A shoe dropped

I wish I could say more, but today a very dark cloud that had been hanging over me for several months has finally moved away.  I'm so relieved, and I just know you're happy for me.

I've started a new knitting project!  I admired a young friend's panache with scarves, and offered to knit one for him -- knowing he'd likely wear it appreciatively, which would of course be a big morale boost for me.  Now, being a dude, his color sense is shall we say on the somber side.  BUT I found several pictures of yarns available online, and he looked them over, and picked a nice variegated (mostly brown!) fingering weight.  I ordered two skeins of Knit Picks Stroll hand-painted in their "Pony Ride" colorway, meantime himself & I are putting our heads together for a pattern.  I tried cables, but they completely disappeared against the ground.  Then I showed him two patterns that were basically about texture, and he picked one.  Then came the swatching, and ripping, and more swatching, and ripping, and finally I had something that looked pretty good.  I've knit about 8" of unblocked fabric, which looks like it'll stretch to 12" when blocked.  If you're on Ravelry, you can look for my "Cowboy Morning Surf" based on Jackie ES's Morning Surf. 

I worked in the ends on my Every Way Wrap, but still don't have the buttons in place.  And I've taken some steps to get a "care box" sent off to Texas, for the nieces & Sis. 

One last bit of good news: The Plaidman has a part-time job!  and it's very close to home, only about 1.25 miles away.  He'll still draw his Social Security, and his little pension, but with the additional funds from his job we just might be able to get the Innerwebs at home again.

I found another really good blog to peruse, check out The Bloggess -- but not at work!  Just  sayin', she's often NSFW.  But hysterical. 

Whew...

The Plaidman's first SS deposit has finally hit the bank.  Who in their right mind decides to retire, but wait a quarter year before replacing their paycheck?  Why, that would be the Plaidman, of course!  And who would make a sudden and unilateral decision to retire without drawing a pension or SS for three months, without even consulting the spouse who'll be expected to just pick up the slack?  I know!  It's Plaidman!  Showing off his usual attitude of complete disregard for his own family, what a surprise (not).  A few days ago he was spouting off about dudes who put themselves first, how that wasn't at all manly in his opinion, and then he looks over at me like I'm going to give him an "Amen".  I got up, went over to him and told him that he didn't want to hear what I'd like to say about his preachin'.  He got real quiet at that. 
I have started working the edging for Dolly Blankie #3, which will be the last of the doll blankets.  Sorry, Princess; I just can't spend anymore of my knitting time on these things.  Anyway, I've decided to make a rather plain edge of stockinette, striped and with slip stitches for a bit of color change.  Knit on!

Inhale...exhale, repeat

The Plaidman & I discussed his sudden & unilateral decision to retire.  So, he now understands the stress I've been dealing with for the past quarter year, and he did offer some explanation and an apology.  Amazingly,I feel better, even though nothing has actually changed. 
Plaidman & Disco went to a job fair earlier in the week, and it's possible she'll get hired for (drumroll, please) Web design!!  Which is what she studied at the community college, and actually has a degree for, so WOOOT!  And clap if you believe in fairies. 

Almost Done

Woo-Hoo!  I've finished all the knitting on the Every Way Wrap! 
I should block it (lightly -- cables & ribs shouldn't be blocked too severely), work in the ends, and sew on the two buttons.  I have some leaf-shaped buttons in a light green, which are of the size suggested in the pattern.  But, hmmm, I'm not sure they're exactly right.  I have a slough of toggle buttons, in a couple of sizes, but I was thinking I'd use some of those for the 2nd EWW -- and I don't want them to have the same buttons.  Decisions, decisions. 
Princess T's two hats have been washed & blocked:

First is the "World Domination Beret", so named for the oceanic blue, woodsy green and earthy browns.

Next up, the "Gumball Factory Explosion" just 'coz that's what it looks like!

Another bit of good news (like hen's teeth, it is):  I've lost another two pounds!  I can't help but think of that cartoon of the zebra, looking around to see it's stripes falling off it's backside, with a caption,"I think it's stress!" 
I have finished two cotton washcloths, and have another in work--nothing fancy, just knit & purl variations, but they look nice.  I did a swatch for the Summer Solstice KAL, but haven't done anymore on it.  Just can't quite get into it while I'm hung up on washcloths.
The Plaidman looked thru the last Knit Picks catalog, and picked out two colors of the City Tweed HW that he liked well.  One is the Orca, and the other was grey too, just darker.  Anyway, the Orca went on sale on their site, so I got that.  I've been thinking about a ribbed cardigan that was part of a free download from IK, only I'd like to add some cables to the front & sleeves. 

White carnations

Plaidman will wear a white flower in his lapel next Mother's Day.  His mom, our own dear Betty, passed away the Sunday before last.  Plaidman & I embarked on a brutal 9.5 hour drive up to her home -- we had to drive straight thru, instead of our usual stop halfway, as we didn't have the means to let a motel room.  We packed a cooler, and ate from it for the day.  There was major construction almost every 20 miles all along the way.  The next day was the funeral & interment.  We visited with relatives we hadn't seen since Plaidman's dad passed, 10 years ago.  There was a pretty good turnout, more than his baby sister had thought would show up.  Of course, neither of us remembered to bring the camera.  I've got cell phone pictures, which are surprisingly decent photos.  A lot of the family went to the Golden Corral(!My first time in one!) for a luncheon after, and we had to spend a little of our puny bank balance -- but how often do we get to spend time with these folks?  Then it was back to Mom's the sisters' house for a while, then we went over to the Brother of Plaid's home & spent the night, before leaving for another 9.5 hour drive home (with the repacked cooler, no overnight stop).  Whew!  I was about wiped out Friday.  But I did a good bit of work on the EWW during the drive, finishing the last repeat of the cable pattern.  Slowly but surely I will make this wrap!  Only now I'm distracted by, of all things, cotton washcloths.  And I'm about to start Wendy's Summer Solstice KAL -- I have the Cascade Heritage Sock yarn in my stash, and spent $2 for the pattern.  Not sure if I'll like the finished shawl, but hey -- it could be a gift-knit.

I've commented on Fleegle's blog re: the student spindle.  Maybe she'll come into town again on 6/18/12 for Ann Shayne's book launch party!  Oh, it's not a knitting book -- Ann's written a novel!  Go on Amazon & you can take a peek.  I would like to go -- I wonder if I can get there from work, without too much hassle?  Nashville traffic being what it is, which is generally insane: half the folks on the road appear to have found their licenses in Cracker Jack boxes.

Round and round

When my employer (hereafter referred to as "Box 'O Docs" or BoD) changed their payroll processor several pay periods ago, they stopped taking the insurance correctly.  Plaidman's coverage was dropped, but not by me!  It's taken weeks of wrangling with the insurance & payroll liasons, but they've finally admitted it was their error.  He's been covered again, but only until the next time we have to sign up for insurance -- seems his change in status (the retirement) isn't a valid reason to put him on our plan, if he wasn't already on it.  And I still don't know if or how the difference in premiums for those weeks when his coverage wasn't being paid, will be deducted from my check.  So, last night, I let the Plaidman know in no uncertain terms that he was really stupid to retire without checking into such things as our financial status & plans, and possible effects on his health insurance coverage.  I really laid into him.  But who takes such a big step without looking first?  Oh yeah, I forgot the family motto, "Any fool can do it the easy way."  I sure hope he likes catfood.
I'm rather glad May is ending, this has been an expensive month what with Plaidman's travel, Mother's Day, and Disco's birthday.  Next up: the Plaidman's birthday followed (very quickly!) by Father's Day.  After that, we have our 35th wedding anniversary, which I expect will be a total dud -- we won't have enough cashola for much celebrating, and the "free (as in "best things in life") type of celebration is just not happening -- not on my watch anyway.
ETA: This post kinda got lost in the shuffle--but I'll put it out there today, 6/13/12

Good weekend

Disco & I made it out to Dickson yesterday.  The sign at the entrance said the fiber fair started at noon, we got there a bit after 10 a.m. and it was already getting busy!  Fiber-folk don't want to sleep in on festival days!  We both fondled lots of pretty yarn & fibers, and flipped through lots of interesting books.  I had a tote bag with my newest acquisitions from The Haus of Yarn, picked up Thursday evening:  a few ounces of Corriedale dyed red, and a hi-lo drop spindle by Schact (did I spell that right?).  I was wanting to see if I could begin to understand drafting before taking Fleegle's class (Yes, THAT Fleegle!) at the festival.  And yeah, maybe getting the fiber & spindle the night before was rather last minute.  I did try to get them from Bliss Yarns earlier in the week, but they hadn't either in stock.  Anywhoo, I got to meet & spend some time with Fleegle -- and I did say I'd buy her Supported Spindling book, but that will have to wait until the next payday.  The class was good, and I did learn more about spindling in general and supported spindling in particular.  Supported spindling seems so much easier than drop spindling!  And Fleegle's class materials included a supported spindle & some nice combed roving for each student, so now I have two spindles!  Disco wanted to go out there again today, but it cost us a quarter tank of gas to get there & back, and the pay just won't stretch that far again.  Either she or the Plaidman must get some work and try to bring some more income into Chez Plaid.  Disco had her display, cards, and lots of stitchmarkers and even found a spot to sit in & try to sell a few -- I'm real surprised nobody chased her off.  She says she'd like to get a booth at the fair next year.  I don't think she realizes how much product she'd have to have on hand to fill a booth.  But maybe she could find someone that will sell her a corner of their booth?  I suppose she'd have to get in touch with Three Creeks Farm, the organisers for this little shindig. 
In knitting news, I have been slipping in a few rows at a time, a couple of times a day, on the Every Way Wrap (aka the world's slowest wrap).  The end is nearly in sight.  Will I actually finish it before the weather turns again?  I'd suggest against holding your breath.  Also I finished the second hat for Princess T, but still haven't blocked it.  That would be a good mini-project for the weekend, no?  So, I must run off to chores and then to the fun stuff (blocking, spinning, knitting?).  TTFN!