In which I'm up to date

The hands on retreat didn't go off as planned; the moderator ran off with the funds!! Lynne and I still spent a weekend yarn shopping and hanging out. Here's a rundown of my summer:

1. Enrolled in University of Phoenix to complete a BA in English Lit. I may continue on to a MA in Adult Education. I hope this improves my writing skills in terms of creativity!!

2. This leaves little time to knit so I've been working on the same 3 projects all summer.

3. Husband Mike is still laid off but taking 2 classes at WCC. However, he still needs to do some housework and cut the grass, yet he won't do a thing until I start on the jobs. sigh.

4. Favorite friend Debbie retired; this gives me a place to runaway to and also teach her the wonderfulness of 2 socks on 2 circs.

5. Boss is still moody, making the job miserable for all of us.

But I'm looking forward to fall and Indian summer with the fall colors. I will grab a knitty friend and run off with them.

2010 Hands on Retreat

I am giddy! I never know what it meant to be giddy, but I'm that. May 14th I will be heading to Chicago, a favorite town, with Lynne, knitting pal/sister I always wanted to join a Sheraton Hotel full of other knitters. This will be my first retreat and many more will follow!
The Hands-On retreat teaches knitting and crocheting gloves and mittens. I'm good with mittens and can knit them blindly. However, fingers always presented problems. I follow the guide in "Handy Book of Patterns" but my gloves are always too short or just weird. Yes, I do my swatch like a good little knitter. So this retreat will hopefully solve many of my problems.

Lynne and I have been discussing taking a class or traveling to yarn shops but the plans never took flight. I remember holing up with her in my parents loft in Hillman while she taught me some basic quilting. I had a blast and really treasured that time.

I'm also picturing loads of knitters in the hotel lounge after hours!! I haven't decided on my drink yet. I'm hoping with can cruise en masse to the Cheesecake Factory! Heaven!

coolness

This is awesome! Windows 7 has a gadget that I can use to post!! Just a handy little thing! If only they would create one to make some coffee. I'll check my Mac.

Really bad Becky-idea

I have quite a few.....it begins with an idea about which I'm way over excited. I plow ahead completely forgetting to write it down, perhaps a little flowcharting or drawing the plan. Nope no plan.

This past spring I decided to mainly plant seeds. Lots of them. The packets are just buy 2 get 1 free at Meijer. I bought morning glory, sweet pea, and a couple other vining plants that I can't recall. I dug a trench around my wishing well thinking that I would have lovely trailing vines growing on it. Then it just left my mind. I watched the seedling grow never thinking to thin them out. The resulting blob is to the right.

We had a hot, muggy spell so when it cooled down a bit I artfully trimmed around the bottom of the well and tried to thin this out. I've yet to see any flowers. I'll check the back...

This is bad....

Not what I envisioned...

Hopefully the rain will quit by the time I get home so I can "pose" my finished projects and take some pix.

till then....

just want to go home and knit

We Michiganers have been so spoiled this year; temps in low 80's, not much rain. Perfect for sitting outside and knitting. Life has been over hectic, past my comfort level of stress, but I have completed many of my projects! With Mike laid off it seemed the sensible thing to do.....finish what I have sitting around. No yarn trips for me!! yea, if I hit the LYS or Joanns with Mike in tow, I walk out with at least $50 in sock yarn. But I'm determined to finish the 5 + sock projects, my steeked blazer that just needs the sleeves, and possibly even Daves sweater that I've been working on and off for the last 4 years.

I have however, discovered that I can knit in a traffic jam. By keeping my travel sock in my lap, I'm able to knit and creep up a bit. I did it twice so far and was immensly proud.

Catching up

Time to get this blog rolling again! The year has been insane; nonstop! I'm currently taking a writing class to improve my skills and make my writing somewhat more exciting.

Panic in Redford

Oh no oh no oh no, I misplaced Pauls sock project. Please tell me it's not laying in the rain in the driveway. It's in a ziplock so it should be safe as long as no one tries to wear them. They won't get far on 2 circs.

Caylees knitting along quite well on her own. She loves to knit for baby sis Laura and has caught the knitting addiction early on....."just one more row" turned into most of the night one weekend. She is now working on a shawl with some Rowan Kidsilk that Aunt Becky couldn't resist buying her. To really appreciate knitting you must work with something yummy and divine!!! This is such a pretty picture of her . Here is the Lovely Laura modeling the final result.

This has been the year of most of my friends falling ill with horridous illnesses, while we are remaining healthy but the house and vehicles are not. The milestone b-day money I was hoping to spend on an ipod will be going to new tires.....funny how they both cost the same!! It has been an adventure sliding thru intersections this winter. Ok hon looks like I'm carpooling, which is good, more knitting time for me.

Perhaps I'll stop by Caylees and see where she is on her shawl! Get my dose of happiness!