Annual Hibernation Day

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday.  It can be a hard day for women who wanted to be mothers and aren't.  I have learned that hibernation is often the best way to deal with the day.  So many people wish "Happy Mother's Day" to every female that has reached child bearing age.  I guess they figure it's safer that way.  They don't mean to hurt those of us who aren't mothers, but it can hurt quite a bit.  I had thought this year that I might go to the gym - safe enough really.  But, just a few minutes ago here at work, someone wished everyone in our office a Happy Mother's Day - then came back and asked me "Kate, do you have kids?"  Now, I sit here, ready to cry.  Unable to finish the banana I just started, unable to think about much else but hibernating on Sunday.  If I venture out - I may not have any issues.  I may be in a mental frame of mind ready to deal with anything - but I know it's safer to plan for the worst.  I have a lot of knitting to do and the house could use a cleaning, so I think that's where I'll be.

"Get over yourself"

Ever want to say that to someone or mulitple someones, but you can't because it wouldn't be politically correct - but it really should be said to them?  That's how I'm feeling right now.  You know - like when the guy next to you is saying "Oh, I broke my toe.  Poor me, I broke my toe."  And you want to say "DUDE!  You broke your freaking pinky toe.  Joe broke both legs and an arm.  GET OVER YOURSELF!" 

So, right here, right now on my little blog - you don't know who you are - but I'm rolling my eyes and privately thinking "Oh my God.  Get over yourself woman.  Seriously."

I feel so much better now.

knitting update

Trying to post some pictures here.  This is my St Enda, an aran sweater.  I'm very happy with it.  The yarn is soft and warm.  I like the cables - first time I did a closed end cable.  Very cool.  I really enjoy cabling.


Here's a hat I did with some leftovers, sent to my sister who loves to wear hats.  I wish the picture wasn't so washed out - they are great colors.


I think that's up to date for finished projects.  Working on a few right now, planning the next ones.

The middle finger's other uses

There are more things that the middle finger does than just flip someone off.  I learned this when I sprained mine over the weekend.  It was a gardening mishap.  I was moving some daylilies to try and pull out the onion grass there when a big fat bumblebee came flying out.  In my haste to escape the dangerous bee (I am very, very, very afraid of bees), I managed to sprain my left middle finger.  Gripping doorknobs is not easy.  Griping my fork to anchor my meat so I could cut it was paintul.  I found that lifting some things - like my ipad - are impacted by the pain.  Worst seems to be hooking my bra - I'm not sure what role exactly the middle finger plays in that, but it hurts to do it.  Fortunately, it does not impede my knitting.  And fortunately, or not, I can still flip someone off - with the other hand.

Holy Cow it's been a while!

So, the Aran sweater was finished - at 11 pm the night before the St Patrick's Day Parade.  Or so I thought.  I did a final check the next morning and saw one end not woven in.  Fixed that, wore it to two parades - so proud, will post finished pictures soon.  Now I am working on three projects.  One is a cardigan with an interesting stitch pattern - the name of the pattern is Neon.  It's got kind an openwork pattern - a nice spring/summer sweater.  I'm also working on a Quill shawl - the colors are gorgeous.  I knew they were nice, then yesterday I was sitting outside knitting and in the daylight they are even prettier.  Must take pictures!  The last project is a travel project right now - socks for A.  It's a simple pattern, k3, p1 ribbing.  Great travel knitting - no need to keep referring to a pattern.

In other news, my brother got engaged - very happy about that.  His fiancee is terrific.  Boomer is happy that it is getting warmer out and he can go lay out in the yard, work on his tan.  Life is generally good.  I've just been a bad blogger.

Happiness is...

...making good progress on a knitting project. 
I started an Aran sweater earlier this month.  I should finish the front tonight or tomorrow night.  This is giving me great hope that I can finish the sweater by St Patrick's Day.  I would love to wear it to the parade - after all, it's an Irish sweater and it's green.  This project has made me appreciate Ravelry more than ever.  Looking at other people's St Enda's (the pattern) and reading their notes helped me see that if I stuck exactly to the pattern, I would be making a sweater for someone far taller than me.  So, here are some pictures of the sweater as it stands now. 

The color is not quite as green as it appears in the first picture, it's closer to the second. And I must say that I am loving this yarn.  It's slightly heathered looking, which really works for this sweater and it's soft.  For anyone who cares, it's Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Worsted.

Boomer in the snow

The snow has melted some, thanks to the rain Monday and some slightly warmer temps.  So, Boomer has ventured out into the yard a few times.  This morning, the snow had a bit of a crust, so he could walk on top at times and would fall through at others.  Is it bad that I got a laugh out of watching him navigate?  Here are some pictures I took.