Disney 2009

Our Disney trip. MG loved the swimming, she was a little intimidated by the dolphins, we saw the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, Discovery Cove (where MG swam with a dolphin - Lester) and SeaWorld. I would have to say that Discovery Cove and SeaWorld were our favorite. For some reason the thin filter on my camera wasn't working (I am surely much thinner than I appear in those pictures). We could not have wished for better weather, the company was perfect. It was really a wonderful trip, but I was glad to be home.

When I called home on Sunday, Michael said, "Are you coming home, mommy?" Melted my heart.

For some reason, I can't link to my flickr account. If you want to see the photos, go to www.flickr.com, click the people tab and search for amarshall102, you will then see all my pictures, the Disney pictures have their own folder.

I Laughed Until I Cried

This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a gathering of friends. Somehow I was fortunate enough to get included in a weekend retreat of quilters last year and I behaved, so I got invited back. This year, I took extra precautions and I made some kick-ass cinnamon rolls, so I think I'm in next year, too.

It is hard to explain what is so much fun about these gatherings. This weekend, there was 14 ladies, mostly quilters, but some knitters/quilters. Basically, everyone hangs out and quilts or knits and what is so fun about that? Well fellowship, humor, commiseration. My dear, dear, bff, Janette is a hoot, she is silly and she gets me going and we enjoy playing off of each other and it ends up to be kind of like dinner and a show. Last night we literally laughed so hard that we cried (and it wasn't just us laughing alone), I don't remember the last time I did that, probably last year at the retreat. I got some knitting done, got some catching up done (I usually only see these ladies once per year) and recharged my batteries. I came home a tired, but happy to be home mom. Friends - Such a blessing.

Mr. Greenjeans

I blocked the Greenjeans sweater and it fits (good thing), but it is too long (butt hugging isn't a good thing) and the button is too low on the sweater. That Dream in Color really grew in length. The good news is that I can pick the button band off and rip an inch or so off of the bottom and then re-knit the button band putting the buttonhole in the proper place and then the sweater will be perfect! Or at least I hope so, this is the first time I have ever done any of this. I am not going to do anything until I come to knitting on Tuesday as I want some help with marking how long it should be. TGF (hubby) didn't see anything wrong with the sweater, but what does he know?

I am slightly sick about it, but I won't wear it the way it is and I'd rather rip the whole thing than have a sweater I won't wear staring at me. Or so I say when I'm not looking at the sweater. We'll see what the knitting group says about it.

One word

Your hair? Thinning
Your mother? BFF
Your father? Protective
Your favorite thing? Knitting
Your dream last night? College
Your favorite drink? Tea
Your dream/goal? Weightloss
What room are you in? Office
Your hobby? Knitting
Your fear? Abandonment
Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs? College
Where were you last night? Home
Something that you aren't? Thin
Muffins? Yes
Wish list item? House
Last thing you did? Lunch
What are you wearing? Shawl
TV? Yes
Your pets? Dog
Friends? Treasured
Your life? Grateful
Your mood? Hopefull
Missing someone? Grandmother
Drinking? Coke
Your car? Cadillac
Something you're not wearing? Necklace
Your favorite store? Kohl's
Your favorite color? Sage
When is the last time you cried? Christmas
Where do you go to over and over? Bathroom
My favorite place to eat? Chinatown
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? Home

RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPPP!

I have never done this before. I have just finished the Giant Clapotis Ipictures by Lor-raine). I think I look rather like Pocohantas wrapped in it, but I do love it. Could have probably made it a little smaller, but it is done and I love it.

THEN

I finished the third and final button band on my Mr. Greenjeans and to seal the deal on it, I BLOCKED it. Done, done, done, it is, well, except for the button. I have contacted someone on etsy.com to make me a custom glass button, but I can't find the (*#&$(*@#&$(*@#&$(*@#&*($& swatch that I made for the sweater. And so goes my life. I will sew a button on it when it was dry and replace it later with the glass button. Pictures next week when it is dry.

THEN

See, I have had these two pairs of socks laying around, both half finished, both less than satisfactory for many reasons. The guilt was cumbersome, but socks wouldn't have been up to snuff and I would have remembered that every single time I put them on, so RIP! They are now again in cake form and ready to be re-knit in a more satisfactory manner.

It feels so good!

Plans

I was reading blogs the other day at work of course and someone was posting about their things to do or "wishlist" for 2009 and I thought that was a good idea. I want to do some things new in 2009. However, before I list my wishlist for 2009, I want to post about 1 more FO for 2008. In early March, I was lucky enough to attend a little get-together at a friend of a friends "cabin" in Galena, IL. I think I posted about it back in March. Anyway, Martha Stewart doesn't have anything on Maureen. Later in March, while on a yarn crawl with my Tuesday knitting homies, I came across some Noro Aurora in a colorway that I thought would look wonderful on Maureen. It followed me home and I began knitting a Clapotis (from Knitty.com) for Maureen. I finished it some time in November (thank heavens for swim meets) and finally mailed it to her around Christmas time. I got a lovely, lovely note back from her and even better than the note, she sent me a picture of her wearing it on New Years Eve oh, that is her handsome husband at her side.


I don't usually make things for other people. There are precious few people who appreciate how much time and effort goes into a handknitted item or a quilt or basically a lot of crafts. Anyway, Maureen is a knitter and I knew she would appreciate it. I'm glad that she looks as lovely as I thought she would wearing it.

Ok, 2009, what kind of things would I like to do.

1. Make a sweater or 2 for myself, a sweater that fits.
2. Knit winter accessories in the summer so I can focus on cold weather knitting during the cold weather rather than making accessories at the speed of light because we desperately need them
3. Go to Knitting Camp
4. Steek a sweater for myself
5. Stranded knitting - do some
6. 6 pairs of socks

Well, that's that, I have a plan, now for the execution.