Whatta Weekend

My sweet girl needs your prayers and/or most positive thoughts/vibes/karma. She has gone down a more challenging and trialsome path than most anyone would intentionally choose. She is struggling and needs all the help she can get and then some.
It is said that God takes care of children and fools - I pray that this is true and thus she is the best hands possible.

My mind has been on her and while I have been desperate for distraction, my heart was not fully on baseball and I had poor games on both Friday night and this afternoon. Fortunately the teams pulled through with a win and a tie respectively.

I made some visible progress on my Châtelaine mandala.


It was restful stitching. Almost ready to start the specialty stitch flowers!

I have also managed to get near to finishing Romi's Mysterious Shawl, especially while doing an epic laundry this morning.



I have had my Under Armor slides for going on 5 years; they owed nothing.


Sportchek had a sale on sandals, so I went in to see what was on offer. The young man who offered assistance suggested that Nike and UA might not be incl in the sale. "Seriously??? Given that 2/3 of your sandals are Nike & UA, what kind of sale is this?" Needless to say, my 2^nd pair was indeed 50% off. Then I had to have them refund the difference of $34.99 to $29.99 on my Fitbit Flex bracelets. It was my day, monetarily anyway.

Lee made burgers and I've been having some lovely drinks. Tomorrow morning may be a struggle.

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Romi Mystery Shawl Spoiler

Friday was a struggle, but that's alright. By the end of the day I chose to not take any Rx, clear my head and body a bit. I worked some on Romi's Mystery Shawl. I'm not sure about the colour. it's lighter IRL


A darker colour will get worked in later on (this is Clue 2 of 5). It just seems quite pastel. I know, but like baby pastel. I'm keeping on knitting as I'm hoping that the darker colour will help some of the coloured bits in the the Dream in Color Smooshy pop. But I am reserving final judgement and might still use the lighter Wollmeise


(on the far right in the pic).

I slept for 12 hours. Between the constant pain (in varying degrees), and the drugs, my body is exhausted. My choice today has been to accept the pain. Easier when I can just relax (kind of) and knit through it. Not having to deal with people makes it easier to bear as well.

Still working with the hand-pleasing Loft from Brooklyn Tweed. Secret Project. You know.

Enjoying, as ever, the garter stitch. Especially in the variegated CEY Liberty Wool.


I do like the redo better; the colours seem to lay nicer. I know, sounds crazy, but there it is.

Amanda came over for a couple of days to hell with the puppies & Toby. Lee went on an impromptu drive to Boston. He misses the sea.





Don't worry, I explained about Oceans & Seas ... Amanda & I coloured (I bought her her own Enchanted Forest and colouring pencils) and had a lovely time. I should have taken a pic of her colouring - we have very different styles. She walked dogs and fetched bagels - a good daughter.

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Changes

Yesterday I went to pick up Amanda for a visit and it was also errand day.
We had cheesy bread from Domino's; our addiction.





We saw a Doberman (?) puppy with his ears being trained.




We couldn't decide if it was cruel, but the dog didn't seem bothered and the pointy, stand-up ears are a halal of the breed.
Then Costco. please feel free to remind me randomly of the folly, nay, insanity, of going to Costco on a Saturday. Although it was totally worth it for the rotisserie chickens! I also picked up an OPI mini pack.



Have I mentioned how much I love OPI?? ;) I don't know what seasoning they use or how they do it, but their rotisserie chickens are the most flavorful and moist I have ever had.
And after the debacle of the Alfredo sauce the other night, I had to have a 2^nd go at it. with real, freshly grated Parmesan I was still not 100% pleased - didn't thicken up right and still too salty for my taste - but Amanda declared, "... I'd eat it with a spoon!", so, success.
I used the sauce to bake manicotti with the Costco chicken and that was a unanimous two thumbs up from both of us!




Then Amanda set to building a cabinet.











I had plans for rearranging the living room, she had ideas and after some frustrations with the construction of the HomeTrends cabinet (calling customer service tomorrow!!), she went right to town. I don't have before pics, but here is what I came out to this morning!!

She suffers from insomnia, but made excellent use of it last night!! So fine tuning to go, but I was so impressed! This child can do anything that she sets her mind to! <3


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still knitting

So begins November. 

 I finally finished Rockefeller!!! I know ... but I was working on the skirt but then I got yarn for Seanair and I just wanted to finish something in the midst of so many WIP. So ...












And I have Seanair (the link is to the Ravelry page as the errata is noted there. There is no indication of the errata on the Knitty page - unless I totally missed it which is entirely possible) well under way. I'm not sure how I feel about the alpaca with this pattern though - the fuzziness of the yarn is obscuring the stitch definition some. The 50 Shades of Grey variegation is subtle enough that I don't think that that is an issue. Hmmmm ... what do you think?

Most accurate representation of colour & texture

I had my annual breast MRI on Tuesday - I actually fell asleep during it and the start of the last scan woke me up with such a start that the poor tech thought that there was a problem. I also got my flu shot. I am around so many diseased and disease carrying people that, especially never having had any issues resulting from it, I always get it.
Completely unrelated, I am fighting off a low-grade cold. Pounding back vitamin C and tea laced with lemon & ginger infused honey. A combination of knitting & napping will be the agenda for the rest of the day.

Kyle is doing his own thing ... learning life lessons as young men will.

Amanda is very happy with a nice young man - he is lovely to her and they are exponentially adorable together.

Wins

The Spiders won again!!! Our time of 5:53:34 was sufficient and a half hour faster than the 2^nd place team. Here's a link to the official results.






The Relay for Life was awesome - the weather was perfect, not overly cold overnight, not the dewiest we've knit through and experiencing it as a Survivor for the first time was very special. Thank you to all of my supporters - you were all with me in spirit!!!





Amanda has graduated from Grade 8! It was a lovely evening, she was (as if there was any doubt, last minute beauty emergencies notwithstanding) beautiful and her teacher made a wonderful DVD montage of the year for all of the graduates. I am so proud of her and can't believe that my baby is going to be in high school in the fall.







I am almost done the Wollmeise cami for Elise. I love how the straps are rainbow striping!!

I'm going to be at The Needle Emporium on the 9sup>th of July so if you're in the area pop in & say "hey".

All About the Feet

The pink Lang socks are done. It took way longer than it should have but I've been a bit distracted and that's also what happens when I don't have a deadline.
I have started on a new pair of socks for Elise - I'll try to take a completely useless picture tomorrow.

Amanda turned her ankle in gym on Friday. I gave her ibuprofen, had her put it up & ice it. It was still to sore for her to really bear weight on it on Saturday so we went to the ER. 5 hours later she had plaster splint as a precautionary support. Even though the X-ray revealed nothing broken the ankle was so tender that the nice Dr. thought that she may have bruised her growth plates, which wouldn't show up on an X-ray as they are cartilage. We're going to see our family doc tomorrow to follow up and see whether it's better or what. Really hoping for better - crutching it is hard on both of us!! LOL

I've done 15 of 33 radiation treatments. There is definitely a tan going on in that quadrant and my scars are getting itchy and feeling a bit burnt. I think that the Dr. thought that I was a little deranged - I told him that it was a good thing that I started tanning up because I was starting to think that I was in some secret double blind study and was getting the placebo rays. He actually checked something on the computer screen and said (in all seriousness) that I was definitely getting the regular radiation treatments. I laughed and said that I know that now because there's side effects; if there was no physical evidence of radiation exposure how would they know? Then I said that I was still waiting for my super power to manifest itself. Poor guy, he's young and wasn't sure what to say - he'll get used to me!!

Mitten Mania '10

So here is a better shot of the new jacket & hat - nice bright colours on the jacket. And yes, she is looking a bit happier!! Apparently green is her new favourite colour.



Mitten Mania '10 has started strong and Amanda is very pleased!! She loves the matching/opposite colour combination. I use the mitten template in Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns - I like the sizing and the template covers an excellent range of gauge and sizes. Totally an investment that will pay off quickly!!

I'm sure that the Mania '11 may be mittens - as much as I (and every other mother) hopes that the coat will span 2 seasons, it is more likely than not that there will need to be another jacket with totally different colours.

I haven't had a DVD player in the living room for awhile and watching movies on the laptop was getting old. I finally bit the bullet and went shopping. I had decided that I really wanted a blu-ray player - they've come down in price enough and blu-ray discs are not nearly as expensive as they used to be. I got it set up (with some initial assistance from Amanda) and while it should have been easier, I sorted out the firmware (it's okay ... I giggle at that word every time!!!) upgrade and have Netflix running through it. I'm feel invincible!!! I bought Inception and The Last Airbender (based on the Avatar anime series which I watched in prep for getting the movie), both of which should be most excellent on blu-ray!!!

I got meds for the additional pain with cautions about taking days off when the pain isn't "so bad" as a precaution against addiction. Okay, I know that it happens but seriously ... the pain is caused by chemo which is going to end. Can we just be more concerned with pain management right now? Fortunately I do have days with less pain and I wouldn't be popping Percs every 4 hours every day anyway ... I have to drive sometimes and, more crucially, it would probably throw off my gauge.

I have one toenail hanging on by a band aid and another one that is going to come off at some point. I stubbed them, they bruised up within 5 minutes and they are going to fall off - this is probably the nail damage that they are hoping to head off by having me soak my hands in ice during the Taxotere treatments. Okay - I'm super happy that my hands are protected but I am a clumsy white woman ... why not pack my feet in ice too?!? I'm definitely going to ask about it for the last treatment. I know, it's a bit like closing the barn door after the horses are out, but I obviously need all the help that I can get!!

Plus Ca Change

So I knit both of the On the Easy Side sweaters in the previous post - the Sweet Spot hit reliably at the 40 st point on the sleeves and at that repeat # in the body of the colourful version. On my current sweater it hit at 36 sts on the sleeve - why? I think that it's because I'm using Susan Bates needles instead of the Signature Needles that I used on the other two - my Sigs are being used for China Clouds & I'm loathe to change needles mid-project. Also because of the stiletto tip on the Sigs and my tendency to knit off of the tips I tend to knit tighter on them. I love this sweater so much because of the way the Sweet Spot hits in the body of and shows off the Koigu Kersti so well and that is entirely reliant on the #of sts in the body and I'm doing the M so it's the perfect repeat for a 40st Sweet Spot!!!

So ... I'm already on a 4.5mm (SB) needle and the gauge/fabric is lovely but I tried going up to a 5mm to see if that would work out - too loose and the patterning was too thin (I'm picky ... it's one of my many lovable quirks). Now it's a matter of adjusting the # of sts on the body to hit a 36st repeat. OMG - this is all of the scratching that I did trying to work that out, in addition to having a calculator almost overheating!! I'm going to blame it on the chemo (I will blame as much on treatment as I can) - my brain is totally addled lately!! I need to keep reminding the kids that it's not just because I'm getting old. I will have 20 extra sts on the body; boy am I glad that I dyed up the extra 2 skeins!!!

You'll see if you look closely (up near the top) where I've joined ball #2 - it's definitely a bit more intense in colour. All the more reason for my sorting out the gradation for a more balanced effect across the sweater. This definitely renews my admiration & appreciation for the indie dyers out there who create & re-create predictably such lovely colourways!! It's also cool that the increases above the Sweet Spot creates a bit of a stripey section then the next increase creates a sort of blocked effect.

I'm well under way for NaKniSweMo (OMG - you have no idea how many times I have to type that to get it right!!) even/especially with knitting probably half again as much sorting out the needle sizing - I knit a whack with the 4.5mm Sig, then the 5mm SB then ripped it all out and continued with the 4.5mm SB.

I started on the back of China Clouds - it feels so good to be on the last piece - I'm starting with the border again.




Amanda made the basketball team again - when will she get that she's really is good?!?

Less Hair Today

Shelly was an excellent hair buddy - I had a few moments but she kept up a steady stream of chatter and along with my aversion to public crying I made it through. I don't hate it but I still haven't mustered up a lot of enthusiasm for it. I know, I've been told that it looks good & I'm sure that I'll like it more in a few days.

And this is Amanda in her new Bench jacket. Last week Amanda insisted that it wasn't cold when she left for school & she certainly couldn't wear her one sweatshirt 2 days in a row. Seriously, what would people think? Since I can't have her getting sick right now & risk infecting me I caved and went to buy her a jacket that she would be willing to wear every day. It's not very thick downright thin, but it's a layer, should be a good windbreak and I insisted on a size large enough that she can actually wear layers under it so it will do.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow but I will be glad to be started and get to knowing what's going to happen & how I'll feel. The hardest part for me is not being able to plan anything & having to ad a caveat of "if I'm up to it". Shelly assured me that anyone worthy of being called a friend would understand and she'd give proper shit to anyone who had nerve to not!! Yup, she's a keeper my Shelly!!! MWAH!!!

Progress

Oy - Amanda has had a friend from Milton up this week so we've been doing stuff - malls, beach, drive-in - to keep them occupied. They haven't seen each other in 5 years but have kept up on Facebook and are getting along really well. I've not been as productive as I may have wanted but I've been having fun & rest.

Thank you all so much for your continued support!! I'm doing good ... really. I'm feeling quite healed, there are still twinges if I reach too far or lift something wrong but the swelling & tenderness is going down. I make a conscious effort not to think ahead to the chemo. I'm making a list of questions for the Dr. but until we meet with him and get some data there is no way to predict how it's going to affect me so I'm just not borrowing trouble. I don't know how quickly they will want to start the chemo, but since I'll have waited that long I'm going to negotiate like an Apprentice to get it pushed out pasts the 11^th 'cause I'm not going to miss the Knitters Fair!! While I'm not going to borrow trouble I'm not going to be naively optimistic and I want to be able to have a great day without worrying about side effects.

OMG - I can't believe that Julie's tent sale sneaked up on me!! I totally thought that it was next weekend. I know, but when she was blogging about getting ready I really thought that she was just ... getting ready! D'oh!!! I don't have the time to go up today and with taking Emily home tomorrow won't make it before it closes. I've been at the tent sale for time beyond memory ... Son of a Nutcracker!!! No, I didn't have anything in mind to buy & I totally don't need more yarn ... that it completely beside the point. ARGH!!!

I am almost ready to start the 3rd colour on my Creatively Dyed Sweet Spot strip - I love the vibrant colours on this 2nd colour. Sorry, I don't have the name for this one,.

The Beverly Cardigan is moving right along. The colour changes are moving along - I told Julie that I'll just have to knit faster to make the colours change more swiftly. I've split off at the armholes & can fit all of the stitches on a straight needle so I think that I'm going to be able to pick up a bit of speed now. 35,960 sts to the end of the body.

I've been neglecting China Clouds - she's sitting beside me in her basket, quietly watching me with my other projects. Her silence makes me feel even more guilty. You know I love you darlin' - I'll be back.

On & On

Thanks everyone - all of your comments, cards, emails, positive thoughts & prayers are so appreciated and give me strength when my own strength wanes.

Amanda takes good care of me - she is a most excellent aesthetician-in-the-making & maid, along with general minion extraordinaire. Don't tell her, but it makes her bouts of teenage attitude slightly easier to bear.

Kerwyn surprised me with flowers yesterday - a "good diagnosis" cheer. Along with wine & Chinese for dinner it was perfect, especially since there is always enough Chinese for leftover the next night!! No, I don't sit with the flowers all the time, just for the photo op. Just when I thought the romantic in him had gone for good!

I spent some time outside chillin' on the deck. I have become seriously addicted to McD's Iced Coffee. A large vanilla iced coffee with an extra shot of vanilla totally hits the spot every time. I am dreading when they take it off of the menu which I'm sure they will when the weather turns. No ... not thinking about that!!! I have never been a fan of cold coffee, when my hot coffee hits that just-past-lukewarm stage I can't even drink it, but there's something about this iced coffee ...

Getting on with the Beverly Cardigan. At this point I have 422 stitches on the needle and am increasing 8 sts every 2 rows. I know, but just 9,280 more sts to go before I should be able to split off the sleeves - if my row gauge isn't too tight then I'll have to put in some extra rows. Fingers crossed!!!

Life's a Beach

We had a great day at Wasaga Beach. I found the free parking lot that I always park at (though it's been a couple of years) after nearly stroking out at the $16 that the main beach parking lots were charging. Seriously ... on a week day?!? There was some sprinkles that we sat through then when thunder started about 1/2 hour later I made the girls pack it in. By the time they had made the 1st trip to the truck and come back the thunder clouds had passed by so I gave in to the pleas and we stayed another 3 hours!
Amanda is so photogenic & a beauty already! The picture of her running in the waves makes me think of her in a Survivor challenge - she'd totally be the smart, hot chick!!!
After a shower to get the sand out of all the places that sand manages to get I sat outside & watched Kerwyn toss the ball against the side of the garage. I love watching him. He has this cute little habit of examining the ball for defects then wiping it off on his shirt if he misses it.
I took a picture of me before we set out - the hat is a classic Chic Knits bucket hat.
I made progress yesterday on China Clouds & Mystery X & got a bit more done today at the beach on my Creatively Dyed Sweet Spot strip. I love how this is patterning!!

Sorry about that crazy pink yesterday - I don't know where that came from. Trying something new - again - today!!