Needing a Fix

I have never been a crack addict, or a heroin addict or a drug addict of any kind, so I don't really know what it's like to "need a fix". I can only put that idea in the context of my life - and that means yarn. I know this is a big stretch, but that's my only comparator (I lead a very sheltered life).

I have been very busy on the MS3 and the yarn I'm using is quite nice - a baby alpaca that is soft and fuzzy. I'm sure for some people this yarn would do the trick. Not for me. I need something else to give me that buzz.

The other day I pulled out my Tuscany which has been way-laid while I maneuver through MS3. I realized that I could get my fix - from Seasilk. Oh my goodness. Ahhhhhh. I have never worked with yarn quite that fabulous. It is truly the most beautiful to touch and the most beautiful to behold of all my stash. Just look at the sheen:

It sparkles. And the colorway screams "T". So everyday, I get a little fix. Just a repeat or two to keep me going. I can control it though - it's not like I have to knit with it. It's not contolling me. Really.

I got another fix last night at SnB. The little baby fix - all snuggly and cuddly and sniffy and Ahhhh...beautiful. But just a little fix - that puts me right in my mind - NO more babies in this house. On J's next post she'll have some darn cute pics of the little man who came to his first SnB. You can read about his antics along with his big sis here.

Oh, my Seasilk is calling me. Better run. I'm sure just a couple of rows and I'll feel good. I need to go get my fix.

It Was All Legal

My Baba (Grandmother) called me last night. This is unusual as my Baba is a very busy lady what with producing dozens of perogies each week, baking bread, playing cards and floor curling with her lady friends, she's a very busy 82 year old. So it's a treat when Baba calls. It's an even bigger treat when she tells me she has a surprise for me. I won a red ribbon and $5 at her local county fair. This is even more impressive if you consider the fact that I didn't enter anything. However, my Baba feels compelled to enter whatever she has on hand into the fair. She often does very well. She was the reining local expert on noxious weeds until they eliminated the category. No competition, I guess. See, my Baba will enter every category she can, even if she needs a little help every now and again.

A couple of years ago, my cousin went to the fair with Baba and was admiring all her entries. Red ribbon for a beautiful loaf of bread. Red ribbon for her gladiolas. Red ribbon for her plate of assorted rolled cookies including my cousin's favorite chocolate-chocolate chip cookies.

"Baba," said my honest and just cousin. "Those aren't your cookies. Those are J.'s cookies and she keeps the recipe secret so that no one else can make them and she'll continue to be invited to family functions. You didn't make those cookies."

My lovely Baba had to confess that she's run out of time to make the required 3 types of cookies and spotted some that I had given her hiding in her freezer. She added them to her plate and together, we earned a red ribbon and $5.

Now, this story got around and finally found its way to me. I called my Baba on it and she told me I could have the ribbon if I gave her my recipe. Sly woman, my Baba. She still has that ribbon.

Last Christmas, I gave my dear Baba a pair of handknit socks. They were a little lacy but nothing to lose sleep over and I thought they'd keep her feet warm. She entered them in the fair this year under my name ("It was all legal", she said on the phone) and I won a prize for a pair of socks that Baba won't wear because they're too nice. I'll be wowing her with some Cookie A socks this year and I know she'll appreciate my effort and will keep them in her drawer because they'll be too nice, too. But I'm still going to knit them because I love her.

This is my Baba and my daughter about a year ago. Aren't they cute?

Just so you don't think I'm not being productive, I've got a little pic of clue #4. I had a little trouble with the eyelet lace row and was a stitch short at the end. I set it down last night and went to sleep but tossed and turned, partly due to the huge thunderstorm and partly because of my mistake. I tinked back 3 rows and everything is right with MS3.

(Please note the new carpet in the background that we had installed this weekend. Did you know you have to turn the AC off so that the carpet won't be too stiff to lay? I don't make this stuff up.)

And I finished a Fawkes sock and cast on another. I don't love the heel on this one. Next time, I would do it in my usual way. But I'm very happy with the colorway and I think I 'll love wearing them.

Things I Hate

Ok - I'm trying not to be negative (no comment necessary J.) - but sometimes I just get swept up in negativity. I just have to get these things off my chest as they are currently eating away at me.

Things I Hate:

1. Cheaters. Of any type really. But right now, I really hate the cheaters in the TdF. I love the TdF. It is one of the highlights of my July. But given the events of the last few days, I'm so sick of it all. I'll still watch and I'll still be hopeful of a good win in Paris, but there will always be that little bit of doubt in the back of my mind that anyone crossing the line on the Champs is doping. That's sad.

2. Knots. In regards to knots in my balls of yarn. I frogged MS3 twice, and the last frogging resulted in some knots. I hate that. It is such a waste of good yarn. So there I will sit, trying to untangle those f*)&%*#g knots in order to spare 2m of yarn.

3. Liars. At least those liars who park in the Moms & Tots parking when they are neither a Mom, nor have a Tot. Seriously. Few things throw me over the edge like this one. The other day I actually stood in front of one of those parking signs and pointed at it very vigorously while someone (neither a Mom nor a Tot) pulled out of the spot. Not my finest moment.

It's been a rough week. Between the cheaters, some knots and some liars, I need some good yarn therapy.

Like this - beautiful EZ Baby Leggings in my new favorite yarn - Socks that Rock. I absolutely love the color.

Or how about this....it also makes me happy (after a rocky start). My MS3 is progressing beautifully.

And lastly, a couple more things that make me happy (non-yarn related).

Flowers from my garden

I also lucked out and won an air conditioning unit today from a local radio station - seriously!! That makes me happy.

And my 2 boys. They always (well, almost always) make me happy.

Oh, do I feel better.

Unsettled

On Monday, I didn't knit. Not a stitch. This is VERY rare for me as I am often found relaxing of an evening with a little background television and some knitting. What has got me out of my routine? HARRY! Damn it, I have to finish this book!

Please pretend to be impressed with the following pictures while I finish this bloody book.

This heap is my MS3 which I promise to return to this evening. I'd like to finish Chart E so I can allow myself to move on to Chart F on Friday. (Note: Don't forget to insert Melanie recommended lifeline.)

These are some man sized socks to be given away for Christmas.Regia Bamboo sock. This is the first of a pair that is now going to be Christmassed since I don't love and I think that someone should.

I'm almost done. Just a few more pages....

Shawl Chic

J. and I decided to collectively do some ordering (yes we're on a diet, and yes we know it's not August yet). We checked out The Knitter for the first time and we're excited about the possibilities. We've both decided on some Zephyr for our Hanami's. I had a dream about a gold Hanami (when do you have a 'knitting problem'?? when you're starting to dream about it???) so I went with the Chrome colorway - I think it's the closest to gold I could find.

I've never actually worn a shawl. Ever. And now I have 3 on the go.

The Tuscany in Seasilk.

The MS3 in baby alpaca.

And now the Hanami in Zephyr wool/silk.

Maybe I should consider giving one away, but right now the thought of giving any one of these away gives me a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Too much love and toil and tears (not really, but you get the picture) to give these away.

I suppose I can just start wearing a shawl everyday to work. It'll be "my thing". I'll be the pharmacist who wears a shawl. I have been referred to a number of times as the Tall Pharmacist; I think I like the Shawl-wearing Pharmacist better. I will never be cold. I will always be chic. I will be able to better hide any body-related flaws. I think it's a great idea!! Now, I just have to actually finish one....