Aches and Pains

I'm frustrated! I suffer with Fibromyalgia and the pain has been pretty bad lately. I met with the Doctor on Monday to see what we could do to ease the pain and, as usual, it was throw as many medications at Kim and see which one sticks. I hate taking medicine. But even more, I hate the side effects. I feel like I trade one pain for another. The pain had been affecting (or is it effecting, I can never tell) my desire to knit. Well, not my desire, but my ability. Admitedly, the new medication is helping and the knitting has started back up again.

So, sorry to my Secret Pal 8 and Project Colorswap partner for not getting pics on the website yet of the wonderful packages they sent me. I promise I will get them on the blog tomorrow - no excuses. In the meantime, forgive me if I've not been commenting on my favorite blogs like normal. Hopefully, I'll be back in the swing of things soon.

Ramblings of Crazy Summer Days!

I've been running crazy this week and haven't had a chance to update the blog. I don't want to get on the "naughty list" with the SP8 gals, so I thought I'd post a quick update. Also, I've had quite the week for packages, so I want to thank my swap partners for a fun month of packages.

First, let me say a big thank you to my Dye-O-Rama pal - Karen G. She sent such a lovely skein of yarn that she dyed personally. I think the colors are perfect for a fun summer sock knitting project. She also included some chocolate, you will note that there is no evidence of said chocolate in the photo, as it was promptly eaten. I've told you before, I have chocolate issues. It was delicious - chocolate pigs - mmmm... are you trying to imply something here Karen, if you are - you're right when it comes to choco. She also included some handpainted soap which was very nice, but I forgot to photo it, as my daughter has taken off with it already - claiming it to be hers. Thank you again, Karen. You did a great job. You'll have to walk me through your dye job, so that I do a better job next time.

Next up, my package from my One Skein Secret Pal Partner, who sent me some lovely Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk in my favorite color. It's delicious and I'm trying to decide on projects - any suggestions knitters? Also included was some scrumptious Godiva chocolate - which deceivingly looks in tact in this picture, but the truffles were already gone. This yarn is heavenly and I keep fondling it and picturing different projects in it.

This past week, I took Steve's hummer to Appleton to get it serviced (driving 100 miles for an oil change - does that seem a little crazy to you?) but besides being a kind hearted and giving wife, I had alterior motives. I went to Iris, formerly known as Jane's Knitting Hutch. If you are ever in the Appleton, WI area I would strongly suggest you go there. It is divine. Tons of yarn, beautifully displayed, herbal tea for the drinking, friendly and knowledgable staff. My kids were delighted to be reckonized from their patterns for Black Purl and behaved well, so that I could grab some Rowan Classic knitting books I wanted and some Rowan Soft Baby in pink and blue for some baby gifts. (I know 8 people who are having children during Sept/Oct- apparently it was a cold winter).

When I was in Utah, I had stopped at Piper's Quilts and grabbed 10 balls of Rowan CashSoft DK in pale mauve and 10 balls of Rowan CashCotton 4ply in sea blue. It's delightful and I've fallen hook line and sinker. I'll post pics another time as I'm rushing to get ready for a wedding I'm attending early this afternoon.

The kids made the mistake of looking bored the other day, so I got them to work on a project, tearing out the bricks on the back path that leads to the deck. 25+ ft of pavers later, some new edging and liner installed and I'm still putting the bricks back. I'm sick of it, but am using Marji's method of 10 rows a day per knitting project and applying it to the path. 10 bricks a day, at least and then I can knit 10 rows. I'm 2/3 of the way completed with the path and am 7/8 of the way finished on a baby sweater in Rowan Baby Soft.

Steve took the two older boys and went to Hummer Homecoming this past week (the sturgis of hummer events) in South Bend, IN and had a blast. They took the camera so I couldn't snap any new pics of yarn and projects. I had thought with them gone I would have gotten tons of knitting done, but friends came to visit and the baby sweater is the extent of my knitting completed.

There's the update, it's rather disjointed and not the most thought out post, but it'll serve it's purpose. I'm going to try to take pics of new stash enhancement and project updates. Sadly, Eliz has made zero progress this week.

Goodies on the Doorstep!

We arrived back from vacation very early Tuesday morning and look at the fun package I had waiting for me from Marji, my Colorswap partner.



Let me explain what is was in the photo, plus what is not.

(clockwise from center top): Green purse, that Marji picked up while on vacation - I love this purse! It looks great with one of my favorite summer outfits and I feel like a chic Parisian carrying it (where really I'm just a Anglo/Wisconsinite and certainly not chic)
Ghiradelli Caramel Chocolate squares - I have them hidden from the family and have been secretly snacking on them and definitely not sharing.
Tazo Zen Tea - This appeals completely to my British heritage but with a modern zenlike twist.
A pin cushion with thread - my husband loved this gift as he claims he can never find the thread. He wants this kept in the closet, for quick and handy repairs. I believe the amazingly talented seamtress, Marji, made this and I love the fabric.
Lindt Orange Chocolate - what more can I say but I started eating it right away and I know I should have savored it, but next thing I knew - it was gone. Don't worry, I found it, it's on my butt.
Beach read - I devour books, so this will be perfect for basking in the rays (??in Wisconsin) and relaxing.
2 cards - Marji made up for me having misplaced the card to go in her package.
Delicious recipe, that I will make this weekend.
Mountain Colors barefoot yarn - I love this yarn. This is one of my favorite yarns, and I absolutely love the deep colors. Excellent choice.
Blue Mohair/Silk - Don't you love the rich color? and it's so soft. I'm trying to decide what project this will become - any suggestions, Marji? In the meantime, I've been enjoying fondling it.
(Center) An apron - I love aprons as I love to cook, and like to look the part.
(not pictured) Fresh herbs - basil - too die for, I used it today with some fresh pasta, roma tomatoes and fresh parmesan. Marji, plant one on your talented husband for growing such beautiful herbs.

Thank you, thank you , thank you. It was a joy being your partner for May and I'm really looking forward to meeting you at Stitches MidWest.

Vacation update
The travel was very long and tedious, but was much more pleasant than anticipated as the munchkins were ridiculously well behaved - The secret for 1400+ hours of driving - lots of DVD's. I suggested to Caleb that we play the license plate game and explained the rules to him. I told him how I used to play that game on road trips as a child. He then looked at me like I was off my rocker and said "Why on earth would you play that when you can watch movies?" Obviously, road trips are a little different from when I was a child.

Blogging on treo on vacation

It's early thursday morning in Park City UT and it looks like a beautiful day is ahead.

Note: this post is being sent via my treo as I'm on vacation, so please forgive the errors.

We're here to attend a wedding and then have a mini family vacation in PC. Our townhome/condo is a good size for the 6 of us, but the service hadn't put the air on before we got here and it was stifling. It really cool down until the nightime evening breeze kicked in. I miss the mountains and enjoy catching a glimpse of them as I walk past the window.

I don't know how people travel without knitting to entertain them along the way. I usually get my knitting bag ready first and then worry about packing clothes in what space is left. I've managed to getsome work done on eliz and knitted a sock, so vacations can be productive.

I need to run and get everyone up and ready for the wedding... But first I need to put a list of LYS's to hopefully visit.

Here are the pics!

Sorry about that - we're having computer problems today.

I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille!

Finally, I have a pic of the progress on Eliz. I'm enjoying this pattern, but have been trying to finish up a couple of other items in the WIP.

Here is the finished shawl from the class I took at Midwest Masters with Meg Swansen. It's knit with Unspun Icelandic and was easy but interesting fiber to work with. It only used 1 1/2 wheels of the yarn, so was extremely cheap also ($7 per wheel). I'm not sure who will be the recipient of it, as I enjoy knitting shawls but rarely wear them. Probably my mum, or MIL.

My computer is on the blitz today, so I have put the remainder of the pics I uploaded on Flickr, so check them out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/80288420@N00/