Wrap It Up

I'm cautiously optimistic about my latest endeavor; selling my felted 'java jackets' at a local coffee shop. After the umpteenth time burning my hand on the too-hot paper cup with nary a sleeve in sight, I mentioned to the owner that I make my own, but kept forgetting it.

She asked me to bring some in and the next thing you know I'm printing out "Go Green with Java Jackets by Sally HP" labels to tie on my newly felted creations. Will I have a huge profit margin? No. But it's fun, and it's something to keep me busy...because two kids and a household to run just wasn't enough. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I'm just excited to get my name out there and have something to do that's my very own.

Plus, it gets a little old spending your husband's money all the time. Who knew?! I was trying to teach H and C to say "Hey, Sugar Daddy!" when J walks in from work, but it's just not catching on.

On that note, J and I will be celebrating our six year anniversary in just a few weeks. It's too bad it's not our seventh, or I'd be able to wittily quip about the seven-year-itch (well, I guess I still try) as I've recently developed a raging allergic reaction to my ring, leaving me self-consciously mentioning my husband each time someone sees the crazed mommy of two in the grocery store and glances conspicuously at my naked finger.

J kept telling me to "Stop wearing that ring, and put some cortisone cream and a band-aid on it!"; my response? "What? Are you a doctor or something? Oh. Well, you're not my doctor." Seriously, will the boy never learn? I finally followed the dear doctor's advice and, miraculously, it cleared up. I slipped my ring back on and within a few hours it was red and angry again.

I had initially chalked it up to the cold, dry winter paired with the 8 billion daily hand-washings that come with changing diapers and wiping bottoms. Now, I know that it's just my body's way of throwing me a bone. When I see that perfect "past, present, future" ring that's over 2 carats I can say with confidence My Body Needs It! J didn't find this theory humorous. He doesn't understand my lust for an item that often means death and destruction in several countries in Africa.

Really, I think it's just that the yellow gold is peeking through and it needs to be re-rhodium-plated...guess I'm a cheap date after all.

Woman of the Cloth-The Redux

yesterday, I anxiously awaited the buzz of my doorbell. My favorite man in brown had a special delivery for me, and I was ex-ci-ted. It is probable (note, I don't say is) a sign that my life is what some could call a little dull, as the object of my ardour was...drumroll please; my shipment of bumGenius 3.0 diapers!

The ritual of unwrapping each diaper and it's accompanying microfiber inserts, un-snapping the sizing snaps and fastening the velcro onto the laundry tabs while placing them into their neat and respective piles before lovingly carrying them to the front-loader for their innaugural wash was about the same level of zen I feel when I'm in the rhythm of knitting socks or something.

Then, later that night, as I sat and talked with J while snapping the insert to size, snapping the diaper to the right setting, folding and arranging them in happy little rows in the cabinet. To someone who doesn't get that warm feeling in their belly when they see the splashes of color in a quilting or yarn store, I won't be able to describe it to you, but there is just something so nice about color. I am officially a cloth diaper convert.

The winter is winding down (I hope) and it's almost 60 degrees as I sit here just before 11am. I'm taking H and C on a Maple Sugar sampling tour today while J toils away at the hospital, and I just can't wait to get out in the warm sunshine and get some fresh air...

On that note:

Bump Watch 2009

No, I'm not talking about eyeing the bellies of skinny celebrities to attempt an early detection of pregnancy...or a lot of carbs for lunch; I'm talking about the impending arrival of C's first tooth. H had his first sprout when he was only four months old, and C started the drooling, swollen gummed mess at that time as well, but five months later-nothin'!

Yesterday, I finally saw the tell-tale opaque bump that was swollen and rounded, now just waiting for that razor-sharp edge to come through. I don't know that 'anxiously awaiting' is the right phrase, because I'm sure my girls would be more than happy if he was a Gummy Gus for three more months.

After all, he ate 1/4 of a grilled cheese today without teeth, I think he'd be fine for a few more months, right?

Two Much of a Good Thing

So, I cast on my first pair of socks on circular needles, my first pair of toe-up socks and my first time making two socks at once. Oh, did I mention this was all the same project? It only took me about two rounds to realize that maybe I should master one at a time. So, here I am with a cuff-down pair of socks, based on the pattern by FuzzyNoodleKnits; Ladies Simple Socks on Two Circs (the featured photo is from her ravelry page). She based her pattern on Cat Bordhi's Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles.


I have to say that after a small issue with self-confidence, once I just made myself do it instead of stewing over the pattern, it's really simple. In one evening, I finished the bulk of one sock.

Once I realized how simple it really was, I wished I'd cast on both socks...there was no way I was frogging it a third time, though.

Here's my progress so far:

Cuff completed and starting on the leg.

The heel is turned, the gusset complete and now just working on the foot-aka the home stretch. I'll post pictures when they're completed. My friend Alex is going to do these also, so we're having our second knit along...yep, I've converted another one!

To' up from the Flo' Up

Today, I'm starting a pair of toe-up socks, knitting both socks at once on two circular needles. It's my fourth pair of socks, so I feel comfortable in that way; turning the heel and all that jazz...but the magic cast-on and the tricks of using two circulars may present their own special challenges. We shall see!