Snowbirds are returning

Knitting: I figured out what I was doing wrong and now have 1 elf slipper almost done. Need to re-read the directions as DH has been hogging the comp lately. Forgot where I was on the peach shawl and did an extra row. Did another set on the blue scarf, it is now 1/3 done. Allright now is the time to disclose yarn shopping. Did go to Joannes yesterday and bought 4 skeins of yarn to make my Hufflepuff shawl. Also got embroidery and tapestry needles. Forgot the pattern- oh well. I did buy some cute pink and butterfly material for Bumpkins. Had to confiscate it after she fell asleep otherwise she would have taken it to daycare today as a blanket. Been thinking about other non-knitting projects that I need to get done. (even before reading Ami's blog).
Here are my summer non-knitting goals:

1. keep plants watered and weeded
2. harvest rhubarb and currants and strawberries
3. conquer garden
4. work on counted cross stitch cross
5. finish Bumpkins doll quilt
6. June's goal- find quilt material for mom's wall hanging
7. July cut and sew mom's wall hanging
8. August quilt and enter into fair said wall hanging
9. make a scrap quilt for July
10. find blue wool for DH's scarf
11. Finish one unfinished sewing project a week.
12. Sew some clothes up for Bumpkins
    
13. POP my bubble on what I want to do vs. what I can actually achieve.

So that about sums up what I have unrealistically set myself up for. Besides regular chores of cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, recreation and taking care of family.

Bumpkins sleep is all over the place again. She went down tonight around 730 pm. early- what is a mom to do when child sleeps that early? Ahhh finally I can blog and knit. I am so anxious to finish this shawl- I am so borrreeeddd with it. But refuse to pull it off the needles or even buy another needle. So onward I go. I can't sew because, Bumpkins will wake up.
Tomorrow starts summer break out at the pool, slide and all. My summer hours aren't all that great. Tuesday through Thursday 7:30 -12:30 and Fridays 12-5, I hate open swim. The kids don't listen, we are a drop off babysitting place. And I am quite sure OSHA noise levels are exceeded. Oh well, I better work on swim lesson plans tomorrow and it looks like it is take Bumpkins to work later tomorrow night.
Tuesday there was a lady that winters in Kentucky at the pool. She said that she has a small farm in Kentucky. Ok in my book 30 acres isn't small, what I would do w/that much acreage. Horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, fruits and veggies galore. Tomatoes grown outside, corn, beans, eggplant, peppers, real apples, plums, grapes (wine) peaches, pears the list could get very long. But the summers would kill me- way to HOT!!! Hmmm... commuting wouldn't be to bad, trailer the animals, have someone caretake the garden. Oh well my life is wonderful here. The hooligan are running, salmon not far behind. Lynx in my backyard, Eagles overhead everyday, very few neighbors. No tornado's. Need a passport to drive out of state. Ahh.. the good life.
Am reading a very good book, (wish I had started it sooner as I have to return it on Monday) Mothering your Nursing Toddler. It explains so much, right down to her tooth decay and super independence and I am only on page 48, 240 more pages to go.
Brats, baked beans and salsa salad for dinner again tonight. Gotta get off of this brawt kick as I am putting weight on. Hot dog buns were $.25 for 8 great deal. Darn I was at the store and forgot pilot bread for work. I want some kind of bread that won't go bad to fast. And well pilot bread it is did get marmalade though.. yumm.

Rainy and cloudy warm (60's) kind of day. Leaves are out on the apple tree- no blossoms yet. The currant bush looks like the moose hit it really hard over the winter will see how that recovers. Rhubarb needs to be picked- I forgot jell-o to make jelly, guess I forgot sugar too. So much for shopping w/o a list.

May showers

Knitting: None done today, yesterday lots. I am very close to finishing the Sarah Blanche Shawl just 1 1/2 sets to go. Did a couple of sets on the Sarah Blanche Scarf yesterday and will wonders never cease I discovered what I was doing wrong w/the elf slippers. Now I need to go to Jo-Annes and get several new tapestry/darning needles. I lost mine somewhere, on the floor and I don't have a clue as to where. The cat is probably playing hockey w/it.
Jo-annes shopping list

1. more yarn- yellow eyelash and black acrylic, some other yellow and black would be nice too.
2. Embroidery needles
3. dress pattern
   
4. I bet I missed the big Memorial Day sale. Bummer.

In other news.... Bumpkins is back in our bed. Planted seeds at 11:00 pm last night- it was still light out. Woo hoo. Bumpkins got up at 7:30 this am and stayed up. I was super tired, she didn't get to sleep until 10:30 last night, so I was up late doing stuff. Was Supervisor tonight- that was fun-but made for a long day (9 hr shift). I am so glad that I had a great crew to work with, one could have showed a lot more initiative though. That is teens for you.

It is still light out (11:30) and I am tired am comes early around here. Though not as early as next week.

Memorial Sunday

Knitting: I made and frogged 2 swatches last night. Will re-do one to determine proper gauge. Sewed together and ripped out elf slippers, I am either not seeing how they go together our the pattern is just not explaining it right. Bumpkins is so cute, she will go and find her yarn and needles so she can knit too. It keeps her out of mine. I knit 4 rows on my Sarah Blanche shawl- I now know why I don't do afghans. I am bored w/this and want it done. Possibly after this set I will finish even though the original pattern calls for 8 sets not 3.

Great Athena keeps walking all over the keyboard and erasing what I have typed and moving the cursor.
This morning we went to church (don't remember what the sermon was about, but Bumpkins did very well). Potluck and we brought Mac and cheese, so did someone else though. Ours was better cause it was kraft. Bumpkins played outside tonight as I planted seeds. My sunflowers, some clarkia, and marigolds are done. Soaking are canary bird vine, nastis, morning glory, sweet pea. I should have some interesting pots this year. And I have 2 more containers than last year. I weeded out 1/2 a flower bed. Chives are a weed. Bumpkins chased the dog around trying to force the dog to eat and drink. Poor dog- she couldn't run away. We have tied her behind up for the summer- no more free running until it drops to 0. I am tired of her not coming when called, bringing home trash, rolling in fish guts, and harassing the people walking on the road. That is the dog. I call her Girl- because one of the teens named her Spaz. Hmmm.. I wonder how Missy would work. Mom got to Kazul's safely and I think w/luggage. Will wonders never cease.
Dinner tonight Bratwursts, corn on cob and baked beans. Dessert papaya enzymes. Well I am off to bed, have to start getting up early. More weaning in store for us all.

Memorable Saturday

Knitting: CO and frogged a tank top for Bumpkins. I had wrong chenille and wrong needles. The chenille that I have is thick and chunky not cotton (big difference). Will find something fun to knit tonight, probably something from my summer to do list. I have a new friend in cyber space, it was so cool to have someone read this.

What made today so wonderful? Well last night Bumpkins slept in her crib all night!!! She did wake up around 4, but did go back to sleep after rocking. When she woke up at 7, I brought her into our bed and around 9 she woke up wet. She must have been sleeping really hard. We then went out to Grouchy Old Woman's B&B to help Trish get ready for some guests. Bumpkins did great. We then went to visit mum before she left, helped clean up there as well. Then it was a scramble to find a sitter, found one and then DH and I went to the movie Pirates 3. It was a very good movie- can't wait for it to come out on DVD. Bumpkins didn't get to eat very well today- so it will be a long night for us. I will boost my calorie intake right now to make up for her loss. DH got a new guitar today (he sold some music equipment to buy this.) Oh well maybe it is a self sustaining hobby- unlike knitting or sewing.

Weather today was in the 60's and nice. I better go water plants and soak seeds then I go knit now.

Another nice day

Knitting: Yes I did some. Took the scarf into graduation w/me and knitted a lot. Discovered that one of my knitting library books was way overdue. Have to take it to work w/me and xerox pages out of it.

I found this over on My Knitting and Me and just had to have a go.
Edit the list, bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you're not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
ShawlStockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe- up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino Knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cottonKnitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Graduation tonight was fun. I didn't spend much family time today. But I sat w/ Mrs. Kendall, Ms. Shields, Ms. Lehl and said the names of the kids as they walked by. The class was very small- 20 are missing due to graduating at other schools, dropouts, and possible next year graduates. I saw a friend of mine that I haven't seen for almost 5 yrs. Hopefully we can stay in touch now.

Closed the pool at 6 tonight, I helped a lot w/cleaning so not much was needed to be done. Joey recommended that I go in and get checked out since I am still experiencing dizziness. DH thinks that I just don't eat right and that is causing my dizziness.

Well I am off to bed to sleep. Today got very nice out- I wish that I could have enjoyed the outdoors more. Tomorrow I shall.

Blogged 2 days in a row!

Knitting: Nothing today. Did put Blue Prayer Scarf in van today- so now have some portable knitting. Surfed across this site today. Skeins her way is having a summer contest- could be a lot of fun.
So what are my summer knitting Goals?

1. Finish Sarah Blanche Prayer Shawl - Peach 1/2 way done
2. Finish Sarah Blanche Prayer Scarf- Blue 1/3 done
3. Legwarmers/pants- not cast on (making pattern up as I go)
   
4. shawl/ shrug/ wrap- for me not cast on (Have to find pattern again)
   
5. Skirt - in Lullaby
   
6. Tank top - in Lullaby to match skirt (must go yarn shopping!!)
7. Some kind of tote bag using denim strips
8. Finish elf slippers - just need seams
9. And for stash busting yarn using my yellow and black for something not sure what. Just might combine 4 w/9. Gotta go shopping!!!
10. DH's blue wool scarf for Christmas need pattern and wool. Yeah more surfing and shopping!!
    

Enough of the knitting, Fred pulled out a white not gray hair out of my head today. I refuse to go white yet. It was coarser and thicker then the rest of my hair, not to mention it really hurt. Kenai had graduation tonight- tomorrow is Nikiski. Today was the last day of school and rainy. DH and I were by ourselves tonight (besides bumpkins). Planted Black eyed susan vine seeds today while Bumpkins played in the puddles. Came inside after she sat down in the dirt/mud. Had pizza for dinner- bumpkins requested it. Actually it sounded more like Peaches, her point was made when she tried to pull the frozen pizzas out of the freezer. I would have preferred a better quality pizza (safeway frozen pizzas are gross.) Well gotta' go eat something and do laundry.

Another week is gone

Knitting: these are the Dumbledore socks that I gave mum for Mother's Day. It took forever to finish one and then forever to post both of them. They are done on 5 dpn w/acrylic remnants. 7 different colors. The red is done in ribbing, followed by white spiral, blue denim is drop stitch, 2 eyelash rows, 1 light blue garter, denim variegated, finally gray. The toes are kichnered. The socks don't match (one is bigger then the other). Mum likes them and is wearing them as house socks. I have finished all the squares for the elf slippers (the squares aren't square either). I keep casting on and frogging leg warmers for Bumpkins- I decided to make leg warmers. She goes to daycare and at 9 it is still kind of chilly out, this way she can wear shorts/ dresses and as the day gets warmer take the legs off.

The swallows are back, my plants aren't potted or started. Setting out is next weekend. I am still working long hours at the pool. Last week I did 29.5 and this week already 12.5, and 15 more to go. I am having a lot of nightmares again- must be job related. When I wasn't working I didn't have as many nightmares now some nights I have 3. I didn't sleep good last night- no night mares that I can recall. Just saw a lot of numbers on the clock. 12, 1, 4 and 5 finally got up around 5:30.

Well off to sleep as I am falling asleep typing this.

where do the days go?

Knitting? nothing today. Did get a pic. of the Dumbledore socks- will post that one sometime. Am on the last 1/2 of the elf slippers. Not sure what to make next. Almost bored w/knitting. Guess I need an easy project or another pair of socks.
Work is going well. I am supposed to only be working 20 hrs. but today I did 10 1/2. Two big school groups. Bumpkins was still up when I got home at 11.
Thing two was in jail last night, Princess is having car troubles- when she got her tires swapped last fall a lug nut was broken. So now she has to get that fixed and a brake job. Horses and bikes are so much easier.
Mother's day was nice. We went to Brunch at the Senior Center then hung out at home. I made pork chops, corn on the cob, potato salad, green salad and key lime bars. Nana came over. We watched riding in the car w/boys (sad movie) and 5 people who you meet in Heaven (very good).
Dandelions are blooming and tonight was 50 degrees when I got home. Great night to go camping. But back to the rat race tomorrow.

mid week catch up

Knitting- still working on the house elf slippers. Am starting the last square- but when I measured the other finished squares. I discovered that they weren't true squares, I missed about 3 rows. hope that it does work out.

Monday night went to a La Leche meeting. Very interesting- several people are still nursing their 2 yr. olds.

I am going to be trained to do some Supervisory duties. Mixed feelings on that one.
Bumpkin went to daycare yesterday- rough time adjusting back. She was up until after 11.
The leaves on the trees are starting to pop out- almost planting time. Well I had better go water plants.

May is here and DH has temp. work

I am a bad blogger.
Knitting going well... have 1 1/2 squares left to do on the elf slippers. Then I can make them in my size. Still haven't gotten the colors for the hat and shawl. Thought that I could go stash busting at my mom's no such luck as of yet.

Weather has been so warm.. I went bike riding a couple of days ago. Very sore bum- may go again tomorrow. Also still need to plant seeds.
Did an awful lot of cleaning today. Tomorrow is a day for me- knitting, riding, sewing, planting/ pruning and swimming. Knitting at 10 until about 1130. Get home and go riding. After nap yard work- swimming at 6. Hmmm.... maybe we will go shopping at my mom's tomorrow after swimming.
I have been working a lot of hours at the pool, so tired. And Bumpkins wont' go down until almost 11. I need to turn her sleep cycle around, this week up at 8 for both of us. She goes to daycare next week- DH has temp work. A lot falls down to me again. Laundry, supper, grocery shopping and cleaning.
Tomorrow breakfast- eggs, sausage, sweet rolls, oranges and orange juice. gotta go find a good sweet roll recipe.