February Knitting

I managed to complete three pairs of socks this month. Two will probably be gift socks. The grey stripes were a challenge. Tried a new toe up pattern. Ended up not liking the pointy toe that resulted from following the pattern, but optimistically finished the whole socks, thinking maybe it would look better. It didn't! So I ripped out the toes (backward--not easy like tink-ing) and reknit them from the middle up---much happier with the more rounded toe!

It was interesting to do the heel on these, as they have a heel flap on the sole, with short row turn cupping the back of the heel. The pick up runs along the side of the sole---different. Will refine this technique, but like the waste yarn toe part better......That is what makes this so much fun...Not only the mathematical challenges, but the different approaches to shaping the sock.

The green ones are fabulous...Used every bit of the yarn on these! Loved knitting them!!

So, for Feb, I have increased the pace to three pair of socks a month! Stress management, and a deterrent to eating chocolate! Not really the whole story though, as the purple ones which I hated the feel of the yarn while knitting had been started long ago....Just forced myself to finish them this month!

Dutch Girls!

Kid 1 and kid 4 went to France. Somehow they managed not to kill each other--good thing, as that could have gotten complicated with international borders involved. Next time I think each will take along a friend--to dilute the family-ness. Siblings have sibling issues, and in the confines of small European hotel rooms, that can become "interesting".

They brought me stuff. I got some French perfume--smells wonderful, and I am really enjoying it. Also go some chocolate crepes....Interesting, but not something I would want to eat everyday.

I am glad that they managed to share an adventure as adults---maybe there is hope that someday they will be friends like Gma B and her sisters! (or maybe more realistically, half as friends as "the sisters"--they were a tight group!

Oh, and the Dutch thing....Everywhere they went they hid their American-ness well. All thought they were Dutch. Am not sure if that is good for the American image, or perhaps damaging to the Dutch, but at least it gave us a good laugh---incognito in a foreign country without trying!!! Signey Bristo would be proud!

Obsessing

L. has been feeling "neglected". Only explanation I have for multiple phone calls about nothing. She has fears of identity theft. Think she is watching too much T.V. She doesn't have much of an identity to steal....it is pretty hard to impersonate a 95 year old unless you are a little old yourself!

Maybe I am just in my Feb. funk. I should be more patient. I should be more attentive. Sorry, I am doing the best I can. I think that is all that can be expected.

I will have to remember this. Hope I can still knit socks at 95----as long as they bring me nice yarn, I would be fine!!

green socks

These are delightful socks to knit. Love the Jawoll yarn. Using size "0" needles. Self-patterning yarn with a great hand. Comes with reinforcing yarn for heel and toe!

The Brotherhood of BOB

Once, a long time ago, my family and I discovered the "brotherhood of Bob"--mostly located on the Hawaiian Islands--downhill Bob, snorkel Bob, bicycle Bob's, etc.

This week, I visited another of the Brotherhood of Bob locations--the BOB--(Big Old Building)...A renovated big old building with restaurants and meeting rooms, bars, etc. I had dinner with a group of colleagues and friends. Before our hike back to our hotel in the cold, we of course, visited the ladies room.

As we exited, a cute young guy was beckoning us from the stairs--he wanted us to join his party...Had dinner for 50 and open bar...No one came....Conversations ensued--weird this boy, inviting these middle aged women to a "party"--someone asked if he was going to try to make us AMway distributors--he said no--his company was having this party for the "CD installers". We were a large group, figured we could take him, or at least manage to call 911, and had nothing better to do, so against all conventional wisdom, against all advice we had given our daughters over the years, we followed him up the stairs--6 of us--the rest thought it "too weird" and abandoned us.

At the top of the stairs was a party room, open bar, buffet and an assortment of people--with plenty of seats for our group to join them. We improved the gender balance in the room. The drinks were not made with cheap well booze...Turns out his business was not "CD's"--noisy bar and beer caused us to not hear him correctly. It was a legit company with a real product, and there were other "enticed" guests.

We chatted with "real people" who have real jobs from Texas, Illinois, Indiana, and some teachers from Michigan. We passed on dinner, but enjoyed the drinks. It was kind of fun, and the drinks were free!! Our host was charming, and delighted that all the stuff that he had to pay for was not going to waste (or in the busboy's tummy). We still cannot believe that we were "picked up" outside the ladies room, or that we took the chance. But it was fun to live life in the fast lane for the time it took to down couple of drinks! We owe you "CD" guy!! Of course, we did make you look better, if anyone was watching...Guess that is the beauty of the brotherhood of Bob--something for everyone!

Snow, Snow, Snow

Superbowls and snow seem to go together in Detroit! It is beautiful. It has been a beautiful winter--lots of the snow that turns everything into the "winter wonderland" of my youth--heavy, wet, sticking to the branches, making everything match the sky! Not bitter cold--so the stuff piles up. Lots of snow!!!

I love to watch it accumulate. I love to look at it. I enjoy how it sound (muffles everything) and smells (fresh, wintery smell). I like almost everything about it except driving in it--which I have to do today for work.

Who plans a conference for superbowl Sunday? Who plans a conference for February in Michigan? We are going to get major flack on this one I think....thank goodness I had nothing to do with it. I just have to drive to get there---drat!

Would rather sit and knit and watch the snow. It is not my idea of fun to watch the superbowl in a hotel lobby with a bunch of my coworkers and people that I either don't know or don't like. There are a few that might be fun.....but, I am taking my knitting just in case, so I can return to my room and my socks. My boss optimistically thinks this "reception" will be over by 8 p.m. Not likely I am thinking. At least it is a "jeans" event--less to pack and drag through the snow!

Would rather stay here and look at my winter wonderland!