Two Black Sheep

Help.

What's wrong with me?  If he wants to be a ninja in two days, I'll will sign him over to a circus.

(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To

Let's see . . . since our last post, the following things have occurred:

1. I attended my first ever Stitch and Pitch along with several of the ladies I knit with on Tuesday evenings. We were going to take two cars but wound up only needing one . . . best thing ever to happen. It truly helps when your driver, the fabulous husband of one of the ladies in question who always calls to give us our estimated departure time on Tuesday evenings, is a former New York City cab driver. Enter car, sit down, laugh a lot, arrive at Citi Field without causing an accident. There were about 200 or so knitters in left field in the promenade (which sounds glamorous as all get out until you realize that it is a nice way of saying "nose bleed" section) all knitting away, which is probably what the Mets were doing, too. There is no other way of excusing the 10 run lead that the Braves had at the bottom of the 3rd. I knit on my EZ moccasins from The Knitter's Almanac; they might be one of the few patterns by EZ that I just don't get . . . truly not liking this pattern, but at least the girls will have a comfy pair of socks when I am done. Oh, and if you ever want free stuff, make sure you have Maryann with you . . . and by free stuff I am talking about books from Nikki Epstein that Nikki autographs to you right before she hands them to over (thanks for the Harding book, my Italian guru).

2. Owing to my crap skills of cabling and chatting at the same time, I crossed a cable the wrong way three times - it looks very, very drunken - on my latest project, so I had to drop down 18 rows and knit up the correct cable. I sure as hell was not going to rip out 18 rows just to fix four effing stitches. Then, to add insult to injury, the last cable that I knit that night after I actually got to knit was wrong. Maybe it's old age setting in.

3. Awesome segue . . . the Flyer turned 40 amid suffering from the flu. Sure it wasn't the flu, but it sucked ass nonetheless especially since the girls were home for the weekend. I debated whether I should get him a card that lamented what a pain it was getting older with the health issues or one that explained that he was just a few years away from making crap up . . . and chose the last one. Luckily he is on the mend, but between the two of us, we've been sickish since August 14.

4. Beth Brown Reinsel visited Mountain Knits and Pearls again for another workshop. This time, she demonstrated different gansey techniques with a small sample sweater. And, shockingly enough, I actually finished this one. Granted, it will never grace a person, bear, or Barbie, but I know of a really nice bottle of wine that has been longing for a hand-knit merino sweater.

5. Probably the best part of the blog silence, Lola had business in New York City earlier last week, so I hopped on a train (missing my first train by 30 seconds - I counted!) to visit with my sister for a day and a half. I treated her to her first Indian meal, which was excellent by the way, after which we both needed the ten block hike back to the hotel. The following day, I successfully got us to six different shops from the Midtown to the Upper East side to Soho and back again with only one wrong turn . . . and even that wasn't really a wrong turn since I simply didn't read the address on my print out correctly. Even Lola will admit that she was subtly impressed. Hits: Amma for dinner, School Products for the birthday yarn and yak, Knitty City just because. Misses: 'wichcraft for not living up to the hype, the R train for not having its schedule labeled better, and Purl for not having anything that piqued my interest (but I'll let that slide this one time). 

6. And finally, we bought a new mattress. We actually bought the box springs as well, but they wouldn't fit up the stairs . . . just another charming example of why living in a house that was built almost 100 years ago keeps you on your toes.

That's it . . . nothing major, nothing really new, nothing exciting . . . just life. I have several "obligation" knits that I have to get done before I can tackle anything fun and exciting. But all in all, fall is looking to be a pretty interesting season.

Ava

First Train Home

You know, Lola, sometimes I really hate it when you are right. This is one of those moments where I finally gave in and admitted that my sister did, in fact, know best. For the past three or four days, I have been agonizing - we're talking hand wringing, "the sky is falling", what the hell am I going to do agonizing - over what to knit for my Aran knitting class this weekend, and I've come up with nothing. Nothing. Hell, last night, I spent most of Knit Night working with Joanne trying to set up my own Aran a la EZ and still I was not happy with the results.

But . . . after talking to Lola today, I finally took her advice. "What about A Fine Fleece? There were some pretty nice Aran knits in there." Ummm . . . a book. A knitting book. A knitting book I've looked at for quite a while. A knitting book I've looked at for quite a while and always put down. Why? Why did I always put it down? Probably from the boxy look of the sweaters, their general lack of shaping, the necklines. You name it - I probably took umbrage with it. However, I bought it at Borders today. Know what? It still has tons of sweaters with boxy construction and is lacking all sorts of waist shaping . . . but I can make it work. The lovely Arans more than made up for it.

1. The Man of Aran Cottage., 2. (0379) Artiga de Lin, La Vall d'Aran, 3. aran scarf, 4. 224_Aran Islands (Ireland)

Lola has apparently lost her knitting mojo; I, on the other hand, have lost my photography mojo, hence the lame Flickr mosaic. I plan on taking an SLR photography class at our local vocational school, so I am hoping that it might reinvigorate me. Any suggestions for Lola?

The Flyer has the flu - not the flu - and has been home for the past three days. Whatever it is, it's knocked him on his ass. Hopefully he gets over it soon since someone (and I'm not going to say who, but he currently has the flu) turns 40 in a few days . . . which means I have some birthday planning to do.

Ava

Wicker Chair

Ummm . . . so, a few weeks have passed and the girls and I went home to Ohio and I never mentioned it. I guess when you realize that your kids leave for college in two weeks (yup, 14 days from today), the blog kind of takes a back seat. Here are some high-lights from the trip home:

• family reunions will inevitably occur on the hottest day of the summer in a building with no air conditioning. Corona will be used in place of water since the family forgot to pack water;
• all little boys are obsessed with cars around the age of 18-months. No matter how many times one is seen, each car is identified with a point and the question, "Car?";
• who knew such a beautiful park existed in Wheeling, West Virginia? Oglebay was amazing;
• only two skeins of yarn can be purchased during a trip. It takes some doing, but it is completely possible to spend less than $25 on yarn;
• the Ohio State Fair is a pretty big deal. Nothing makes a bunny lover happier than seeing bunny after bunny after bunny. Nothing amuses me more than seeing my sister push a stroller through a pile of cow poo (until I remember that the stroller is going in my car);
• mothers embellish (deal with it);
• dinners with an old friend should occur more often than once every ten years. It makes catching up a bit easier;
• the end of the Asian Expedition a the Columbus Zoo will reduce a 4-year-old to tears every single time. Next year it will reduce a 5-year-old to tears . . . I think it's because he doesn't get to pet the tiger;
• Ohio really does have the best ice cream in the world;
• being away from the political "issues" for almost two weeks takes a while to catch up (and makes for a lot of head scratching);
• two weeks is a long time to be away from your bed (and the person who sleeps in it . . . especially when you leave on your 18th wedding anniversary - love you, honey); and
• it's never a good idea to listen to sentimental music while driving eight hours when your mind is clearly two weeks in the future.

The knitting has kind of slowed for the time being. I'm in the process of knitting a Fair Isle stocking for a class at the shop. It's all sorts of fun (using the colors from my Great American Afghan), but I left it at here when I went to Ohio. The Cable Sampler Scarf is almost done (yippee!), and I think I have about two more inches on the Barfly Pullover before I begin 7 inches of mistake rib stitch (oh, joy! oh, loveliness! oh, open a bottle of riesling).

I'll try to get a shot of the pullover (as boring as it is) and the scarf (when it is done) in the next few days. I'm sure that we will be hitting Target and Walmart with school shopping, so I am not sure how much time knitting will receive for the next few weeks.

Ava (who starts back to school in two weeks as well)

When Did Your Heart Go Missing?

Remember when I asked how people find knitting patterns just a few days ago? I might have confessed that I only knit about 5% of the things that I dog-ear in knitting magazines (and that truth be told, is generous). That was before I saw the preview of IK's Fall issue. I think I might love: Freyja Sweater, Bandelier Socks (words defy how much I love these), Laporte Avenue Tote, Every Way Wrap, and Farmer's Market Cardigan. So, I think I need to run and buy a Power Ball ticket . . . too many knitting patterns and not enough time. 

Microphone

Dear Ava,

If you get a frantic call from SK & he explains that he found me Elvis-Style, don't let your mind wander.  It wasn't a drug overdose.  It wasn't from a good whack on the head.  It was plain ole Motherhood.  Tell him to not spend money on any fancy "How'd She Kick It" test.  Just calm him down & tell him I couldn't take it.  Tell him my mind just exploded from questions!  How'd that tree get there?  What does he want?  Milk? Juice?  How'd the baby get into the belly? Why do we have to eat? Are you poopy? Etc. Etc. Etc.

-Love,

Lola

Good god people!  Motherhood might kill me.  Sometimes I find myself wondering how I'm going to make it until they're both 18.  But after today, I might have figured something out.  It's something that everyone else has already been doing for years!  Something that our family thinks is an insane concept.  It's called the bathroom door!

Growing up, our bathroom doors only functioned as towel holders.  We never shut the door.  Locks, what?!  I think that our doors only started to close when the Husbands came around.  We'd carry on full conversation while peeing.  And when the husbands did come, anyone would still barge in to ask or get anything.  I still never shut the door, but that has to change.  Sure, Tuck is being helpful by giving me toilet paper.  Sure, Gus is trying to educate himself by asking  "How are basketballs made?"  But I don't need help getting paper and I don't even know how basketballs are made!  What I do need is some alone time.  And the bathroom is now going to function as my tiny little oasis.

My two projects are really boring to blog.  Ulmus is a clever little knit.  I love the slipped stitches & the color combo, but I've got a long way to go.  The Featherweight cardigan is finished to about 2 inches past the armholes.  So it's back n' forth from here out.  The Malabrigo Sock yarn is still delicious.  Every time I pick it up, I get excited to let it run through my fingers.  Ava is looking for some & I can only hope that she find a big stash of it here in Ohio.  Cause if she does, I'm adding some to my stash.

p.s.  I was going to mention this, but now it seems like a good idea since Ava added a new picture to our Flickr account.  Add us as a Flickr Contact & be entertained by some photos.  I've been using our Family account a lot lately, but there are some photos that might alarm our Family.  Even though the bathroom functions like the family room at our parents' house, Mom would still have some concerns seeing me sitting on the toilet with yarn at my feet.  She won't get it, so I'll save her from this photo.  She'd also be alarmed with this post.  "I never felt like that & I had 4 kids," is what she'd say.  Good for you.

Beyond Belief

The school year ended for me on Wednesday, and it was bittersweet for a change. One of my best friends took a job at our Central Administration, which means I will see even less of her next year than I did this year. Several teachers were furloughed due to budgetary reasons, and others reassigned. Two good colleagues retired after a combined 70 years of service. And sadly, for me at least, several students said good-bye for what I know to be the last time as one was a foster child and two more were living in shelters. Usually I am really happy when the end of the year comes, but this time . . . kind of a little sad as well.

One final grad photo . . . humor me!

A few weeks back, Mountain Knits and Pearls hosted classes by Annie Modesitt. Considering my personal days were eaten up by a Kings Of Leon concert, Dad's convention, and graduation (umm, that was the last post), I was only able to take the afternoon class on knitting techniques. While I was really looking forward to her combination knitting class, I was supremely chuffed with the knitting techniques class. Talk about fun and informative! The I-Bobbles that Annie demonstrated were worth their weight in gold (and considering I was using Cascade 220, that would be worsted people . . . little knitting humor for you). I've used them on every bobble produced now on the Great American Afghan. The edging that she showed us would only make sense for a knitter since it didn't roll at all. Good-bye stupid looking garter edge, hello perfection . . . meow, indeed!

Those bobbles are beautiful!

Lola has been in Los Angeles for this week on business. Our parents were super concerned about her driving in LA as she had a tendency to get lost as a teenager but hasn't had any problems with it during her ten plus years on the road. Why they were concerned is beyond me . . . even the Flyer told them that she would be fine. After talking to her on Wednesday, she said it is worse driving in Detroit than LA. About two weeks ago, she bought the Wii Active and started the 30-Day Challenge. Not to be left out, I picked it up Wednesday after school got out (fine, after I had lunch and drinks with my team and then came home and slept for three hours) and started yesterday. Learning from my sister, I opted for the low intensity workout. Ummm, EA Sports? How about a "you are a couch potato and really need a no intensity" level? That would be really nice, thank you very much. Not for nothing, but the trainer, who I am dubbing DTB for "Digital Trainer Bitch", doesn't need to complimenting me on my form so profusely. A little, "Keep it up" now and then would be fine . . . not as much, "Wow! You have stellar form!" since I know I don't. Either way, it is giving me a good workout and making me slightly more accountable.

The horizontal i-cord there? Genius!

Knitting news? Not much, but I did finish my friend L's first Monkey sock. I love this pattern (hell, it's memorized), I love this yarn (Cascade's Heritage Hand Paints - can they do anything wrong?), and I love this friend . . . it's a trifecta of love!

Off to mow the lawn since today looks like the only rain free days for about the next five and then laundry . . . housewife is back, Flyer baby! Enjoy the weekends, again!

Ava

Dirty Blonde

We got a hammock as a wedding gift.  We used it for one season when we bought the house.  Then it was shoved into the rafters of the garage.  This past weekend, I begged SK to pulling it down.  Probably one of the best weekends we've had in a very long time.  While the kids were napping, we loaded it up with pillows & blankets.  And when napping was no longer an option, the entire family spent at least a half hour rocking in the sun.  Tuck almost fell asleep & Gus just alternated between his parents.  When the boys went to bed, SK & I poured some drinks & hit the ropes again.  Today, Gus fell out of it so I'm afraid that his Hammock Loving days are over.  I'll lure him back in somehow if it kills me.

Since Ava & I keep missing each other, I'm asking on the blog.  We briefly talked about my dilemma earlier today, but I keep forgetting to send the details.  I know Two Black Sheep opens as her homepage, so she'll get the message (wasn't this the entire reason we started a blog?).  Consider yourself asked, Ava!  I'm getting the new project itch.  It isn't really strong, but I can feel it bubbling.  I'm thinking about starting the Featherweight Cardigan.  I'm in need of a car knit since we'll be making the drive to PA soon.  Noro Rambling Rows is too cumbersome.  I'm not sure I want to work on one sock the entire time.  Before I go to the LYS, Ava do you have 1,400 yards of lace-weight that you'd be willing to part with for a fee?

Your loving sister,
Lola

Revolution

In attempts to clean the house prior to everyone coming out for the girls' graduation, I decided to "organize" the yarn stash. While this applies to a lot of people (you know who you are), I should never be allowed to purchase another skein of sock yarn, lace weight, or anything that looks "amazing" in a yarn shop every again . . . EVER. I disgust even myself. Here, I'll distract you with a nice photo of the girls from their senior year photo shoot at Portrait Innovations.

 

This Charming Man

The Flyer and I are huge movie fans - huge, I tell you. In the past 15 days, we've seen four movies: X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek (twice), and Angels and Demons. Suffice it to say, we've seen tons of trailers as well and have marked our calendars with various release dates. Of all of them, our favorite was Star Trek, for a variety of reasons. It was refreshing to see a sci-fi movie that wasn't based around how many different special effects they can cram into a five-minute period of time AND THEN added a plot. Attention to characters with real *gasp* actors in those roles was a novel concept. Simon Pegg is a given for us, and I could even look past Chris Pine's occasional wonky eye in favor of his charm and very pretty mouth (go ahead . . . insert whatever Deliverance reference you choose).

After seeing all three, I do have to say that Angels and Demons was by far and away the most improbable of the bunch. I'd sooner believe that metal claws were going to pop out of my co-worker's hands than than believe someone can cross Rome that fast or not check the prison castle first. The only draw back for movies? Our closest megaplex is about 20 minutes away, which isn't that big a deal, but when you know damn well that summer will bring its heat and humidity, those 20 minutes seem like an eternity when you are trying to escape the ick in relative comfort.

Since summer is just around the corner, I've been giving a lot of thought as to what I should make my priorities for knits this season. I have so many knits on the needles (did you really think that list on the right was accurate?) that I might have lost count. However, the items that must get done are:

1. Lizard Ridge Afghan
2. Miter Square Afghan
3. Great American Afghan
4. Rambling Rows Afghan . . . sensing a pattern?
5. Lady Eleanore (just be done with it)
6. Barfly (that will be the movie knit)
7. Arianne
8. Something for the girls (even though 1 and 2 are for them)

I figure that socks don't really count now, do they? Please say they don't . . . otherwise I should grab some anti-matter and get busy with the God particle. Sorry - did I mention that Angels and Demons was more than slightly improbable? Be glad I'm not writing this on Thursday evening; otherwise I would be trying to figure out if I should knit Pam and Jim a baby sweater or something (and don't think that Lola hasn't thought about it already).

Tons of cleaning to do this week in anticipation of the girls' graduation. Maybe I'll get a little knitting squeezed in there. Barfly is the ultimate stockinette knit; then again, it is going to go on forever. Maybe I'll cast on some new lace shawl to bide my time. That list was a work-in-progress, too.

Ava

PS - Thanks to the Flyer for the title. He really is a charming man. Oh, and the photos were the long ago promised photos from the Westscott House in Springfield. If you are in the neighborhood, it's worth the time to visit. I'd kill for a sleep porch in the summer heat.