NYC

I just got back from my weekend in NYC, visiting my sister. It was a really great time. I got to see an old roommate from college who I hadn't seen in 10 years, who is now I window designer for Bloomingdale's. (one of his creations is shown in the picture above) It was great to see him. As always he was funny, very down to earth and just full of energy. On Friday my sister was working and so I went off to yarn stores. Thank you Ambercakes for all of your information. It was fabulous. I walked for most of the day, but only got to 4 stores. The one that I loved the most was Downtown Yarns. What a nice comfortable shop! They had some gorgeous stuff, and it seemed like a place that I would love to go to hang out at if I lived there. I also went to Purl Soho, and really, what is not to love? They have gorgeous yarn (of which I bought a sweater's worth of a lovely merino, cashmere, angora blend). I had to leave the store quickly so I wouldn't buy more stuff - because lord knows I don't need it, and I couldn't afford it. I did go to Habu and to School Products, but I was not quite as excited about those places. I think if I had a project in mind, and knew what I was looking for, I would have had better luck at school products, but I was just looking to see if I "needed" anything, and I didn't. I also went to LUSH which has homemade bath products. I now just need to figure out how to knit in the bathtub and I will be all set! Friday evening we met up with my sister's coworkers for drinks which was great to be able to put some faces with names.

On Saturday we started off going to an hour and 40 minute Yoga class - can we say SWEATY! then went home for lunch, and then a bus tour of Brooklyn. Brooklyn reminds me a lot of Boston and I really want to explore it more then next time I go to visit. Needless to say we were wiped out when it came time for dinner, so we just chilled out at an Italian restaurant around the corner from my sister and her husband, which was so perfect! On Sunday sis and I treated ourselves to massages, and then I caught the train home. All in all it was a FABULOUS weekend! Both me and my credit card need to rest!

P2K

cousin's scarf

I finally finished my cousin's scarf. She lives in Florida, so it is much more of an ornamental scarf, then one that we would use around here. I don't remember the yarn that I used, since I started it for her 40th birthday, and she turned 41 in April (tee hee). I believe it is a silk cotton blend by Karabella, but honestly, I don't remember. My cousin is a great woman, but unfortunately she is about 6 feet tall, and she wanted it to go to her waist. (I should have gone with the handbag!) I definitely had that experience where I would knit for about an hour and not have made any progress according to the tape measure. It is taking me a couple of times to block this scarf because it is bigger then my dining room table. I'm looking forward to sending this to her, because then it will really be done!

I started working out with a personal trainer last week. Boy am I sore! I figured it was time to take the plunge. I was a really steady weight until 1995 when I became a social worker and then I just ballooned up. (Stress sucks.) To make a long story short, it took a Master's degree, a job for 2 1/2 years and 40 pounds to make me realize that this was not the right career for me. I am glad I went to a profession that I now love (teaching) but I still have 30 pounds that need to come off. Thus the professional trainer. My legs are like jello and my arms and back are very sore. Everyone tells me it takes about 3 or 4 weeks to get back into workout shape - I am counting the days.

I am heading to NYC over the weekend, so if anyone has any suggestions of their favorite yarn stores, I'd love to hear from you.

P2K

Am I cool yet?

Today I went down to the area of Boston that I lived for 12 years. When I lived there, I loved it. I thought it was really cool and gritty. It looks very similar now, but now that I am 39 instead of 23,the area still looks similar, but now it looks a little scary and dirty. (I feel very old saying that) Where did the "cool" me go? Actually, that is quite the laugh. I don't know if I could ever be considered "cool." I am definitely unique and an individual, but I don't think I was ever classified as cool.

I walked into one store today, that I used to frequent quite often. They sold Tarot cards, crystals, candles, incense etc. Today it smelled the same, but they have very few decks of Tarot cards (not that I need any more of them) and very few of the other things that I liked there, but they did have a WHOLE case of marijuana pipes and bongs. I, of course, was shocked. My thought process went something like this:

• are those what they think they are?


• OH MY GOD they are!


• Things have certainly changed around here.


• Maybe they haven't, maybe I just never noticed them before


• Well that wouldn't be the strangest thing, I was a little oblivious


• WAS - still am


• well at least I am a cool person now.


• WHO ARE YOU KIDDING?

I like knitting. I love the yarns, and I absolutely adore being part of the knit - blogging, podcast listening, knit along, swapping and stitch and bitch community. I feel like a cool kid! But again, I have to be serious, I know very few people in person outside of the people that I have met in knitting groups that share this passion. I'm having a great time, but though I thought it went away, there is still a little part of my mind that wishes that I had been cool when I had the chance.

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Romance and Lace

It feels like ages since I have written. I apologize. I've been busy doing mommy things, knitting and reading romance novels. To me, nothing says summer vacation better than romance novels! I used to call them my drug of choice, because my reading them seemed to be like an addiction. I have a hard time stopping once I start, I stay up all night to read them, and so I have a hang over in the morning, and I will avoid doing things that I really need to do, because of reading them - including ignoring friends (like this blog) because of romance novels! In my maturity (ha, ha), I now only read them when I know I can sleep the next day.

So I started the Mystery Stole 3 (about 6 times!) First I tried a merino lace weight, that I kept splitting, so I put that aside. Next I started working with Misty Alpaca lace weight (which I do think is a divine yarn.) and I couldn't do anything with it. That is not exactly true. I did get to row 45 or so, but it didn't really look right, and I was not used to the floating quality of lace weight yarn. It was very hard for me. So I went out and got some "Tofootsies" This is working out much better. I really need to take pictures! I am liking following a chart. It reminds me of when I did cross stitch! But I really need to have quiet time to work on it because it takes a lot of counting, and talking to myself. But it is very interesting to do. I just end up doing it from about 10:00 - 1:30 at night, when no one is around. Today the family went to the beach, so I brought a very simple stockinette sweater that I am making for my 5 year old - different projects for different times.

I promise to write soon.

P2K

blanket

Just a quick note. I finished crocheting my first blanket for my youngest daughter. I had started it in January, and basically had it done in about 3 weeks, except for 2 sides of single crochet, which I did tonight. Why I didn't finish it much earlier, is beyond me! I will have to check my horoscope, and find out which planets were in retrograde (ha, ha.)

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Back from Vacation

We just got back from a week long vacation from visiting family on Cape Cod and Nantucket. It was fantastic. We had great weather, wonderful company and a lot of time to hang out and not worry about anything. It really was a terrific family vacation. I don't think my girls really slept until today. This morning my little one (who is almost 15 months old) slept until 11:30 (after having a snack at 6:00 am - she has been running her little self ragged!)

Coming home is usually tough, but not today! I received a great gift from my "blue pal." Cass from Shut up I'm counting. She was so thoughtful! I was definitely spoiled! I love the yarn, especially the bamboo (which is the single skein) I've got to find a good project for it that shows off the colors! I also love the stationary. THANKS CASS!

I did get to do a fair amount of knitting this week, and my carpal tunnel is definitely better. I have been changing around the yarns, and trying not to knit with cotton for too long a stretch. Although, I did get a lot of work done on my cousin's scarf, which is in a cotton/silk blend, but it is not that wide, so I think the constant turning helps give my hand a rest. I have also been better about doing my stretches. I have a great book which gives great exercises. If you have problems in this area, this is a great book to try. I should be blocking the scarf tomorrow. I'll write more about it then.

All the best,

P2K

Random thoughts

Today I heard from Cass who received my swap items for the blue exchange. She seemed really pleased, which is great. I had a really fun time picking the stuff out, so I'm glad she liked them. I did include something with sugar, and then read that she doesn't eat sugar - ooops!
Today was my last day of school, which was very nice! My students left in the middle of May so I have been just surfing the net for a few weeks. This is the best feeling - all of you teachers out there know exactly what I mean. That feeling you have on the 1st day of summer vacation. Ohhh it is so full of potential! Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and I love the kids, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORE summer vacation. I had 4 kids come see me today, so it was great to see them. I had such a great group of students this year. I teach 125 kids, and this year there wasn't even one that I couldn't stand. (Let me tell you, most years there is at least one!) I'm a very lucky person!
We had a busy weekend. I threw my husband a 40th birthday party. We had about 40-50 people here, and it really was great. I cleaned by buying 10 MORE Rubbermaid tubs, and putting all of the random stuff in them. I think emptying the bins is going to take me the next 2 weeks! Knitting has slowed a little due to carpal tunnel. It isn't awful, but I think my tendons need a little break.
P2K