A new GrandPuppy!

For those that have known me a long time, it's no surprise that I a simply a 'ho for babies. Always have been, always will be. Kids too, of all ages, but there is something indescrible about holding a tiny one, having him/her sleep in your arms, nuzzling that soft skin ... Now, I have 4 children, 3 of whom are daughters, and all in their early twenties. So I'm in no hurry to be a grandmother -- I want them to be settled and secure, and most of all, ready. On the other hand -- my hands, actually -- I'm dying to knit teeny tiny little cute garments.

Enter, Ubu.



Oldest daughter (that's Lizzie, with fiancee Bob in the background) and their new pup, "Ubu". He's a rescue pup, part Boston Terrier and part Beagle, and adorable.

He needs a sweater. No, he needs a sweater! And maybe a little cap ...


Anyone with doggie patterns, please email!

And since the site has been devoid of knitting content lately, I can only promise more later. My camera is in the car, it's raining like crazy outside, I'm still in my pjs ... but here's a list of what's being currently worked on:

Camo trigger mittens -- yes, I finished the hat, and the man loves it so much, he sent me flowers. Yipe!

My Hemlock alpaca/wool hand-dyed sweater -- about 1/2 way to the armholes on the body.

Family Denim Tunic from Weekend Knitting -- I love this sweater, I hate the miles and miles and miles of seed stitch.

Swallowtail Shawl -- I have to frog back a few rows and am dreading it. Mohair. Need I say more?

Log Cabin Blanket -- this is for Project Linus, and I'll be knitting during hockey games. Easy, mindless, can be thrown to the floor during victory dances without a problem.

And to end with another dog photo -- here's Alice, sleeping with paw over eyes. Definitely too big for a dog sweater, and at 90 lbs, no need!

Do you number your briefs?

Another baby cap, modeled by the unbeatable SabreTooth. The boys did it again, beating the Bruins and now have an 8-0 record.

I have to admit, this winning streak scares the crap outta me. We've been so close before ... only to have the Cup stolen from us (bitter? nah), and it's early in the season. Oh well, more tension means more knitting for charity!

And the mandatory knitting:

Mandatory as in mandatory (read -- stupid, useless, waste of time, ridiculous -- you get the picture) Continuing Legal Education for lawyers in NY State. We need 24 hours every two years, no matter how long we've been practicing, no matter how much we know about our specific area of practice.

So, Saturday, I spent the entire day in a room in downtown Rochester with 30 other lawyers listening to such pearls of wisdom as, "Always remember to number the pages of your brief." Duh. After 21 years, I need to hear this? Another gem: Don't single space. Arghhhhhhh!

The silver linings were two: I went with my friend Andrea, and we snickered together in the back row, and I brought my knitting. Hence, the scarf.

Yes, I did all this in one day. My hands were screaming, but it was the only thing keeping me in my seat. That's the other thing -- you have to sign in and sign out -- no leaving early, or all your credits are revoked. Like we're in detention!

So, unfortunately, I don't feel like I had a weekend off. I'm already grumpy about court tomorrow, but if it snows, I'll have a nice warm scarf to wrap around my neck.

Random Thursday

Books on CD

Has anyone used any of the audio book rental programs out there? I'm always scouring the local library for good selections, and most often the ones I'd like aren't there, and the overall collection is pretty thin. So I checked on-line, and there are a few companies that operate a lot like "Netflix" -- for $ per month, you can have unlimited rentals, no late fees, pre-paid mailing envelopes.

I'm trying to justify spending 15-20 bucks a month on this and am wavering. I don't drive long distances (usually), but I hate FM radio, and I think I could copy the discs to my computer and/ipod to listen to places other than the car (and ... while knitting!). Then I add it up and say, "$240 a year for stuff I can get from the library?" And then my other voice says, "You work hard and have few vices (okay, ignore the stash)."

Arghhh. My sister would tell me just to do it. "You deserve it", I can hear her say.

So, if anyone has any experience with this stuff -- please let me know. I can't tell which site has the most books, and which might be the better deal. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Everyone into the Pool

I finally started knitting with the lovely yarn I bought at the Hemlock Fiber Fest. Here's a photo:


I've also decided to take the plunge and try to design the sweater myself. Just a basic pullover, raglan -- and I'm not sure about the ribbing/edging, so I did a provisional cast on with waste yarn.

160 stitches, joined in the round, and the first thing I notice is that each time around, the same colors come up in the same place. Pooling. So i quickly search the web, and some books at home, and decide to alternate rows with both ends of the skein -- 1 row from the center; 1 from the outside.

I've only done 4, but I'm wondering -- will this lead to stripes? Is this a bad thing? What are the rules? I may have a WIP photo tomorrow, depending on whether or not I fall asleep on the couch (again) tonight.

Waking early and School Bus Rant

Couldn't sleep past 4 this morning. I was wiiiide awake, and by 6 decided that if I was going to be tired later anyway, I might as well go to the office and get some work done. On the way in, I got stuck behind a few school buses (my usual time to drive in is around 8:15 -- this was 6:45).

School buses. That got me thinking -- most businesses run on 9-5, or 8:30 -5 time. Most employers don't expect their employees to wake up at 5:30 and be ready to roll at 7. So why do we expect our kids to function well by doing that? Especially teenagers, who seem to need sleep like I need yarn.

Wouldn't it make more sense to shift the school day to, say, 8:30 - 4? That would also make life easier for working parents, wouldn't it?

Just a thought ...

Okay, I'm about to fall face first into the keyboard with fatigue, but have to put on the game face and go to Court. One of my JDs made threatening remarks at school. Again. Hey! Maybe if he didn't have to get up so damned early! Think the Judge will buy it?

... nah :)

Not UFO's, FOs Scottie!

Two FO's today -- the first is a scarf for TwinA, my own design. She's not sure about fringe, so I left it off, and can add later if she decides.

It's Lamb's Pride worsted, knit on 10's. Seed stitch on the sides, Trinity Stitch on the ends, and yer basic cables in the middle.

The second is the cutest baby hat ever! (can you tell I'm a 'ho for babies?) It's part of my hockey charity knitting : www.hockeyknitalong.blogspot.com, and adapted from the Bee Hive hat in S-n-B Nation. Now I want to do matching sox.

Well, it's almost 11 and all I've done so far at the office is surf the web. My boy turns 16 next week, and I'm going nuts trying to get him a special present -- of all 4, he's the only one who inherited the love of sci-fi and Star Trek gene. I'm looking all over for a cardboard standup of Mr. Data, to no avail. Worf is second ("Today would be a good day to die!" - it gets me every time). I'm close, and can't believe I'll be spending almost $40. Oh well. It's cheaper than buying him a car!

Muzak

Fetching! With a few changes ...

Yarn: Brown Sheep

Needles: 6 dp

Pattern: Knitty

I added a crocheted edge on the top and bottom, and did one more row of cables on the top end. Love 'em!

In other news ... driving to the office today, listening to the radio, I became inspired. Why not have music in the waiting room? Like the very song I was listening to -- remember "Band of Gold"? Perfect! or maybe "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover?"

Suggestions from the matrimonial lawyers out there?

Hockey Hat in Progress

The "Tooth" (as in Sabretooth) is wearing a baby hat, based on the bee hive pattern in S-n-B Nation. I plan to sew bee buttons on it for fun.

Tooth is very happy to be wearing the hat. Tooth is VERY happy indeed, with the Sabres 5-0 record. *victory dancing*

In other knitting news, I'm just finishing up my first "Fetching" from Knitty. I'll post a photo when they're both done -- soon I hope because, although I'm not suffering like my Buffalo brothers, it is getting cold here.

Uh oh, here goes that victory dance again! *********

I went to Buffalo once ...

and it was closed! Seriously. Both my brothers live in Buffalo, and both are without power and not expected to be back on the grid until sometime next week! To torture them, I called each and made them listen to the coffee grinder as payback for years of little sister abuse! What a freak storm. So they're freezing, and I'm painting! This is the first coat of the living room, and the alcove that goes out to the deck. I had to go back to Home Depot twice to get the right shade of green. Why do things look so different in the store?




Here's last night's hockey hat -- a wild and crazy chemo cap for the local hospital.





It's loosely based on the sparkly hat from Stitch -n- Bitch, with flower shaped sequins.





Well, back to do the second coat. And rest up for tonight's game against the Rangers -- in true Buffalo style, the City may be in a state of emergency, but the puck will drop. Go Sabres!

Trial From Hell (almost)

.... with the help of a very straight shooting Judge. I've been driving myself crazy the past 2 days, organizing exhibits, making testimony outlines, going over the facts in my head again and again, knowing that trial was a huge risk for my client.

So this morning, after I lug in two briefcases, set up all the exhibits on the counsel table, prep my client for cross, the Judge calls counsel back in the chambers.

Let me ask you this: when a judge says to you, "Counselor, I'd advise you to tell your client to take the settlement offer and run," that would be a good indication that the trial won't go your way, correct?

So I did. She took it. No trial. What a relief. So ... I came home and took a nap!

and tonight ... frog city. You guys are right, Twig and Carrie. If I hate it now, I'll hate it always.

ribbit

To Frog or Not to Frog

Into the pond. Or not:









It's the Geometry Lessons shawlette/wrap from Vogue Knitting Spring. Finally finished it, in Cherry Hill Baby Loop. Hate it. I know blocking will make it more even, but I'm supposed to sew it together at the armholes, making a little "sleeve", and the back is too short, with those tails in front ...





So what do I do? I love the yarn, love the colors. Here's a close up:














I'd show you some bad photos of me trying it on (with metal binder clips serving as pins under the arms)



I've been toying with adding on, trying to make it into a triangle shape, or a rectangle ... or adding a border ...












Suggestions?

You probably won't believe this ...

... but our toilet backed up this morning at the office. No shit. Actually, the reverse! Did I bring this on by my last post, she wonders?

The day can only improve ...

The difference between being a lawyer and a plumber

Water, water everywhere. Just like:
My home town.










What does all that water have to do with the practice of matrimonial law, you ask? Well, it's like this: Plumbers deal with crap. Toilet crap. Clogged drain crap. Backed up sewer crap.

Divorce lawyers deal with emotional crap. He cheated on me. She took my baseball cards.

Same job, right? Wrong. Here's the difference -- if your toilet is backed up, you can't flush and the entire house smells like crap -- YOU DON'T TELL YOUR PLUMBER HE/SHE NEEDS TO WAIT TWO WEEKS TO GET PAID! (Was that me yelling?)

No, a plumber needs a check (cash preferred) in hand before the snake comes out. Or, the plumber walks away and says, "Sorry, that's not my crap to clean up."

Not so with lawyers. Case in point -- an ugly ugly case scheduled for trial, let's say this week. And let's also say, weeks ago you told the client he/she needed to come up with a trial retainer to pay for the intense preparation needed for trial, as well as a full day in Court. A week passes. No payment. The check is in the mail. Well, the check is for less than half the trial retainer when it arrives -- the amount you quoted for finishing the divorce IF THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT, which you strongly recommended due to the gaping holes in the case. (sorry, yelling again).

Trial is in 2 days. You know the Judge won't let you out for non-payment by your client at this late date. You feel like an ass. You realize that, despite 7 years of higher education, including law school, you are not as smart as a plumber.

Pass me a wrench, will you?

But ... not to ignore knitting, here are 2 Caps to the Capital, knit during the most recent Sabres games. Go Buffalo Go!

Five Things

In the middle of my sleep deprived existence (read at 3:00 a.m.), I found myself thinking about things that go with knitting, and things that don't. So here's my list, with a disclaimer that I may be suffering from sleep deprivation hallucinatory thoughts --

So, knitting and

1. Hockey. Okay, of course I'd say that. But it works. During tense moments, I knit faster. During really tense moments, I look down at my project, with one tiny peek at the t.v. screen. It can't be a complicated pattern though, or one that will fly off the needles when thrown off the lap for a victory dance.

2. Watching children sleep. It's been a while, but I fondly remember sitting in the twins' room, rocking and knitting, seeing the little cherubs quiet at last.

3. Drinking Guiness in an Irish Pub. The highlight of my knitting life. No one gave me strange looks, and every time I wear the shawl I made during that trip, I can taste that creamy goodness.

4. Groups. I just love to get together with other knitters, whether one or twenty. There's a loose collection of us that gathers at a local coffee shop every Sunday, and I've been trying to imagine a cool name for us.

Q: "What did you do this weekend?' "
A: "Oh, got together with my knitting crew."

-- knitting posse? gang of knitters? needle wielders?

5. Train rides. I've been known to extend the length of my trip just to feel the train sway back and forth, look out the window, and knit. Flying just isn't as knitting-friendly -- narrow seats, no room for the knitting bag, fear that knitting needles will suddenly and without notice go the way of toothpaste and cosmetics.

and not

1. Snacks. Try as I might, I just can't figure out how to eat popcorn and knit. Maybe if someone would feed me ... But, there is an upside -- it stops me from digging right into that evil bag of Doritos if I have sox in my hands.

2. Movies. I can't do it in the dark.

3. Driving. I would if I could, believe me. (Note: this does not apply to being a passenger, but then I do have to suffer through DH's driving habits).

4. Sleep. See answer to #3, except for the reference to DH.

5. Blogging. Can't type and knit at the same time! Hmm, could try typing with toes ...

So, those are my thoughts -- feel free to respond with answers of your own!

We Shoot ... We Score!!!!!

I am so thrilled at Twig's (www.mapleontheweb.com) genius in setting up the Hockey Knitter's Knitalong. I can already tell it's going to be loads of fun, with good natured (not) rivalry :) especially between certain teams.

Dallas? Dead to Me. Forever. "No Goal" -- remember the foot in the crease?

And if forced, I'll root for any other Eastern Division team NORTH of the Mason-Dixon Line, no matter how many MDL warshcloths I might make. A hockey team in Florida? Give me a break.

In the famous last three words of the national anthem of our Canadian friends, those gentle giants to the north, "Drop the Puck"!

Another Fine Mess ...

... the yarn cabinet. Will I organize it? ever? Will I make something wonderful out of all those random skeins?

Suggestions gratefully accepted.

Tower O' Yarn

What fun I've had! Winding winding winding. This is only half of what I made into those little birthday cakes of yarn. My only regret is that I didn't get a swift and winder before this. No skein will stop me now!

Oh, and the yarn is that wonderful stuff I bought last year in Ireland -- heathery colors, thick -- a little scratchy -- now it only needs to tell me what it wants to be when it grows up!

And the Knitpicks Options? Love 'em. I don't find them to be too heavy at all, unlike Ms. Grumperina. The pointy ends are just right, and the join is smooth. I envision buying more -- maybe the 13 and 15's, and longer cables. I also picked up a pair of size 3 dps for heavier socks, and those are good too, although a tad too long for my comfort. I really prefer shorter sock needles, but have only been able to find them in wood -- the Brittany's, I think.

My biggest dilemma is what to knit first! The yummy alpaca/wool blend I got at the Hemlock Festival, or wrist/handwarmers (it is getting a little cool on my morning walks), maybe a hat ...

WARNING: HOCKEY RANT TO FOLLOW

I know it's a cliche, but ... so much yarn, so little time. EXCEPT ....
NHL Season starts on Wednesday!!!! Hurray!! And my Sabres are looking good. Well, if you totally ignore the new "third jersey". What a crock! What a marketing ploy! What an ugly Buffalo! You can check it out at www.sabres.com, but be prepared. At first I thought it was one of the Pittsburg jerseys -- dark blue almost black, yellowy-orange. What happened to going back to the traditional royal blue and orange. And, more importantly, where are the crossed sabres? On the shoulder? Give me a break. Actually, give me a cross-check.

Anyway, 83 games in the regular season. 83 evenings on the couch, knitting away. Drop that puck!