Sadie Lynn 2007-2009

Friday morning we had to make the hard decision to put Sadie to sleep. She had been peeing in the family room and basement for the past two months. We put her on medication and added two additional litter boxes around the house. We had to try several rounds of different medications but she was still not using the litter boxes 100% of the time. I am so sad. We have had to put three pets down since December of 2006. I just can't do this again. I'm happy we have the two dogs and one cat and I'm not going to go to the pound again anytime soon. This just breaks my heart. I wish I could save every animal at the Humane Association, but I can't. My kids are doing much better than I am. Grant was especially close to Sadie but he seems to be okay. I hate being a grown up sometimes.

Oh my goodness......

I knew I hadn't been blogging, but I did not realize it's been almost two months!!!! I probably don't have any readers left. I haven't been spinning at all this summer. It's been so busy. I have been knitting but have no finished projects to show off. We've been to Milwaukee a few times to watch the Brewer's play. I was able to see my friend, Becky in July. She moved to Geneva, Illinois three years ago. When we went to Milwaukee one weekend, she and her family went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Maggie and I drove from Milwaukee on a Saturday afternoon to meet up with her. It was so much fun to see her. We went out for dinner with her family then drove back to Milwaukee. Tom and the boys had gone to a baseball game with his brother and nephew, so everyone was happy.

Today I went to a birthday party for twins who are turning three this week. Their mom works for Tom one day a week. They are so darn cute and it's hard to believe that they are three already.

Grant is doing well with his driving. He's been having a good summer just relaxing and hanging out with his brother. He's still working two afternoons a week. He'll probably start delivering flowers this fall. He loves the new Transformers movie and has seen it five times. :)

Maggie is in the Apostle Islands on a kayaking trip with a group from our church. They left on Friday and will be home Tuesday evening. Today was their 13 mile trek. She was so excited for this adventure. Open gym is this week for volleyball and then tryouts begin next Monday the 17th.

Patrick has been having a nice relaxing summer, too. He was able to spend a week in Middleton, WI, with his cousin and loved every minute he was gone. Maggie was at camp the same week, so we had a quiet week here with just Grant home. Tom and I were able to go out for dinner twice that week. :) I didn't do much of anything except read, knit, and hang out on the computer. I figured it was a "staycation" for me.

I'm almost done with my scarf that I posted about in June. I am not faithful to just one project but I really should finish something. I currently have a sweater, scarf, mittens, an afghan, and a pair of baby longies on the needles. Must get those baby longies done before the baby grows too much.

Okay, I'm off to knit. Hopefully I'll be better about blogging. Happy knitting!!!!

Summer....

There has been knitting going on. First a finished pair of ankle socks. Just plain toe-up socks. I got this yarn from a swap and it is OnLine sock yarn. Next is a scarf that I've been working on. I'm using a linen stitch and alpaca yarn purchased at YDK. I'm also working on a sweater called the Sidelines Top. I'm using more yarn that was purchased at Yellow Dog Knitting here in Eau Claire. It's Garn Studio Merino. Well, I can't seem to get this picture uploaded, so I'll post a picture later.

I haven't been spinning at all. :( It's busy with the kids being home and all the stuff that goes along with three kids. We have been enjoying the pool especially these past few days!!

The biggest news is that Grant got his driver's license today!!!!! It's exciting and scary all at the same time. He drove himself to work today. I did call just to make sure he got there okay. It is so strange. All these steps that lead to my kids independence is hard on this mama!!!

Maggie was in Oklahoma last week with a friend and her parents. They sold t-shirts at a festival called Country Fever. She took two helicopter rides!!! I'm glad I didn't know anything about that until it was over. I missed her so much. Again, just another stepping stone to her independence.

Patrick has been playing a lot of video games and swimming. Summer band starts tomorrow but I forgot to take his saxophone in to get a key fixed, so he won't start until next week. I was a bit preoccupied with getting Grant ready for that driving test. Whew, I can cross that off my list.

I'm off to get some rest. The boys are going to the midnight premier of the new Transformers movie and I'll have to pick them up around 2:30 a.m. Grant can't drive after midnight. He has this probationary period for nine months with this license. He can only have one other person in the car besides family members and can't drive after midnight. I think these are good things!!

Happy knitting!!

Another finished object and Hand spun yarn....

I finished a pair of socks for Tom. The yarn was purchased at TLE during the Spring Fling. Stats:
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Sport Team Spirit Colorway 6
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace Size 1

I have some handspun yarn to share, too. The first is from some roving I got in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. No name on it, but it's a bit like Lopi. After washing this did soften up a bit. I have approx. 400 yds.
Second is from some roving I bought during my trip to St. Louis. It is Enchanted Knoll Farms roving in the Carmelita colorway. I have approx. 270 yds. This yarn may become a pair of fingerless mitts. It is extremely soft. I am really enjoying spinning on my wheel. I have a lot to learn and it takes practice, but that is what to expect when starting a new hobby.

The kids are anxiously waiting for the end of the school year. Their last day is June 4. Maggie has a lot of plans for the summer. She's going to Oklahoma with a friend in June, playing volleyball in a YMCA league, going to volleyball camp in July and to Camp Manitou the end of July. Then on a kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands through church in August. Grant will be working, going to summer school in the mornings, and trying for his driver's license the end of June. Patrick doesn't have many plans, but I'm sure we'll keep him busy swimming in the pool and hanging out with friends.

I'm off to work on my sock yarn blankie. Happy Knitting!!!

FIBER PURCHASES.......

I was able to get some fun yarn and roving while I was in St. Louis on my Spring Fling adventure. I also won a skein of yarn from Claudia, The Wollmeise.

We were given three patterns for attending The Fling: Highland Fling Socks, by Wendy Johnson, Nebula Sock Pattern from Cookie A, and Nicholetta from Laura Nelkin. I bought some Handmaiden Casbah, and also some of their Cashmere and Silk yarn. A skein of Perchance to Knit and Two rovings: One from Enchanted Knoll Farms and one from Yarn Love. If you want to see these companies check out The Loopy Ewe.



More pictures of my recent purchases from Shepherd's Harvest:
Yarn and a pattern from Briar Rose, roving from Briar Rose, some angora fiber, roving from Frabjous Fibers(the red/orange), and roving from Cloudlover(greenish).

I have a lot of projects lined up to do. Now I just have to find the time to get them done. Did you know I also scrapbook? Yes, and I have years of catching up to do for my kids books!!

I guess I need to learn to balance everything. Maybe I'll set a timer during the day and do my housework for a bit, scrapbook for a bit, housework, knit, housework, spin, etc. We'll see how that goes. :)

Shepherd's Harvest, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

I woke up early yesterday and decided to go up to the Shepherd's Harvest event in Minnesota. Tom and the boys were in Madison and Maggie was at a friend's house. It was such an odd feeling to be able to just make that impromptu decision based on just what I wanted to do. So off I went! I was able to get some wonderful roving for my new spinning wheel. I purchased a Schacht Ladybug wheel. Meet Amelie:

I've already spun up two bobbins worth of singles and have plyed one bobbin. I bought a Niddy Noddy while I was at the festival so I can make the skeins. It is fun to be able to actually spin the yarn and then make something from that handspun. Each Ladybug wheel comes with a small ladybug glued on it somewhere. It is was makes each wheel unique. My little Ladybug is on side of the right leg:
I met up with Shelly and we had so much fun looking at all the wonderful fibers. We also both enjoyed a yummy pulled pork wrap with coleslaw. Messy but good. I haven't been the most consistent blogger in history, but I'm going to try to be better. The best thing about starting a blog was meeting Shelly. I started reading her blog and just commenting and it has turned into a friendship that I cherish. I just wished we lived closer together. I know that at least twice a year we can share our fiber obessions by going to Shepherd's Harvest and the Minnesota State Fair. Perhaps one day when her kids get a little older we can take a road trip down to Milwaukee for the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

I do have a finished project to show. I finished these socks in early April, but am just now getting around to posting:
Stats: Knit using Addi Turbos, size OOO
Yarn Garn Studio Fabel purchased at Yellow Dog Knitting
Started April 2008, sat in time out until Fall 2009 and slowly worked on last sock this
spring and finished April 7, 2009

They are snug on the foot and I love that about these socks. I am going to try and make my socks really snug to my feet from now on. I love how they keep my feet nice and warm.

Okay, so Maggie and I are off to New Richmond for brunch with my mom, dad, and siblings. Happy Mother's Day out there to all the wonderful moms and women who are like moms to so many people!!! Also, Happy Knitting!

Spring Fling 2009

Wow! What an amazing weekend. I have been wanting to write a blog post about my weekend in St. Louis since I got back Sunday night but it has been a bit busy around here. I'm almost caught up with the laundry and sleep. :)

Last Wednesday I went to see my friend Shelly and her family. We went to St. Paul to The Yarnery and Borealis. Then she took me to a wonderful Vietnamese place to eat called Pha 79 on Nicolette Ave. in Minneapolis. Her girls were with us and they were the best behaved 5 & 3 year olds ever!!!! After dinner we went to have ice cream at Ben and Jerry's near Shelly's house. YUM!

Shelly put the girls to bed and while she was doing that I enjoyed looking at her knitting books. I made a mental list of the ones I'd like to get in the future. After the girls were sleeping, Shelly let me try out her spinning wheel. It was fun, but I really need more practice. She gave me a skein of her handspun yarn. It will be used to make a lace scarf. We talked for an hour or so then went to bed.

Thursday morning I flew out to St. Louis. Shelly graciously took me to the airport so I could leave me car at her house and save some money on parking. I got to St. Louis at 1:00 and to the hotel around 1:45. Walking into the lobby and seeing fellow knitters knitting was so amazing. I felt at home! I met some wonderful women and we pretty much spent the afternoon chatting and getting to know everyone. Some people that I've chatted with on Ravelry and I went out to dinner. Then it was back to the conference room for a dessert reception and knitting. I was so overwhelmed and tired that I didn't stay very long. I needed a good night sleep. My roommate Beth lives in Lee's Summit, MO. She was a great roomie.

Friday morning I took a class from Anne Hanson of Knitspot. I really need to concentrate when I do lace knitting, so I didn't get very much done in the class. She was an awesome teacher and so sweet. Friday after lunch I hung out in the Loopy Lounge and wound the yarn up that Shelly gave me. I was having a bit of trouble with the swift, so Claudia helped me out by being my swift! How cool is that? Her friends Maria and Dani also helped out. They suggested I use beads with the yarn, so I'm off to YDK to look for some beads after I get done posting. Friday night we went to an Italian resturant which wasn't that good. Then back to the lounge for more knitting. (I mostly ripped out) My ADD really kicked in this weekend so I have nothing to show for my time there. I really just wanted to meet some nice people and have a mini vacation and that is what happened, so that goal was accomplished.

Saturday morning I got to shop at TLE. It was amazing! I did cry when I got there. For those of you who know me very well know that I wear my emotions on my shoulders! I cry at the drop of a hat, so walking into the shop and seeing all the yarn was overwhelming. I have a surprise to blog about, but I'm waiting on that until I can get a picture. Maybe tomorrow. :) Okay, I have more to post about, but I need to get going. I'll try and post more about my weekend tomorrow. Happy knitting!

Healing....

My BIL and nephew are here for the weekend. It is so nice spending time with them. We have had a lot of fun and talked quite a bit about my SIL. She is at peace now and we all know that. We miss her and her absence is felt by us all. I'm so thankful she was part of our lives, even for such a short time. She married my husband's brother four months before I married Tom. We were the "newbies" in the family. Seventeen years may sound like a long time, but really it isn't now that I think about it. I would have enjoyed many more years of making memories with her.

The craziness of the alcoholism wasn't fun at times, I need to admit that. It wasn't all good memories. I do miss her and wish she was here today to help cook Easter dinner. She was a fabulous chef! She taught me quite a bit about cooking and for that I am grateful. I'm trying my best to have a nice dinner for her husband and son, as well as my family.

I'm off to make a cake for our dessert. The sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are in the oven baking. Tom is going to cook the turkey on the grill. It is our first time doing this, so I hope it turns out. I also have a small ham to bake. Happy Easter and Happy knitting!

Grief

My sister-in-law passed away today. She was 49. Alcoholism. What else can I say?

16.....

Grant turned 16 on Wednesday. How fast the years fly by. He had a nice birthday and several of his teachers gave him candy and one gave him a card she had made with a picture of him when he was around one. We used to live by them and I guess this picture was taken when we were over there for a BBQ. We took the kids out to dinner to celebrate and we all had a good time.

I made him a banana cream pie for dessert. I should have let the pudding cool a bit before putting it in the pie shell, but it was good anyway. It just got kind of runny. Maybe next time I'll just use instant pudding and cool whip. It was fun trying to make a cream pie from scratch though.

I'm still working on my Clapotis. I don't enjoy the project, but I know that once it is finished, I'll be glad I have it. Off to do some more laundry. Happy knitting!

Happy Valentine's Day!

No new knitting news, I've been busy scrapbooking. It is giving my wrists a much needed rest. The sun is shining today which is wonderful. I am looking forward to spring! Grant will be busy helping deliver flowers today for Avalon Floral here in Eau Claire. I'm sure he'll be tired when he gets home.

I'm going to work on some more scrapbooking pages this afternoon and may then knit tonight. Maggie requested steak and mashed potatoes for dinner, so that's how we'll celebrate with the kids. I did make an egg bake and cinnamon rolls for breakfast and gave them their gifts.

Well, Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Knitting!

ETA: I had to add three photos. My flowers, candy, and purse that Tom gave me for this afternoon.

Work in progress....

Here is my Clapotis is progress. I love the yarn I'm using, but I'm not really enjoying the knitting of this. I'll keep on working on it because I do love how the finished project looks.Tom and I went to Frost/Nixon tonight. It was pretty good, but Gran Torino was much better. I have vague memories of the whole Watergate stuff and the David Frost interview. I wasn't much into politics then. I couldn't help but make the comparisson of Nixon's actions in Cambodia with what George Bush did in Iraq with the "weapons of mass distruction". Maybe in 30 years someone will make a movie out of it.

I also got a neat gift today, my friend who works at Starbucks got me one of the wreaths that was hanging in Starbucks during Christmas. If you didn't go to Starbucks during the Christmas season, you may not know that the decorations were yarn related. I was sad to find out that the decorations were thrown out after Christmas!!! I would have driven to the four Starbucks in EC and picked up the decorations. I know I could have found homes for the stuff with my fiber friends. What a waste! Anyway, here is my wreath:
Maggie set me up with Facebook. It's been fun, yet another time suck. I will admit it has been fun reconnecting with some friends from high school. It appears that some people haven't changed much at all. I wish I could say the same. Oh well, that's life. I need to get to bed.

Happy knitting!

St. Louis...yipeeee!

I will be going to St. Louis at the end of April for The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling. I put my name into the lottery in December, but wasn't picked. Last week I got an email from Sheri and they were able to get the people on the waiting list in, so I get to go. Teachers for the weekend include: Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits, Cookie A of Cookie A Designs, and Anne Hanson of Knitspot.

I am so looking forward to this. Spending a weekend knitting with like minded people will be so much fun. I'll probably break my yarn diet that weekend. We get to shop at TLE. I should take cash so I don't go crazy, cuz I tend to be a bit impulsive. :)

I'm making progress on my Clapotis. It's been fun working on it. Pictures tomorrow. Gotta run and get Grant from school. Happy knitting!

Brrrrrr......

This cold weather stinks. I heard on the radio this morning that this is typically the coldest week during the year for us. I believe it. Friday morning the forecast is -22F. My kids are hoping they cancel school. I think if the temp. plus wind chill gets to -30F, they will close schools. I am thankful that the sun was shining today. I need sunshine.

I finished my swap pal's project and I plan on getting it in the mail Thursday. I have a few more things to buy to add to the hand knitted item. I'll post a picture next week.

I won't be going to the Bohus Exhibit after all. My daughter has Winter Carnival on the 31st and I want to be here to help her get ready and take pictures. The dress we bought her is beautiful and looks like it was made just for her. Oh my, she is growing up. She asked me if I would be a chaperon for the dance and I said sure. It will be fun to see all the kids dressed up.

Tomorrow I'm getting together to knit with a few friends who I haven't seen for a long time. It will be fun to see what they've been knitting. I plan on working on a basic sock while I'm there. I get a bit distracted and need a mindless knit.

Writers Block...

I don't have much to write about, but since it's been over a week I thought I should post. I'm still working on my swap pal's project. I'm almost done. We had more mice this week which totally grossed me out. Tom filled a hole under the dishwasher with some copper wool and also filled in around the hose that comes into the house from the air conditioner. So far we haven't seen any new droppings, so I hope we are done with the mice. Ick!! The exterminator will be called if I find any more mouse poo!

I'm anxious to start working on my Clapotis with my Wollmeise in the Frosh colorway. It will be so pretty. I have a long list of projects I want to do including some fair isle socks. I plan on using my Wollmeise Jultome that came in my December sock club package along with some natural. I signed up for a bus trip through Yellow Dog Knitting to go to the Bohus Exhibit in Minneapolis on January 31. I'm sure the knitting will be fabulous. I may have to break my yarn diet since we will be stopping at some yarn shops that day too.

It's only 11 days into my yarn diet and I hate it. I love yarn. I'm going to try and finish a project or two then re-evaluate. Okay, I need to get to bed. Happy knitting!