I am back in the group

I am so happy to announce that I am officially back in with my knitting gals. We met at our favorite hangout, Knit Wits, and spent two hours with them. I have so missed this interaction. Not to mention that I am creating again. There was a gal there teaching a class on Mary Jane slippers, so I took the class. They are crocheted, which I was a little rusty at, but heh I got back in the groove and am making slippers for my secret pal. I think she will like them. They are in pink and white yarn and should not take me but one good evening to complete. Okay, so maybe two or three good evenings. But so what. Devvy also showed me this awsome shrug that I want to make next. I am thinking for a Christmas gift, but maybe I will make one for me first. I really liked it, and it is made out of Alpacca yarn. I was a good girl and didn't buy the pattern or yarn yet, but told Devvy to keep on out for me as I would pick it up next time I am there, which should be in a couple of weeks, I think.

In getting ready for my knitting group I of course had to organize my stash and knitting projects. Boy was I overwhelmed. This is everything that I have in the works that I put on the back burner while I was knitting for my new grandson:
1. Kaylee's sweater for Chritmas
2. Kaylee's hedgehog for Christmas
3. Two crocheted scarves for my sister for her birthday, which was September 11th
4. Cap for my cousin Todd
5. Socks for me
6. Vest for me
7. Bogga Bag Purse for my receptionist Faith for her birthday, which was September 9th
8. Poncho for me

I guess it isn't that bad, I could have 10 projects in the works instead of 8. Is this normal? Okay, so I started a new slipper project, knowing full well I have all these UFOs, does this
make me a full fledged yarn harlot? I read her blog and I believe I fit the description. Yeah, me and all of my friends and fellow knitters out there. It is so comforting to be a member of such a great sport. Enough on that subject.

I have to share with you that my little granddaughter, Kaylee, just came in and gave me a little tickle session. She is so adorable. They just got home from going to her other granny's house and started calling for me as soon as she walked in the door. I just love how much she shows her love for me.

Yes my home is full of life, and I love it. I guess I didn't explain that my son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and grandson arrived her Tuesday morning at 2:00 a.m., to live with me for a couple of months. They have gotten their old jobs back and start to work on November 1st. I am already making the Thanksgiving dinner plans. I have been told that everyone will be here for it. Which means it will be everyone living in this house, plus my other son, Nathan, and anyone else that gets invited in the meantime. I love to cook and have people come to my home. It has been a while since that has happened, so I am excited.

I am being called to help out with dinner (my job is the baked potatoes) so better go for now. I definately will post more knitting news later. Who knows, I might even have slipper pictures to post.

Catching Up

Well I have been back home for exactly one week today. Work was not that bad, much to my surprise.

On Saturday, while I was at WalMart, my receptionist, Faith called to tell me that she had gotten into an accident. No one was hurt thank goodness, but her car needs a little repair. She tangled with a big SUV. She said it was in an uncontrolled intersection and the SUV hit her. Of course the lady in the SUV feels differently about it. But it seems to me that since the SUV ran over the top of the front of Faith's car, that Faith was there first. Oh well, guess she has some stuff to work out, and unfortunately she only has the minimum insurance.

On another note, I just finished talking to my son Chad. He and the family are leaving Idaho tomorrow to move here! He said they should be here tomorrow night! It is a little ahead of schedule so I didn't get the carpets cleaned, but I guess they will need to be cleaned after they move anyway. I was going to paint the computer room, where the babies are going to sleep too, but I guess that is gonna have to wait until they move too. They only plan on living with me until the first of January, so no big deal. Thank goodness I started cleaning out closets and such yesterday, but today I am going to have to kick butt to get it all done so there is room for their stuff. Oh well, I function well under pressure.

I feel like I am getting back to my old self too. I actually have room on my calendar for a knitting day with my knitting group. We are getting together on the 29th and I can hardly wait to see them. It has been almost three months since I had time for them. How sad is that?

I have my Legal Secretaries Conference Committee meeting this Wednesday too. Our conference is only 10 months out and there is so much still to do. This should be the we gotta get in gear meeting so I expect that we will all be ready to start getting things going and on board. It is a great group of gals, so I have no concern that we won't get things done.

Oh! I don't want to forget to talk about SP9 either. My spoiler has been keeping in constant contact with me. She is wonderful! I came home to an e-mail from her and she has sent me a couple more, plus comments on my blog. And it is only one week since it started! Wow! I feel very lucky.

Now, don't think that I have forgotten about my gal I am to spoil. No, no. I made sure to send her an e-mail on the 16th, and I am putting her first package in the mail on Monday. She is a realitively new knitter, but an advanced crocheter. She also is a cat rescuer. She lives in New Jersey, just like my SP8 gal. I wonder if they know each other. Chances are probably pretty slim. I am very excited to get to know her better and to spoil her through the holidays. I will post more about her later as we go.

Guess I should get to going, as the rooms aren't going to clean themselves. Darn!

Here is Jaden

I just got back from Idaho last night and am posting the pictures of my new grandson, as I promised. Jaden Lyle Tiraterra was born on October 4 at 5:12 p.m., in Nampa, Idaho, weighing 6lbs, 8 ozs and 19 inches long. He looks just like his daddy and this grandma is extremely proud. I missed his birth by approximately 1 hour as my flight didn't get into Boise until 6:15 p.m., but I still got to hold him and welcome him into this world within the first two hours of his little life. As you can see from the middle picture, his big sister Kaylee is very proud too.

I cannot begin to share how enjoyable the last week in a half has been for me. I got to play grandma not only to Jaden but to Kaylee. My son Chad and I got to reconnect as mom and son and I got to get to know my daughter-in-law Tia better too.

I also got a surprise in that my son and daughter-in-law have decided to move back to California. They will be staying with me for a couple of months until they are able to find their own place. Two days before Jaden was born, my son Chad lost his job. Due to this situation, the kids decided that maybe they needed to move back to where both of their families live and see if they could get their old jobs back. They contacted their old employer, who immediately said "when can you start?". They will be starting their new jobs on November 1st, so plan on arriving in Chico the end of the month. They admit that the Idaho move was one of the worst ideas they ever had, but a great learning experience.

This grandma is shouting "Christmas at my house" already! Yahoo!

SP9 Questions & Answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Definately cascade and Noro yarns. I find that the fun fur drives me crazy since I can't see my stitches.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Zippered needle case.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? beginner moving into intermediate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have a wish list on Amazon.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Peach scents are my favorite.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? A sweet tooth does not describe my addiction accurately. I am a sweetaholic! Peanut Butter Cups, Milk Chocolate of any kind and Lindor Truffles.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Crocheting, one step painting, sewing, scrapbooking, stamping, ceramics, you name it, I try it and usually like it.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like a variety of music. America, Eagles, Journey, England Dan and John Ford Coley, Van Morrison, Cher, Motown, Jo Dee Messina, Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, Phantom of the Opera. The only thing I don't like is RAP.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Green and Peach, in that order. Any colors you just can't stand? None come to mind.
10. What is your family situation? I am divorced and currently live alone, but that is due to change the 1st as my son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren are going to live with me for a couple of months. Do you have any pets? I have a 13 year old fat cat named "Cuddles".
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear all of them.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? So far I think felted purses are my favorite to knit.
13. What are you knitting right now? I am knitting a sweater, hat, purse and scarf
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? A handmade gifte is my favorite gift to receive
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Depends on what I am making, but I think circular and bamboo. I have never used plastic and don't think I want to even try.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, but I sure would love to get one.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? It is my baby sweater and it is 4 months old.
18. What is your favorite holiday? Definately Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Dolphins and tea cups.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Look on my Amazon wish list. I do not have any knitting magazine subscriptions, but would love one.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Cable.
22. Are you a sock knitter? That is what my next project for me is, learning how to knit socks. I have the yarn and the pattern, I just need to sit down and get going. What are your foot measurements?
23. When is your birthday? July13