Va Spinning and Knitting Retreat

March has been a mad month after Feb vacations and my mother's cancer surgery and helping her find a senior complex. Packing and all the moving arrangements are time consuming and especially stressful doing it with my mother watching over me.

A shocking email reminder came today of this next week. April is already next week!!!! This was registered for way back in the fall by my sister and me. Am I crazy or what driving almost 7 hours for a fiber weekend?

2008 Spinners & Knitters Retreat April 4, 5, and 6 at Shrinemont Resort.
REGISTRATION FORM
Teachers List
2008 Door Prizes
Arrive Friday afternoon/evening to check in and have dinner which will run from 5:30 until 7 pm to accommodate late arrivals.
After dinner we will meet in our assigned space, right now its looking like it will be the Hall House which is # 37 on the map below. We can bring our wheels and other fibery goodies it will be safe and sound when we are out and about.
We will meet after we eat and get to know one another as we do what we love to do best! Knit, spin, hook, and socialize with other like minded fiber people!
Friday Night Brown Bag Bazaar!
Saturday Morning is Breakfast at 8:30 and then off to our meeting Hall. We are fortunate to have Shelia Helsley back as our massage therapist and she can bring another massage therapist along to make sure everyone that wants a massage can have one! Have her do the whole 9 yards or work on those gnarly knitting hands and arms and shoulders! She is a delight and I'm sure you'll be pleased!
We are very pleased to announce that Sheila Mahone from www.wool2dye4.com and http://wool2dye4.blogspot.com will be with us to set up shop Saturday morning! She will be bringing lots of yarn and fibers to dye for those of you who want to jump on in there & have a go at it!
Anyone who would like to teach a class no matter how informal please let me know. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. This is one laid back group! About 12:30 we'll have our lunch break.
After lunch back for more fibering.
Break for Dinner at 5:30
Saturday Night Stash Bash!!
Sunday Breakfast at 8:30 and then more fibering until lunchtime. After lunch, everyone say good bye to their new friends and old alike and plan to meet back here next year!
We are still lining up events and if there are any vendors who would like to participate please let us know! We will also have door prizes and other nifty stuff!
We are already accepting reservations on your rooms and it works great if you and a pal or pals can book together so we can get you into the same room or house
I have questions about this
See you all there!

100 hour baby sweater

Damn this Baby Shadow Sweater is taking me forever. After 4th attempt and four whole nights I think I have the button hole side started. I kept following thedirections but the button holes ended up on the bottom if I wanted the right side to show up. It made matters worse by stopping this UFO several months back after I found out my nephew will be having a boy .My memory of what I did on the first part is out the window.

Next time remember to take notes!!!

So finally- the pattern was ignored and I just read the stitches.. Now- now I am beginning to question if maybe it is the pattern not me ?As I approached the next section where I make 1 stitch four times by the collar the stitch count should go up 4 stitches-right? \Notice that it went up four for the smallest size with 54 stitches but not for the rest.?


Cast on 54(60, 66, 72) sts with color A and knit 4 rows. Begin pattern with Row 1. Next row (buttonholes): K3 [yo, k2tog, k5] twice, yo, k2tog, k to end.
Continue in pattern for just under 1.5", ending with a WS row.
Shape left front neck:
Next (RS) row: Knit to last st, M1, k1.
Next row: Work in pattern.
Repeat the last 2 rows 3 more times: 58(60, 66, 72) sts. Piece should measure 2" from buttonhole row.

lace knit along

My wonderful NJ blog friend told me about this knit-a-long that is starting this summer. It is a mystery shawl knit-a-long for slow bees. This exciting adventure starts this summer and I already ordered turquoise lace yarn from Knit Picks. The directions said to order A Cold color like white or dark blue?

Description

A mystery knitalong for those who can't keep track with the usual size of clues. Starting in summer 2008We will knit a lace shawl, shape was chosen by poll. It would be a Faroese Lace Shawl shaped shawl. You may get some beads for it. ;-))Yarn-requirements, 3 skeins (each 100g) of lace-weight yarn, 950 yards per 100g and about 2950 beads (not required) if you like beads with your shawl.Recommended colour would be something really cold, like white or natural yarn, icy blue or very dark violet or dark blue.

I need to Google Faroese Lace?

Really I was not sure if bright turquoise is considered cold but picked it anyways. I had a gift certificate to use up and this was not a soft or warm looking color. Now to find some beads....

If you are interested in trying this - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slow-bee-mystery/

Spring Cleaning

My blogging and knitting have been limited this last few weeks. It will probably continue as with the coming of spring and my burst of energy to clean. Yesterday I spent the whole day purging the kitchen. I could spend another 5 days just there in those places that need sorting and cleaning out once a year. This a.m. I am starting on the refrigerator and some windows before going to help my mother. Spring is around the corner and the sun is out. Birds are coming to the feeders.

I love spring.

On the knitting front. I am struggling with Baby Shadow pattern from SWTC. It is a cuff to cuff pattern using Tofutsies sock yarns . I even emailed the designer last night to ask for help . I have torn the section where you start the button hole front side apart twice and finally gave up last night.This morning I woke up with it still boggling my mind.



Baby Shadow Sweater

Happy Easter

Watching basketball break..

Buddy

Stinky - egg guardian

checking for eggs

Today was a beautiful and relaxing day. My stepson and the grandchildren came over for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. My husband gets such a kick out out hiding the eggs and helping the kids locate them. Usually- I prepare a big ham dinner but this year it was just homemade pizza and the kids actually ate and enjoyed more. The pugs were happy too as they spent hours outside playing with the kids. It was chilly and sunny with signs of spring everywhere. I love Spring!

Dog Days on Thursday

Stinky thinks he is one of the dogs!

Buddy and Molly hiding while I vacuum this morning. The Dyson was full of pug hairs!

Wed 3/19/08

Molly and Peek-A -Boo

It has been a crazy 3 days with hardy any time to knit .That second sock is still not done.

My mother is home and doing better but can't drive or walk on her heel. It is really strange getting melanoma on your heel!. Who looks there ? This is the second surgery and hoping it is all removed this time. Unfortunately , another suspicious growth was found on her leg.

But things are going to be better. Tomorrow is the first day of spring

I am excited to be going to my knitting group tomorrow night. I have not seen my knitting buddies since Jan. Next trip is a knitters/spinners retreat in Virginia first weekend in April. Have decided not to go to knitting camp this summer. I loved this camp experience these past 2 years but it will be too close to the wedding and my budget is tighter because of the wedding. Sadly,I am not going to Maryland Sheep and Wool either.The booklet came the other day. This Festival was fantastic last year but it ended up costing a lot of money staying down there and buying too much.

more Stitch N Beach cruise shots...stressssssss

Erika and I last night on ship

more knitters - farewell night

Shannon in blue dress

Debbie is the blond!



Debbie Stolller




Debbie again

a few of the other knitters at the cocktail party

I just reread a few of my last posts. Please forgive all my misspellings and grammar errors as I was rushing. My computer time and knitting has been limited due to family commitments. Today I am home and feel so much better.

All my clothes from both trips were put away this am and one can even get in my closet now. The sheets are clean and the bathrooms disinfected. Next up is the computer/knitting room. Needles/ cruise yarn and projects are still in unpacked bags all over the place.

Tomorrow it starts all over again with doctor appointments , trip to nursing home and taking care of my mother before her surgery on Tuesday. At times I wish - I lived closer to them so it was easier and the travel time /gas was not so long. My father just got on Medicaid after my mother paid over 100,000 to the nursing home this year. The red tape is a nightmare and more forms were due Friday that have to be handed in late.

More knitting should done this week. While waiting during my mother's surgery the sock should get done. . I am so frazzled that I must knit something simple and mindless. Maybe back to the afghan squares for the blanket ?

I made some mistakes with the Stitch N Bitch pictures. Debbie is the blond and Shanon has brown hair. Here are some more pictures.

Dogs on Thursday

Molly is the mother pug of Buddy and Peak-A-Boo. she is getting up there in the years. She is looking real gray and not moving around as much . !Not that pugs are real movers -move of couch potatoes.Several teeth are missing in the bottom so she needs softer food now and her breath is pretty stinky but I still kiss her to death.

Molly needs to be on a diet! She knows if she does her business outside that if she waits at the frig she gets a snack , Her favorites are pieces of chicken or hot dogs. I just say hot dog to her when she is outside and she will come running. It is a magic word ! Molly does not need a leash - only to hear "Hot dog"

Molly shadows me. She gets up in at the am when I do and follows me to bed in the pm. She knows I will lift her because she is a little too chubby to climb up .

After my recent trips she would not leave my side and kept licking and dancing around me. It is a wonderful feeling having something love you so much and vice -versa.

I have never loved a dog as much as my Molly ( Mommy)

Getting caught up

It has been a whirlwind few days getting caught up for both trips, going to appts and taking care of my mother.Tomorrow I leave for Albany to visit my daughter. I am teaching her 5th grade science classes on Friday. My daughter asked me to share with them my info about my trip to the Galapagos . So last night was spent organizing a power point with my different picture and info that will connect with what they are learning in science. I have to finish it up tonight so still no knitting getting done. It will be weird going into the classroom again. I taught for over 30 years but this still is making me nervous like I won't know how to deal with the kids anymore. Making speeches to adults- like at Open House -was always nerve wracking for me. I am feeling the same way so need to be super organized so I can remember what to say

Stitch N Beach Cruise

Got back Sat from the DebbieStoller/Shannon Oakey cruise. Give me to a few days to get unpacked and caught up with everything. So many projects/materials were passed out in the classes that I have about 10 more ufo's to complete.. Many things here I have to deal with like my parents. My mom had a growth on her foot that turnd out to be cancer and needs more surgery to remeove the rest. Many tests and appointments that she needs to be driven to. Will my house ever be clean again?

Briefly- the weather, knitters and classes were all fantastic. Some classes were challenging/frustrating for me especially with my hearing loss. Overall- I learned many new things in these 10 days.

Debbie ( right) and Shannon give Lori an afghan that is made of squares we all made. Lori is on leave from Army and is stationed in Iraq. She was just one of the lovely people I met!

Back from Galopogos

Iguanas are so colorful and huge!
Darwin Center with Tortoises

Middle of Earth

swimming with seal lions

a baby tapir at the lodge

whew... back from wonderful trip to Ecuador. What adventures we had! Now I leave on Wed for Stitch N Beach cruise. Not much time to repack and get caught up but not complaining at all. here are a few of my fave photos.. will blog when i get back.. lots of wash and parent stuff to do before I leave again..

knitters with pets and MInis.. Galapagos trip

Molly,Buddy and Peeky

Maggoo and Peeky Stinky Molly

After signing up for Dogs on Thursday a personal record of comments were posted. Thank you all. WOW !SO many knitters adore their pets as much as I do. Another thing I have noticed is that several of my blogger/knitter friends drive and love their Mini Coopers .

Really -really -ready to take off Tuesday

But, I am alreadly thinking of what to knit when i get back. I will order Brown Sheep cotton fleece yarn for Terva Durham Ballet T Shirt and some worsted yarn that is 4.25 for Central Park Hoodie. Mailed the baby sweaters yesterday so only project I am working on is the afghan. I have sock yarn and needles packed to start in the trip to Galapogos.

Last night we just happend to see this special NG show on Galapogos . I am even more excited about this adventure trip we are taking along with 14 other people from all over the US. We arrive in Quito , Ecuador on Tuesday and stay there for one day.There the paln is to go to a exhibit to learn all about the equator as we will be on the imaginary border along with some site seeing . Next- we fly to an area where will take only a small backpack and canoe into an Amazon lodge for 3 days. Lots of nature hiking and cultural events here. DH will even get to fish for piranha ( sorry spell check is still not working) Finally - back to Quito for another short flight to the Gallapogos small cruise ship. This is my favortie part.! Seeing all the diverse animals and plants like the sea lions, turtles, reptiles, penquins, birds is going to be fascinating as we go to the different islands each day.

So- no be posting for 12 days. Instead- I will be following Charles Darwin's footsteps and soaking up some sun! Retirement is wonderful!

Dogs on Thursday

I love pugs!

About 13 years ago my original pug was Winnie. I instantly fell in love with this loyal little clown. Molly and Maggo came next after I researched and worked with my vet to become a breeder. 3 litters of adorable puppies came later.. Buddy and Peeky were part of those litters. Molly , the mother, is my soul mate. She never leaves my side and even reads my mind and vice versa.

Thursdays will now include shots of my 4 pugs and maybe get Stinky in there too. Most of this month I will be away (: but will start when I get back. Here is Molly and her baby Peek-A-Boo

Molly and her baby Buddy

Molly,Buddy and Peeky

Molly checking out the Kitty PI

One of Molly's litters

DH and the pug babies 2004

Winnie ( passed away this summer) Magoo( the father of puppies) , Molly and Peeky. Buddy is missing

http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/

Computer problems

My monitor died yesterday. Then as I was getting something for knitting I noticed it came back to life. Today it was playing games again turning all white.. Meanwhile- last night I spent that frustrating time with the C City Protection plan person and they are sending me a new monitor.Of course, that is before it came alive again.

The top down cardigan / Cabin Fever is completed. A matching hat needs to done so it can be mailed this week. DH says it is nice but those mistakes just pop out at me.

Feb 2008

Feb already.

For as long as I can remember- this is my least favorite month. My birthday was FEb 3 so you would think it would be a special month but it isn't . Why? Maybe because Feb is always dark and cold in the the NE. At this point I am sick of winter and maybe sun deprived and depressed with no energy. I was one of 6 kids so birthdays were not special with no parties or big celebrations with leftover winter clothes on sale for a gift. Now, as I get older it gets even more depressing. 57 years old .crap -how did that happen? I am closer to 60 now and time is passing me by so quickly. It scares me.
I am not sitting back and letting it happen this year

Feb 2008 will be great.

My solution to this sun deprivation and depression are the 2 trips this month to warm and sunny places. I am packed and ready to go next Tuesday.
But .
The worrying curse haunts me mostly concerning the the pets and parents. The pugs and Stinky are so attached to me and the pet sitter has been acting wierd lately. Please nothing drastic happen with my parents before I go or while I am gone. Both are unhealthy and my Dad has been in bad shape at the nursing home for over a year now just sleeping in fetal postion. My lonley mother depends on me to make her everyday decisions like going to doctors and paying bills. Yes - There are 5 other siblings but not living as close and still working. Hopefully- they will call her once in awhile.

Ps. sorry spell check is still not working

photos of BSJ/Spell check not working

Blogger is acting up lately. Spell check and downloading pictures are not cooperating. I downloaded the pictures after some trouble shooting. But -spell check is still not working.HELP !

Back view

and
Front view

It is done..ready to be sent off for nephew's baby.. some mistakes but next time should look better. . The increases ( or maybe decreases) look messy in the lower front. The whole thing is a surprise in how it is made . I just followed the directions without totally understanding what was happening. Next time it should click..