Yarn, yarn and childhood cancer

I’ve got yarn on the way from the WONDERFUL Jennifer for my Hug & A Prayer blanket/lapghan.  SO very excited about this.  The pic I saw, it’s a beautiful, fabulous green with bits of creamy tan in there to break up the monotony.  And according to Jennifer, it’s really soft yarn (it’s Knitpicks superwash merino).  I can’t wait to get started on it.  I gotta get it done too – I’m hoping to finish it before her next chemo treatment which is probably not going to happen, but you can bet I’m going to try.  She had her first one around 10 days ago and did really well.  She didn’t get sick and felt fine she said.   They’re doing them every 21 days, so I’m probably dreaming that I’ll get it done before the next one. 

I had great fun with my ball winder over the weekend.  Worked REALLY hard at not tangling any more yarn.  I have to admit (and I’m really ashamed to say this actually) but my shoulder/back (back of my shoulder?  My back at my shoulder?  You get the idea) was REALLY sore on Sat.  and I think it’s from the untangling and winding.  That’s really sad.  BUT – I added up all the time I spent untangling – and honestly, I spent somewhere between 5 and 6 hours.  And then wound it all (which the shoulder that hurts was the one that was holding the yarn with tension not the winding one – which makes me think it was more of the untangling than anything.)  It didn’t hurt the next day though, so I’m thinking I just held it in one position for way too long.

Little man loves the ball winder also.  He got very tickled watching the balls I’d made while untangling roll around the floor as I wound.  (Cats were very interested in this too).  I gotta say though – I’m really not looking forward to winding all the yarn for the Hug & A Prayer.  My one local knitting friend has said she’ll come over and be my swift – but she’s got 4 girls so I don’t know when she’ll be able to come over.  We’ll see what happens. 

Got both of my yarns for the March KAL of the Christian Knitters & Crocheters.  Waiting on my needles.  Hmmm…. This might take me a little longer than March.  We’re doing Little Slip of A Thing (it’s a bag) from Knitty.  One of the members is already done though, and she said it’s a very fast knit.  So, we’ll see.  (My main thing is that I’m going to be knitting HAAP mostly.  But I won’t be able to do it only.  I’m just not capable of that.)  We’ve already started talking about what to do for April, and we’re talking about doing Branching Out (also from Knitty).  I’m very excited about it – it’s lace patterned, but you can use a variety of yarns.  I have to admit, I’ve already ordered a yarn for it.  So whether we do it or not, I’ll be making one.  I’ve heard really good things about it though so it sounds like something I can make lots of possibly.

And, last but not least, I’ve got 2 (different) socks on the needles.  I’m doing cuff down right now because I just wasn’t able to concentrate enough to learn how to do toe up this weekend.  I was going to, I printed out instructions, I had my Tsocks 101 kit, everything.  I even read through all of it.  But I wanted to knit.  Not read and look at my needles, and read, and look at my needles, and read and look at my needles.  So I just started from the cuff so I could see the yarn and how it’s going to look.  If I had one more set of #2’s I’ was planning on starting the second one of one of the sets as a toe up.  But I’ve only got the 2 sets and they’ve both got a sock on them.

Mostly, just really not wanting to be at work today.  The time change always kills me for a few days.  Plus, Little Man and I have been fighting off another cold.  We just keep passing one back and forth I think.   And it’s not bad, but I really want to sleep.  And I think because I didn’t take my antibiotic the way I was supposed to (my fault totally – no doubt about it) that I haven’t completely gotten rid of that sinus infection.  My ears, head and face still hurt.  I should probably call the Dr. admit I didn’t follow directions, and see if I can get a refill.  But then I have to admit I was stupid and I’m really just not up for that.  :)    (I’m a pharmacist’s daughter.  I know better than most that you’re supposed to take all of the antibiotic.  Not just stop when you start feeling better.)

On the flip side – I feel like a moron for even complaining about that.  There is just so much worse that is going on all around me.  (Don’t you find it interesting that people you’ve never met, who you read about on the internet (blogs mostly), become what you consider a “friend”?  I find the phenomena itself interesting.)  But several of my internet friends have much worse things going on.   And I read these blogs, and just thank God for my health.  And Little Man’s health mostly.

On that note – we’re coming up on St. Baldrick’s Day.  If you’re not familiar with what it is – it’s a group that helps raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research by shaving heads on (around) St. Patrick’s Day.  “St. Baldrick’s is the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.”  http://www.stbaldricks.org/  I’m sure there’s an event somewhere near you if you don’t actually know someone participating.  Please consider donating.  Please. 

(I also accept any hats in children’s sizes if you wish to donate them.   For these children, a hat sometimes means the difference between life and death.  Sounds dramatic, but when you’re bald, and your immune system is shot, catching a cold can literally kill you.   If you have knit/crocheted hats, or even store bought ones in childrens sizes that your kids have outgrown – send me an email and I’ll send you an address.)

Tonight

the part of the swift will be played by:

And what a wonderful swift he makes – let’s hear it for Little Man!

(He was watching Power Rangers, and kept griping about having to keep his hands up and out like this.  I don’t think I’ll ever get him to do it again.)

Something a mother never wants to hear from her daughter:

Look ma!  I’ve got balls!

Well, actually only 1 that I have a picture of.  No, wait I do have a picture of the other one:

 

What’s that next to it?  Oh.  yeh, that’s the reason I only have one and a partial. 

   This is it BEFORE it got bad.  (I don’t have more pictures, sorry – I was too frustrated.)

 I do however have a picture of this (before it became a ball):

Anyone think I need a swift? 

ETA:  I have one more pic to share!  And it’s not my knitting, but my friend.  but she doesn’t have a blog, and she doesn’t have a ravelry account, and I (personally) am very impressed with this and want to show it off to everyone – so LOOK:

 Isn’t it pretty!!

(here’s what it’s going to look like)

bits & pieces

First of all – I finished my 2nd Dashing!  So now I actually have a pair to wear.  Yay! 

Also have a new ball winder to wind my new yarns that I got from Ravelry people.  Yay!

Got Little Man signed up for kindergarten this AM.   Cost me an arm and a leg (relatively speaking) but we know it’s a good class, the teacher is a friend of my mom’s, and it’s at a church, so it’s Christian.  I was always one of those people who laughed at the parents who are worried about the “right” preschool or “right” kindergarten or whatever, but I’ve figured out that I have a little bit of that in me now that it’s my kid.  BUT – I still reserve the right to laugh at the ones who are just weird about it.  (and if this program had been full and he had to go to the public school, I would have been perfectly OK with that.  I live in this county specifically because the school system is a good one.  So I’ve got LOTS of choices.)

What else have I done?  Hmmm…. work, knit, frog, sleep, lather, rinse, repeat….. yep.  that’s about it.

 Later days! 

catching up

Benji died over the weekend.  He got Ich which if you look it up about what it is and what it does – it’s AWFUL.  Gross, nasty, horrible.   Ya’ll – it was awful.  there was nothing I could do for him.  By the time I figured it out and got medicine for him, it was too late.  So I had to watch him die slowly.  Cause I kept hoping he’d get better.  Maybe the medicine would work.  Should I just flush him and put him out of his misery?  No, he seems to be breathing a little better right now and there’s not as much white fuzz. 

 These are the times I wish I had a husband.  Mostly, I’m OK with being single.  It’s not my “preferred state” so much as it is what it is.  I do wish I had someone to share things with.  worries, joys, what to do about the fish…..  But then I hear the stories about how annoyed people get at one another – and I’m glad again it’s just me.   And I hear the good stuff too – the stuff that makes me go “Oh.  I wish I had that” – but let’s all go ahead and admit right now that’s not as common.  but yes, I do have friends with good marriages, and while annoyances are part of the deal, it’s balanced out by the good stuff.  Much like having a kid.  Unfortunately, there are no guarantees on either, and I’m enough of a chicken that risking it?  I haven’t met anyone who’s worth that yet. (Not saying I won’t ever – just haven’t yet.  I’ve got time.)

 Anyway – my knitting all seems to have stalled – I don’t really have anything to show for any of it. Work has been extraordinarily busy, and I’ve been working from home after Little Man goes to sleep at night frequently, and then this weekend I ran around and signed LM up for karate and swim lessons.  Had his friend over to play on Sat. so that Sun he could go to his house and I could go in to work for a few hours.  So I’ve also been going to bed pretty early lately.  with the sinus infection (did I tell you guys I had a sinus infection?) sleeping was just really nice.

Last night was LM’s introduction to karate.  They do 2 semi-private lessons at this studio to see if it’s something you want to do and give you an idea of what it’s about.  LM didn’t want to leave.  it was only 30 minutes, and he was very upset when it was time to go.  I’m very pleased with it also.  The instructor, Mr. Adam, was very good with the kids, and I really like what they’re teaching.  They don’t focus as much on karate as discipline, integrity, leadership, setting personal goals, trying hard, etc.   I’m really impressed so far.

gotta run – work to be done. 

Oh yeh, the knitting stuff….

Mostly frogged.  the shrug for mom was too small (I’d knit about 7 inches on it and put it over her shoulders and it was just to small in the neck), and I messed up my Dashing and just couldn’t live with it.  ::sigh:: 

Hoping to get some actual knitting done this weekend.  that doesn’t need to be frogged…..

 Oh, and I went to the Dr. yesterday AM and I do have a sinus infection.  Which explains the headache I’ve had for 2 weeks.  and reminds me – I need to go take another pill.  (She prescribed Biaxin – and can I just say – these things are HUGE?!)

!!!!!

Some bully hit my son today.  In the stomach.  Now, my child is 5 years old, and not a liar -and he said it was for no reason.  This bully is just mean to all the kids.  I’m so angry I could spit.  Little Man has been at a daycamp this week (they’re out of school for winter break) at a local gym where they do gymnastics, tumbling, all the gym kind of stuff.  and he’s had a GREAT time.  And I’ve been worrying all week that next week will be so hard because he’s just loved going to this place.  Until today.  and now he doesn’t want to go back tomorrow.  He has to – even if he doesn’t stay all day my mom (who keeps him while I work) is taking him in to talk to the director and the coaches about today.  But he doesn’t want to go.   

 Now, I know that violence begets violence, and you’re not supposed to fight fire with fire, and all those quaint sayings.  But let me tell you – if he gets in trouble for defending himself – I’m OK with that.  cause I told him to kick this kid if he hits him again.  Hit him back.  DON’T START it, and DON’T just hit him – but IF this little bully hits him again, to hit back.  and if anyone hits him – hit back. 

So mad……. rotten little bully….

Bleh + complaint

I know I’m extremely lucky to have a job.  Much less one that I actually like (most of the time) and where I’m very valued.  and I know that there are people who are worse off than me (MUCH worse and even just worse) but this is my blog and I wanna whine for a minute….

 I don’t feel good and I don’t want to go to work tomorrow!  And I don’t want to be a mommy for 24 hours either!

(I think I may have caught whatever had Little Man down the other day, but I honestly can’t miss work because we’re in flux right now and me being out is just not an option.  Although I’m considering throwing up on my bosses’ shoes to make him realize that I really don’t feel good….)

So – bleh.  and I know it will pass, and like I said – there are others worse off than me, but this is my blog.  so I get to whine on it. 

</whining>

Flotsam kind of day

1^st – we lost Enji.    He was kinda laying on his back/side last night when I went to bed, but he was still breathing.  I wasn’t sure what I could do for him, so left him hoping for the best.  This AM he wasn’t breathing anymore.  I flushed him prior to Little Man waking up thinking to save his sensibilities or avoid a scene or whatever, and really, he was more upset at me (and not even much of that) that he didn’t get to see him “floating”.  Mostly, since Enji was not a big mover and blended in to gravel so well – LM didn’t get too terribly attached I don’t think.  ::sigh::  I’m not sure if we’ll get anything else for a while.  And I guess I need to get Benji out and rinse everything off and hope he doesn’t get sick from the same thing.  (Which really – I think he’s fine – he’s still a busy little fish and finally comes to the top of the water when I put the food in.  He didn’t do that at first, and I worried.  Now I’m thinking it must have something to do with comfort levels/familiarity, etc.)  but this whole moving, cleaning, etc. thing is really kind of a pain.  Cause if Benji can get sick from the water or whatever is in the tank right now, I need to move him out.  But you’re not supposed to put the fresh water straight into the aquarium from the tap.   You’re supposed to let it sit at least overnight.   So Benji HAS to stay in the water he’s in while the new water sits.  How do people with large aquariums do all this?    Anyway…..

Little Man is much better.  Apparently it was just a 24 hour type thingie that lasted a little longer than 24 hours.  I gave him some Power Ranger action figures for Valentine’s Day (and a little candy – but we wouldn’t let him eat that yesterday which was very frustrating for him, but at the same time he didn’t want to throw up either, so he didn’t make too much of a fuss) and he’s loving them.  I couldn’t get him dressed this AM though because he was too busy playing with them.  I got very amused though, because I came in to check on him (and he dresses in the den FYI) and found him with yarn wrapped around them as a lifeline/lowering rope/something playing.  It was not any of my good/expensive yarn, so it was pretty funny.  (and still probably would have been even if, cause it’s all re-rollable)

I’m finally making some progress on Hug & A Prayer.  (part of it was I was waiting for payday) but I’ve emailed several times with Jennifer who is the genius dye artist for the Flock Tsocks, and have decided on using the superwash merino from Knit Picks.  Jennifer is going to custom dye it for me and there will be no more dithering on my part.  And if mom doesn’t like it – well, I might find some other uses for that yarn……

Calorimetry   – Cast on for the 5^th time – and I THINK it will be OK.  I only cast on 92 based on what everyone else was saying.  I was thinking too hard about it last night though and confused myself.  I need to just trust in the pattern and do it.  It’s not like it’s not froggable.   You know, it would TOTALLY help if I could count in the first place. I picked it up at lunch time (I’d already been creating this post) and got to the end of row 1 and was short a stitch. Which I could probably have lived with, and this project doesn’t have straight edges, so probably wouldn’t have even been noticeable, but I just HATED the idea of having 1/2 a rib hanging out there.

So now I’m going to cast on – ALL at the same time, with no stopping to look at a post, or read in a forum, or anything else.  (Quickly, before my insane boss who’s hyperactive comes back, because I promise you, he’d interrupt me at least twice before I could count to 92…..)

ETA – Done!  and it only took me 20 minutes.   (You didn’t actually think I wouldn’t be reading something else at the same time did you?  Can I not recommend the Tsarina’s archives while trying to count?  )

Happy VD Day!

(Isn’t that a disease? hee!)

 Little Man is feeling better today – still a little feverish, but hungry and keeping it down so that’s good!  I had to go back to work this AM and work 1/2 the day.  My boss is a great guy, but really can’t stand it when I’m not there.  it’s more of a comfort thing than an actual need thing though.  He’s kinda weird.  but hey – job security!