knitigator

Cherishing Time

If I could, I would bottle the sounds and scents that I heard this morning of Mother's Day, 2008.  The scurrying about of my kids making a special breakfast for me to eat in bed, the sshhs of my husband trying to let me sleep late and, at the same time, my kids hoping I'd wake up so they could wish me a great day.  I would capture and put into a locket the hugs and kisses and the love in their eyes and poured into the cards.  I would freeze time -- for just a bit.

Happy Mother's Day!

Go Be Powerful!

Around these parts, we've been watching Akeelah and the Bee pretty much non-stop.  If you haven't seen it, it's a wonderful movie.  This passage plays prominently in the movie and it makes for an inspirational Friday.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

So, go embrace your brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous selves this weekend.

"G" is for . . .

Yesterday, my son and I went shopping at Trader Joe's.  Tonight, when I came home, he came bouncing down the stairs and said, "Don't forget, we've having the New York Yankees for dinner tonight!"  Be still my Red Sox heart.  New York Yankees for dinner?!?

Of course, Yankees!  "G" is for gnocchi!  I've heard "gnocchi" pronounced many different ways, but I think this is the funniest!

"G" is also for green, which is a close second for my favorite color.  (Red still reigns.)  Some lovely Fleece Artist "Peter Rabbit" from my fave Purl Diva.

And this "Dark Olive" beauty from Dye Dreams, a gift from Manise.  She brought me back a little bit of Connecticut Sheep and Wool!

"F" is for . . .

Fickle Fingers Scarf!  (Scroll down).  I did the "fat fingers" and just love it -- aren't those fingers so funny!!  I used three balls of RYC Soft Tweed from my stash and size 10 1/2 needles -- my unblocked scarf measures 7.5 x 51.5.  Quick and so fun to knit!

"F" is also for forsythia, which really signals for me the start of Spring on my street.

Happy Earth Day!

How Do You Do It?

Wendy asked his question the other day.  How to balance work and family, with or without children.  While I think that everyone figures out what works for them and their family, I wanted to share what has worked for me.  What follows is my comment to Wendy.

Have a great weekend!

1. Abandon Perfection (overrated, unattainable, bad model for Sophia)

2. Abandon Guilt (counterproductive, serves no purpose, stupid)

3. Abandon Toxic and Unsupportive People. Seek out advice from people you respect. Don’t listen to the chatter of people you don’t respect.

4. Food shop for all weekday dinners over the weekend — check this out — www.sixoclockscramble.com — I swear by this!

5. Housekeeping is good if you can swing it.

6. The only constant is change, so embrace the craziness. It’s always crazy, just different.

7. Remember that despite the media’s fascination/slamming of working moms, many (probably even the majority) moms work.

8. Develop friendships with people in your neighborhood and close by. You will need each other now for companionship and you’ll all need each other when your kids are school age.

9. There are many ways to do this working-mom thing — there is no right or wrong. Trust your instincts.

10. Try to keep up with the laundry. Tears are shed only when there are mountains to wash.

11. Accept help and do not criticize. The world will not come to an end if the dishwasher is not loaded the right way (okay, so I’m projecting.)

xoxoxox

We*ght Watchers Be Damned!

Yet another reason to love Dunkin' Donuts.  A "tax day" donut today -- April 15th -- with the purchase of any size coffee.  Chocolate frosted, thank you!

Truly A Wicked Pissah Test

I promise that I'll post something knitting related or just something else.  But, I couldn't resist this one.  Happy Weekend!

You Are 84% Massachusetts

Wicked pissa! Now go down to Dunkies and celebrate.

How Massachusetts Are You?

What Are You???

I have been super busy at work and with the kids, although apparently not too busy to take this test, which I found via Debbi!  One funny thing -- one of the questions is "lawyer" or "teacher".  Well, I am a lawyer, but I've always thought that teaching high school social studies (or middle school) would be a great job for me.  But, "lawyer" or "teacher" -- are they mutually exclusive?  That said, the end result of "realistic, stable and pragmatic" fits.  (And it predicts I'd make a great teacher -- hmmmm.) 

You Are An ESTJ

The Guardian You're a natural leader and quick, logical decision maker. Goals are important in your life, and you take many steps to acheive them. You enjoy interacting with others, mostly through work related activities. Your high energy level means you are great at getting things done! In love, you tend to bring stability to relationships. You feel comfortable being in charge, and you enjoy being a provider. At work, you take charge. You thrive in structured environments and don't mind enforcing the rules. You would make a great teacher, judge, or police detective. How you see yourself: Realistic, stable, and pragmatic When other people don't get you, they see you as: Rigid, bound to rules, and a bad listener

What's Your Personality Type?

Public Service Wednesday

First, if you haven't seen or heard this speech yet, go read it right now.  I am blown away by the eloquence and by the vision for a better future.  During this election year, I've maintained that, for me, inspiration was less important than experience.  Now, I'm not so sure. 

Second, what to do something good?  Go visit Heather, read about her friend Erin Klein and his Can-Do organization and then go order some yarn!  Heather is donating $10 per skein.  Easy peasy and you get beautiful yarn too.

Finally, it's just around the corner!!

That's it for today.  Next post, the letter "E" and maybe the start of a new scarf (I'm sure that's a shocker!)

Malabrigo Neckwarmer

Original title, huh!  This one is done, but I'm not feeling the love, at least not yet.  It sort of feels and, in my opinion, looks like a knit neck brace with a pretty button.  I bought the yarn to make a hat for my daughter, but she wasn't crazy about the yarn.  So, neck warmer for me. 

Cashmere Neckwarmer pattern.  Malabrigo Chunky -- color Briso -- less than 1 skein.  Size 10 1/2 needles.  Button from Shipyard Point Glassworks, purchased at SPA last month.

Mods -- I cast on 18 stitches, slipped the first stitch of each row and then ended each right side row with a K1.  I also did a crocheted button loop instead of the i-cord.  Fun, easy and very quick to knit.

Given that we are (I hope) close to the end of winter, I may put this one away until next year -- it will be nice to have a new knit ready to go when it gets cold next Fall.