Let it Snow and Bring on The Ravelympics!

It is mid February and so far we have had 4 snow days. At this rate, the kids will be in school well into June like last year. I do enjoy snow days, probably as much as my kids do! Sometimes we go sledding and other days we stay holed up inside the house watching movies, staying warm and consuming way too much hot chocolate. Lately, with the high school softball and middle school baseball seasons coming up sledding has been off the list. It would not be cool for either Teen Queen or Boy Wonder to be on the disabled list should they be injured in a sledding accident!

The Olympics have begun and with that brings the Ravelympics to RAVELRY! What are Ravelympics you ask?!

Your challenge should you choose to accept it, is to start and finish a project during the Olympic Games.

Well, it all began in the summer of the 2008 games!

What is it?:
The First International Ravelympics Summer 2008 are open to any knitter or crocheter on Ravelry ready to challenge themselves to complete a project (or projects) within 17 days during the Summer Olympics.

Concept:
You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies and finish before the Olympic flame goes out.

“Rules”:

1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 17 days.

2. No casting on before Opening Ceremonies.

3. Finish before the flame goes out.

4. You may swatch before the games. (this is considered training) :)

The 2010 Winter Olympics have brought some fun events for the yarn crafters! Just get a load of these...

Aerial Unwind (Frog those poor unloved projects to reclaim that yarn.

Bag Jump (Bags, totes, pouches)

Beading Biathlon (All things beaded and embellished)

Bobsled (All things pets)

Cable Cross-Country (All things cables)

Charity Curling (Projects for charity)

Designer Biathlon (From a swatch to published pattern in 17 days sample completed and pattern released on ravelry - swatching allowed before torch lit)

Designer Original Dance (Create your own design sample from scratch in 17 days {swatching allowed before torch lit}; pattern need not be written])

Designer Pattern Skeleton (Create a publishable pattern (sample can be already knit); do what you feel is necessary to produce a publishable pattern testing, editing, etc)

Downhill Dyeing (dyeing yarns - this will only create stash)

Felting Freestyle (All things felting and fulled)

Fleece to FO Long-Track (Start with fleece or roving and create a finished object)

Flying Camel Spin (Just spinning…lots and lots of spinning)

Free Dance (Don’t fit into any other event? This is for you)

Giant Slalom-ghan (Afghan, blankets, throws)

Hat Halfpipe (All things hats and heads)

Holiday Jump-Start Skiing (Projects to be gifted/given in Dec 2010 and holiday-themed items; also any gift-giving projects qualify here )

Junior Olympics (garments/accessories for kids and babies {toys have their own event})

Labyrinth Weaving (All things woven)

Lace Luge (Lace patterns and laceweight yarns)

Mitten Moguls (Mittens, gloves, anything that covers hands/wrists/arms)

Nordic Colorwork Combined (Colorwork, intarsia, fair isle)

Platter Lift (Home and décor projects)

Samalog Machine Skate (Machine knitting)

Scarf Super-G (Scarves, cowls, neckwarmers, smokerings, scarflettes…all things neck)

Short Track Shawls (Shawls, stoles, wraps, shawlettes)

Single Skein Speed Skate (Projects of just one skein/hank)

Skelegurumi (Toys and amigurumis)

SnowCross (Projects that combine knitting, crochet, needle-felting, embroidery, sewing …; minimum of 2 crafts combined together)

Sock Hockey (All things socks and slippers)

Stash Compulsory Dance (Use of long-neglected stash purchased at least 1 year ago)

Sweaterboard Cross (All forms of sweaters, vests, cardis, pullovers, boleros)

WIPs-Dancing (WIPs/UFOs and only these; Projects not touched since Jan 12th)

I enjoyed it so much in 08, that I *had* to get in on this one!

I have one sweaterboard cross event project. Which is Mr Greenjeans Cardigan from knitty.com I have been told that this would also qualify me for the cable cross country event.I will be ecstatic if I actually accomplish the cardigan! This will be my first adult size cardi.

Here is my progress so far:

Here is a close up of the Cable and Rib section:


2 other projects fall under the WIPs Dancing event.

Ishbel Shawl (also for short track shawl)
needs to have ends wove in and be blocked within an inch of it's life



Blackbird Can-Cans Fingerless Mitts (also for mitten moguls)
one is done, still have yet to make it's match

Another One Bites the Dust...

Another year put in the ground and another year older! 2009; I sure am glad to see you go.

Granted, I have endured rougher years than 09; however it just gets old having to face shitstorm after shitstorm. One of the best things to happen in 09, was Rambo coming home safe and sound from yet another deployment. I never get tired of being thankful for that!

As far as birthdays go; ever since I was 7 it seemed that it was the odd numbered years that were the roughest for me. However, over the years there have been a couple even numbered ones that snuck in there!

I must say, I have not felt any different since maybe 18 or 21. Maybe that's a good thing, or maybe that shows I haven't grown up. As the saying goes..."growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional". I firmly believe that, always have. Age is simply a number and you are only as old as you feel. I for one, most certainly do not feel like 40.

What is forty supposed to feel like anyway?



My usual New Years Wishes I post on the bloggity blog....

My Wishes for you (as well as myself) this New Year

May you tread lightly on the Earth
May you see the glass as half full
Know that others have it worse than your worst day
Commit random acts of kindness, so that you may receive them
Smile, even when you feel like crying
Scream when you feel like screaming
And know that tomorrow is yet another day, you have the power to choose how you will react to the day...choose to be happy
Last but not least...JUST BREATHE!

Namaste

I have fallen......(photo heavy)

Clearly, I have fallen behind on my blog updates! These months that Rambo was deployed have been filled with insanity, softball, baseball, home disasters and so much more. I am sure I have more than likely blocked alot out, as a self defensive mechanism. :) That's my story, and I am sticking to it!

Happily, Rambo is home safe and sound. Perhaps another deployment in a couple years, that seems to be our pattern.

I have of course been crafting mad to keep what little is left of my marbles. Since I have not posted since mid July... we have some catching up to do! Just look at my FO and WIPs list for 2009 in the sidebar! Lots of photos follow. The Item titles are linked to my Ravelry project pages, if you want more detailed info.

Hopefully it won't be another 4 months til I update again!

PHOTO HEAVY!!!

Mystic Star Shawl




Helena Baby Cardi



The Happy Recipient~a youtube video that her parents made. :)



Watery River Rapids Socks





Lime Lelah Top




Bridal Bag Mock Up




John Deere Tractor Pillow




John Deere Baby Ghan




Beaded Bridal Bag




Lacy Bridal Bag




Sassy Susan Socks




Wicked Wisp Scarf




Jaywalker Socks




Rambo's Hat




Autumn Ampersand Socks




Socktober Mystery Sock 09




One Skein Charity Scarf




One Row Charity Scarf




Plain and Simple Charity Scarf




WHEW! I have been a yarn tangled mess! No photos yet of the Red Hot Socks, The Spicy Ampersands, or the Test Knit.

Mid July...le sigh

It's mid July. I am not a summer person, not by a long shot. I hate how hot and humid it is before 10 am. It is so hot, which makes it no fun for me to outside in that weather. Which also makes it no fun for any poor soul who happens to be with me or within ear shot of my incessant bitching of "how damn hot it is out here". In the evening, a human could easily be eaten alive by the bugs. Ick, no thank you! I do however, quite enjoy the passing thunderstorms.

Up til now, I have not had to spend much time out in the yard. Mainly due to the fact that we are usually at the ballpark, in the car or at some training facility or sleeping. My next door neighbor has been ever so kind to be taking care of the lawn mowing while Rambo is deployed. It is so nice to not have to wonder when I would be able to get around to mowing said lawn. Although, I think he may secretly just want to mow. He mows the lawn at least twice a week. He also probably doesn't want my shabby overgrown field of wild grasses to be next to his well manicured lawn. Whatever his motive may be, I am ever so appreciative! I am even in the process of making him a Thank You Ghan, in patriotic colors.

Unable to sleep more than a few hours the past few days, this morning I decided I would tidy up the back patio/porch area. *hindsight...what the hell was I thinking* Headed out there, swept up, moved a few things around, pounded the chair cushions and thought a good pass with the power washer would really be nice. That was until the damn thing decided not to work for me. Arrrgh! WHY!?!? After my fit, I turn to other projects...like mind wandering....

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT HUGE PLANT?!?!? Why is it so huge...it must be a WEED...or better yet...it kinda resembles poison sumac! Oh CRAP...if it is poison sumac, how the hell am I gonna get rid of it without being overcome with itchy rashes?"









Upon further inspection of the grounds around the porch/patio area...I notice that this HUGE plant has a couple relatives nearby...


Any of you out there who can label this plant? If it is poison sumac, how do I get rid of it without becoming one huge itch?

Wholly Invisible Blogging Wonder!

WOW! Like 2 months since last entry, can ya tell I haven't had time lately?!

It's been crazy around here. Baseball 2 teams going for a bit along with practices for Boy Wonder, add to that Teen Queen and her high school team. Playing and practicing for Freshman, Jv and Varsity! Many nights I could be seen zipping along quietly in my hybrid car across town...speeding from one park to the other in hopes of being able to cheer one or the other kids on...even if it was for only a quick minute before the game ended.

The gutters have been cleaned out and guard installed. I am hoping this will lessen the times I will have to leap myself up on the 2 story brick home to clean out the damn gutters. Not typically frightened of heights, I just have this fear of falling off while Rambo is gone and the kids are at school. There I would be laid in a mangled pile in the yard and the poor kids would be wondering why I was late picking them up from school. Why, yes I am paranoid...why do you ask? Sometimes I wonder about these crazy thoughts that pop into my paranoid brain at times!

The exterior trim has been painted. Ahhh, it looks so much better. I still have to sand and stain the back deck. I just know that if I put it off much longer (ie another year or 2), I may as well just get out the chainsaw and rip the damn thing down.

School is finally almost over with. With the way that Mother Nature whooped up on KY this past fall and winter, it has added many days to the school year. Typically out by mid May, it is major suck that school is still in session.

Boy Wonder's school baseball team lost the first round of their final tournament. They ended the season, heading into the tournament second seed. Not too shabby for a bunch of kids that have never played together as a team before. Still playing and practicing though. Recreation ball has begun, different uniform, team, coaches and park. Same game...love the game!

Teen Queen's high school team 2009 record was 32-8 (Varsity)! Man, they wiped the field with many a team this season. They went into the District Tournament and came out District Champs. Next came Regional Tournament. Won the first game pretty handily. Next day was final game of Regional...it seemed we apparently had left our A team elsewhere, because they certainly were not the team on the field that evening. The bats were not hot. They did play some good defense though, despite the opposing team being super slow to get ready to pitch as well as bat. It is a well known trait of this opposing team. Regardless, our girls should have been able to smack down some runs. Alas, State Championship was not in the cards this year. With the end of school scheduled season, brings off-season training as well as competitive travel ball team play! One of the best things about our travel ball season is that the team is comprised of girls from all different schools, whom play against eachother on school teams; but when summer ball starts, there is no rivalry. Here's looking forward to a summer filled with tournament weekends with our travel team!

June is here...

For me it means only 2 more days of school then the kids are out!!! YAAAY!
I am odd, most parents complain about their kids being home for the summer; I LOVE IT! Too bad this will be a shorter summer than usual. Typically we are already out for the year.

It means I need to stop thinking about cleaning out the garage and actually DO IT. (ugh)

It means we are closer to Rambo coming home...still no exact date, just the vague 'end of summer' timeframe.

It means competitive travel fast pitch softball tournaments every weekend. We love being at the ballparks.

It means more time with my kids...(cough) TEENS! every now and again it hits me that they are both now in their teen years.

It means before I know it, summer will be a distant memory and the kids will be heading back to school...

Yarn in the Mail!

Any day is a good day when there is yarn in the mail!
YarnBearer!
Third month's installment arrived yesterday... it is the green one.
In the photo.... February....January....March

Soooo soft and squishy!!!

Ready for Winter to be Over

Yes, I said it! As much as I like winter, I am ready for it to be gone. Especially after all the storms we have had. Jan 27th brought snow, and lots of it...then it also brought ICE. I could have done without the ice. Even though it sure was pretty to look at.


The snow storm came and brought with it an ice storm. Which left a couple inches of ice on everything! Needless to say the trees and power lines could not stand the added weight and snapped! Leaving us without power and more importantly… HEAT! We hunkered down in the one room with a fireplace. Day 5 and the house at 40 degrees, with sub zero temps coming; I wondered how much longer the firewood would last and if I would be able to keep the kids and pets warm. Thankfully day 5 around noon the power was back on!

The next week brought a high winds storm. 30-40 MPH with 65 MPH gusts…just enough to knock whatever the ice hadn’t and with the water drenched grounds, whole trees toppled over. We only lost power for a couple hours this time! Sheeeesh!




The kids and I did some yard clean up after a neighbor was kind enough to cut the HUGE limbs into carry size chunks. It took a couple of days, but most of it has been dragged out to the front curbside. Supposedly, the town is going to have debris collection. I hope so! No truck here, so if they don’t come get it from the curb…that’s where it will stay. :)

Of course I have been busy taking the kids to all their practices and activities! Teen Queen has practice 6 days a week lasting 3-4 hours. Boy Wonder has practice 2-3 times a week. Thank goodness for our Hybrid car!!!

The school year will be ending later this year due to all the days we missed. We missed a week of school in Aug/Sept due to the hurricane...yes, you read that correctly... hurricane in KY! We missed another 5 days or so due to the snow and ice storm that wiped out power in over 300,000 homes and businesses. While the roads were clear for travel, no one could very well send their kids to school when the school's have no power or heat! It's looking like the first week of June will be our last week. Unless, of course we have another severe weather issue!

Knitting and yarnie stuffs~ I made and sent off 2 more pairs of team knit Socks for Soldiers. I have made a couple pairs of leisure socks and a gazillion washcloths. Also moving right along on my Mystic Star Lace Shawl. I am on the last clue, which has a squigillion stitches, so each round takes quite a while. It will be stunning once it is complete!

Boxes are being sent off to Rambo at the rate of about one a week. I try to have on on the kitchen counter in progress at all times. He enjoys the little stuffs from home as well as the necessity stuff, like soap. :) Of course, you do know he gets some handmade washcloths too!!!

Yarnie happiness in the mail....2nd edition in the 3 month club from YarnBearer...as always if you like yarn or want to send ME yarn, go check out her EtsyShoppe!