Sock experiment 2

Since sock experiment #1 was so successful, my BFF and I decided to do another one.

The first pattern I chose was very fussy. I knit almost an entire sock before I decided that I loathed it. So I scrapped that sock.

I decided upon Yarnissima's Slingback pattern (I've been wanting to knit it for a long time) and I decided to do it in this lovely Smitten Stricken yarn that I got in the Cookie A. sock club last year. It is more purple in person than it is in the photos. Lovely, lovely yarn. I really loved it.

We had the entire month of March to work on it.

 The first sock was a little tricky; this pattern is a toe up and I never do toe ups. But I figured it out, and then was moving right along. The second sock gave me fits. I don't know what happened, but by the time I got to that criss cross in the middle, my counts were off. I tried to tink back and fix it, and ended up ripping out the whole thing. Heartbreaking. So I've now actually knit this sock 3 times.

 My Bff Heather is a big old cheater. She came to visit me St. pat's weekend, and she was all finished with my pair. AND she came bearing other gifts, all so she could say she kicked my ass. And she did.

This was the pair I got in return. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe them. I love them so much. If you can't tell, there are owls all over them. With beaded eyes. I told you she kicked my ass!

I love my socks. Love love  love!

weekend review

Every year come June, we are so busy that I can't think straight. And then I put it aside and forget about it until the next June, when I'm dumbstruck by all the stuff going on. How does it sneak up on me?

This weekend was a busy one: 5 soccer games and a graduation party.

Friday: Evan had a 7pm game in Fenton, which is an hour drive. Traffic was heinous. We left at 5:15 and almost didn't get there in time. The fields were terrible, it was cold and damp, and they lost 1-0. We got home after 9:00 and after a quick shower jumped back in the car to go to the graduation party of Sydney, the daughter of one of my BFF's and my kids' lifelong friend. I can't believe she is graduating from high school. Impossible. We didn't stay very long, since we got there so late and because we had games the next day.

terrible photo. Next time I will bring my camera!

The kids' games were early and at the same time, so Bart went with Evan & I went with Emma. His team lost, her team won. Evan came home from the game with a fever and slept the entire rest of the day. Very odd...this has only happened less than a handful of times. He was well enough to play his final game on Sunday, which they won. Thanks to Coach Eric for all the good advice and instruction over the past 18 months.

Emma's final game of the season was Sunday night. During the game she began to feel sick as well, so decided to play goalie. She may have though she was going to get a break, but the opposing team did not take it easy on her. She stopped between 20-25 shots and only let in 2. This is the same kid who a few years ago hid underneath my chair bawling her eyes out when her coach asked her to play in goal. She was a rockstar! Thanks to Coach Tim (who is the best and most entertaining part of any soccer game) for helping Emma to improve so dramatically this year.

The rest of this week brings 2 Celebrations of Success, 4 open trainings, soccer tryouts, and the last day of school. Here's to next week!

Unexpected gifts

They say it is better to give than to receive, and I wholeheartedly agree. Last week was a good mail week for me; I got three gifts, completely unexpected. I still feel very special thinking about them!

The first gift came from an old high school friend of mine named Cindi. I haven't seen her in over 25 years, but comment almost daily on her Facebook page. She sent me this adorable boxing glove, as a reminder to kick cancer's ass. I love it. Totally love it. I wear it every day and smile when I look down and see it there on my shirt. It's awesome.

The second gift was from my favorite blogger friend Jen. She sent me a delicious box of Gearhart's chocolates (which I am not sharing with anyone thankyouverymuch), a pound of my favorite coffee, and her favorite accessory: Wilma beads. That's right...we're bringing Flintstone style back. I giggled like crazy. I wore them the other day...they are heavy on my neck but in the good kind of way. I touched them a lot. (all of this makes Bart crazy, because several years ago he bought me a nice set of real pearls. I have never worn them.)

The third gift came from my Aunt Cindy. It's a painting she did of Evan & Lola in Temagami this summer. The image is from a favorite memory of hers during our visit, with the kids laying on the floor playing cards and Lola curled up on Evan's rear. She perfectly captured the glint in Lola's eye, the way she sticks her leg off to the side. Evan's hair and legs...amazing. I will always treasure this perfect capture.

Thanks friends, for making me feel extra special and loved!

so, how is summer treating you?

Ours is going swimmingly, thanks!