sherriknits

Sometimes it just seems like the days fly by.  If you’re here for knitting content there is a tiny bit at the end.

A few days ago, the little imp walked into the room.  Heyyyyyy……..

Hi Mom!

Hey, little guy, have you been eating chocolate by any chance?

Whoops!  Caught ya!

At least he didn’t casually say no.

Last night, I was vegging out on the couch and the door opened up.  Look who came to visit!

Out for a walk with Mom and Dad.

I am so overjoyed these days with this little one.  There is just nothing like watching your children become parents. 

Walking home in the dark.  Gotta love these kids.  They’re such a great little family.

I am so grateful for the people at our church who take time to make a difference in the little imp’s life.  He was invited today to do the offering.

Here he is waiting to go down the aisle.  I did the same job last week and found out it’s harder than it looks!

And knitting?  I started the knitting bag shown in the new Debbie Bliss magazine.

I’ve knit at least one bag so far in the process of getting through the first side.  I read the pattern wrong the first 3 times…lol.  I was attaching color A, B, C, &D with the wrong yarn.  Don’t ask.  I am always talking while knitting or reading a blog or something.  I could not figure out why it didn’t look like the picture.  Welllllll.   Enough said.

Back to life.  I have to admit, it was a little tough to get back to work, but I had a fun day ahead so it made it easier.

Before we came home, we parked the RV on the street and drove to Astoria for one last fling.  They were having their street market and we’d always wanted to see that.  It was closing time so we didn’t really get to see much but it was incredible.

There wasn’t a way to really capture it, but there were 3 blocks of little booths on both sides of the street!  Plus there were food tents and music.  Our little town has tried to get one up and running but evidently has met with a lot of resistance.  There have been a few people who have faithfully been there every week, though, and you have to start somewhere!

When we got back to the RV, we ate and thought maybe the little imp better eat the rest of the ice cream before it melted.  His favorite food!

I did get a little bit of knitting done…this is my Noro sock yarn and I thought I would knit from both ends.  I think I am going to have to stop and re-wind the yarn because it is tangling like crazy on itself.

I really love the colors!

When we got home…we had to go visit that little sweet pea!  Her mommy and I started trying on all the hats I have made her.

Hmmmm, not too happy.

This one actually fits!  Good thing since Daddy is already watching football!

Last night our knitting group got together and started putting together the relay squares we knit during the Olympics.  It is so exciting, 15 ladies knit these and we finished 2 days ahead of schedule! 

Last night we got the squares laid out and the strips sewn.  Now they have to be sewn together…it was so much fun!

I am trying out Windows Live Writer today.  I evidently downloaded it a long time ago but didn’t realize you could connect to flickr with it so I’m going to give it a shot and see how I like it. 

Warning:  no knitting content today.  I hope to get some needles in my hands tomorrow but there was other stuff going on today.

We’re having quite a few technical problems this time.  We hope that a fair trade for using the RV is that hubby loves to work out all the little problems while we’re in it.  The refrigerator is not wanting to work.  He’s been fiddling with that all day.  In the meantime, we’ve got blocks of ice in the freezer and fridge.  So far, so good.  We have our water and pop in our cooler but that’s what we usually do anyway.  One tiny disaster happened when hubby went to move the eggs to another shelf and didn’t realize the carton was soaked through…he lost several eggs on the floor.

I made a big breakfast this morning while he was outside tinkering around with all the hoses that have cracked and need replacing. He had to run to the store for syrup while I made the little imp’s favorite breakfast…french toast.  He was a happy boy!

The other big problem is the tv in the bedroom not working.  It only matters in the evening when we want to watch something other than the little stinker’s favorite shows.  Hubby brought a little tv from home to shove into the spot that’s a little small for it.  He knows the problem is a blown fuse but he has to track down where that is. 

The boys needed to go to some parts store so they dropped me off downtown.  The plan was that I’d walk home when I was finished.  I went to the quilt store that is generally very quaint and has lots of fun stuff.  Well….they are having a big sale and all the quaintness is not there…there are just rows of fabric and all the little areas are not to be found.  I was sad that I couldn’t find anything.  Last time I was there, I saw all kinds of old fashioned kids toys and now that I know we have a girl, I was going to get her something specific.  I couldn’t find anything for her or the little imp.

I walked the length of the shopping area and on my way back up the other side of the street, I got a text message from the new mama that they were on their way to visit!  I didn’t find anything on that side of the street either and hubby wasn’t answering his cell phone so I was going to start walking back, which was the plan anyway.  (I did forget that I saw a bag that I think I need for me…I’ll get it another day unless someone else beats me to it!)

I didn’t get anywhere on my journey back before I saw the Jeep with my boys in it…but they weren’t hearing their cell phones so I walked along side them for a bit  (teeny street, they were stopping for the one light in town). Hubby took off when the light changed and pulled over to call me….he saw me as I answered. 

We came back to our site and shortly after, the little family showed up.

It was a nice day but the wind was a little cool so we spent time inside instead.

We had a great dinner…barbecued steak, salad, baked potatoes and garlic bread.

This is what I looked at the whole time I ate.  How sweet is that?

After dinner, the two brothers-in-law hung out together outside.  Note the matching sweatshirts!

Before we knew it, they were heading off to the store together.

They came back with cookies and a Kit Kat bar for the little imp.  Picture this, the little imp is really enjoying his camera.  He is taking pictures of EVERYTHING in his sight.  He has gotten some fairly creative pics at the grocery store, church, everywhere he goes.  We’re trying to figure out what we should do with them.  Who knows, he may become a blogger like the rest of the family!

Right before they left, I was just tickled to see the kids enjoying little sweet pea. 

The jury is still out as far as the little imp is concerned.  He does not like her crying at all.  He was not at all interested in telling her goodbye.  The hope in it all is that he really lights up when we call him uncle.  I’m sure they’ll be buddies soon.

Ok…so far, I liked using Live Writer and it was easier to get the pictures into the post from flickr other than the fact that I had to open the insert image box every time…they loaded faster than they do through ecto.  Not bad for a free program but we’ll see how easy it is now to get it posted over to the blog itself!

edited to add:  worked like a dream!

We began to wonder if it was even going to happen!  For once, we had planned ahead and had park reservations in August…we made them a year ago!  We had no idea we’d be welcoming the little sweet pea into the world on the very week we planned to be away! I think it was a fair trade, though….much more fun.  :)  We finally found another week we could carve some time out to get away.  Hubby actually took off two weeks but everything was going wonky with the worship team and everyone else’s vacations.  We were almost going to have to be there this coming week but we managed to work it out so we could get away.  Sad to say, we have to physically leave to get away from what’s normal for us.  We weren’t going to do the RV this time but that worked out, too…so here we are.  Away!

I haven’t been here for almost a week.  Last week we celebrated the new mama’s birthday.  This is the best picture I managed to get.

Notice who snuck into the picture! 

We had Baskin Robbins ice cream cake, it was so good!

Earlier in the day, the little sweet pea and the birthday girl and daddy came to see me.  Daddy thought she’d look pretty in pearls so he put some on her while I was holding her.  She didn’t like them too much…they were cold!

I made her a dolly…and promptly lost it.  How does that happen?  I took this picture, put it in my bag and that’s the last I saw of it!

It was just perfect for little fingers.  No problem…there’s another one in progress but this time with arms.

And then we left today.  All on his own, the little imp set himself up so he could drive with Dad…

You can’t see, but he has a foot pedal, too.  He did everything he saw his dad do and it kept him pretty busy.

We stopped for dinner because we’d spent the entire day loading up …and forgot to eat!  This was the view while we waited for dad to get dinner from McDonald’s.

And then when we got here…the little imp always helps his dad get everything working,

I was shocked at how many people were here this week.  We like the park, though, and we have street parking for vehicles. 

Tragic discovery, though….the tv in the bedroom got fried when the owners used the rv a few weeks ago.  Hubby thinks he knows what the problem is…not actually the tv but a fuse ….will take some investigating, though, to find out where it is, he’s got it narrowed down to 3 places. 

Yes, we camp in style….tv and internet.  We even brought the Wii so the imp and I can play MarioKart.  I finally found it at Walmart and spent my birthday giftcard from him on it.  He beats me every time. 

He’s somewhat ticked off at me tonight.  The park owner said hello to him when we got here and he buried his face on the seat.  He used to proudly walk up to people and offer his hand and introduce himself.  Now he refuses to answer so we worked on how we politely respond when someone talks to him.  It makes him mad.  oh wellllllllllllll.

edited to add:  I wrote this last night but right as I was going to post it, I lost my wireless connection.  Finally this morning I sat out on the picnic table and got the connection fixed.  My battery lasts long enough to go outside and reconnect.

lol  Please bear with me as I adjust to being a grammy.  I am a bit preoccupied these days.

First, I want to show the great gift I got today!  I did the Caffiene Addicts swap on Ravelry.  A few days ago, I got some coffee beans in the mail, shipped directly from Peet’s Coffee.  Hubby and I are enjoying it very much.  The beans smell so good!  Today I got another part of my swap package.

Wow!  My swap partner couldn’t have nailed it better on the yarn!  I love it!

I love it all.  And she said there is one more package coming from Canada!

The little sweet pea was coming home today so we went to get balloons and made a sign.

I only briefly visited tonight…they needed some prescriptions filled and a few things picked up from the store.  Look at this precious sight.

And a bit of knitting content.

This is the one skein bolero I knit for mother’s day….and the little hat I made later to match…..she came home in them and the little dress that her daddy picked out for her. 

and now this tired grammy is going to go to bed.

My little Sweet Pea…..

Sorry, this is the best picture we got showing off our new little girl…taken with my cell phone.  the lighting was terrible in the room.

August 19….9:23 a.m.  8 lb 6 oz., 20 1/2 in long, came into this world after over 15 hours of hard work on her mommy’s part.  She is beautiful and although we are all exhausted, we are all ecstatic!

More later, I must rest in the 2 hours we are home before we drive back to the hospital an hour away.  We’ll meet up with #1 son and fiance returning from their mission trip.  Better pictures later.

This grammy is just flying high.

It’s been so crazy busy here.  Here’s a long, picture-heavy update.

Last Saturday, the mama-to-be had a shower on the daddy’s side of the family.  I couldn’t go because I have been missing so much work and will miss more when baby comes.  Here she is with a gift from a knitting friend of mine that I gave her before the shower.

These are little leggings from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitters Almanac.  How cute are they!  They’re made from sock yarn.  What a treasure.

I’ve been trying to get myself prepared for that big trip to the hospital.  We got some snacks to leave in the car.  Now it looks like there will be more of us headed to the hospital than I thought.  #1 son is going on a mission trip next week and is really hoping baby makes it’s appearance before that.  He and his girlfriend want to be there even if it’s in the middle of the night.  I’m thinking we may fill the waiting room!

Things are definitely progressing…she went to the doctor today and she’s beginning to dilate and all those good things.  She continues to swell terribly but so far no sign of danger there.

She was horribly disappointed that she didn’t get to go to Stitch n Pitch this year but when the time actually came, she was happy her hubby said no….she can barely walk because of the swelling.

But….we all took off for a day of adventure. 

He’s ready.

We stopped to fill up….we actually got 30 cents off with our Safeway card.  Who’d ever think it would be exciting to pay only $3.89 for gas!

We got there early and got a great parking place a block from Safeco Field.

I always get excited walking up to the ballpark.

It was especially fun to see Shanda and Julie standing there in front.  Right after I snapped the picture, Shanda tried to call me not realizing we were waiting to cross the street.  Shanda managed to disappoint a little lady who was excitedly running around the stadium looking for the ballplayers who were signing autographs.  She told her they were Devil Rays, not Mariners.  lol  She wondered why the poor lady had walked right by the ballplayers a few minutes before and wasn’t interested then.  Methinks the Mariners wouldn’t be hanging around outside the stadium before the game.

We always end up waiting outside, the first ones to get through the doors.  It’s all because we don’t want to pay for parking.

On the first leg of the trip to the 3rd level…we found all the escalators, including the one that almost did me in.  It was 2 stories high and me with my fear of heights was getting pretty shaky by the end of it.

The family.

The first pitch was thrown by Larissa Brown, author of Knitalong.  She said she practiced a lot but was really nervous when she got out there.

I started the Houdini socks by Cat Bordhi…a great mindless project for the game.  I’m almost ready to close the heel.

Ichiro in his famous stance.

and Raul Ibanez, my favorite Mariner (who happened to win the game for us once again!)

We walked down and got our books signed by Larissa Brown.  Isn’t her pinwheel blanket beautiful?  She’s so sweet.

It was such a beautiful day and evening.

Here’s the little bride with her knitting….she’s making leg warmers.

I always love the people who come out and rake the dirt.  They didn’t dance for us this time, though.

It was pretty exciting when JJ Putz came out to pitch.

And then the best part of all….and unfortunately, my memory card filled up….but this is when Raul hit the homerun that won the game.

 I bought a new memory card tonight…this is so ridiculous how often my silly card is full.  I need to figure out how to auto-delete on this camera, I’ve only had it a year!  I had meant to buy a new card on the way to the game, though…and forgot every time we went into a store that would have them.

Today as the Olympics started, a group of us started our Olympic event.  We’re doing a relay, knitting squares for a blanket to be donated to a women’s shelter here in our community.  Each person gets a “training” square that could be started during the opening ceremonies.  (5 a.m. our time).  I know of at least one person who actually got up at 5 to start knitting.  Then they can start their “relay” block when they get the call from the person before them.  We had 2 very fast knitters in the front of the line.  I suspected I’d be getting the call sometime today because I was 3rd in line, but imagine my surprise when that call came at 12:30 this afternoon! 

I had such a crazy morning.  I went for to get my hair cut and foiled at 9 a.m. and got out of there at almost noon.  I wasn’t ready for work or anything so I was late getting there.  One friend was there working on her training block and when I got my call, I switched places with her.  In no time at all, she finished hers and I was back in the starting gate.  I’m afraid I have slowed up the progress…lol.  I feel for the person following me because I’ll call her in the morning and I’m sure she expected she’d be doing hers next week sometime!  I’m sure things will slow down at some point, but it’s so exciting to see the enthusiasm.  I was reading my Knitalong book while knitting this evening and I get to frog back a few rows as a result..but I’m really pondering her insight on knitting together.  Lovin’ it!

When we finish our relay block, we have our final event….our last block.  When we’re all done, we’ll get together at knit night and assemble the whole thing. 

And now, I must get this block done and get to bed so I don’t end up being a very tired Grandma when I get to meet my little sweet pea!