I have a hangover!

I, have had a MARVELOUS day dahling. Dropped the kids off at Grandma's, went to the library, came home and polished off last nights dinner from Carraba's with Tanya. Proceeded to read for 3, count 'em, 3 hours, uninterrupted. I think the phone rang once. I haven't even checked the messages.

Currently, I am feeling a little 'hungover' from my reading and knitting fest. What was I reading? Not that interesting. What was I knitting? Now that is worth a look.

I just CO this from Knit and Tonic. Last night at dinner, Tanya whipped out her current WIP. I gasped. Handspun, merino/tencel, self dyed, beauteous head wrap.


Then, it hit me. I knew what that beaded yarn I had spun up was gonna be used for. I just put the head wrap down on size 5 needles to try to shake off my lethargy from non-speaking, non-cleaning, purely selfish hangover.

I only have maybe 4" out of 48" and I might run out of yarn. Who cares. Glorious. I am gonna just hunker down till DH gets home and digs me out of my hole to go peruse the new Ukrop's. I'll tell you bout that tomorrow.

Re-Creation

I love the saying, "And on the 7th day, God rested!" Hallelujah! I am taking a break!

You would think that after a weekend of having company, my house would still be in somewhat good shape. The reality is, after all of that frantic decluttering and cleaning, I am exhausted. The toys have arrived in places of the house that they should not be, and my knitting is in strange places.

I have been knitting like a fiend, trying to get my knitting fix all caught up. I have at least 5 days of non-knitting to make up for. Of course, Andy does not understand this explanation of why housework has gone by the wayside, but that's tough!!! I hung out with his family ALL WEEKEND LONG! I have to re-create somehow!

For example: Why is this sock, on rosewood needles no less, in the kitchen in front of the sugar bag? The real question is, why is the sugar bag not put away?


I am finding children in strange places as well! Whose feet are these?


Of course, I forgot! 3yo's like boxes more than toys.

DS is sporting his daddy's newly finished hat in handspun. I am right proud of this hat. Just the right mix of creativity and manliness. They are exclusive concepts you know!

A note from my WIP's

Hey! Catie, This is your knitting speaking. Where have you gone? We are just listing about without any new rows! Don't forget us. We know you have been busy with family reunions, school, cleaning house for company, and navigating rough waters for Andy's family. But, we are your family too!!!!

If you neglect us, you won't have anything for Christmas presents. You won't have that soothing solace for the mind and emotions. Don't forget what it is like to hear the click of the needles or the rhythmic whrrrrr of Minstrel as she spins up some wool. You love us. Come back soon!
We understand that you have so much to do. Decluttering, teaching, cooking, socializing. Socializing? What? You mean you actually go places without us? Are you ashamed of us? You won't knit in public? That can't be true!

Come back, friend. All those other things can wait. We are the work of your hands. You have bonded with us.


Dear WIP's, This is a short note to let you know that I will be knitting and spinning a BUNCH this week. I am sorry you feel neglected. I have missed you desperately. My hands are itching to feel you slide thru my fingers again. My ears are desperate for the quiet whrrrrr of your motion as yarn is made in my fingers. I need the solace of your presence as I recoup from the weather of life. Wait patiently my friends. We will be together again; after I:

*do the dishes
*vacuum
*fold 3 loads of laundry
*feed kids lunch
*run errands
*check on aunt in hospital
*tie up tomatoes
*swiffer floor
*finish language arts with Mia
*plan and execute dinner
*wash up after dinner
*socialize with husband

Well....... we'll see when we can get together.

Here is another spinner! Thank God, that is NOT what spinning makes us!
This little, garden spider is setting up shop between my boxwood. Right next to my porch swing where I spend most of my time outside. She is dutifully protecting me from all the nasty, disease carrying mosquitoes that have arrived in Virginia this time of year. I have had to protect her 'property rights' from would be assassins; namely, my children. Little Spinner protects me as I spin and knit as my children play out on the porch. They should be grateful.
These pink, grey, and black socks are supposedly for a dear friend of mine. She has rather large feet. However, my struggles with a fiend called 'gauge' might even cause these socks to not fit her feet. Maybe Andy's feet..... What do you think? Can Andy handle pink, footy socks?

I don't really have much on the needles currently, *sigh*. It is sad really, I have been looking for a cotton cardigan to make and am not having much luck finding a pattern that suits me. I do of course realize that I haven't looked that hard, as of yet.

I would really like to do a lace cardigan to wear in the Spring to church. Something light and airy. Y'all know of any good patterns and don't mind heading me in the right direction? I would appreciate all input.

I have never knit with cotton before. Only with wools, other animal fiber, and acrylics. So, I don't know how is stretches etc.....


This here is some new handspun that I bought from David. It is called Inner Journey. I followed the directions in the newest edition of Spin Off, and made a self-striping yarn. I am quite pleased with the results!!!

I was beating the bushes for a scarf pattern suitable for my manly man husband, and Inner Journey just wasn't cooperating. She, ahem, He wants to be a hat and fingerless gloves. I am such a slave to my fiber. I will do whatever it wants me to do.

I do worry, however, that Andy, my man's man, will find his Inner Journey too...... flashy. This is the man who like varying shades of grey the best. I once found him a lime green polo. What was I thinking!?!?!?!?!

A new method

So.... We had hard boiled eggs for lunch today. Let me preface my story by telling you how smart dd #2 is. She puts A+B=C together, real easy. This axiom just applies to stuff she wants to know, not home school work. Ahem....

As I was saying, we had hard-boiled eggs for lunch today. As my children were consuming them at record speed, Maddy (dd#2) was telling me all she knew about where chicks come from. She asked if the yoke was the chick, I said "no", and she remembered that the daddy had not given the egg it's seed. You know where this is going. She continues by making the astute observation that the daddy chicken would need a pipe to get his seed to the egg. I paused, kept my face straight and just listened to her. Then, she asked me how her daddy........ I HAD to use all the correct terminology and everything. THEN, she asked me if that was the way mommy got a baby... IE: the pipe method.

Gee Whiz. The kid is 5 and knows more about accurate biology than the average 13 yo. She understands perfectly how it all works. I am horrified.

On the knitting front, I have nothing, repeat, nothing on the needles. Oh yes, except the last vestiges of Rogue. I have to buy 1 more skein of Knitpicks at 1.99 a ball to finish. I jsut can't bring myself to pay more for shipping than the yarn itself.

I miss you, dad

Dear Dad,
It has been 10 years since you have died, and I have missed you for everyday of those years. I am quite well and mom is fine.
You would be proud of your children. We stepped up to the plate and took care of mom in your absence. It was tough, but it was the right thing to do.
I want to tell you all of the things I remember best about you.

*Remember the peach jelly we made, the last Spring we were together? Andy makes jelly with me now.

*Remember the bees. Andy and I still don't have a hive, but give us a little time. It would be fun watching Andy get chased by bees like you were after you robbed the hive.

*You were my best friend. Losing you about broke me, but God is faithful. I have all the love I need. You got to give me away to Andy before you died. A daughter can ask for no more than that.

I want to tell you some things that you might like to know. I have 3 children now. 2 daughters and a son. Amelia, Madeline, and Ethan. Robert Ethan. Yes, he is named after you. I couldn't think of a better name for my son than the name of my father. We are all healthy and well, and best of all, happy.
It has taken me a long time to get over mom. As you know, she is quite difficult. After we went to court, I didn't speak to her for 2 years. I couldn't. I would have panic attacks just thinking about it. The power of a mother is tremendous. Now, I try to honor her and love her the best way I can..... by being her mother. She lives with Robert and his family in NC. A good 7 hours away, and that is a good thing.

Sometimes I dream of you. It is amazing. You are exactly the same and I cherish every word you speak to me. I wish I would dream of you more often. I wish that I could ask you questions and for advice. But most of all to tell you face to face about my beautiful children. I never knew (you always told me, but I didn't get it) how wonderful children were.

I learned so many things from you. Jelly. Honey. Teaching. Faith. Here are a few of the most important lessons I learned from you.

• You gotta scoop poop to have a clean yard.
• How to catch a snake
• How to 'ring a boys chimes'
• What boys really want
• How to pick beans
• How NOT to rob a hive of honey
• How to weed
• How to clean a house
• When you see someone else working, you don't just stand there..... YOU help
• You taught me the substance of faith and believing that God will meet all my needs regardless of circumstances
• Jesus

Mostly, I just want to thank you for being my dad. I didn't get to share all of these things when you were present here on this earth. I wish I had said more when I had had the time. But you are well now, and I still love you and will forever.

Your girl, Catie Cat

days of thunder and lightning

I hate hormones. Yes, yes, I know...... Hormones provide a lot of wonderful things. Babies, etc. But, I feel like I am on a broom today.

I got up at 8:30. Thanx hon, we have had the discussion multiple times about getting me up before you leave the house at 7:15. You know, that it really is best if I get up and have some 'alone' time with my coffee and knitting before the Nascar of my day begins. Yes, Yes, I know....... I look all warm and cute and sleepy looking, there in the bed. But PLEASE, GET ME UP. There is nothing I hate more than having to get straight out of bed and be Miss Mommy America! I just don't talk in the morning, I won't hurt you, I promise!

The house is all cluttered and toyed up. Again. How many times am I gonna have to do this in my lifetime? Please, don't answer that. All of you seasoned moms out there are rolling your eyes at me right now. I can see you. I know that my pumpkins will be teenagers in a nano second. But, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!

I have a menstrual headache, have already laid down for a few minutes, and it is only 3:41pm. Andy, won't be here for another hour. Of course, why WOULD he want to come home when his wife is in her Days of Thunder and Lightning?

Do you know what would be a GREAT idea? Some sort of remedy that brought your period on!!! I would be on that like fleas on a dog. Anything to get back to my usual, sweet, calm, kind, patient self!

I have ANOTHER great idea! A nanny. I have a 36 year old friend who is having her 1st baby. She wants to work from home (Wachovia is her employment) and keep her baby at home, while she works, via, a nanny! Can I have 1? Any volunteers who would do that for FREE? So, get this, for $11/hour, you can have someone to take care of your baby, do light cleaning, AND light cooking. I think it is worth it. Maybe just once a month, when I can't tolerate myself, much less expect anyone else to put up with me. Oh yeah, her husband gets to stay home with her for 8 weeks. Yeeesh. I barely got a couple of hours before I went solo.

Gotta go. Making a carb heavy dinner tonight in honor of my raging hormones and cool house. I am going to fire the oven up and make PIZZA! I really do make good pizza. I don't scrimp on the olive oil or the mozzarella. That should fix me right up.

Isn't this purse the most cheerful thing you have seen in the longest time? Thanx, Sallee for making me the bag. Posy sock sack to be exact. I had one made for my mom for mother's day. I carried it around with me for a week, and decided I had to have 1 just like it. Technically, it is a sock knitting bag. It perfectly holds a wound skein of sock yarn, has cool dp holders, place for cell and wallet.
For me, I use the dp holders to hold my lipstick nice and tight! I am loving this thing. It holds great to my shoulder as I grab at the kiddoes!

Grandma's Garden andInner Journey. Finally, I am showing y'all the new roving I got from David Simpson the other night. I already have 1 skein spun of the Inner Journey. I am thinking a zig zag scarf for dh, Andy.

I love spinning the Inner Journey right now. The colors are so appropriate for my life right now. Red for passion. Gold for precious treasures. Black for sorrow.

I just had the 1st conversation with my 51 year old cousin today about letting her mother go. I have walked the 'letting a person' go path several times. Aline, my aunt, my cousins mom; is in the ICU, doesn't know where she is, how she got there, and keeps asking her daughters why she has all these tubes coming out of her. I have asked her, before she got to this stage, if she was ready to go, and she said "yes." Poor girls.

I leave you with the passage of Scripture that my father asked to be read to him on his death bed. I was 24, in shock, and terrified. I will never forget this Scripture and how much it means to me.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.

For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

Lord, that's my prayer for Aline and her children. Amen.

This is 1 of my cats. Yes, I do have cats, though they are not my favorite house pet. I am a dog person by nature. However, this is a blog called Catie-catknits. Hmmmmm. Ever wondered why a dog person would name her blog with cat in the name. Glad you asked!!!
My father used to call me his KittyKat. A play on my name, Catie. I didn't like Kittykat-knits, so....... there you go. One of these days I will do a post on my dad, who passed on 10 years ago this past May. He was my best friend. I love my memories of him.

Tomatoes!! Finally, I have the time and energy to grow some. Me and the girls started these from seed. 10 different varieties, all heirlooms. It is so interesting. The plants themselves all look so different and have different names. Black Krim. Cherokee Purple. Big Rainbow. Sungold, just to name a few. I have others, but can't remember all their names. Mia, dd#2, wrote all of their names on stakes for me. Quite a task for a finishing 1st grader.

I believe this is the Black Krim tomato (I was unable to keep up with all of those 30+ tiny plants with 3 small children in the mix.

I love the flowers on these. They are almost as big as miniature sunflowers. Yum yum yum.

Just a small snap shot of my small plot.

Andy and I "tour" the yard every evening. It is a cool time where we just spend time together as a family in the outdoors viewing God's creation, and our hard work.

As for knitting, gotten tons done. (pix tomorrow)

Spinning, yes that too.

Housework, not so much. Need to clean the potties today and vacuum and fold all the laundry that Andy did and tossed in a pile on the floor. 4 loads worth.

So, goodbye for now!

As for Aline, things are not looking good. They are unable to get her to move her bowels and is seriously impacted. Her daughters are going to enter her into hospice. Pray for her to pass quickly.

Thank you for your prayers

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers for my aunt Aline. Quick update:

Last night she was transferred to the ICU. They think she has peritonitis from a perforated colon. Pray she passes quickly and painlessly. There will be 3 adult children travelling to be with her.

I have had a great time praying with her and her daughter. God is good and faithful. If you get a chance read Psalm 19, 91, 139, and Proverbs 31. She is ready, just a matter of time.

Just a quick word about myself. I am doing well with this. I really think I am supposed to be there to support Aline's children during this time. That is how you can pray for me. That I would have 'apt words in apt seasons..'

Good Golly, Miss Molly....... It is HOT! I went to the grocery store and it was 95. Yeesh. And our house IS NOT, I repeat NOT air conditioned. I got a great 'glow' going on right now. Sweat!

This is going to be a sock made out of 'Rhubarb Pie'. Handspun, sport weight, have no idea what WPI are. But, HEY, the pattern calls for sport weight, and that is what she is! I'll take that!

FYI, this is the finest yarn I have managed to spin to date. Maybe I am just not cut out for lace weight spinning. Now..... anyone who knows me, knows that saying "I can't" isn't in my vocabulary, if only that would rub off on my 3 little pumpkins.

I am known not only for my stubbornness, but for my laziness. I did NOT set the twist. We'll see if I live to regret that! It is going OK coming off the bobbin. Yes, I am impatient too! I wanted to continue playing with my new toy.

I had a fabulous time last night with all my RV/spin/knit sisters and brothers last night. I spent a small fortune in fiber from David. Thanks Dave for coming, bringing your stuff and staying to spin with us. It was fun getting to know you!

This, below, is a chevron scarf. I am knitting it with the Sleepy Hollow roving I got from Wiley. I am so wealthy in roving now, I am hardly able to decide what to spin first. Then, what to do with the yarn I have made. What a problem to have, eh? More like a blessing!

Yes, there are 2 of them. I am going to graft them together so that the chevron's go out from each other. (I have no idea if that makes any sense, but I'll show you a pix when it is done and all will be clear. Any of you praying folks out there, please pray for my great-aunt Aline. She is dying, most likely. She is 82 and her systems are failing. Thankfully, she is in good humor and not afraid. I really hope she passes quickly and not have to suffer the indignity of protracted illnesses. I have been to see her everyday since she was admitted, and it is really sad. BTW, this is one of the ladies who fed my interest in handwork. I will always cherish her for that. If I am a little absent more than usual, this is why. My spare time will be ministering to her.

Ponzu

Now, for a break from our regularly scheduled blogging for an advertisement from our sponsor. Kikkoman, the soy sauce of homemakers around the world! The following is a testimonial from a housewife, just like you, of how Ponzu has changed her cooking.

Last night we were going to have leftovers, again. All my children and my husband groaned, "Not steak sandwiches again!!!" Now, being the creative master chef/mother/wife/teacher that I am, I applied my creativity to solve the problem, just like all women do. I reached for my soy sauce in the frig, and *gasp* I was out of my Kikkoman. Distressed, I raced off to my local Fresh Market to get this crucial ingredient for fried rice. What did my wondering eyes see, not 1, not 2, but a whole array of soy sauces for our culinary enjoyment. I immediately was attracted to the label and decided that we needed a little citrus in our lives. Off to the checkout and back to my kitchen. I whipped up the most delicious little steak fried rice you have ever eaten. Effortless, all because of my new, fabu-ingredient: Kikkoman Ponzu, Citrus Seasoned Soy Sauce and Dressing. And all for the thrifty low price of $2.35 a bottle.

I will never do without my Ponzu again!

Whew, I hate commercials don't you?

Beads

Beads, I just love beads!

Yet another roving from Sakina, named 'deciduous.' Got some beads from AC Moore and beaded 2 small bobbins and plied it up!

Love it! What am I gonna do with it? No idea. Suggestions welcomed.

Gotta go back to AC Moore and get more beads. I think I am gonna do the whole 5oz roving with these beads.