KNITTING WITHOUT DOG HAIR IS NOT AN OPTION

TWO YEARS

2010-06-24T01:23:51Z

Dear Irwin, Today it has been two years since you left me. I still miss you, think about and talk about you every day. Even tho I have a wonderful new husband with a great family, I will never forget you. You turned my world upside down twice, once in January 2000 when we met in California and again in June 2008 when you moved on to a better place. Wherever you are, be as happy as I am!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2010-05-10T02:13:39Z

Well, it was my first one today. And my "instant" kids (as my mother-in-law calls them) surprised me this morning. They gave me two charms for my Pandora bracelet, a pink one and a blue one, each with little hearts on them and a very sweet card. I didn't expect anything and they totally blew my mind. So sweet and so thoughtful. And they came over at church when everyone was supposed to hug their wife or their mom, and each of them gave me a big hug. I feel very, very special. The Coach has awesome kids and I am so grateful that they include me like that in their life. While the kids went on to spend the rest of the day with their mom, The Coach and I planned to have a chilled afternoon, ride around in the convertible and a get a few things from my house. Well, not so much chilling... The washer decided it to was time to retire and thank goodness I noticed that in the early afternoon. So, instead of taking the convertible, we went over to my house with the big SUV and a trailer and got my fridge, dryer and washer. We wanted to do that anyway at some point, but no exactly today. I am dead tired now because it involved a lot of cleaning and moving stuff around, but I am glad we did it. Now we have a bigger fridge. I tell you, this family eats. ;-) Especially the 12-year-old football/basketball/baseball player. But I am glad, I like to cook. So it's a win-win for all of us. Oh, and I think I am going to change the pattern for the wedding shawl. Thankfully I haven' t really started yet. I only cast on a few stitches this morning. More about that later. I need a drink, a shower and my bed. :-)

KNITTING FOR A WEDDING

2010-05-08T13:22:13Z

880 yards of Plymouth Yarn 100% Baby Alpaca Lace Did that catch your attention? Well, I have a long story to tell. Back in March, The Coach and I met for dinner one night. He picked the place and suggested to go back to the Thai restaurant where we had our first date. We have never been back since, but not because it was a terrible restaurant, it just did not work out again. Anyways, I am sure a bunch of you will think, ahhhh, didn't think he had something special in the works? Honestly, no, because I am pretty oblivious to things like that. But when we got the place, he insisted on sitting at the exact same table we had at our first date and then I thought, hmmmm, that is interesting... So yes, he proposed that night and gave me beautiful a diamond ring. And in return he asked me for a promise. I was not allowed to tell my parents until we would be back in Germany in April for a little vacation. The Couch is old school and wanted to officially ask my parents. OK... That was the hardest promise to keep in my life. I talk to my family several times a week and can not tell anyone? DANGIT!!! There were times when my mom or my SIL would ask if there was anything going on, anything new happening and I would say "No. not really...". It was even harder when I flew to Germany, one week before The Coach, because I worked in the Munich office to help organize a international lawyers meeting. Well, staying with parents was wonderful and hard at the same time, BECAUSE I COULD NOT SAY ANYTHING... And being there, I almost slipped a few times. But I didn't and I am kind of proud of that. So, now we get to the even more romantic part. The Coach was supposed to arrive on Saturday, April 17, in Munich. Well, that was the weekend the Icelandic volvano ashes turned Europe into a very quiet continent with no air traffic. Yeah, that weekend, of all weekends... His flight got cancelled on Friday morning and you can imagine how unhappy and disappointed we were... BUT... I told The Coach when they cancelled his flight to just go to the airport as planned because it is easier for him being helped in person at a counter instead of calling the 1-800-number and being blown off with a new reservation for almost a week later. That is what I did in the meantime. And the Delta agent didn't have a seat available until the next Thursday and not even to Munich. He would have had to stop in Paris, meaning he would have gotten to Munich on Friday mid-day and we would have flown home two days later. So, we agreed that he should try to get to any airport in driving distance of Garmisch, meaning any airport in Austria, Switzerland or Italy would have been OK. His first choice was Zuerich, but that flight got cancelled as well. The next possible option was Rome, Italy. On freakin' MONDAY... My parents were saying that The Coach would be back for some other trip later this year if it wouldn't work out now, that I shouldn't worry. At least he wasn't stuck at some airport somewhere on the globe, like so many other people. True that, but they didn't know that he was on a mission and that he had to make this trip for a reason. And then all hell broke loose that weekend... Europe was shut down completely, on Saturday, on Sunday, and partically on Monday. The flight from Atlanta to Rome was cancelled on Saturday, but the one on Sunday left Atlanta and arrived in Rome savely. So we were hoping that everything would go well with the flight on Monday. Since all the signs were saying that it was a go for Monday, I got a rental car and a hotel reservation for Rome. I am sure my parents thought that I have gone completely off the deep end, because it is a 10-hour drive from my home town to Rome. Rome sits pretty much smack in the center of the boot, but I didn't care at that point. I just wanted The Coach to get over to Europe and get a big hug from him at the airport. So, my mom made a thermos full of strong coffee and packed a basket of food and off I went with my sisters's GPS and a bunch of road maps. I have never been to Rome and I thought, you know, everything has a good side, even that stupid Icelandic volcano. That way, The Coach and I got to meet in Rome, very romantic. Cute story to tell the grandkids one day, I guess. I left at 9.30pm and got to the airport in Rome after 9 hours driving through the night, with just four pit stops. Not sleepy for one minute, thank goodness, and a blasting A/C in the car... The sun just rose at 6.30am when I parked the car at Rome's international airport. The Coach's flight was on track, arriving a bit earlier and we finally met around 8.30am. YAY! We drove to the hotel, showered and spent a fabulous day in Rome. Mind you, he was on a plane for 10 hours and I was in the car for 9 hours, but seemed that we had a lot of energy and we walked around the ancient city all day. There is so much to see. Really, more for a 10-day-trip than for just a 1-day-trip. Here are some pictures for you (enough text for the moment)... We did a swoop through Rome and saw the Colosseum, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain (and tossed coins to make a wish) and the Vatican. We had pizza around the corner from the Vatican. After that we went back to the hotel and crashed at 9pm. A long, but awesome day. So, that was kind of like a "pre-honeymoon"... Hehehe... One thing I have to say about the Romans tho'. They are one of the rudest bunch of people I have ever met. And not only to foreigners, also to one another. They drive like a$$holes, very scary and dangerous. We saw a graffiti at one place that sums it up pretty neatly (unfortunately I did not take a picture): "I do what I want, when I want." The Coach and I started calling this the Roman mantra... The next day we went back to Germany. It was a grueling long day. After 10.5 hours in the car, we were back at my parents place. My mom had dinner ready when we got home and the Coach proposed to my parents afterwards. I translated back and forth and it was actually quite funny. ;-) So, we had a very "uneventful" 10-minute civil court cermony later that week and went up the highest mountains in the Alpes for our "honeymoon". While we were with my family, we also celebrated my nieces 4th birthday. She called me one day and asked if I could knit her a purple cardigan for her birthday. Her wish was my command: Project Stats: Pattern: Helena Size: 4 years Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm Knitpicks Harmony Yarn: Dark Horse Yarns Fantasy How much? 3 skeins = 615.0 yards (562.4m) Colorway: Purple She didn't really want her picture taken but she LOVED the cardigan. That's all that matters to me anyway. I also knitted a pair of socks for myself while I was in Germany. That was my "riding the train" project, while commuting to work. My mom bought me this really cool sock magazine. It is a VERENA Special edition, called "80 socks around the world" and this first of two issues has 30 sock patterns from several European countries. The pattern I knitted is one of the Italian patterns. Funny, thinking about it, that I went to Rome the week after I finished the socks. Italy was not planned at first. :-) The rest of the week was considerable less eventful. We had no trouble flying out of Munich. By then, the travel chaos was pretty much over and I can only hope that most of the travellers made it to their destinations by now. So, we're back in Georgia. And we'll have a busy summer ahead of us. Selling my house, adding on The Coach's house, moving all my stuff in, plan a little family wedding in South Georgia at the end of the summer, but before football season starts. See, I already know the rules around here... Hermione and I moved in with The Couch, his two kids and their little yorkie, Sophie. I had to find a new home for Noah because he and Sophie did not get along - at all (he tried to eat her one time last summer)... That was very sad but I know he is in good hands. So, for now, until the three rooms have been added to my new home, I have only moved my clothes and a couple of knitting projects. And of course, there is always something that I would need, but that is still at my old house. But that is only temporary and therefore OK. Oh, and don't worry, one of the rooms will be full of yarn and roving. I can't wait!!! So, coming back to the header of this entry. There will be a little wedding with a preacher at the end of the summer and I am going to wear a cute summer dress and that shawl. Casting on this weekend! It's a great pattern - you knit it up the long side with 295 stitches. Whew... Happy counting, Claudia! And if you want to look at all the vacation pictures - here they are.

HEY!

2010-03-05T02:21:32Z

Gosh, I don't know how many times I have thought about blogging since January 1, 2010. But there has always been something else. No time, too tired, no knitting to report, no laptop available... I think I could go on for a bit... Well - I shouldn't be such a slacker, I know and I am sorry. But the year has started a little sluggish and I am trying to get a grip on things. ANYWAYS... First, my favorite current TV commercial. It has a sock monkey in it, hahaha... Too cute, I still have to knit one tho. What is there to report on knitting? Besides lots of ideas tumbling around in my head and not enough time at knitting groups, I am still working on the sweater for The Coach and I am happy to report that I actually finished the back over the Christmas holidays. Now I am onto the front which has a zipper (which will be interesting to put in with my love for sewing...) and which also measures 28.5 inches (to match the back…) from the cast on to the bind off. As much as I love that The Coach is 6ft 4in, it's turns into a curse when you knit a sweater for the big guy. The back truly functioned as a lap blanket while I was knitting it... Nevertheless, I am past the point where I had to split the front piece for the zipper. So, hopefully I'll be done soon. And then - onto two long sleeves... But I am still enjoying the cable pattern. Well, a trip to Germany is coming up in April (for business, so I get to see my family on company expenses) and the sweater is the only knitting I am taking with me, I swear. 10 hours each way on a plane and 2.5 hours each day on the train. I am going to stay with Mom and Dad and take the train to commute to Munich to the office. Love the public transportation system over there. Oh, I did finish a baby blanket. It is my all-time favorite mindless pattern. I don't even remember where I originally found the pattern, I think Lionbrand? Because I think the first one I made out of Lionbrand Homespun. It goes really fast. This one was knitted during Superbowl 2010. Told you it was an easy knit. ;-) Pattern: Baby Love Diagonal Baby Blanket by Lion Brand Yarn Craft (thanks to Ravelry I found the pattern name…) Needles: US 11 / 8.0 mm Addi Natural Circular Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Heaven How much? 4 skeins = 220.0 yards (201.2m) Colorway: pale pink That's about it with the knitting. Have you heard that we, in Georgia, had three snow days so far? Totally not normal, but pretty. Here are some pix. January 8, 2010 The roads were very icy that morning and I drove to work a lot later than I usually do. February 12/13, 2010 Yes, my mailbox has knitting stickers on it... It started snowing Friday around lunch time that weekend and I couldn’t go anywhere on Saturday. Just too much ice and snow all around. A nice excuse to stay curled up in bed and catch on taped TV shows. Pictures from snow day no. 3 (last Tuesday, March 2, 2010, if remember correctly) are still in the camera. Sorry! I don't know if you noticed but Hermione and Noah gotten in fabulous shape. The vet was very impressed last weekend when he saw them for their check-up. Both of them lost about 10 pounds, thanks to the new doggie door and lots of play time outside.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T15:42:42Z

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year! May all your dreams come true in 2010! I am enjoying a very quiet holiday vacation with the Coach. Not doing much but knitting and watching TV. Exactly what I needed after a stressful 2009 to recharge the batteries for 2010.

BROKE THE MOLD

2009-12-21T11:05:33Z

Well, the intentions were good. I wanted to blog every day in December. But I slipped this weekend. No more entries since Friday. Sorry... I had a lovely Friday night knitting group meet-up and a dinner afterwards. We got more presents from Steve, Nancy and Jane. And Rob took us to dinner. THANKS Y'ALL! And then I spent the weekend with the Coach and his kids in Hogansville for my first big Christmas Party at his grandmother's house. I had a great time and felt very much at home and welcome. Just as many people as at my parents place, in all kind of age groups. I got a bunch of lovely gifts. Need to take pictures to show them off. But it has been so busy and it will not get better until Wednesday when I get out of the office. Thankfully I have a 10-day break ahead of me. And believe me, I NEED THAT BREAK... I'll try blog again soon! Happy Holidays! Maybe we'll get some snow for Christmas. I took this picture on January 16, 2008, at my house.

YET ANOTHER SCARF

2009-12-18T02:59:26Z

Now I can blog about this scarf. I couldn't before last Sunday. Name: Regan's Scarf Pattern: "His/Hers Reversible Scarf" by Melissa Leapman Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm Knitpicks Harmony Yarn: Regan's Handspun How much? Don't really know, you need to ask her. ;-) Colorway: Blues and Greys It is a funny story how that scarf came to life. Regan forgot her gorgeous handspun at my birthday party in July. When I called her to tell "thank you for the beautiful handspun for my birthday" - just kidding of course - we agreed that I would hold her yarn hostage and turn it into a knitted birthday gift for her. Well, honestly, I forgot because the yarn started marinating in one of my many baskets. Until I looked at it again about a week before her birthday. Then I had to hustle, but it all worked out and I gave it to her at knitting Christmas party. And I think she liked it, too. Now, don't get any ideas about leaving yarn on my door step. ;-)

CAN I HAZ THIS?

2009-12-16T18:05:45Z

This is one of these days where I would like to be a little dog with a sweater...

FEEL BETTER!

2009-12-15T18:06:28Z

Cartoons by Andertoons

The Coach is under the weather... Hope this cheers you up a little and will make you feel better!

WONDERPANTS

2009-12-15T00:34:00Z

You probably wonder what I am talking about. Pixie asked me to knit a pair for Rowan. I guess you could also call them soakers because babies with cloth diapers wear them. But I like the name WONDERPANTS much better. I finished the first pair just in time at the Christmas party for Pixie to take them home with her. I think she intentionally did not hand me the baby until all the ends were woven in. I got you figured out, lady. ;-) And here we go – the finished wonder pants. And with Pixie’s permission I “stole” this absolutely cute shot of Rowan modeling her new pants. I’ll probably end up knitting a bunch more since they go so fast. ;-)

THE KNITTING CHRISTMAS PARTY

2009-12-14T03:54:31Z

A bunch of my dear knitting friends gathered at Jane's house today for our traditional knitting Christmas Party. We had a fabulous time. Thanks Alma and Jane for organizing this! It was super relaxed. Everybody brought a cool gift for the gift exchange. We had plenty of food, beer, wine, cider and several hours of knitting time. The boys: Brett, Michael and Doug Our wonderful hostess Jane with Brittany and Wayne The other boys, hanging out in the more quiet room and watching football - and Pixie brought Baby Rowan. So adorable! And some serious stash busting! And look what Katey found in amongst the yarn... I had a great time! The guests really made the party special! Thanks for coming! I hope I will see some of you more often next year than just for the Christmas party. ;-) Hey – did anyone else take pictures? Please share!

A NEW DOGGIE DOOR

2009-12-13T01:32:44Z

The pooches have a new doggie door, thanks to the Coach. He spent several hours on Thanksgiving weekend to mount a doggie door into a new door and exchange it with my old kitchen door. The dogs were very suspicious at the beginning and it took them several days and a bunch of treats to understand that they have now all the freedom they want. I think they spend quite some time in the backyard now, but of course I can't be sure because I don't have a doggie cam.;-) Here is a little video I took a few days ago. Tomorrow is the holiday party with my knitting friends. I just finished cooking a traditional Italian lasagna (no pre-cooked pasta), a veggie lasagna and marinated aspargus. And I have a yummy cake from Metrotainment Bakery. Can't wait to see my peeps tomorrow!

GOT LUST?

2009-12-11T17:57:55Z

Well, I am talking about the first yarn shipment from the Seven Sins Fiber Club. I also got the second shipment in the meantime, but I think not all the members have received it, so I'll be quiet about it for now. Just so much, another great color and very cool stitch markers. ;-) I am designing a new sock pattern with the first yarn. As it is named after one of the "Seven Sins", it is called LUST. And yeah, I know. I am always designing but never get to the point where I am publishing a pattern. And why is that? Because I never have enough time to bring my thoughts and ideas onto paper and because I am anal and if I do I try to publish a "good" pattern without mistakes it takes me forever. Unfortunately there is already a ton of crappy patterns out there and I don't want to be an addition to that. Here is a sneak preview of the first sock in progress. I promised the club members a test pattern, the German skeleton way, because that might not take me as long... We'll see...

THIS ONE IS FOR THE DOGS!

2009-12-10T12:23:41Z

See, Hermione and Noah, that is what the dogs do in Hungary.... Maybe you guys can at least help me and put the tree away after the holidays? Yeah right, I can see me waiting a looooong time before that ever happens. ;-)

CHRISTMAS TREE 2009

2009-12-09T17:55:17Z

So, more holiday spirit. Today it is a totally weird weather day in Atlanta, not Christmassy at all. A thunderstorm woke me up around for 4am this morning with heavy rain and gusty winds. I thought the house might fall apart but it must not have been too bad because the furry kids slept right through it. Then it had temperatures in the 60s when I left to go to work and supposedly we should get back into the 40s by the time I get to go home. Oh well… That’s not global warming, is it? So, my tree has been up since Thanksgiving evening. To find all the decorations, I rummaged through the basement and found a box of really cool Cirque De Soleil ornaments, which I have never seen in my entire life before. Some of you might remember that my late husband was a very crazy jigsaw puzzle collector. In addition he also collected matchbox cars, die cast model cars and Christmas ornaments, with the exception that I knew about all the collections but the ornaments (and yes, all the collections are still stashed in my basement). So here I am, trying to find the tree and the ornaments I knew of and all of a sudden I am confronted with a flood of boxes that I have never really noticed, because my basement is full of boxes. So, there are probably at least half a dozen big moving boxes full of unknown ornaments, organized by brand etc. Yep, he was compulsive and organized. I was totally overwhelmed by these findings. Especially with the thought of what to do with all the ornaments... I could probably stock an entire Christmas store… So, I am still thinking… Let me know if you have any ideas. And here are pictures of the tree, decorated with Cirque De Solail, Swarovski crystal and silver stars.