Christmas Redux

Christmas at the inlaws yielded a long drive to Kansas, some arguing with the child, a good time with the family, some more arguing with the child, a visit to the LYS, gifting of some lovely Knitpicks needles, and the purchase of yet more yarn. I now have a sweater project to work on sort of next after I get through the two I am working on now.

Tomorrow I am going to ride my bike on the trainer!!

hat and scarf

I just have to post pictures of the finished felt hat and the Irish Hiking Scarf now that we are done.

Since Christmas celebrations were a bit light due to illness in the family, we are headed to Kansas tomorrow night to finish the festivities with the DH's family. I am looking forward to seeing them, but not the drive there and back.

Incident at Local Yarn Store

One of our local yarn stores (LYS) is going out of business. I had a little incident there last night. All this yarn and furniture too. Yikes!

Christmas

Was nice. . .but weird. My in-laws didn't end up making it up here due to weather and illness. It was very strange not to have them around. We did have some good friends over, though, and it was fun hanging out with them. It was very relaxing, and it was nice not to have anyone have to rush off anywhere.

My son, who is almost 12, has been very bad lately. He thought he wasn't going to get any Christmas presents since his grandparents weren't here and he didn't think we'd gotten him any. Therefore, he slept in until 9:30. I can't remember the last time he did that. DH and I finally went upstairs and woke him up. "What's the point," he says. "Well, are you SURE that you aren't getting anything for Christmas?" That got him out of bed in a hurry. While he didn't get a lot of stuff, he did get 3 books (one of which he had been pining for), a kettlebell, chocolate, a Punisher t-shirt, and an MP3 player. Now we have to figure how to get songs on the thing. In any case, I guess mom and dad don't completely suck.

So, since no in-laws came over, the three pairs of hand-knitted socks are still sitting under the Christmas tree. I get to enjoy them a week longer.

I finished the Irish Hiking Scarf. I tried starting a new pair of socks, but I keep failing miserably with this pattern. I may just make these into a pair of basic socks and try this pattern on another yarn.

Only one more week before I get to start training for Triathlon 2008! I am thrilled.

Omnimus

Yes, I spelled that correctly. Or rather, I didn't. I spelled what Geo W Bush SAID. He was speaking of a very large (1000+ page) spending bill. He called it "ominimus." I am sure he meant "ominous" but with him I can never be completely certain. Whatever. In his mind, I am sure, he has never mispronounced anything. That's right, it is NUCULAR folks, not NUCLEAR.

The red blob hat is finished and blocked. I will get a picture posted sometime.

The cable scarf is moving along nicely. I think it's about half done.

My son is home on winter break. We are trying to get him to get his homework done on the front end of this vacation, but that, my friends, is like trying to sell milk to a cow. It doesn't work so well.

Notebook!!

I got a new notebook for school. . . and fun stuff. I feel so technologically cool. I am sure I will not feel that way after the first time I screw something up on the thing!

Now, on to knit the red blob/hat. I actually worked on it for 2 hours last night. If I work hard, I might have it done for Christmas for the DH.

Mondays are for. . .

Going to work - blech. I hate my job. Other than some of the coworkers, absolutely nothing about it is redeeming at this point.

Getting minimal knitting done because your after work consists of taking your child to an appointment where you argue with him for 40 minutes and pay for the privilege of doing so.

Buying groceries with your irritating offspring.

Cooking dinner for disinterested parties.

Arguing with said offspring for the remainder of the evening regarding homework. I swear I don't know why I only have like 5 or 6 gray hairs, because I really feel like I have a whole head full of them.

Let's just say that today (Tuesday) isn't much better. I am going to sit and knit for an hour, however. 30 minutes will be spent on the hat from hell and another 30 minutes on the scarf that I am enjoying. I will make myself work on the hat first.

Successful Sunday

After months of a mysterious toilet draining/filling issue the DH operated on the toilet. It was a long and difficult surgery, with much screaming, stomping, cursing, flooding of water and other things I don't even like to imagine. The patient survived the operation and appears to be even healthier than before. DH might have a little bit of remaining resentment that a large part of his Sunday afternoon was spent in a puddle of toilet water trying to bend his body in impossible ways in order to perform said surgery. . .but he is pleased that the patient survived and we have a toilet that doesn't randomly drain/fill anymore. I will forget that I originally suggested a plumber.

For my part, some of my best GF came over and we sewed, knitted, and snacked the day away. . .so we had a lovely day as well.

I purchased some new yarn on Saturday at the farmers market. I am not sure what it will be when it grows up, but I sure like it.

Being a Parent

Is a constant struggle for me. I love my son dearly but the parenting learning curve just might kill me. When we argue, I find him having the upper hand simply because I cannot stand yelling at another human being. Oh, and the nice, quiet, reasonable discussions come first, they just don't last. Argh.

The irish hiking scarf is on its way. I still love the yarn but it is a bit tempramental. And, I am still trying to get the hang of the cabling thing. There are errors, including the one round where I apparently couldn't count to seven, and that cable is a little longer than it should be. Oh well, I am learning. I just have to remind myself not to expect perfection on this project. I know I will love it in spite of and perhaps because of its flaws. It's a lot like me.

The ice storm here on Tuesday was both awful and beautiful. Nature has a way about that.

Another Beautiful Day in Iowa

Freezing rain, rain, slush, ice rivers, 1/2 inch of ice on the sidewalks, and 3-5 inches of snow predicted for later. I took the bus to work today, but I sure debated on staying home entirely. It is just disgusting here. Except for the trees. They look pretty all covered with ice. . .before they crack and take down the power lines.

I went to Michael's to look for Holiday decor last night. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I did find Patons Soy Wool Stripes. I bought 4 skeins. Depending on how this knits up I might have to go get more, in some different colors. I've seen several projects done with this stuff and it just glows. It's lovely. I am sure I have other things to do, but I just want to knit this stuff right up. I am thinking a new scarf for myself.

Monday Morning

Ok, it must be Monday morning. I am trying to create a new blog here. The old one. . .well, let's just say it's lost. Anyway. I have now screwed this one up three times.

The father in law socks are finished. I finished them last night. I would have finished them in the car on the way home from Kansas City, but the windshield kept icing over, I was forced to strip down to my tank top, and any extra lights in the car were not acceptable. Oh well. They're done anyway.

So, now I need to finish my research and purchasing for Christmas dinner. We're having a Hawaiian themed dinner this year. Other than pineapple, pork and SPAM I don't know what I'm making yet. Should be interesting.