Battle of Knits

His girlfriend!

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Originally uploaded by Slychikadee

Didn’t take the ladies man long to seek out the pretty girl in the group. Here he is gettin’ those digits and putting them in his little black book, with crayon of course! We have a little player in the making.

My sweetheart.

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Originally uploaded by Slychikadee

How can one child be so sweet in one moment and so completely frustrating the next?

Happy Kid!

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Originally uploaded by Slychikadee

Here he is roaming around “The Germ Pit” (as I like to call it) in the mall. It is a bouncy wonderland. He is finally big enough to hold his own in there, since most kids are over 3… some as old as 8! It is a madhouse of screaming-running-bouncing crazy children expelling massive energy! Even the occasional kid-collision will result in tears– but not for long. The interesting thing about this spot is the fact that kids overcome amazing injury and jump right back in game, as if they were not trampled by several older children at all. It amazes me! The desire to bounce and screech surpasses all pain.

I was so excited to see my son adapt to this enviornment and play hard like the big kids. I was equally as excited to leave Daddy in charge when I snuck into the GAP for some new jeans.

“Sometimes I get so tense, but I can’t speed up the time…”

I have come to realize after a day of screaming too much… that I do not have a lot of patience. Some days I have more (a lot more) than others.

Today was not one of those days.

I hate hearing myself scream at my son. I am going to make a HUGE effort to limit this as much as possible, because after today I am upset with myself for not having more patience. I made it through the infant stages with minimal breakdowns… there was this one day where I thought I was losing it, called Josh at work crying because our son just would not stop crying– I had maybe 20 minutes sleep in 2 days… I look back now and cant believe I was as calm as I was! Must have been those oxytocin and prolactin hormones flowing from breastfeeding!!!

Right now the kid must be going through something… A growth spurt? A phase? Whatever it is I am completely frustrated by it. He wants to be held– and ONLY BY ME– 24 hours a day. He is being very picky with food these last few days. I feel like I throw out enough to feed 2 extra kids some days. Today I could only get him to eat half a waffle, french fries and some gluten-free flat bread. I tossed out chicken, broccoli, crackers, raisins and it drives me crazy. Tomorrow I am going to try some jello with fruit in it. He will most likely eat more tomorrow since it is “Daddy-day” since I am going out to Hank’s in the afternoon. We shall see. I just want my happy kid back!!!!

Finally at least the weather seems to be warming up. Today might have hit 70. I feel like such a freak sometimes… I moved here in August of 2004 and that winter I never wore a jacket, maybe a sweater in January… I wore flip-flops the whole season and though everyone around me was crazy in their UGG boots and scaves, hats, mittens, ski jackets… Honestly, I have not yet pulled out my L.L. Bean ski jacket since moving here. Now I do feel cold if it drops below 60 degrees. I have fully adapted to Florida living!!! Scary.

Here is a picture of the best part of our day. We went to the mall to get me some jeans and the Boo-bear some new sneakers.

See next blog post… since Flickr is a pain in my ass!

Pearl Jam– Dissident

She nursed him there, ooh, over a night
Wasn’t so sure she wanted him to stay
What to say…what to say
But soon she was down, soon he was low
At a quarter past…a holy no…
She had to turn around

When she couldn’t hold, oh…she folded…
A dissident is here
Escape is never, the safest path
Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here

And to this day, she’s glided on
Always home but so far away
Like a word misplaced
Nothing to say, what a waste
When she had contact…with the conflict…
There was meaning, but she sold him to the state
She had to turn around

When she couldn’t hold…she folded…
A dissident is here
Escape is never, the safest path
Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh…oh…oh…

She gave him away when she couldn’t hold…no…she folded…
A dissident is here
Escape is never, the safest path
Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh…
Couldn’t hold on…she couldn’t hold…no…she folded…
A dissident is here
Escape is never the safest place, oh…
A dissident is here

For Josh

Honey Dont Think — Grant Lee Buffalo

It’s the luck of the draw
How you wound up with me
You don’t know how at all
But I beg you to stay
Crawl around on this earth
While the world’s still small

Honey don’t think
About it too long now
Honey don’t think
You’re liable to figure me out

Something wrong in my stars
Could you look at my chart
Help me healing these scars
Could you learn to read minds
In the case of mine
Do you read in the dark

Honey don’t think
About it too long now
Honey don’t think
You’re liable to figure me out
You don’t wanna figure me out
You don’t wanna figure me out
Don’t wanna lose

Honey don’t think
About it too long now
Honey don’t think
You’re liable to figure me out

Honey don’t think
About it too long now (about it too long now)
Honey don’t think
You’re liable to figure me out

Honey don’t think
About it too long

TGIF

Seriously.

What a long week. Forgive me readers, it has been 4 days since I have blogged.

I feel I have accomplished a lot and yet nothing ever seems to be finished. I did some major house cleaning and I am nowhere near finished. I cleaned and rearranged the bedroom. I cleaned my son’s room and went through his clothes, pulling out everything marked 12 months. Some of his 18 month shirts and pants still fit, so they remained. I honestly cannot wait for warmer weather like we had today. My son has decided he has no need for pants and insists on pulling them off every time I turn around. After putting them back on two or three times I eventually give up and he runs around much happier with just a diaper and shirt, it just seems to chilly for that. Tonight Josh and I returned from our counseling appointment and he was once again pant-less! The poor baby-sitter looked a bit stressed out and she mentioned that he was being a bit difficult. I honestly felt better hearing that… at least he does not just act like a total tyrant for JUST ME!  (*Muah-ha-ha* –evil laughter)

So lots of cleaning and we finally got the TV hung up. That silly TV has been a thorn in my side all week long. Finally it is on the wall and I no longer have to have so much aggression towards it. Here are some pictures of the progression…

Daddy with his little helper

Wall mount is set.

Moved old TV to bedroom

80 lbs of television

Done.

Okay, I’m over it. It looks good on the wall and Josh did a good job with the wiring… but I was not happy about having to lift that thing. It nearly crushed me. I guess having General Hospital life size in my living room is pretty cool though. Now to get that couch!

Here is the little terror’s new trick…

on-off--on-off

He is so proud of being able to turn the lights on and off. Since he figured this out I decided it was time to get to potty training. I am not looking forward to it. We started a few nights ago, I was just trying to get him to sit and he did okay. The next night he was excited to sit on the little potty for me. Clapping and smiling. He has not yet used the potty, but no rush yet. I did a trade on diaperswappers to get some cloth trainer pants…

They are cute!

I have not tried them out yet. I probably wont for a good while yet.  My plan is too keep having him sit on the potty every night before his bath. Then gradually have him sit on the potty several times per day. Once he gets around to actually using the potty, I will probably use these during the day. I think I need a few more pair. I wish I could actually sew. I would love to make my own.

I think this was the only sweet moment he had all day yesterday! LOL

(I really need a new camera.)

Well, now I am off to search for the perfect yarn to make the Gathered Pullover … Hanks is having a KAL with this pattern in a month or two. I just dont know if I am going for softness or for warmth… or both.

Socks so far.

Pheasant Run socks, so far, as of 3pm 02/15/2010

Ravelympics & Naughty Knitterz

I am entering the Ravelympics:

WIPs Dancing:

Crocus Scarf

And also Aerial Unwind:

Cauchy socks shall become Pheasant Run socks.

I decided that Josh is not currently worth the pita that socks are (no offense if you love knitting socks) and I am frogging this pair, ripping them out and casting on for the Pheasant Run socks that I frogged way-way-way back! I am more confident with my lace ability now, so I am going to try again. With a deadline perhaps I can actually finish them? I may need to buy another set of dpns…

I am also seriously excited about the Vancouver Olympics too. I love the Winter Olympics more than the Summer ones, because I just love so many more events, plus… Shaun White. I have been following him in the Winter X games since 2002. I love that kid.

I have also been asked to be a contributing editor for naughtyknitterz.com I found them on Twitter and though are just starting they seem to be growing at a fast rate. I am looking forward to sending them some patterns. I do not consider myself a designer by any means, but I am interested in it and play around. I have two designs on Ravelry available for free. A cowl and a baby hat. Both patterns were simply a matter of not being able to find the pattern I wanted… and then improvising and making the pattern myself.  I am looking forward to helping them out the best that I can.

Tomorrow I have couples counseling and I may be attending the Art Hop… well, I will be going to Hank’s anyway.

(Edited to add: I have now joined Team Socksters, and I am making my Pheasant Run socks… I will be entering them into 3 different events: Sock Hockey, Lace Luge and Speed Skate.)

Frak.

Frak.

I am a Caprica fan. Are you? Check it out on Syfy. It is a Battlestar Glactica spin-off that tells the story of how it all began.  I have to admit I never got into Battlestar… much to the dismay of my buddy, Craig, who pushed it like an addictive drug. He even came to my house with dvds, tied off my arms and pierced my vein with the first two episodes, then left me with more… which promptly collected dust on top of the speakers by the TV until he ultimately retrieved them a month or two later, since they were his roommate’s dvd’s anyway. I just didnt get hooked. Caprica had me at “Frak”… it was truly frak at first sight. (Sorry, if I have lost you.) Still not convinced? Well… just think: Eric Stoltz. Oh yeah, baby! I have been in love with this guy through my three decades, starting with Some Kind of Wonderful and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Most recently I still look to Killing Zoe as one of my faves he has done. Speaking of Zoe, on Caprica, this is the name of his daughter, played by the bright-eyed,  Alessandra Toressani. This show might just be what gets me in Battlestar. We shall see.

I'm a fan.

I have been sick for days. I blame gluten, as usual, since contamination is inevitable in my pasta & breading laced household. Everytime I get a toddler kiss after he devours chicken nuggets or spaghetti I get nervous… same with Josh and his beer. I told Josh I wish I lived in a bubble. I could have him test all my food before it enters. The only good thing about not feeling well, is letting the house go a bit. I can see a sinkful of dishes from where I sit and there are two laundry baskets waiting to be folded, a dryer full waiting for a basket… a basket full of folded laundry waiting to be put away, and a washer full waiting to be dried. I might dry the wet stuff tonight… maybe. Dishes can wait. I prefer to do dishes in the morning when I am half awake… since dishes irritate me. Everything irritates me before coffee, so it might as well be dishes. Besides, when its chilly in the morning I like the warm water. It reminds me of days when I could just shower whenever I wanted… unlike now, where if I want to shower in peace (meaning: no screaming child at the door) I have to wait until nap time or I have to be crafty and time it perfect with an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba and a dish of food. You take simple things for granted– until you have children.

Speaking of rotten kids… (LOL)… mine was just that today. Very aggressive! He kicked me on the couch multiple times, tossed a toy train at me and was generally in a crabby mood for most of the day–before and after his nap. I gave him extra special attention today thinking it might help. Nope. He woke up last night crying for the first time in weeks– I blame that. 99% of the time he is a delight, so I should not complain. On the bright side, he picked up his Muno doll today as we changed his bedsheets and he said “Muno” just plain as day. I’m sure he will never say it again, like everything else he has decided to bless my ears with. Right now he is a man of few words, which kind of frustrates me. Everyone tells me to enjoy it though, I guess once they start talking, they never stop.

I might buy Jenny Sanford’s book next. (Totally random thought) Oh wait, I probably wont… she is back pedaling on everything she wrote right now. UGH.

I had Josh mail out two packages today. One a pair of small shorties and NB longies– a trade for more Mama Cloth (BTW I’m a huge fan, anyone want details? Let me know-*giggles*) and package number two was a Muttaquin 3SR fitted cloth diaper and my favorite all hemp camo fitted cloth diaper– a trade to a mama in Alaska, for some cloth trainers. I am also expecting some mail from the co-op… some peace fleece and one of these days I should be getting some Mosaic Moon, which is not even here yet, but it is burning a hole in my knitting stash. I ordered way too much… but I have some big plans for Boo-bear… like the last woolies he will ever wear, hopefully a nice sweater, possibly a vest, a hudson hat,  and even a hat, glove combo for me and a shawl. I was searching for toddler boy sweaters, since most are completely boring to look at –so they will drive me nuts to knit. After this Tea Leaves Cardi, I know I will be ready for some cables and texture. So far… I like these:

Sailor Daane

I love the band.

Sherwood

Cable-crazy, but they might look good in MM

Boy’s Plaid Sweater

This is interesting...

Mosaic Moon yarns are heavily variegated. I dont want to yarn to swallow up some wild pattern or I would be making Robin Hood Jacket . So I am leaning towards the first one. Truth be told, I have so much yarn right now I could knit for a year just off my current stash. I probably will after this last batch. Well… um, sock yarn doesnt count right? It better not. Nope… it doesnt. Lets just forget I said anything.

Did I mention I am adding to my skills list soon? I signed up for a Drop Spindle class. Its at the end of February, so I am free for Ravelympics, where I plan on knocking out those damn Pheasant Run socks that drove me crazy in the last class I took, I will link it up if you dont remember, as I have  gained many readers since then. I got halfway to the darn toe on the first one, well after the class was over and then my son got a hold of it while I was in the bathroom. This was before I put my knitting up almost beyond my reach… and he not only pulled out 2 dpns, but broke one and ripped out about ten rows or more. The socks were my lace dream, but then soon became a nightmare and I frogged them. Everything happens for a reason though… and I really think they will look better in another colorway. So yes… Ravelympics is the 12-24? I think then the class is  on the 27th. So other than my Mosaic Moon anticipation, I will be ready to embrace a new skill. I hear mixed things, some say its easy-peasy, some say its quite difficult. We shall see. I feel like it looks more toddler-friendly than spinning yarn from a wheel, not too mention much more inexpensive. I also think it looks relaxing. I am willing to bet I will feel like a rock-star once I drop-spin some fingering weight yarn for a shawl then knit it. Hot damn. Cant wait.

Oh yes, the new TV. We are getting a big new TV. That is where Josh funneled all of our tax return. I cant complain too much since I do watch lots of TV. However I would also like a new couch. Ours is a nightmare. The cushions are nasty looking due to the dog and I hate it. It is fake-leather so obviously it wouldnt have lasted long, but it looks terrible. Remind me to take a pic sometime. You might puke.

Cardigan pics

The most accurate pic I could get of the colorway. "Crumble" Madelinetosh Worsted (which is now called DK, I believe)

Here is the cardi after finally getting the sleeves correct.

A secret project