Two Black Sheep

American Woman

Tap . . . tap . . . tap

Testing: 1 . . . 2 . . . 3

Hmmm, so it's been a while? Does that cover it? No? Tough. Sometimes when life throws lemons at you, you kind of have to run and hide. Fuck the lemonade . . . it's too cold for that shit right now. Work has been a bit of a bitch plus the "other responsibilities of which I cannot talk." Kind of puts me in a really, really foul mood with little time for knitting.

And when I do knit, I seem to screw it up royally. I cast on for a gauge swatch of the Icelandic Star sweater and messed it up. New knit needed for the Olympics. Enter the Johnny Rotten mittens. You could have slapped me in the face with their cuteness, and they were totally up my alley . . . except they'll fit a child instead of me since keeping gauge when doing Fair Isle with three colors is a bitch and a half. I don't have huge hands (truly, I don't), but I asked a friend at the shop to try them on knowing full well that she has tiny, tiny hands. Her response? "What child are these for again?" Umm . . . I"m guessing the Other Sister's daughter, who was born in England so they will be perfect.

Mom sent us a photo of her wearing the February Lady Boiled Wool Sweater, saying that she tells everybody, "Can you believe that my daughter knit this?" I felt like telling her that she really should be saying, "Can you believe that my daughter f-ed this up?" I don't think that I have officially lost my knitting mojo, but it is waning fast. Part of the reason is the baby blanket that I am knitting for a friend. I am in the home stretch, and it's taking forever (kind of like being pregnant) . . . but there's so many other pretty knits that are catching my eye.

We've had three days off from school due to a "snow hurricane" . . . two words that should never be used in the same breath. So far, it's been alright . . . so far. The Flyer, however, is snowed out. He's been in Greenville, NC since Monday and is due back either Friday or Saturday. Continental has been calling every hour or so to let me know that his flight is delayed, rescheduled or just plain canceled. So: cranky wife + lots of snow + tons of quiet = alcohol. Possibly not the most mature way to go, but what the hell?

I promise I'll be a better blogger; I promise I'll be a better knitter; I promise I'll be a better fill-in-the-blank.

Ava, who really needs an Ohio trip to recharge her batteries

The Fear

About four years ago, I made the comment that I didn't really believe in stress. I might have even gone so far as to say that it was all made up so that people could feel better about the choices that they make. Funny little thing . . . stress. I kind of think that it isn't made up after all. For some reason, this is the busiest that I have been in a long time, and I'm feeling a little stressed. Huh.

A few days ago, a friend at work said, "You look really tired." First, don't say that to someone you like. Second, I wasn't that tired. Third, I almost burst into tears. Since the girls left for school in August, I've been doing more at work, and I think that it's starting to catch up to me. There have been some really late nights, especially when I get up at 5 AM for work, with some shitty eating habits to boot. Couple that with the Race to the Top initiative and trying to stay on top of that plus attempting to use data as never before with my kids (and when I say kids, I really mean my students . . . the girls - mine, the kids - they go home at 2:25 PM to some other mother), and you can see how my candle is getting rather short. Add to that whole mix the fact that I hate, despise, detest this time of year like no other. In addition, the Flyer is traveling a lot lately, which means that it is just me, the cat, and the dog in the house.

So, what does that mean for knitting? You would think that I would turn to knitting as my salvation in my time of, ahem, need . . . but no, even that has taken a back burner to work. I signed up for the Knitting Olympics at the shop, did a gauge swatch (really, I should get credit for doing that) but got 21.5 stitches instead of the 17 that I was looking for. Choices, choices, choices . . . do I recalculate and knit the sweater I intended, knowing I probably won't finish? Do I find a new project using stash yarn? Problem is, I can't figure out the answer. The Flyer wants to visit friends of ours in Alexandria and take in the Terra Cotta warriors during the Olympics; my first thought: how will this impact my knitting plan. Not: won't it be nice to see our friends or how awesome to see the statues . . . but how will I be able to knit my project. Honestly, I think that this is adding to my stress.

So, that's about it . . . poor little old me . . . stressed about data and federal stimulus money and events I couldn't and can't control and my girls and the Flyer flying and Olympic knitting. It's no wonder that my friend said I looked tired . . . I'm amazed that she resisted the urge to say I looked like shit. Somehow, amidst all this crap I managed to finish something of which I am proud. Rose's Wrist Warmers might be the nicest project I've finished in a long time.

Ava, who will stop bitching now

PS - Oh, and I am totally sucking at uploading photos for the photo a week group I joined on Flickr. Stress doesn't exist my ass . . . whoever said that was a crazy bitch.

California Waiting

I know that I have been knitting too much (yes, that happens occasionally) when my back feels like it is on a rusty hinge. Generally, I sit in the same position on the couch, forgetting to keep both feet on the ground and moving about every now and then. The next morning, or whenever I get up for some water, my lower back feels like it is being held in place by a tiny screw that might fall out any moment. So, to make a long story short, my back could really use some WD40. Granted, there has been some knitting to speak of, but I always forget that this is the eventual outcome for a knitting binge.

Christmas was relatively low-key here at Chez Ava and flock. I guess that happens when your kids reach a certain age and their Christmas list comes complete with links and specifics. Don't get me wrong because I am very, very grateful to have the ability to sit at the computer, select PayPal, and be done with Christmas shopping before I head to knit night . . . but Christmas isn't the rushing quest to find the "IT" toy of the year . . . not when your list has boots and skinny jeans and Harry Potter sweaters on it. So other than the America's Next Top Model paper doll book and  College Vegetarian Cooking (for next year), there weren't many surprises. The girls found the Flyer a Twin Peaks t-shirt (which he loves), and they bought me a bead for my bracelet (which I love). Dinner? I went low-key and pre-ordered from Boston Market . . . easy-peasy and didn't spend half the day cooking or cleaning. Plus, it made an afternoon showing of Sherlock Holmes a possibility. 

So, the knitting you say? I spent a furious two days knitting part of Rambling Rows since I am teaching it as a class at the shop. I think that my New Year's resolution ought to be: no teaching of classes that you don't have a sample . . . no exceptions. For some unknown reason (cough, cough - knitting ADD), Rambling Rows was pushed on the back burner and then forgotten about - until the pot boiled over. My reading teacher is due in April with her first baby, so I decided to knit her a blanket and teach it as a class. That being said, after two days of knitting non-stop, I have a little less than half done. I can see how this gets kind of addicting, but I took it over to the shop (before real addiction could set in) so Joanne could put the sample in the case (and so I could buy some needles . . . too lazy to locate mine). I promised the Flyer some Beer Gloves over a year ago in Jackie's 9th Doctor colorway. I figured with David Tennant's run as the 10th Doctor coming to an end, I really ought to get the gloves done for my sweetie. Truly, they might have been the fastest knit that I've done in a while (photos next week . . . pinkie swear). After that, the only choice was to make something for me: Rose's Wrist Warmers partially because I love them and partially because it is so damn cold here . . . but not cold enough for a coat).

This post actually started off as a "Here's what I learned and loved about 2009" but somehow it morphed into pretty much just a post . . . hmmm. Well, here's what I learned and loved about 2009:

1. I learned that I could cope with my kids going away to school. It didn't destroy me, it didn't leave me curled up in a fetal position, it didn't cause me angst that could only be cured with medicine. It's been a pretty good transition for us all (I think). Do I miss them? Absolutely. Have I figured out what to do with my spare time? Unfortunately, yes.
2. I learned that there was tons of new music to listen to. Personally, my favorite song of the year was "Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap (fine, it came out in 2008), but "Show Me What I'm Looking For" (Carolina Liar), "Ghosts" (Laura Marling),  or anything by Fleet Foxes or off of the Glee! soundtracks would have been fine as well.
3. I loved both Up and (500) Days of Summer as far as movies went. I think I got most of my crying over graduation done during Up, so thanks Pixar . . . you made graduation a little bit smoother. I did learn, though, that I could go to see movies all by myself and knit and not really give a damn about it.
4. I learned (and love!) that Malabrigo sock yarn is just as divine as regular Malabrigo. If only there were a closer source for this marshmellowy loveliness . . . if only, if only, if only. 
5. When you only get to see your sisters every once and a while, you learn very quickly that you still miss them, so when Lola can get into the City, I'll run in front of a train (really very stupid) or pose in front of a large poster of Gerard Butler (equally as stupid) to see her . . . that last one made the family calendar. 
6. Speaking of posing in front of a large poster of Gerard Butler, I learned (fine, I already knew this) that my sister is a far better photographer than I am . . . but I'm willing to take some tips and get better.
7. I also learned that I have way too much yarn and really ought to do something about it. Knitting comes to mind, but then again so does destashing, donating yarn to new knitters, and knitting (probably deserves more than one mention).
8. Unfortunately, I learned that spinning your brand new sweater because you are lazy has horrible results . . . and can force a very strong woman to tears and lots and lots of beer. 
9. I'm sure there's more . . . but I have a pair of wrist warmers to knit, so resolutions might have to wait until tomorrow

Have a Happy New Year! Stay safe and warm . . . and get some knitting in when you can.

Ava

Heartbreak Warfare

I have today & tomorrow off from work.  My grand plan was to clean & donate toys.  We've added about a thousand toys to this house in a week's period.  We've taken nothing out of the house.  I feel like cars, pirates, building supplies are forming an army & will soon take over.  But what have I been doing on my Cleaning Day?  Finishing Christmas gifts, Flickr, & playing Super Mario Bros. on the Wii.  Fan-fucking-tastic.

I'd like to think that tomorrow you'll find me elbow deep in broken toys, but I'm afraid that won't be true.  Here's a sample of my Christmas booty.  I'm spoiled by my loved ones.  You give my MIL a list & she fills it!  I'll be fair, SK added about half the books.  Tonight, you'll find me making Red Wine & Cheese bread.  Dreaming of the chunky cable cardigan from "Men's Knits" & snuggled up on the couch reading "Within the Frame."  I'm sure I'll be doing all of this while listening to the sounds of Mario trying to save the Princess.

I can hear some of you saying, "Why were you finishing Christmas gifts today?"  I finished these a long time ago, but waited until the last minute to felt them. 

Tsk. Tsk.  They didn't felt small enough.  I tried everything.  Now they're part of our Halloween box.  I ran out to our LYS & went with my ever faithful Cascade 220.  And guess what?!  The shit felted like a dream.  Why do I stray?  Granted, they look like the Pup has been nuzzling them for the past ten years, but I think the recipient will like them just how they are. 

*And yes, I fell victim to the nuttiness of Bench Mondays on Flickr.*

I hope Santa was good to all of you.  He sure was to us.

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.