Learning to Crawl

No, Tuck hasn't taken off at record speed . . . I'm just going through a retro phase and enjoying The Pretenders for a change (that and The Peoples Court . . . thank you, snow day). The Flyer is leaving his heart elsewhere for the weekend and "struggling" with 50 degrees and rain; meanwhile, back at the ranch, we're looking at seven inches of snow today, so I am blogging before I shovel and grade. These are the days that I detest being an English teacher since very little of it is multiple choice and the like.

Whenever I finish a knit project, the high that I get pushes me into the remaining projects with renewed gusto for about a day. Then reality (and life) sets in and I realize that I have so far to go on those projects that then end is no where in sight. I finished the Veil of Leaves (her explanation is more elegant than mine) socks on Sunday of last week and refused to wear them until I had a great FO shot for the album. Silly, I know, but still, I have to keep some standards. The Flyer tried to take some for me, even going so far as to army crawl on the floor for the "artsy" shot. Needless to say, Veronica took one of the photos and I did the other two. I can't say enough nice things about the yarn: it's springy, has a gorgeous hand, comes in a variety of colors, and makes other yarns pale in comparison. The pattern? Still not sold on this book and I really, really wanted to be. These socks came out a bit on the big side, and for once, I can't blame my gauge since it was spot on. I wore them to work on Wednesday and the slouchiness may be enough to do me in. The heel doesn't stay in place and works it way down into the shoe. UGH! Ironically, the thing most people like best about these socks are the toes, which were a total mistake since the cobblestone cuff ate up so much yarn that I ran out of Mustang Sally and went for Oregon Red Clover Honey to finish it off. I have two other patterns dog-eared in this book, but for now, I think I am running with a lame sock in the new Kaffe Fassett yarn since I really want me some striped socks. Now if someone could just tell me how to pronounce Kaffe's name, it would all be good.

Lola and I really try to have a tit for tat (not tit tats . . . that would be too much) on the blog since our mother taught us to share well as children. We take turns, pick up the slack when the other isn't able too, and even signed up for parallel "alongs" . . . the ABC Along and Project Spectrum. At some point this week, I'll get all my lovely reds, oranges, and pinks together and photograph the hell out of them. Luckily the Veil of Leaves can be counted as part of PS. So could Ariann for that matter . . . maybe I'll bring her out of the project bag and knit a while . . . after I shovel . . . and then grade . . . and finish Beaner's sweater.

Speaking of Beaner - she's fiery so this is great for PS, the Other Sister is going through a rough patch with our little shit pot. Beaner, who looks surprisingly like her Aunt Ava (remember OS makes me accept it) but acts like her own little person. Apparently she will now run past her brother, shouting, "Mommy gave me candy," and make a quick exit, knowing that it will piss her brother off. I like to call her Sassafrass because it beats calling her Piss-and-Vinegar . . . both of which she seems to be filled with. Maybe she inherited too much of the German streak from our Mom's side, maybe she knows how to push her older brother's buttons, or maybe she is just a four-year-old. Suggestions? We'll pass them on . . . but we'll have to figure out how to say, "Hey, our Internet friends said that . . . " since Mom and the OS worry about us being abducted, you know since it is the Internet and they wonder why people "talk" to us on the Web.

Off to shovel, grade, clean, and knit . . . in that order. I think I need to get dressed first. Oh crap, this makes for a great beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Ava

Comments

[Jane Prater]

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I may have a ceremonial burning of the pattern.

[MC]

When you say "shovel", do you mean figuratively or are you saying you live in the mountains and don't own a snowblower?

[Melissa]

That's a darned shame about that sock pattern, it's one I was planning on trying (and may yet). I still haven't tried any of the patterns from that book, they kind of hurt my brain.

On the other hand - I ordered some of the Oregon Red Clover honey, and it's nice to see it knit up so pretty on those toes!

[tricia]

His name is Kaffe with a long a. Ask me on Tuesday and I'll say it with the Canadian accent you so love.
Don't you have any young thugs in your neighourhood that will shovel your sidewalks for $10. Had I known I could have sent my thug over, then you could have knit and graded without the snow thing.
Tricia

[Shannon]

Too bad about the socks as they look really nice and the mistake toe works well. Maybe you can add some mistake rib to the top and they'll stay up better?

[mamie]

i like how your family does not understand why you 'talk' to people on the internet. my dad recently discovered how to find my blog and he is linking it to everything (he is net obsessed) telling his family in holland and everywhere else to visit me....not that i write much about my frustrations in life, but now i know i can't. sweet. i love the sock color but so sorry about the heel slippage, we call those type of socks 'quitters'.

[Susan B]

Um, no suggestions about how to deal with little Miss P&V, but instead a promise.

I absolutely positively promise not to abduct, borrow with parental permission, or even babysit for 5 quick minutes while her mom runs out to the store a four-year old child who sounds like she's edgier and sassier than I am after two margaritas on an empty stomach!

;)

[victoria]

I've heard his name rhymes with "safe asset". Hope that helps...
As for the taunting youngster: my baby sister used to taunt my middle sister and I with "mom took me to Tiajuana Taco today" as soon as we walked in the door from school. Little stinker! It only took us 20 years but now we're best buds....
Love the sock yarn...
Have fun in the snow!