Now that I have your attention, check out the aforementioned Kings of Leon single . . . I'll wait. And you're back! Not a bad little ditty, especially given that the three-quarter's of the band followed their father dad around for tent revivals. But I've already waxed poetic of my favorite opening act.
I finally finished the Shellac Socks (last week actually, but who's counting?) and the fit like a dream. The key to this pair? Not have the gusset too large. Normal patterns stress 64 as the magic number for some reason in the gusset and if anyone can tell me why that number sticks like glue, I would love to know. For me, this makes the socks too loose so I cut that number down to 58; amazing what six little stitches and ending the actual foot portion two inches from your heel instead of two and a half will do for you . . . socks that fit for one. I cast on for a pair of Jaywalkers (Rav linked) since my first pair from Lola have been through the wringer (literally), and the second pair, which I knit, are too big and replete with mistakes. I'm working on a PDF for the Shellac Socks and will have it up, fingers crossed, in a week or so. Many thanks to my photographer . . . you rock, baby!
School begins in a few days, so this weekend is always bittersweet for me. I know my alarms will be going off earlier than they did last week and that my work load will increase rapidly over the next three weeks. Gone will be the days of knitting whenever I want and back will be the piles of papers to grade and comment upon. Every year I take home a stack of books, vowing to read them, only to show them the interior of my house with the promise of a trip back to school in the fall. This year, I will be teaching with a new group of people and for once, I am more than a little anxious, but I can't quite put my finger as to why. C'est la vie (French is taught in my room for a period, so I am broadening my horizons).
Thanks for the kind words about the dog. Livvie recovered nicely from her surgery and is back to her old antics: annoying the cat, eating more heartily, begging for pizza, sleeping in our bedroom. While not thrilled with the price tag, I'm glad she's still around to bark at me when I mow, get agitated when a squirrel comes a climbing, and sniff at a groundhog she can never outsmart.
Have you been following politics? Really? So how is that rock you live under? Obama's choice in Biden was nice since I've been a fan of Joe's for ages, despite his issues with plagiarism. Nice to see him taking kind of, sort of center stage. McCain's choice in Palin is a bit perplexing, but I don't really know that much about her. However, giving your child the middle name VanHalen just smacks of oddness (say it with the last name). As a teacher, I am often mesmerized by students' names. I'll stop there. But to David Gregory of NBC's Meet the Press, who said of Palin, "She went into labor and got on an airplane to go back to Alaska. That's pretty cool." That's not pretty cool . . . that's irresponsible. Period.
Enjoy your weekend (and your labors)! Happy back-to-school! And if you have a hurricane heading your say, stay safe and dry and in our thoughts!
Ava
PS - Hey, Lola! Looks like you have glommed onto a "been there, done that" cliche of the design world. Still love it but I want mine in cherry red!
Hurray for Obama and Biden, I am very thrilled about this.The socks look great. It's always nice to have a great fit. I am not happy about summer being almost over, but we have no choice about it. C'est la vie:D
Posted by: cici | August 31, 2008 at 07:02 PM
The socks are fantastic! They'd look great in blue, too. :D
Posted by: Melissa | August 31, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I really hope she wasn't in labor on one of our planes. Really.
Love the socks--that shade of pink is perfect!
Posted by: Carrie | September 02, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I just ordered a Keep Calm poster (red) for my office. I think my students might take comfort in it on occasion!
Posted by: beverly | September 02, 2008 at 09:32 PM
The socks are so cute! Yes, I've been following the election...though this means that I'm spending a lot more time lately cursing at the tv/radio. (Not in front of the baby, of course. Well, mostly not.)
Posted by: Sarah | September 04, 2008 at 07:15 AM
I rather like Kings of Leon. They sound like Dinosaur Jr. smashed together with Lynard Skynard. Also, nice socks! Scallopy. :)
Posted by: Jacki | September 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM