Good things

There are so many good things about being 40.  Even though menapause is knocking at my door, blagh, I'm blessed with an incredibly brilliant little girl, a husband who's still by my side after 15 years, and I still have a knack for learning new skills!  I sitll have the privilege of a good read, regularly!   I look forward to the days of no more post menstrual aches and pains and hormonal imbalances that drive me to the edge of mental breakdown.  That's rough, and these hormones a'mine whoop my ass on a monthly basis; and, somehow my husband and I survive.  Keeping busy helps....Marissa, knitting, gardening, reading, drives and walks around town, and iced tea. 

I recieved an email that made me so happy I just wanted to run around the house!  It would seem I may be heading back to my old school...that's exactly what I wanted for my darling little Marissa.  It's an exemplary school and I know how hard those teachers work.  Marissa deserves that.  I hope the available position is 1st or 2nd, but I have a feeling it will be higher.  We shall see.

On a tighter note...I learned how to knit Portuguese style and I really love it.  I'll practice to pick up speed and work on my tension.  I need a new tool, one of those pins..tensioner??? Whatever it's called, I need one.  I started my friend Anna's jumper but stopped because I didn't like how it draped.  I opted for a more traditional baby yarn and it feels soft. 

I went to the MeetUp group at Barnes and Noble.  After picking up a cup of decaf at Starbuck's I browsed the mag racks for a while (started getting nervous which is so not like me -cute).   Thank you Verena Knitting for distracting me long enough to forget that I was about to meet a bunch of experienced knitters for the first time, not to mention knit in public!  It was all worth it.  I had a lovely time and everyone was so approachable...no snobs, none at all.  One young lady, Nicole, even taught me how to purl through the back loop.  As ridiculous as that sounds, it is possible!  We talked and knitted.  Sarah knitted a lacey scarf in a beautiful deep teal color, the actual color name escapes me at this moment - I'll remember later (maybe).  I sat next to Leslie, knitting a hat, and next to her were sisters ( I think) Kim and Stephanie.  Becky, brought her pattern book and knitted a blue shawl, another Sarah was knitting a 7 hour afghan (or was that 7 days???), Diana was stitching the seams of child sweater and Perry was knitting a scarf in white.  Earlier, I looked through my projects trying to decide which one I should take.  I would be talking so, it had to be straight knitting and/or purling, not sticky patterns.  Eyeletes?  Yarn overs, yeah, I could handle that and still listen in and participate in conversation.  I took a ball of peaches and creme and started a lacey mock cables dishcloth.   I did fine, but I should have chosen a simpler pattern.

I love that I got to talk about Marissa and how I learned to knit. 

Then and Now

Well, I've managed to finish the soaker;  I just have to stitch it together using the mattress stitch and then "lanolize" it!  It is so cute!  I can remember Marissa when she was that little.  How I wish I had taken up knitting back then.  Marissa would have had thousands of little things to wear!  Well, that was then and this is now. 

I've been navigating the web for just the right cardi pattern for Marissa (now 5) to wear to school year round (those classrooms can get chilly).  Funny thing is, I had it all along.  I subscribe to Creative Knitting Magazine and the pattern I've envisioned her wearing is in the March'10 issue.  It's called "Kid's Spring Cardigan" p. 58.  I haven't decided on yarn yet, but I want it to be washable and sturdy enough to withstand kindergarten life!  If you have any ideas, please let me know!

I'm embarrassed to write this, but I haven't started on my Shawl collared nipped-wasted sweater yet.  I finished the swatch for the parasol lace pattern, but I couldn't move forward until I felt sure on how to work the "cluster" stitch (do I knit the stitches after I wrap them?)  Sweaterbabe answered back and told me to do exactly what the pattern asked (don't knit them, just wrap them).  Don't think about it, just do it!  Okay, so why haven't you started, Nina (you may or may not be wondering)?  Well, I started the soaker and now I've started a baby jumpsuit for my friend Anna's baby boy (he's on the way, still cooking!)    Here's a pic of the beginning of a leg.  The pattern is from DROPS DESIGN

On a different note...I'm absolutely delighted about our neighborhood.  Marissa had some little friends over on Friday for "Movie Night!"  It was fun!  I sat and chatted with my neighbor Julie...she's awesome, and smart!  Funny how much women have in common.  She and I parent a lot a like, and that makes me so happy!  Hope to hang out with her a lot more...and scrap!

Well, I have to say God is good to me!  I'm greatful for Marissa and Pepe. 

Now, if I could just get that shawl cardi started!

Getting away to knit

You know, one day, I'm going to pick up some needles and yarn and walk out of the front door.  I can't sit to knit, even though my life depends (and sanity) depends on it.  My husband and daughter are a bit needy today (and typing these words is becoming more difficult because my cursor keeps jumping around, ugh!

I'm so excited because it seems I may have found a knitting group here in town on the UNT campus.  I don't know the hour they meet, though.  Maybe Momma will watch Marissa for a while...I'll take her an iced tea, that'll do it!

I've been working out in the yard  a little today.  I just found out (I love youtube) that I hydrangeas do not love clay soil...hay, hay, hay!

Well, duty calls!  I hope to join a knitting group soon....my life, and sanity, depends on it!

xoxo

Staying up late....

I know I shouldn't do it, but I about two days out of the month. You know, right before Mother Nature brings you your monthly "gift"! Hormones, I wish you'd leave me alone! Mija's asleep and I'm up trying to get this blog started. No followers yet. I'm guessing Jesus never worried about that. He knew. Well, I don't want anyone to worship me, or even wonder what I would do in any given, mundane situation. I'm just Nina. Knitting, gardening Nina...when slip away from hubby and preschooler long enough to exhale. It's okay. Believe me. I wouldn't change anything about my life. Mommas just need some time to ourselves, you know, to exhale and then inhale once again!

Well, I hope to connect with other woman like me. I've been wanting to start a knitters club here in town, but that's not going to happen soon. An online club will do just fine.

I planted my roses last weekend, and now I'm wanting to move them. Saw a video on youtube about moving rose bushes when their in season. No too difficult; I can do it!

I'd love to know what you've planted or knitted lately.