Home again

I'm back home after my little work trip.  Just so you know, the hotel wasn't quite Norman Bates but still a little icky.   Did I mention there was no door on the bathroom??  Yeah, classy - just sayin.

Rebecca, my co-worker and I met for breakfast the next morning. Part way through breakfast (McDonald's bacon and egg biscuit) she says "I shouldn't tell you this, but when I went to bed last night I started thinking about bed bugs and couldn't sleep."   OMG, I did the same thing.  I got in bed, had that flash through my mind and then got all itchy!  By the way - there were none.  I checked.  

The mattress was like laying on marshmallows - too soft.  Between that and the bug thoughts, I didn't sleep well.  And in the morning my back was killing me from the mattress.  I took me several minutes to even get out of bed.  I must have looked like a 98 year old arthritic trying to get up.   So needless to say, we were both less than bright eyed and bushy tailed at breakfast. 

We did have a good day and a nice 3 hour drive home.  We were in the part of the province that is mainly agricultural.  So that meant lots of little farm markets and fruit and vegetable stands.  We stopped at several.  The highlight was finding the first batch of Spring Fiddlehead Greens.    I cooked them for tonight's supper with a piece of salmon.  Mmmmm, perfect.

I still haven't found my hooking mojo.  All I seem to do lately is knit.  I just packed up an order of cotton dishcloths.  I may find the strength later to list some on etsy.  I am missing the rug hooking, yet until you have that inspiration for a project you like, its a waste of time.  You will not like what you are doing and it will become another unfinished thing.  So for now its still knitting.    MOJO, where are you?

Weekend Random

I wish I had something terribly fun and exciting to report on my weekend activities.  The truth is it was full of chores, appointments, and housework.

Yes, I can hear you yawning with me.  But the taxes have been sent in and there is a small refund coming my way.  Sadly, I already have it spent. 

I finally did get the winter clothes put away and the summer gear all washed.  I know I have been saying I was going to do that since Easter, but now it's really done.  I lost track of the number of loads of laundry I did today. 

There has been no hooking all weekend and I still have a few rugs waiting to be bound.  My etsy store needs a few more updated items so I will put that on the list for later this week.

In between everything I have been knitting instead.  I found a different pattern for those little dish/wash cloths.  I like making them. They are quick and actually quite useful around the house.

If anyone wants some, let me know. 

So, I bid goodbye to another weekend and brace myself for tomorrow and the round of meetings on my schedule.  I hope the evening meeting doesn't drag on too late.  Can't miss Dancing With The Stars!!

Happy Feet and very unhappy eyes

Today I got a nice surprise in the mail.   The contents of the envelope made my feet very happy.

These beautiful hand knit socks from my friend Meg.  They are so comfy and the color looks like Spring.  I love them.  Meg knits all kinds of beautiful things.  You can check them out at Little Bit of Knittery. 

Now for the 2nd part of this post title.  My eyes may be permanently damaged from what I saw tonight.  (If you are local and reading this - don't blab)   This is probably something I shouldn't share but I can't help myself.

I was working late tonight with a large group.  We had about a 5 minute break before the televised portion of the meeting.   It was the only opportunity for a bathroom break.  I headed to the other side of the building to the washroom.  I was wearing my high heel boots and clicked loudly all the way across the tile floors.  (This is important as it proves I was making noise - not sneaking) 

I got to the door and flung it open........and then IT HAPPENED

The door opened and the bathroom was not empty.  He yelled NO - (about 5 seconds too late I might add) at the same time I screamed (more like a traumatizing groan).  I slammed the door and ran to the end of the hall.  And then the giggles started - uncontrollable I might add.   I should note here - I saw nothing (just sayin)  But I am traumatized

Like seriously - - - who doesn't lock the door??

 
This will certainly be a meeting I won't soon forget.  I don't typically drink on a Monday night but I think tonight one is in order. 

It's the result that counts

Well, it appears I am not the only funny knitter.  After reading the comments I have quite a few new members for my O.K.A. group. 

The "thigh" method is no stranger than the "armpit" method some of you referenced in your comments.   And Pat knits the most beautiful things and she's a thigh knitter too.  

And its not how you do it that matters - its the end result that counts.  Maybe someday I will learn to hold the needles differently and be able to knit something fun with those crazy circular needles. 

But for now I will carry on with my (apparently not so rare) technique.  This is the chemo cap I finished knitting today for a family friend.

I'm getting closer to narrowing down a new rug design, so I will probably be putting the knitting needles away for awhile.  I can't stand not having a project, so when I get stuck I dig out the needles and yarn until I figure something out. 

I'm a little behind on commenting and responding to emails.  I will get caught up eventually.  I think my brain is still on lazy vacation mode.

I need to confess

They say the hardest part is admitting it.  So often we keep the most shameful parts of ourselves secret.  Too ashamed to bring the nasty thing to the light.

Fear holds us back - fear of the mocking and being shunned.

But then one brave soul steps forward to publicly announce their problem.  At first you are horrified but eventually you come to the realization that their brave confession could help bring a dark secret to the surface.  Soon others start to admit that they too are afflicted.

Thanks to the bravery of Andrea, I am now ready to say it out loud . . . . . I need to join O . K . A  (Odd Knitters Anonymous)

Hello, My name is Kim and I knit funny

There . . . . .  I've said it.   Whew,  what a relief.   Until Andrea's confession, I thought I was all alone.  I have never seen anyone knit like me before.  The resulting product looks the same as everyone else, but I hold the needles "funny".  I jab one needle into my leg and hold it there.  Once it's nicely wedged in place I just move the yarn with that hand.  I have no idea where I picked up this stupid habit.  (Meg, Stop Laughing)

I can't knit any other way.  I've tried holding those stupid needles tons of different ways.  Nope.   I've tried the circular needles.  Nope.   And forget trying to knit with those crazy 4 little double pointed things.  Nope.    It's MADNESS

So are there any other people out there who need to join Odd Knitters Anonymous with me and Andrea ?  I wonder what the 12 steps would be for this program . . . . .

Maggie's Starfish

First, an update on Hobo Kitty (a name I have borrowed from Kim at My Field of Dreams)  After feeding time on the lawn ended, Momma Hobo Kitty and the kittens trotted off.  I haven't seen them since.  First thing I did this morning was check the back deck but since it is pouring rain, I'm guessing Momma has the kittens somewhere safe and dry.

And for those of you who thought I might actually lose my mind completely and keep them .............NO, that was never going to happen.   If they do start hanging around on a regular basis I will be developing a relocation program. 

The photo at the beginning of this post is one of my favorites.  I have never seen a starfish bleach out like this before.   Last year I place it on a large clam shell on the picnic table to dry and this is what happened.   I thought I would show it again, as I think of it when I look at my latest completed starfish rug.

I finished the whipping last night and it is ready to be shipped to sweet Maggie.   I hope she likes it.

I always find myself a little lost at the end of a project so what I usually do is knit a few of those crazy dishcloths until I am ready to decide on a new rug.   Yesterday while checking blogs I found a pattern for a round dishcloth on Miss The Sea's blog.   I had made a few of them years ago and then lost the pattern.  So I tried another one. 

As mentioned, it is pouring rain here so I am going to have to amuse myself indoors today.  I did buy a new hooking pattern but I'm not sure if I am in the mood to hook a snowman today.    Seems like quite a stretch to go from starfish to snowmen in a 24 hour period. 

Since you asked

A few of you have asked for some more details on the making of the sheep rug.   The dimensions are 14 x 14 inches.   The background was hooked in a green plaid wool.  I think this was the first time I hooked a plaid and I love how it looks hooked.

The body of the sheep was hooked with a combination of wool and natural slubby yarn. I really love working with this yarn.

While we didn't get the storm we were anticipating, it still was messy all weekend.  An almost constant rain/snow mix was just enough to make the roads slippery and make you want to stay home.  Since I was thread-less and couldn't prepare my next piece of rug warp, I needed a quick mindless project.  Whenever this happens I grab the knitting needles and make a few cotton dish cloths.

I did get out to the store later today to get some thread.  I bought extra so I am not caught off guard again.
So now the edges are secure and I am ready to start drawing out another heart rug.  The auction is being held February 11, so I think maybe that design might raise more money than the sheep.  If it works I might try putting the sheep on ebay.  I have never tried to sell anything there before - mainly out of fear that no one will bid!

I hope you were all safe and warm this weekend.  Have a great week.
Kim