Hamster wheel

The weekend was a blur. The fam went to 3 parties, plus lunches out & rounds of golf were had and deadlines strived for. I am exhausted, but everyone had much fun. Deadlines are being missed, barely. It's better not to do finishing work after 4 beers.

Work life is it's usual busy. Amy's book, Knitty reviews, KnittySpin, BGK2, etc., etc.
The mother goes up and down now she's up. The doc says the initial stages of dementia are like this. It did cause me to circle the wagons - get lots of information and get to know her doctors.
It will be a constant, until she's bad enough for a nursing home.

Lately I've been questioning, questioning. The important (ageing & death) & the unimportant( why do it hate being late?). I feel like a hamster in cage inside & very still outside. I don't like it. So tomorrow, I'm starting a five week meditation class so I can take steps to reverse the hamster, release the hamster back to the outside where she belongs. It's good.

This weekend we are embarking on the first multigenerational driving vacation ever. We're driving with Andy's folks to Chicago to see King Tut and play for a couple of days. The girlie will pick out her birthday present at the American Girl store (cue, scream) & I will soak up art & people watch. Can not wait.

I made two backs

No, not the beast with two backs.

Knitting against deadline, thinking I'm doing great.

Then just as the birdies start chirping this morning at 6am - somewhere in the pre-awake fog brain, I realize I've knit two backs of my garment - shit.

First Play and actual knitting content

Isobel was in her first play at school this week.
She played first narrator in a play called Wackadoo Zoo.
It was an amzing 30 minutes of first grade talent - the pride poured off of those kids.
I'm happy to say that little miss has inherited her mama's ability to PROject her voice.
And yes, she picked out her own costume.













The kiddos continue to grow despite the rigors of the squeezing machine.











This used to be my dining room. The house is a shambles due to the installation of a bamboo floor in our family room. And now due to asshat subcontractors - the reinstallation of the floor. Because, a: we wouldn't notice a splitting, broken board and b: we would want to fix it by top nailing said board down. Just say no to Home Depot installation.




Par-tay! Big Girl Knits launch at Threadbear was fantastic.
Sadly, no one peed in their pants from laughing. Though I did climb on furniture & Amy did lift my skirt!


Do NOT ask how much money I spent on yarn that day. Yes, loads of sock yarn.





Icon-y cupcakes








Super Shannon, who drove (with Heather) from the land of Ohio (4 hours!) to play Big Girls and shop at Zingerman's. And who played Ann ARbor Book Fair with me in the pouring rain.
My children are in love with her. S, Isobel is still making 'Billy' jokes.




I do too still knit. Here's evidence. Two garments for Amy's upcoming NO Sheep book. Due June 1. I just might make it. Today is pattern writing day.

The ageing mother saga continues. I'm meeting with a social worker next week. The mother isn't bad enough for assisted living, but can't drive or handle money, and only has social security, medicare/aide. Not many options besides yours truely.

Big Girl Knits 2 is rolling along, I'm ordering yarn this (& next) week for some amazing designs by a whole bunch of great designers. Whew! No wonder I'm not sleeping very well.

Mental

If I keep printing out cool sock patterns, will the time to knit socks magically appear?
I do believe, I do believe..........

MD Sheep & Wool delivery service!

Carla brought MD Sheelp & Wool to my house yesterday!
I gave her my budget & she shopped until she dropped for me- hard work, I know. It's good to have friends.
Clockwise from golden bump - 3 mostly silk rovings - she picked up when she got her new wheel.
Louisa Harding sari ribbon & super stripey merino roving.
3 amazing angora blend batts.
Gorgeous grey alpaca to blend with our Gotland, blue & purple tussah (hands off Amy!) & cashmere & silk.
Nestled in the cashmere & silk clouds are a
Graton Fibership & a Golding (purplrheart) Tsunami. I now have 11 spindles.

Hmmm, what will I do today?

I would like to mention that Carla uttered the phrase - "I wonder if this would be better woven." Just saying.

Six minutes of giggles

The Comic History of Dance - in six minutes.
You will have wedding reception flashbacks........

It's good to have friends

Carla , the lucky duck, went to MD S&W this past weekend. I sent her with money to shop for me, so I could be there in covetous spirit. Yesterday I got this email from her:

Golding and Grafton, cashmere and silk, cashmere, alpaca, purple
T-shirt - can't wait to show it all to you.

Ooooooooooooh! It's good to have friends!


In reality check news we're having a family crisis here at chez moi of the ageing mother variety.
Think good thoughts for me as I delve into the US gov system for the elderly.

If you are waiting to here from me about BGK2 submissions, it may be another week. Thanks for understanding.

Reason 10,421 why I love my husband

He convinced our girl she'd be better at Go Fish if she wore a foil hat.







then sported one himself.