We interrupt this blog break with some actual knitting content. I know. You’re shocked.
Note the title of the book:
Baby Knits For Beginners Key word: “beginners”
See the simple little diamond knit/purl pattern? Okay. I’ve knit several projects from this book with success and I consider myself a fairly accomplished knitter. I’ve been knitting for 20 years (since my first birthday). If this book is for beginners, why then, am I having such a *((*&&%#$*#* time with this little bitty baby sweater?! I’ll tell you why. It’s because it’s knit flat. I am an Elizabeth Zimmermann baby… okay not really, I wish though, but you know what I mean…. I’m all about knitting in the round. I usually even change patterns just so that I can knit them in the round. But I looked at this tiny thing and thought, “Heh. No problem. Simple little knit/purl texture.” Yeah. Right. You can’t tell where the heck you are when you’re on the back without constantly flipping to the front and thinking opposite (I have a hard enough time with regular thinking). And then I got to the armholes. Threw me WAY out of whack.
So I was supposed to have this finished for a baby shower this afternoon. I thought I could finish it during the shower and be all smooth and hold it up at the end of the shower with a big ‘ol, “Voilà!” Not. I have had to rip out, frog, what have you, more times than I’m willing to admit. I could have knit three sweaters of this size in the round in this amount of time. If I ever finish it, I’ll post a picture. Oh, c’mon… have a little faith. You know I’ll finish it. The baby is due in a month. I have PLENTY of time!
Okay…. another thing plaguing me this week (besides the obvious absence of my husband)…. I’m missing my Preemie Projects and my beloved ebony double-points. They were my favorites. Seriously, it’s driving me nuts. I woke up at 4am on Friday morning because I’ve been looking for them all week. I could swear I put them in a bag to take on the road somewhere so I could knit while Dan drove but I can’t find them anywhere. I’ve had those beautiful needles for probably six years. I’m half expecting hoping Dan to say he found it in his stuff in Afghanistan.
It’s been a weird week getting used to Dan not being around. PMS isn’t helping the situation, that’s for sure. Here’s the first photo he sent me. We’re calling it “Change of Command – CID style”. It’s taken in front of their office/living quarters door.
We can’t do web cams like we thought. Their system down there is so bogged down that it’s taking several hours for our emails to reach each other. They aren’t allowed to use web cams because it just makes it worse. I can’t complain. He’s able to call home every day. A lot of guys can’t do that.
Daniel has been really trying hard to be helpful and behaving. Joseph has been… well… Joseph. lol. It’s our fault. We spoiled him rotten and now I’m paying for it. Being a single parent sucks. My hats off to those of you that can survive it better than I. Even Aggie isn’t behaving. I don’t know if she’s just going through her adolesence or if she misses Dan or what the deal is but she’s had accident after accident in the house. Right by the back door and right after I’ve let her out. She’s driving me crazy with it. I’ve tried everything. Even starting over with the crate. She insists on going on the remnant by the door instead of barking to go out. She did better when she was two months old than now at five months. All she has to do is look at me with that, “Whaat?” look and she’s forgiven.
I’m really looking forward to Summer. I think a lot of moms dread it. I’m looking forward to being able to just kick back and relax with the boys and do our own thing for a while. It was a busy week volunteering at the school and I have a busy time with Confirmation and 1st Communion coming up at the church. I also need to start planning the Teacher Appreciation dinner for my volunteers. Good that it’ll all make time go fast, not so good that it’s all stressing me out.
I’d really like to thank you for the emails and comments of support. I’m trying to get through all of them to reply personally so please bear with me.
That picture of Aggie is adorable. At least you have T.H. singing to you on tv once a week 🙂
My preemie hats will be in the mail on Tuesday. I had hoped to have more finished, than the 4 I will have….but life and sick dogs got the best of me. I am thinking though of setting something like that up here at our hospital, especially the breavement gowns. When my daughter had a stillborn baby, I would so loved to have had that decision taken away from me…….it is a good thing we knitters can do!
Yup…….Aggie is upset about Dan leaving. Cavaliers can be a challenge to housebreak sometimes. One trick is to hang a bell by your door and every time you bring her out, tap her paw on the bell and say potty. Praise and treat her when she goes. Many Cavaliers learn to let you know they need to go out by hitting the bell ;-)) Good luck!
Forgot to tell you I sent my set off before leaving for Florida last week. Not sure if Laura got them since she’s been inundated with packages. There’s a picture here of the set. http://chrisknits.blog-city.com/preemie_setjpg.htm
I have next week set aside to pray for Dan. I take a moment each morning to pray for a certain person and decided next week is all Dan’s, and you and the boys also.
I think the transitioning time is the worst. It’s only been a week, things will eventually fall into place. Hang in there, babe!
Hang on in there we are all thinking of you.
Sending positive thoughts your way. You need a little Bob Marley – “Everything’s gonna be alright.”
I hope the time flies by and your SO returns soon and safely. I can see why you forgive that little doggie…who could resist those eyes!
my pomeranian did the same thing when I went down to the basement or out the back door without her. A dog handler told me it was her way of leaving me a mark to find my way back with. Because she couldn’t follow me, she feared that I would not return. Made me feel better at least, but I still put paper there for her….su
Ahahaha. I love the palm tree! Now THAT is a change of command!
I can only send good thoughts. Being able to get calls every day is fantastic! And it’s good that the time difference isn’t too brutal for you. 🙂
As for the sweater, well, I understand the flat vs. round thing. I try to stick to round too. 🙂
I’m the kind of mom that loves summer break too. I like to set our own schedule and not be ruled by school.
Good luck with the sweater. You’ll get through it. And, you’ll find your Preemie Project knitting too.
I think of you, your kids and your husband every day. Thanks to all of you for your service; yours as the single mother during his tour is as important as his.
Hang on with the sweater, sometimes the easythings are a problem because we are lulled into complacency!
Remind me to take a Zanex before I knit anything from that book…..
Olive is going through the PITA stage as well, I think it is middle puppyhood. Have you tried the puppy pads? She may still go inside the house, but at least you could wad them up and throw them away.
Hang in there. I have the utmost respect both for those who serve for our country and the most unsung of heroes: those who wait behind while they are gone. Bless you both.
I second the bell recommendation. My dogs ring the bell when they need to go out.
Many thoughts of you and your family.
Cate
Good thoughts to you–I know that when my husband is away for work that everything is 10 times harder. Sounds like you are finding lots of things to keep you busy. BTW–if Aggie still needs an Aggie collar, just let me know her size.
Jean,
Aggie will come around; just keep some consistency in her schedule. Maybe get her some new toys or treats. My 2 year old male started marking in the house right after Charley left and the other 2 started acting just plain goofy. In about 2 weeks they too found a new routine and settled down. Of course when he came back we had to find a whole new routine!