Jo Knits!

Good grief Charlie Brown

I know this will sound like a 'poor me' post and quite frankly it is one. Each year after Christmas, I find it hard to read blogs and knitting forums. I see what everyone received as gifts and it hurts, I know it's silly but I am honest and of course... a little jealous. Sure, I did receive a gift or two but you know how it is when you dream... We can't afford many extras at the moment so logically I wasn't the main focus at Christmas. I know, I know, it all sound really silly, I KNOW. Of course my kids had a terrific time filled with many surprises (that doesn't mean they got a house full of new toys either). I probably resent the fact that their dad didn't do a single thing to get involved with their holidays. Argh... Yes, I will someday get pass that too but the 1st year is always hard. Just like the 1st year after someone close has died, once you get passed all the special holidays, it gets easier, at least I hope so.

Well now that I got over the 'Good grief Charlie Brown Jo' rant, let's get back to knitting, shall we?

Over the weekend, I have knitted Lucas a helmet liner aka hat and neck warmer combo. He always forgets to wear something to cover his neck so this is perfect and he actually likes it too. LOL! I've knit it with O-Wool organic yarn so it's soft enough for my little softy kiddo. I can't wait to wash it and it gets even softer, Lucas is going to want to sleep wearing it. teehee! See... we have this saying here, each time we buy new shoes, boots or this week skates, we always say that we like them so much, we will sleep wearing them. Not practical and we never actually let the kids sleep with shoes, boots or skates on but it's funny.

With the new year coming I guess I could make a few resolutions. Crafting wise, I hope to spin more and perhaps get back to cross stitching. I have a few charts already kitted with the fabric and threads just waiting to get stitched. I am motivated to try knitting more fair isle and get out of my 'comfort zone' but again, knitting for me is calming so I don't want to stress over my projects. LOL!

I have to share the story of this unknown husky. On the last day of school prior to the holidays, I looked out our window into the backyard and nearly died. I saw this husky peacefully sleeping next to our outside Christmas tree. The kids weren't too sure if they liked the idea of a dog in their yard. We all just stared at the dog for a while. Remembering that we have neighbors with two huskys, I ran over to their place to see if they had 'lost' a dog. The owner looked at me like I have two heads or something and both his dogs came stepping out of his home, logically 'our' husky wasn't his. I came back home and we just all stared at the poor sleeping dog. After a while he woke up and just looked around his new surroundings, he eventually got up and walked away. Thank goodness we didn't meet him on our was back from school, the kids and I would have freaked out. LOL!

So from our family to your's may the new year bring you peace, health and joyous times.

Post-Christmas

In the middle of Christmas gift knitting, I decided to cast on a project for myself. Inspired by Caroline's success in 'fake isle', I got the courage to knit a two color pattern. I tried out the herringbone mittens pattern (PDF file). After an inch into the chart, my gauge was way off, I was getting 9sts/inch instead of 6sts/inch. I frogged back and knitted on bigger needles, once done I had Zoe try them on... She smiled, I frowned, they were suppose to be for me. Sigh... One more knitting project that ends up for the kids. LOL!

I had forgotten how much I like knitting with Cascade 220, it's just so lovely! Not the cashmere feeling lovely but I like it anyways. LOL! That said I may try to knit myself the said mittens with the suggested Lamb's Pride yarn (another one of my favorites!). They better fit 'cause Lucas is already getting a hand knit sweater.

We may have had to cancel our trip, it doesn't mean we canceled on snowshoeing! Not 5 minutes after trying their new snowshoes on, Lucas was running all over the yard. We went to a local park and the kids had a blast walking on snow. I will be joining them on our next trek as I got my own pair.

I received an invite to go see a documentary about Antarctica: Le dernier continent, it's about a team of researchers that spent many months there and everything that happened during the trip. I am half expecting to bump into Deborah at the cinema. lol!

p/s: Thanks for the welcome back comments, they are so much appreciated. :)

Dear Santa,

I think I have done my best this year to be good and I don't want to ask for much but would you mind sending me 425$? I know I should be blogging more often and I could be flossing more also, I will do my best on both counts in the new year, ok? See, after planning a holiday trip for the kids and I, I had to cancel because an unexpected surgery is in my near future. First I went to the dentist for an emergency appointment, then next thing I know I am getting a wisdom tooth extracted. The kicker is, that I wasn't there for that tooth, the pain I was feeling was considered a special case, now I have to get a baby tooth extracted before the surgeon can access the painful wisdom tooth hiding behind it. That said, I was told I could wait (and save up more $$$) before getting the last two wisdom teeth extracted. So will you consider helping me out to pay the 'special' surgery I am scheduled to have in the new year? I'll knit you warm socks and even bake you fresh cookies, egg nog will be awaiting you too. Pretty please? My kids haven't asked for much this year and they are easily pleased.

Much love, Jo~

So... I haven't gone off to Hawaii or anything as exciting since my last post. I am still adjusting being a single mom and after a few months working a great job, I am back to staying at home at the moment. The job had great hours, a great pay attached to it but... I just couldn't do it anymore, my kids weren't enjoying the situation (and I was actually working in their school!). That said I am still very much involved at school being the school council's president and Zoe was voted president of 3rd grade.You should see us walking around the house with our presidential crowns. Lucas has starting reading and writing in 1st grade and is enjoying school at it's best, he is slowly learning english and it is a hoot to listen to him speak english. lol!

I have been knitting and spending way too much time on Ravelry, if you don't mind the pictures will have to wait. I promise to blog before Christmas, that's good, right?

p/s: This marks my 700th post!