Too...much...to...do...

Have you ever had so much stuff to do that your brain has just shut down and given up? This is currently going on here in my life, and I let my insanity take over.

My cane chair is now monogrammed.

It's MY chair.

Oh, seriously?

I'm slowly clawing back my sanity, via craft, and what happens? First I run out of yarn with one square left to make. One.

True, this does mean Morris run, but for a full ball to make a square? *sigh*

Secondly, Miss Dot has a tooth-related earache. The squealing......

That's very pinteresting

My name is Andrea and I'm addicted to Pinterest.

Phew! Glad I put that out there. Now I can stop with all the terrible lies. "Oh, I found this recipe on.... the page of a cookbook." "I saw this brilliant idea for gardening on.... "Gardening Australia" last week." "I read the most amazing article about organising paperwork on...... I mean in the "Herald-Sun".

(Just kidding. I'd Oedipus my own eyes before voluntarily reading the Herald-Sun.)

Chantal and I started up a group board last year called "Future Knitting Projects". As you can see, we seem to like anything cowl/shawl-like. Also, cardigans. And lace. Loooooooooads of lace.

We started the board after a conversation about the Miette Knit-A-Long that we both wanted to join in on. Now, by the time our yarn arrived from the US (no, Chantal won't let me pay for it. She never does!) the knit-a-long was over, sort of, so we decided to start picking more things to knit together. Last time we did that we both managed was our BFF's, which went REALLY well. But what next?

Do we knit the Miette that we already have the yarn for, just waiting to be started?

Or a smaller cardigan, like the Miss Lemon, all lace and short sleeves?

Do we accept that winter approaches (pffffft!) and knit the Vite Cowl?

Or the Snow Gloves?

Maybe we just accept our fate and knit the Netherfield Evening Bag while watching "Pride and Prejudice", the BBC version which Chantal has never seen. *ahem*

So, please, everyone else: pick us a project?

I'd just like to say thank you everyone for all of your lovely comments and emails about my last post. I'm only as strong as the people surrounding me, so with all of you helping me I will most likely be invincible!

Our interesting life

My life has taken a few turns over the last week. Last Friday I went to a terribly heart-breaking funeral, and it made me sink into a little patch of the blues. I didn't have much time to wallow in sadness as Marcus started kindergarten on Monday.

 My little mannikins did beautifully. He was playing with other children, not just next to them, and we were all confident that soon I wouldn't have to attend kinder along with him.

Wednesday was even better. I went home 15 minutes after I arrived, and left him there with his aide. It was unbelievable. I thought my week couldn't get any better.

Thursday Marcus went off to my parents, as he always does on Thursdays, and had a fairly lazy time, as you can see.

Friday went terribly. Marcus was hyper-crazy as soon as he woke up and didn't improve at all. The moment we pulled into the kindergarten carpark he started crying. It took a few minutes to coax him into the classroom and then Claire (Marcus' aide) and I spent the next hour trying to calm him down, which was almost impossible at times. Eventually he ran off to the water table and I bolted for it.

It looks like it's going to take a while for Marcus to settle down there and I can be patient. Knitting is something I do because I have almost no patience, and hate just waiting. Knitting is something I can do while I'm in a queue, or watching a movie at home, or just when I need to turn my brain off. I needed it quite badly on Friday as it was an anniversary of sorts.

Last year, on Valentines Day, Marcus was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Two weeks later we found out that he is severely autistic. The first part wasn't a total surprise to us (although for a while there denial was my default position) but the second was, as I didn't think he could be that bad. I was also genuinely shocked by the amount of governmental support you receive in Australia when raising an autistic child. Holy heckmonkeys, it's an eye opener. I'm also quite glad that no-one has been stupid enough to suggest that vaccination led to this because an assault charge would be in my future.

It's been a hard year. There's been a lot of crying, buckets in fact. We've been so very fortunate to have such amazing support from our family and friends, and every idea and suggestion and offer of help is deeply appreciated and usually needed! Marcus spent most of last year in speech therapy, which has helped a lot, and this year is gonna be a doozy with speech therapy, occupational therapy, more respite care (thank you Knox City Council!) and Felix and I undertaking ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) training to help Marcus, and Dot too. Turns out she's also on the spectrum, but slightly less seriously than her brother. Mind you, this still has her pretty high up on the spectrum, which is a whole 'nother can of worms. I think this year will go a lot better than last year, and next year will be better and so on. It can be difficult but we'll cope. It's what we do.

But the one thing we never forget is this: our little boy is perfect. Just the way he is, and anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong.

Stamen alive, stamen aliiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

A nursery rhyme for you all:

Ring-a-ring-a-rosy
It's Joex's wedding posy!

It's finished! It's finished!

....can I fall down?

Chaos & Destruction

Nothing like a crashing wardrobe to make you clean up your life. It's all coming down tonight,  because when we make changes to anything we have to do it in such a way the kidlets can't object.

This is one Felix who isn't gonna Fix-It.

Lazy hours

Two episodes of "Grimm", interspersed with ironing and knitted stamen.

I like lazy days, but I like productive ones even more.

Throwback Thursday

Oooo, have I got a doozy for you all today. Not only am I a junkie, but I'm a hooker as well*, so I've reached into the folder for a vintage crochet pattern book today.

Crochet Book No. 1 by Villawool. Granny square cardigan front cover. I love granny squares desperately, hence the purchase.

I want the blue skirt. I think if I made it in graduating colours it'd look really really cool. But not all one colour, and definitely not a suit.

"I am shocked, genuinely shocked at this photoshoot."

These are almost nice. I like the white one. I think it's be great for summer nights. But all this yellow...

"I'm just a sweet transvestite....From transexual Transylvaniaaaaaaaaa-haha!"

The bun holder to match the dress. Spiffy, I tells ya.

Back cover? The duster. With snood. Add massive sunglasses. Classy.

Same as usual: let me know if you want a pdf and it shall be done!

* Junkie = knitter (we both use needles), hooker = crocheter. Mind out of the gutters, people.

New or old?

While I was sorting through my yarn I also took a look at my future projects. I have bags with balls of yarn and the pattern to go with it, all ready and waiting for me to knit it.

But what if I don't want to? What happens when you sound like a whining infant crying "But I don't want to knit that! I want to knit that other thing!"? Do I listen to my inner brat and feed her chocolate-style knitting until she pukes everywhere or do I tell her "No, you get what you're given" and start knitting the projects I've put aside?


* Chocolate Cupcake Tea Cosy designed by Audrey Wilson, who is a bloody genius. I love it.

Life's little speed humps

I love it when I'm motoring along, getting my life in order. You know the sort of thing: housework done by 10am, planned projects coming together, debts paid off and good times to be had. Life goes well.

Then there's a speed hump.

It doesn't have to be anything major. A spell of hot weather that keeps us all indoors, or a parking fine that was forgotten, or everything happening at once and no matter how many lists you write out there really aren't 27 hours in a day.

Last weekend was when it all started catching up with me. I had work on Saturday morning, followed by a trip to Wondoflex for yarn, and then the freeway had an accident so I managed to get off on the next ramp but got home later that expected. I got changed and went off to work, only to find I was working until 5:30. I got home, we had dinner, put Marcus to bed and I went off to grab all the ingredients for the Australia Day BBQ. I stayed up until stupid o'clock making an Iced Vovo Tart (never again - far too sweet for me) and painting the Australian flag on my toenails (really) and went off to bed.

Sunday was BUSY. I got up and made cupcakes for the bbq, followed by the traditional pavlova, this time in the shape of Australia. We arrived late (not that late but late enough) and had a lovely time. Well, until Dot cracked it and I had to take her for a drive/sleep. We got back in time for dessert - huzzah! - but we left shortly afterwards. Marcus had an absolute ball being in the middle of the big kid's water fights and his big cousin Connor took fantastic care of him even while attacking everyone else with a supersoaker. Unsurprisingly, the kids went down early, leaving the grown ups with the dishes. I really dislike being the grown up sometimes.

Monday started off brilliantly. We tidied stuff up, planned our day, and I mowed the front and back lawns. We drove to the local tip to get rid of a bunch of cardboard. We came home and Dot went to bed. I did a Masters run and bought us a new printer as well. That's when it all went wrong.

Felix and I were sorting out the printer in the back room when there was a "thunk" followed by a scream, the kind that doesn't stop. I ran into the lounge room and Marcus was screaming with blood pouring out of his head. I freaked out, understandably, and Felix rang an ambulance. It's a nasty cut just next to his right eyebrow, so it bleed terribly. I'm just thanking God a lot that his eye is fine.The lovely LOVELY ambulance officers were wonderful and we all agreed that his daddy could take him to the hospital instead. The screams had woken Dot up, so I stayed at home worrying to death with her. Eventually Felix called and let me know it was all fine and they were coming home and could I make sure there was some ice cream ready?

Our poor little boy. He's a bit confused about the pain in his head but we think he'll be fine. As for our new grey hairs... they are many and hard earned.

Waddle waddle waddle

A while back my lovely sister-in-law Monique sent me a link to a competition for knitting. Automatic ears pricking up, that is. First prize is a trip for two to Phillip Island and visiting penguins and being a park ranger for a day and a $250 Spotlight voucher so I was very interested.

Then I put it aside to work on wedding roses and finding the floor in my bungalow once again.

Today I began knitting a penguin jumper. It shall be snazzy. Well, this one will be. I have a second one planned, too.

Wait a minute....

It's almost 10:30? Wow.

I forgot to knit today.  Didn't even think about it,  not once.

Huh.

Really? Do I look like a freaking hipster?

I was patiently waiting at Aldi in Burwood to buy my coffee pods after a somewhat meh day. As usual, I had my anti-queue knitting with me and was happily needling away when it happened.

The incredibly foolish man behind me: "Knitting at the supermarket? How very hipster."

A knitting hipster* has those huge glasses. A knitting hipster briefly yarn-bombed stuff before everyone else got into it. A knitting hipster only reads knitting zines. A knitting hipster will actually tell you that they were into knitting before it was cool.

I am a knitter. I have used my hair bun as a swift while 8.75 months pregnant. I've won competitions for my work. I've been knitting for 35 years this March. I have double point needle scars on the back of my legs, for &%#@'s sake.

I am going to slaughter this man. I turned around and gave him THE LOOK.

"EXCUSE ME?!?"

The incredibly foolish man manages to look embarrassed and terrified at the same time, even as he takes a step backwards.

"I HAVE TWO SHARP STICKS AND YOU HAVE TWO EYEBALLS" I bellowed as I gave my best Brian Blessed impersonation, turned and paid for my coffee then swept somewhat majestically out of the store.

Incredibly foolish people should just mind their own business.

* The knitter in the picture is Yokoo Gibraan. I have no idea if she actually is a hipster, but the photo is pretty awesome, as are her chain scarves.

Throwback Thursday

I am fully aware that today is Monday. However, I failed to give you a Throwback Thursday last week as that would have forced me to leave the air conditioning and head out into the bungalow. Which has no air conditioning. Wasn't gonna happen.

I'm making it up to you all by giving you the glorious Book 50 from Vogue Knitting, from March 1957. Form an orderly queue, please.

First up, we have the fabulous Princess Dress. Perfect for walking your oversized poodles with.

A SUIT. An actual knitted suit. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

A very cabled dress with a cinched in waist and oversize sunglasses. I'm in Grace Kelly heaven here.

C'mon! You know you want a boat. Ask your cat. Your cat is thinking about buying a boat.

This vest comes in 12 sizes. That's 12 different people to dislike you for knitting them a vest.

If you don't want to knit this upon sight, we can't be friends. We just can't.

Evening wear in lurex and 2-ply? Not a chance, but I love the look of it.

I want to grow up and be this model, honestly I do.

So, should I scan this pattern book and add it to the site for download? Let me know, my readers, and it shall be done.

Oh, and nobody show this to my dad or he'll request it. Cables & crew neck? My dad's idea of happiness.

Day 5 of HOT weather

I have a tad too much yarn. Some I bought because it was there, some because it was on sale (oh sale yarn! You vile temptress!), some is leftovers from a project that I over-ordered because having too much is better than having too little.

On the other hand... some space in the bungalow would be nice. So I'll be spending next week with the better weather tidying up the bungalow - yes AGAIN, what of it?! - and finishing up on Friday with a massive blog destash sale! That's right: yarn for people to own. I have more than enough to be getting on with, and any money earned will be put towards a spinning wheel!

Wait, I fib, 20% will be going to the One Voice charity organisation. They're currently building mobile showers for the homeless and I think it's a wonderful idea.

There's a lot of work to do getting it all done but next week, but with my lovely niece Ashleigh helping out I'm sure I'll get it all ready!

Um, Ash? Are you busy next week?

Day 4 of HOT weather

I'm cold.

Lovely and cold.

It's beautiful here.

Lots of ice and snow.

Bliss.

My imagination is lovely. In reality:

I'm now leaving in 43 degree heat to go to work. *whimper*

Day 3 of HOT weather

On Monday and Tuesday I braved the elements to go off and work in the evening, at my Weight Watchers job. It was ridiculously hot and I whimpered a lot. While we were packing up I was talking to two members about how I was knitting up Joannah's wedding bouquet of roses and crocheting love hearts for the decorations, which are going to look wonderful.

"You must love showing it off, then." I laughed off the comment, but it grated. I've been thinking on it for the last few days and now I'm ready to think it out loud.

I don't make things to show off. I don't go "over the top", I make an effort*.  If I make something it's because I like to make things, and I think it will make other people happy. If your response to my creation is that I'm showing off (which most people would never say out loud) I think you might be projecting your own issues a little. If what I made makes even one person happy, then I've succeeded in what I wanted to do.

I'm making roses for Joannah's wedding bouquet because I'm brilliant at it and it makes her giddily happy. At least I think it's giddily happy, because she got fairly squealy when I made this first one.

* This does not include my children's birthday parties. They are over the top. Shamelessly, ridiculously over the top.

Day 2 of HOT weather

Only one thing to do when it hits 34° at 10:00am: browse the internet for the perfect winter knits!

The perfect winter beanie: Contempt headband (just add a crown!). Understandably, I want the one that states "I love winter"!

The perfect winter jumper for me: Kobe, from Amirisu online magazine. Go and browse, it's worth it!

The perfect winter jumper for Felix: Guido, by Debbie Bliss. I have some very yummy charcoal Zara for this one.

The perfect children's jumper:

I want it for both of them. The question is do you make two the same, or two that co-ordinate?

Day 1 of HOT weather

It's going to be a nasty week. 35°, 43°, 39°, 41° and 40°. I'm not looking forward to the overnight low of 28 between Thursday and Friday, either. That's not a low, that's a summer day! Thankfully we have an air conditioner in the lounge room and a portable air conditioner we'll be using in front of the bedrooms on Thursday night.

Only one thing to do, and that's crochet love hearts and sew in a HUGE amount of ends, then get more yarn and start all over again.

Knit? In this weather?

Are you CRAZY?!?

It's 11:55pm, and I just turned the air conditioner off. Knit?!? Not likely!