Knitting

The one where I’m learning to

June 27, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

set some of my expectations of myself a little lower than I’m used to. I’m beginning to figure out that some of the things I push myself to do, like visit my mom and dad, coordinate their care with various people (for example, Mom has a dental checkup this month), making sure that the nursing home is aware of these things so transportation can be arranged, taking care of their financial things because even though they’re both in a nursing home, their electric and water bill still have to be paid and insurance continues to come due. At the same time, Mr. Iknead and I are cleaning their house, going through things, cleaning out closets, trying to find a suitable facility for them here in Little Rock and driving three hours one way on the weekends to get these things accomplished, all the while, holding down a full time job here in Little Rock. Oh my, seeing it laid out like this, I had no idea just how impossible my self imposed expectations really are! No one can do all this stuff and remain physically and mentally intact and I need to scale back now for everyone’s sake. Knitting continues to be a lifeline.

While cleaning out a closet of theirs yesterday, I found this gorgeous throw. I think it belonged to one of my mom’s sisters (she had five), it’s vaguely familiar, but I hadn’t seen it in I don’t know how long. I’m in love with it. It has a tag reading The Three Weavers, Houston, Texas, Handwoven, 100% virgin wool. I’m not sure if these pics do it justice but you get the idea.

Down to the toes of the Slippery Socks. Finish tonight, for sure!

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life and you must accept regret. Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881)

Knitting

The one where she is still

June 22, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

undecided about her next project. If I was really forward looking and efficient, I’d start on the iPod socks that I’ve decided might be good stocking stuffers for Christmas. Honestly, though, I can’t think any further ahead than this weekend; again, we’re going to DeQueen to be with my parents and work a little bit, going through things, shredding old paperwork (we found receipts from the 60s) and cleaning out closets. Lots of memories and it’s so hard to not get sidetracked by old pictures, books and everything else that makes up lives lived and memories kept. Very emotional.

Heel flap finished and ready to turn –

I hope I’ll have a new WIP Wednesday project next week, keeping my fingers crossed.

The best armor is to keep out of range. Italian proverb

Knitting

The one where the heel

June 21, 2011June 21, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

is ready to be turned on the remaining Slippery Sock. Woo Hoo! Takes so little to excite me nowdays. So. The sock is going swimmingly, and I’m already thinking ahead to my next project. Should I start a new new project or finish my current pet FO, the En Pointe Pullover. Which one? Decision making hasn’t been my strong suit the last few weeks. I’ve been channeling Scarlett O’Hara a lot lately, the whole “I’ll think about that tomorrow” thing. Totally out of character for me, the Queen of Quick Decisions. When I get overwhelmed about things, that’s the first thing to go and right at this moment, I can’t be bothered with what I call mosquito decisions, like what time I want to have dinner, where and exactly what or should I call (insert name here) now or wait until later or even, should I wear navy or black pants to work today? The millions of choices I make every day that normally are just under my radar become impossible when I’m overwhelmed.

I do, however, have a new photo of the Papoose, sitting (kiddy) pool side, in her ruffly swimsuit and cool hat –

Minnowknits Brittany Jumper modeled as usual, by Susannah aka Papoose. Not a great pic. but you get the idea. A little big but she’ll be wearing it before too long!

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Knitting

The One where it looks

June 16, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

Like my dad is nearing the end. Hospice has been out a couple times to assess dad and kind of gauge what is appropriate to keep him comfortable with his physical needs met. He’s becoming more confused all the time and short of breath. I’m blessed to be able to share this time with him.

I got exactly one round done on the slippery socks. That was something anyway.

Life beats down and crushes the soul, but art reminds you that you have one. Stella Adler (1901-1992)
B

This got typed lsat weekend and apparently I forgot to publish it. So, better late than never.

Knitting

The one where she composes

June 15, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

a WIP Wednesday haiku.

Why does the first sock

fly like a hawk on the wing

its mate like a snail?

Here’s my WIP for this week –

Still working on the Slippery Socks.

Even in the desolate wilderness, stars can still shine. Aoi Jiyuu Shiroi Nozomi

Knitting

The one where she feels

June 6, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

better, more at home in her skin. Today just started out as an uphill climb, not wanting to go to work, not wanting to stay in bed, not wanting to care and caring anyway. Then, like always, by the time I’ve had my coffee, read the paper and gotten ready for work, my attitude had adjusted for the better and I was OK. Amazing.

Here’s a preview of my Ipod sock. The yarn is left over from a pair of socks and I love the color. The blue makes me think of well broken in, well loved blue jeans. Here’s what I have so far –

Just barely got a photo, my camera has gotten way to0 bossy, it doesn’t say “please change battery”, it tells me “change the battery”, no please, no thank you, no nuthin’. Bossy-ass camera.

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

Knitting

The one where she’s had a

June 5, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

lazy day. That is, her body has been lazy, but her brain’s still running full speed ahead. This is nothing new for me, I’m always (pretty much) in this mode, but lately, I’m feeling a little burned out. This whole thing with my parents, along with a close friend who is making really, really bad choices is about to take its toll on me. I hope that we find a place for Mom and Dad here in the next week or ten days, but things like this take time and we’re definitely feeling the crunch.

I got just a tad distracted from the Slippery Sock today, working on my Ipod sock, but they’re both coming along pretty well. Could part of my problem be caused by having too many WIPs and not enough FOs? Hummmm……. nope, don’t think so, not me, not the Nothing In Moderation Chick. Uh-uh. No, I didn’t think so. ; p New word coined today – under overachiever; how’s that for an oxymoron?

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. Emile Zola (1840-1902)

Knitting

The one where the first

June 4, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

Slippery Sock is complete and I’ve started on the second. I love the cables and the way the colors really pop.

Mr. Iknead got me a new Ipod for Mother’s Day, the newest model with 160 gigs. I decided yesterday to knit a cozy for it, I’d like to keep it looking shiny and new as long as I can. I decided on Doggerell Designs Dragonskin Itouch Cover, which is a free Ravelry download. I’m not clear on the ins and outs of copyright infringement so I won’t post a photo, but it’s easy enough to check it out on Rav. Speaking of Ipods, this is my third one and am still convinced that it’s the best investment electronics-wise (is that even a word?) I’ve ever made. I keep mine going on the average of seven hours a day during the week, usually listening to audiobooks and music when I work out. I’m reading/listening to an intriguing book at the moment, The Boy With the Cuckoo Clock Heart, by Mathias Malzieu. It’s quirky and offbeat, two things I look for in books and now that I think about it, pretty much everything else. The more oddball and eccentric, the better I like it.

I’ve been playing around with the idea of another blog and have just about decided to go for it, posting on Saturdays about things that interest me and grab my attention, freestyling I suppose you’d call it. This idea is sounding better and better. What am I waiting for?

The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart. Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Knitting

The one where her WIP Wednesday

June 1, 2011June 2, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

project just makes it under the wire. Nearly finished first Slippery Sock. Here it is

Apparently my WIPW post last night went wonky and most of it vanished off the cyberface of the world, so this is a repost. Just when I was starting to get comfortable with the whole posting picture/editing thing. Dang.

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

Knitting

The one where her search

May 31, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

for a place for Mom and Dad has commenced. I’m going to try as hard as I can to get them into a place in west Little Rock. I suppose I’ll start with the closest facilities to my home and widen the circle as I go. This seems to be the most efficient way to go about it. I’ve gotten some information from friends that are pretty much in the same boat as we are. I pray this part will be accomplished quickly and that Mr. Iknead and I will make the right decision.

A little progress on the Slippery Sock. See? Will I get to the toe tonight? Stay tuned to As the Heel Turns. (giggles at her own witticism) Knitting humor never gets old.

Finally got a couple of decent close up pics of the cables. Very cool, I think.

The two most power warriors are patience and time. Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Knitting

The one where Memorial

May 30, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

Day is almost over. I think I may actually be ready to go back to work. I’ve missed so many days lately, I can’t remember the last time I worked a full week. Never realized how much working kept me centered, mostly from just the routine. We’ll start tomorrow looking for a place for my mom and dad to move into here in Little Rock. If I think about the details too much, I start feeling overwhelmed and anxious, two emotions I’m not very familiar with. One thing at a time, something I’ve had to practice a lot lately.

Knitting and baking today, still on first Slippery Sock but coming along, Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies with cream cheese filling came along for the ride. Mr. Iknead gave them two thumbs up so I guess they’ll do. : ) I’m still waiting on DD for a pic of Susannah in the Brittany Jumper. I guess I’m going to have to call and jog her memory.

It is extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. George F. Will

Knitting

The one where I decided

May 29, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

to sort of catch up on my picture taking, I especially wanted to show off the yarn bowl from Susan Zenger’s Etsy Shop. I love it! 75% of the first Slippery Sock is done, counting down rows getting to the toe. They’re awesome!

Here’s the yarn bowl