Do you have Mitt Envy?? Well I do... or maybe don't... or yeah I do.. but no I don't.

OK here's the deal! I made these awesome fingerless mittens!! They are called "Mitt Envy". So I have them but I don't have mitt envy. (I know..goofy play on words)

The yarn is Koigu KPPPM. and they only took one skein. I have a third mitt done. It was the very first one I did and I totally missed a thumb gusset increase, so rather than rip it out I prayed I had enough in the skien to do the third mitt, and I did...had a bit of yarn left over even!! SO...I have another ball of the same color and I may be making more of these in the same color way and stashing them away for birthday presents or christmas presents or something.


Also, today the boys had dentist appointments. They both had to have work done for icky cavities. Nathan just had one, so he got what they called "The Silver Star" I don't know who was more scared..me or him, but he got through it and even tried to show my dad (who he was talking to on the phone) his Silver Star. Jacob had to have more extensive work done, but Brent said that Jacob didn't even feel the stick of the needle when he got the novacaine! I'm pretty impressed with the dentist office we found. I really like the Dentist and his assistants are very patient. The dentist even dug in his special hiding spot for two special little toys for Jacob and Nathan that he had not put out yet for kids to pick! Pretty cool eh?

Jacob meets an Author!! (**one who's not dead!)
Today I took Jacob (and his buddy Brayden) to Barnes and Noble to meet the Author of "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid", Jeff Kinney. http://www.wimpykid.com/

Jeff gave a little presentation which Jacob sat through WONDERFULLY! We then got in line to get our books signed, but it was LONG!!! So we went to the cafe in the book store and got a treat, shuffled over to the restrooms, then went and picked out book marks to go with the books. After all that we still stood in line for about 20 minutes to get the books signed. It was all worth it when Jacob's friend, Brayden, announced "This is the best day!" and Jacob agreed!
Both of the boys were quiet on the ride home, noses in their new books!

The boys, waiting in line.
**On the way into the store we were talking about Authors and how exciting it's going to be to meet one. One of the boys commented "I thought all authors were dead!" ::giggle giggle::

Alright. I finally feel like blogging! Today I got OUT of the house with both boys, we went to Barnes and Noble and had a wonderful time! The SUN even cam out after the rain passed and it felt so good to soak up some of the rays (even if we were in the car). Then we went to the Dollar Store and they got some little tablets that dissolve in water and spongy Dinosaurs come out. There's a half hour to myself!! haha!

Also on the fun side of life. I'm hula hooping!! I am having fun with my hula hoop and trying to build up minutes each day.

I also made a sweater for Nathan. This is the Wonderful Wallaby (size 6) in Navy Blue. The yarn is Vanna White's yarn from Michael's. For a kids sweater this is awesome! Washable, and yet still soft!! Sweater started Jan. 18, 2008 finished Jan 27, 2008.

Nathan wasn't so sure about the sweater while I was still in the process of knitting it. He was excited that I was knitting it, but when he put it on, well apparently the fit on the shoulders puzzled him. I explained I still had some knitting to do. And below, the finished sweater with my handsome little man in it! I think it looks great on him. I will admit I totally missed the part in the pattern where it said to do some ribbing around the neck before you knit the hood, but still, the hood works. He doesn't put the hood on too much, but he loves the front pouch/pocket for toys!! Great storage (mental note: check pocket before washing)

Peek a boo!

Now go grab a hoop and "Shake what yer momma gave ya!"

Swiped this from Mamarox.

The Recipe For Lora

3 parts Naughtiness 2 parts Wisdom 1 part Slyness Splash of Impishness Finish off with whipped cream

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Really?? 3 Parts Naughtiness?? MOI???
And, I don't even care for whipped cream!!!
*sigh*

I finished the Celtic Braid Socks. Guess what. First time ever, I ran out of yarn for the project I'm on!!! No worries though. I pulled out some left over yarn from another sock and just finished the toe. I kinda like the fraternal look of the socks....twins but yet something is a bit different. If I do this sock pattern again though I'll change the heel. Something about the heel looks too boxy for me. Hopefully when I block them, that heel will smooth out.
I love this yarn!! It was awesome to work with. It's Rio De La Plata yarn and it's yummmmmy!!

It's too cold to play outside, so we've found a new game to play. Michael's has marbles on clearance. They had bags for 50 cents... can't pass up that kind of fun, so I bought TWO!! haha.
Both boys are pretty interested (today) in playing. It was fun watching them. As I googled (is that a verb now?) marbles, lots of old Black and White photos appeared of boys shooting marbles, so I had to get out the camera and play with the settings and take some "action" shots. I really love these shots. Something about the Black and White really makes their facial expressions shout out they they are in serious business here. Are they playing "Keepsies"? ("Keepsies" (or "for keeps") is a variation in which players win the marbles used by their opponent.) If they keep up the interest I may get them new shooters for Valentine's day. That way they can tell them apart.

And the winner is Sarah from Persnickety Sarah. Thanks to my friend Melissa, I had her pick a number between 1 and 11 and she picked the number that matched Sarah.
Sarah, I have no clue what you'll get yet, but I find something fun. No guarantee it's knitting related... or it may be... who knows. I sure don't yet!! But I'll have something for you! :)

Oh yeah.. It snowed again. Melissa and my brother have both sent me this Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler...and I have to share it with you because I swear...someone must be watching Brent and I!!

Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler
* December 8, 6:00 PM It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic, we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
*December 9 We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!
*December 12 The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry--we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man--I'm glad he's our neighbor.
*December 13 Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
*December 15 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all. December 15 Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
*December 17 Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
*December 20 Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The damn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
*December 22 Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more Inches of the white sh*t fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to take a leak. By the time I got undressed, took care of business, and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the *sshole is lying.
*December 23 Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did, but I think she's lying.
*December 24 6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a b*tch who drives that snow plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 MPH and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the d*mn snowplow.
*December 25 Merry f---ing Christmas! 20 more inches of the d*mn slop tonight - Snowed in The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
*December 26 Still snowed in. Why the h*ll did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
*December 27 Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.
*December 28 Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The B*TCH is driving me crazy!!!
*December 29 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
*December 30 Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his *ss. The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted.
*December 31 I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
*January 8 I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Delurking is delovely

It's National De lurking Week, so make thyself known if you haven't already, please. And if you have a blog, please be sure to include it in your comment if your profile is set to private and you want me to check it out.

In the spirit of de lurking and commenting, I will draw names of all that comment on Monday and send you a little prize of some sort. No clue what, but if you're de lurking, that means that you deserve a little reward! :)

I have a hat for FO Friday. It's in the post below with a horrid cellphone picture. The had has been slightly felted and is blocking/drying. Hopefully I'll get better pictures soon.

Topi Hat #2 Now I think this one is too big for Brent, BUT!!! it's 100% wool, so I'll attempt to hand felt it just a tad to snug it up! I love this hat!!! The brim is so cool!

My mom sent me a link to this song. I love it!! Boy she knows my taste in music



Enjoy.
We are off to a birthday party today. My boys are very excited. :o)

FO Friday

OK these objects were done before this Friday, but never blogged about. First up are some Thrummed Mittens made from yarn that my mother bought me from her trip to Alaska. These bad boys are nice!! I may need to felt them a bit because they are kinda floppy right now and keep getting caught in the door handle of my car.

Then I finished the Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie. Though mine is Cranberry colored and not Olive. I am SUPER happy with the finished project!! It's very comfy to wear, and I still have two full skeins of yarn left over. What to do.... What to do?? Sewing the zipper in was tricky. Next sweater??.... can you say PULL OVER?!?!

Below is the cable that's on the back of the sweater. I figured not many of you wanted to see it across my behind... OK OK I didn't want my behind on my blog. *smile*

Below are the front pockets on the sweater. I wasn't sure I'd put them on or not at first, but now I am glad I did. They are kinda cute.

And lets cover the issue of this snow crap.... I am tired of it. Seriously, enough is enough. The boys went out one night and played in the snow and started a snowman. Jacob and Nathan just wanted to knock it down, but Brent was determined to have that snow man still standing.

The boys then proceeded to bury Brent in the snow and Nathan got a little crazy and started shoving snow in Brent's face. It was hilarious! (Don't adjust your screens, I used the sepia option on the camera for this shot.)

The neighbors two doors down, I think it's a bunch of college guys (woo hoo come on summer!), built a HUGE snowman! I mean look at it compared to Jacob! It's too funny, they used parts from their Christmas tree to make it have a Mohawk! That thing is so big it should still be around in February when my parents come to visit!

In other snow news, We're waiting for an avalanche. This is the snow on our roof above our back door. It's dripping down on our back steps and freezing back up. Each time we walk out we are scared it's going to fall on one of our heads. Maybe I'll start using the front door.

Wow what a year!! 2007 will end in less that 3 hours (according to the laptop clock)
A lot to share, so grab your nip of choice and read until midnight and ring in the new year with me.

Finished (knitted) Objects of 2007:

The Biggies!!:
Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie (A++) Loved every stitch of this knit!! We won't talk about the zipper episode.
Bar Harbor Shell Bag
Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole (A++) Labor of love. Beautiful ending!

Socks:
Tree Frog Socks (Yarn from Sereknity {Heather})
Waterloose socks in STR
2 pair of Seize Diamond Back socks (one eaten by lucky dog that is still living) one Sereknity yarns and one Wildfoote
Jungle Stripe Jaywalkers Lorna's Laces
Goblin Waffle Socks (not posted on ravelry yet)
Horcrux Socks in Wildfoote
Cascading Leaves in Witchy from Sereknity
Cascading Leaves in Lorna's Laces
Mock Croc Socks in Wildfoote
Mittens:
2 pair of basic mittens for Nathan
Corazon Mittens from Knitty.com
2 pair of Fetching from Knitty.com
Pair of Thrummed Mittens from yarn that mom got me from Alaska. Thanks mom!
Hats:
Ring of Fire from Cidermoon.com
Lillehammer from Cidermoon.com
Jughead Hat (FROGGED) from Domiknitrix book
Topi hat from Knitty.com
R2D2 Hat for my brother
Cable hat for my dad
Yoda Hat for Jacob for Halloween
2 skull hats, one for Jacob one for Lacey
Banana Republic Knock off hat
Other Knits in Misc. Categories:
Amanda Headband from Sleepy Eyes Knits (Gina)
Captain Underpants Doll
Beaded Flapper Fringe Choker
Bunny Cuddle Buddy
2 Hedgehogs from Fiber Trends
Several Dishcloths
Yarn Wreath made out of spare balls of yarn from ManchVegas Knitters.

WOW again, what a list.

Memories I'll remember from 2007:
My parents first visit together to NH.
Sonya's visit to NH. Weirdo that made her miss her plane. haha
Going out to O'Shea's Sonya while back in KY.
Stow away frogs from Laurin's pool party.
Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile concert with Melissa. Good Times Good Times.
Trips to the beach with my boys.
Karaoke with Ericka (Just ONE Drink then we'll be over....um...yeah ok....)
Grandview with the Manch girls.

Here's hoping for a great 2008!!

Merry Christmas!

Before and After....

Hope your day was great!! Ours was!

Embracing the Snow

OK...so I think most of NH is laughing at me because I'm not realizing the joy about this snow. So tonight, I attempted to embrace the snow, become one with the snow, ENJOY the snow. And... well... I did!! I felt like a kid again!! So I hopped into the snow... knee deep and that's just where I stopped. There's more snow beneath me.

And just to make sure I got the WHOLE embrace the snow sensation, Hubby helped out a bit and PUSHED ME DOWN!! FLAT... I squealed with joy... no wait..that was because the snow went up the back of my shirt a little!! haha But, know what!?!? (sit down Melissa) This Helped!! I am not feeling so enclosed now. It helped to play a little

Here's a fun video of Hubby and I enjoying the snow. We tried to get Jacob to come out and play, but he wasn't too interested. I must have warm blooded kids who don't like snow. Give them time New Hampshire....they'll come around. It's a bit intimidating when some snow drifts are taller than your dad!

I'm not even going to talk about snow today...............................*rolling eyes*

Hey Mom!! Listen to THIS

The other night at knitting we some how got on the subject of Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. No doubt I brought up the subject because sometimes I think that's ALL Nathan ever wants to eat. It's kinda cute...He'll say, "Mommy, I want a Peanut Jelly Sandwich in a triangle." That's probably how the topic got started....Gina, Jackie and I are forever telling the latest and greatest cute things our kids have said! Well, I broke in to song!!! My favorite PB&J song from my childhood!! I abruptly stopped at the phrase "Eat it in the bathtub" and got looks as if to say "You're stopping there???? GO ON!!!" But I couldn't remember much after that. So the above link should open your Window's media player and play the song for you. Ericka was attempting so hard today to help me find the song...she sent me messages on YAHOO IM...is this it? Is this it? Her attempts got me hunting and I found it!! Thanks Ericka for the motivation!!
On the knitting front, I have completed one Thrummed Mitten from some awesome merino yarn mom sent me from her trip to Alaska!!! OH I'm going to have toasty hands this winter!!! I'll get pictures of them when they are finished!! Maybe later tonight if I get them done since I'm not going out in that stuff I said I wasn't even going to talk about in the first sentence.

Snow....seriously.... SNOW!!!!! Oh My Goodness. This is a bit much for this Kentucky gal. I attempted to use the snow blower yesterday, let's just say that thing FRIGHTENS ME!! It's a BIG piece of machinery.... Anyway... let me tell you how serious these New Englanders are about snow.
6:45am.....neighbor is out snow blowing... SIX FORTY FIVE people!!! I was trying to make my way to the coffee pot at that time, then checking to see about school delays and such. Which brings me to my next issue shall we say... School started at the normal time. Good thing about the neighbor snow blowing... he snow blowed our walk way when he brought the snow blower back and put it away. So it was easy to make it to the car this morning.

Ok New Englanders....if I were in Kentucky, school would have been closed big time today! But I'll give it to ya, you all can clean off a street or two pretty fast!! Taking Jacob to school wasn't bad and then I took Brent to work...no trouble there either. Last time it snowed like this in Kentucky I didn't get to work until 4 PM!!!
The sun is shining BRIGHT right now and I've sprinkled some salt down, so our walk ways are clear to the driveway. OH YES Let me mention, this all started yesterday about the time I went to get Jacob from school and it took me about 40 minutes to clean the driveway off enough to get the car back UP the driveway (that's where I attempted the snow blower....ugh)

It is pretty though...at least it covered up the black snow from a couple days ago. haha!

Here's a picture of Lincoln (yes the sock eating dog is still alive!) in the snow. Neither one of the boys was still enough for me to catch a shot of them in the snow....Maybe this afternoon I can snap a shot.
Now Lincoln is not a small dog people!! So that just tells you how much snow we have around here.

I finally got a shot of the boys that I like. This will be in our Christmas Cards to family.

And on another Christmas note. We will be spending Christmas here at our new place! We have decided not to fly home for Christmas. This was a tough and heartbreaking decision, but I know the boys will have a great Christmas here. They are excited for Santa to come and leave them some presents. We'll miss our family over the holiday season, but plan on going home again in the summer for a month (at least me and the boys.....Brent may not get to be with us the whole month, but we'll work it out).

Jacob's pretending he has a sack full of toys.

Nathan in deep thought while looking at the tree.

We went to a place called "Santa's Workshop" in Hooksett, NH
The boys had a great time watching Pyckles the elf make a car for Nathan. Jacob and Nathan both talked to Santa again. We also had cookies.

This photo was taken with my cell phone camera at the workshop. (BTW, Nathan has taken a liking to my beautiful scarf that Sonya made me for my birthday, so we share.) And below is a picture of the boys and the cars they got from Santa's workshop. It was a very festive atmosphere, and I (being the big kid that I am) enjoyed myself and enjoyed seeing Christmas through the eyes of my boys, that was the best!! The second best thing was this was something that was free (though they didn't reject a kind donation.)

{singing} Out side the snow is falling and friends are calling Yooo-hooo (Can I borrow your snow blower??)

Brent got the snow blower out and redirected some snow around the house.
Looking down the street.
The driveway....packed in like sardines.

Snow Angels

We had a sickly week this week. I had a cold of some sorts, it got better... Nathan got the cold and a bit of a fever, it got better.... Jacob got the cold next and had a fever for about 3 days!! Brent is attempting to get it now, but I think he's winning so far!
I've been knitting a bit on my hoodie and have both of the arms done. Now to finish off the bottom of the sweater. I hope to have it finished in time to wear to Gina's holiday party for our knitting group.


I also finished some other knitting while I haven't been blogging.
This is a knitted/beaded Flapper Fringe Choker. I got the instructions from Beadwork Magazine (Oct/Nov 2004). The design is by Lily M. Chin.
Stats:
Needles: 0000 (yep that's 4 of them!! SMALL!)
DMC Perle 8 Cotton - Color # 823 (Dark Navy Blue)
Size 11 seed beads-white/pearlish color
This took one afternoon and evening to knit up.

Next on the hit parade are a pair of Fetching Mitts from Knitty.com .

These are a gift for my Grandmother for Christmas. Hope she likes them! They are soft!!
One Skein of Rowan Cashsoft DK
Size 6 needles

And Finally........ This was a fun knit!!! Brent even asked for this style hat. Melissa printed this off for me Friday, and Friday night at knitting I casted on for this. By Saturday evening, it was finished. This is the Topi hat from Knitty.com. I used different size needles though than the pattern called for. I used size 6 and size 4 needles (pattern called for 7 and 5). This was a test knit and now I want to get some nice grey wool and make another one so it's a tad bit warmer and maybe a smidgen longer too. This one was done with Wool-ease.
Like the self portrait?? This was kinda fun taking my picture.
After two cups of coffee..............Do you think you could stand 3 of me????????
Mystery hubby. Ah you all know what he looks like, he's super cute... I didn't want to come between him and his morning coffee.
So..... That's all for now. I'm going to see what the weather's going to blow in tonight. Doesn't sound like we're going to have a mild night. We might have some of that WHITE STUFF in the morning outside. Jake would probably LOVE another day off school.