Half Way Through

I don't have a picture to go with this post. I thought about taking one, but I was too busy knitting and forgot. Today I am halfway through with my chemo. Four down and four to go. I have finished what everyone said was the hardest of the four rounds. I didn't find it to be too bad compared to what I expected. I hope this means the next four will be a breeze.

Fingerless Mitts

I have been on a fingerless mitts craze. I don't know why I like them so. I have never made a pair for myself, but they look so comfy. I was playing around with a pattern I found on Ravelry and did a few modifications of my own. I plan to send several sets of fingerless mitts to Cathy so the Austin German Shepherd Rescue can sell them and raise a little money. This will be one of the pairs.

Fish Hat, Fish Hat, Funny Funny Fish Hat

These fish hats have been a hit. Tessa and Robyn wanted one. What can I do? I cannot refuse!

Sleep Tight

And yet another knitting pattern created my yours truly. I don't know why they hit me all at once. Must be the chemo talking :)

Since I am currently without hair, my head gets cold at night. If I put a hat on, it sometimes gets hot and off it goes. I wanted to knit a hat I could sleep in. This one works great. I knit my initial hat using a cotton blend yarn. It stays on most of the night.

Sleep Tight

Needles- US size 7
Yarn- Worsted weight (model knit in Knit Picks Comfy Worsted- Marlin)

CO 90 stitches. Place a marker to denote the beginning of the row. Be careful not to twist the stitches.

Knit 3, purl 3 rib for 2 inches.

Row 1- * YO, k2tog, k13; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 2 & 3- *k10, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 4- *k5, YO, k2tog, k3, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 5- *p2, k1, p2, k3, YO, k2tog, k5; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 6- *k10, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 7- *p2, k1, p2, k5, YO, k2tog, k3; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 8- *k5, p2 k1, p2, k3, YO, k2tog; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 9- *k10, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 10- * YO, k2tog, k3, p2, k1, p2, k5; repeat to the end of the row.

Row 11- *k3, YO, k2tog, k5, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.

Repeat rows 3-11 three more times. If you are counting all of your rows, the last row you will work will be row 38.

*k10, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.
*k5, YO, k2tog, k3, p2, k1, p2; repeat to the end of the row.
*k13, YO, k2tog; (repeat 5 times), k5 (this will be row 41 if you are counting all rows)

Begin the decrease for the crown-

Row 1- *k8, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 2- knit
Row 3- *k3, YO, k2tog, k2, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 4- knit
Row 5- *k6, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 6- knit
Row 7- *k5, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 8- knit
Row 9- *k4, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 10- knit
Row 11- *k3, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 12- *k2, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 13- *k1, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 14- *k2tog; repeat to end of row

Cut yarn and run through the remaining stitches to close top.
Weave ends in.

Houston

We loaded up the car and headed west on I-10 to see Mom and Cathy. It was so good to see them since we had not seen them since Christmas. Houston was smoking hot and not in a cute, attractive way. It was dripping sweat hot. Seriously hot. We decided in this lovely heat to shop for guitar picks (for Cara) and college stuff (for Robyn). This was the temperature reading when we left the Container Store. Yikes. We could fry and egg on the ground.

As we got ready to round the final turn in the subdivision and pull into the parking lot, we saw a family of ducks playing in the water at the edge of the curb. Lot of neighbors were watering their grass and the run off was an excellent swimming pool. As we got closer, the ducks waddled off to find other enjoyment. I love the ducks in Mom's subdivision. They are always in for a good time.

Ollie

Well, I haven't done much this month other than knit. I don't have the energy to be active and you know I love me some knittin. Here is another pattern I came up with. The name comes from the eight ribs that come down from the crown of the hat. Click on the following link to download the pattern. download now


Ollie

Needle Size- US size 7
Yarn- Worsted weight (model knitted in Moda Dea Washable Wool- Plum)

Ollie stitch pattern

Row 1- *k1, yarn over, slip one knitwise (yarn in back), k2, pass slipped stitch over the last two knitted stitches; repeat stitches from * to the end of the row.

Row 2 and 4- knit all stitches

Row 3- *k1, slip 1 knitwise (yarn in back), k2, pass slipped stitches over the last 2 knitted stitches, yarn over; repeat stitches from * to the end of the row.

CO 80 stitches. Place marker to denote beginning of row. When joining, be careful not to twist stitches.

Knit k5, p5 rib for 2 inches.
Knit Ollie stitch pattern once.
Knit k5, p5 rib for 10 rows.
Knit Ollie stitch pattern once.
Knit k5, p5 rib for 10 rows.
Knit Ollie stitch pattern once.
Knit k5, p5 rib for 10 rows.

Decrease for crown-

Row 1- *k5, p1, p2tog, p2; repeat to end of row
Row 2- *k5, p4; repeat to end of row
Row 3- *k5, p1, p2tog, p1; repeat to end of row
Row 4- *k5, p3; repeat to end of row
Row 5- *k5, p1, p2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 6- *k5, p2; repeat to end of row
Row 7- *k5, p2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 8- *k5, p1; repeat to end of row
Row 9- *k4, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 10- Knit
Row 11- *k3, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 12- *k2, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 13- *k1, k2tog; repeat to end of row
Row 14- *k2tog; repeat to the last stitch, k1

Cut yarn and run through the remaining 8 stitches to close top.
Weave ends in.

Oil Spill

Sometimes Big Business is all about making a buck. They cut corners and don't worry as much as they should about safety issues. I think this is what happened with the BP oil spill in the Gulf. I don't think BP was looking at anything other than to get the oil in the quickest way possible. It was about quantity, not quality. No thought to safety, following standard procedure, or accountability. Their shortsightedness has changed this area for a very long time, probably for at least my lifetime. I am the daughter of a petroleum engineer. I grew up knowing a little about how drilling works. I don't have a problem with drilling in the Gulf, IF procedures are in place and followed. They were not in this case. The management will never know the full effect the spill with have on this area and in some cases, they might not even care. Sad and tragic.

Checkmate

I have been on a knitting roll and another hat pattern came to mind. I hope you enjoy it.

Checkmate

Cast on 72 stitches. Be careful not to twist stitches when joining first row. Place a stitch marker to note the beginning of your row.

Knit in k4 p4 rib for 10 rows.

Purl 2 rows.

Knit in p4 k4 rib for 10 rows.

Purl 2 rows.

Knit in k4 p4 rib for 10 rows.


Decreasing for crown

Row 1- *k1, k2tog, k1, p1, p2tog, p1* repeat to end of row.

Row 2- *k3, p2tog, p1* repeat to end of row.

Row 3- *k3, p2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 4- *k2, k2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 5- knit

Row 6- k7, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 7- k6, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 8- k5, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 9- k4, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 10- k3, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 11- k2, k2tog; repeat to end of row.

Row 12- k1, k2tog; repeat to end of row.



Cut yarn and thread through the remaining stitches to close hat. Click on the following link to download that pattern. download now

Another Teenager in the House

It seems like yesterday, Cara was crawling everywhere, learning to stand and eating her "cerl and muk" every day for breakfast. Where has the time gone? She had grown to be an adorable girl who makes me laugh, often when I need it the most. She is smart, talented, and thoughtful. I am lucky she is my child. I love her so much. Happy birthday, my baby.

Birthday Money

Cara had a party to go to and I wanted to come up with an interesting way to present the money other than with a card with money stuffed inside (although that is always welcome). A couple of weeks ago, Cara had her friends over for her birthday party and one of her friends gave her money rolled up in a roll of toilet paper. It was funny to see the toilet paper sitting there among the other gifts. It had a ribbon tied around it and was as festive as the other presents. When it was time to open it, she unrolled the paper. Confetti and dollar bills were inside. It was one of the hits of the party. Everyone loved it. Cara wanted to give one of her friends money too for her gift. I remembered folding up chewing gum wrappers when I was their age and we made long ropes of zig zagging paper. I found a site that gave instructions on how to use the technique to make a bracelet. The money looked great in bracelet form. It was a little big, but more fun that just sliding out of a card.

Parenting

There are two types of parents I don't understand. One is the type that assumes you will watch their children while they enjoy themselves and the other is the type that is oblivious to how their children are disrupting others. Unfortunately, some parents are both types.

Years ago, Phillip and I attended a party where swimming was available. Robyn was little and didn't know how to swim. Both of us were in the pool with her, playing around and letting her have fun in the water. The only other person in the pool was a young girl floating around in an inflatable ring. I had no idea whose child she was. She was on her own. All of sudden we heard a bunch of screaming and looked around to see what was up. The girl had slipped out of the ring and was under the water. She couldn't swim. Phillip handed Robyn to me and dove to get her. When he got her to the side of the pool, her mother was standing there. She was upset because Phillip didn't get to her daughter sooner. Why was she in the pool alone if she couldn't swim? She took her daughter away. No thank you. Nothing. Why do some parents expect you to watch their children while they enjoy themselves themselves at an event? After all you are already watching a child. Why not watch another? Similar instances have occurred over the years. Why do some parents just assume you will be their babysitter?

Tonight we went to eat at a restaurant and this sign was on the door. It is sad to me that a business feels they need to post such a sign. The other group of parents that I don't understand are the ones that are oblivious to others around them. They are at a restaurant and their kids are loud, running around, and annoying others trying to eat. Making a general mess at their table. The parents are busy talking to the other parents and are not watching what their angels are doing. You see them at the store. Their kids are running through the isles, bumping to other shoppers. This parent just walks through the store doing their thing, sometimes screaming across isles for their children. These parents are everywhere not giving a thought about how their children are acting or disrupting others. I rarely hear these parents correcting their kids about their behavior.

My girls are not saints and I am not the best parent on the planet, but I don't let them run wild in public nor do I expect others to watch them when it is my job. I get tired of correcting their children and the looks I get from them when I do. I don't just standby and let their kids run amok when their child is disruptive. I just don't get these types of parents.

It's Time

Yup. Goodbye hair...for now. This morning I was reading and kept feeling tickles on my neck. Lots of hair was falling on my shoulders. I went to the bathroom to take a shower and combed my hair to get all of the loosies so I didn't clog the drain. No use. It was too much hair. It was time for it to be it shaved. We borrowed a razor from our next door neighbors. Phillip, Robyn and Cara took turns working on my do. They gave me the Mohawk and then took it all the way down. Now I just have stubbles. It is much cooler. When I look in the mirror I can hear Tim Gunn telling me "That is a lot of look." He is right.

All I Wanted Was to Watch A Little Baseball

LSU is playing in the Super Regionals heading up to the College World Series. They won it all last year, but this year the pitching has been struggling. The game is blacked out here. They are playing at UCLA and I was able to find it through Facebook posts on the LSU page. Some guy was streaming the game from his cable connection and it came in loud and clear. I loved being to sit in the recliner and watch the game on the laptop. Pretty decided that I was to be her bed, so I had both of them on my lap. Most of the time, she didn't block my view. She roots for LSU too. That's my girl.

The Hair Exodus has Begun

Well it has started. My hair is falling out. If I run my fingers through it I get 5-8 hairs. Well poop. I so wanted to avoid this even thought it was virtually 100% definite that I would loose my hair with my chemo treatment. Cara is itching to give me a mohawk. I think it will be soon.

Better Than A Bowl of Soup

Robyn has a good friend who has mono for the second time. It is so bad that it has affected her liver and she now has hepatitis. She is such a character and I love her sense of humor. I thought that instead of sending her something healing like chicken soup, I would knit her something that would make her laugh. I hear she loves it. Feel better soon, sweetie.

What's In Robyn's Car?

Today we are playing what is in Robyn's car. A couple of weeks ago, she participate in the Talented Art Senior Show. All of her pieces were either fully knitted or had a part that was knitted. They featured animals. So for the past two weeks, she has driven around with these animals in her car after the show was over. I guess she enjoys the company. In the back seat we see the electrocuted fox, the armadillo road kill, and part of the clubbed baby seal. In the very back, we can see the head of the slaughtered cow. Her theme was animal cruelty. She wants to hang the cow in the den. We nixed that idea. Who knows how long her animal creations will continue to hitch a ride.

Ingenuity At Its Best

I took a ride with Phillip to Lowe's. He loves to walk around in there and look around. I do too, but I was not feeling up to the walk. I stayed in the car and people watched. This I love! I wish I could have seen who drove up in this baby cause I would get out and salute them and their creative mirror additions. I am guessing that they pull a trailer or something that creates the need to see greater angles behind them. I had to get out and see this up close. I am not sure what they used to attach the mirrors, but it was glopped on good. Real good. Amazing.

A Tick !!!

Never let it be said that Phillip and I have great eyesight. Tonight, I was rubbing Skittles tummy. I saw this black thing. It looked like a tick. From all angles, it was a tick. I got Phillip. Same diagnosis. We got Robyn. She worked at a pet shop so she was the family expert. While I googled "tick removal" Phillip and Robyn discussed their options. Skittles was thrilled to have so many people giving her attention and giving her love. We got the glass of alcohol to kill the tick ready and the trust tweezers were in hand. Phillip tries to grab it but cannot get a good grip. Robyn starts to think it was not a tick after all. She takes hold of the tweezers and pulls off...a glob of dirt. I am thinking it must have some pine tar mixed in with the mud because it did not break down even spending the night in the glass of alcohol. So there you have it. Phillip and I are blind and Skittles got her attention. Her plan worked.

Enough With the Waffles

Do I hear you saying that? Wellll. You might have to wait a little longer. I have a couple more of these babies in the works. You have to agree. It is a great hat.

Another Order of Waffles

Can you tell I like this pattern? It is so easy to remember and interesting to look at. Don't get me wrong. I still love my rolled brim hat, but sometimes we need to mix it up a little. Right?