A Real Miss America

Now this is what I'm talkin' about!! It's been ages, but here I am....leaving in a few hours for a confernece..but I promise to post when I get back.

Still here/still knittin'

No pics as my camera is not with me....I just ordered some stuff from Knit Picks... the Carmen Banana money kit and the Tidings of Joy ornement kit. Why? Who knows... I need that stuff like I need a hole in my head. Still working on dress for The Girl Child, still working on the Tree of Life blanket (curses - it's a Knit PIcks pattern and with the errors in it, I swore I'd nver buy another pattern from them again. but i just did, so kids: never say "never."

While in Vegas a month back or so, my dear SIL told me, after I used the term "smoots" that I could not say it, as I was not a member of "the Tribe." - well - hells bells. I got a book last week called "If You Can't Say Anything NIce, Say it In Yiddish" - we'll just have to see whose the boss after I learn some crafty little things to say to that little whipper snapper!! Love him to death, but don't tell me I can't say smoots!! See if he ever gets hand knitted socks from ME!!

i am knitting on a helmet liner for Socks for Soldiers; knitting on a sock for me (finished one, now doing the mate); still got the dress and the blanket, what else is new..

MY LOOM: I ordered a stand for my loom, it arrived and hubby said he'd pick it up while I was outof town - he forgot and now I have to get it tomorrow.

I am making a rug for our new bathroom... setting tile this week. my hope is to weave rug this weekend!! Whoo Hooo.

What's on the needles

Well, I've not fallen off the face of the earth - almost, but not just yet. I've been trying to knit thru the stash for some time now and at first decided to tackle big projects first, just to make a dent in the pile of yarn...but other projects call my name.. Here is what I am currently working on.. keeping in mind that socks never count - ie buying sock yarn is not adding to stash, knitting socks is not included in having "too many" projects on the needles..

Ok, Blogger is being really stupid, not loading pictures and I don't have time to wait.. Off to Knit Night. I'll post later.. but I am working on Lion Brand's Tree of Life Afgan, lots of errors in the pattern, which pisses me off...had to rip out about 4" of lace in the dress I am makin for The Girl Child..Interweave Knits, can't recall which issue.. and bum gloves for a friend. pattern is giving me fits: sl2tog, k1, psso - really? Why can't i remember how i did that.. pass what stitchover?? I don't understand. RANT RANT RANT, STOMPING FOOT..

Freedom Isn't Free

The 4th of July is not about BBQs or picnics or fireworks....it's about freedom - and it's not free. So tomorrow, as you eat your burgers and ribs and whatnot - be sure to thank a soldier for your freedom - not everyone gets to celebrate this weekend with family and friends...

Proper Thank You x 2

I received two packages recently. One from my friends at Socks for Soldiers. The basket from SFS is the one with the red, white and blue basket; the second is from my SP 13 Buddy. As you can see, I've been well spoiled of late. Can you see the green shawl in the top of the picture? That's a prayer shawl knit by one of the members of SFS....I've never had one knit something like this for me, because, thankfully, I've never in the past needed something like this. So the gift is very touching and yet bittersweet. The fiber from my SP13 buddy will come in handy. After hitting "save" on this post , I am off to our Spinning Guild meeting, where I will be shown how to use my Turkish drop spindle.. we shall see. I expect there to be cussing involved.. So, thank you both to my SP13 Buddy and to all the members of SFS for keeping me in prayer - for the kind words and just thinking good thoughts... I do appreciate it.

Thank you!!

First, to my SP13 buddy. Your box was waiting for me when I got home on Sunday. It must have arrived on Friday (I played hooky from work). I'll post proper pictures - I love all the fibery goodness!!

Second, but not least - the gift basket from my Socks For Soldiers family. WOW - I am humbled to say the least. I've never received a prayer shawl before - thank you - each and everyone of my knit-sibs! I'll take pictures and make a proper post.

I'm feeling really loved today - Thank you!

What's New

Well, just when I think it is possible for me to rip someones face off - the sheer fustration of things not getting done....that life smacks you upside the head. I received a call today from a lovely man - a local Veteran, who had read Blake's obituary in the local paper and not wanting to call me too soon, waited until today. This nice man, Stu, is a mover and shaker of sorts in our area, and has probably worked countless hours to make this happen: www.orovilleveteransmemorialpark.org - His call was to inform me that it would be their honor to include Blake in their Veterans' Memorial Wall. We chatted for a bit. We talked about Blue Star Moms and about Socks for Soldiers. He writes a weekly article for the local paper and links can be found at the above website. Give it a visit. He said he'd write an article about Blake, if I'd give him some information. I sent him links to YouTube and told him to check out the video.

This evening I read Yarn Harlets post about her daughter turning 15 - her youngest.. a great ditty about parenthood - but it made me a bit sad at all the things I'll never do: hold a child of Blake's; attend his wedding; the joy of a new house; the joyful return after deployment - just those simple things in life that we all celebrate in some way....and I try not to be too clingy to The Girl. and I try to be thankful for the "nots" - not shot, not in a far away land, not MIA, not POW, not scared.

And then greatful - for all his military buddies - past and future - who are willing to serve our country....now I need to go pick up my pointy sticks and knit some socks for SFS - my first pair since Blake died, but there are soliers out there without handknit socks and that's just criminal!!

I continue to be amazed at how wonderful our Army is to our family and the outreach of support from guys like Stu and other Veterans...God bless 'em all.