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Quasi-geostrophic theory is reinventing itself on Wordpress as knitahollis.wordpress.com . Please come and pay a visit when you get a chance!

Still here...

But busy busy! The past few weeks have featured numerous fun things: an awful cold, a trip to China for Rich, the stomach flu which took us down one by one, terrible teething and lots of work. The one thing that has been keeping me going is knowing that on Saturday the 18th, I along with my knitting posse will be trekking to New York. No we are not going to the city. How silly! We are going to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival better known as Rhinebeck. For a whole day I will be surrounded with all things fibery and good. Plus I get to hang out with some of the most fabulous peeps in my world! I'm trying to make a list so I don't get completely overtaken by the yarn fumes. I'm looking for some lace weight yarn, some worsted, a drop spindle (yes...the dark side is calling), and some fiber (for use with the spindle over on the dark side). I'll report back on my findings. Of course, pretty much the only people who read this anymore will be with me but what-ev.

Crafting update: I've taught myself to knit lefthanded (continental style). It has been really fun and I can knit much faster now. I'm working on a sock for me but I'm going to try to attempt to knit the 2nd of a pair of fingerless mitts today so I can wear them tomorrow. We'll see.

The other major project I'm going to be undertaking is a Halloween costume for Elisabeth. I asked her what she wanted to be. "Ariel!" Of course. So I probed further..."What do you want Ariel to wear? You have to be Ariel with legs". (I could not even fathom trying to fashion a mermaid tail for a 3 year old.) The reply, "Mommy. I already HAVE legs. I want to be Ariel in a white dress." Oh...so she wants to be Ariel at the end of the movie when she marries Prince Eric. Got it. Yesterday after a trip to Jo-Ann's I think I am all set to make my 3 year old a wedding dress. I was then informed by Elisabeth that when the dress was finished she was going to marry her baby doll. Hmmmmm....that ought to be interesting. Anyway, we'll see if I can pull this costume off. I only actually have a week b/c her "character party" (no weapons please!) at school is next Friday! Since I'm "Mother of the Year" though, it should be no problem. /sarcasm off.

A little of this...

and a little of that. Things have been busy busy since classes started on the 5th. It's nice to be back to work. It's been a bit of adjustment for everyone, but so far so good!

Greyson is rapidly approaching 8 months old. He now has 2 teeth. His latest trick is crawling backwards. He can move pretty quick! He's gotten up on his hands and knees a few times, so I think full fledged crawling can't be far off. Elisabeth is in preschool and loves to tell me how she's a "big girl" like me. She is still a drama queen but she's such a sweetie with Greyson. Here he is fast asleep in his swing.


I've been doing a lot of knitting. So much knitting and so little time! I have a new knitting philosphy that I came up with last night after trying to figure out what I "should" knit. Who cares? Whatever. I knit what I want. So what if I have a dozen WIPs? There's no knitting police out there. So currently on the needles: my Talia vest (nearly done), Anastasia socks, Sheepie Blanket, Haruha scarf, Thuja socks. And maybe I'll cast on something new later if I feel like it. In order to continue this new found knitting freedom, I think I need some more knitpicks cables! I also was fortunate enough to procure what I described to Rich as "the truffle of yarns". This picture doesn't do the color justice but here it is.


Wollmeise sock yarn (that's Vahl-my-za for the uninitiated...not Wohl-meese)

Fantasy football has started. I hate both my teams. Well, that's a little strong...I think I hate both my teams. I'll give 'em another week to be sure. I'm considering a trade in one of my leagues. But trades always freak me out because what if the guy I'm trading suddenly does great and/or my new player tanks? Why does someone want my crappy RB? Is there something I don't know about? So...I'm still ruminating on that one.

Oh my....Elisabeth's face is covered in cream cheese from the bagel we shared.

Dumb NFL Announcers

So today I was watching the Dolphins-Jets game and one of the announcers commented on the youth of the Miami team. "Oh they are just such a young team," he opined. "They don't know how to grind out 4 quarters of football." Um...excuse me? Did I miss the memo where college football is only 3 quarters? This type of drivel drives me freakin' insane! Yes, the NFL is professional football, but the way these talking heads carry on, you would think a rookie had never touched a football before. I bet in college, offensive lineman have to block the pass rush. I would even hazard a guess that college quarterbacks throw the ball from time to time. And I bet even the place kicker has just a few PATs under his belt. So you know what all you moron announcers out there: stick to play calling. Because you're dumb.

Happenings

This weekend I was felled by a nasty cold. Elisabeth brought it home from her school; as soon as I saw her runny nose I should have realized I was doomed. I was out of commission all day on Sunday but by the evening was feeling better. Today was also better although now I am feeling a bit yucky again. Probably time for bed!

Elisabeth is a riot. Today she came into the bathroom while I was brushing my teeth and asked, "Mommy? Is there a skunk in here?" I said to her, "Well, no there isn't honey." "Oh, ok. Bye", she replied. Insert hilarious laughter here (where is that rolling on the floor plurk guy when I need him?) There was a skunk in our yard the other day, but as far as I know did not make into the house.

Greyson has become proficient at rolling over. This is as much a novelty for me as it is for him b/c Elisabeth didn't roll over until she was 8 months old! Now he wants to crawl. So he'll roll over onto his tummy and then grunt and move his legs. Except he doesn't move his arms, so he just ends up smooshing his head into the ground. Understandably, this results in frustration and tears. Hopefully he'll figure this out pretty soon. And yes, I am ready for him to locomote on his own because he's getting too heavy for me to lug everywhere! (I think I have tendinitis in my hip/knee from carrying him around!)

I've started knitting Baby Bobbi Bear for a present. I'm using Berroco Pure Merino in Wisteria. This is my first time using this yarn and I have to say I'm enjoying it quite a lot. It is soft and squishy and I like the twist on it. The stitches look very nice. I also started and then frogged the lovely vine lace baby hat. I don't think it's a good idea to do your first lace knitting while sick. I don't know how I messed it up, but I did. I will re-attempt after the Bobbi Bear is a FO.

The Red Sox game is just starting now. I hate when they play on the west coast. No offense to west coast peeps out there but it really stinks!

Summer Fun

We've had a lot of fun already this summer. We kicked things off with a trip down to Delaware to celebrate Gemma's first birthday with some dear friends. A lot of fun was had by all, especially the adults (mojitos and Wii are a fun combo!) Here's a picture of Greyson nicknamed "Chubba-chub" by Auntie Lisa.



We also went to the Connecticut shore for a bbq/beach party hosted by one of Rich's bosses. This was our 3rd year in attendance. Each year it has been gray and rainy. It's becoming something of a joke! This year the rain held off for most of the day so Elisabeth was able to go play on the beach. Here she is playing in the sand.





There's also been plenty of time spent hanging out at home. Elisabeth's favorite movie is "The Little Mermaid". She's a big fan. And bonus: sometimes it helps her fall asleep!



Greyson continues to get bigger (and bigger and bigger!). Here he is representin'



It is very hard at times to be home with such little kids. The whining, the crying, the spit-up, potty training, potty accidents....those things are NOT fun. But then you get a look like this and somehow it's all worth it. (This one's for you Erin!)



"Will you love me forever Mommy?" Oh yes! sniff.

Finished!

I finally finished Katja for Elisabeth. I'm pretty pleased with the way it came out. It's too big but oh well. Also, I'm not sure 100% cotton was the best thing since it's already drooping a bit. Here are some pictures of the princess modeling.















I also started my next pair of socks. These are for Rich.




I also need to get cracking on some baby gifts. Yikes...there is not enough time!