Wherever did this week go?

This week has been a blur of editing things on the computer, waiting for the computer to respond, rebooting the computer because it's not responding, and editing things. I have managed to get over half a sock knit while waiting for the computer, so it's not all bad. Uploading a picture of our dog Terry just took 40 stitches. Sure wish I'd been able to give this computer to dh, and get the brand new one he now is using. My turn will come, though. One of these years.

Dan was kind enough to mail off my MK box a week ago. Through a comedy of errors, I asked him to send it media mail - which it wasn't - and we were only charged for a 1 lb box - which it wasn't. I talked with the postmaster yesterday about paying the extra postage, which is a good thing. And found out that we've not heard from the Lost Mail office about my Lost Package, which contained all the books on my wanted list from the past year or two. Used. Cheap. Rats.

So, what have I been knitting? Dishcloths, when my attention needs to be elsewhere. Finishing baby socks (preemie socks?) from IK, with an interesting bind-off at the toe. It makes for quite a ridge, but on the outside, so as long as they're not to be worn with snug shoes, they'll be fine. And my box of new yarns came, so I have started one pair of socks, and will be starting the vest tomorrow. I love starting new projects.

I have been reading manuscripts. And proofing manuscripts. I heartily recommend never, ever having 10 projects to lay out, style, and proof at the same time. When I've not been doing that, I've been reading posts about the next 3 projects. Or calculating cost data. Or putting on my Accountant hat. I did actually sneak away from the computer long enough to read Lloyd Alexander's The Gawgon and the Boy. Charming book. Had some poems in it that we learned this past year, like Shakespeare's "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day" and Requiem, by an author whose name doesn't escape me, but neither is it standing out from the other authors I know of. It was a good book to read. This week I shall read Once Upon a Marigold, a rather silly princess-type story that I was delighted to stumble across again at the library. Piper's Future Grace and Uncle Tom's Cabin (not by Piper) are also on my to-do list, but really ... with so much serious reading going on about trochaic and feet and vestitution, my away-from-the-computer reading can be light. I also have been walking the dog.

This coming week will be filled with more editing, more knitting, more reading, and a bona fide Moms' Day Out on Thursday. Mom and I haven't decided if we'll head up to the Cities, or stay local. Regardless, it will be a good day.

A joyous week!

I'm not sure where this week has gone, but it has gone quickly and well. The children and I spent a good bit of time over the weekend looking at Petfinder.com, and on Monday went to the Animal Shelter to see if one of the little cuties we had been dreaming about was available for adoption still. They weren't. Another dog had just been brought in, however, and although the shelter knew next to nothing about him, I figured a terrier-type that could quietly wander around a room with 4 children, 30 cats, several adults, and a door constantly opening and closing as people went in and out probably had some good things going for him. We brought Terry home, and have been pleased as punch. He's housetrained, crate trained, kid-proof, and seems ideal in every way. My mom came along to the shelter with us, and ended up adopting a dog herself.

My level II material is in a bag, waiting for a box, and I am ready to get it mailed. It's pretty close to the suggested weight limit of 5 lbs, so I'm waiting to hear from the guild about whether or not they'd like me to include the whole pattern book as per the directions, or have an alternative that will weigh less.

Since finishing the vest, I've made two dishcloths, one pair of felted slippers, and have started in on the Baby Socks from Summer 2005 Interweave Knits. Gotta be knitting something! Today I ordered yarn for 3 projects - 2 socks, and one Scandinavian-style vest which will be a delight to knit up in alpaca/silk.

A sad day

It's been 11 months since his diagnosis of kidney disease, and today our beloved beagle Snoopy died. We miss him, and his death leaves us petless since the family hamster passed away at a ripe old age about two weeks ago. Everyone feels a little bit lost, and I keep looking for the next puddle to clean up.

Not much has been happening in my knitting world. Well, perhaps that is an understatement. I finished off the berry socks, began and finished Dickey Von Beethoven in KnitPicks' Shine Twist Cabin yarn (almost exactly two balls for the project ... which means almost no leftovers!), poked yet another hole in my index finger with my size 2 needles as I worked on the gray vest ... 8 rows to go until I am FINISHED! and have just begun some Mohair Ballet Slippers from Felted Knits for a friend. The Berry socks found a home with another friend, also. Once I get the vest done, I'll put together a bibliography for my Master Knitter answers and get that packet sent off. I'll then have at least six weeks of free time before I can even think of starting on the next level, or more probably, redos for my current level. Problem is, I'm just a wee bit short on projects. Oh dear - I'll have to find something. One pair of socks is most assuredly NOT enough to keep me knitting for 6 weeks. Perhaps it's time to dive into my son's sweater? Time will tell.

Goal for this week: Get that gray vest and accompanying materials out the door! Or at least onto the blocking board and drying.

My take-along project has made good progress as well. I've finished one sock, sans heel, and am just about ready to begin the ribbing on the second sock. Now, I should be getting more yarn from KnitPicks today or tomorrow, but in case I don't, I dyed a second skein of sock yarn so I won't be projectless. I used Lemon-Lime and Berry Blue. Unfortunately, I dumped a packet of the first into the dye cup of the latter, so I didn't end up with blue and green vareigated yarn, but a blue-green green vareigation. It's still pretty.  

The bolero knit up quickly, and I finished it yesterday morning. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and hoping that I can make some for some of my daughter's friends. It's worked from the bottom of the back, over the shoulders, and to the bottom of the front, all in one piece - except for the ribbing. I used just over 4 balls of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes worsted weight yarn.