Monday, Monday

Well, it's Monday. The Thanksgiving visit went well, I was sad to leave Salina without my daughter, but all was fine. Had a very nice visit with family, no one got upset, food was great, and it was all really fun.
Came home to some dissappointment as daughter had permission to use my kitchen to have a little celebration with some of her friends who also had to work/no family/ etc. Kitchen was a mess, glasses littering living room, and they had drunk all the tequila, opened a bottle of wine, and later in the evening I discovered they had drunk all my kaluha also. I guess she's not as mature as I thought she was. Oh well, I'll know better next time.
We had to put 2 new tires on her car and this morning after doing this post I'm off to do an oil change on her car. Merry Christmas!

During the visit I started and finished my winter hat. I started off with the Koigu pattern, but after 2 inches of the moss stitch I decided that I did not like the way it looked with the striping yarn, so went back to plain knit leaving the moss stitch band as a "design" element. Finished hat in the car on the way home, just intime for cold weather to hit! Also finished a plain scarf in soft boucle for a gift, will get that box mailed off to Switzerland this week, and started a MD scarf in some Red Heart. Not liking it all that much, so it may go on the sale table.

Have lots to do today, so must get to it!

Karim's stocking

What can I say? I'm on the edge.

I'm so on the edge of losing it right now. I have been battling this depression for weeks now. I know it's trendy to be bi-polar or manic/depressive as I first was identified but I am. The highs are wonderful, the lows are not. On my roller coaster life, this is a definate low. I worry in my sleep. My daughter lost her job (got fired) and doesn't seem to be looking for a new one as actively as I would be, she's got less than $3.00 in her checking account and I don't know how she and Tony will cope. There are resources out there for them, but they have to chase them (unemployement, food stamps, medical cards) and seem to be too "lazy" to do it. This drives me crazy and worry's me.
I've lost several hundred dollars worth of students recently, none of them seem unhappy with studio, just "lazy" "stressed with school" "daughter has basketball" etc etc but I was barely making expenses before and this is a huge loss. I'm being really proactive in recruiting new students, starting new classes, trying to think "out of the box", but it's hard, so so so hard.
We're leaving for Omaha today if I can make myself get ready. Lisette can't come and that's killing me. She and buddies are planning a Thanksgiving here and that's killing me. (I gave her a "care package" with everything for Thanksgiving but the turkey) . Even thanksgiving in Omaha will be smaller as several brothers families will not be at moms. The only Thanksgiving I did not go home, my dad died in the spring and I have this irrational fear that Mom will die if I don't go...told you it was irrational.


Okay, enough whining and wallowing. I did finish Karims stocking, and all the little scarfs for nieces. Working on a scarf for Stefan, as I tossed the modular scarf in the box for Isa, so thought should have something for dad too. I'll work on that in Omaha because it's mindless.
Still working on Lisa's shawl, I think I made an error on row 15 of this repeat and was too stressed to look at it last night, so that will wait until I come home on Monday.
Started a 2nd stocking out of some Red Heart balls in stash, will probably enter that in the Fair. Bought some nice pink and black yarn at YARNS for a dancer hat for Lauren, that I have designed in my head.
Have the Parade hat to work on, since I ripped it out, and will start again. So, I guess I have enough to do in Omaha (Scarf, Parade Hat, Stocking) also taking a skein of Red Heart Variagated and the MD scarf directions for mom, I'll probably start it and then leave it for her.

Okay, got to kick my self in the butt and get going. Trash guys will be here soon and I haven't done litter boxes or trash.

Kim in KCK and any one else who reads this, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Behind in my life

Behind in my life, behind in my blogging...apologies to all, I'll catch up soon- Vivette

Blocking the Madison

I just soaked and blocked Mom's Madison Scarf and boy did that puppy grow! It stretches the full lenght of my queen sized guest bed! Ack! My mom is a short little lady, hope it's not too long.

Nutcracker day today, packing my bag o'stuff, including a fun fur scarf incase I have a moment to sit and "meditate". (Wal-mart has fun fur for $2.50)

MD scarf finished.

I finished my Modular Direction scarf last night. I love the colors but not too thrilled with the look of the skp, hoping a run through washer and dryer fix that. Posting a photo of that scarf and also a cute picture of Frank cuddling with yarn and knitted stuff. I'm wearing the lace shawl right now, as house was a little chilly this am, and Frank keeps looking at me like "give it back".
Heading off to Wal-mart today, as tomorrow is too full of Nutcracker to think of shopping.

Dance Dance Dance

Whoo hoo! Just finished my last nutcracker rehearsal! Show is next Friday. Mary T told me that it's okay to have dancers go to Martinelli's for the dinner, nearly everyone has paid their dinner fee, dancers look pretty good, so I think it's all going to be okay. whew

Yesterday I saw the very amazing Alvin Ailley II peformance. I was in row C and rows A + B were completely empty leaving me with THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE!!! They were so wonderful. I didn't care for one of the pieces very much, but even that one was wonderful. It was simply transporting.

Came home and worked on Karim's stocking a little but was tired and eyes were jumping around on the chart, so stopped rather than make huge mistake. It's made of the Peruvian Highland yarn that everyone is talking about the pilling problems with, but hopefully won't be a prob with a Christmast stocking!

This am I ripped out the hat I'm makeing for me...that dimple/pimple at the top was making me crazy and would have every time I wore it. I will reknit it with out the annoying pook. Restarted the modular scarf last night for a mindless knit, and 3rd triangle is behaving itself this time. Yarn is just Red Heart, but it's pretty.

Tonight's dinner is sirloin steak (a splurge!), baked potatoes, LeSuere Peas (silver lable), oh yumm yumm yumm ... just wish I had some good red wine. I always forget to buy it on Sat and Sunday of course, the liquor stores are closed. Desperate Housewives/ Grey's Anatomy on tv....life is good tonight. Good food, good shows, cats to cuddle and interesting projects to knit. It would be better if DD would call or come around more but she's got to find her wings. My mom was a little cranky about the situation this morning, I just need her to stay out of it. Lisette is living with Tony, trying to stand on her own two feet and succeeding most of the time so leave me alone. Do I wish she had finished Beauty School? yes Do I wish she had lived on her own before moving in with a boyfriend? Yes but... it's her life not mine and I need to let her learn things on her own. Off to start the grill.

Another beautiful day

WIP Karim's stocking FO "The Shawl"
It's 80*, I just walked a mile at noon on Nov 3rd in a t-shirt. I'm going to remember this day on a cold January day when it's -15 and I have to put a blanket on my lap to drive to the studio!

Nearly finished with mom's Madison scarf. It's very pretty and very soft. The yarn is really cream colored, not lavendar as it looks in photo! I do think I'll make the pattern again.

I keep trying to move the photo's around, but it won't let me. aggravating.

My favorite Halloween Photo

Isn't she bewitching? My darling daughter Lisette.

Boo!

Happy Halloween! I love Halloween, I love the dressing up and all the silliness for the children. Someday I want to have a real Martha Stewart Halloween party with a "booffet" and lots of fun, maybe next year, when house is in better shape. Of course, the studio is the perfect place..hmmm. Well, I bought mini hershey bars and reeses peanut butter cups, but there are only 32 bars. I have lollipops too (a LOT of them) but think I'll head out to store and pick up another bag or two of candy. In past years we haven't had very many kids, but think I should be prepared for at least 50. Its a bootiful day, sunny, windy of course. It rained a little this am which kind of spoiled my plans to finish planting tulip bulbs today.

I'm wearing my Garfield Got Treats shirt, so happily holiday dressed. A little extra mascara, about the extent of my Halloween makeup though! Studio is closed tonight (who is gonna come to dance class on Halloween, get real), so I can hand out treats. For years Sid did it as I took Lisette around, but now it's my treat.

Went to KC for DMA (Dance Masters America) fall convention. I think I learned somethings which is always the point, had a chance to chat a little with other chapter members. I always feel on the fringes since I don't live in KC, can't make meetings and just in general am not part of things, plus some of these members are getting their 25 yr pins and I'm just a 3 yr member!

Sid had an Army/Mars meeting Sat am, so we drove up together, I knit half of mom's Madison scarf during the meeting. Got about half of my winter hat knit too, not totally happy with the top, got a little "pook" going on, but I may disquise that with a pom pom. I had frogged the beginning about 5 times, it shouldn't have been so hard to start at the top instead of the bottom! Took about 160 stitches to cover crown of my head. It's always hard for me to do the math on gauge etc and knitting several inches of ribbing and then frogging that because it's too tight is just wayy to annoying!

Naughty kitties!

Scamper with yarn

Living up to his name!

Big orange kitty is named Scamper the Obnoxious Lout. When he was little he never stopped moving, hence Scamper.... now, he's about 8 yrs old, and huge and ever so mellow...except this am... I come in living room to find him sitting on a skein of yarn, looking ever so pleased with him self, remove yarn from cat, wind up yarn, come back to living room about 5 minutes later to find that he has somehow gotten a jar of "Aquari-yums" kitty treats with the LID OFF! and again, is ever so pleased to share some with Miss Mouse. Now, RickyFish spends a large part of every evening knocking the jars of yummies off the table in the hopes that my husband will give her some as he picks them up off the floor, and Miss Mouse has been known to paw a jar in a very delicate manner, but Scamper? that would be wayyyy to much trouble...except this morning! Must be fall weirdies due to the weather change, can't think of another reason for two acts of mischief by the worlds laziest cat within 20 minutes!

Okay....Blogger doesn't want to upload my images...keeps getting stuck....I'll try later to post the photos.

Mittens finished!

I finished my mittens, extra long so the snow won't work it's way up my wrists this winter. I think I should have made the whole extra long part in ribbing, but they'll work. Not a very good photo, you can't se that the yarn changed on the 2nd mitten and left the whole tip grey. You can see that it's black stripe is wider...but hey, they're just mittens! I have yarn to make the hat too.

Finally bought something from my local LYS today. Needed yet another needle I didn't have..this time a 16" size 8 to work on the Christmas stocking with. They had it. So many pretty yarns there, just can't afford to buy anything until I work up what I've got!

I am an addict

Hi my name is Vivette and I'm a yarn addict (Hi Vivette!). Today I went to Hobby Lobby to buy 1moreskeinofyarn for "the shawl"....I saw the pack of 4 round knitting looms at 19.99 and I said you don't need it, you can't afford it and I left with my 1moreskeinofyarn and "something" for Peggy who's birthday I drew. (don't think she's one of the few who read my blog but you never know)...so...I go to Wal-mart (damn that walmart) for groceries and household etc, and they have the same pack of knitting looms but it's only $11.99 so....you guessed it....I bought it...I am ashamed, and would put myself in time out but I have wayyyyy to much knitting to do!

oh well.... I don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't play the lotteryrarely have a drink.... guess yarn is a benign addiction at the least. As penance I plan to use up some of the acrylic lurking in the basement for hats for DVACK the domestic violence shelter.

I Like Fridays

Ooh, I like Fridays! I don't teach at the studio, I don't teach at the middle schools, I get to have coffee with my friends and in the evening I get to sit and knit for several hours! All my new ordered yarns have come in and I am so eager to start new projects, need to finish Lisa's shawl...it's coming along...amazing the difference the huge needles and bulky yarn make!
The never ending shawl is calling for a border (sigh) so it's off to HL today to buy 1moreskeinofyarn for this thing!

I got my tickets for Alvin Ailey II today! Who hoo! Row c seat 9...almost close enough to touch them...I'm so excited. They are offering a master class, but I have rehearsals scheduled on that day and since the dancers didn't look so good at the retirement home show...I hate to cancel on them, just to go watch a class.

Okay, blogger is being strange and doesn't seem to want to upload the photo of lisa's shawl so maybe tomorrow.

New Baby Photo

I have a new photo of Karim. He looks so wide eyed alert and intelligent in this photo. Such a sweetie!

Mom Isa says he can wear the hat I sent, but the socks are too big..oh well, feet will grow.

Today is a beautiful fall day, I think I'm going to put off paperwork long enough to walk around the block. I'm wearing a new sweatshirt that I bought for only $3.00 last year after Halloween. It's black with embroidered candy's and trick or treat bags. I love the holiday themed sweatshirts and sweaters, but saw on "The View" that they weren't fashionable...well, what's new, I've never been "fashionable"...guess as long as I'm happy and warm I don't care.

The Shawl is finished!

I finished "the Shawl"! It needs to be blocked, but it's finished. Whew!
Started same pattern in the homespun it was written for on size 13's for sister in law Lisa. She originally gave me the yarn for a birthday present, so I'm giving it back to her in the form of a shawl. What goes around, comes around, hee hee. Homespun tends to split and catch I'm noticing, but if I watch what I'm doing it should be okay.

Got my yarn from www.Elann.com for the snowman stocking. Waiting on order from www.theknitter.com for the pattern.

Saw on the news that "Katie and Tom" will have a silent birth due to Scientology principles set down by their founder L. Ron Hubbard.... well, you can tell that L doesn't stand for Louise! Only a man would decided that a birth should be silent... give me a frickn break. okay, vent over.

Off to studio to retrieve cane to teach Puttin on the Ritz to Stang Gang. Looking through previous choreography I see that I have 90% of their big spring project allready done, will just need some tweaking! Yay me! Organization and record keeping pays off once in a while.

On my to do list today was pick up living room, and deal with Cellular One...not sure either will happen but... I should at least try.

225 stitches

"The Shawl" has 225 stitches, and about enough yarn left for 4 rows, 1 pattern, 1 purl back, 1 knit and bind off. The end is near.

Ordered Parade yarn from www.Knitpicks.com to make a hat to match the nearly finished mittens to me...just in time too as it's pretty nippy walking my mile in the 40* mornings. My fingers were so cold this morning as I walked that I slipped them out of the fingers of the glove so they would stay warmer. Also ordered a snowman stocking pattern and a Simple stripes to make a sweater for Karim. Coming from www.Elann.com is the yarn for the snowman stocking, and coming from www.theknitter.com is yarn to repair the toes of my socks that are wearing out...just plain Socka.

Recieved a DVD of the Nutcracker from the Moscow Ballet yesterday, and things are MUCH clearer, including a few mistakes I have made that I will try to correct tomorrow. Will show the dancers the dvd at rehearsal so they will have a better understanding also.

My hotwater for my coffee is ready, so it's off to the studio. Show at Drury Place retirement apts today, without 4 key dancers so could be a weird show!

lazy morning

Today is a lazy morning...not that much that "must be done" so I'm kinda lazing my way through the morning. Watched all of Good Morning America to see Windsor Castle, such glorious sights, the carvings, the paintings, the velvet and that kitchen! What a wonder that would be to see it in person!

I wore my tiger socks again yesterday. They are quite comfortable and came through the washer/dryer process just fine. Hubby does a lot of the laundry and things just have to be able to stand up to it!

Printing off some studio photo's for this years scrapbook, and then will go to Jo Ann's for the satin to make the tops for Suerte. Wish my sewing machine was working better, hate to sew them up and have them fall apart! I'll look at the machines at too. I do need a new one, but want to do some research before I buy a machine willy nilly.

Last night I picked back 2 rows on the shawl...so close to being finished but, there was an error I just couldn't fix with out picking back. I am so anxious to have this one finished! Ordered yarn for a sweater for Karim, a hat for myself to match the winter mittens I'm nearly finished with and pattern and yarn for an ambitious Christmas stocking...probably for Karim. No new photos' of the baby, must nag Isa for some! I picked up a cozy sleeper with a Christmas design for him for only $3.00! I have a small bear with a pumpkin that I'm going to mail to him, thought about doing tiger socks for him, but think instead the remaining tiger yarn will go to favorite niece Lauren.