D Day in our house

This is the "Hey, Teach" that I made for Helen and it looks really good after washing. I've given it to her and hope it will fit, but she didn't try it on before we left. It's a gorgeous color for her, so I'm really hopeful.

Today is "D" day. Departure for Tom and David to drive to the West Coast. I had a little weepiness, but didn't actually cry, so I'm proud of myself. I'm so proud of Tom and excited for him. I actually told him I'm a little envious, too. I loved my 5 1/2 years on San Francisco. I just wish I could go back. Visiting him will be fun, needless to say!

The other picture here is the "Helena" sweater I knit for Chrissy. I didn't get a picture of the hat I knit to match it, but it is a rolled edge, plain hat and I put a little flower on the top. Just loose petals to make it a little more girly. I've posted both of these sweaters on Ravelry, too, with all the details. I'm Susie. Just plain and simple, Susie. I guess I was early enough in joining Ravelry to get a simple name like that.

I really have my work cut out for myself here at home for the next week. Wish me luck getting all of Tom's stuff picked up and out of our living space. He really did make a mess. In spite of it all we love him tremendously!

;-)

Some work completed, no pics, yet

I finished Helen's sweater in a pretty lilac color and also Chrissy's fall sweater in a burnt orange called terra cotta. They both came out well, but I'm not happy with my binding off. One was too tight and as a result the other was too loose. Oh, well, they're wearable. I hope they fit.

I'll be seeing them this weekend, so we'll find out if they fit!!!

I hope to get pics taken tonight or tomorrow morning so I can post here soon. Maybe next week?

I'm going to try to start posting on my other blog, too. We'll see!!

I've been retired one week and have accomplished a lot. I've worked out 4 days this week. I've finished both sweaters. I've been to see Helen and Chrissy for 3 days. I've had a computer crash and bought a new one. I love this Toshiba laptop!!! My old harddrive is being checked for data retrieval, so cross your fingers for me. I've bought a GPS, as has my husband. We're liking them!! I've received a new knitting book from Amazon to read, but haven't, yet gotten to it. I've loaded many more titles I'd like to read in my Library Thing library. I've done tons of laundry, cooked more, ironed, watched lots of t.v., been out to eat with our son, played with my kitties, and tried to sleep in, but was unsuccessful. Still get up between 630 and 7am. I just wake up then!! Haven't been to the library, yet, but hope to soon. After all, there's a book on hold for me.

;-)

9/11/2008

This is a most memorable day in the life of the country I love, but also in my life. I am one of the most patriotic people I know, so I honor those lost 7 years ago with this flag of our country. This day is also my mother's birthday and she would be 93 years old today. Additionally, today is my last day at work in my third career of 13 years. I'm RETIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?
In January 1969 I went to work for United Airlines in San Francisco, California. I spent 13 1/2 wonderful years working for them and then stayed home with our two children for another 13 years, creating my cottage industry of English smocking. In 1995 I went to work for Pamunkey Regional Library and eventually returned to college to get my Master's degree in my 50's to become a professional librarian. This is the third 13 year career and it has been, by far, the most inspiring. It is the one job I've had where I've wanted to go to work every day. That says it in a nutshell. I will miss some of the people, but will see many of them when patronizing the library, so it won't be good-bye that I say tonight at the end of my shift. Just, "until we see each other, again." I will use the library continually and may eventually volunteer with the Friends. Who knows?
My plans are to travel, considerably, with my husband, who has been waiting 2 years for me to join him in retirement. Our first grandbaby is a year old and she lives a 4 hour drive away, so that road will get lots of use. As a matter of fact, we're on our way tomorrow for a long weekend.
I have librarything.com loaded with books I want to read. I just hope I have time to actually read most of them. The list it really long!!!
My smocking, knitting and needlepoint are all travel-able, so they will benefit. I need to reduce my stash of all of these things anyway, so it won't be hard to find things to do. David and I love to try new recipes, so cooking will be high on our list.
Our son is moving this month to San Francisco (my old stomping grounds!) so there will be many trips to SFO in our future. We have a cruise to Canada and New England booked for the last week in October already. Can hardly wait!
This blog will improve and become more regular, WHEN I'm near a computer, at least!!
See you soon in blogland!
;-)
Susie

I've been watching the olympics AND knitting

You Are Gymnastics

You are agile, expressive, and precise. You have the drive to practice until you get something perfectly right. And you have the confidence to perform difficult moves when under pressure.

What Olympic Sport Are You?

I agree with this test result for myself!! I really do enjoy the pricision in knitting and English smocking. Hopefully I'll have some knitting to show here soon. I just haven't taken any pictures lately, that's why none to show right now. ;-)

Way too long!!

Warning!!! This may be lengthy. I feel like writing and attempting to explain how long it's been and why.

April was a beautiful month and shortly after my last post we flew to Las Vegas to visit my brother and mother. Mom had broken her hip 6 to 8 weeks earlier and was just about to leave the nursing home to return to the assisted living dementia home where she lived. She seemed pleased to see us and seemed to recognize a familiar face, even if she didn't know who I was. I got to hug her and tell her I loved her for 3 days. It was nice, needless to say.

Eventually she did return to Loyalton, where she lived, and seemed to be doing ok, from what my brother said. In mid-May, she quit eating and was gone in about 5 days. My sister flew out to try to see her on the day she actually died. I felt so awful for her. It took us until mid-July to have her ashes buried with Daddy's at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a hot afternoon, but it went well and didn't rain on us, fortunately. Chrissy was there and was our angel.

I think I'm recovered enough to begin to post again. We've been to Delaware to spend Chrissy's first birthday with her and her mom and dad. I'm working, but am retiring in September. My last day will be Sept. 11th, which is Mom's birthday. Her death was the impetus that helped me decide to retire, so it is only appropriate that I retire then. David and I have booked a cruise to Canada and New England for the last week in October as our beginning celebration. We can hardly wait.

I've not been doing much knitting, but have been working on a needlepoint stocking for Chrissy and several dresses for her in English Smocking. I'll post pictures, etc. soon.

;-)

Long time no see!

This is the final product of my lovely granddaughter, Chrissy, in her smocked dress. She really is this beautiful and this happy, too. I almost cried when my son-in-law sent me the picture on Easter Sunday.

This is the pattern from which I made the next pictures for Chrissy. You can find it here. I have to admit that I copied Alison from the Blue Blog. She had done this in the most beautiful lavendar shade for her daughter and I fell in love with it. This is Knitpicks Shine sport yarn in the plum shade. The first and third pictures following this are truer to the color than the middle one. I had lots of fun knitting this and even followed Alison's advice to use the smaller needles on the yoke areas. I'm in love with the yarn and pattern, obviously. Thanks, Alison!

I just happened to have these kitty buttons. Don't they look sweet?
If I get a picture of Chrissy wearing this, I'll be sure to post it!

My knitting lately has been simple, because my stamina from my January surgery just hasn't returned the way I want. I had to leave for almost a week to go to a Public Library Association conference in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago and it really exhausted me. Then I was home for a week of work, barely, when my husband and I flew to Las Vegas for 6 days. We spent time seeing my brother, helping him with things from Mom's house, visiting Mom in the nursing home 3 times and we did get some gambling done for fun. I broke even, actually, which is amazing for me. It sure made the trip more fun, though!!!

More smocking

These are pics of the latest outfit I made for Chrissy. It's a size 1 blouse, jumper and panties in blue small checked gingham. I'm hoping it will fit through the summer without the blouse for a sundress, particularly around the 4th of July. I made this as a surprise for Helen and Chris and they loved it! Hopefully I'll get a picture of Chrissy in it, too. Then I may be able to post it here.

I sent her the pale yellow tulip dress for Easter and also found her some lavendar Carter's pieces for playwear for the summer and fall. Onsie top, Skirt with panties in it and a long pair of pants in a lightweight cotton that can be rolled up and buttoned after rolling. Cute!

I'm working on my entrelac shawl edging now, so when it's finished and blocked I'll try to get a couple of pics to post. Also hoping to start a jumper dress for Chrissy, knitted, of course!

;-)

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been more than 2 months, darn it. But my surgery is over, there's no cancer, and I'm back to work, too. I've gained a lot of insight through all of this, but also got quite a bit of smocking and knitting while I was resting and healing.

Here's the round yolk of a bishop style bubble.


Here's our sweetie pie loving her toes! She's 7 1/2 months old now and still the sweetest baby in the world!
Here's the neck of her round-yoke Easter dress. Aren't the tulips pretty?
And here's a bonnet knit from cotton, to go with the dress. Only problem is it's a little too big.
Last, but not least, here's a new order of yarn from Knitpicks. The gray is for me and the Pink/purple is to knit something for the sweetest girl we know.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It has been a good day, today! We slept in and got the Christmas tree undecorated. Hopefully we'll get the rest of the Christmas decorations packed and back into the attic this weekend. I will be organizing my knitting projects this weekend, too, so I don't have to pull things out for a month or more, hopefully. I'm having surgery on Monday, the 7th of January and will be in the hospital for a minimum of 3 days, with a minimum of 6 weeks off of work. Hopefully it is just a big fibroid cyst and a hysterectomy, but the doctor is a little concerned that it is growing at my age, so he's said we will know the biopsy results in about a week.

Here are a couple of bibs I made for Chrissy for Christmas and the next picture is a winter hat I knitted for her, too. The only other knitting gift this year was the lilac lace shawl for my sister. Oh, yes, I think I gave her a couple of warshrags, too.
I'm currently working on a needlepoint stocking of family tradition for Chrissy. She will have it next year for Santa to fill up.



If I don't post for a while, please forgive me. I hope I'll be up to posting in a couple of weeks. I really don't know what to expect physically for myself. My gall bladder surgery a few years ago wasn't awful, but it was laproscopic and this surgery isn't. The doctor will have to open me up, so recovery will be much more like a c-section. I've asked my daughter about that and I know I can do it, just don't know what to expect.

Prayers will always be welcome. Wish me luck, too!
;-)

Well...........It's been too long!

These are for Chrissy. Hat and thumbless mittens. She already has them and I've just finished another hat in a dark red that has ear flaps and ties for under the chin. Will be particularly good for the really cold mornings going to daycare.

I'm doing needlepoint mostly right now. Chrissy is getting a needlepoint stocking much like the rest of our family. It will take me the better part of a year, so she has gotten a small one with a promise for next year.

More from today!

This is Chrissy in her Tulip sweater. When I first took a picture of her in it it was quite large on her. Now it fits perfectly. Darn it! It may not last through the winter, as I had hoped!

Well.........Thanksgiving is over!

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted and I have loads of pictures to post finally, so beware! I've been sewing, cooking, knitting and even doing a bit of needlepoint (pics later).

This is the 4th and 5th pictures. I finished Chrissy's Christmas outfits. The first one is her Christmas dress in a pretty plaid with Christmas Trees smocked in a drop yoke style dress. It is long-sleeved, with a 4 1/2 inch hem. Size 12mo/1yr. She's grown so quickly, we are hoping this is the right size for Christmas. Here are a couple of pictures of it.

These are pictures 2 and 3. The next thing I made and finished is a cute coverall out of the nicest finewale cordoroy with the baby cardinals done in English smocking, too. This might even fit her next fall, if we're lucky. I made the straps long, the legs are long anyway (size 12mo/1yr) and I put gripper snaps inside the inside leg seams. I'm feeling pretty good about this, too.

The First Picture is a jumpsuit. I had made her a cute jumpsuit before birth with pretty rocking horses on the front and she wore it on Wednesday. We had wonderfully warm weather that day, so she was quite comfortable in the short sleeves. Take a look!

The proof!

This is Chrissy wearing one of the sweaters I have knit for her. It really did look nice on her, too! She loves to sit on her Daddy like this.



Athough you cannot see it very well, this sweater is one that my mother knit for my daughter, Chrissy's mom, so she actually has a sweater from her Greatgrandmother. My daughter, son-in-law, and I really think this is wonderful. It has a little grow room, so it should fit her through the winter. At least we hope so. At the rate she is growing, noone knows!!

I have been sewing and knitting, just not posting. I hope to rectify that soon, but don't hold me to a promise, please. I'm smocking two things for Chrissy for Christmas, knitting for her, my sister, and hopefully Chrissy's mom. I'll try to post some of my progress soon. ;-)

Whew!

Well.................I've been away and really busy. This doesn't really have any pics or knitting content, but I wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive. I have done some knitting, but nothing to show at the moment. I've finished the lace shawl for my sister for Christmas, but need to block it, still. I've knit her a sticking hat, too, but haven't finished it, quite yet.
We've seen our sweety a week ago and will see her again in two more weeks. I can hardly wait. They are coming here again.
This week I'm going to VLA at the Homestead in the mountains of VA and really looking forward to it. I'll probably be a while in posting again, unfortunately.
;-)

Wonderful weekend

I had the most fun this past weekend babysitting for our 2 month old granddaughter, Chrissy. She is the prettiest and best baby. My DH and I had so much fun! We got to sit for her two nights out of 3 and we couldn't have been happier.

No knitting in this post, I was just too busy to do any over the weekend. I needed to hem some slacks for my mother-in-law, and then take the baby around to meet everyone, since she and her parents live in Delaware.

I'll be on vacation for 10 days in about 4 more days, so I may be lagging in my posts. I will return!!

Going to Las Vegas to have fun! Then to Delaware, (I know you know why!)
;-)

Tulip Baby Cardigan

This is Chrissy's completed Tulip Baby Cardigan made from yarn from Dream in Color. I did it in just a few weeks and it was lots of fun. It only comes in 6-9 month size, darn it. I've had lots of friends suggest making it for adults, too.

This is Chrissy modeling the sweater. She is 2 months old, so this should last most of the winter, I hope. Isn't she cute? ;-)

Another baby hat

This is another hat from Itty-Bitty Hats. Isn't it cute? The lilac color makes it different, but really pretty. I think Chrissy will look really cute in it. I made a 6mo size, but I didn't use double point needles. I have a seam in back. It was so much easier. The yarns are the Teddy Spring Time, which is 100% acrylic. It's really soft, too.

Update on my mother. She is moved successfully and doing ok in the dementia unit. I'm praying a lot for her. I won't get to see her until October when we go out to Nevada.

;-)

September 11, 2007

September 11, 2007

Although I am a very patriotic person and this flag means wonderful things to me and millions of others, today is more than just patriotism to me. Today is my mother's 92 birthday, also.

She is currently living in her own home in California, but will be moved on Thursday to an Alzheimer's unit in a facility in Nevada. I'm happy for her birthday and longevity, but very sad because she doesn't know us or even herself for that matter.

My father died 30 years ago and Mom has had a second husband who she outlived, too. She has had a long, good life and it still is good for her. This disease is probably the most difficult for her family who she no longer knows.

Although I've sent a card and enclosed a picture of myself, my daughter and her brand new great-granddaughter, I still wish her a happy year ahead. I only wish she actually knew who I was for a brief moment.

;-)

August 26th

I just finished this hat and left it with Chrissy today. It's the pumpkin hat from Itty Bitty Hats and it was really fun. I did the 6 month size, so it should be just right for Chrissy to wear in October and November.

This is Chrissy, as if yesterday. At one month, she has gained almost 2 pounds. She will find out on Tuesday when she goes for her next pediatrician check-up. She's such a sweet baby.



Update, 8/28/07 Chrissy now weighs 10 pounds 9 ounces, and is 22inches long. She is 5 weeks old today!!!!!! Wow, she's really growing!!

Yippie!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got my invitation to Ravelry! What fun! What a lot of work!!!! Oh, well, with this blog and Ravelry, I'll really keep myself busy. The only problem is that I want to read, too. With working full time, and all of this, I'll never have enough time for it all, darn it!

Chrissy and family are doing fine. I miss that tiny baby, so much!

;-)