Last night. Oh my. There was someone shooting a gun at a car (with people inside) in the street. It was in front of the house next to ours (which is empty). I'm still not really sure what happened. All I know is that I was truly terrified. The police didn't leave our street until after 11:30pm.
I don't know if they caught any one. I don't know anything. Except that things like this shouldn't happen. I wouldn't be so scared if it were just me here. But I have babies. I have babies and a husband and I don't know what I would do if anything happened to them.
My head knows that my husband is right - we're unlikely to be hurt in our house. That it's more likely we'll get hurt in a car accident. I know that. But my heart, my nerves - they don't agree. I understand now what true panic attacks are. I had to fight down rising, debilitating panic many times over the course of the night.
I know this fear, this terror, will pass. Some day I will feel safe again. I hope. But at the moment, I'm afraid to leave my house. But.. I'm also afraid to be in my house. Much of this is my penchant for worry and my extremely overactive imagination. But for now, I will be more aware. And I will hold my children tightly as frequently as they let me.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Yarn Along!
I decided to participate in the Yarn Along I've read about on several blogs. You can be a part, too. Stop by Small Things to read about it.
On the needles: two pairs of longies. Rainbow longies for the Imp and Noro longies for the Beast. Soon I'm going to have to switch to shorties. Also, I've been thinking about listing longies (in the future) on Etsy. I'm not in it to make money. I figure that eventually the boys will have enough longies, but I'm unlikely to stop knitting them. So they have to go somewhere, right? And selling them would at least keep me in yarn.. Anyway, it's a thought.
Reading: still reading The Vampire Diaries series. The television show is much better - but then, it isn't aimed at highschoolers.
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I seem to be turning into one of those bloggers that only posts for weekly "challenges" and the like. I don't want to be that person (there's nothing wrong with those people, don't get me wrong). It's just been rough finding the motivation to slough through all my photographs. I haven't even been keeping up with the Year of Good Things photos. I have been ending each day by mentally listing the good things, though. This has done wonders for my general attitude about life.
Right. On to completed projects!
"Creeper" longies! Boring, yes. But weirdly satisfying to knit. And they fit the Beast so well. I love that I've finally gotten the "pattern" down.
The Imp's doll finally has a full head of hair! My goodness this took forever (and the better part of a ball of dishcloth yarn). But I'm happy with the result - I hope he is, too.
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I bought some yarn today. Blue Sky Alpacas organic cotton. It's super soft and I can't wait to use it. I also was thrilled to find some 100% wool felt at our local Big Box Store (read: Joann's). It's a light color so I have plans to dye it. This weekend I'll be using it to make some wee peg-folk for a swap. Perhaps I'll buy some more bases and make some wee peg-folk for the boys, as well. I've been meaning to for so long. As it is, the Imp calls the doll bases "naked gnomes."
On the needles: two pairs of longies. Rainbow longies for the Imp and Noro longies for the Beast. Soon I'm going to have to switch to shorties. Also, I've been thinking about listing longies (in the future) on Etsy. I'm not in it to make money. I figure that eventually the boys will have enough longies, but I'm unlikely to stop knitting them. So they have to go somewhere, right? And selling them would at least keep me in yarn.. Anyway, it's a thought.
Reading: still reading The Vampire Diaries series. The television show is much better - but then, it isn't aimed at highschoolers.
.
.
.
I seem to be turning into one of those bloggers that only posts for weekly "challenges" and the like. I don't want to be that person (there's nothing wrong with those people, don't get me wrong). It's just been rough finding the motivation to slough through all my photographs. I haven't even been keeping up with the Year of Good Things photos. I have been ending each day by mentally listing the good things, though. This has done wonders for my general attitude about life.
Right. On to completed projects!
"Creeper" longies! Boring, yes. But weirdly satisfying to knit. And they fit the Beast so well. I love that I've finally gotten the "pattern" down.
The Imp's doll finally has a full head of hair! My goodness this took forever (and the better part of a ball of dishcloth yarn). But I'm happy with the result - I hope he is, too.
.
.
.
I bought some yarn today. Blue Sky Alpacas organic cotton. It's super soft and I can't wait to use it. I also was thrilled to find some 100% wool felt at our local Big Box Store (read: Joann's). It's a light color so I have plans to dye it. This weekend I'll be using it to make some wee peg-folk for a swap. Perhaps I'll buy some more bases and make some wee peg-folk for the boys, as well. I've been meaning to for so long. As it is, the Imp calls the doll bases "naked gnomes."
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Yarn Along!
I decided to participate in the Yarn Along I've read about on several blogs. You can be a part, too. Stop by Small Things to read about it.
I'm working on adding hair to a doll I made for the Imp last year. It's a very slow process. He asked and I comply. I took him into the bedroom and let him pick any yarn he wanted from my stash for the hair. He made his choice without any hesitation. This kid always knows exactly what he wants.
I'm also still working on longies for the Beast. We're calling the yarn "Creeper" because it reminds B and the Elf of a monster in MindCraft (a computer game they play). I'm not getting very far very fast because I've been bitten by the Spring Bug. The windows are open, the sun is shining. I want to garden and clean. Of course, I'm not getting a great deal of anything done. My mantra right now is: baby steps!
As for reading, I gave up on the last parenting book I'd gotten from the library. So I'm indulging in a young adult book. Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith. We're one episode away from being caught up with the television show (yes, guilty indulgence for after the kids go to bed at night). So far, I'm feeling old. Young adult books just seem so.. basic.. to me. Oh well.
I'm working on adding hair to a doll I made for the Imp last year. It's a very slow process. He asked and I comply. I took him into the bedroom and let him pick any yarn he wanted from my stash for the hair. He made his choice without any hesitation. This kid always knows exactly what he wants.
I'm also still working on longies for the Beast. We're calling the yarn "Creeper" because it reminds B and the Elf of a monster in MindCraft (a computer game they play). I'm not getting very far very fast because I've been bitten by the Spring Bug. The windows are open, the sun is shining. I want to garden and clean. Of course, I'm not getting a great deal of anything done. My mantra right now is: baby steps!
As for reading, I gave up on the last parenting book I'd gotten from the library. So I'm indulging in a young adult book. Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith. We're one episode away from being caught up with the television show (yes, guilty indulgence for after the kids go to bed at night). So far, I'm feeling old. Young adult books just seem so.. basic.. to me. Oh well.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Life, the Universe..
I find myself thinking "Hey, I should post about that!" frequently these days. And then life swoops along and I don't get around to it. I manage to find the time to read so many blogs - read and enjoy them. But I can't seem to set aside time to focus on my own. Blah.
As mentioned before (at least, I think I've mentioned it), I've joined Gypsy Forest in a year of good things. Not all of my good things can be or have been documented with photographs. So I thought I'd list a few of them here:
11/365: We got our tax return. Woo? This allowed us to pay off the last of our credit card debt. Woo!
12/365: My boys took me out for breakfast. Spinach and artichoke egg souffle. Yum!
13/365: We all went out for dinner (which cannot become a habit as we're already over budget for the week). Everyone ate. Everyone. The picky two year old that thinks breastmilk is all he'll ever need. The infant. The eight year old. Everyone. And there was no screaming. No crying. It. Was. Awesome.
14/365: The Beast ate part of a banana. It was the cutest thing I think I've ever seen. I took some pictures, but I'm not sure if any are non-blurry. He sat on the bed inspecting it, tentatively cramming it into his mouth, making adorable faces.
On the knitting front, I've broken my one-project-at-a-time rule. I have a "secret" project that just isn't working out, a pair of longies that reminds me of a computer game the boys play, and hair for the Imp's knitted doll. I'll have pictures tomorrow for the Yarn Along.
Life keeps moving. Let's hope I can keep up!
As mentioned before (at least, I think I've mentioned it), I've joined Gypsy Forest in a year of good things. Not all of my good things can be or have been documented with photographs. So I thought I'd list a few of them here:
11/365: We got our tax return. Woo? This allowed us to pay off the last of our credit card debt. Woo!
12/365: My boys took me out for breakfast. Spinach and artichoke egg souffle. Yum!
13/365: We all went out for dinner (which cannot become a habit as we're already over budget for the week). Everyone ate. Everyone. The picky two year old that thinks breastmilk is all he'll ever need. The infant. The eight year old. Everyone. And there was no screaming. No crying. It. Was. Awesome.
14/365: The Beast ate part of a banana. It was the cutest thing I think I've ever seen. I took some pictures, but I'm not sure if any are non-blurry. He sat on the bed inspecting it, tentatively cramming it into his mouth, making adorable faces.
On the knitting front, I've broken my one-project-at-a-time rule. I have a "secret" project that just isn't working out, a pair of longies that reminds me of a computer game the boys play, and hair for the Imp's knitted doll. I'll have pictures tomorrow for the Yarn Along.
Life keeps moving. Let's hope I can keep up!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Yarn Along - More Angry Birds!
I decided to participate in the Yarn Along I've read about on several blogs. You can be a part, too. Stop by Small Things to read about it.
I'm working on another Angry Bird. I've frogged the beak four or five times in the last twenty four hours. Sheesh. It's still not great, but I'm ready to move on (and the tail is perhaps a bit too low). I think I've finished the knitting aspects of it - just sewing and needle felting left. Next I'll be casting on the green dyed yarn for another pair of longies.
I just finished The Kensei (not impressed), picked up I'm Outnumbered (just to find it's more god-centric than I'm comfortable with), and received Altar of Bones in the mail. I'll try I'm Outnumbered for another day or two, but may have to give up on it.
I'm working on another Angry Bird. I've frogged the beak four or five times in the last twenty four hours. Sheesh. It's still not great, but I'm ready to move on (and the tail is perhaps a bit too low). I think I've finished the knitting aspects of it - just sewing and needle felting left. Next I'll be casting on the green dyed yarn for another pair of longies.
I just finished The Kensei (not impressed), picked up I'm Outnumbered (just to find it's more god-centric than I'm comfortable with), and received Altar of Bones in the mail. I'll try I'm Outnumbered for another day or two, but may have to give up on it.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Oink?
Two posts in one day?! Oh no!
The pig is finished! Also, I felted the first angry bird. Which was a mistake. It fuzzed big time. And most of the belly came off. But, I gave it a good shave andbroke three needles needle felted some more wool on. Now it's just.. very dense. Ah well. Live, learn, repeat as necessary.
(Ravelry details)
B has requested a blue bird. The Elf wants me to try a yellow one. He also wants more pigs - soldiers, kings, sleepy ones. Oy. Will I ever be free of the Angry Birds?
The pig is finished! Also, I felted the first angry bird. Which was a mistake. It fuzzed big time. And most of the belly came off. But, I gave it a good shave and
(Ravelry details)
B has requested a blue bird. The Elf wants me to try a yellow one. He also wants more pigs - soldiers, kings, sleepy ones. Oy. Will I ever be free of the Angry Birds?
Finally!
Whew! I finished these over the weekend. With a sick toddler and a total lack of sunshine I was beginning to think I'd never get pictures taken.
These are the fingerless gloves (pattern here) that I made for myself, though my husband is modeling them for me.
(Ravelry details)
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Now I'm working on a pig to go along with the angry bird. I may even have pictures later!
These are the fingerless gloves (pattern here) that I made for myself, though my husband is modeling them for me.
(Ravelry details)
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.
Now I'm working on a pig to go along with the angry bird. I may even have pictures later!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
365 and Help!
I decided to join Gypsy Forest in her "A Year of Good Things" flickr group. Being behind, as always, my year started in February. You can see my photos here.
Also, I'm on a quest. Perhaps you knitters out there can help me. I want to knit myself a sweater. Now, I live in Florida. So I'll likely make it for next winter as there's no way I'll finish one before it warms up again (so I'm not in any hurry). Right. Here's where you come in. I need a pattern. I've looked on Ravelry and found a few possibilities. Here are my criteria:
- I prefer a free pattern for obvious reasons (hi, I'm broke)
- I'd like to use worsted weight yarn
- I'm not skinny, nor a child, so it'll need larger sizes
- nothing fancy - no cables, no lace. I'm good with stockinette. Plain and boring suits my attention span just fine.
- I'd like the neck to be the style of the shirt I'm wear in this (fuzzy) picture:
Yes. So. Any suggestions? Most of the patterns I've found that I like want bulky yarn and I'm still too much of a novice to know how to work around that.
Also, I'm on a quest. Perhaps you knitters out there can help me. I want to knit myself a sweater. Now, I live in Florida. So I'll likely make it for next winter as there's no way I'll finish one before it warms up again (so I'm not in any hurry). Right. Here's where you come in. I need a pattern. I've looked on Ravelry and found a few possibilities. Here are my criteria:
- I prefer a free pattern for obvious reasons (hi, I'm broke)
- I'd like to use worsted weight yarn
- I'm not skinny, nor a child, so it'll need larger sizes
- nothing fancy - no cables, no lace. I'm good with stockinette. Plain and boring suits my attention span just fine.
- I'd like the neck to be the style of the shirt I'm wear in this (fuzzy) picture:
Yes. So. Any suggestions? Most of the patterns I've found that I like want bulky yarn and I'm still too much of a novice to know how to work around that.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Yarn Along - For Me!
I decided to participate in the Yarn Along I've read about on several blogs. You can be a part, too. Stop by Small Things to read about it.
For the first time since learning to knit, I'm making something just for me. I've been wanting this pair of fingerless gloves. So I'm finally making them - using the Brown Sheep yarn I bought on my first trip to a yarn store. I must say, I love it! How I wish I'd discovered this yarn when I first started knitting - it makes me a little sad to know that I have all of this other yarn to use before I can splurge on more yummy Brown Sheep.
Books! Last night I finished reading The Orchid Affair (book eight in the Pink Carnation series) by Lauren Willig. Today I will start The Kensei by Jon F. Merz. I received it as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. Hence it has been shuffled onto the top of my reading stack (I still haven't read Grave Goods from the library and there's another parenting book waiting for me as well).
Whee!
Please forgive the yellowness of my photograph. What with the weird light, my limited photo taking time (the Imp *loves* my camera), and my sleepiness - I just can't be bothered to tinker with it too much.
For the first time since learning to knit, I'm making something just for me. I've been wanting this pair of fingerless gloves. So I'm finally making them - using the Brown Sheep yarn I bought on my first trip to a yarn store. I must say, I love it! How I wish I'd discovered this yarn when I first started knitting - it makes me a little sad to know that I have all of this other yarn to use before I can splurge on more yummy Brown Sheep.
Books! Last night I finished reading The Orchid Affair (book eight in the Pink Carnation series) by Lauren Willig. Today I will start The Kensei by Jon F. Merz. I received it as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. Hence it has been shuffled onto the top of my reading stack (I still haven't read Grave Goods from the library and there's another parenting book waiting for me as well).
Whee!
Please forgive the yellowness of my photograph. What with the weird light, my limited photo taking time (the Imp *loves* my camera), and my sleepiness - I just can't be bothered to tinker with it too much.
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