What a week!!

We had a busy week. I don't think I have knit in over a month. There has been so much going on. I think I may be ill because I never go this long without picking up the needles. I even spent 5 hours total on a train without any knitting. I did take a book to read.

The girls and I went to Chicago last weekend for vacation. We had a lovely time visting the American Girl Place. (My wallet did not have a good time there) We also visited the Shedd Aquarium. Lots of great meals and good times were had.

We did cut our trip a little short because my Grandmother passed away. It was expected but still very sad. I did give up my stops at yarn shops in chicago so we could leave early.

This week was filled with visitations as well as the funeral. It was nice to see so many people that I haven't seen in quite some time.

Thank you supersock for the package. It was great. I will post more later.

warm weatheritis

I have had warm weatheritis lately. That is my excuse for not blogging in a long time. I have hardly even sat down at the computer. I have been very busy with birthday celebrations for both the older girls. They are very excited about our trip to Chicago next week. (So am I)

I have did very little knitting in the past two weeks. I have not had any ambition. I think it is the warm weather. I did break down and turn on the AC last week when the temp was in the high 80's with very high humidity. It was worth it just to dry the air in the house out some.

Nothing new

I just realized that I haven't posted in a few days so it is time. This will be a quick post as I have to get Kara off to Kindergarten in a few minutes. Not much knitting going on here. I still need to rip back my sisters socks. I just don't feel like doing it. I finished up the baby sweater for the shower. I am really thining about getting Ariann out today and working on it.

The ambition is very low. My allergies are acting up and I feel crappy. I really should go walking this afternoon. On Monday Amy and I walked 2.6 miles. Actually she rode in the stroller and I pushed her for 2.6 miles. I really need to walke if I want to keep loosing pounds. I have lost 6.25 lbs so far. I am shooting for 30lbs right now but ulitmately want to loose 50 lbs. I can do it. At least knitting keeps me from eating.

Sunday night

Well I have been off all week and have yet to post. I guess I just kept myself busy with other stuff. The weather has been so nice that it is hard to sit indoors at the computer. I go back to work tomorrow, which I am very ready to do. I really need the time off, not just to heal physically but to decompress for a little bit.

I spent the week planning my vacation for the kids which will be short but fun. We are taking the train to Chicago for a weekend. My sister is going along so we will pick the train up in Kalamazoo were she lives and then it is only a 2 and half hour train ride. So not bad 3 1/2 hours travel total. We will take the girls to the american girl store which they will love. The hotel we have booked has a special package for the american girl dolls so the kids will feel special. We are also going shedd aquarium and navy pier.

Now I just have to do a little searching for yarn shops near where we will be staying. There won't be much yarn shopping time since this is a kids trip.

As for knitting progress I started some Monkey socks by cookie A which I was totally loving until I tried them on and the heel is huge. They are for my sister who has smaller feet than me so that won't work. I will have to rip all of the stitches back the heel flap (I just finished the gusset decreases) The pattern calls for a stockinette stitch heel but I think I will change it to my standard slip 1 knit 1 heel which should help. I also think I will go down a needle size as well for the foot. Pictures to come later. Time for bed.

Is my secret pal psychic?

It seems that my secret pal is very good at reading me. But when I opened up my package I received on Saturday I was sure that she can read my mind. I have to say that this box was very full. The pictures don't do it justice. I had to take lots of pics just to get everything in.

Here is the inventory. One skein of tofutsies, one skein of ribbon yarn, a skein of fun fur. A pattern for the tidal wave socks from SWTC. (more on this later) a card, a CD of mixed songs (which I love, they will be great for when I can get back to the treadmill next month) scissors, notecards, a pedicure kit, a cool swirly glycerine soap, coconut lime body lotion and body spray, bath paints for the girls, tea, hot chocolate, dove dark chocolates, coconut hersey's kisses (were did she find them, they are divine) dark chocolate M&M's, microwave popcorn. I think this completes the list. If i missed anyting I'm sorry supersock.

This package came at a perfect time as I have been laid up since my surgery. I feel great today but my doctor will not let me return to work until May 7th. Oh well if I am forced to take a vacation while I feel ok then so be it.

Ok for the psychic part. A few weeks ago while out of town I picked up a skein of tofutsies in a pink color. (She sent me blue which I really love blue) However Saturday morning I sat down and cast on for the very pattern which came in the mail later that day. My last package contained some blue trekking which was very close to a skein that I had just bought for myself. I looked back and I never blogged about theses purchases so she must have me pegged. The music on the CD is all stuff I love on the radio but did not yet down load. I can't wait to get back on the treadmill next month and listen to this cd. (I have it in the PC right now.

Ok now I need to eat somemore of the treats as tomorrow I am joining weight watchers. I have put on about 25 pounds in the last year so it is time for some action. My goal is to lose 50 pounds. This seems lofty but not unattainable. I am now 185lbs and 50 would take me down to 135 which is ok for me at 5' 3". So my posts will also include weight loss from now on.

FO's

Being home on bed rest has really got me moving on finished objects. I would post more pictures but dial up makes it very hard to upload more than 2. So far I have finished Kara's red and pink socks. These pics were taken before she went to school today. After school she says that she had to show off her new socks at show and tell. They are Regia crazy colors. She loves them. I finished them last night while I could not sleep. It seems that all of my sleepind done during the day kept me up all night despite the narcotics. These socks are just a plain vanilla pattern. I have used in the past. I made them slightly on the long side for her feet since it is April now and I know she will not be wearing them much before summer. I hope she will be able to wear them all next winter. (the other girls also requested the same sock but I find that to be boring.)

Today I finished the drawstring baby pants from last minute knitted gifts. I had already joined the legs so all I had to do was the diaper area, sew down the waist band and make the drawstring. They turned out really well. I now want to order some more knit picks shine sport for a sweater to go with the pants. The pants are the grass color so I am thinking cream for the sweater and maybe some socks as well. The baby shower is tentaively set for June 3rd. I. have. time.

I also cast on and finished a cell phone case using up the scraps of regia this afternoon. It only took 1 and 1/2 hour to do. Very simple.

I also pulled out the jaywalkers that I started last month. Sock one is now at the toe decreases. I hope to finish it before bed tonight. Not quite sure if I will cast on numer two or not. I really want to cast on for some tidal wave socks with tofutsies instead. I am just not loving the Jaywalkers color.

I should really work on my ariann sweater but I think I lost that mojo for a while.

I am really amazed with the amount I have accomplished in the last two days seeings as I had surgery and all. I think it is the drugs. I feel great. Just a little stiff from sitting so much but I was doing lots of that before. Maybe it is just the knowledge that I need to keep moving to get better that is keeping me from sleeping. Anyhow my doc wrote me a slip to be off unitl next week monday May 7th. I think I will go stir crazy to be home that long. And then to be on restrictions for another 3 weeks at work will make life not fun for me.

Ouch!

That is how my face feels right now. This morning I went to see a plastic surgeon (one with whom I work with on a regular basis at the hospital) so he could take a small cyst of the bridge of my nose. It ended up being bigger than he expected for an office procedure. I am just thankful it is removed. It was in the way and my glasses were not fitting right. I do have to say that my bandage is attracting all kinds of looks. (I went grocery shopping on the way home)

Today is the first of 7 consecutive days off of work. I might actually be off for 9 days depending on how things go tomorrow. I am having a small out patient surgical procedure. I am not worried at all. I have a great doctor and great staff in my room to take care of me.

I am hoping to get some knitting done. I bought the first two seasons of greys anatomy on dvd this weekend to keep me occupied. I finished the first pink and red sock requested by my five year old and am turing the heel on the second.