Mojo - wherefore art thou?

Can't seem to generate any interest in my knitting, haven't been able to since we got back from the UK. Maybe it's because I'm so stressed about selling/buying/moving homes. I really need to just pick up my sock and knit a few stitches. My mojo is gone for the moment.

Overwhelmed

Moving - synonymous for torture. We've been in the house for about a week and a half, and right now it's disorganized chaos. Well, maybe not as much as it was a week ago. I have unpacked all the boxes for the master bedroom (Yay, I have clothes again!), and that room looks pretty normal. Still need to put the pictures up on the wall in there. What I don't understand is why the packers would put the bag that goes on the leaf sucker machine in a box that was marked for the "master br". No wonder we couldn't find it in the garage. lol

The kitchen is also just about done. It would be more done if I could find the box that has the silverware and plates in it. I have glasses and bowls, and most utensils, but the drawer at the old house that had the silverware in it has not yet shown up in any box marked "kitchen". We'll probably find it in about six months in a box labeled "garage". Oy.

So far I'd say we've had more issues than we should have had with the house, and that's not very thrilling. But I do believe it will all work out in the end, I just have to get through these birthing pains.

We've met the neighbors on both sides of us, and two folks across from us. Got an invite to a Christmas tree decorating gathering from the lady across the street this Saturday evening. :) I'm taking cookies. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I really love this holiday, because it's all about family and being thankful for the good things in your life.

This one is a little different though, since the Hubby and I have moved to Virginia now we're not with our children who are still in Oklahoma. Circumstances being what they are, they are unable to join us here and we can't go back there.

I am thankful that both their SO's have invited them to join in festivities with their families for the day, so neither are alone. It's kind of a weird feeling to just have the day with Hubby, but it's nice we have each other. Hubby's a good egg, I'll keep him around, lol.

We closed on the house in VA, and our stuff arrives this Sunday. Yay!! One less stresser on my plate. On this Thanksgiving day I'm giving much thanks for this, and for the love of friends and family. I hope that everyone out there stops for a moment to appreciate their loved ones, and to give thanks.

Why, yes, in fact, I do

Still knit! Just finished the first sock that I started on our trip to the UK. Now to cast on for sock #2. :)

Things are rocking along with the house and move. This Thursday the packers arrive to crate up our things, and on Friday they load the van. We leave for Virginia on Saturday. Two adults, one 110 lb dog, one 22 lb dog, and a suitcase, all packed into a mini cooper for the two/three day drive eastward. Should be fun!

We bought a house!

Well, we put in an offer, it was accepted, and now all associated stuff that goes with buying a house is in progress. Monday the inspection is being done, the title company is working on their end, the financing is rocking along.... we have a move in date of on or before Nov. 23 set. How exciting!!!

I'm in my last days countdown at work. Only 10 more days for me to be physically in the office. It's going to be really hard to walk out the door that last day. There will be crying and lots of hugging.

Today would have been my dad's 89th birthday.

Happy Anniversary, Hubby!

We've been married 29 years today. Many, many more good years than bad, although we've had a few. Can't wait to start the next 29 years worth of adventures! Love you, Hubby! (hug hug hug)

On another note, our daughter starts her new job today in her new career: hair stylist. She's been beating the pavement really hard the last few weeks and this job panned out. I'm so happy for her!

So much going on

Since my last post the house has been put on the market and shown a handful of times. We've had two open houses, hopefully the one good lead from the last one will pan out. Our daughter is moved into her apartment and seems to love it. Hubby and I went to the UK for a week to celebrate his folk's 60th wedding anniversary. Hubby leaves tomorrow to go to Virginia for his new job and I'm staying behind. The house is already very quiet with our daughter gone, and now that it will be just me and the dogs, the quiet may turn to tomblike silence.

During all this I did finish all the baby knits in time to take to the UK with me, and I'm totally reknitting the baby hat that turned out to be way too small for my co-worker's squidlet. While in England I managed to knit past the heel of sock #1 I have in progress, and I'll get back to it when the hat is finished - again. lol

I am staying positive about the house selling, I have a good feeling that it won't be too much longer. The Universe has done a great job of providing the right things at the needed times all this year. Working on keeping that trend going. :)

Huge changes

Big doin's coming up: we are moving to Virginia. A really marvelous opportunity came about for my Hubby, and we couldn't pass it up. House should be on the market in about a week or so. Daughter is set up to move into her apartment soon, she didn't want to leave Oklahoma. She's old enough to be on her own and is really looking forward to it. She also adopted a 10 week old black kitten with dappled marking on her back, named her Sonar (really big ears), Sony for short.

Hubby will start his job most likely before the house sells, so I'm planning on staying behind for a bit. If all goes well, we won't be separated for long.

So exciting, all these changes!!

I miss her so much

Our beloved Spooky cat was hit by a car last night. She has been a part of our family for 19 years. We are having her cremated and the ashes returned so she can be with us forever. Our hearts are breaking. I hope she knows how very much we loved her. Safe journey over the Rainbow Bridge, Spooky. We love you.

50K

At 5:34 p.m. today, my Onslow turned 50,000. Happy 50K birthday, Onslow!

Baby Sweater

Cast on July 13, finished July 30. Not too shabby, considering I wasn't able to work on it every day. :) I washed and dried it and it came out wonderful, perfect for a busy mom who won't have time to hand wash and block a sweater when Baby No. 2 comes along.





I also started and finished, except for weaving in of ends, the first bootie for a co-worker's new baby. Pictures when it's done.

Also went to see the new Harry Potter movie tonight -- totally enjoyed it!!! I thought it stayed true to the book in a way most movies don't manage to. `

Redecking

We put the deck in our back yard about 7 or 8 years ago, by the sweat and effort of our entire family: hubby, me, and both kiddos. It's been a wonderful deck and many parties have boogied on its boards. Over the last few years, though, some of the wood has begun to snowshoe up and need replacing. This the hubster began yesterday. In the heat. The 103 to 104 degree heat of Oklahoma. Yeah, that was fun.


The new boards won't look that new for long, not in this weather.

Here's what he accomplished tonight, the finished edge looks so nice:

He's working on the other end now.

And done!

Headstone complete

My brother has done a completely marvelous job of handling all the details of our father's estate. As a little girl I adored my big brother, and the qualities that made a little sister love her brother only improved as he got older; he's a wonderful person. We don't see each other that often, but the feelings of family are always there.

And now, it really sorta feels like the chapter is finished and the book can be closed. The headstone is engraved and things are ..... at rest.

Yarn and its healing properties

When you're feeling down, doesn't picking up a fresh skein of yarn make you feel better? When things look dark and sad, doesn't diving into and fondling your stash, looking at the gorgeous colors and caressing the different textures, just make you start smiling? And doesn't a visit to your LYS make most days brighter? Yep, Yep, and Yep!

I visited Loops today and purchased a kit to make a baby sweater for the new UK squidlet due in October.


That white blob on the lower left is the batting for the frog toy.

I also have made progress on my second Classic Lines Cardigan, although I guess I should start calling it the Classic Lines Sweater, since I won't steek this one. This yarn is really much browner that it appears in the image - annoyed with the greenish tinge that appeared. humpfh


KnitPicks Shadow Lace in Oregon Coast Heather

And last but not least, we finished the staircase not too long ago. It is Beautiful.

Radio silence......

I'm sorry I've been so silent lately. So much going on, so little umph to actually do anything. Feeling odd and out of sorts lately, have a lot on my mind..... I have actually done some knitting: started on the second sleeve of my modified Classic Lines Cardigan. It's going rather well and the doubled laceweight is heavenly to work with.

I'm hoping for some changes in the very near future. There are opportunities in the offing for hubby and me, possibly out of state, but that means changes and upheavals here at home. I'm ready for changes, but all of them? Maybe not so much....

What I need is, would like, is a sign to help point us on the right road. I don't like living in limbo, I very much so like to know what's on the game plan. This is putting my innards in a state of turmoil, I'm antsy, feeling like I'm going to burst - I need the next step to happen so I can begin planning. Inaction is going to be the death of me.

Baby Hat

Vine Lace Baby Hat by Sandi Wiseheart.

SOCKS!!

I "yell" this in caps because these have taken longer than a pair of socks should, and I'm so happy they are done and ready to be worn. :)

May I present, my own pair of Hedera socks:

Blocking

It has been washed and is blocking. The Presto Chango for my UK nephew who will be turning two this October is done, except for seaming and buttons. I decided to wash and block it before sewing so that it could dry flat and hopefully give me a cleaner seam. I also didn't make it so that the front panel can be removed - one side will have the buttons actually sewn down to the jacket body, with working buttonholes on the other side for ease of inserting a wriggling little human inside.

Getting closer...

The underside of the stairs is completely done - primed, painted, caulked, and wood treated.

Pray for Joplin

The devastation is horrific. Joplin has been virtually flattened. Thanks given to God that our dear friend Stephanie is safe, although her apartment complex is gone.

Please pray for Joplin, pray for the people.

(We also had tornadoes, and people died last night in them, too. So tragic.)

A great weekend!!

Not only did the End of the World NOT happen, which I never thought it would, but we had a great day at the Oklahoma Renaissance Faire in Muskogee on Saturday, then on Sunday got lots of chores done and my Hubby made great progress on the staircase renovation.

VS

The topside vs the underside (with bracing in place)

Beginning sheetrocking.



All closed in and mudded. But wait --- there's more!

Look at the oak finish pieces!

They just make the whole look.

The final railing is in place.

Round the bend

We've gone round the bend on the landing railings! Katie's boyfriend Dillon was over for dinner tonight, and he helped Richard with some of this install. It's very entertaining to listen to the menfolk discuss building stuff.


The plug holes on the newel posts will be primed and painted white, as well.

The top step has been installed. This took a bit of engineering magic, since the step it sits on was too wide. Richard built a frame and jutted the top step out so that each stairtread up the stair case is the same width. He also cleverly routed out the underside of the top step so that it sits flush to the landing flooring. There'll be no tripping or stubbing of toes on the transition from flooring to step. Clever lad!

The riser needs to be painted white, too.

The top step all finished with the decorative edge.

Only one more railing to put up now. :)

Comparisons

For grins and giggles, let's do a compare and contrast, shall we?

What we started with:



What we have now:



My husband does such beautiful work!

On the level

Hubby has made it to the landing for the next portion of the staircase. Now he gets to work on a level surface, instead of an angle. Of course, this just means that he could possibly go right over the edge of the landing instead of just tumble down the stairs themselves, should something go wrong or the cat trip him.

Upper newel posts primed/painted.

Drilling the holes for the rails.



Clamping the pieces for support while drilling.



Pretty!!!

Red arrows point out the bracing that will support the sheetrock to hide the underside of the stairs.

I have actually been knitting. The Presto Chango baby Sweater has reached the back neck opening. So far I've used up one complete skein of Wool of the Andes Bulky to get to this point.

Viola! It's a Handrail!

The main handrail is in - only three more to go. It's gorgeous!







The underside of the stairs will be framed in and sheetrocked, so that won't actually show in the end.

Classic Lines Cardigan, part deux - On Hold

And why, after I went to all the trouble to hand wind those balls of wool? I started thinking (always dangerous) that since we're heading to the UK in September and our UK grandnephew will be turning two in October, that perhaps I should go stash diving and see what I could rustle up to knit as a birthday pressie.

I found five skeins of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Wine, and cast on immediately for the Presto Chango in size two. Then came a call from my SIL in England, and she had good news: the grandnephew will be getting a sibling this October!! So now I get to knit a newborn outfit as well!!!! We don't know what the baby will be, other than human, so I will again go stash diving but for neutral colors. I'm very excited!

There has been a great deal of progress made on the staircase this weekend. Check out the marvelous work my Hubby has done:

The lone soldier, standing tall and proud.

Setting the twine plumb line and marking it every 6 inches.

The next four in place...

Halfway there!

Done - now on to the handrail. :)

Classic Lines Cardigan, part deux

I loved the original CLC so much that I'm going to knit another one, except it will be a sweater, not a cardigan, and without the contrast stripe. It's also going to be 3/4 sleeves with a slight bell effect to the sleeves. So it's a modified part deux.

I'm using KnitPicks Shadow Lace yarn in the Oregon Coast Heather colorway.