Monday, October 30, 2006

Monster Mash


Happy Halloween, a tad early! SK wanted me to post some pictures of his 2006 creations. As you can tell, he doesn't mess around. Thank god, it's only once a year. If I have to have another conversation about "Monster Mud", I may get in that coffin.

I'll post knitting content tomorrow, just so you'll have something to think about on your long flight. Oh how bored you will be... But let me tell what I've learned.

It gets easier with age to just nod your head. At the party we were talking about babies, shock. SIL brought their 10 week ole peanut. She's a great baby! Everything Gus wasn't. She only cries if she wet or hungry and nothing in between. You see, Gus had colic. I think it's because of my years and years of saying, "I don't want a kid." Spending 2 weeks with Ava on bedrest will do that to an 8th grader. After one of my last OBGYN visits, the midwife informed me that I could go any day. I must have looked shocked, because she asked "Well what did you think was going to happen in 9 months?" But labor didn't kill me and he nursed right away, two things that concerned me the most. The day before my mother left, Gus turned into a totally different baby. He screamed all day. Wouldn't calm down unless I was nursing him or holding/moving him. I just kept telling myself, "This is what newborns do." It wasn't until I went home to visit my mom and also visiting sister for some help/break. After only a couple of hours, they also noticed that his behavior wasn't "normal". Other Sister often says that she would not have had the patience I did with Gus. I felt good for the first time. It wasn't anything I did or couldn't handle. I had colic as a baby, so maybe it was some cosmic payback.

Anyways back to the SIL. She says, "I think babies are a reflection of how their parents handle them. If you're calm, the baby is calm. Same with frantic or frazzled mothers. Maybe you were a frantic mother and that's why Gus was the way he was." I think about her statement now and I want to scream. She can't leave the baby for more than 2 hours without crying! But I shook my head, no and said, "Colic." Maybe her next child will have colic. But as the Other Sister would say, "I would never wish a Gus Newborn on my worst enemy." And the SIL isn't an enemy, just family.

I promise, knitting stuff tomorrow!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm

The Frequent Flyer is a huge fan of this show and has been for years. In fact, he has even successfully hooked the girls and me on it. This is quite an accomplishment since a friend of mine also attempted to explain it to me in my youth and was unsuccessful. Last weekend, the episode was a little creepy and Veronica promptly proclaimed she would have nightmares. We (her father and I) took it in stride because she is prone to scares so it wasn’t a real concern. Needless to say, I said goodnight to the girls and went to bed without really thinking about the whole situation.

What to do with this yarn?

At 4:30 AM, the phone rang. It was one of those situations where you are so deep in sleep that you don’t realize something is occurring in real time. Thirty seconds later, the phone rings again. The Frequent Flyer mumbles about the phone (it was 4:30.30 AM after all) and I reach for it only to get a dial tone. Fearing for the worst, like a death in the family, I call our voicemail and hear that there are no new messages so I chalk it up to a wrong number, but the phone rings again. This time I grab it only to hear this:

Caller: Mommy, I’m scared. Help me!
Me (in full blown panic mode because I recognize the voice): Veronica? Is that you?
Veronica: Mommy, I’m scared. Can you get me?
Me (knowing damn well I tucked her in, so she must have been kidnapped and I didn’t wake up): Where the hell are you?
Veronica: I’m in my room and I can’t open the door because I am frightened.
Me (perplexed to say the least): How are you calling me?
Veronica: I took my cell phone to bed in case I needed to call you. Come get me.
Me (slightly pissed now): Can’t you just come over to my room (which is two feet away, just in case you were wondering)?
Veronica: No, I’m too scared from Dr. Who.
Me (really pissed now as the Flyer is snoring through this and it was his show that did it): Fine, hang up, I’ll be right there.

As Veronica puts it later - much later as I slept with her in a twin bed - one of her biggest fears is opening her door to find someone behind it. Really? My biggest fear is getting a phone call from one of my children at 4:30 AM sounding as if they have been kidnapped into white slavery (thanks for that one, Mom). Thankfully, last night’s Dr. Who was not that scary and actually quite fun.

Rafe Purse from Target

The purse? Couldn't resist it . . . espcially since it will come in handy this coming week for Guy Fawkes Day. All you Anglophiles out there, the Flyer and I are heading to the Motherland in a few days so if there is anything that you would like me to pick up, I am only too happy to oblige. Lola has asked for a Kim Hargreaves kit, but I love shopping especially for other folks. I am so keen on getting to Liberty as its selection of Rowan yarn is second to none and its fabric line would look lovely on several of Amy Butler’s patterns. Again the offer is there if anyone would like to take me up on it. Drop me a line with your list and we’ll chat (virtually that is).

Ava

PS – Can’t wait to wear the hat in London-town with the Alter Knits wrap. Oh, and if anyone has any suggestions what to do with the yarn in the first picture, please let me know. I have about 11 balls and I am wondering why I bought it in the first place.

Can't resist a good hat

Thursday, October 26, 2006

100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

DSCF0419
This is me, hanging my head. Why? Look closer... Closer... Time's up.
It's Halloween. I think that every year my love for the holiday will come back, but that's not happening this year. Don't get me wrong, I do like the holiday. I do. But the Lola household runs it into the graveyard! It's this damned Halloween party we've been throwing. I swore that Halloween 2005 was the last. But like an ghoulish idiot, I gave in. So the table is full of uncarved pumpkins once again (I have never liked this part of the holiday). Yes, SK has been pretty good this year. He's only created 2 mummified skeletons and he's taking tomorrow off to prepare the graveyard. But it's suppose to rain and snow all day Saturday, so I'm going to have all the Pirates, Witches, and Side-Show Freaks in the house.

No 2. reason my head hangs low, I finished the Pimlico Shrug. "Shouldn't you be celebrating?" Ava says. Yes, but after ribbing for 6 inches, it's the only position my head can get into. That's 6 inches of ribbing on 480 stitches! I think that one of my Denise cables is ruined from all the pushing and pulling. But it is a great shrug/wrap/sweater, whatever the hell it is! Not real flattering, but I didn't knit it to be so. The short time I wore it for the picture, I was thrilled with it. Just like the book said, it jazzed up my dirty jeans and nasty t-shirt (I don't have an appointment until very late this afternoon. Why clean up before?)
Here's the morbid specs:
Needle size: US 8
Yarn: Knitpicks Merino Style Moss
Pattern: Pimlico Shrug from Knit 2 Together

Usually when a project is finished, I like to think about the things that I've learned. No question, this project has taught me to hate ribbing! Hate hate hate the stuff. If someone dresses up like 2x2 Ribbing at our party, I'll either pass out or kill them. The chances of someone picking that costume is highly unlikely, so put away the handcuffs.

My WIP pile is shrinking. I have a lot of projects that don't have deadlines. I have one sleeve of my EZ Comfy Gray Sweater done, but there's no time line on that one. I need to start the Baby Miter Square Blanket, but I can't seem to look at miters yet. The Lizard Ridge Blanket is fun to occasionally work on, but I don't care if it becomes a graduation gift for Gus. I need something real quick and dirty. Maybe I'll spit out a hat. I'm also thinking of doing some charity knitting. Ava, want to look for something together? If anyone has good ideas, leave us a comment.

Now that my shrug is done, I can clean, cook and decorate for this weekend. Oh spooky joy.

Monday, October 23, 2006

She Sells Sanctuary

Jumping on the bandwagon, Lola. I love reading everyone's repsonses so I thought I would post my own . . . that and I am trying to avoid creating a worksheet or two. Fine, you bullied me into it. I also don't feel like working or looking for a Toddler costume. I'll post my responses in Purple. Hang with me, I'm not as witty as you.

1. FIRST NAME? Ava, for all intents and purposes Lola, ditto.

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Picked it because if the Flyer and I had decided to have any more children, I would have lobbied hard for this name. I never would have won, though, since it is the German name of Veronica’s arch-nemesis. My actual middle name is named after my mother’s favorite student when she taught at a state mental institution (which is where my parents met, by the way). I figured I could never get Steak Knife to name a daughter Lola. Not that I subscribe to the "She's his Daughter too, so he should get 50% of the naming rights" way of thinking. Until he can carry her for 5 months, he can't get 50% of the naming rights.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Probably a little after the school shooting in Lancaster County because it hit a little close to home, both geographically and occupationally. I’m good for a release cry about once every third month and every January 28th. This isn't fair, I cry all the time. I'm pretty sure that I cried at least 5 times yesterday. Gus is new to the toddler room & 2 kids hugged him, "hello." I'm sure that a few commercials got me. Studio 60 got me when they were interviewing the Old Guy that was black-listed. See, I have problems. I inherited my mother's ability to cry if a cute puppy passes her, so I'm always crying.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Actually quite a bit (print and script). I like Lola’s better, though. First, Ava's crazy! Her handwriting is beautiful, always has been. Mine's scratchy. I can't spell, so there's always strike-outs. And since I leave words out, you've got little scribbles all over the place.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? I love hard salami and Italian roast beef.Ditto, but I'd be REAL skeptical.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? If you count this blog, yep. If not, I start a lot of journals but rarely if ever finish them. No. Ever since Ava and the Other sister found mine in the 2nd grade, told everyone who I "liked", I vowed never to repeat that business.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, but I always wanted to have them removed for the perks. No one would listen though. Still do.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Oh, yes! Something about jumping and knowing (well, kind of knowing) that I would be okay makes it sound good. Nope. I'm a sit on the couch kind of girl.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Lucky Charms probably because my mother always said it was too sugary . . . Betty and Veronica can’t touch them. I love cereal. While I was pregnant with Gus, I survived on it. Anything cheap and generic will do. Once again, my mother's influences are still with me. Why pay for a name? When we were little, she'd buy the K-Mart "Keds" & paint a blue rectangle on the heel. Guess jeans? Rip the patch off & sew them on cheap jeans. Remember Skids? Our mother would recreate the patch and sew them on some slouchy pants she made. Illegal? I know that now.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No way. Even though I where precious few tied shoes, I always flip them off at the heel. Nope. That's why I live in my Vans and will be buying a pair of Converse's without laces.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I had twins, I have the scars, you do the math. Right now, I'd say, "No." But I usually surprise myself. I hate blood. Can't watch CSI. S.K. had to get a bunch of stitches about 5 years ago. He didn't even want the hospital to call me. I had no problems. Labor & Delivery. Once they said that I could still get an epidural, no problem. Ask me again when I've got to take Gus in for stitches.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Crunch (and Baskin-Robbins Caramel Chocolate Crunch, but they haven’t had it around in a while). Here's my Dad's influence, Mint Chocolate Chip!

14. SHOE SIZE? 9.5 depending upon the brand. 8 or 8.5.

5. RED OR PINK? Pink with a dollop of red on the top Ditto.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Being shy around new people and having others perceive it as bitchiness. That and people who know me argue that I can’t possibly be an introvert (that’s because you know me, folks, that you think I am an extrovert). I probably gossip more than I should. I also hold a grudge and have a hard time apologizing first.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? The Scooby Gang. I'm out on this question.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Since I stole this from Julia’s blog (and itÂ’s on Cara’s as well), I’ll just troll the other websites and see who posts theirs

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Somehow, there should be heavy breathing with this question. Blue jeans, a white t-shirt, green cordouroy jacket, and wool clogs . . . the only heavy breathing there should be is from the Flyer. Dirty jeans, dirty shirt, and a dirty sweatshirt. As you can tell, I should be doing laundry.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Part of a 3-foot sub (ham and cheese). See question 10.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The sound of the iMac droning and my typing (plus the dog licking her stress spot). Howard Stern online. Please don't ask me to explain this one, but for some odd reason I love the show. I know all the reasons why I shouldn't, but I don't care. It's a vice.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Burnt Sienna. (insert clever adjective) green.

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Bar none, lavendar. Almonds come a close second. Lilac, all the way.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mother (ironic, isn’t it). Staple's manager to confirm tomorrow's appointment.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and nose (I love the Flyer’s nose . . . it got him everywhere). Height. The boys had to be taller than me. Not an inch shorter. Once there was a boy that had a nice accent. I tried to slouch, but that got old. If that makes me vain, I don't care.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? In the blog world, yes! In real life, I wouldn’t know her without the camera in front of her face.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Blue Moon or Yuengling. Corona & coffee! Not together of course.

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Watching football or Aran knitting. Big DITTO. But make it college football. Go Bucks. Do you have a countdown for the OSU vs. Michigan game yet?

29. EYE COLOR? Hazel with a twinge of green around the rims (I’m a bit sensitive about that). Ditto.

30. HAT SIZE? The second tightest peg. Usually, the last peg. Everytime the DR. says Gus' head is in the 95% club, I apologize.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I can, but I prefer my glasses. Yep & I never take them out. So someday, I'm screwed.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Anything chocolate based, but I love my chili and the Greek Yogurt Pot at Pret a Manger. Quarter Pounder and Chiptole Steak Bowl. I've got to get off of this computer and eat something.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings that aren’t forced. Happy endings. S.K. loves scary movies and always "forces" me to watch them. When I give in, he'll say " and no knitting." And that's where I draw the line.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter all the way. I hate SUMMER. Hate it! So much that we planned Gus' birth around that season. I'm so bitchy when the temperature goes above 70.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs are lovely, but there is nothing like a 10 minutes kissing session with your hubby (make that my hubby). Hugs. But I love how Gus kisses us good-night. I think he's confused about "kisses" & "blowing kisses". He'll hold his hand out until it touches you mouth. Then he grabs my nose, don't ask me to explain that one.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate anything. Brownies.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Well, Lola, darling, it is your turn to post yours . . . but wait a while why don’t you. Shit. I didn't read this one until I got to it. Screw it. Just be happy I did it.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Lola

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Walter Dean Myers' autobiography (before I put it out for the kids), Imagined London (less than two weeks to go), and always Persuasion. Come on. I did buy, "Running with Scissors."

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Don’t use one. Ditto.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Law and Order: SVU and Britain’s Biggest Spenders (the one guy looked like a Little Britain character waiting to happen). Heroes. Love this show & can't believe that Ava's family isn't watching it!

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Veronica’s laugh . . . I wish I could bottle that. Insert Gus' name.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles all the way. Ditto.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Paris and Scotland. Crap. Toronto, I think.

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I’m using it right now (nice outfit). I think I'm a pretty good Euchre player. Oh and pretty good at embellishing a story.

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Stolen from Julia at Fricknits

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Changes

Nothing to show today, I'll save that for a Toddler-free day. But I have made progress on the shrug (Next PU 320 sts. Ugh.) and I finished one sleeve on my Comfy Gray Sweater (pictures and post about this new project). But just wanted to catch-up.

Work meeting was a work meeting. No one yelled at me for knitting, but I really think most were asleep. IU game was as boring as watching the Project Runway finale and you know who won. Stupid USA Today and Room Service! Today we're going to a pumpkin farm with the other family in the land. Gus is going to wear his Seamless Yoke and I'm taking a camera. Now if I just will pull it out and use it...

So here are a couple blogs I'm addicted to:
Little Birds

Posie Gets Cozy
Soulemama

And sometimes, Hello My Name is Heather
They make me want to make a lifestyle change (see I did ok with the Song Title post)! I bet they never go to big box stores. Am I the only one that's imtimdated by Farmers' Markets? Drink tea over coffee. And it isn't the type of tea that comes in a box with a sleeping bear on the front! Drink wine over beer, but only occasionally. Don't even think about it being in a box (or a cold garage). Plastic bags, you've got to be crazy! They have more cool unbleached totes than you or I could imagine. I bet there's no tv in the house. Maybe one 12 inch, in case of an emergency. If they were me, they would have already taken Gus camping. Not wait until he listens more (when does that happen? 3, 4...). As you can tell, they make the coolest clothes for their little ones. All of these statements may sound like they're coming off with a smart ass tone, but I swear I'm not (it's a first). I'm jealous. Only veggies I have in the house are either frozen or very mushy carrots from weeks ago. So that's it. No more soaps in the afternoon. No more fast food. No more rolling my eyes when Gus brings me his robot book for the 20th time in a row. I'll knit with books on tape. We'll use up my scrap fabric and make a blanket. We'll only shop at 2nd hand stores.

Right after I watch the finale of Top Model.
Right after McDonald's ends its Monopoly game.
Right after I have to feed and liquefy our friends for Halloween...
Right after...

p.s. Did you see that Sesame Street is releasing a DVD with its top skits from the first 5 years? Sesame Street Old School this Tuesday!

one more p.s. Gus has eaten dinner the last 2 nights. Chiptole and chili. Thank me stars.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Mr. Brightside

Every weekend is the same in our house. I vow that I will do nothing but knit on one day out of every weekend: damn the housework, the grading, the care of family members. I am going to knit!

This weekend, I came close. The Flyer and I made the most of Saturday, returning items in the Valley, getting a Pumpkin Spice Latte (note to self: don’t buy one again), and grocery shopping at Wegmans. I am ashamed to admit that I even broke cardinal rule number 1: no buying anything related to Christmas before Halloween. Lola, I had to do it . . . I just had to. I bought the loveliest hot pink pre-lit little tree ever! In addition to the tree (it truly is the cupcakiest tree ever), I picked up John Legend’s Christmas album (gots to represent the hometown).

Doctor's Bag Front and Lining

Oh, what about the knitting, you say? I actually spent most of Sunday knitting. I finished the front of the Doctor’s Bag from Knit 2 Together only to find out that I made a tiny little error. Apparently, I put it down before I came to the end of the repeat and the last three inches are a bit off. I notice and you may notice it upon close inspection, but I could not bear to rip out three inches of a herringbone slipstitch pattern. I am picky but not that picky. Don’t you just love the lining? I told you that I settled on a pack of hand towels from the Martha Stewart Living line at K-Mart, but I just adore the pattern now.

Scarf from Wrap and Scarf set in Alter Knits

The Doctor’s Bag was beginning to bore me. I couldn’t see beginning another new project, but I remembered that I wanted to wear the scarf with the wrap from Alter Knits. I am so happy that this pattern is easy to memorize, otherwise I would be out of luck. Even though it is an easy pattern, I have to constantly remind myself that I need 78 inches . . . this may become my cheerleading project.

Speaking of the cheerleading project, the miter square blanket is coming along nicely. At this rate, I only need about 60 more games before it is finished. I like that it is so damn easy to complete; I just don’t like the fact that the yarn gets twisted in my bag. Any suggestions?

Thank you for the birthday post! Turning 37 was actually very liberating because I am now past the age Mom was when she had the Bro. I’ll take the ear infection over the mewling infant . . . but I really want the ear infection to go away.

PS - I vote that we institute a little DeGrassi: The Next Generation at Two Black Sheep. Every title should be the title of a song . . . today's was chosen at random but fairly spot-on.

PPS - Back to the junior high thing. I am thinking about telling Mom about the blog. Any suggestions about it?

Saturday, October 14, 2006

If I could only Sing

Just wanted to wish lil' Ava a Happy Birthday!

Love,
Lola

*I'll post all the horrific details from the party. Maybe I'll take a picture or two.

Monday, October 09, 2006

All Done.

That's one our favorite pharses to use with Gus. And now, apply it to the Seamless Yoke!

Last night, I stayed up later than usual to finish the hem. I think it was the first time I'd ever written, "Mom" referring to myself. I can't explain how incredibly old that made me feel. As soon as I get him in the door, it's going over his head. I may need to rip out the bind off and do the EZ bind off. But I'm hoping that I can just rip out the life line. I'll post his model shot later this evening. I'm sure he'll look fierce, Ms. Banks! If he'll sit for a picture! Lately, the camera is his devil.
Here's the goods:
Yarn: 1.5 balls of Kraemer Tatamy Tweed in Navy (I adore this yarn. It alone is making me want to started the Baby Miter blanket so soon after the Monster Miter blanket)
Needle: US 5
Pattern: Seamless Yoke from Knitting Without Tears measured off of an Old Navy 2T sweater.
That's it, really! If I didn't have so much Paton's Merino in the stash, I'd buy more of the Tweed and start my sweater with it. Did I say how much I love this sweater? I know that an adult sweater will take more time, but it was the best TV knitting to date.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing

Have you ever noticed that at this time of year, there are about a zillion “Television’s #1 New Show” on the air. How is that possible? I may be an English teacher, but I know a little sumpin’-sumpin’ about math. There can be only one (go ahead, figure out that movie reference . . . that is how our house works). Personally, there hasn’t been anything that has really kept my interest. You were right about Smith . . . there wasn’t enough in the second episode to make me want to watch the third. I will, of course, watch the third just to see if there is a little action between Jonny Lee Miller (Mr. Jolie #1) and Simon Baker, but I doubt that is going to happen.

DSCF0266

That being said, Dr. Who and Degrassi: The Next Generation both kicked off their season premiers on Friday night. It was an all out fight to see who would get to watch their show in real time and who would have to settle for DVR. In the end, the Flyer won (he does pay the bills, after all) and Betty and Veronica watched Emma and Sean’s reunion on DVR (damn those bad boy types . . . even in Canada they are alluring). I was at class on Friday night – yup, Friday night – learning about data analysis and representation. Honestly, I brought my sock just so I had a spare DPN to pound into my thigh in case it got too dull and mind numbing. But, you know what, it was actually the most thought provoking and exciting thing educationally that I have learned since I signed my contract. Fascinating, interesting stuff!

It has been a rough week here so there hasn’t been much blogging or knitting being done. Monday was fine (we even got the title for the Flyer’s car in the mail), until I realized that the Flyer’s birthday was the next day and I hadn’t gotten him a present. On Tuesday, the actual day of his birth, the girls and I ran to Target to get some presents (they bought the complete run of The Tick and I “bought” a flat screen TV – really three plastic cards of different models for him to research). Happy day . . . and then Wednesday loomed and boomed. I had open house at 7:30 but also an emergency cheerleading practice as the ladies needed some practice as they were cheering at the homecoming game on Friday. I decided to stay at school and get stuff done because it didn’t make much sense to go home. The Flyer emailed mid-morning to say something happened to his car and he was having it towed. A few hours later, he texted to say it would be $2500 to get it fixed. Happy birthday . . . I don’t think you can watch a transmission, but you can drive your car with it. Thursday the Flyer takes my car to work so he drops me off. I got the distinct privilege of being the first teacher in the building, a mere 10 hours after I left from open house the night before. After the football game, I was ready to drop. Friday rolled around with the class after work (that means 6:30 AM to 9 PM of education) only to be followed by Saturday’s class of 9 AM to 4 PM. We did go see School for Scoundrels last night, so there was a nice little cap to an otherwise very busy week and . . .

Miami vs. Syracuse

I finished the other toe up sock! The pictures were taken about three minutes ago after I cast off the second one and I am wearing them right now. I have now learned that I need to decrease the foot length by about half an inch. Most of the knitting was done while my cheerleaders were stretching or during the game. Some of the parents cast dismissive looks while I was knitting until I began making comments on the game. Then they figured out that I was both knitting and watching the game. What a concept! I think that I will knit miter squares now during the games (did I mention that I hate you, you with your finished afghan) instead of a new pair of socks. So, cross off the toe up sock. Here are the specifics.

Toe Up Sock (Mathematical Socks from Knitty)
Yarn: Country Hill Yarn in Tadpole
Needles: size 5 bamboo DPNs
Time: about three weeks (or six practices and three games)

Toe-UP (Mathematical) Socks

Happy late birthday, Flyer! Keep those gangsta rap dreams alive and I’ll work on the booty poppin’! Peace out, DJ Jazzy Trevor!

PS – the football picture is from the Miami-Syracuse game. We lost as we kind of suck this year. I got so irritated at one point that I rummaged through my purse for something to read. All I could find was my yarn guide pamphlet. The Flyer comments, “Please don’t knit here.” First, I didn’t bring anything to knit as I was grading the whole way to Syracuse, at the hotel, and the whole ride home. Second, the game was so bad that I might have thrown a DPN at that kicker just to take him out of the game.