.post-title { margin:.25em 0; font:bold 130%/1.4em Georgia,Serif; color:#333; } .post-title a, .post-title strong { background:url("http://www.blogblog.com/dots/bg_post_title.gif") no-repeat 0 .25em; display:block; color:#333; text-decoration:none; padding:0 0 1px 45px; } .post-title a:hover { color:#000; } Knittingupastorm: May 2007
 

Knitting Up A Storm!


Thursday, May 31, 2007

I don't know about you, but when I read negative or ruder comments I have to stop and wonder - good for you for sharing your opinion. Thanks Jan! I don't know if you come to my blog often, but this is the first comment you have left and frankly you have no right to leave negative comments on my blog when you don't even know me. We haven't even had the chance to get to know one another for you to feel comfortable enough to provide such negativity. If I knew you, then I would accept your opinion in a more rational way. However, this is not the case, so here are a few questions I have for you:

Jan, I am curious if you know anything about hockey and the cost? Do you have any idea that this is how most hockey teams, mostly the younger ones (both boys and girls btw) fund raise to help with the cost of ice time, jerseys, and tournaments? Do you even realize that in Ontario, where I live, Hockey is HUGE? People are more than happy to support the game of hockey, especially where the younger ones are concerned. Why? Because we want them to come back next year, and if the cost is TOO fucking high for parents, they won't, no matter how much the kids love the game. It won't matter how good the kid is, if the parents can't afford to pay for them to be on the ice. Hockey is one of these sports, that to get better you have to be on the ice, and ice time is expensive. How much you ask? If I knew you better I would give you the information you need to make a better argument.

Oh and btw Jan, the reason I dedicate MY opinion to you today is because I want to clarify one thing, my post below was only to show the funnier side of my day on Saturday. It didn't bother me when people didn't support them, but amused me and thought I would share my stories. Oh yeah, they weren't begging - don't put words in my mouth, they were respectful, offered candy to those who did support them and to those who didn't. They looked at each person in the eye with a big smile and thanked those who supported the team sincerely. They didn't goof off and make people feel stupid, they were professional little athletes asking for support so they could play more hockey this season. I couldn't have been prouder of them.

You have no idea what went on Saturday, so only give me your opinion on facts, not fiction lady. And another thing, I am aggressive - I think that is the only thing you got right in your little note.

Interested in Jan's opinion? Here it is:

"Sure, little girls in hockey jerseys are cute, but honestly - why should people have to fund your girls' hockey team? I am a mom too but never in a million years would I have my kids stand in front of a store, begging strangers for money and then as a mom and role model get all aggressive because some folk don't give them any. What makes you think they owe you an explanation for not giving your kids cash??? You should be grateful to those who DID give money, not attack the ones who didn't."

Your comment will be gone once I have a chance to email you to read this post. This is if you left a valid one. Jan, I love having the last word, ask my husband.

Oh yeah, this is a knitting blog, not a bitchy cat fight! I finished Clapotis last night and love, love, love it! I have to weave in the few ends, however the ball band says I need to buy fabric glue, or fabric spray. Anyone know where I can find such a thing?

posted by Lisa @ 9:14 a.m. 

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

This past Saturday my daughters particpated in a fundraiser for their rep hockey team. Their role was to stand in front of the LCBO for 3 hours and ask customers to support their team. Sounds easy right? Well, at first Chris and I were a bit skeptical they would do it, but as soon as we got to the store, they jumped in with both feet and at the end of their shift, raised 503.00 bucks. Wowza. The total for the day from the rest of the girls was 1700 buckaroos, therefore, my girls raised the most!

I am pretty proud of the fact that both my girls are very self confident and very sure of themselves. It will serve them plenty later on in life.

During the course of the 3 hour tour, I would like to share some of the comments people made after they asked for support. Keep in mind, I am not the best story teller in the world, but will do my best to describe the situations.
  1. Girls ask gentlemen for his support, he ignores them and I say nicely"have a good day". I guess he makes his purchases, comes out of the store and says to me: "Dont talk to me lady and embarrass me because I didn't give them money". Crazy man!
  2. Guy pulls up in his car, parks illegally, gets out of the car and says to me "You shouldn't have little girls stand in front of the liquour store you know" with an evil eye directed to me. I say "We are starting them off young". He buys some booze, comes out and continues to give me the evil eye. I salute him because he pissed me off.
  3. A dirty looking man power walks into the store, totally ignored the girls. They look at me, shrug the shoulders and wonder what his problem is. Two minutes later, he shoots out of the store like a bullet. I wonder what was up and another customer tells me "He just stole a bottly of booze". Nice.
  4. Girls ask for support from little old lady and she says "My husband loves hockey, I hate it so I'm not giving you any money" Appears she has a loving thing going on with her husband, eh? Whatever.
  5. They ask this 20 something guy for support and his response "I barely have enough money for booze". At least he was honest.

This is a first for our family to try and raise money for the team, and even though it is pretty shitty, the support the community gave was outstanding. But how can you resist throwing in your loose change to little girls in hockey jerseys? I know I wouldn't/couldn't say no.

Knitting - none here folks. Come back another time and hopefully I'll have a finished Clapotis for you.

Have a good one.

posted by Lisa @ 10:43 a.m. 

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Monday, May 28, 2007

I have just finished the increase section of my Clapotis and started the neck decreases on Ariann. So soon my friends, soon I just might have two FOs to share. Fingers and toes are crossed to help with the speedy finish of both projects. J's first baseball game is tonight, so I'll bring along the Clap and get a lot done. I hope.

I would love to finish Ariann, but have a mental block as to which decrease to use at each neck edge. The loser in me made me email Bonne Marie to ask.

Then what? I can't really lug the Log Cabin blanket around with me because it is so freaking huge and heavy. I do have the Moose Cardigan started, but I need a bit of concentration for the Intarsia section. Man that word sounds horrible, but I keep in mind the sweater will look ever so cute on my little nephew. Plus he gets bigger by the week, so I better get my ass in gear so that he can wear it at least once before he is gets too big.

I also want to start Nicole and Orangina, but these two projects require more attention then I might be ready to give. Ah, the problems we knitters face, eh? Hmmm.

Anyhoo, I'm off to plant my ass in a chair to watch baseball and hopefully not get hit my one of the balls.

Have a good one.

posted by Lisa @ 3:42 p.m. 

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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Last night Julianna had her first baseball practice, and thankfully loved it. So much so, that she was dreaming about it and calling out in her sleep "I want to go batting". Hee hee! Good to know because I would not want to spend the summer, two hours each night - two times a week hearing complaints.

I am still in a bit of shock that each game (2 of them each week!) is about two hours long. Holy shit. The bad news is kids' baseball is kind of like watching paint dry. Slow and boring. On the brighter side, I have a good chunk of time to knit! Now that is what I am talking about.

My lovely Ariann is killing me - I don't feel like I am getting very far on her, but keep plugging away because I know she must be finished soon? Please, knitting gods, let the torture end.

On Saturday both my girls are fundraising for their hockey team and parents have to be present as they accost folks going into the liquor store to buy booze. All I have to do is sit there and knit. How easy is that? Apparently these are good fundraisers, which I can see, because who wouldn't want to give a dollar or two to little girls who play hockey? I know I would throw in a bunch of change. Would you?

One of these days I will have a FO to show, I hope.

Have a good one.

posted by Lisa @ 9:21 a.m. 

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Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Back safe and sound from camping! I do love camping, but the first weekend is quite a bit of work, as we need to lug all the stuff that stays in the trailer all summer up and organize it all. Plus, food shopping, playing and relaxing. Kind of hard to fit it all into one long weekend.

We use a 30+ year old camper that has a fridge, stove and a bathroom, which are all great things, however the beds leave something to be desired. My youngest and husband each have their own bed, but I share a bed with an 8 year old, on a what feels like sleeping on a cardboard box. Yucky. My back is still screaming at me along with my right shoulder. To lleviate this pain next time around, we will need to find one of those memory form mattress toppers, or buy an used trailer with a good bedding solution. Still trying to decide which will be the better option!

I managed to knit a bit on Ariann, but not much. We were pretty busy and I can't knit in front of the fire at night and frankly am too worn out from the day's activities to think about knitting. for the moment I am staying monogamous to this project because I would love to know I have a wool sweater waiting to be worn come winter. Plus if I don't get it done before the really hot weather comes, I might not finish it.

I do stray a bit with the log cabin, but try to stay true to Ariann. I haven't finished one project since April 2, 2007. Yesh, that is bad. I think it is because I pretty much slept the month of April away and was so freaking busy the month of May, that I hope to get back on track with some FOs soon!

Have a good one folks.

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posted by Lisa @ 1:25 p.m. 

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Friday, May 18, 2007

Thanks all for the well wishes on my Weddind Anniversary.

Here is a progress shot from last progress shot on April 9th 2007:



Just started the 15th stripe! It was on hold for awhile until I received my 60" cable needle from knitpicks.com, and now that I have it I've started it again, as you can see! right now it would be the perfect size for a baby blanket, but I don't have any babies to knit for. Boo hoo!

I am also pleased that I've joined the sleeves to the body of Ariann and will start the decreases soon. Yeah.....It is made with 100% wool, so I won't be wearing it for awhile, but it will be nice to know I have a nice new hand knit sweater to wear come the cold weather.

I am going camping now, so have a great long weekend folks.

Knit on!

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posted by Lisa @ 2:37 p.m. 

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

I bought this book and received it yesterday. Not bad.

posted by Lisa @ 9:56 a.m. 

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary Chris!

Shame we can't go out and celebrate at a restaurant somewhere, but I guess the kids come first. One is at hockey tonight and the other is sick with an ear infection.

Maybe next weekend?

I love you.

posted by Lisa @ 10:13 a.m. 

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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Where to begin? I have been so freaking busy that knitting has pretty much slowed down to a crawl, unfortunetaly. I try to squeeze in a round or two here and there, which is good because I am about a quarter of the way through the 2nd sleeve of Ariann. I also plowed through two more balls of Patons Decor for the Log Cabin blanket during my Maryland weekend.

I didn't get to knit too much this weekend because I was preparing for Julianna's 8th birthday sleep over party. This is the first time I've had 10 girls sleep over (two were mine) and what a spectular event it was. Chris and I were very nervous how this many girls would get a long for such a long time, but our worries were for nothing! I guess we kept them so busy with fun activities, they had no time to think of anything but fun, fun, fun!
  • First we had them swim for an hour and half - the pool was a balmy 91 degrees.
  • Then Swiss Chalet for dinner and cake
  • Karaoke
  • Painting pillow cases with fabric paint
  • 30 more minutes of night swimming
  • Fashion Show
  • Watched a movie while Chris and I set up the air mattresses
  • Then they fell asleep at 2am and woke up at 6am!

All in all it was a fantastic birthday - not sure how I am going to top this one next year!

I am sure you can imagine what I was doing on Mother's Day, eh? Resting because I can't cope with only 4 hours sleep. I think I would have preferred a hang over!

We are going camping this weekend, and I'm only bringing Ariann to work on, so hopefully I will make some good progress. Well, between boating, baseball, bike riding and exploring that is!

Have a good one.

posted by Lisa @ 9:00 a.m. 

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Thursday, May 10, 2007

MW&SF Haul:
Some Fleece Artist Supermerino for the Ribby Pulli:



Brooks Farm Solana, their new superwash merino wool for the Central Park Hoodie:

Some Trekking XXL:

8 oz of merino top from Misty Mountain:

Some pink roving from Stony Mountain Fibers:

A stop at Michael's for some Cotton Ease for maybe another Central Park Hoodie, maybe:

posted by Lisa @ 9:27 a.m. 

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Hello, I am back from Maryland, tired and sore from the drive but happy to be back home. I had an excellent time and bought quite a bit of stuff, which I will get around to taking pictures of soon.

I knew upon re-entry to the real world on Monday life would be crazy and surprise, surprise it was and of course still is! Except I didn't expect to take Julianna's beloved guniea pig, Fluffy to the vet tonight to have put down. Fluffy has been on a downward spiral for about 3 weeks and I don't think it is fair to watch her die a very, very slow death. Plus I think it is less traumatic for Julianna to know the vet is going to take care of Fluffy, vs. waking up in the morning to find her dead in the cage. The cage is in her room, enough said?

I've been preparing Julianna for about 3 weeks now and now that the time is come, she is rightfully sad and upset, but feels good we are doing what is right for Fluffy. I also won't be surprised if the school calls to come and pick up a very sad little girl early.

In the year and half we had Fluffy, there was only a hand full of times I had to remind J to give her fresh food and water. J took very good care of Fluffy which I didn't think would happen. I thought the idea of having the thing would wear off, but it didn't. I'm quite proud of the way J took care of her.

J also wants to get another guinea pig, even though she knows what wil happen. What a great strong little kid I have there.

On a happier note, Julianna turned 8 on the weekend! She is so thrilled because now she doesn't have to sit in a car seat. I believe this is the happiest birthday she has ever celebrated. She normally doesn't like to be the centre of attention, but at her family party last Thursday, she was actually looking forward to it. My little one is slowly growing up. Wow!

Any hoo = have a great one and knit on!

posted by Lisa @ 12:04 p.m. 

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

I am off to Maryland Wool and Sheep Festival and back on Monday. Have a good one and knit on!

posted by Lisa @ 1:44 p.m. 

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