Still Almost Done

So the knitting is done and the ends are sewn in. But it’s not blocked. It’s a massive piece and i just need to clear a space on the floor and just do it. 

I’ve also started on a new project that I can’t share online at the mo, but I am quite busy on my week of holidays knitting away! Chica is a most excellent little swatch-blocking assisstant - lol!! 

Petey has a new favourite guard-dog position on the cedar chest. I keep waiting for him to actually fall asleep and have his chin fall off the window ledge! 

I have managed to get two little cuts while I’ve been off. Normally I’m nicking myself on the daily at Dairy Queen - stainless steel is a devious and cruel material. IDK how I’ve done it here at home, but it’s annoying.

The kids were up the other week and I remembered to have a picture taken! Craig was hamming up the photographer role, giving Amanda & I a shared moment.

They are both doing well in their lives, making better decisions, and being responsible adults. I am so proud of them both!! Remember when they were tiny?? Where does the time go?

I’m going to have to knit quickly to get back to publishable knitting content, but until then, I’ll have to share more of me and my life. 

A demain mes amis!!                 

Veronika Cardigan

Wow, it’s really been a while since I’ve blogged!!

I have some mixed feelings about blogging. I can’t control who reads it, unlike FB and IG where I have some control over my posts. Knowing that the audience is open sometimes gets into my head and I overthink what I want to share, so then I just don’t. I don’t like that feeling, so I’m going to a more concerted effort to blog, even if it’s not about knitting - for various reasons.

But today, I share with you my progress on my Veronika Cardigan  It is for me, for wearing to the Frolic. Everyone in the Needle Emporium booth will be sporting a version of the cardigan. It is also my Olympic inputting project, but is not likely to see my getting a gold. I am woefully behind.

I am pleased with how the skeins are blending, I am knitting with two skeins at a time, alternating every tow rows. This project is perfect mindless knitting - and given my mental exhaustion lately, is just what I need.

Work has been a whirlwind this month!! We’re celebrating our 1^st anniversary with a month of 1/2 price offers. It’s been a lot of work for everyone, but you have to blow it out on your first year!!

I come home tired, but it’s the tired of a job well done and I look forward to each next day. What more can you ask of a secular job? 

I am so excited for this weekend!! 

Kyle and Amanda are coming up with Kyle’s gf Mahsa and her son. We are going to eat well (I’ve started on a lasagna tonight and we’ll have a pulled pork roast that Craig & I smoked this past summer), and cut into a gender reveal cake! YES!!! Imma be a Nana!!! I can’t wait to find out what my wee Bean is going to be so I can start my knitting accordingly. I’m really not good at “neutral”. Don’t worry - y’all’ll by the very next to know!!

I hesitate to say it, but I am happy. Nothing is perfect, but I am content with my life and I look forward to the challenges of each next day. 

Ugh

I have been doing not much.
I had a few days off of my flute, and it showed in my practice yesterday!! But I set to with a passion and it all started coming back.
I find that the mouthpiece gets slippy rather easily, so I went with a trick that Myrelle mentioned - a piece of envelope sticky.


It serves as an oil/sweat absorber - brilliant.

The puppies got a bath. Petey hacked up something that he felt needed laying, and if one is getting wet, might as well do both!


They are funny, grooming each other afterwards!!
And they like Helen, acting as if I pay them no attention all day long!!


Petey is a sucker for a belly scratch!!

I have made it to the heel shaping on my Stitch Surfers!!


My Soxyzz told me so, which is just as well, as given the stitch distribution and being at the instep, it is almost impossible to try on my foot with any remote hope of accuracy.
I love this gadget!! It's portable, durable, and esthetically pleasing.Throw in that it's less than $15 Cdn and, more importantly, it's a Canadian indie shop, click that link and get one for yourself!!!

I helped Helen string beads Friday afternoon - I find the process of using a bead bowl much more fun than she did.


Helen was chasing the jumpers!!



I am working the fronts of the Mock Cape at the same time.


I find that the pattern is not as well written as could be hoped, so while I'm making notes, this ensures symmetrical accuracy.

I am knackered. Utterly exhausted. The Allergies are in full effect. The sneezing cannot be good. Given that lifting more than 10lbs is verboten, sneezing is clearly off the charts!!
I had no bleeding at all the first week. It has since started and increased, along with an increased degree of overall discomfort abdominally, along with some shaper pains, even at rest. Given that in really doing nothing more than increasing my walking distance/duration, (though not the gait), I'm chalking this up to sneezing.
I'll call the surgeon and my family doc on Tuesday to see what actual doctors think, and see if I can get some stronger/more effective symptom meds.

I hope that you are all enjoying the long weekend!!



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Adapting. Kind of.

I am not a sit about and do nought kinda woman; I'm constantly in some kind of motion, even when I'm sitting, I'm knitting.
This post-op business has me well and truly knackered.
I slept well enough last night, Petey let me lay in until 9:30. Bad pain this morning. I think there's still gas needing working out, but my entire abdomen is just tender and delicate. Walking is ok in the shortest increments.
We got up, sorted out the puppies, coffee and did a bit more on the Stitch Surfer sock


, started the Sublime Mock Cape


, and then I was back in bed by 4:00 for a nice 3.5 hour nap. which is less of a nap really, and more of a proper nap repeat of the AM - feeding, walking puppies a couple hundred feet, (they are so good! I normally walk at a brisk, energizing pace and the puppies are trotting along. But now, they keep pace with my deliberately dawdling lack of speed without issue), making something to eat. very much focusing on protein intact to aid in physical recovery These 20-30 odd mins on my feet, perhaps especially at the end of the day, have me utterly done, pain not insignificant.
This is going to be a long, slow row to hoe. I am listening to my body, but it's frustrating.
Amanda's been helping out, but she's back to her life this afternoon. Chica was so happy to see her again, it did my heart good as well.
Helen is being amazing; I am grateful for such a friend.
And all of you - chatting me up on FB, texting, and calling; I'm in the best of hands.
Mostly I go to my bed to nap, but yesterday I just tipped over, the puppies found their places that don't hurt me,


and we dozed a bit. I am currently watching Dr Who (new series) which keeps me thinking.
Tomorrow is a new day; looking forward to it.

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Good Mail

So I saved up my Rowan 58 & the Fall IK and wow!!


First impressions - I could be very busy indeed!! The first 7 projects in the IK all appeal to me - it's a fantastic issue. I can't wait to go back (after a nap), read the patterns, knit in my head a bit, and read the articles.
As always, Rowan presents a lovely mix of patterns in a stunning format. One go-through is never enough.

I selected this Lima as my subscriber gift


and it will do the hat pictured and a pair of fingerless mitts. The picture is a bit dark, but it has a bit of lacy cabling I believe. I went with not blue, something s bit different to brighten up my fall accessories.

Earlier this week, I received these tools in the post.





They are for measuring feet/socks. Beautiful and functional. Megan from BurningImpressions2 even offered engraving at no cost!! Helen and I are just giddy, and I'll be making use of mine as the bending over to try on socks is uncomfortable at the mo.

Speaking of socks, I've been working away at the Stitch Surfers the last few days.


I'm very much enjoying the process and the result.

I had no cream this morning, so I set off to Tim's, (just one block away) at a slow mosey. That and a shower and I'm ready for a nap. I think I'm still feeling some effects from the anesthetic, but whatever, I'll be minding my body and taking it as easily as I need to. Though it's going to be a challenge - I'm not good at not doing much.

Helen went to the post office for me and what a lovely surprise!! Elise and I spoke last week, and she had mentioned that she was sending it, but this knitting belt is so much more brilliant in real life!!


Joan had found and gifted me with a traditional one years ago. I use them mostly for sock knitting; if I'm not wearing jeans, the knitting belt protects my t-shirt and my tummy!


There was also a surprise skein of Buffalo Skies DK; not sure what it will become, but I look forward to hearing what it whispers to me.

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Finally

So it's finally here - no more delays, Hysterectomy Day!

I saw Myrelle on Saturday and learned a couple more notes that involve some coordinated shifts in fingering, and some more advanced (but very basic) music. I still seem to be challenged by longer note shifts, but I'm not displeased with my progress. I'll have much to practice!!

I swatched for the next sweater for The Needle Emporium. I've neglected to take a picture, but you know I wouldn't lie, especially not to you! I love the fabric, and the stockinette stitch will be a nice recovery knit.

But then I go and cast on for the Stitch Surfer socks!!


LOL!! I have loved this pattern long time, I found the perfect Biscotte & Cie yarn on our recent yarn crawl, Helen gifted me with the perfect complementary MadTosh, so I'm learning a new technique!

I played my last mixed game on Sunday; winning was a nice last game!!





I'm going to miss playing, but I'll be so happy to play a full, pain-free season next year.


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