socks, & fair isle---that is when I am drunk and think I can do anything
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)? Kitchen is light green(when we paint it sort of a lighter olive color) Baths are various: pink in the girls and ours is a white color still.
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? greens, autumn colors, maroons, and pinks
Least favorite? bright orange and limes
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends? Depends on the day...I like the change but hate the early darkness. Of course today it is almost 70(crazy for the midatlantic) and sunny SO I miss spring.
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps? Take a bath
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps? A book in the bath(I love my bathtub!)
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa? I love coffee that is not too bitter and all types of tea but green tea. I like the apples and spice and English teas.
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? That is hard I really want to go to Greece and Australia, but if I had only a week it would be Sydney Australia now because it is summer there. I also want to go on a cruise to the Artic. But yet I hate t o be cold. I know weird. 11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? I am allergic to pines and eucalyptus. I love vanillas and most other scents.

I am sooo Happy

I was so distressed yesterday, I got this great purple bamboo yarn. I knitted a swatch and it is GREAT!!!! So naturally I could not wait to knit something plus I have a 5month old daughter so I thought dress. After searching for many hours, I found two perfect choices, the Mable and a jumper type. Now the jumper was my first choice because it is done on 4 and 6 needles not 1 and 2's. ( read slow knitter would take forever) But then I knitted a swatch that was too short.
Sadness defeat pictures of buying and knitting with number 2 ( I have NONE).
Then through a conversation with my Mom ( read super knitter) I am now able to make the orginal dress. Which I plan on starting after the intended recipent finally stops crying and falls asleep. She is spoiled and I have to hold her sometimes. ( okay a lot and it is my fault).

Contest

Try and check out Friender's blog: http://friender.blogspot.com/ . A nice read and seems very nice. Plus she is having a contest for her 99th Blog.

Also speaking of contests: The bag lady and the pro are having a contest so be sure to check that site out. I am jealous of her recent trip to Alaska:)

A Sad Day

First I am a moron!
I dropped my camera, it broke! Now for those of you who do not know, I LOVE this camera. I have had it for 3 years and it is my life. I love to take pictures, I take them all the time(as anyone who reads this knows) and now it is not working right.
Let me say in my defense, I have a 5 month old and she and the 5yo were doing something so cute I was in a rush to get the batteries in the camera and take the picture and did not realize the camera was stilled looped around my hand....SO....when I reached down to get the batteries, BOUNCE goes the camera off the tile floor. UGH MFERR*&*^%%, adn *&()*&^!
Now my wonderful husband has gotten it to sorta work but it is not up to par and is probably going to die again soon. In the meantime, I took some photos of the hat I knitted Kennedy and my Ipod cover!

Cashmerino Yarn

This is Kennedy in her Beanie hat...Pattern from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies.

Yarn...yep you guessed it Cashmerino from Debbbie Bliss courtsey fo my winter swap spoiler Sharon.

This yarn was such a delight to knit with...and the hat was so easy and comae out so nice. I love it and so does Kennedy. Thanks Sharon!

Ravelry

YEAH MY INVITE CAME...now I'll see you all later off to ravelry.....:)


Well this will have to be quick because I am obseesively hanging out on Ravelry trying to learn my Way around there!!!!
If you have not signed up do, it is FABULOUS!!!!!! But addicting...Iwas up past 11PM playing around on it!

Contest!

Anne and her sister Martina are having a Bloigaversary contest!!!
Stop on over to: http://www.yarnfamily.com/ and check it out!!!!
There are threee ways to enter be sure to try all of them if you dare!!!!!

Contest!

Winter Dish Cloth Swap

For those of you looking to beat the winter blahs...Anne is hosting a dishcloth swap: http://dishclothexchange.blogspot.com/
Check it out it looks like it will be fun. Registration begins on January11, 2007!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!
Hope you had a great holiday. I am recovering from mine today!