Sit. Stay. Heal.

Sit

Sorry for the absence. Lots happening in May.
Look at my buddy at 3+ months! He's so cute!
I look like Scary Auntie, but it's not about me...

Where's my brother?

This was taken at Mother's Day. Remember how the endorphins kicked in & lasted days when I first held him when he was born? Didn't happen this time!

Stay

Monday after Mom's Day, we get an email at work... "Emergency Mandatory Meeting @ 9am."
We all looked at each other... WTF?!

As it turns out, they're laying off 11 people from my group based on 'number of hours worked.'
We were all in shock. You know I only work 3 days a week, right?! Those who's start date was after me, all have more hours worked than me now!

No, I'm not sorry I'm working part time... even though I kinda shot myself in the foot.
They've never let people in my position go... ever. I'll survive this round of layoffs, but feel sick for those who are leaving. They're my friends & really good co-workers. I want everyone to stay.

Are you looking at me?!

These two black cats were yowling on our front stairs. I think the one looking at me is feral - real skittish. The other one has a collar & never looked at me. They both look kinda rough.

I wanted them to stay, but Wooly said he was going to throw water at them, so they left.
Wooly says the feral one is leaving deposits outside his window, by his chair. I reminded him that he IS the Shit Magnet. ;)

Heal

My right shoulder has been giving me pain since December. I was knitting like crazy, trying to get things done for Christmas & not taking breaks. It's been hurting ever since.

I went to my doctor, who blew me off & told me to lean into a corner & stretch out those muscles... I tried it. It hurt both shoulders, so I didn't continue. No, he didn't even do x-rays!

As a result of the stress of layoffs, it really started hurting. I looked in the mirror & couldn't put my hand on my hip, lift my arm straight up over my head or to the side, or put it behind my back.

I showed Wooly. He asked it was my brain misfiring. It's not. It's like my shoulder is locked. Impingement? Maybe, but I don't have full range motion of my arm - damn it! It's your neck. There's nothing wrong with my neck - damn it!

I was frustrated. He told me to call his Chiropractor. I don't like Chiropractors, but was desperate. As it turned out, I felt incredibly relaxed around him. He told me my 6th & 7th vertebrate were out, resulting in my tendons tightening up, everything is compensating for it. Sent me in for x-rays. Sure enough, those vertebrates were out & the ball of my arm was up too high - locked my shoulder - and my shoulder was too far forward & up. That's also why I've been getting headaches & feeling dizzy & lost strength in my right arm. Yes, I felt crippled!

He pushed my neck in. Pushed my shoulder down & back. We're now working on stretching out the tendons. He says the tendons take the longest to heal because so little blood goes through them. After 3 visits, I feel lots better & have my knitting control/tension back. I'm taking lots of breaks now. I didn't want to never knit again!

Hawaiian Sea Turtle telling a tale.

So I feel like I've turned from the speedy smooth rabbit or swift gemsbok, into a tale telling turtle. :)

Oh, and Smoothie is still miffed that the Easter Bunny never showed up. He washed his face & everything. He keeps showing me his tail & saying that someones pants is on fire (liar) for making him think EB was coming here. It wasn't me! He saw it on the evil tv! I told him maybe EB didn't have to come to our house since we have a resident rabbit... That really pissed him off. Oh! The tale telling turtle seems to have calmed him down. Finally, peace in Miyamojo. ;)

Wooly thinks it's so weird that I'm not knitting when he looks over at me during our tv time. I'm learning to take breaks... for my health!

Princess Havarti

Despite the pain (yes, I was in denial!) I managed to get pretty far on the Center.

So close & yet so far

My tension sucked for a while, but I didn't care. I've got 26 stitches left on each side to attach. 52 rows left! YAY! I'm on my last skein. I'm seriously wondering if I'm going to run out. I still have to do the rest of the edging around the bottom corner & along the top.

Humongous Havarti has a life of its own.

What blooming?

My Iris' are finally blooming!

I love these purple & white ones. I have lots of the solid lavender ones too. I keep thinking it would be a nice background for the Princess. I hope something nice is blooming by the time I'm finished with her!

So, take time to tell a tale! Or walk in your yard! Take pictures of your flowers!

For your health!

I'm off to stretch my shoulder.

Peace out! :)

Princess & the Dancing Cowboy

Here she is... Princess Havarti!


I've been knitting along thinking she looks like Havarti cheese. Got near the end of the 8th repeat of the center & decided it was photo time. I think there are 13 repeats in all.

What a difference a photo makes. Even after I pin blocked it, I couldn't see her Highness... now I sure can. It's given me the 'oof' to happily give her the attention she needs.

I love the Laurel Leaf pattern, even though it was tedious. The Center even looks nice. I'm glad the stitches stayed on the needle during Her photo session. ;)

Tuesday = Date Day

Wooly & I go on a date every Tuesday.
Yesterday, we decided to go to my favorite Nursery to look at the flowers.


Look what we found! A Princess Plant! I never knew there was such a thing. And it's purple, patio plant. The leaves are kinda fuzzy. It would look great on our patio. We didn't get it because it's not frost friendly & we still have frost in the morning.

These Orchids always make me happy too. I want to try growing one of these. The lady said they bloom for 4 months. That makes it worth the money for me. They remind me of my Grandpa. He had Orchids in his garden in Kona Hawaii. He was a Kona Coffee Farmer. That's probably why I can't give up coffee. :) I'm going to get one as a reward for finishing the Princess.

Wooly wanted to go look at the motorcycles...

Here he is on a Ducati. He loves Italians. This is as close as he's getting if I have any say in the matter! Check out his new cowboy boot. They're African Antelope. Kamati wasn't thrilled. He doesn't think it was a Gemsbok though. Just think of how many different antelope there are.

What's Blooming at my house?

These pink flox are blooming. They brighten up the neighborhood. Wooly asked if they smell. I said, "No, why do you ask?" He said that he saw a guy walking by, cross the street to smell & look at them. A GUY!

Speaking of guys/cowboys. I've just got to say that I'm thrilled that Ty Murray is still on Dancing with the Stars! He's so cute! Just seeing him crack a smile makes me happy.

That's the one show that makes me really happy. I love watching the professionals dance with each other. They're so good & really able to present emotions. I do believe that your emotions affect those around you... but that's another post.

When they interviewed Ty he said that he's been determined from the start to do good.

Yay! Me too! Do good! Git er done!

I'm talking about my Princess... Git er done!

Do good! Peace out! :)

American Beauty Rose

"A little rose that laughs upon its stem,
one of the sweets with which the gardens teem,
in value soars above an eastern gem - if tendered as a token of esteem."
Allan Cunningham - poet

American Beauty Shawl - by BadCat
JaggerSpun Zephyr - Cassis
S/L Gold AB beads & heart beads size 8/0
3.25mm or US3 Turbo lace needles
65" X 35"

I joined BadCat's KAL for her birthday. She wanted American Beauty Roses for her garden. The real color is a dark magenta. I made mine pink. (Top photo is closest pink)

So, what do I love best about this shawl?

The knit on front side edging?

The rose motif with heart beads?

There's also roses on the shoulders (top photo), where my wings would be.

The lacy bottom edge & shiny beads?

If I had to choose, it would be the last. It's hard to photograph (the human eye is really irreplaceable). It's really lacey & the beads shine & I can't stop touching or looking at it.

You know growing roses takes a lot of effort. This shawl is much easier & you'll have roses all year long.

Thanks BadCat! Another beautiful design! :)


Asian Beauty

Spring has arrived.

The skies are blue, the cherry blossoms & tulips & daffodils are coming out.
Wooly is coming out too.

Saturday morning we were drinking coffee & he jumps up and says,

"OH! I have to tell you what happened at the grocery store!

I was pushing my cart out to the car, when I looked up, and there was the most beautiful Asian woman I've ever seen! She had long flowy black hair... red tube top... and she was STACKED... white short shorts... and the most beautiful, perfect legs I've ever seen! Not a blemish anywhere! OH! and high heels... not too high, but you know, 2 inches. I looked around and everyone in the parking lot was staring at her too. She was with a real normal looking guy, kinda scruffy... I swear, she was an Asian model, you know, the kind in the Asian magazines! I wanted to tell her to wait there, while I go home & get my camera so I could take a photo of her! She's a REAL ASIAN BEAUTY!"

As you can imagine, he was really animated, and so excited about his Asian Beauty sighting.

You all know I'm Asian, right? It's a good thing I was able to laugh at him being so silly.

I went upstairs to get ready for my day, then went back down & found him making breakfast. I put on my pouty face & said, "OH! UGH! I'm no longer your Asian Beauty. Oh! I'm so old. I don't have perfect legs, boohoo..." He consoled me & told me I'm still hot... especially when I'm not wearing my pajamas.

So I went to lunch with my mom. You know my mom... lots of fun & animated too. I told her the whole story, just like I told it here. She was screaming with laughter. At the end, she says, "Michele, you missed your chance! You should have put on your short shorts & come back down the stairs!"

I told her, "I don't have perfect legs... you have better legs than me!" which lead to more screaming with laughter.

I came home & Wooly asked how it went with Mom. I told him I told her about his Asian Beauty sighting. He put his hands on his head & said, "OH NO! You didn't!!!"

So, now I've told the whole world. Neener neener!

He told me who she looked like... I'm not impressed. But, now I'm not cutting my flowy black hair... it's all I've got. :D


Easter Bunny Sighting

What happens when Smoothie sees the Easter Bunny on tv...

"OH! Easter Bunny! What a beauty! *Faint*"

"Bunny! Get up! You're on my leg! Dad! Put that camera down & get bunny off me!"

"Wow, what a beauty! Those long white ears... pink nose..."

"Whatever. You hurt my leg."

Beauty is subjective.

Physical beauty doesn't last... neither do roses.

Enjoy it while it last! :)

Or make yourself a shawl!

In Over My Head?

Princess my love...
The good news:
I got through the 3rd Border Chart & am ready to do the Laurel Leaf pattern.

The headache:

How to continue the edging around the 90* corner and make it look worthy.

There's been a lot of chatter & worry. The consensus is to short row it. (In Ravelry)

Boy, am I glad now that I'm using wool. I have faith in wool & it's forgiving nature. I'm sure it will gracefully curve around that corner. WOW! Thanks again to you all for encouraging me to just continue on with the merino. I love you!

The intimidation:

The members of the Princess Group in Ravelry are very accomplished and able to think outside the pattern.

I'm not.

One person did a provisional cast on & started knitting the border & will do the edging continually around at the end. She's brilliant. I wish I had thought of that! Next time, that's the way I'm doing it, especially if I'm not using pure wool.

After all, we want it to look fabulous after all the hours of concentration... every stitch counts.

The Queen

The good news:

After 13 days of waiting & convincing myself that she's lost & never arriving.... The Queen has made her appearance. I did my celebratory happy dance!

It's separate pages, not a booklet, which is great! I don't need to make copies of the charts. It came with samples of Cashsilk, Shetland Supreme & Gossamer Merino. That blue/gray cone is 2/48 cashmere/silk from Colourmart that I'm thinking of using. It's the same ratio of cashmere (70) to silk (30) as the Cashsilk, but slightly thicker... same weight as the Gossamer Merino (2/48) I'm using for the Princess.

The headache:

The Goddess says that you can complete it in 5 months... at 2 hours per night. HAH! That's so funny! She's a fast knitter. I'm not.

The Queen is made in 5 pieces - 4 borders + center. The Goddess says it took her 10 hours to 'finish/make up/sew' it all together. I hate sewing pieces together! (That's why I love Fair Isle! NO sewing!) UGH! At this point, I laid on the floor & sulked.

While lying there I thought, "Why can't I just knit the bottom border & continue knitting the center... while attaching the left & right border... the same way I have to do the Princess center... that way I just have to sew in the top border & the 45* angles where the borders join?"

I couldn't think of a reason why I couldn't do it that way... but I'm NO EXPERT!

I logged into Ravelry & guess what?! One of the members mentioned that she was going to do it that way too!! But, she's going to do the edging all the way around at the end. I think that doing it as written will be okay, because it's only a 45* angle to curve around & sew up.

I did my celebratory happy dance! I'm learning to think outside the pattern! And someone very experienced thought of the same method! OH HAPPY DAY!

I'm going to use 2mm needles & either the 2 blue/gray cones I have, or I'll order the Cashsilk... not sure what color... kinda liking the viola... the frost blue is pretty too.

Stitch Markers

I use jump rings as stitch markers & was getting frustrated because the gossamer merino was getting caught in the jagged joins. Just what I don't need! Cut yarn! I've noticed that people sell them with beads on the joins & thought, "Hey! I can make those!" so I did. They work great.

Meanwhile in Kamati & Smoothie's world...

"Hey Kamati, whatcha doing?"

"Ssshhh! I'm just looking! Mom said there's going to be gold hearts on the American Beauty Shawl. I don't see them in here..."

"Mom's gonna be mad! You KNOW how she feels about 'if it's NOT yours, DON'T touch it!!!"

"Shut UP! Use your indoor voice! lalaladeedahhh"

"KAMATI! ARE YOU GETTING NOSE JUICE ON MOM'S SHAWL??!!

Wooly caught them in the act & took this photo as evidence. I didn't find any nose juice, no harm... no foul.

The last chart for American Beauty is coming April 1st, so we get a mini break.

Until next time... Knit on!

And take time to celebrate! :)

You can't always get what you want...

But if you try sometimes you just might find...
You get what you need, ah yes!

What a difference pin blocking makes!

I told Wooly I was going to start over... He said what Carolyn said, "You NEED to listen to Laritza... she won blue ribbons for her lace knitting...!" Laritza told me to just keep going & save my blue yarn for another lace project... there are plenty out there... She's very close to finishing her Princess.

Carolyn is no stranger to blue ribbons... she won them for her fair isle knitting.

I noticed that the photo made it look better than in real life & decided to take another picture on a dark background & carefully pin block it.

Looks like I got some 'feathers' & crowns... looks like a Princess to me!

Thanks to everyone (love you all!) for talking to me about this... I'm my own worst enemy.
Sanity has returned to the Land of Miyamojo. Love has returned for my Princess.

After I made that decision... I discovered that The Queen was released! She's beautiful! I ordered it immediately! Now I really want to finish The Princess!

Meanwhile, in Mr K's World...

"Umm, Aunty, I'm eating this really yummy ice cream sandwich for you... um... yummm... for your birthday... ummmm... it has chocolate ice cream & umm... chocolate cookie... yummmy... ohhh chocolate... yummmm... tell Uncle Wooly to get you one of these! You need to eat if fast... yummm... cuz it will melt on your hands... ummmm...Corey doesn't get any... ummm... cuz he's not a big boy...yummmy!"

"Hi! Corey here! I'm busy lying here, growing as fast as I can, so I can eat an ice cream sandwich for your birthday too..."

"Corey, I found your hat from Aunty..."

"Here... let me put it on you..."

"Get away! I'm talking now! Stop smashing my head! Big Brother! Where are my hands?!"

"Fine! I'll wear it!"

"You'll be sorry!"

"Oy! What?!"

"It doesn't fit me... boooo... I don't wanna be a big boy!"

In my defense... I offered to make a big boy one for Mr K!

Both his Mom & Dad told me not to, because he doesn't like hats!

WTF?!?!?!!

UGH!!!!

So sing with me...

"You can't always get what you want (no, no baby)

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You just might find

You get what you need, ah yes.. "

Have a great week! :)

Live in the Present

My birthday was last Sunday (3/1)...
Mr K sent me this...

What a cutie! Someone got his haircut! Such a heartbreaker!

Mr C sent me this...

Yeah, my birthday was kinda sucky. At least he wasn't giving me the 'bird!'
Wait for that next year. ;)

In the Bag

So, since this is my birthday post, I'm going to talk about some of my favorite things.

"Live all your dreams in the present"

"What's in the bag Mom?!"

No, you don't have to send the kids away... it's not that exciting...

"Kamati has to stay away! No hoofs or horns!"

No, it's not cheese, but I am going to whine about it.

If I had to choose one type of knitting that's my absolute favorite... it would be Heirloom Knitting. As you remember, I'm definitely cursed.

This is my gossamer merino Princess Shawl. I've only been working on it for over a year and am through row 150 (each row has 860+ stitches) & ready to start the 3rd border chart.

In my defense, when I first started this, I wasn't thrilled about knitting it in white and wanted some silk in it. But, there were few choices, and I didn't want to use Cashsilk because it's too fine - just call it thread.

Well, now, I'm thinking about starting over... (WHAT?!) because I found some 2/48 cashmere/silk in light blue. I don't like the way the merino is looking. I'm waiting for it to arrive so I can swatch and make a final decision. You know blue is my favorite color... and this is a 'before I die' project, and with how much time is invested in this, I might as well love it, right?!

"What's in the shiny bag Mom?"

Another one of my favorite things is Coach purses.

I'm definitely still a tomboy, and never carried a purse until last year when I purchased by first Coach leather purse. I got some birthday money & decided it was time to dethrone the "Queen of Self Deprivation" once and for all. After all, unless you spend it right away on yourself, you end up using it to pay bills, right?!

"Follow the White Rabbit...! We're in the Matrix, right?!"

This pink & silver purse was screaming at me & jumping up & down. I couldn't walk away from it or the white rabbit with the cute fluffy tail. I absolutely love it... and tickled pink! LOL!

When I got it home, I realized that I broke every rule I have about purses... (has to be leather, classic shape & color, in other words - boring.) Ask me if I care!!! I'm living in the present!

Clap your hands... this is huge for me! :)

American Beauty

I didn't get any roses or flowers for my birthday, but I did knit a few.
This is chart B2... now we have 3 roses on each side of the triangular shawl and lots of shiny beads.

One of Wooly's bagpiper friends came over on my birthday. He didn't bring me cake or flowers or gifts or CAKE... so, I almost threw him out. ;) But, he didn't know & came to visit Wooly. I managed to reluctantly put on a bra & shirt, but stayed in my pajama pants. I asked if he wanted something to drink or a sandwich, he told me to "just keep knitting... Wooly is taking care of that." What a Prince!

Finally

Remember last year I wanted Luskentyre for my birthday, but they were sold out?

"ooohhhhh pretty!"

I finally got her! I was worried about the Whin & Golden Clover colors, but I think they're strong enough tones to look good on me (Right Lorraine?) Remember! TOMBOY! That's why everything in my closet is BLUE!

What's revealing is that these are the kits I have... Luskentyre, Abalone & Marina.

Do you see a pattern here? Remember, it's my birthday, so I'm also a Pisces...

All water themes... of the sea... sea shells... my name is Michele... get it?! Weird!

My buddy Bev tagged me for an incredibly long meme. Even though she worships the ground I walk on (her words, not mine... really!) It's my birthday! So I'm passing on it. I couldn't answer any of the questions without being sarcastic. Anyways, I think this post reveals a lot more about me.

So, sing with me... "I just want to CELEBRATE one more day of LIVING! I just want to CELEBRATE one more year of LIFE!" :D

Live in the Present!

Windsor Wonderland

Princess Michele of Miyamojo,
with her prize winning Gemsbok, Sir Kamati Swifthead

Photo taken by Prince Wooly Bagpiper


Windsor Waistcoat by Lorraine Condotta
Jamieson kit from She Ewe Knits
3mm & 3.25mm needles
size s

You're right! I can wear amber. :)

The only change I made was I didn't increase after the rib. I just continued on with 288 stitches. My Ransom vest had 280 stitches, and fit perfectly.

And I didn't do the back & forth knitting, just continued steeking on top.

The great thing about vests is... no sleeves! (quick knit) And that it shows off the fair isle pattern (because there's no button band.) And perfect for our mild weather.

I love this vest! It looks great with my camel coat & my dark brown coat.
All dressed up & nowhere to go! :D

Back to the Beret

What a difference a good block makes! It's now adult size!


It covers my ears and doesn't feel like it's going to pop off.

Thanks to Halfmaennchen/Monika, who took a photo wearing hers & posted it in Ravelry for me. (I still like hers better!)

Wooly told me I shouldn't post/Ravel my failures...

I told him, "This is real life knitting dude! Not everything turns out perfect every time! Besides, others can learn from my mistakes..."

So, if the pattern says to block it over a plate... let the beret totally dry over the plate before you pull it off! Trust the pattern!


American Beauty



We got Chart B which included a rose pattern. Smoothie is pointing at it with his nose.

"Smoothie! Scat! You're ruining my shot!"

"but.. butt.. Kamati, Mom said to point at the rose!"

"That's 'Sir Kamati' to you... you smurf... I mean surf!.. serf?! you 'not of the royal class bunny'!! I don't want nose juice on my rose cape! Scat! MOM!"

"Okay, BOTH of you need to hold still & stop fighting, or I'll send you both to the dungeon!"

It's not easy being the Princess of Miyamojo.

You don't want to miss out on The Ball & turn into a pumpkin, so get your Twisted Traditions patterns today! Before you have to pay outrageous prices because they're out of print. (You KNOW what I'm talking about!! and YES I'm bitter about it!! Especially now that I'm in Ravelry & able to see what I'm missing!! YARN & BOOKS!!)

Breathe.

Until next week... may all your dreams come true. :)