Rock, Waffle, Stitches

yay for artistic integrity

2007-03-07T14:44:00.000-06:00

Check out the new Sevendust cd cover... look familiar? It should. Its a pretty blatant rip off of a piece by Cleveland artist Derek Hess. Hess has created rock posters for bands ranging from Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam to Cows, Converge, Thursday and Dillinger Escape Plan. He has taken on cd cover art for bands, his original portfolio is part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and he has work hanging in a permanent collection at the Louvre.

the original.

Hemorrhage

2 color serigraph, edition of 125, 10 1/8" x 29 1/4", printed at the Highway Press - Image created March 6th 2005.

An open wound that won't heal due to the lack of closure. - DH

That's pretty freakin' pathetic.

Long live Hess.

I hope Hess sues, I hope the person who ripped him off feels like the piece of crap s/he is.

*edited to provide updated links; sevendust's pos came out yesterday.

an update on kindness

2007-02-20T15:23:00.000-06:00

Just as Sprout was getting started on an art project from our stash (we received a box filled with assorted craft project goodness) two women came in and said that'd they'd gotten the dirt on her "isolation" and so long as we didn't mind they were willing to forgo the gowns and gloves and such...

Turns out these women were hospital volunteers, who came to us from The Rose Theatre. They came in to see her (and were going on to see some other children) who due to restrictions/ their condition were not able to attend a storytelling performance they did earlier today. Instead, Sprout just had about thirty minutes of up close and personal time with them, while they told her/ acted out three stories.. and made her a part of each one.

They were great, Sprout loved it, and I daresay we're going to have to drop a couple of notes (to the hospital and the theatre) for both of them.
yay for people who arent completely skeeved by coming in and making a day a whole lot better for these kids.

in which we sit

2007-02-20T14:02:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we met with neurology, they agreed to pull her off the depakote. Apparently you don't need as long of a weaning period for the medication when you're taking it for its anti-convulsant properties as opposed to its psychiatric uses. They halved it last night, she'll have the same dose tonight, followed by cold turkey tomorrow. We'll most likely need to add a new medication in its place as the lamictal alone was no longer keeping her seizure free.

Sprout has not vomited since her episodes yesterday morning- during breakfast and just before lunch. She got up in her chair to eat lunch today, and is weak and wobbley, but now pissed that she isn't allowed to go to the playroom because she is still in isolation. Unfortunately, she's only in isolation because they are afraid she'll vomit on something, not because she is contagious.

Let's hope this lasts a bit.

the endoscopy

2007-02-18T17:59:00.000-06:00

Friday was a difficult day for the kidlet. She was tired and miserable . Friday evening Sprout had her endoscopy, when they came for her, she looked at the nurse and wanted to know exactly how many pictures the doc planned on taking, and attempted to argue that she'd had enough of those already. Unfortunately, she lost the debate.

The procedure went well, with no complications other than difficulty getting the IV in. The results? Well, at least now we're looking at the primary problem, rather than the secondary ones (gall bladder and bowel). Also, when I say "looking" I mean it literally. Dr. Z came out after the procedure and showed me images he printed of the problematic sites.

She has a series of lumps between her middle and distal esophagus and in her antrum. Her distal esophagus, antrum and body of the stomach are all red and inflamed. Her fundus is bruised, lumpy and all chewed up looking. The doc believes the latter is due to the retching. He has taken biopsies of the inflamed areas and lumps. He told me everything he saw suggested this was the primary problem, but that he didnt want to jump the gun and start interpretting without the biopsy results, He didn't want to over or understate the potential of what he saw.

What I can do, and am doing now is patiently waiting for Wednesday, because that is the earliest we will have the results of the biopsies.

Our current plan for her care is continuing the medication and trying to keep her hydrated. I'm guesstimating she is keeping one in three meals down- keep in mind there are some days where she doesnt eat at all, and she rarely eats three meals a day. Thursday the only thing she kept down was her half slice of birthday cake. Friday- nothing. Saturday she ate a few carrot sticks at lunch and half a cup of cottage cheese and a couple of bites of mac n cheese for dinner. I got all of that back with interest last night. :(

As soon as she is eating and only vomitting 1-2 times per day, we're going home, just so we can avoid catching something worse by staying here. Yesterday they thought we may go home today to await our results, but she barely ate, and kept none of it down. So we're still here. She's sleeping about 18 hours a day. My BIL and nephew came up this morning and Spog climbed into bed with her and they used her bed table to make with some crafty goodness which completely wore her out..

So, I sit. I knit. I read a little bit. I watch terrible little kid movies(presently "Annie"- not terrible but its like the sixth time this week), and read to a half with it kid, then I knit some more. And I do not, under any circumstances google phrases like "esophagus lumps".

ps
to the gal who sent us the harry potter books on cd- Sprout listened to book one while she was in the OR for the endoscopy.
and Kelly.. the balloons and stuffed kitty were fabulous. i'll try and get a pic for you so you'll know exactly what you sent :)

friday updates..

2007-02-16T15:49:00.000-06:00

This morning we had our upper GI.. before I had a cup of coffee or my pain meds had a chance to kick in. Two things I generally require in order to start my day off with any semblence less than suck.

Spout slept fairly well.. and we went downstairs to radiology. She was quite the trooper. Due to her recent issues though, she has a hard time doing just about anything without gagging.. she managed to get 3oz of the barium down before her body started a mutiny. Just as we were making reading to install the NG tube to put the rest in, two things happened.. a small blip of it moved past her stomach so they got enough of a glimpse of the intestines to determine there was no malrotation.. and a large portion of the barium refluxed itself up into her esophagus.

We came back up to our room to await word.. Sprout rested until she started this morning's batch of vomiting. The barium came back then she switched to stomach acid. The poor thing was retching for about three hours.. then she'd doze off.. then wake up whimpering/mewling.. then doze off.. wake up whimpering/mewling and sobbing.

She is scheduled for an endoscopy and biopsies of her esophagus, stomach and intestinal walls.

Hopefully they will find something to get us going in the right direction.

as Sprout says.. "Mommy..doesn't he have enough pictures of me already?"

a sorta kinda day late birthday

2007-02-16T15:38:00.000-06:00

They ended up holding off (for now) on the NG tube. Sprout was having a pretty good afternoon yesterday, after a not-so-hot morning. One of her favorite counselors from he summetime daycamp was one of the nursing students on the floor yesterday. Her arrival meant the NA from hell stayed out of our room after the incidents that caused me to nearly give her a verbal head-ripping. She was having a good time painting signs for her room with Miss Kim while I snuck out to assemble a make-shift birthday party.

pale? check. under eye circles? check. cake, funky head band, cheesy grin, balloons and sparkling juice? check, check and check.

Why yes, that IS a Fraggle! Red to be exact. Note the bench on the far left.. thar be me sleepin' accomodations.
It looks comfier than it is.

An exhausted girl as the company departed..

she sleeps.

Big happy thanks to Jaime, Alicia, Sara, Dante and Lynn for coming by, bringing presents and snacks.. and most of all, singing happy birthday and sharing some cake with Cait and making her night a bit more special. Thanks to Liz too for coming by in the afternoon with some loot that L&V listeners have sent to us. I need to make with some computer time and check out the episode they mentioned us in. Everyone.. friends, family and strangers have been great to us through the last couple of weeks... hopefully we'll be off of this rollercoaster from hell soon.

one more thing

2007-02-15T13:34:00.000-06:00

i might need saved.
now by saying that..
what i mean is.

I may need one (or a combination of) the following:
a) someone to keep me from killing the nursing assistant
b) someone to help me hide the body if I fail to maintain "serenity now"
c) someone to witness and testify in court that it was justifiable homicide.

also
this is day 16.

hospital, redux.

2007-02-15T12:17:00.000-06:00

Well that last post was a while ago. At least it seems like it. There have been some "changes" and disgruntled doesn't even begin to cover it.

Sunday night, they thought the problem may be with her depakote. Something my mom and I have both mentioned. She started it on a Thursday and began vomiting the following Wednesday. At the same time, she typically starts vomiting 1.5-2 hours after she eats. Depakote side effect/ warning signs include lethargy, vomiting, dyspepsia.

As of this morning, Sprout has lost nearly 9kg since our trip to Shiner's at the the end of January.

Monday mid-morning, they had decided the problem lay with her pyloric valve, which allows food to move past the stomach into the intestinal tract when its time. If it doesnt open, the food comes back up. The Pediatrician (not ours, but the hospital one) and GI guy had some differing opinions. The GI was a consult, however it seemed almost as if HP was discounting his opinions. I can't count how many times I heard that he was "just a consult" not a decision maker.

Tuesday afternoon, much to my surprise they told us that we were going home that night. They also told me that Sprout would be randomly puking for as long as the next two months, until her pyloric was 're-trained'. I stressed that in the hospital, everytime she vomited or had some other incident, it took 2-3 people to fix her up.. and I'm alone.. and have a bad- fresh from surgery back. They made it sound like we'd be peachy fine.. Sprout would be able to go to respite etc.. not too big of a deal. (1-2 pukes, no big deal, more than that.. she'd need to come back)

We arived home between 8 and 9. I was exhausted and froze my ass off trying to get things coordinated and into the house. My mom came over and helped me get Sprout into bed. I worked my way though her giant ass list of new medications and tucked her in. I fell asleep while checking my email.

Clearly Mr. Not Too Big of an Issue (pediatrician).. lied.

Wednesday AM (her birthday) she woke up at 7am and happy but weak. My mom had to hold her upight on the toilet. She was eager for breakfast and took her pills with half a pudding pack. When it was time to get ready to go to respite care for the day.. she started to get really droopy and spacey. While we were getting gas she decided that she didn't want breakfast. Halfway down the highway, she disappeared from my rearview mirror. She was folded up in the back, chin in her knees and not talking. I pulled over and poked at her, and called my mom. We met mom at her office.. just before nine, and Sprout began vomiting.

Sprout vomited until 2pm. I called the doctor (as instructed >7 vomits? = big deal to me). Would you believe her pediatrician was never even notified that we were admitted? Which is why we never saw her, just random hospital dude? She sent us back to the ER, and we were re-admitted last night. Ask Sprout how her birthday was. I dare you.

She improved greatly after 9, went to sleep around 11. She vomited once this morning mid-pills. We think that was more of an over active gag. At this point, she is having difficulty taking her pills, and pretty much has to gag them all down. She ate breakfast at 9. She went to sleep shortly after, and started vomiting in her sleep.. about 1130am and kept it up until around 230pm

I met with HER pediatrician this morning.. I discussed our concerns with the Depakote, she is going to have Sprout's neurologist look things over and come visit with us as well. She is scheduling an upper GI for first thing tomorrow morning. We then saw Dr. Z, the GI specialist. came by a short time ago. He is scheduling Sprout for a contrast dye thingie and endoscopy.

Her pediatrician hugged her when she left and told her she's be back tomorrow and Saturday. So I'm guessing we're here until at least then.
When we were discharged they told me they'd forward our mail to our house. I need to find out if there is a way to have them redirect it here to the sixth floor instead. (room 623 for you locals). I know we wont show as a 'room change' because we were actually discharged.

Dinner tonight is a pile of suck.

speaking of.
yays and thanks to my monday crew. monday night eliza and alicia showed up with books, movies, knitting and snacks! and coffee! Lynn came and brought coffee too! yum. lynn also used her laptop to test for a wireless connection.. i have a spotty weak one.. but its here!)
unfortunately all my grocery snacks are in my apartment (maybe i can get my mom to bring them back up tomorrow?)

the loosest definition of "plan" i've ever seen

2007-02-12T13:33:00.000-06:00

they decided last night- this am that they think maybe its one of her medications causing this trainwreck (let me interject that my mom and I have mentioned said new medication to anyone who would listen, althought most don't seem to be at all).

this am they had a "plan" which is a term i use loosely. then, Sprout had some broth and then puked all over their plan.

They were going to let her have solid food today to see what happens.. but she drank her broth this am... first thing in since vomitting friday night.. and, then she took a bath.. and heaved it all over me.

You've been asking about visiting us/ sending her something.. at this rate, we will be here until at least wednesday... you could send something to our home too- she'd still get it. even when we're done here.. we wont be rushing back to school.

we were going to make some construction paper decorations today.. we'll see if she's up for it later.

ugh.

she's so weak getting up for a bath or to go to radiology, requires a three hour nap afterward

i just came to check email quick..

i gotta run.

more later as it happens.

blech. where to start...

2007-02-11T13:34:00.000-06:00

Still at hospital, no sign of leaving anytime soon.
For those playing along at home.. Sprout's birthday is on Wednesday.. you know, Valentine's day. She's going to be 12. Most likely, she is also going to still be here.. at the hospital.

I didn't get a chance to update anything yesterday, because yesterday was busier than hell. Thursday night, Sprout puked up her GI tube around 4am. When the resident came by, she said they were going to have to restart it in order to finish cleaning out her GI tract and the associated impaction/ blocking. Then the hosp. pediatrician for the day came around and told me we were NOT going to do that.. but instead were going to start Sprout on solid food and see if she barfed. If so, then we were going to do an xray.

I'm beginning to lose patience with the doctors. Where the hell is ours at? At some point will I see the same face on a day to day basis?

Sprout ate 2 teeny bird bites of a grilled cheese sandwich, and had 2-3 sips of tomato soup. Then she went to sleep. Dinner rolled around and Sprout ate half a cup of yogurt and a lunchable. (the little square kind). Two hours later, she and I were both wearing that, the lunch, her pills (which she ended up vomiting up three times- the fourth time i was able to get the anti-seizure meds to stay down) and some yummy yellow stomach acid-sludge.

The attending that came Saturday am.. asked me about Sprout's stools.. I said everything coming out- which isnt much- is water with poo flakes. She said "Good that means we've reached the end of her cleansing." I almost took her head off. NO, NO WE HAVE NOT REACHED THE END!! Only one wee stool has come out.. and that was on thursday! The water is going around and not actually taking anything with it.

I snapped. I started throwing a fit. We don't have A doctor. We have a bunch of residents and whatever attending is in charge that day. I started asking what it was going to take to get a GI consult because so far nothing was working, Sprout is still puking every time you wave solid food at her... and we are (were) on day eleven of this crap. Saturday btw more puking every time food was pointed at her... I told them I was putting her back on clear liquids.

I got my GI consult. We went for Xrays. Bottom half is cleaned out. The upper portion is not, however its soft and appears to be moving on its way. The doctor spent a considerable amount of time taking a history and asking questions. He scheduled us for an ultrasound of her abdomen and its organ contents.

The ultrasound was this morning and Sprout was a trooper. I just met with the GI guy about the results. There is good news and bad news.

The good news: Sprout has "sludge" in her gall bladder, combined with small gall stones. We're going to begin treating them with medication. There is something clearly wrong in the world when that is the "good" news.

The bad news: this, like the impaction, is a "secondary" problem. things that we found while looking for THE problem, that ARE problems.. they just aren't the ones we are looking for.

I just got off the phone with my mom. Who is bringing me more supplies from home. Mmm conditioner. But most importantly, she is bringing me the head room mom book. Im going to have to call and start delegating the duties for Sprout's school Valentine's day party. Right now, its looking like we won't be there. And I sure as hell can't make 90 cupcakes and treatbags by Tuesday morning.

At this particular moment, I'm not even concerned with getting better soon. I'd like them to just frickin' figure out what the hell is wrong with her.

I do not function well at all, when I have no idea what the damn problem is in the first place.

Sprout's big worry..
how the hell do you have a happy birthday in a hospital.
i need to start working on making that happen too.

ps
more thanks to everyone for the well wishes.. and jaime and diane and sara and dante for bringing me lunch, snacks, and g-string panties from the clearance rack (funny, very funny).

parent's resource center: day 2

2007-02-09T08:52:00.000-06:00

Clearly my paternal family's phone tree has been activated. Everyone from back home.. my dad, brother, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents have called to check on us. Which is really pretty awesome of them. Maternal family asking anything? my mom. that's it. figures.

Sprout is doing.. ok. but starting to panic about being sick for her birthday (this wednesday). Apparently telling her last week when she was freaking out about it, that it was still two weeks away.. has come back to bite me in the ass now that she can count the days on one hand.

Yesterday began the process of going after her Impacted Bowel and looking for more details on the DUM (damn unidentified mass)

It was horrible when they tried to install the NG tube in her nose, down to her stomach. two words: nursing. student. he was great, however he took three tries, but was freaking out so bad she kept closing off her throat and it would just coil up. Six people holding her down.. my kid's got serious arm strength what with all that wheeling around she does.

After we were at six people.. another nurse took over and in it went shortly before 11am. at 330pm, she puked it up.. which made her REALLY freak out, and she tried to pull it out through her mouth.. I calmed her down and told her she should start training with John lone_metalhead, and then we could have a three ring circus.

Lynn snarkysneak called to check on us right about the time all of this was happening, and I have yet to call her back :( I'll hit your cell in a bit LYNN if you're reading this.

A little after five, we installed the second tube.. which went in quick with the same nurse who got in last time. Around 6pm the meds started to work and her tract started emptying..

there was an error in her orders, so they turned off the drip a little before midnight when they'd run 4000ccs (one jug of the goo) through her.. but she wasnt "done". We left the tube in because she was prlly going to need more stuff this am. well, 4am.. she pukes the tube up again.

she's still impacted, but we're doing a wait and see, and starting her on food again to see if she pukes it up or not.

note: the resident came in and said we'd have to restart the tube.. then the floor pediatrician came in and told me that we were going to start solid food and see what happened? if you ask me- it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.. or even a pediatrician.. a geologist can figure that one out in short order.

so yes, today is largely going to be spent trying to see if we puke.

whee.

My friend Diane and her daughter Francis showed up with a package of socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, a trashy novel (I had asked for Jim Caveziel in his "passion of the christ" costume) and chapstick with sparkles that tastes like cotton candy and a couple of stuffed animals for cait.

nate showed up with some CA Rolls. yum. yum. yum.

I'm going to go get back to the kid. if we ever figure out what all is wrong, I'll let you know.
Thanks to everyone who's been so supportive.
Love love love you

oh and Janice?
I might take you up on that pizza.

xoxoxo

the happs

2007-02-08T12:53:00.000-06:00

first off:
she's sleeping right now, and the lady with the dog that visits hospitals is hanging out in the room, so she's tended to while I find email, food and coffee.

I'm in the "parent's resource center" at childrens hospital. since LAST week, Sprout has been vomiting.. losing conciousness.. and vomiting blood.

we went to the ER wednesday, thursday (where we were until 9am friday) and again Saturday. Yesterday, when we thought we were better? she got to school.. and promptly started vomiting blood again.. back to the ER..

We were admitted last night.. what they originally told me was some freak flu strain.. is actually a mass of unknown origin in her abdomen. they are uhm.. "cleaning her pipes" so that they can get a better look at what's going on in there.

Needless to say.. I'm freaked, worried, and annoyed they kept telling me its the flu.

the good news? there is a coffee hut inside the building open from 6am-2pm.

bad: my ex-stepfather's sister is the lady who works it. awkward.

bad: we were not packed to stay here. my mom got me some things, brought me some 'extra' things.. like two sticks of deoderant- but did not bring my toothbrush or toothpaste. i'm dressed in my gym clothes because i was going to physical therapy when cait got sick. my kingdom for a tshirt, clean socks. decent food and a toothbrush.

i'll post more when i know something useful.

ugh.

2007-02-07T09:44:00.000-06:00

Change in plans.
We're going back to the ER.

she isn't the only little patient

2007-02-07T07:08:00.000-06:00

Sprout spent the weekend intermittently vomiting, I put her back on clear liquids and we've worked up to soft -squishy. Yesteday was a half day, and she is going to try for school today. Still weak, but not vomiting.

Elvis had an appointment at 345 yesterday to get his stitches out. At 4pm they took him to the back, we didn't leave until 6pm. They had to sedate him. Eegh.

No more stitches, no more tubes, but he has to wear his cone for another five days. We were given some spray to help alleviate the itching... his poor head is all torn up around his ear from his efforts to scratch an itch he couldn't get to.

He's getting skinny. :(

Today is going to be busy busy.
As soon as the bus arrives to pick up the kiddo for school, Bosley and I are heading off to the vet.. He is getting neutered today.

Then back here for my physical therapy appointment, then up to the hospital to hang out with my girl R3D and most likely give her a ride home and make with some nursing.

Today would have been my grammas 82nd bithday. Today is my sister Tiffani's 35th birthday. Sprout's got a friend who became 11 today as well.

One week from today, I'll have a 12yr old.

whoa.

parched

2007-02-02T23:41:00.000-06:00

Sprout and I went alone to the ER. We arrived a little before 3pm yesterday. The service was much better than the day before (which I don't want to rehash, but there will be a letter enclosed with the patient survey that will be arriving in my mailbox soon).

Sprout was remarkably dry. They had a difficult time getting a line in. She took four liters of iv fluid. We were admitted. It was a big ol' pile of ugly. Nothing like three days with essentially no sleep, lots of blood vomit, and whole lot of hospital loitering. She is still tired and pasty.. but looks sooo much better. We came back to Mom's this morning. I slept most of the day away. Tomorrow we're going home.

I've developed a headache, and have felt like I'm going to vomit for about the last two hours. I hope its not my turn now. I need to go buy groceries.

:(

I did manage to whip out a caliometry while hanging out at the ER.
It might get a test run of holding my hair back.

motion is bad

2007-02-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

We're going back to the ER.

In addition to the blood vomiting, which the medication seemed to have stopped (no pukes in an hour!) after talking to my mom and Sprout's nurses.. Sprout (who has been taken to the bathroom) hasnt actually urinated since 615pm yesterday.

In case anyone is snarking.. why you postin' get to the er!
Sprout is asleep on my lap.. and I'm waiting for my mom to get here
(ie.. ten minutes to kill)

thanks everyone who's been well wishin' thus far

eegh

2007-02-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

Sprout is vomiting again.

two things you never want to see as a parent

2007-01-31T23:38:00.000-06:00

I started off today with grandiose plans. Physical therapy followed by lunch and yarn fondling with Sara.

On my way to PT I was clearly spacing off, as I drove right past it and realized a couple of miles later- I turned around and got their late. It was then that I realized I forgot my phone. If you've ever loitered with me in person, you know I'm neurotic about my cell. Must have it, must be working. Or I twitch.

After PT, it had begun to snow. Big, fluffy gorgeous flakes. I get back to my apartment and leave the van running... I'm intending on grabbing my phone and putting on jeans and a sweater. I see I've missed... eleven calls. The last one is my mom... so I call her back. She answers the phone yelling at me for not answering... I tell her I've been without a phone for just over an hour... how 'bout less yelling and more telling me what the problem is.

School called. Sprout threw up twice. Ok. Sick. Mom leaves work and goes to pick her up because I'm not answering. By the time my mom gets to the school... Sprout is "lethargic". I called mom just as they were leaving the school... mom brings Sprout to the apartment, I call the neurologist (we started a new med last Thusday), and I call Sara and cancel lunch... I see Sprout she looks droopy and I'm nervous.

We decide to go spend the day sick at Grandma’s house (my back won't tolerate any possible lifting that might need done). Drive to mom's house, I'm holding Sprout's hand and she asks me if I will "take care of her" I say of course. We get to my mom's... mom is putting the ramps down to get into her house... Sprout drops my hand. I turn around... and she is completely limp and folded over... she's unconcious, but breathing She then starts... vomitting blood.. While she's unconscious. She is non-responsive, non-communicative and spewing blood.

I yell at my mom to get in the car. Start driving to the emergency room. Did I mention the snow? Sprout fades in and out.. and finally goes.. OUT. My mom crawls into the back of the van with her.. and I'm white knuckling it.. while yelling at people doing 25mph (20 under) they were totally over compensating. If I had known how long it was going to take to drive, I would have called for an ambulance.

By the time we got there mom and I and Sprout were covered in blood vomit (nothing but a small plastic snack bag to puke in)... after the doc came in to see her, she asked about 3 questions before she turned and silently left the room, coming back a couple of minutes later.. in a gown, hat, mask, gloves.. etc. I said "do we need bubble wrapped?" after several hours of hell.. Sprout has been diagnosed with some freak variant of a gastroincitis influenza strain 189yu98QAAZB or some junk. Its making headlines and national news due to the scale of outbreaks its causing.

I've told you before I was the 12th plague monkey of the apocalypse.
Apparently Sprout is the 13th.

I found a grey hair this afternoon while antibacterial'ing myself for the 4000th time.
I dare say these two events are related.

There should be a rule that no parent's child is allowed to:
- lose consciousness
- vomit blood

oh, best part? When we were leaving, the doctor looked at me and said "When you get this, get in bed.. and stay there"..

not "if".. "when"

sock monkeys are go!

2007-01-29T23:42:00.000-06:00

here is my nephew modeling his xmas gift.

The scarf and "sock" monkey faces are crocheted, the earflap hat knitted, with a "sock monkey" attached. success was mine, as he likes it quite a bit.

all done patternless, and pretty much winged as i went along. especially that hat. i like the construction quite a bit though and i've been tweaking/ making adjustments to it.

after the fact, i realized i prlly could have saved myself some stress by using the sock monkey face pattern in Happy Hooker-- but I was heavily medicated, awaiting surgery and sequestered away from my pattern collection.

minneapolis, whee!

2007-01-22T23:59:00.000-06:00

I made it to Minneapolis in one piece.
So did my Sprout & Gram.
Yes, its been that kind of day.
Very long drive, and it was hell getting out of town this morning.

My back, sacrum, sciatic and freak neuropathic pain in my toes are all less than impressed with the journey I took them on today. I may need an extra pill or six to get to sleep tonight.

We're staying at a really nice hotel.
We have sleep number beds. I'll tell you right now, they suck. No matter what Lindsey Wagner says.
The waitress in the hotel restaurant, clearly made a foolish judgement when she saw us at her table.
Her name was Harmony and she was horrible. She made the service of the dude from Hiro (I'd link but I don't even want to think about that night) look like a champ. The pink and purple striped haired girl with the tattoos.. and her kid in a wheelchair.. and her mom warranted shit service.

Why is it that servers so often tend to not realize that broke ass people understand WHY you should tip and WHY its important (financially) to servers. I may not have bajillions of dollars to throw around, but I know how to tip. I tip well. You don't go somewhere to eat unless you can afford the food and a proper gratuity.

ex. I'm eating my popover, when she comes out with my soup. My plate is directly in front of me. She doesn't make eye contact, she doesn't speak, she just.. shoves a plate holding a bowl of gumbo, underneath my knife weilding forearm as I'm diving to scoot my plate out of the way.

She didn't take dishes away.. came with soup, didnt take popover plates.. came with food.. didnt clear soup dishes.. Frank brought our food. Frank was friendly, smiled, passed out food.. we like Frank.

I wish I had better examples, but its hard when your server pretty much ignores you unless she has to deal with you. We should have just ordered room service and had someone deliver it on up to us.

She was abrupt, rushed, non smiling and bordering on annoyed when asked questions such as.. "what are your soups for today". Sprout has a cold that is kicking her butt. By the time we got here, all she wanted was "chicken noodle soup, a glass of chocolate milk, my pills and to go to bed". When a kid says that, you don't argue.

I thought maybe she was having a tough day or something and tried to lighten things up, relax things, whatever. She provided crappy service and seriously, treated us like cheap bastards who are going to leave a lousy tip (she was all glarey and all but sneered 'is that ALL?' when all cait wanted was a (ten dollar) bowl of soup and chocolate milk. and not an entree.

Harmony got 15%. I didn't round up.

We have a pool and a hot tub. They are open until midnight and re-open at 6am. I think my back is going to request a soak. Sprout and Gram went to bed early. Bosley is over at

mantofev

's house. She posted a picture of him in his new light blue preppy sweater. You should go check out her blog and see. Elvis is still pathetic and is being cared for by my upstairs neighbor.

Tomorrow morning, we head over to the Shriner's Hospital, so we can talk turkey on what direction we're going to be going with Sprout. Hopefully, we wil be headed in the direction of progress. I could use the feeling of some progress. We're going to talk about that hip, and how its doing. We're going to talk about her spine. We're going to be talking splints and chairs.

Cross your fingers that it all goes smoothly and works out to be everything we've hoped for and then some. I want to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.

some updates for those so inclined...

2007-01-18T23:41:00.000-06:00

The last few days have been entirely hectic, hopefully things are calming and coming together. Granted I know full well they won't until the middle of next week at the earliest.

This week I destroyed my email, and started virtually from scratch. Kiddo and I are firmly nestled back in our own home. I've was able to arrange things to get a proper nurse for the kiddo. My back is still psychotic after a few days of allowing me to feel human, and get my hopes up about returning to my 'normal' life. The internet in the chateau has been reconnected now that we're re-habitating our domicile.. no more hoping for a connection to scalp. Just rebuilding my system components from the ground up.

I spent yesterday morning at the neurosurgeon's office for my first post op visit. I'm still not cleared to drive. *cough* I have had my scripts extended for the muscle relaxers and pain killers. They've prescribed steroids, physical therapy.. 3 days a week, for the next month and they've added a new script for a medicine that is supposed to 'change the way my nerves respond to pain'. I was advised to take them at bedtime as thats when the pain is the worst. uhm. I still woke up in the middle of the night in pain. The difference is, its not just in my hips (pelvic bone/sacrum) I woke up and it was just the right hip.. with pain radiating down to my knee. 24 hours into the medication, my legs *hurt* -they ache like I'm on day 3 of a disney epcot adventure that I'd been hiking through in cheap shoes. Just tired, dull, achey.*. like they want to move. Very restless leg syndrom-y. I'm still having the random spasms in my low back. At least they think the incisions are healing nicely. Gotta keep the scars smokin' hot! :/

I'm not amused and just want my stupid back to work properly. I'm definitely growing frustrated with this mess. Kelly might be right, maybe she and I have both hit the end of where western medicine can take us with this back crap.

After the doc's office and the pharmacy, I fetched up the Sprout from school and snatched up Bosley. We went to the vet to get his last series of puppy shots and prep him for kenneling next week while we're out of town. We were also at the vet to pick up poor little Elvis. Elvis looks freaking miserable. His vet informed me that the clot in E's ear was the largest one he's seen in 43 years of being a vet. Eegh. Elvis once again has hot pink stitches.. as well as two drainage tubes sticking out of incisions carved into his ear. He needs pain meds 3x a day and to have his incisons peroxided 2x a day. He is not amused by the peroxide. He may look miserable, but he is quick to perform an alligator roll and provide his belly for rubs. Whenever I catch him going for his incisions, I rub his neck and he calms to a purr instantly. He goes back in two weeks for his follow up.

Today, my nephew came to hang out as he was suspected of having pink eye. I took him to the pediatrician who confirmed conjunctivitis as well as a raging double ear infection. While we were at the pharmacy I got a call from Sprout's school. She had a seizure while taking her spelling practice test. It was the shortest gran mal she's had.. lasting approximately three minutes. She came back around quickly aftward as well. it was pretty scary, but she seems ok. I'm taking her in to the hospital in the morning before school to get her levels checked so we can get her meds adjusted properly. I'm told puberty is an especially hellish time for kids with seizures.

By the time I got home.. I was completely worn out. Dinner, post ictal kid, kitty in need of meds and peroxide.. btw I have lovely holes in my arm, by claws that made it through my hoodie and long sleeved shirt.

We leave Monday morning for Minnesota. I'm hoping to haveThe Best Shriner's Visit Ever! (tm) However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit afraid of the 7 hour drive annoying my back further.

However... I got super awesome mail today. I received a slightly mis-delivered package from my SecretPal Pal. Fantastic! It looks to be the entire contents of my KnitPicks wishlist. Which of course were all placed there because I had projects in mind for them. I will try and snap some pictures of them tomorrow. My pal has definitely gone above and beyond. Now that I think about it, I don't think I posted pics from her previous package.. which had limenviolet sock yarn from lisa souza and a beautifulskein of merino/silk yarn from ellen's half pint farm (also snacks, there were snacks! no pictures of those though, totally snarfed them down already.)

I am two half projects away from finishing my holiday knitting.. I earned a special dispensation for the fact that I spent the two months pre-ceeding the holidays.. broken. :/ .. not to mention largely unconcious.. mmm pills.. and without my internet addiction. I'm ready to dive into all of this fluffy secret pal goodness. I have stuffs to make.

This was way longer than I intended.. at least I'm ending on a good note.

*after I wrote this entry, I went to get some links to supplement it.. 'lo and behold my drugs say to 'notify your doctor about any... muscle pain along with a fever or tired feeling..." lovely.

elvis sings the blues

2007-01-16T12:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Elvis's ear took a decided turn for the worse. It had been going down a little.. and the edges of his ears had a little 'crimp' (flat around the edges) like the edges of a poptart.. around dinner time I was playing with him, and began to actually notice how much weight he's lost. He was a little on the er.. husky.. side. Now he's gots some boney bits... not only that.. but.. the "crimp" was gone, and it was raw and oozy when you pulled it back a little to try and look inside. I called the vet and made him an appointment first thing this morning.

this morning he looked like this.. and his face was swelling too.

Now he's in emergency surgery.

My baby is hurt.. sick.. and scared..
and I am dreading the bill.

Looks like Sprout is getting a fixed kitty for her birthday.
eegh.

I shouldn't touch electronics until I'm off the meds.

2007-01-15T13:10:00.000-06:00

I am turning into my friend E. Just when I think YAY REGULAR INTERNET! I screw up an upgrade. Hi. I'm an idjit who has just lost all of her email. I should have followed my own advice to E, and kept it all in a nice online email server thing.

Thanks Outlook.
:/

(not snow) boots, snow, cold

2007-01-15T11:03:00.000-06:00

I'm watching The View right now. Yes, I know.

That SuperNanny is on. I like her.
I like Rosie even more.

But something concerns me.

It appears Barbara Walters and I have the same knee high boots.
(the same boots that terrified me when I liked them so much, I got them in two colours*)

I'm making up for it today though.
I'm stomping through the snow in my combat boots.

Its so cold outside that my digital camera is laughing at me.
ahhhahhahahaaahayeahfreakingrighthahahahahha
its ok though. I like this cold/snow thing.
-2, -20ish windchill.
five inches (wish it was more) of fresh powder.

I'm still sucking down vicodin and flexeril.
My back is miserable. Miserable.

*I never do that.
(unless you count having multiple colours of old skool vans/visions)
My sister the shopping fashion maven does that.

mmm sunday

2007-01-14T13:12:00.000-06:00

its snowing and beautiful outside.
my back has been really shitty, so i'm back on painkillers and muscle relaxers 24x7 until my appointment with the neurosurgeon Wednesday.
I finished my mom's holiday scarf last night, and its blocking now.

Sometime last night, Bosley finally annhilated his buffalo.
oops.
Now he is sick. He has puked three times this morning.
Presently he is curled up on the floor next to the couch, with his chin resting on my foot.
The Sprout and I are watching the last Xmen movie. I've heard its tripe. We'll see.
Jean Gray is making me think about going back to red hair

I'm petting yarn.
Snow, Xmen, puppy sleeping on my toes.

I need some coffee.
and a mountain.
but right now, I'd settle for the coffee.

I also have some blogs from the last couple of weeks I need to actually.. post. Maybe later.

People are strange

2007-01-03T20:15:00.000-06:00

There is something to be said for the disappointment a person feels, when someone they put some faith in, someone they believed in.. turns out to be human, just like the rest of us. Its the part where they thought they needed to fib, that makes you want to choke them.

My back is getting better. I'm starting to feel like maybe I have a chance of controlling my destiny once again. I'm off the pain killers and muscle relaxers, and starting to contemplate getting things together and I'm actually making plans for the future again. Hopefully this is for real, and not just the beginnings of some spastic manic episode.

Oh, and I'm knitting again. I'd guestimate that my holiday knitting might be accomplished before the end of January.

Gads. Maybe I'll have some pictures soon.

details... details..

2007-01-02T01:12:00.000-06:00

Its amazing, the wee, small details that can completely wipe away a good mood or a happy feeling.
How something so minute can take the wind completely out of my sails and leave me feeling empty and alone.

The upside (its not really an upside, so much as something to remind myself of when I'm low)
is that in other circumstances.. its the wee, small details.. that can lift me up and blow my mind.

Details always make the difference.

snow finally? maybe we won't get hosed

2006-12-31T10:20:00.000-06:00

I need a new journal. Like, a paper one.
I want thick pages.
I want it to lie flat. Spiral maybe?
oh, and of course it needs to magically appear on my doorstep*.
:/

*which it will... my friend cory is sending me some of his slightly used journals to finish/modify/incorporate into something new for me.

actually, I'm being gnawed on by the bug to create one for myself.
If only I could settle on a binding. I'm hoping to spend more time on non-digital pursuits in 2007.. and spend more time writing. We'll see how that goes.

also. this new post xmas verizon commerical cracks me up.
dad in his robe, two kids with their snazzy new phones.
dad:"you got the blah blah blah"
dad: "you got the blah bleh blah blah"
dad: "and what did dad get?"
daughter: "aftershave?"
dad: "no, dad got hosed"

maybe i just like commercials where people say they got hosed.
like that clay mountain dew one with davey.

its snowing little ice balls outside. its about time. really.
5-8" they say.
did I mention, about freakin' time?

the birth of one legend, the death of another

2006-12-19T23:17:00.000-06:00

When you're the best friend of someone who is a popular public figure (if you're in the right niche anyway) lots of aspects of your life become show fodder. Its been something I'm still adjusting to.

Before I turned into wonder gimp, I had a super surreal weekend where three randoms approached me and asked me about something that had happened with a knitting project. Aside from being a little weird (I'm remarkably reclusive) I was out of the loop and had no idea what they were talking about.

One further downside of the whole internet whatnot, and being all broke down.. I'm way behind in my podcast downloading. So uhm.. hopefully I'll get a memo so I can stay abreast of these things.

This morning when I sat down on the couch, the right knee of my infamous and oft- mentioned, diabolical penguin jammie pants, suffered a fatal rupture.

As you may know, I purchased these pants from the Old Navy store, two years ago when the Sprout was having surgery on her hip. In the times before my mother knew of the now infamous tattoo swirling around my left forearm.

(We won't even get into the time I had a hennaed right arm sleeve of bats.. and when my aunt freaked I explained it was henna, then she freaked again a month later when she realized both arms weren't washing off)

I've been sleeping in my satin-y zebra jammies, which is a nightie and therefore not the same at all. Also, that's a whole 'nother story that we so aren't getting into here. It involves pajama parties, girlie sleepovers, pillow fights, boobs on the back, a webcam, creepy drunks, a (dead)prostitute, a pancake,leopard headband, purple passion, gin- lots of gin, joy division, bauhaus, Alan Eppley and Jaime saving my ass- or defending her property- yet again.

Back to my pants. They were my favorite. Its been a good two years my friend. I'm not sure whether to save a scrap for posterity, or to burn them like one would a retired flag.

as a side note
the purchase of said pants.. and the related hospital stay..
correlated to me meeting E. Can you believe its only been two years?

they don't swivel like Elvis's, but they don't hurt anymore

2006-12-19T23:14:00.000-06:00

So, its kinda, sorta been awhile. My last couple of posts were rather sparsely worded, and they've been far and few between. Then again, y'all know I've had stuff.

At a time frame of nearly two weeks ago, Sprout finally underwent a procedure on her bothersome right hip. I spent the summer waiting for test results hoping for an option aside from cutting the top of her femur off. No, really. Such a procedure would leave her unable to assist in transfers or dressing, and unable to toilet. I'm assuming you see the problems with this.

We ended up going to St. Elizabeth's Hospital to have a Shriner's procedure (they came down here to do some things). They poked her in the thigh with one needle to give her a local, then slid a gigantic needle in, alongside her femur.. I watched it live on the screen behind her head. It was creepy to see all of the hardware in there twisting around while they rotated the joint to get to the sweet spot. Once in, her hip was loaded up with steroids and painkillers.

She's been having a marked (and amazing) decrease in pain since the procedure. Hopefully we can use this to buy some time (like say.. until she's 22 and has stopped growing) until she can possibly be considered for hip replacement.

Yay for Sprout's hip.

little rays of hope

2006-12-13T13:12:00.000-06:00

Cross your fingers suckahs.
I can't tell you why, as that will surely jinx it.
Just make with some crossin'

like now.

Expect some follow up later.

home again, but not exactly

2006-12-12T10:11:00.000-06:00

I live.

Only in return, I have descended into my own personal hell.

No, really.

Which includes, but is not limited to- the fact that I'm not at my own house.. and still no legit internet access. Blegh. Luckily I'm sweet enough that I hoarde these things up to post a bunch all at once when I can. Hopefully things will start looking up soon. Until then.. meds and sleep.

However, Sarah, Jaime and Jeremiah are keen. Visits, illicit sammiches, lots of driving, loitering whilst I was unconcious.. prescriptions and snacks on the way home. Love love love love you.

welcome to the pleasuredome

2006-12-08T04:37:00.000-06:00

buh bye all, see you in a few days, and don't do anything too crazy while i'm gone.

i'm hoping the next 48-72 hours make this stupid back pain go away.
it's prlly hoping too much that they take the numbness away with them.

bergan, for you localies that were askin'

deja vu

2006-12-04T01:27:00.000-06:00

I don't think the word phrase "deja vu" was utilized even once in the film DejaVu.

My man Jim Caveziel was steamy as always. Actually maybe moreso- he rocks the slightly crazed look in his eye somethin' fierce.

Long over due Sockret Pal love

2006-12-01T13:13:00.000-06:00

I'm a thousand years behind in posting about my Sockret Pal.

This is quite simply a super awesome package. Mail does have a snazzy way of brightening things up when life is feeling dreary. A couple of items are not pictured. ut Bosley filled in and modeled his new polar fleece puppy jacket. My pal sent the Interweave knits holiday issue, that was in my knitting bag during photo time, as well as some knit picks dpns that were there as well. She even sent treats for the Sprout!

Spruce is a completely gorgeous colourway of one of my favorite yarns on the planet (Bearfoot by Mountain Colors). I'm so smitten with its smushiness and the gentle gradiations in colour that I'm envisioning crafting myself some mitts from it instead of socks.

The button she sent was perfect. MMMM sour candy. The Sprout was so excited by the hot chocolates "oooooooooo faaaaancy" that she said she is going to save them for "a perfectly cozy mommy and me night" once we return home on our own. She also assured me that something so beautiful (the packets are pretty swank looking) clearly need to be used in the "good" mugs and not her plastic white tiger cocoa mug. She also commandeered the kitty magnet.

The knitpicks needles are so nice to work with, I'm looking forward to casting on my next socks and putting those shiny bits to work. As for the IWK Holiday issue? Fabulous. I read through it the first night, and there are a couple of patterns in there I would like to try. So long as I am on muscle relaxers, I'm not going to be doing anything lacy or charted.. I seem to keep losing my place and had to put one pair of socks I've been working on down.

However, the morning after I received the package, I was reaching the button hole thumb on the knitty Voodoo's I had been working on (in Mountain Colors Twizzle).. when I realized it was a buttonhole thumb, and not really what I wanted. I ended up using the thumb gusset on the "cornflower mitts" in the magazine, and adding a few other modifications to come up with a design that made my mitts everything I'd been hoping for. Talk about perfect timing. The mitts are now all finished up and can be seen in the next post down.

color me gromit

2006-12-01T12:47:00.000-06:00

I had to have some more tests, and wait for some decisions to be made. Apparently I don't just have disc problems, there is a problem with some of my vertebrae. Leave it to me to go all out. I have surgery scheduled for next week. I've been making fairly extensive efforts to find new home health care providers. I'm going stir crazy between being broken, and being trapped in my mother's house. I'm too young for one, and too old for other.

In the knitting and fiber world...

behold some bits for frosty paws. Black men's Knucks in Coal merino style (100% merino), black women's knucks in coal KP elegance (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk). Child sized fingerless mitts also in KP merino style (iris) and 'manda sized in Mountain Colors Twizzle (85% Merino Wool, 15% Silk). The fingerless mitts are the knitty voodoo, bastardized into a 'manda pattern, 2x2 rib with the thumb gusset snagged from the mitts pattern in the IW Holiday Knits issue.

On the needles I have

Striped scarf in Coal and Cloud KP Panache (40% Baby Alpaca, 20% Cashmere, 20% Silk, 20% Extrafine Merino), Grey-brown with burgandy and blue hand spun scarf on gigantor needles and crocheted scarf and matching (and in need of frogging and reknitting) hat in LB Jiffy (tis for a toddler and my hands have gotten so yarn snobby they can barely handle it). The lower right corner also has a sneaky hint of where I'm going with this toddler project.

And still to come...

Gorgeous sari silk from Mantofev, two balls of lovely domestic and tencil handspun that will become more fingerless mitts and more merino style, this time in dusk, for yet another pair of knucks.

I have my work cut out for me.

guys dig chicks with scars

2006-11-30T13:32:00.000-06:00

Guess who's going to get her back slit open... again.

It's truly a good thing that I never fell for a tramp stamp.. er.. low back tattoo.
(not to imply that i'm ink-free... far from it)
I'm going to stick with my theory though, while some guys find those to be hot
I'm certain the one for me will agree that a big ol' surgical scar is better.

If we're never together, If I'm never back again.

2006-11-28T10:55:00.000-06:00

I'm leaving in a few minutes for an appointment with my neurosurgeon. Those steroid shots aren't helping and I'm most likely looking at more surgery. I havn't been online because we've been shacking up at my mother's while I've been injured and I have to "borrow" a wireless connection from the neighbor. So expect to see lots of posts appearing all at once as I have to "save them up".

Regardless, this is something I've been dwelling on for a few days now. In several of the online forums I'm involved with, the topic of favorite "drinking songs" has come up. Fine good. I'm a reformed drinker, tis true. Anyway, here's where I'm going with this...

On many (I'm surprised by how many) occasions one of the songs named as a favorite drinking song, is Pints of Guiness Make You Stronger by Against Me! Whilst I love the song (I love Against Me!) and like many AM! songs its got a fairly "rallying" sing along lilt to it on the choruses.. I've never considered it as a "drinking" song. Its about a recovering alcoholic being heart broken by the death of her lover and wishing she'd died.

So tell me
Where's the "Heck yah let's go get our booze one" in this one?

########

Evelyn sits by the elevator doors
It's been 37 years since James died on St. Patrick's Day in 1964
But she could not hold it against him
There were times when there was nothing she could do
But lie in bed all day beside a picture of them together
A picture of better days

And just like James, I'll be drinking irish tonight
and the memory of his last work week will be gone forever
Evelyn I'm not coming home tonight!
If we're never together
If I'm never back again
Well I swear to God that I'll love you forever
Evelyn I'm not coming home tonight!

In all the years that went by she said
She'd always love him
and from the day that he died
She never loved again

And in his wallet she kept in her nightstand
an a.a. card and a lock of red hair
she kept secrets of pride locked so tight in her heart
it killed a part of her before the rest was gone.

She said, "If I would have known just how things would have ended up I just would have let myself die."

And just like james, I'll be drinking irish tonight
and the memory of his last work week will be gone forever
Evelyn I'm not coming home tonight!
If we're never together
If I'm never back again
Well I swear to God that I'll love you forever
Evelyn I'm not coming home tonight!

now for a crazy lady rant

2006-11-23T00:28:00.000-06:00

this one has been sitting in my head for over a month now.. and it resurfaced after reading Jake's blog today.

nothing in recent history has made me want to become a card-carrying-smash-the-state-anarchist more than watching 'Insane Celebrity Yachts' and 'Insane Celebrity Entourages' back to back.

seriously.

additionally, a few weeks ago, i had several people call me and tell me to quick!quick!turnonmytv!! that homemakeover show was on. the one with the guy who's in the commercial for my cell phone (if i didnt love my phone, id chuck it at him).

anyway, they were making over a house for a family with a 12yr old boy with cerebral palsy. this kid was clearly more afflicted than mine. but apparently all of my acquaintences (and a couple of friends) felt i needed to see this. so they jack up their double wide and move it for some habitat for humanity thing and build them one from scratch on the same site. they spare no expense. this family got every frill. every piece of high tech, high end adaptive equipment was included. shit they bought the teenage daughter a new wardrobe.

this show.
pissed.
me.
off.

its great they could do so much for this family. however. i think of myself. i think of all the families i know that have kids with issues.. that struggle. shit, my insurance won't even cover the lift to get the Sprout out of bed and into her chair or onto the toilet.

if they had just given that family "nice" stuff. maybe a fancy lift in lieu of a track system that would suspend the kid from the ceiling thoughout the house? a damn sauna in his bedroom? those things are all very nice, but they are so very over the top. if they gave the remaining money to help other families.. they easily could have hooked up twenty families with what they did for this one. I don't begrudge the family. It just feels dirty to me.

thats the kind of gift giving that makes the giver feel good. they should feel good, they did a good thing. but its all show and flash. they can now pop their buttons about how much they gave. its not the kind of giving that actually does good. its a publicity stunt that managed to help *one* family, and grab a crap ton of advertising dollars for the broadcasting company.

Where oh where can my baby be....

2006-11-22T23:51:00.000-06:00

Dearest Blogling,
Please excuse me for not visiting your pages and gracing you with text sooner, I know I had said in my last post that I most assuredly had not forsaken you.. but then I went and left you all by your lonesome again. By now I'm sure you've noticed my long absence.

I havnt been online for a couple of weeks, and it was definitely not at my choosing. I think the last time I wrote, I was excited that October was ending and my life was about to slow down a bit. I was *wrong* about that.

Ive been battling severe back issues for the last year (being a single mom of a sprout that doesnt walk has been hard on my back). At the Sprout's halloween party, my back went completely out, and we had to relocate to my mom's house for a few days. I found myself spending a lot of time laying down flat, and the computer chair was no place for me.

While this was happening, a dear friend of mine was involved in a a very serious accident, and shortly thereafter she passed on. I'm still overwhelmed that her life took a turn the way that it did, and now she's gone. While the loss still leaves parts of me feeling a bit raw. I find myself looking at my arm a lot- my permanent visual reminder of the principles of the transference of energy. I am infinite. We all are.

The day after the funeral, my back was still giving me trouble- I spent three days having random spasms that if I treated, meant I was sleeping. eek. Finally, my back reached a point where the medications were no longer working and the pain and spasms were out of control.

Sprout went to Gramma's.. I went to the hospital. When I left the s hospital, it was to report to Gramma's. This past Wednesday I recieved a cortisone laudal epidural. I don't know that its helped much. I'm still having a lot of problems and can't drive with my medications. Medications I'd hoped would not be necessary after the injection (my second). Some days are better than others. Yesterday was alright. Today a little worse.. and this evening the spasms are back with a vengeance. I'm scheduled with my neurosurgeon next week, and we will probably be shacking up here until at least then.

Sprout and I were scheduled to attend thanksgiving festivities with a friend's family. Due to my flare up this evening, its going to be near impossible for me to assist in Sprout-care tomorrow, so we've re-evaluated our plan and are now going to be attending a family function. So long as I can find something without dead animal in it or on it, I'm good. Oh, and a flat place to lay down with my heating pad as needed.

Hope you all have a great day, and have something in your lives to be thankful for.
Peace be with you.

october means birthday presents (but not for me)

2006-11-05T00:30:00.001-06:00

Things havc been busy, busy around these parts. October has always been ridiculously busy and this year surely wasn't cutting me a break.

One of the things that makes it hectic is the fact that my mother and sister have birthdays six days apart the last week of the month- the same time I'm usually trying to put together the Sprout's class "harvest" party and prep her for halloween goodness.

I had to put my socktoberfest sockling aside to focus on getting some gifts made. Behold, five dish cloths for my momma and a scarf for my sister that I knit up with hand spun/ hand dyed domestic wool top. Both gifts were "successful."

oh blogger, i have not forsaken thee

2006-10-25T14:28:00.000-05:00

One of my secret pals (how many swaps am I in these days anyway) jolted me into realizing my little blogling is neglected. October is a historically busy month in our family. Multitudes of birthday, combined with one of the busiest months of the year at the Sprout's school.

One of those events that took up a large junk of our time was the carnival. Over the weekend Sprout's elementary school had their annual carnival. She and I ran one of the games for the first portion of the evening (basketball throw). Then we bought some game tickets, $5 worth of basket raffle tickets (each grade donated items along certain themes to raffle off) and had some carnival snacks. We put in for our raffles and Sprout wheeled off with some friends to win herself some prize tickets.

And win she did. Sprout came back to me heavily laden with prize tickets. In the library she exchanged them for a disco light- much like this one, only not exactly. Hers is a tad flashier. Its just the super gaudy thing an eleven year old girl needs for her bedroom.

This morning while dropping her off at school, it seems that our $5 investment paid off. We won the "movie night" basket.
Our booty includes:

a lovely 15" wide hexagon shaped wicker basket (I am thinking perfect container to store puppy toys)
a small wooden snack/ popcorn bowl
two fall themed mugs
one box of swiss miss hot cocoa mix
one pound of sour skittles
movie theatre sized boxes of:

Milk duds
twizzler twists
nerds
dots
mike n' ikes
skittles

nine packages of microwave popcorn
and ten dvds:

chicken run
because of winn-dixie
the adventures of milo and otis
the princess diaries
jumanji
annie
alvin & the chipmunks "trick or treason"
matilda
my little pony: the princess promenade (which we will be gifting to the neighbor's 4yr old daughter).

A DVD player

I felt justified in spending the $5 on the raffle. Even if we didn't win anything, the money was going to a good cause. As it is, my investment (I'll even go so far as to say our entire $15 carnival expenditure + the 2 hours of my life I lost shagging basketballs and annoying my back) were totally worth our win. We have a fresh crop of DVDs to add to our small pile of them (we're still largely a VHS family) for roadtrips. Like the one we have in two weeks- back to Minnesota to see the Shriners.

I promise a follow up post is in the very near future with some knitting bits. Because let's face it, any of my "free" moments have involved me knitting furiously in an effort to finish up some birthday gift items or working with Bosley on his puppy school progress.

heck freakin' yeah!!!

2006-10-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

061502 dvd/cd

Seattle, Washington: The Showbox. June 15, 2002. Botch's final live performance. Possibly the tightest, hottest, sweetest show ever. All your favorite jams (fourteen in all); all those unstoppable riffs, all that blood, sweat and fear. See it for the first time all over again, under the white-hot blaze of the worklights, complete with pant-pissing bonus commentary and an audio CD of the complete performance. Plus a video for "St. Matthew Returns to the Womb." Plus a bunch of other cool shit that you'll have to discover for yourself.

out 12.05.06 on Hydrahead

:(

2006-10-08T12:53:00.000-05:00

Chubbz, my wee dumbo ratty, died this morning.

She was nearly four, which is exceptionally old for a ratty. She lived a long, happy, chubby little rat life.

She will be missed.

the daily 'scope

2006-10-06T12:29:00.000-05:00

Try not to make more of this than there really is. It's very easy to get caught up in a 'The sky is falling!' mentality, but that doesn't help anything in the end. Feel the panic, let it pass, then get down to business.

fitting as usual.

questionaires, KALS and stupid needle sizing

2006-10-05T00:36:00.000-05:00

I cast on for my Soctoberfest project today. I'll hopefully post a pic tomorrow, and I'll toss in some more details about what it is exactly that I've got cooking. I've been knitting a bit lately in my downtime. I'm lacking FOs though due to pesky things like.. 'finishing'.

I've also been pawing through things looking for the 'perfect' sock pattern for the yarn I elected to use for Soctoberfest (a gorgeous bearfoote colourway that I picked up in Montana last August). I think I've found the pattern of my soctoberfest dreams, but I may need to make some adjustments needlewise.

I have three different sets of size two DPNs, and each one has its own size in metric. Guess I'm a fool for thinking that a size two.. was a size two. How did I get three sizes of size twos. dangit.

I'm sure I'm not the only one- a whole lot of these things are kicking off at once it seems. However, it feels pretty silly to be posting so many swap questionaires with mostly the same data on all of them. I think I'm good for at least a wee bit for now though.

Next order of business will be checking up to make sure I'm on top of all of my incoming and outgoing swap related email.

Secret Pal 9 Questionaire

2006-10-05T00:33:00.000-05:00

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Targhee! (that’s Montana pride right there), alpaca, wool, merino. Rowan, mountain colors, trekking and Lisa Souza. I'm also beginning to be a big fan of KnitPicks.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Anything scratchy and unflexible. I am not cute when I am itching.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I keep my needles in an old oatmeal container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Two years knitting and spinning. Crocheting for three years continuously- but my Grammy taught me to crochet decades ago. I just took a break from it and started coming back to craftiness a few years ago. I’d call myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have two! An Amazon Wishlist, and one of yarn/knitting stuffs.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I love spicy and sweet scents. "Light floral" isn't really my speed. Burts Bees Milk and Honey lotion is about the most divine smell in skin care. Warm vanilla sugar. Yum. This time of year is the best to find things that are “fall” smelling.. apple cider, pumpkin spice candles.. rawr.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

sour! I love sour things... like lemon and any of those "sour" candies. And, I feel chocolate is only useful when wrapped around peanut butter or caramel. Mmm caramel.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I spin on a drop spindle, and have dyed my own rovings. I like to make hand bound books and block prints.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?

I listen to music. A lot. Hardcore, Indie, largely non- mainstream. I think Steve Albini is a god among mortals. Big Black and Shellac are definitely high on my list. Pleasure Forever and Queens of the Stoneage. Afghan Whigs, Mark Lanegan. I tend to tell people I like “dirty, hedonistic death rock” and “psycho stalker love songs”. I don’t care much for country, unless it pre-mid 70s. I also enjoy learning/ experiencing new music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Pinks, oranges, Blues, purples, cranberry reds, jewel tones? I can see even the most obnoxious colours as fun accent/ accessories. Ex- I mainly wear black, grey and denim. BUT bright pumpkin orange and hot pink are two of my favorite accent colours. However, yellow and I do not agree with each other on much.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Me and the Sprout! Pets, lots! One rat, three cats and a pup!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear super long >7’ scarves and hats in winter. I’m more of a glove girl than a mitten girl, and I don’t wear ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Lately it seems all I am making are knucks and socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Presently I have one pair of knucks on needles (and two pair awaiting “finishing”) a stripey cashmere/alpaca scarf, a dishcloth, and I just cast on Cascading Leaves for my Soctoberfest project.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I should hope so! I make them for friends and family all the time!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Yes! I think each of them can be useful in their own right. My favorites are my Birch Brittany-s. Depending on the stickiness of yarn I’m using, I go back and forth between them and metal. My glass namaste’s were the best at cotton. As for dircs vs. straights, it depends on the project, mostly straights since that’s what I have. I tell myself I’m going to learn magic loop on circs, but I havn’t quite gotten there yet.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own neither a winder nor swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Four months.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween, yom kippur and rosh hashana

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Godzilla! Garden gnomes! (I have thirteen) Smooshed pennies! Cavaleras (Mexican day of the dead skulls/ skeletons). Bats. (of the mammal variety) and rocks. I love funky, native rocks and bring them home from every place I travel.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I don’t have any subscriptions, but I tend to pick up vogue knitting. As for the rest, I have a whole slew of them, and I’ve got books on the Amazon list, and yarn/needles and patterns on my crafty bit list.(as seen in item #4)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I want to learn the two socks at a time via double knitting. Magic loop and two at a time toe up are also on my agenda. You know, when I can get around to it.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I had my trial by fire this summer in socks. My blog follows my progression. I went from swearing I’d never make a sock “I could buy one cheaper- It would take too long- No patience- tiny needles” I had every excuse. Then, I got roped into the trek-along-knit along by a friend and spent three months creating a toe up, thigh high socks as my very first pair. Now, I’m mildly sock obsessed.

Because this information is potentially traumatic, I’m going to preface it with. I’m sorry. I’m 6’2” tall. My feets, are not wee. *takes deep breath* My shoe size is. *ahem* 11.5 (us) I bet you can now see why I *heart* toe ups. If ya really want to know, I’ll take a measurement and get back to you. (I have no idea where my tape is at the moment)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

March 20. Yep, Pisces/ Aries cusp, Gemini moon, Gemini rising. I’m pretty sure that all means that I can’t help but be half-crazy ;)

dish cloth woot.

2006-10-02T23:20:00.000-05:00

I'm taking part in the DishCloth Knit Along.. So far, I've manged to knit up two in a fairly basic pattern. In August there were a couple of handknit dish cloths in the kitchen at the cabin. Mom had made a comment about how I should be knitting "some of these". Little did she know I had already been acquiring the yarn to make some for her. I made note of the cloths at the cabin, not realizing they are apparently the most common pattern out there. (I just thought they looked easy) No surprise there, found all over the place as "Grandma's Favorite" or some variation of those words, its also in the Idiot's Guide to Knitting..

So here are my first two dish cloths.. the idiot cloth.. as seen in a lime and yellow sugar 'n cream yarn and a pink and lavender hand dyed cotton.

wanna play catch (up)?

2006-10-02T22:19:00.000-05:00

Between being sick (can I say "sick" if its a pain thing, as opposed to a volatile illness thing? who cares. I'm gonna.) and having eighteen shades of camera woes these past few weeks, I've been mighty crappy about posting. How could my life get in the way of me documenting... my life?

Anyway, I digress. Also, I blame any incoherence on the fact that I'm still under medication and whatnot... and will be for the forseeable future.

A couple of weeks ago, my Sprout, embarked on an overnight camping trip for school. The students went out to a 4-H camp to experience ecology in action. It was rainy, but there were s'mores and campfires. It all came out in the wash.

Sprout and Bosley the wee pup, getting ready to leave for the camping trip.

Please note in the above image, both Sprout and Pup were in need of a trim. About a week ago, Bosley went in for baby's first hair cut. We went from super scruffy, to super sleek.

However, the wee pup is not the only one who got a trim, Sprout's bangs were out of control and she was long overdue for a trim. We had an appointment set for Friday afternoon. Thursday night there was a bit on the news regarding a local 7yr old girl who is battling her 3rd bout with cancer. Sprout had asked me a few questions about why the little girl was bald, the scars on her head, and why her mommy was crying. Being as graceful as possible, yet not sugar coating it, I gave the kid an overview.

Sprout has had two major haircuts in her life. When she started kindergarten we took her mid-back hair and cut it into a chin length bob. Her hair grew back and in the third grade, we cut her waist-length hair to about her shoulder blades. On both occasions we donated her hair to Locks of Love. I reminded her of this while discussing the bald headed girl on tv.

One of her day camp teachers has spent the last few years battling cancer. Her hair is growing back now, and she's cancer-free. Mary is a survivor. I know that right now, there is a lot of Breast Cancer awareness in the media. A couple of years ago, I helped one of my best friends, as best I could, as she cared for her father when he was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer in April and dead by August. This past year, a dear friend's husband battled a brain tumor, he is winning. Last week, the same friend's aunt died from one. Words like "cancer" and "tumor" are ones the Sprout has heard a lot. Its a tough world and she knows it. Her problems aren't fatal, but she isn't new to hospitals or medically fragile kiddos.

Over the summer we'd been kicking around the idea of cutting her hair back again. Did I mention we have unnaturally thick hair? It has grown back with a vengeance, and she could sit on it when it was unfurled. Braided up, it was still ridiculously long.

The 'before' shot

She kept backing down at the last minute, saying she wasn't ready. Friday morning her mind had changed. No longer was she going in for a bang trimming. She decided to lop it off. Eighteen inches later, with her hair en route to the folks at Locks of Love, she's still adorable, and loves saying "watch me!" as she shakes her hair like she's in a Breck commercial.

The "after"

Sock-ret Pal Questionaire!

2006-09-29T00:56:00.000-05:00

The basics:

How long have you been knitting?
Two years. Crocheting for three years continuously- but my Grammy taught me to crochet decades ago. I just took a break from it and started coming back to craftiness a few years ago.

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
I’m an... advanced beginner? I had my trial by fire this summer in socks. My blog follows my progression. I went from swearing I’d never make a sock “I could buy one cheaper- It would take too long- No patience- tiny needles” I had every excuse. Then, I got roped into the trek-along-knit along by a friend and spent three months creating a toe up, thigh high socks as my very first pair. Now, I’m mildly sock obsessed.

The measurements:

While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent. Because this information is potentially traumatic, I’m going to preface it with. I’m sorry. I’m 6’2” tall. My feets, are not wee. *takes deep breath* My shoe size is. *ahem* 11.5 (us) I bet you can now see why I <3>

(fiber related) Favorites:

What colors do you love?
Pinks, oranges, Blues, purples, cranberry reds, jewel tones?

Do you prefer solids or variegated?
Depends on which works best with the pattern, generally I prefer my variations to be subtle unless youre dealing in self-patterning/ striping yarns.

What fibers do you most love to knit with?
Targhee! (that’s Montana pride right there), Alpaca, wool, merino.

Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors?
Mountain colors, trekking and Lisa Souza. I'm also beginning to be a big fan of KnitPicks (I’m not opposed, but have not yet used some of the more common brands like Regia- its actually on my ‘to-do’ list)

What projects do you most enjoy knitting?
Gloves and arm warmers. I’ve got a laundry list of things to make for others, then I get to start on a couple of sweaters for myself.

(fiber related) Dislikes:

What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear?
Anything scratchy and unflexible.

What colors would you never wear?
I can see even the most obnoxious colours as fun accent/ accessories. Ex- I mainly wear black, grey and denim. BUT bright pumpkin orange and hot pink are two of my favorite accent colours. However, yellow and I do not agree with each other on much.

The Tools:

Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood?
Yes! I think each of them can be useful in their own right. My favorites are my Birch Brittany-s. Depending on the stickiness of yarn I’m using, I go back and forth between them and metal. My glass namaste’s were the best at cotton.

Circs or Straights?
Depends on the project, mostly straights since that’s what I have. I tell myself I’m going to learn magic loop on circs, but I havn’t quite gotten there yet.

DPNs or Magic Loop?
DPNs fo’ sho’. See above. All that loopy stuff scares/ confuses me. How can I be so smart, and so inept?

Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?
More stitch markers, something fancier (more attractive) than a rubber band to hold my dpns together. A stitch/ row counter would be nice. Heck, I keep my needles in an old oatmeal container.

The Extras:

Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!
I have two! An Amazon Wishlist, and one of yarn/knitting stuffs.

Do you like sweet, sour or salty?
sour! I love sour things... like lemon and any of those "sour" candies. And, I feel chocolate is only useful when wrapped around peanut butter or caramel. Mmm caramel.

Do you have any allergies your pal should know about?
I’m all good on the allergy front- Unless you plan on mailing me a ferret. You can have one, you just can’t mail him/ her to me, even if I beg you to. I love ferrets, unfortunately I break out in hives and my eyes itch and swell shut.

Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand?
I love spicy scents. Burts Bees Milk and Honey lotion is about the most divine smell in skin care. Pine scents make me nauseous (unless its real, live standing in a pine forest air smell.) and... I don’t care for anything in the ‘gardenia’ vein. My sister calls them “old lady flowers smells” or patchouli, that one isn't my friend either.

Do you collect anything?
Godzilla! Garden gnomes! (I have thirteen) Smooshed pennies! Cavaleras (Mexican day of the dead skulls/ skeletons). Bats. (of the mammal variety) and rocks. I love funky, native rocks and bring them home from every place I travel.

When is your birthday?
March 20. Yep, Pisces/ Aries cusp, Gemini moon, Gemini rising. I’m pretty sure that all means that I can’t help but be half-crazy ;)

Do you spin? Dye your own yarn?
I spin on a drop spindle, and have dyed my own rovings, but not naked, already spun yarn. Of course, I’d be willing to give it a go!

Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...
I’m obsessed with episodes of the classic twilight zone. My friends are smart enough not to disturb me during Dead Like Me, LOST, Prison Break, The 4400, the “new” Dr. Who and Grey’s Anatomy.

I listen to music. A lot. Hardcore, Indie, largely non- mainstream. I think Steve Albini is a god among mortals. Big Black and Shellac are definitely high on my list. Pleasure Forever and Queens of the Stoneage. Afghan Whigs, Mark Lanegan. I tend to tell people I like “dirty, hedonistic death rock” and “psycho stalker love songs”. I also enjoy learning/ experiencing new music.

My favorite fiction is “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “Swan Song” by Robert R McCammon. I enjoy Caitlin R. Kiernan and Poppy Z Brite. I tend to mostly read non-fiction though these days, and its usually some sort of tale regarding people going out into the wild and either surviving, dying or learning some great truth to share. (John Muir, Luna Leopold, Everett Ruess, Chris McCandless, William Bonney )

Obviously, I talk a lot. If I missed anything, or you want more details. Smack me with a comment. I’ll go on and on and on…

addendum

2006-09-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

As soon as I get this camera thing straightened out- I'll be posting some fiber/ knitting/ swap posts... pictures make everything better.

While I'm at it...

2006-09-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

two more things that annoy me.

- the scissor sisters.
holy freakin' just die already

- those pepto bismol break dancers

see.
this is why i *don't* watch tv.

ok, this and reality tv.
ugh.

horrible woman

2006-09-25T09:33:00.000-05:00

sweet karst on a cracker!!

lots of my friends think rachel ray is all kinds of awesome.

she has some new show now, and i woke up with the tv on this channel after last night's alias fiasco. (im still annoyed btw)

anyway, she is prattling on about gift giving and apparently for no brainer guy gifts she gives things like high ball glasses and "natural coasters". She waves it in the air and says "natural coasters are great. i dunno what its made of.. rock... wood.. i dunno? anyway, petrified something or other.." and moves on.

petrified something or other?

ITS AGATE.

maybe i'm still annoyed about my lack of alias. I need to know what happened after last week's episode. akdh; hvch !!

/ geologic rant

also
agate is montana's state rock. if this woman didn't grate on my nerves before, she sure as heck would now.

sometimes, i watch television

2006-09-24T23:33:00.000-05:00

I have a fabulous, set, sunday night ritual.
1030-1130 is CSI, the vegas one.
1130-1230 is Alias.. I'm catching up on all the ones I missed. I'm a loser that only saw like three episodes until I started watching halfway through season four. Right now, I'm in the midst of the storyline about Julia Thorne and Sid's missing two years. And, apparently the hand belongs to the allegedly slain diplomat. damnit.

NEITHER FUCKING ONE IS ON
CSI MIAMI?
MISSING?

WHAT THE SAM BEAN FLUFF THIS SHIT IS RIDIC

ratty mcbratty

2006-09-22T01:35:00.000-05:00

My little Chubbz has gone from being a fatty... to being a 3.5ish year old skinny. Further inspection with the assistance of Alicia, shows that she does in fact, have a cut on her neck, and a tumor growing in her left hind leg. Based on her age, she prlly wouldn't survive surgery. The plan is to keep her neck from getting infected, and to spoil her rotten until she begins to suffer (which is questionable.. she has started to make a terrible noise when she breathes while sleeping. like snoring but.. not)

Needless to say, I think sweet, friendly little Chubbz won't be with us much longer. She's lived a long, happy life. The rest of it is going to be as happy and painless as I can make it. As much as I know she's lived a good life, I still wish it wasn't drawing to a close now, when I'm feeling pretty much less than awesome about a lot of things.

we's bein tornado'd!

2006-09-16T21:45:00.000-05:00

from an actual text message:
"get your braided kid and your dog in the basket and hide"

"I just didn't want you to be in a real emergency and not have time to snatch the kid even if you had to yank her by the braids and hide in the closet with the wee shoe chewer"

aaaaaand
eliza (moderngypsy) called and sang the lollypop guild song into my voice mail.

you betcher ass I saved it.

aim convo:
amanda (9:32:15 PM): eliza called and left me a voicemail 'we represent the lollipop guild, the lollypop guild.." so on and so forth
jaime (9:32:38 PM): I am saying you got the bike, the kid with the braids, and the woofer

if rainy days could always mean boxes of yarn in the mail

2006-09-11T10:47:00.000-05:00

I had not one, but two boxes arrive this week from KnitPicks. Oh glorious day!

One, is a box I've been waiting for somewhat impatiently. I opted to ship my package to work, instead of home. Of course in doing so I was sloppy with the postal code and my box went on a circuitous route only to end up back at KnitPicks instead of here waiting for me to fondle its contents. Unfortunately for me (and my secret pal) that MIA box contained the two key components in my Whose Lace is it Anyway? swap. Tis my first swap and I boogered it up. Go Me!!

Well its here now, although already packed along with some other items and prepared to hit the post on Monday, and its lovely! Aside from my missing swap components, the box contained Merino Style that I want to use for a pair of Knucks (for a birthday that is now in.. 15 days, halfway across the country) and Swish superwash for a pair of Pedicure socks. I have determined that I am a fan of the Alpaca Cloud (for my swappee), and the pattern I ordered for her. It was really hard for me to package them up and prepare them for travel.

It's ok though. I think I am going to survive. I opened box number two... three skeins of Alpaca Cloud.. in Tidepool.. WHICH IS FREAKIN' LOVELY AND AMAZING AS ALL HELL!! and... one of those new super fantastic looking chart keepers that snaps up like an easel!! Seems my incoming swap pal is from Australia (still don't know who she is) and she sent *me* some KnitPick spoilings as well! She warned me to be on the lookout for a second package coming from across the sea as well. I'm wicked excited for all of this. I love my loot so far, and I hope my pal loves her loot as well. Its a first-time swap for the both of us.

It's a pretty sad state of affairs though, that with all of this yarny goodness, my card reader is no where to be seen. Of course, its cord is hanging out of the back of my computer. Which means one of two things, but most likely a combination.

My puppy ate it. Or my stash did. I think it might have fallen into the living room stash, as I can't find it, I believe Prof. Bosley may have liberated it for his own utilization. (he made off with it once before, going so far as to gnaw on the card that was in the slot).

Pictures will follow. I assure you.

last week, in knitting

2006-09-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

I managed to finish sock #1, of my trek-a-long, knit-a-long, toe up, thigh high. First sock ever! and done almost entirely without a legit pattern. I spent a lot of quality time with a measuring tape, and more time frogging than I'd like to admit. But, I did it. Which makes victory even sweeter. I made it. I am pleased with myself, and have done the appropriate "superior dance" (how's that for an oooooold SNL reference?).

In other knitting news, I'm nearing completion on my first set of Knucks. These are a commision for a friend who bought all the supplies. I just need to finish them, and embroider them once he determines the text.

And finally, even though its not it's turn yet, I broke down and started swatching for my Voodoos.. in the Twizzle yarn, by Mountain Colors, that I brought back from Montana with me. I reaaaaalllly want to start playing with my Montana yarn.

an alaskan volcano erupts

2006-09-05T00:15:00.000-05:00

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060607.html

An Alaskan Volcano Erupts
Credit: J. N. Williams, International Space Station 13 Crew, NASA

Explanation: What is happening to that volcano? It's erupting! The first person to note that the Aleutian Cleveland Volcano was spewing ash was astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams aboard the International Space Station. Looking down on the Alaskan Aleutian Islands two weeks ago, Williams noted, photographed, and reported a spectacular ash plume emanating from the Cleveland Volcano. Starting just before this image was taken, the Cleveland Volcano underwent a short eruption lasting only about two hours. The Cleveland stratovolcano is one of the most active in the Aleutian Island chain. The volcano is fueled by magma displaced by the subduction of the northwest-moving tectonic Pacific Plate under the tectonic North America Plate.

This is a spectacular photograph.

RIP Steve Irwin

2006-09-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

Anyone else remember his fedex commercial?

Hthe gets bit by a snake that he had just proclaimed as highly venomous, and says its ok because fedex brought his anti-venom all the way from america..

because "if youre not sure, youre dead!"

Then off set you hear someone say its not there, they used a different carrier...

Irwin who says "crikey" then drops dead?

One of the funniest commercials i've ever seen.

then the man dies of typically non-lethal venom because it nailed him right in the heart.

Irwin's Commercial

He was a crazy bastard, but died doing what he loved.

Yarn/ Fiber Related Wish List

2006-09-01T22:31:00.000-05:00

For assorted reasons (swaps, pressing family and friends) I have been called on to make a list of some knitting things I'm after, yet aren't available for posting on my Amazon list (like yarn). So, here ya are, if'n you're interested.

Patterns
Anna over at My Fashionable Life has created some nifty patterns. Among them are a pack of three sock patterns. I'm plotting the Badcaul. I may even be fiending. She has it combined with two other patterns- Nautilus and Giotto, both are lovely and I think all three are something like $8 american.

Lisa Souza Sock Yarns!
Paint: slate, graphite, mars quake, limenviolet
Heathered Solid: black/purple

Trekking XXL (which can be found in many LYS or "snobby yarn stores")
colours 105, 102, 104, 109

Mountain Colors (which can be found in many LYS or "snobby yarn stores") Mountain Goat- 1- granite, 1- crazy woman
Bearfoot- 1- huckleberry

Brittany Birch DPNs
(sets of five)
sizes:
2, 3, 5, 7, 9

KnitPicks
Sells all sorts of wonderful goodness for super prices. Needles and yarn oh my!

Nickle DPNs
sizes:
0,1

swish superwash
1- ballerina
1- bordeaux
1- dark navy
1- baby blue

Merino Style
2- Hollyberry
2- Storm

Essential
2- Ash
2- Dusk

Memories
2- Yukon

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

humping, henry rollins

2006-08-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

Bosley, now 8 weeks of age has begun to develop unattractive habits.

This morning, he attempted to hump my foot and my arm on two seperate occasions.

Additionally, while I too would like to chew on Henry Rollins, he has taken a firm liking to The Portable Henry Rollins. Which I am attempting to re-read. Boz has found it on at least three occasions in the last week.

Its a good thing he's so cute, lest I'd be forced to murderize him.

I mean, he looks remorseful, doesn't he?

A warning to video game geeks, an amusing story for those who mock them

2006-08-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

I was already sickly amused, when I learned that my friend Jimmy, broke his knee during a drunken game of Guitar Hero.

I am even more so sickly amused, by the website he has created while suffering/ recuperating from the following surgery.

So, all you game geeks

I present to you

Guitar Hero Broke My Knee. Com

John Muir is love

2006-08-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

While on vacation, I had intended to post a quote by John Muir, that I was having a hard time peeling from my brain on my quiet, mountainside mornings alone. As you can see, I never actually did it. I was reading a friend's blog this morning, and she had mentioned feeling comforted by the feeling that the minutae of her day actually connected her to something bigger than she thought possible.

It reminded me that I wanted to get this in here.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe. "
- naturalist John Muir in his book My First Summer in the Sierras

(originally posted 16 august 06)

a trekking post.. sockie went a trekkin' and she did ride mmhmm

2006-08-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

we're into August already, and I think most everyone seems to be finished or finishing their projects. Then there's me. The first time sock knitter, with the toe-up thigh highs (did y'all forget that I'm 6'2"?) correction. thigh high. two weeks left in the knit-a-long and I'm working on the ribbing of sock one. Forget the dreaded second sock curse I've heard so much about. I feel like I've been ribbing forever. I'll definitely finish the pair, eventually, but I'm trying to get through the one, so that I can maybe touch one of the other projects I've been holding off on.

But here's an update, long overdue. I took my sock with me to Montana. My trekking sock has now officially been worked on in seven states: Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Montana and Idaho. No, really. Unfortunately, I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have- mostly because it got to where I was feeling like there would have been no noticeable progress *shrug* but alas! Here is some yarny goodness from my trip...

On our way across I90, we had to make an obligatory stop in Reed Point. Let me guess, you've never heard of it. Well you should. I mean, its only home of the Great Montana Sheep Drive.... a Running of the Sheep. Yes, you read correctly. The Running of the Sheep. Its like the 'running of the bulls' only with sheep.

The 'Great Montana Sheep Drive' features hundreds of sturdy Montana bred woolies charging down the six blocks of the main street. Now, we were not there for the event mind you- that is still some three weeks away, but.. they have signs that must be photographed:

Our cabin was located approximately 27 miles up the Gallatin Canyon, a place where I spent a signifigant portion of my childhood. (the canyon, not the cabin). This is from where hwy 191 goes into the canyon-

OUr cabin had three decks, each facing east. This is where I spent my late-july wee morning hours drinking coffee and knitting, while able to see my breath.

And then, onto my sock! The day I took photos, was on a picnic drive. I took my daughter, sister, brother in law and nephew out to explore the Gallatin Canyon and find a decent enough trail access to get my daughter over to the river in her wheelchair.

Our cabin was directly beneath Storm Castle Peak-

from the north, taken from the bridge to Storm Castle turn off, which leads to the ranger station helipad and the road the founders into a glorified deer path to Spire Rock campground, Rat Lake and Garnet Mountain.

from highway 191 in front of the Montana Whitewater, Gallatin office.

We actually found "the spot" by going over the Storm Castle turn off, and heading towards the campground Near an old baptist church camp, we were able to park and make our way to the point where Storm Castle Creek meets the Gallatin River. You can see a sliver of the creek behind Cait, as she models a river rock

while we were hanging out on the shore, about ten white water rafts came by, but these two managed to get spun around by the current, and it was pretty amusing to watch them try and get turned back around

so, I let them see my sock in progress...

after hanging out at the river, we continued up the drive until it got so shoddy there was no way in heck we could do it in the present vehicle, or hike it with the present company.

storm castle creek, about four miles in, rat lake and garnet mountain are up the logging road on the horizon, the photo was taken from behind storm castle peak.

so that..
is my sock, trekking.

i brought back more than yarn and wool

2006-08-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

for those of you wondering what all the fuss has been about..
I present Bosley Montana, as modeled by Cait, on our way back from Montana.

rockford coffee, main street, bozeman

2006-08-01T18:51:00.000-05:00

So, I'm at the Rockford Coffee shop on Main Street in Bozeman, MT.

They have free wireless and a lovely granita. The good news is, since my last post, I got a card reader. The bad news is, I left my wireless card in my other bag, up the canyon.

soooo instead of super awesome post, Ive checked my email, and now I'm posting the pics I've taken in the last ten minutes. You'll get the report on what I've done so far, when I can actually give you the whole thing.

So far, my dad has come down, I've been through three forest fires, almost lynched my sister and watched a geyser blow its load.

oh, and my cabin kicks all motherfucking kinds of ass

I seriously, do not want to come home.

my only complaint thusfar, is the changes in bozeman. Missoula was always pretty granola, but Bozeman was cowboy. Now mainstreet is lined with stores selling 120$ tshirts and cookie cutter subdivisions are flying up... a cheap house now runs $250k minimum. Yikes.

onto the photos

these are on my way into bozeman from the south..

bridgers

gallatin

bridgers

bridgers

bridgers

This is the rush hour traffic I faced to get in tonight..
note 1= theres hardly anyone there
note 2= with a view like that. who minds waiting?

this is the house i lived in for two years when i was small. now its a realty office, its also two doors down from where i am sitting right now.

finally
this is the yarn and wool i got today.. mountain colours and some locally raised/ harvested and then hand dyed targhee top

I've gots me a canyon to drive up.
I'll post more Saturday from the hotel, if not sooner
(Im assuming they have internet)

<3
amanda

PS
did i mention that i dont want to ever come back?
PS2
did i mention how glad i am that i came?

more trip prep

2006-07-25T21:35:00.000-05:00

This morning I was taking Cait to the other end of the Universe, West O, extreme West O to get some emergency repairs made to her chair. It had a massive meltdown, four days prior to departure. I spoke with her case manager at the insurance company this morning afterward, and she is going to push through the approval for the work... today. Thank you Universe. I just have to pay the extra for overnight shipping. Hopefully it all comes together ok.

Second, I took the van in for repairs. Guess who needs front brakes and tires all the way around. Its there now, while I'm here working.
Ugh. SIx stories, then I'm freeeeeee. Oh wait, I still have that grant to finish up.

In the midst of working (ew) I started peeping at fiber/ yarn opportunities while on my trip. The store I wanted to hit up in Livingston... moved to Helena the "second week in July". Gee, thanks guys. However, the store in Bozeman with a website looks like it might be *the* spot. The Yarn Shop and Fiber Company is located fairly centrally, not that its a big city or anything. They stock Mountain Colors, which are made/ dyed etc right there in the Bitteroots. *DING DING* I hope their selection is fully stocked. They are pricey, but there are some definite things on my wishlist there.

As it happens I will be there for their SnB type thing: UFO Night- Bring your UnFinished Object for a night of camaraderie and support as we encourage each other to finish projects. Mark the first Friday of each month as UFO night at The Yarn Shop. Bring yourself, your project, a snack; we'll convene from 6 to 8:30.

I just might need to hit that up. We shall see. I'm also interested in hearing more about their 'Project of the Month Kits- The Small Project of the Month (quick-to-knit gift ideas)"

We are going to be traveling home across Wyoming and staying overnight in Jackson. I found Knit on Pearl who has a website, with no content. Any one been there? Is it worth my while- outside of just going in and petting some yarn? Or The Fiber House in Sheridan, Wyoming (on the way up)? Their site says they are opening in March of 2006.

I actually just commented on the SwankyHanks blog because they had done a trip of fiber shops.. and posted about their exploits. Hopefully they will have some more insight.

Speaking of, Eliza have you seen this: The Knitters and Crocheters and Weavers and Spinners Travel Guide 2006

My trekking sock is still not done. However, I am ready to start increasing for the knee. I must have three socks worth of knitting into this bad boy already. I wanted to cast on sock #2 on my way out of town... I've told myself that as I just need to finish it before I cross into Wyoming. That gives me until about 11am Saturday (which is really noon in Omaha! Crossing the time line thingie in Murdo, SD is buying me an extra hour! woot).

attack of the ball winder

2006-07-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

I was reading one of the comms I'm in, and I'm sharing this as my defense
and I'm looking at you moderngypsy

it seems every time I touch a ballwinder.. or, at least *her* ballwinder (and the only one i've ever touched)

this happens to me

apparently I'm not the only one.

stitching.. and bitching..

2006-07-11T21:32:00.000-05:00

In knitting news, I am still swimming in fiber. I can't remember if I actually, technically signed up for the Tour de Fleece. In fact, I'm pretty sure I meant to, and didn't. However, in spirit, I still plan to loosely participate and paw my way through my intended pile. Maybe in the next few days I will get a chance to post pix of the amazing fiber stash I've amassed in the last... month. I think I'm sitting on about twenty pounds. Oh my.

Provided my back starts cooperating.

I'm making decent progress on my trekking sock, I'm into the calf increases, and pleased to realize I'm using a handy geologic slope formula to compute my increases. Rise over run indeed. I'm hoping to be at the knee by Thursday's stitch and bitch, I refuse to call it "sit and knit". Stupid people and their stupid attempts at hogging copyrights on things that they don't have copywritten.

Of course, on the 4th (hope you had a good one) I had to rip out ~ six inches of sock. That's approximately sixty rows... of precious calf. I thought by putting my increases on the back, I would create a 'seam'. What I created was a pouch, ideal for a heel growing out of my calf, or a place to squirrel away change. Basically, I find neither of those options to be suitable. Additionally, it was turning my rows into chevrons in the back of my sock. I was not amused.. so frog... frog... frog... and now I'm back at it, spacing my increases about, and hoping to get caught back up. I frogged it back to the bold yellow stripe near the shin there. Ideally I would like to have this puppy finished in about twelve days. This picture was taken about three inches before I decided the frogging was necessary. I should have taken one of the pouch before I killed it off.

I used a figure 8 toe up cast on, that is slightly goobered, on my trekker. We like to refer to it affectionately as a resevoir tip. Thursday we are having a class on the figure 8 toe up, so I think whether I've finished sock #1 or not, I am going to go ahead and cast on #2, just to hopefully get a nicer start on it.

When I finish these pups up... my next knitting project is most likely going to be the ballet sweater from the July Magnits

Knitty has a few patterns calling my name as well. I am all about this "extremities" issue. Some of those mitts, example- the knucks, have the potential to be some serious stash busters.

I also just bought a skein of my friend PippiKneeSocks's hand dyed sock yarn in a faboo colourway called "Lilly Pond" I plan on eventually turning that into a pair of knee highs for my eleven year old. Pippi, as a matter of fact, was just published in the new issue of Knitty regarding her amazing hand spun, hand coiled yarns.

So that, for now, is my knitting news. I plan on taking the trekker out into the wild tomorrow. Which will probably be my last effort to get outdoors for a few days, highs will reach the upper 90s and are to be into the low 100s (plus our nasty 90% humidity) for the next week or so. Ugh, I can't wait to get back to the mountains.

stabby stab!

2006-06-18T21:32:00.000-05:00

In other news, J got his first puncture wound last night after stepping on one of my size two, steel, double pointed needles.

It was driven in approximately two inches.. and at a fairly good angle. I admit, I lied to him and told him it wasn't in very far, and that it must be the angle giving him trouble to remove it. But truthfully, it was far enough that he couldn't pull it out. In fact, he had to brace himeself while I did.

When my first two, firm yet polite tugs yielded no fruit (or pinkish silver dpn), I nearly thought we should maybe leave it in, and hit the ER. I was concerned that at that depth, maybe the needle plugging that hole could be a good thing. He wanted it out, and the third time it came (completely unwillingly).

On the bad side (BAD AMANDA!) I was filled with a mixture of concern and laughter. If it had been my foot, pictures would have been taken before withdrawal of the needle.

Not a lot of blood, but a pretty good sized hole. I slapped some bag balm on it and gave him a clean cotton hiking (arch supported) sock. (Notice how that keeps in the theme with my trekking yarn and my trek-a-long, knit-a-long sock). I told him to soak it in epsom salts. Today he is supposed to be investigating getting a tetnus shot.

After a bit of the pain subsided, he began to freak out, worried that he had wrecked my sock- he thought it was a needle that had been carrying stitches, but it was the fifth needle that had been poking out of the ball of trekking.

One more adventure in my trek-a-long, knit-a-long sock.

Use this story as a warning. I reminded him to remember this, the next time he annoyed me and I threatened to stab him with one of my double pointed sticks of doom.

that darn cat

2006-06-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

This week has been a whirlwind of medical stuff, with doc appointments literally every day. Wednesday even had two. I had an ultrasound of my kidneys this morning. Whee. Back to the doc on Tuesday, then again a week from Wednesday and another the next day. That's all I have, that I know of, for now.

This morning we were up wicked early to get Elvis to the vet on time. The kitties didn't want me to get any sleep last night- they were standing on me, staring at me, demanding to know why their dishes were empty. Sad state of affairs when the trio is subject to the diet restrictions of the little patient. As soon as Elvis was crated this morning, Alex and Spooky were ready to dine.

As for my little man, he and his inflated ear were delivered to Dr. Tracy's office at 7:20 this morning. He should be in surgery now, with them calling me in the 1300-1400 range for an update, its fairly likely he will need to spend the night. Cait is terribly worried about him, and I guess I am too. No one wants to hear things like 'infectious' and 'potentially gangrenous' in relation to their baby, (even if the baby is cat-shaped).

Cait is off on a day camp field trip to the Rose theatre to see a production of 101 Dalmations, followed by a picnic. She wanted me to leave her at the vet's this morning with Elvis. eek.

Fireworks tonight for Papillion Days, should be a good time. I love me some fireworks. We had plans of coffee and hitting Simon Joyner and Ted Stevens at an art opening downtown, but its just too much after such a long day. We should be at Sunday coffee for sure.

From my apartment, to the vet, to the day camp and downtown to Creighton Med Center... all by 0810 and with a nearly two year old in tow.

I am so ready for a nap, just need to stop fretting about the darn cat.

home again

2006-06-16T00:07:00.000-05:00

Elvis is home, repaired, and looking beat down. His ear is shaved, he has one of those cone dealies and last but not least.. hot pink stitches.
My punk li'l babe.

He is sore, tired.. and pissed.

more kitty woe

2006-06-12T00:11:00.000-05:00

Thursday at the vet was rather eventful.

While Elvis was mite- free, he did have a bacterial infection in both ears. They think after we mite- treated him in December (and cleaned his grubby ears) apparently down deep there was some gunk left over. Gunk is infected.

My lovely boy, from shaking and scratching his ears, did a lovely combination of seperating the two layers of skin on his little ear, and burst the blood vessels contained therein. His swollen ear was not from pus or something ick, but backed up blood. They lanced his ear to drain the blood, shot it full of steroids in an effort to convince the layers to reattach and sent me home with a sad kitty, some ear washing gunk, and some antibiotic drops.

If luck was with us, this would solve the problem.

Unfortunately, its not looking to be the case. Friday evening his ear started to swell again.. its been swelling more each day- its refilling with blood. Elvis is going to need surgery to drain it and properly tend to his ear. Freaking lovely.

I need to be a little less broke, so that I won't have that guilty feeling- the one associated with me having to pause and figure out financing, and lamenting my cat's wounds because of how they affect *my* life. our first visit cost the gas and electric bills. This next one is looking to be like, half my rent.

Crap.

A week of trekking a long

2006-06-07T21:30:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday was the kick off of the Trek-a-long, knit-a-long. I am pretty excited, having this be my first foray into socks. I've been playing with random yarns on DPNs for the last week or so, trying to get comfortable with the technique and ready for this endeavor.

My first trip into the wild with my trekking yarn, was at the Fontenelle Forest. On this particular visit, I went on the one mile riverview boardwalk trail. Its a great trail for those are easing their way into hiking, or those with small children or disabilities. As it happens, I went with my daughter (in a wheelchair), my two year old nephew (in a stroller) and my friends James. There are no stairs along this route and there are rails located throughout this trail. While there are some steeper grades, they are broken up with switchbacks and many benches and resting areas can be found along the trail. (perfect for sitting down and enjoying the wild with some knitting).

Trekking XXL in colourway #123

as modeled with two size 2DPNs and a couple of rows of my 'DPN practice'

Throughout the week, I spent some frenzied and frazzled time working on my first sock ever, a toe up thigh high number. Let's just say I made some mistakes. I kept chalking them up as "don't stress out, its your first sock." For about the first twenty mini mistakes (including too many rows on the toe cast resulting in a 'resevoir tip') this theory worked, finally as I neared the end of the in-step, i dropped/unraveled about ten stitches in an altercation with one of my cats. Needless to say I took this as the impetus to frog the darn thing and start (nearly) anew- going back to the first couple of rows of the initial toe casting.

Nearly all of the knitting has taken place out doors.. the park, the field... not exactly on the trail, but I'm making a concentrated effort to get as much "trail time" as possible, and do the rest "out doors". I hope everyone else in the trek-a-long has gotten off to a great start!

So this is where she sits now. I am really happy with the way the patten of the yarn is coming through. I think this sock is going to be really fun. (just don't ask me how I'm feeling when its time for me to turn my first heel).

call me the ever panicking mom

2006-06-07T00:12:00.000-05:00

Monday, in addition to other events, like Cait smashing her face in being "independent", I came home to discover that Elvis's ear looks like its about to explode, and not in a good way. I called and tried to get him into the vet, and four of six are out of town this week, and tomorrow at noon is the first appointment I could get. Each day, his ear has gotten more swollen, tonight its discoloured and so inflated.. it looks like it wants to burst.

My baby is pathetic, I am guessing its some sort of abcess/ infection thing, that will result in antibiotics and them possibly popping it. I think that could completely disgust me.

my poor, poor baby kitty.

a public service announcement from the zodiac

2006-05-20T21:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when the universe wants to get your attention, it taps you on the shoulder. Pay attention to what you might initially dismiss as a series of meaningless coincidences, or the next time, it'll use a baseball bat.

that was the ol' horoscope for today, which really, applies always. More often than not, you've heard me make reference to someone receiving a "giant cosmic brick to the face"

let's all try and avoid that, shall we?

Trek-a-long, knit-a-long

2006-05-18T21:13:00.000-05:00

I've gone and done it.

Eliza (moderngypsy) conned me into it. Its in keeping with my desire to make those thigh highs I mentioned before- a great commitment considering I have never before constructed a sock. But I figure, if I'm going to do it, then damnit its going to at least be some socks I will wear and flaunt. I mean, I have these wicked long legs, I might as well use 'em.

The idea is that you combine yarn and the outdoors, getting off your couch with your needles. In a shared blog format, we take the the great outdoors (hiking is recommended, but you can do it urban style) and at some point throughout this knitting adventure you are to take a photo or two of you and your sticks in the wild. Sounds like a perfect opportunity for someone who fancies the outdoors like I do. Of course, the trick would be for me to put *down* my field notebook and stop looking at rocks.

This knit-a-long commences June 1 and runs through August 31. The super awesome part here for me, is that in addition to my regular outdoor adventures, I'll be camping in Montana and Wyoming over the course of this, but it will be sorta city camping (in a cabin, with electricity and running water) because I will be with the girl-child, so no back country adventures for me.

As an added bonus, no sooner did I begin to exhibit interest in this knit-a-long, the yarn fairy went forth and purchased not only the needles for this project, but the three skeins of trekking xxl its going to take. (actually, due to the thigh high nature of my project, I am going to need to acquire my needles in a 7" in lieu of the 5", but still.. fabulous).

I wasn't able to get my first choice of colourway due to availability, however the colourway I got swatched up awesomely (I'd post a pic but it was ripped out when put on the ball winder to get it ready). I should also mention, that in keeping with the theme, I swatched yesterday afternoon while sitting on a bench in the sunshine at the park.

I'll post a pic later of the skeins, and of a swatch. I plan on making another just to help me get used to the idea of double pointed needles, because well, I'd never touched them before my swatch of yesterday afternoon.

Typical Amanda, I'm likely in over my head, and yet lunging forward anyway.

a fresh start

2005-08-11T13:21:00.000-05:00

Personal, Parental, Political, Artistic, Geologic.
What sort of blog will this be?

Sometimes we all need a fresh start.

Consider this mine.