January Ends

January has been a long month. It is hard to believe it has only been two weeks since my father's surgery. It feels like a lifetime. This surgery has been one of those life changing events. The kind where you divide your life into before and after sections -- life before the surgery and life after -- part a and part b. These divisions happen periodically through our lives. I've already got several before and after sections. (before I was a mother/after I became a mother; married/divorced) But, I am so incredibily thankful my father is home and doing well. There are still some "issues" but when I think about the time frame, I'm able to realize that it hasn't been that long since the surgery and recovery takes time. His spirits are good, he looks good and he is getting back to his "old self." We really love his "old self."

I've been sick for the last week -- a debilitating kind of sick where you just can't seem to get better. I'm on round three of antibiotics and am just now beginning to feel a little better. My youngest daughter has also been sick but she's also bouncing back. All of this in just two weeks -- feels like forever. My internet connection has been difficult. I've got the internet working ( or maybe the internet gods are just being kind) but I think my router is fried. This disturbs the tranquility in my universe and my ability to compute while lounging on my sofa, but it is a small thing -- one I can live with until I drag my lazy butt to the magic router store and get a new one.

I got several packages this week. One from my Spinning buddy and another from my Sock-ret Pal. I've got to be the most spoiled girl on the planet. Both packages where amazing and I'll try to take some pictures soon and post more details. Thanks to both my pals for lifting my spirits and sending me "real" mail.

Here's some pictures of some knitting:

January socks -- they remind me of watermelon. I'm not sure how I feel about the short-row heel but I think it might be love.

A hat for everyone . . . and for everyone a hat

I hate computers!!

For some reason, I can no longer access my wireless network. Doesn't matter what I try, or how many toes I stand on -- it refuses to work. This means I can't compute from my couch while watching television and knitting. This means I am bound to a machine that doesn't move with me. This means that I am very, very upset and confused. Why doesn't the internet like me anymore? Why doesn't my wireless router work? Why is life so cruel? Why????????? It worked fine on Tuesday. CenturyTel did some updates and now the internet is broken. Maybe, its CenturyTel I dislike so fervently. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody help me!!

Tough Day

Doesn't he look exhausted? He looks like I was feeling after a long, hot day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This is a picture from our Disney vacation in July, 2005. I was quite taken with this little fella.

There has been some knitting going on but I am too lazy to take any photos. There's 2007's first handknit socks, three hats, and the beginnings of another pair of socks. I've also been working on my Central Park Hoodies but I will admit to a lingering resentment over the sleeves, which has caused me to avoid the CPH in favor of quick, satifying projects. I hate sleeves. I get bored long before they are long enough. What was I thinking? I mean really -- two sweaters with long sleeves. I must have temporaily gone nuts.

My father is having open-heart surgery tomorrow and, naturally, that's where my focus will be for some time. I plan to take some knitting with me to keep my hands and mind occupied while we wait. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

I finished something!

Pattern: Kerchief Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Knit Picks Sock Garden in Pansy
Measurements: 21.5" by 11.5" (slightly larger than specified)
Started: January 10, 2007
Finished: January 11, 2007
Other Details: This was a fun, quick knit. I was really needing the immediate gratification of a quick knit -- those Central Park Hoodies are really testing my patience. I used size 7 needles holding two strands of yarn throughout. Don't you just love the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a project? The Kerchief is a gift for my boss. Her birthday is in January. I was a little stumped when it came to choosing a gift for her. She's one of those people who already has one of everything.

What year should you have been born under?

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger.

What Year Should You Have Been Born Under?

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year!

Here's the knitting stats for 2006:

1 Lotus Blossom Shell
1 Montana Ski Hat
22 Pairs of Socks
3 Felted Bags
4 Washcloths
1 scarf
1 Sock Monkey

In addition to the above, I've completed slightly over 1/2 of the Mystery Stole and I've got two sleeves left to knit before I will have two completed Central Park Hoodies. I'm not sure if that's a lot of knitting or not.

And, here's some photos of 2006's last handknit socks. They are mother/daughter socks knit with Socks That Rock Medium Weight in Scottish Highlands. This yarn is sooooooo yummy. I tried to find a more Scottish sock pattern but the one I found was overpowered by the colors in the yarn. They were simply not a good match. So, I switched to my normal vanilla pattern but check out the short-row heel. My affection for the short-row heel continues to grow. I like it more and more with every sock I knit.



Another pair for my favorite small person. They are too cute on her little feet.