The Boys Are Back...

They got home last Sunday and boy was I glad to see them. They enjoyed their plane trip, subway rides, museum visits, etc. I missed them but, they can wreck a house in no time flat. I did enjoy my peace and quiet, but now things are back to normal.

As for my health, I saw an endocrinologist on Wednesday and he's going to give me radioactive meds next Friday. The boys can't be here while I'm glowing, so I'm sending them to Gramma's for a few days. After I take the meds, it'll take a while for everything to get balanced. But eventually, that too, will be back to normal.

Knitting? This is a knitting blog? Well, I finished the pink cable socks and they turned out great. Finally! I've started a second pair in Opal in a beautiful light blue. I'll put up pictures when hubby gives up the camera.

I'm already planning for the next few projects. I need to find the right yarn for Date Maker. I've got at least three more pairs of socks for Christmas presents. I'm also looking for a cardigan pattern that doesn't look to Grannyish. That seems like enough for now.

The Diagnosis

Graves Disease. Pretty common in women my age. (Edit: Apparently, it's not as common as my doc led me to believe, but oh, well) The Treatment: Nuking my thyroid until it shrivels and dies. Then fake hormones for a lifetime. Whoo hoo! It's really not that bad. I'm glad I know what it is and why I've been feeling like hell for so long.

One good thing about this sickness is I've got a good reason to sit around and do nothing but knit and eat. I've finished one cable sock and I'm almost finished with its mate. The only problem is I now don't like the 1st sock. I was being careful to knit loosely because previous socks had been too tight. Now the cuff looks sloppy to me, so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna frog the first one and reknit it. I'm planning for these to be a gift, so I want them to be really good.

Well, other than that, there's nothing going on. The boys are in Boston now. They'll be home this Sunday. I miss them, but I'm starting to enjoy my alone time.

Bad Day

Well, I was supposed to be on a plane with my boys to New Hampshire today. But now the family is on that plane without me. Ordinarily a 10 day break from the husband and kids would be something I'd love, but not this time. The story is dreary and long, so I'll spare you the details. Basically it boils down to this: I've been shaky and nauseated for 3 weeks. A new doctor says my thyroid and pituitary are freaking out, and wants me to have tests next week, so no vacation for me.

This all came down in a matter of 3 or 4 hours before we were to leave for New Orleans. I mean at 12:00 yesterday, I was packing my suitcase, and at 4:30 my husband and kids were pulling out of the driveway without me. For the record, he offered to cancel the entire trip, but I wouldn't let him. The kids would be so disappointed, and so would their grandma and great-grandma.

I guess what I need to do is get over myself, and do all the things I said I would do if I had a week without the husband and kids.

Back to Square One

I have the worst luck with sock patterns. I've tried 3 so far that haven't worked out very well. The Jaywalker is history. Frogged it about 2 minutes ago. I used the smaller size in the pattern (my feet are 5.5 US) and I couldn't get the thing past my heel when I tried it on. I was planning to give these to a woman whose foot is larger than mine, but not much. I really don't feel like using the larger size, or figuring out how to make it work. The leg of the sock is pretty long, and if I shortened it, it would probably fit better. I feel like cussing, but I try not to do that here.

I was all psyched about getting Christmas presents done in the summer. I'm losing my joy over that. I just wish I could find the RIGHT pattern. I may give the Opal yarn a rest and try some beautiful Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock I have in my stash.

Do you have a great sock pattern you LOVE? If so, tell me about it, PLEASE!


On a happier note: Isn't this cool?

Jaywalker & Flowers

Well, I haven't posted in a while. You see, I am a visual person and I like to see pictures in other folk's blogs, and I like to put pictures in my own. I haven't been really motivated to download any lately because of this:



I can't find the cable to connect my camera to the computer! The cord cabinet is just such a mess. I can't even stand to charge my cell phone. I usually wait until I'm in the car and give it a little juice there. Just clean out the cabinet, you say? That's a joke. There's 3 other guys around here who just live to mess things up! Oh, well.

I have been knitting, I swear. First I made a beautiful cabled sock, but it was too small. I frogged it and started this Jaywalker. See the yarn wrapped around the ball? That used to be a sock. It's in the process of becoming a new one though. I hear the Jaywalker knits up snug. Will it fit? That remains to be seen.



My garden is growing. Here's two shots:

My first sunflower. It seems a little early, but I'm not complaining.



And here's a shot of the whole bed. I planted several seed packs of mixed color zinnias. I guess the purple ones are dominant, because they are the majority here. There's a few orange, yellow, red, white, etc, but purple rules.

I've Been Tagged!

Well, I've been tagged. I'll give it a try:

1. What is the ugliest thing you've ever knit?

This is hard. I don't really think of anything as ugly. The most disappointing thing I've ever knit was the Lilith sweater. A lot of work and a really bad fit.

2. What is the most beautiful thing you've ever knit?

Another difficult one. Hmm. I love the Branching Out Scarves. They are really pretty. I also love my crocheted wrap with the Douceur et Soie.

3. Who are your fave knitting designers, living or dead? (name up to 3)

I'm ashamed to admit, I don't really know designers.

4. Do you watch Knitty Gritty on DIY?

Nope, don't get that channel.

5. Have you ever knit in your sleep? (not just dreaming, has someone seen you make the motions?)

I've never been alerted to this, so I guess not.

6. Have you ever taught someone to knit?

I'm trying to teach my 6 year old son to knit, and I've taught my mom & my baby sitter to crochet.

7. How many WIP's or UFO's, currently?

Let's see, there is one pair of socks, one afghan, and one sweater. ( The sweater will never get done!)

8. Circulars, or straights?

Both. Circs for things that just need them or small projects for on the go, and straights when I feel like it.

9. Fave 'thing-item' to knit?

Right now, socks.

10 Name the person who 'tagged-memed' you.

The Lovely Noreen

Edit: The person I tagged was Mysteryknitter