Jam packed

So far this summer, things are proving to be way busier than I ever thought they would be. I guess with four of my grandchildren living just streets away from us, I should've expected it. Then again, even if they didn't live so close, maybe life would still be very busy hectic..who knows. With both my daughter and son-in-law working outside the home though, I'm just very happy to help and to get to spend time with these little people. This coming Monday, we will be sending my youngest grandchild off to a two week program, to get a little head start on kindergarten. He is so excited to be starting kindergarten!! He was born so close after his brother that they will both be in kindergarten at the same time, just different classrooms. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but it's not my decision to hold him back. And, I'm not sure if holding him back a year is a good idea..he is ready and wants to go!

My husband had a follow up appointment with his spine doctor yesterday, and it seems this last round of epidural injections was a success. He still has some discomfort, but not like before the injections. The funny thing was, his doctor suggested doing some walking in a pool, if he had access to one. I have been telling him for as long as I've known him (eight years!), that the best thing he could do for himself is exercise in a pool. I had to chuckle when his doctor confirmed it for me. I told him we just put up a small one about two weeks ago and he said "perfect!" Not only that, when Scooter travels, he usually has access to one at the hotels he stays at, so I told him, "honey, pack those swim trunks!" I also said, "and by the way, plan to have that pool put in by next year!" Yahoooooo!!! Seriously though, we will wait and see how that venture comes about. I have no issues whatsoever with having a much larger above ground put in either. I had one for eighteen years with my ex-husband, and it served us well! Many good and happy memories from it!!

I'm still managing some good blocks of "me" time to knit, spin, read, ride my bike, and spend time with my husband. The cardigan my Wednesday night knit group is doing as a knit-a-long, is coming along beautifully! The further I get on the Vodka Lemonade, the more excited and thrilled with it I become!!! I started the lace panels on the front edges and in the middle back yesterday, and just have one more repeat of the chart. I will then put the edging along the bottom, and start on the sleeves. Yipppeeee!

 

 

I have worked a little bit, not much, on my Bad Oyster scarf. It's hard to see the darker bits in the yarn, so I wait till I can sit out in my backyard and have the natural light to work on it. It's almost to the point where I can put it back on circular needles, and that makes it easier to work on as well.

 

I have finally begun to decrease for the toe on those neon socks I've been working on! I failed to get a picture this morning, but I promise to when I've started the afterthought heel. This is a new to me technique, so I'm getting pretty excited about starting that heel. I love challenging myself and learning new things!! Good exercise for the brain, ya know?

 

That's about it for a glimpse into my personal biz, as well as my knitting....spinning is still happening! I may end up joining in on Tour de Fleece on Ravelry again this year after all. I have been spinning some every day, and while I'm not real happy with the merino blend, it's ok...I am pretty sure I can order some more. When I say I'm not real happy with it, I simply mean it's spun too thick for my tastes. I was trying to spin a little heavier, but I failed to find a happy medium, given I plan to two ply it. I suspect I will end up with either a heavy worsted or light chunky. Either way, it will knit up into a lovely hat or cowl. I think I'm going to finish spinning this...my second bobbin of it...

 

 

then two ply it with the first bobbin I spun, and see the results I get. Who knows? Maybe I'll even like it enough to continue spinning the rest of it into the same weight. I seriously need to watch the dvd by Judith Mackenzie I won at the one day spinning retreat at Retzlaff Vineyards though...I believe she covers a section on plying as well.

 

 



I finished plying the green practice merino to refresh my memory on how to Navajo ply. It came back like riding a bicycle! I love this technique, but I don't see myself using it often, as I prefer two ply over a three ply. It never hurts to keep your skills refreshed though! I'm reasonably pleased with how this turned out, and now that it's 'rested' for a couple of days on the bobbin, I'll probably give it a soak and thwack today. I'm anxious to see what kind of yardage I got out of it.

 

I'm also anxious to get my day started now that I've blogged and had my coffee while doing so. I would love to hear how you get some activity into your day...do you swim, ride bikes, walk, maybe even do some gardening? Chase grandkids, like me? haha Or, all of the above!??!

Whatever it may be...remember to live in the moment and take time for yourself!