Knitting

Finished Jobs

August 28, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

BY THE BOOK

I finished Steve Jobs yesterday, finally. He may have been a genius, but apparently his interpersonal skills sucked. Do the two go together, like ham and eggs or to quote Forrest Gump, peas and carrots? I’m also reading The 36 Hour Day, a “how-to” book about Alzheimer disease and other types of dementia. I wish I’d known about it when my mother was first diagnosed, I think it would have helped my dad and I know it would have helped me. I suppose it’s a case of better late than never and I am learning things as I keep reading.

WHERE’VE YOU BEEN?

The above was entered five days ago, the 23rd to be exact. I’m not a dutiful blogger over the weekend, I rarely even log on, but I do try to make some sort of entry on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings. I was a little under the weather yesterday, I went in to work and was forced to holler calf rope around 11:30, went home and went to bed. I had about a four hour nap and have been feeling better since. So, that’s where I’ve been.

ON THE NEEDLES

The Crazy Monkeys have had two mishaps since I showed them last, first, I managed to somehow drop about a gazillion stitches Thursday evening and frogged them completely in a moment of madness. Then, last night, Josie Pug took a flying leap onto my lap and pulled out one side of my magic loop completely. It’s taken me a lot of time getting it back on track but I’m almost there. Frustration incarnate.

THE GRANDS

The Papoose and family are in Destin at the beach house this week as a last hurrah before the new baby arrives. Bigmama is scheduled for a C-section September 26. As in, September 26, 2012. Yeah, there’s a hurricane happening there and yeah, they knew the forecast before they left Arkansas. They look like they’re having fun anyway –

And really, they’re not laying down for the photo, I just can’t figure out how to rotate it at the moment.

Without music, life is a journey through a desert. Pat Conroy

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 8/22/12

August 22, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

STILL ON THE NEEDLES

Crazy Monkey socks

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. Swedish proverb

Knitting

A Brisket, A Tasket

August 21, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

NEW FOR ME

At last week’s grocery store outing, on a whim I decided to try out a precooked smoked brisket, one of those that just has to be heated, and I’m here to tell you, it. was. awesome. Yeah, this is definitely on the Coleman Kitchen Hit Parade. I’ve been making sandwiches for work all week and it’s so good! I wish I’d tried it sooner, and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

THE GRANDS

The fam descended upon Stuttgart on Saturday and the Papoose was so proud to show off her new big girl bed and her newfound (sometimes) potty skills. I especially like that she can inspect her toes and potty at the same time. A born multitasker just like her bebe.

More toe action.

Babydiva has just discovered her feet and toes.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m still plugging along on the Crazy Monkeys, with one sock complete and about 1/3 of the way finished on its mate. I caved and went to my lys and splurged on some new yarn, enough for my newest, soon to be started project, Bauble, a First Fall Surprise from Knitty. Two skeins gray and totally out of character for me, two skeins of an orangy, makes you think of Thanksgiving, brown and gold mix. Now, I don’t like orange, I don’t wear orange, I look like I have jaundice when I wear orange, but all the same, it called to me and I marched up to the counter with two skeins of it, deciding to think out of the box a little when it comes to color. I’ll get pictures tonight.

Here are the photos I promised –

Told you it was orange

Colorways and dye lots are posted on Flickr in my notebook.

The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking. John Kenneth Galbraith

BY THE BOOK

Still slogging through Steve Jobs, finishing it come hell or high water. It’s been a very long listen, I think I’m just ready for something new. Before I started the Jobs book, I reread King’s Dark Tower series and like always, I’m mesmerized by the story. Maybe I’m just having a problem switching from fiction to nonfiction.

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 08/08/12

August 8, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

So here’s my newborn project, a toe up s0ck. I haven’t decided on an actual pattern yet. That’s one of the the things I love about toe ups, they can be started and worked on for a while before a decision has to be made about the pattern. The yarn is another out of my stash, Knit One Crochet Too, Ty-Dy Socks, 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon, color #1518. The color didn’t photograph well, in real life it’s greens and beiges.

TOO CUTE

I haven’t posted a picture of Josiepug in a while, here are a couple.

Josie helping Daddy stretch before his walk

Lotsa Wrinkles

BY THE BOOK

I finished The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold today. It was …… interesting. I think this is one that I’m going to have to reread to really appreciate. I’m still working through The Romanovs, my treadmill book. I have to say I got a little bored with the first bit, lots and lots of scientific stuff, explaining DNA, who said what to whom and why. I’m a little more than halfway through and it has gotten more interesting.

GOINGS ON AT WORK

Mr. Iknead and I finally set a date for my official retirement, 12/21/12 and I gave notice at work. It feels unreal still, but every time I start really thinking about it, I get so excited I have a difficult time settling back down to work. I thought the time would probably drag since I have so much anticipation but the last few weeks have really flown by. We’ve been as busy as ever at work, making the days pass pretty easily.

If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder. Ray Bradbury

Knitting

Working 9 to 5

August 1, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

Actually, off the needles. The 9 to 5 socks are finished and off the clock. The second sock went a lot smoother than the first, I must admit. Here they are –

I especially like the way the twist continues through the heel, these will be really nice with some backless clogs, which I’ve just ordered from Zappos. (smile)

THE GRANDS

Here’s a new picture of the Babydiva and fam on their New Orleans trip. Good looking family, don’t you think?

Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they may act their dream with open eyes and make it possible. T. E. Lawrence

Knitting

Citius, Altius, Fortius

July 30, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY SO FAR

English translation – Swifter, Higher, Stronger. This is part of the Olympic creed. I had heard this phrase before but didn’t know if it was a part of something or if it stood alone. So, with a little research (thanks Wikipedia), I learned the Latin translation and where it originated. I think it’s pretty cool myself and it reminds me that even if I’m not an Olympic athlete, I can still work toward a higher goal. I love the Games.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m nearing the finish line of the 9 to 5 socks, very happily I might add. I like the stitch pattern and how easy it’s been to memorize, which means that I can whip it out anywhere with no fuss, no muss. Not to mention that to a non-knitter, it’s apparently too cool for school, judging from the looks I sometimes get. Here’s a peek at sock #2.

HOW HOT IS IT?

and now, 90 minutes later:

My car is going to be like a blast furnace when I get off work this evening, even with the shade in the windshield. Unbelieveable. Fall is a long way off.

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 07/25/12

July 25, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

The second 9 to 5 sock looks like this:

It could be finished by the end of this week. Maybe. If I don’t get seduced by some new and therefore more exciting yarn or pattern. Or both.

Measure twice, cut once. Craftsman’s aphorism

Knitting

One Down

July 23, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON AND OFF THE NEEDLES

Hurray!! The first sock of the 9 to 5s is finished, here’s proof –

and the second one cast on with two pattern repeats finished.

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I didn’t see the Papoose over the weekend; we worked to get caught up with house chores we let slide the past few weekends to spend time with the grandbabies. Here’s the Papoose immediately after chocolate ice cream.

I think Big-Mommy was running a bath even while she was still enjoying her ice cream. Gotta say, she’s a girl after my own heart. Don’t think I’ve every had ice cream where I didn’t end up wearing at least a tiny bit when I was finished.

Here’s one of the newest pics of Babydiva – She loves that Bumbo Seat!

IN THE OVEN

It’s been so hot here (108F on Friday) that the last thing I want to do is fire up the oven and bake. I did fix supper on Friday for Babymama, Babydaddy and Babydiva and it took hours to get the house cool again. Ice cream is about all I’m excited about right now (see above).

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. Ellen Parr

Knitting

Taken Hostage

July 18, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

BY THE BOOK

OK, what’s up with The Christian Science Monitor? I’m a reader and always enjoy reader recommendations/reviews and TCSM has always been one of my “go to” sources to check out what others are saying about books I’m interested in. The last few times I’ve visited their reader recommendation page, a survey has to be completed before the review can be seen. I can’t find a “no thanks” or an “ask me later” button so it really pisses me off and makes me feel like I’ve been taken hostage by whoever is doing the surveying. Yeah, I know, it just takes a minute and yeah, I know that “they value my opinion” and “want to serve me more effectively”, but it’s the principle of the thing. I hate it and won’t visit their site again. Can you tell that I’m a little irritated and that my desire for instant gratification is showing? Maybe just a little?

ON THE NEEDLES

The 9 to 5 socks are ripping right along, with the heel flap finished, heel turn accomplished and gusset stitches picked up.

9 to 5 sock #1

THE GRANDS

Babydiva had some medical tests run today, nothing major really, although when it’s your kid, everything is major, a swallow study and an upper GI series. She has had some issues with reflux and her doc wanted to get look at what’s happening with her when she eats. I don’t have the details, but early texts from Babymama said everything was fine. Big relieved sigh. Here she is at the birthday celebration Saturday.

Isn’t she beautiful??

Cousin Love

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere. Carl Sagan

Knitting

Weekend Recovery

July 17, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

I COULD GET USED TO THIS

We spent another weekend basking in the grandma and grandpa nirvana, celebrating DD birthday with family. DSIL’s parents have a lovely home here in Little Rock, complete with a pool and are more than generous. They split their time between the beach house in Florida and the palace here in Little Rock, they’re in Florida at the moment but like I said, are more than generous and let us enjoy their home and pool even when they’re out of pocket. So, mix me, Mr. Iknead, the Papoose, Babydiva, corresponding parents, DD’s BFF, her husband and their three kids and what happens? Everyone gets waterlogged, tired and hungry while at the same time having a blast, eating junk food until burgers are ready, more than wired on Coke, then almost falling asleep in their plates when it’s finally supper time and that’s just the grownups. : )

Mr. Iknead took about a million pictures, here’s a few:

How sweet is the Papoose’s bathing suit? Pretty sweet!

View of the golf course from the pool

Cutest back view ever!

ON THE NEEDLES

So far (don’t want to jinx it) the newest version of the 9 to 5 socks is going well. Here’s a quick peek –

BY THE BOOK

Still sitting on go for The 36 Hour Day, I’ve not had time to do any real book browsing, again, I still can’t make up my mind about a Nook book or a paper one. I do love real books but love the convenience of my Nook. Maybe I should flip a coin?

When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion. Ethiopian proverb

Knitting

Well that sucks take 2

July 13, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

AS AN ASIDE

I seem to be having challenges in other areas, not just the 9 to 5 socks. So, I hit publish instead of scrolling down.

ON THE NEEDLES, TAKE TWO

Where was I? I frogged the whole sock and recast on, intent on this being the last time. This is what I have so far-

BY THE BOOK

I’ve been sort of in a rut as far as my reading is concerned, I’ve just not found anything that really piques my interest, but I am getting ready to start The 36 Hour Day, a recommended read from a friend. This book deals with dementia, my mother is in a nursing home suffering with this; the past couple of months or so, she’s had a more rapid decline. My friend has gone through the same thing, she said it’s a really easy, informative read, so it’s gone to the top of my reading list.

COMING UP

Yesterday was my daughter’s 32nd birthday and they are coming to Little Rock today to officially celebrate. As usual, I can’t wait to see the Papoose. Today is dinner out at her fav restaurant, tomorrow is swimming and a cookout with friends. So, Mr. Iknead is taking the afternoon off from work and we will spend a fun couple of days with all our chicks back in the nest. Love having them an hour away instead of three.

Life is good.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats

Knitting

WIP Wednesday

July 11, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

So, I finally got the heel flap on the 9 to 5 socks under control yesterday and was merrily knitting along, patting myself on the back for finally getting it going, looked down to check my progress and saw that I’d dropped a stitch about two inches ago.

My Sock of Shame

Then, I put it in time out for a few minutes, gathered my nerve and once again, frogged the heel flap. Sigh. Maybe the third time really is a charm. Another sigh.

We don’t love qualities, we love persons; sometimes by reason of their defects as well as of their qualities. Jacques Maritain