What has been on my mind?

When I first started this blog, I just wanted to write about positive things happy memories and not vent my personal feelings out on the infinite vastness of the Internet. But after some soul searching, where else but in a diary can we write about some of our deepest feelings? So without further adieu here is what's been going on.


Since the middle of the summer I have had several things to think about. Several things have been on my mind. Not to my surprise I had something come up that triggered memories of the past. My 33 yr old niece Heidi called to talk to me, she had some news that may or may not change my life. Heidi is the oldest child of my middle sister Lulu. I knew that Heidi has been going through genetic testing for quite some time. She is a very beautiful intelligent woman that I have had the pleasure of knowing since the day she was born. I have watched her grow from being the tiny baby dependant on her mother for everything to the woman she is today. Heidi told me that this last time her test results came back abnormal. Her doctor gave her a few choices put her on a drug for the next five years so that her body could go into an early menopause and then after the five years are up take her off the drug and maybe her body might come out of the temporary menopause or to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. I closed my eyes and didn't hear anything instinctively I realized I had stopped breathing, I took a deep breath and focused on breathing. Several thoughts invaded my mind, not Heidi, I could not bear the thought of loosing another to the murderer cancer. I had lost both older sisters. This cycle could not be happening again! I tried to focus in on Heidi's voice 90% of all women who test positive for having the gene that creates breast cancer die, only 10% survive. Scientists don't know why the 10% never get breast cancer. Heidi has opted to have the mastectomy. I almost had a panic attack, all I could hear was pounding in my ears, I took a deep breath and continued to listen to Heidi. OMG to feel that self mutilation of her body would be the only option. I was having a hard time with accepting this but, I could not let my personal feelings in, I could not influence her decision. For me personally it would be no. I would go the route of other treatments perhaps look into oriental herbs etc. But this was Heidi's decision, it was her body, it was her mind that had to accept the choice. All I could do is tell her how I felt but that I would support her in her decision. If she had a chance she had to know that she did the right thing and that there was someone other than her husband that supported her decision. I told Heidi, that for me personally I could not do it, however, the choice was not mine to make it was Heidi's. I told her I supported her decision. I may not agree with it but I would not be an obstacle.

During the next few weeks I was reliving the last year of Lulu's life, memories, sounds, etc came flooding back in. I thought I had dealt with all of this in the past, I thought it was all folded up neatly and tucked away safe in the dresser drawers labeled, breast cancer. I could not help but focus on this, this was weighing heavy on my mind. My loving DH gave me enough space to dwell on it for a weekend and then told me that I couldn't dwell on it . It was his way of trying to protect me and to keep me from hurting. I couldn't turn it off like that there were issues that kept popping back up that needed to be taken care of before I could move on to functioning again.

In the mean time mom's doctor told her to go the hospital because they could not regulate her blood pressure and she was badly dehydrated. For those that don't know Mom has a mechanical heart valve that is failing, in addition she has a regular heart valve that does not work at all. Her legs swell there is fluid in her abdomen and fluid in her lungs. They can draw off the fluid for a bit but it comes back, and it's coming back faster. She was in the hospital for about 10 days. she has been sent home with oxygen to be used as she needs. One doesn't have to be a an MD to know that her condition is getting worse. She has one valve that not working at all, her blood is not getting enough oxygen, diuretics are not working as well as they did, she's getting weaker, she's walking with a quad cane, and now add the oxygen to it, It's another thing to show her condition is getting worse. She says that maybe she will get better again. I a not sure how much longer she will be around. She's not sleeping allot, but she's still eating which means that she isn't ready to leave yet.

So this has been what has been occupying my mind. There are times when I can't pick up my needles, and there are times when I can't put them down.

Finally Knitting picutes

Finally I made time to take pictures of newly finished finished objects. The first on is my surplus lace top from Nashua's North American collection I started it in February and have finally finished it. It took forever for me to finish the lace section of it. I am not very good at lace and maybe I don't have the patience for it. I love the yarn, it is from Elan, Peru Naturtex Partners Pakucho Organic Cotton, the Color is Green Forest. The cotton is so soft I love the way it feels. I am working on the Katlin's Tulip sweater using Dream in color yarn. I have it all knit up and now just to weave in the ends and block it. It is so pretty. I may have to make it for one of my nieces.

I am currently working on a pattern from Fuzzy Mitten. I could take a picture and show you but it's only legs, a body, and arms. More on that later.

A hole in the sky

This was how it this bush looked before The Gator got a hold of it. It has to go its within the 3 ft easement that is needed for the fence. So give a man a gator and the next picture is what you get.

A hole in the sky! There is sunlight on the fish pond now, I'll be able to put another water lily, in next spring. I had to find one that grew in the shade, it was difficult but I found it. I am hoping to see tadpoles soon in the pond. We have toads. Gulf Coast Toads as a matter of fact. Ever hear one croaking or better known as "advertising"?

And here is the hole in the sky. It's amazing how different it looks in the back without the bushes. Once the new fence is in place, we can start visualizing what I am going to plant against the wall. We won't plant until mid to late fall.

This is what one bush looks like after it has been cut down. The last time I saw something like that was after Hurricane Hugo.

I should have some knitting content soon.

Dissasemble #5

Sorry everyone no knitting content this time, we've been busy.

Our neighborhood has formed a PID. Now for those that do not know what a PID is it is a tax entity which can finance, construct and maintain public improvements. What does that mean exactly to us. It means that the butt ugly seven foot tall wooden fence that faces the street will be replaced with an 8 foot tall 4 inch thick concrete fence. In preparation of this event we need to ensure that the fencing company will have a 3 foot clearance to work with once they start putting the fences in, for us that's not a big problem just remove some bushes that I've want to get rid of for a while. Others in the neighborhood have to move sheds, I believe one couple has to move a hot tub and a gazebo. The bushes are photinias they were planted I am assuming by the previous owners. When we moved in they are seven to eight feet tall. They are not about 15 feet or more taller. I have always had a love hate relationship with them. I loved the shade they provided but that's about it. In spring they dropped leaves and then they would have pretty little white flowers but the scent is of cat piss. In the summer they provided great shade, in the fall they would drop leaves again. I have tried for may years to grow plants in the shade under them but the only things that have grown are Gerber Daisey's, a couple of ferns. Oh yes and the English Ivy has finally started to establish itself.

In preparation for the disassembling of the bushes we purchased this sweet little chainsaw called the Black and Decker Gator. "A lonely gator meets an alluring chainsaw. They fall in love, marry and bingo! They make short work of all those pesky tree branches hanging around. The Black & Decker Alligator Lopper is the happy ending to this story. It’s a foolproof, can’t-hurt-yourself, tree-limb devouring tool with a 4.5-amp motor, a heavy-duty cutting bar and innovative clamping jaws (aw, just like his dad) that grab and cut in one easy motion.
I love this thing, first it's electric, second it's super safe, you have to hold both handles down for it to work. If you don't it turns off. It's lighter than a regular chainsaw which means I can use it too.
Here is a photo of Number 1 before it met Mr Gator.

This is the photo of number 1 after it met Mr Gator.

Now all that's left to do is grind the evidence. 1 down 4 more to go before the end of August. We are finding out since we will remove the bushes for the fence company if they could remove the stumps, I believe that they will, just want to make sure.

I know this will give my back yard more sunlight than it has now. I am doing allot of research as to how to landscape the fence once it's put in. Looking at native bushes, grasses perhaps some metal medilians, maybe have a bird bath.

R.I.P Pine Tree Socks

Some of you may remember The Great Sock Tragedy of 2007 , with great sadness I must announce that the single sock that still remains here with me will be Frogged in the near future. I have exhausted all efforts in looking for the missing sock, I have posted signs offering a reward, I have searched for another skein of the same color and all ends in no. The socks were going to be theory for me, a symbol to be worn on New Years Day. It was going to be a visual symbol of me letting go of the negativity of 2007 and welcoming in of the new year filled with new experiences. I'm not going to get rid of the yarn I'm going to knit it into my sock yarn blanket.

What will happen is that my knitting group Sisters of the Wool aka SOWs, is going to have an UFO R.I.P. Frog Night. Come now Knitters, we all have at least one UFO that has had some tragedy, or we have knitted a part of it and thought What was I thinking?!!! I'll never wear that. Love the pattern hate the yarn. We all have at least one. Maybe I should have a contest,. Something like the best, "Worst UFO that should be Ripped" contest. Stay tuned, who knows what may happen.

Bluebonnies!!!

The blue bonnets are out and in full bloom. I have been knitting the Berrylicious Socks, the colorway is Indian Paint Brush. I have finally turned the heel and am now working on the leg I love this part of socks. It means I am in the home stretch. I like the yarn, that pattern is really easy, and the Eye of the Partridge heel, I love it. I am going to have to knit a pair for myself.

I started a sock yarn blanket, of course knowing me I want it big enough to fit a queen size bed. I know this is going to be a long time project, but it's a way to use up some of the left over sock yarn. I have a very tiny section complete. I am not just pulling a color out of the bag I try to at least pull one like color from the surrounding ones. It's not quite planned, but it's not just chaos.

Kidney Stones, and bronchotis, ok enough

Lets see, I found out that once again I had a kidney stone, this time on the left side. They blasted it away in March, and for now I am kidney stone free again. The bad news is that I have a 50% chance of having them again. A week after having the lithotrypsy to blast the stones away I came down with what turned out to be a pretty bad case of bronchotis. I have been working on three things Nashua Lace surplus top, a toe up version of Cookie A Monkey sock pattern and the sock yarn mitered square blanket.

I work on the lace top and the sock on alternating weeks, one week the top, one week the socks, the blanket is going to be a work in progress since it's going to take allot of squares to make one queen size blanket let alone two.

These are the toe up monkey socks. So far so good, ya but I'm doing nothing but the pattern and stocking net stitch so I can't mess up too badly.

This is the beginning of my mitered square sock yarn blanket. I have allot to go, and need allot of left over sock yarn. I have gotten some from Angele and some from Laurie from Ruby Sapphire Yarns
I've bought some from Ravelers that are destashing.
Anyone that has 3 grams or more of sock yarn that that want to be rid of please let me know I may be interested in taking it off your hands. Please leave me a message here or on Ravelry just look for KnitstressMaryI love this blanket so much.



Last and not least the 1st bottom piece of the Lace top. I have to knit another bottom piece before I can start on the top parts. So far the only change in the pattern that I have done is add one more row of the lace pattern.

Jaywalker sock mojo

This is the first jaywalker sock that I have made, I was quite pleased with the way it turned out. I cast on the second sock, and ran into a few problems, well first the cable broke right at the join between the needle and cable. In addition, I have knitted this several ways, from the middle of the skein and the end of the skein, I am using the same amount of stitches, and the same size needle, and still I come up with something that resembles this. This does not look like the other sock at all. Anyone with any ideas as to how to fix this? or am I just doomed?

This is the first sweater I knit for my DH, he feels it is cut too low and would like me to some how fix it. I measure it to where he wants it to be open. If I sew up the seam it's going to look like a vagina. I can go in and pick up stitches a and knit straight rows until I get to the marked place. I could then put an icord edge on it so that it would match the original sweater. What do you think?

Yoo Hoo Hoo and left over of Yarn Pirate Shamrock

It's been almost a week since I last saw Sock #1 No one has found her, I keep looking searching and nothing. Though I will continue to look I have to come up with another plan of action. Following the suggestion of the Sisters of the Wool, I am going to ask, if any other knitters has some left over Yarn Pirate in Shamrock that they are willing to part with so that I can knit the other from the left over I have. I have some but not enough to finish the other sock. Does anyone have any they would be willing to part with so I can finish the sock?

The Great Sock Tragedy 2007

When last you saw the Pine Tree Socks in Yarn Pirate's Shamrock colorway they were both together, just side by side, happy peaceful. A waiting patiently the time when they would come off the needles and be placed on the feet of the knitter who loving knit them.
. Tah Dah!!! The firs sock done! I'll be wearing these by New Years eve she thought. Quickly but carefully she proceeded on, then on that fateful day she took it to work to measure how long to knit the 2nd sock. Somewhere between 2:00 and 9:00 sock #1 disappeared. She's checked her knitting bag 3 times, first frantically, then slowly calmly. The cafeteria at work, checked, the car, checked, and double checked, under the bed around the bed in the bed, checked, around her desk, contacting Facilities to check lost and found and nothing. No sign of the sock.

So here sits sock #2 alone, without it's mate, so sad so lonely. Please come home sock 1.

Making signs up to put them up all over work, "Lost 1 green and brown hand knit sock, worn only 1 for one hour. Answers to the name Shamrock. If found please contact Knitstress. There is a reward of 1 skein of Yarn Pirate's Icicle.

Pine Tree toe up Socks

So here I was I was looking for the next sock pattern to knit for a man, but I was going to use Yarn Pirate's Killer Bees colorway, so it just couldn't be something too simple. When low and behold I stumbled across The Pine Tree Toe up Sock pattern . It's Christmas time how perfect these would be if I had some Evergreen... WAIT A MINUTE!!! I have some Yarn Pirate, in the Shamrock colorway.... How absolutely perfect Darling! Can I get them done before Christmas?

Anyone with any ideas about what sock patter would be perfect for the Killer Bees please leave me a suggestion.

My Ceilidh Socks

These lace socks feature two Celtic lace patterns, with the name coming from the Gaelic "ceilidh" (pronounced kay-leigh) meaning a social gathering, usually with entertaining and dancing. The large lace panel which extends down the front of the sock looks similar to the lace-up pattern of traditional Irish dancing shoes. When a friend saw these she said they looked like gillies. I changed the pattern a bit, I did these toe up on two size zero circulars. The yarn I used was from my friend, Jenny at Wooly Boully The colorway is Texas, Fields of Sunflowers,The skein is 400 yards50% Super wash Merino, 50% Tencel. This Woolly Boully colorway contains yellows, greens, browns, and was inspired by sunflowers fields in Texas. Each yellow section contains a spot of brown to mirror the sunflower's brown center. The Celidh sock pattern can be found at http://www.woolywonkafibers.com/

I love them and the way they fit!

And then there were four

This evening is the First annual Sisters of the Wool Christmas Party. We are going to have a Chinese Gift exchange of Sock yarn. I have been preparing for this for a few months. You see, I would find the perfect skein for the exchange I would get it and I fell in love with it and .. well and I had to have it myself so I had to start the process over again. So today I had four to choose from.

I have already made my choice, but if it were you which one would you want? 1,2, 3 or 4.

Yes I have removed the lables from the picture so that none of my sisters has an idea as to which brand.

I know that several sisters have had the same dilemma. There is talk of some of the sisters bringing two skeins and giving an alternate should someone not like what they end up with. What I see is a bunch of sisters stealing from each other, chaos, and much laughter. I will let you know which one I chose.

I have not posted in a long time there has been allot going on with me that I will catch all of you on the next time I post.

Ok Ready?

1. Dream in Color, Smooshy sock yarn, color way Gothic Rose
2. Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that rock, Korppi
3. Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that rock, Corvid
4. DK Knits, technicolor dream toes, Professor Plum meets Penelope Peacock

Now what?

I have finished the Basalt Tank Top, I need one big project to work on. The dilemma now is do I start the DH's fall sweater or do I pick up a UFO?

The DH's 2007 Fall/Winter sweater is The Unisex Seeded rib v neck sweater by Sue McCaina design from Vermont Fiber designs. I bought the yarn for it over a year ago but I could not bring myself to knit it over the summer, just to hot to knit a long sleeve merino sweater.


Or should I work on this UFO? This is the Cardi Wrap that I started last year and did not get too far on.

Let me hear your opinions on the subject.

knitting updates

Since finding The Sisters of the Wool, and that one night earlier this spring, when they showed me how to do a magic 8 cast on and knit socks Toe up I love knitting socks. Right now I have two pairs on needles. This is the latest one. It is the Ceilidh Sock Pattern from Wooly Wonka Fibers The yarn is from the wonderful Wooly Boully the color way is Texas Field of SunFlowers
This sock pattern was originally knitted cuff down and on three needles. I am knitting this toe up and on two cable needles. Yes on Knit picks needles. I have turned the heel and have done one pattern repeat of the lace pattern on the back of the leg.
My chevron scarf, maybe half way done? I am using a solid red and then alternating with left over sock yarn and some of the samples that I have gotten in the past. It was going to be for the Red Scarf project but, after reading that they wanted to make sure that it was gift quality,it sounded as if they had more scarves than they wanted, so I am going to find someone else that is going to need a red scarf .

And this, is the DH's second sock. Now just the leg I think I can do it.

Now tomorrow I will post a dilemma that I want your help with so stayed tuned.

BaSalt Tank Finished!!!!

The pattern can be found in the book Knitting Nature.
I started this in July 2007 I am using South West Trading company' bamboo. I changed the pattern some what, I added 1/2 hexagons to the bottom front and back. I just didn't want my 40 something year old belly button exposed. I did not add the half hexagon to the back. I added a few rows of garter stitch to the bottom to make it look finished. Though pretty it took too long to knit for my tastes. There are other tank tops that will be completed faster.

Toe up Question

Did you ever see a sock pattern and fall in love with it wanting to knit it only to your disappointment it is a Cuff down pattern? You have vowed an oath to knit only toe up because it's the only way you seam to get a great fit. Knowing others have converted a cuff down to a toe up pattern, you attempt it. Sure this week at work was not challenging enough, so why not find something challenging this weekend. Am I nuts or what??? The pattern is the Ceilidh Socks Pattern from Wooly Wonka Fibers .First the pattern is written not only cuff down but the stitches have been redistributed on three needles. I have graphed out the pattern for two. I have no clue what to do with the heel, but I will most likely do the same heels that have done on other patterns. The edging is what is vexing me I am nowhere near the cuff, but it starts out with a picot edging. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to do this or alternatives? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Normally I find the longest most difficult way to do things, why I don't know I guess I am wired that way. This is the only photo of it I have so far. The yarn I am using is one of Wooly Boully's its called Field of Texas Sunflowers. It's a 50/50 blend of tecel and merino wool. Any of you that have an idea please leave a me a message.

I Dyed twice on Saturday the 22nd

On Saturday, September 22ND, some of the Sisters of the Wool went to Heritage Arts on the beautiful Beaumont Ranch to learn how to dye yarn. It was a quaint shop,the tables were set up up, the yarn had been soaking overnight in water, we were told to take a piece of foil, to put our skein on top of it and pick out our colors. The colors we chose were all individual as all of us. I had a slight idea as to what I was going to do with one but the other would have to come to me.
The first color I chose was of course purple, my next color was going to be what I thought was a dark forest green, based on the name on the jar was Spruce. To my surprise and wee bit of annoyance turned out more blueish than greenish. So I punted when it came to a third color. I kept adding the second color thinking what would I use for the third.

I punted and added Silver Gray and was somewhat surprised. Someone had made a comment that my colors were not weak. it did not bother me one bit. I it thought looked fine to me.

We were told that when we finished, we were to fold it into a burrito then into a cinnamon roll. So off our aluminium silver foil cinnamon rolls went to bake in the oven for half an hour. We waited, patiently, we went inside the chapel to cool off. We chatted, ate, knitted while we waited. Then suddenly someone came into the chapel and told us the first of the yarns were coming out. We all went and saw many of our skeins hanging on the dowel to drip dry. I did not come up with a name for my skein until I saw it there the silver twinkling at me in the Texas sun. Arora Borealis. I had dyed and named my first skein.

Each skein was rinsed out in cold water and hung up. Some of the rinse water dripped down onto the boards below.

After another half hour had gone by, the rest of the yarns came out. The next skein started with Crimson, it looked like a deep dark raspberry, followed by Scarlet, and then last was Fire Red. So I toyed with naming it Friday the 13th. Can you spot the skein below?

Here it is all by itself.

And now Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce from Mary's Little Lambs

Arora Borealis

Friday the 13th

I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at dyeing. Now that I know how to do it. I may do it again for myself for special projects.

Still the same.

I am going to make a Red scarf this year for the red scarf program. I am using red as the main color and then adding odds and ends of leftover yarn and samples. I am going to use the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I made some more progress on my tank top, the very middle circle needs to be finished, then I can sew it up. Then the bottom half and 1/8 of it for the sleeve.

I am having issues with making a hat. I've tried two different hat patterns and they both were coming out wonkie. This is the third hat pattern that I am attempting. It is called Jewel Baby Hat pattern. I like the way it's starting out with the patterns in the yarn. Two of the girls at work saw it and hinted, I wear hats....

Progress on my sock, I've turned the heel. now only to knit it long enough to match the other and I am done. I have to finish it by 9/30/07 to be entered into the connect. I bought another skein of this yarn but in a nearly solid purple.

And now back to the boy friend sock for DH. Well, the last one took me six weeks of working on and off of it. I have found a little bit of a faster way to knit this one. I have put stitch markers every where I have to change stitches, that way all I have to keep track of is what row I am on. It seams to be going faster. I will see.

This weekend some of the Sisters of the Wool are driving out to a place called Heritage Arts and we will get to learn how to dye yarn. I am considering purchasing a student spindle. It might be time to learn how to spin. Maybe then I can have some more of the Sock Hop yarn for socks and not have to wait until the next update. Oh and don't get me started on shop updates. There is one that gives a select group of customers a heads up that new products or products in high demand are up for sale and leave the rest of us fending for ourselves. I will have some new yarn porn but I will post it in a day or two. Tomorrow is knit night.

It's Fall, well almost.

The weather in Texas has gotten more hospitable. It's been in the mid 80's during the day and 68 during the night. I had to get this kit from Natural Dye Studio, it came with a basic toe up sock pattern 5 double point Surina double points, and 2 skeins of luscious skeins of beautiful British Blue Faced Leicester wool the colorway is Orchid. The Natural Dye Studio is on Ebay Progress my sock well I almost ready to start the gussets I love, love love this yarn. The pattern is super easy and it's a quick knit, it s Lanas Puras Melosa-Fingering Weight and the pattern is The Lacy Mock Cable Socks pattern yes of course it is toe up, you can find it at One Yarn and Fiber.Com

Well sock two of the Boyfriend Sock pattern has been cast on. The first one took quite a while to work on only because I work on 3 or 4 different projects at the same time, I have to switch projects daily or I get bored. I have to start working on the red scarf for this years red scarf program .

I am working on the last full hexagon for this tank top, then all that is left is half of on at the bottom and on small section on the sleeve. I am going to add straps and a border around it to finish it. My next on is waiting in the wings I already have the yarn for it.

This baby hat is driving me batty. I tried one pattern and twice it came out wonkie, so I tried another pattern twice, it too is coming out wonkie. I am going to rip it out and find yet another hat pattern.

Mom's health is concerning me more and more, it is decorating more and more each day. The other day when I talked to her she was totally out of breath as if she had been running a marathon. It sounded like she was breathing through a harmonica. She said her legs are swollen from her crotch to her toes and that they were so swollen that she could not even put on her shoes. It's obvious the latest strongest diuretic they gave her is not working. Cousin D was going to go take her shopping for shoes today. I bet mom didn't take her diuretics today because she was going shopping. I can hear how tired she is on the phone. I can also hear her giving up. All I can do is to tell her I love her.