Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Bathroom is Finished!

It took a little more effort than we anticipated, but the bathroom is finally finished. However, it really took over our lives this past weekend. I didn't make it to crochet guild, and I didn't manage to start or finish anything. So I'm still working a little bit on a variety of projects. (I haven't even tried to photograph the bathroom. It's such a small room that I'm not sure I can capture many of the details.)

So far, this week is going about the same as usual. I had plenty of time to blog on Monday morning, because we were just hanging around waiting for the plumber. But then my internet connection died. And then I intended to blog yesterday morning, only to get a phone call at 7:30 from my mom, telling me she didn't feel well. So I had to rush into the shower early, call and get her a doctor's appointment, and go to work early to work out the desk schedule. (I should add that Mom is ok. They think she is having a reaction to one of her medications, so she may have to talk to the doctor who prescribed it and get off it.) So I was finally able to post this morning.

Maybe, just maybe, with the bathroom finished, I might have something to show for myself over the next couple of days, fiberwise. Wish me luck!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Time to Regroup

My weeks seem to have taken on a pattern lately. I get rested and refreshed over the weekend and feel enthusiastic about my projects, and then as the week wears on, I accomplish less and less in the evenings. The last couple of evenings I have been hot and tired and supremely unmotivated to work on anything, which is why I have nothing to show for myself yet again this week.

However, the weekend is right around the corner, and I have every intention of regrouping again and maybe even trying to finish something. I might possibly start a new project as well. I really have to get going on Seasons of Lace. Other participants have completed projects already. And Sunday is my crochet guild meeting, which always inspires and motivates me.

Have a great and productive weekend!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Knitting Olympics

Lately, I have been contemplating joining the Knitting Olympics. (The link takes you to the rules from 2006, but it will be the same this time around.) I have been thinking about a project that would be challenging and yet doable in 17 days. Over at the Ravelry stash knitdown group, there is a team forming. (And for a chuckle, check out the group Ravelympics. I love the names of the various teams and events!) I've been torn between trying a sweater and attempting a difficult lace project.

And then last night the dh informs me that he really doesn't like watching the Olympics on tv, and all my plans pretty much went down the drain. I mean, there's no point trying the Knitting Olympics if I can't watch the real thing while I do it. And it will be too hot to knit anywhere but in the basement family room, where I have to share the tv. But perhaps it is for the best. I probably don't need that kind of stress in my life right now anyway! Maybe it would be better to wait for the next winter games, when it will be much more comfortable to knit a big project and I won't be in the throes of summer reading at work. And I will have 2 years to plan out the perfect project. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Back to Crocheting

The other thing that happened this past weekend was that I decided it was time to try crocheting again. My left thumb, while not perfect, is much, much better than it was. I am still wearing the brace at work, to keep myself from doing anything dumb that could potentially reinjure the hand. It still twinges once in a while, but over all it is fine. So over the weekend, I picked up Mocha Rocha again and worked a bit more on the band around the body. (No pictures because it doesn't look that much different yet.) Once I finish the band, I am going to weave some ends in and then start on the sleeves.

I also picked up the Eva shawl again and got part of one row done. (It would have been more, except for the durned bathroom.) I really want to get that project finished, because I have decided that I want to enter it into the Big E. I think having a goal that involves a deadline will help to motivate me to get it finished.

And last but not least, I hauled 2 bags of yarn down to the family room last night. I am getting tired of just sitting in front of the tv and not doing anything. So now that I can crochet again, I am back to working on hats and other small items for charity, just to keep my hands busy at night. I'm not setting any goals. I'm just going to see what I can get done.

Monday, July 07, 2008

I'm Back, I Think!

The last two weeks have been stressful for sure, and I really needed the break from blogging. But things are looking up, and I'm hopeful I can get back to a more regular blogging schedule (with or without FOs). Work has settled into a dull roar, but in another 6 weeks we will be winding down towards school starting, so I think I can make it. We are also currently redoing our downstairs bathroom. This was supposed to be a one day job, so of course it will take the rest of the month to get it finished. Murphy's law has really taken over the project! But it is going to look great when it is finished.

Thanks to the bathroom, I didn't have as much time for knitting as I would have liked. This is probably ok, because most of the knitting projects are not going very well. I will finish the sock, but I am sure it is going to be too big. I think I will have to rethink the second sock. The Montego Bay scarf is going to be frogged. One long side is just wonky, and I don't think anything is going to help that. And I tried and failed to start the Flower Basket shawl. The only thing that is going well is the Opera Scarf.
I went down to size 6 needles and I am very happy with the fabric I am creating. This is an easy, one row pattern, so it is my travelling knitting for now. It looks like I am going to have a couple of weekends to myself in July, so maybe I can try again to work on a more complicated lace pattern then.

Since it is Monday, let me leave you with a link that put a smile on my face this morning - Yoelknits' korknisse adventure. Have a great day!