School Nurse Jackie Nits!!

KNIT IT, PURL IT

I am grateful to my LYS, Patricia's Yarns, for so many things.  First and foremost is my friendship with Patricia, herself.... and then there's all my other knitting friends from the shop...

This post is dedicated to one of those friends... Margaux.  Funny story - five years ago, my husband, Terry, was Director of Admissions at the high school he works at.  He had to go to a conference outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  On a whim, I decided to drive up there with my boys and we met him there to hang out with him.  We had THE BEST time.  Before we left to come home, Terry told me that there was someone there from NJ who asked for a ride home to NJ.  We were stopping in Connecticut to visit my roommate from college, so we couldn't give the girl a ride home...

Now the funny part...  a few months later, I'm knitting one night in Patricia's Yarns, and Margaux and I start talking.  She tells me that she is the Director of Admissions at Holy Angels High School in Demarest, NJ.  I tell her that I am married to Terry, and she excitedly tells me that she knows Terry from all the meetings at the Archdiocese in Newark.  I tell her that we just visited him at a conference he was at, and she tells me that she was there, too....  and we're not talking over each other, and I'm dialing Terry to tell him I'm sitting with Margaux...  and then Terry tells me....  it was Margaux who wanted the ride home!  I wish I could go back in time to drive Margaux home that day...  I hadn't met Patricia yet - it was before I went in to the shop for the first time.  Margaux was already a knitting fanatic and she would have been my motivation to get into the shop sooner!

Anyway - we have become such good friends, and she is moving to San Francisco with her husband in 2 weeks.  There have been SO many knit nights since that realization 5 years ago...  and some of the most recent ones have been wrapped around wine and cheese nights...  This past Christmas, we had so much fun at our Secret Santa exchange, and decided to improv a beat poetry song about knitting and her looming move to San Francisco...  which took on a life of its own - and ended with, "YARN OVER!" and dropping needles on the floor and walking away...  I laughed so hard that night.  I will miss her wit, her beautiful face, her most excellent knitting skills, and most importantly, her friendship...

Margaux worked with Sara at A Vintage Poster, and came up with this wonderful print.

I've already ordered two...  one lucky friend is getting one...  and I have the PERFECT place to hang it in my summer lake cabin.  You can order the size print you would like, and then email Sara at [email protected] and let her know you want the "Knit it, Purl it" poster.  She will email you back and get details.  Anyway - knit it, purl it, ORDER IT!

To channel Holly Golightly, I've never been to San Francisco before...  book it...  YARN OVER!

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!

 

Ahhhh...  I've missed you knitting blog.  There was a slight bump in my knitting road from June, 2009 until April, 2010....  then some mental healing - and lo and behold...  here I am!  School Nurse Jackie is slowly getting it together and remembering how much I loved to blog.

Above you will see that my boys shaved their heads in solidarity.  In a nutshell - Moderately Invasive Ductal Carcinoma diagnosed April, 2009.  I do not know stage because it is not important to me.  Here is what IS important to me....  Clean margins around the one inch mass...  Node NEGATIVE....  and put my body through all recommended treatment - 16 chemotherapy sessions in 20 weeks, and 28 radiation treatments...  culminating with an amazing trip to Jamaica for the entire family to heal...

Terry took the photo, so he couldn't be in it...  But alas - we have moved on and left our worry behind in the beautiful waters you see in the background!

I promise to upload some photos of my projects soon.  I'm getting my camera back from a friend who has babysat it since December (when I left it at her house after much celebrating)...

For now...  I want to thank so many of my knitting friends who helped hold me up when I didn't think I could stand.  Your words of encouragement helped remind me of my inner strength and ability to move forward.  Your texts and calls were the wind beneath my wings, and HERE I AM!

Row, Row, Row your boat.....

The Baby Boy Kelly Baby Blanket (lots of B's) is well under way and on block 48 out of 55....  Then there's the 800+ stitch border to do...  and of course the baby is being induced early - on Thanksgiving Day in Bermuda....  COME ON....  My fingers are swollen from the amount of knitting being done (but sooo happy to be knitting like crazy!!!)...  Here's an updated picture (with lots of loose ends behind it (each block has two - and this time I knitted in the beginning strand with the 2nd row so now I only have to weave in one for each block....  55!)

 

The blanket is made with Rowan Cashsoft DK and Baby DK wool...  Total skeins used to follow with finished picture... 

I know I haven't posted in a while...  but the beginning of the school year is always so busy until the first marking period is over...  My older son is applying to a few high schools and taking the entrance exams for them, so we have been busy traveling into NYC for two of the high schools.  There is also the dreaded Science Fair and that is always interesting to have to do TWO science fair projects (6th and 8th Graders in the house).  Liam's Science Fair project (8th Grader)is finished and graded - "How Does My Garden Grow?".  He wanted to know if Compost or Fertilizer had an effect on the pH of soil and the Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous levels of soil and which one would make the plant grow better.  Eamonn's Science Fair project (6th Grader) is being done this weekend.  He is doing it with a friend and they want to know if you can tell whether or not a dog will be aggressive with you by the side that his tail wags to (since the right brain is associated with fear) and the right brain controls the left side of the body - so if a dog's tail wags more to the left when you walk up to it, it would likely be aggressive.  Anyway - that one is being done this weekend....  ugh...  I'll keep you posted!

Also - Eamonn had his first football season as the quarterback (and one of the smallest kids on a team of HUGE kids)...  here's a photo...

  He's TINY number 7...  So...  I'm in the middle of My Scarf - which got put on hold for this baby coming so quickly... 

  It is being knit "Magic Loop" method on a long circular and is reversible...  Of course in Rowan!!  I have to get back to my husband's Argyl sweater too...  Like Nemo the Fish...  just keep knitting....  just keep knitting..... 

Rambling Rows

 

Rambling Rows Afghan by Carol Anderson

Rowan Purelife Organic Wool - Onion; Natural; Tannin; Horsetail (2 skeins each)

Size US 6 needle

Size Small

When I first began this project, I wasn't thrilled with the pattern.  I'm so used to knitting for a boy or girl, that knitting in neutrals for gender unknown wasn't thrilling me.  But as each square and rectangle was added, I really began to like the growing blanket.  I am definitely knitting this in a heavier wool and bigger size and making it for my house in cranberries, greens, and golds.  I'm now knitting newborn caps for the gender unknown baby to go with the blanket - and I'm doing it Magic Loop style! 

In the meantime, I got to spend a little time with my sister, my mom, my boys and my friend - Roxanne at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ.  We picked pumpkins, ate food, drank coffee, bought homemade pies and vegetables - and had a great time...  And the boys are so big!

Grandma and her boys!  (L to R)  Eamonn - age 11; Liam - age 13; Grandma - ageless!

Birthdays and Blankets!

Birthday Cake handmade by Roxanne Alexander (completely edible) - email for details...

I have GREAT neighbors!  On one side are the Dorans... and the other side the Alexanders...  we have all become such great friends.  We spend a lot of time together.  This friendship has grown over the past two years.  I used to get very depressed when I came back to Jersey City in September, but in the past two years I can honestly say that it has been easier...  Charmian Doran is Duncan's mom - and my good friend...  and Duncan turned one on October 2nd...  so he had a party in the Alexander's yard on October 4th...  and we were all there to help sing!  I recently even got to babysit Duncan with Roxanne...  and we got to put him to sleep....  (a two person job)!  Boy did Duncan love his birthday party!

So of course...  Duncan had a birthday hat...  knitted by Jackie!!!

 

Now... I knit this in between the ongoing Rambling Rows baby blanket for an unborn recipient (gender unknown)...

Carol Anderson - Cottage Creations - Rambling Rows Afghan...  border undecided - natural or green... or both??  Finished project to be shown at a future date...  Have to get back to Terry's argyle sweater!

 Anyway - had a great day with my Chalk Dust Knitters today!  I love spending time with them!

My Friend Book is Full!

This is one of my favorite sayings...  really I just mean that I don't even have enough time to see old friends - and I know how much work new friendships take... With that in mind...  I think I met a few new friends!

I had been emailing all summer with a Special Education teacher from New Jersey.  We met on Ravelry when I commented on her Hooded Susie Sweater.  In electronic world - we hit it off.  We were sort of "Pacing partners" for each other's work and blogs.  She invited me to her Chalk Dust Knitters Group on Friday night at Panera Bread in Edgewater.  I was a little nervous going there (I even forgot the pattern for the Argyl Sweater I'm knitting for Terry).  When I walked to the back, Carmen jumped out of her chair and gave me the biggest hug.  She introduced me to her two daughters, her friends, and their daughters.  These women could not have been more friendly.  They oooed and ahhhed over my Intarsia (which I swear isn't great)...  and showed me everything they are working on.  It was just a lovely night of eating, knitting, and getting to know one another.  We are meeting again this Friday, and have even planned an outing the week we are off school in November.  I believe that there is a reason people come into your life - not always obvious from the outset - and I am glad I met these ladies!

Now...  here's my intarsia...  lots of strings in the back - believe me...  but I'm really getting the swing of it...

 

Since I took this photo...  I'm now 1/2 way up the 2nd Diamond which is Green tweed...  It really is turning out pretty nice...

Lastly...  I would like to share some new photos of our backyard...  In the city - backyards are hard to come by..  this was completely overgrown with weeds when we moved in 6 years ago.  The weeds were taller than me...  here is our pride and joy - I sit out here every Saturday and Sunday morning and tool on the computer and knit...

 

 

and finally...  the Hummingbird Windchime ($2.49 on sale) that Terry bought looks beautiful...

 

Have a great Sunday everyone...  and make a new friend!

 

Answering a Challenge!

 

A new blog friend, LenaL viewed my blog and tagged me for a challenge...  Lena and I are members of a new blog called The Lesser Known Skeins created by our friend, Carmen (and her daughter).  I am enjoying meeting other knitters and reading their blogs.  It is like traveling through countries and actually meeting people and their families.  I love to read what makes people happy (besides knitting) and I get many ideas from these websites. 

Here are the answers to my challenge:

What are the last 3 things you purchased?
A gym membership at Club H gym in Jersey City, NJ; a hanging vinca pink plant; beef short ribs for dinner

What are the last three songs you downloaded?
I don't remember the songs...  I downloaded Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert onto my iPod and I'm listening to it while I knit.

What are the three best places you visited?
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Key West, Florida.

What are your three favourite movies?
Terms of Endearment; Breakfast at Tiffanys; Pride and Prejudice

What three things can you not live without? (Other than family and friends)
Coffee; yarn and knitting; pictures

What would be your three wishes?
That my husband and children share a happy healthy long life together.

That I get to retire with my husband after working many hard years.

That I get to dance at my grandchild's wedding. 

What are three things you haven’t done YET?
I have never traveled to Europe; I have never quilted (and I want to learn how); I have never been to Niagara Falls. 

What three celebrities do you want to hang out with most?
I would have loved to meet Audrey Hepburn.  She was just beautiful and talented and giving.  I love Toni Collette and love everything she does.  I have always liked Cher.  She can act and sing. 

Name three things that freak you out. 
Scary movies; ocean swimming (I am afraid of sharks); crowds (like the Olympics - I get nervous about losing my children)

What are your three favourite dishes?
Pork Chops or Pork Loin; Pasta - usually with Vodka sauce; Creme Brulee

Name three things you are good at.
Diagnosing things for friends and nursing them and helpping them

Organizing events

Knitting...  (getting better) 

What are three things you are currently coveting?
more time to knit; a clean house; more time to go to the gym to exercise 

I'm knittin mittens... and they're talking to God!

This is the 5th year we have been coming to Hatteras, North Carolina.  For the past 3 years we have vacationed with our good friends, the Olsens, but they were not able to join us this year...  We miss them terribly and things just weren't the same...  then came the idea to go PARASAILING! 

I had been knitting like crazy for Ravelympics...  I brought a lot of new projects and two WIPs (Works in Progress)...  I went for coffee with my sister and mom to my FAVORITE coffee shop on Hatteras - The Dancing Turtle.  I was enjoying my Toasted Coconut Latte (hot) and was perusing the bulletin board when a long yellow card caught my eye...  It said PARASAILING...  and the back said KAYAK TOURS...  To be honest, I was thinking the Kayak Tours sounded really cool...  It went up the Sound side of the island and was informative about the history of the island...  So I took a card...

My sister knows the family that runs the business (she lived down here for a few years) and said she would call...  When I got back to our place, the boys wanted to go parasailing (kayaking was a far second)...

So...  they went parasailing:

 

 

I was OUT OF MY MIND with worry in the boat...  both boys can swim, but they were 400 FEET UP IN THE AIR... Liam loved it immediately, but it took a little help from Liam for Eamonn to relax and love it...  It definitely made this trip a little less lonely without the Olsens.....

then....

Terry went up...

He LOVED it too...  he was relaxed immediately and crossed his arms about 75 feet into it...  He said he was "close to God"... 

If you're wondering - I did NOT go parasailing...  I really didn't even want to go on the boat, but was talked into it by my mom and sister...  Kayaking is today at 4:30 for 2 hours.

Anyway - here are the mittens to match the hat...  I'm getting ready for the winter... 

Pattern:  Mighty Mitts by Carol Anderson

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Wool (doubled) 1 skein Black and 1 skein Red

Needles:  US 8 circular 16 inch and US 8 dp needles

Now to finish Emily's 2nd sock....  casting on shortly! 

Hurry... it's the Closing Ceremony!!

I had BIG hopes of many projects during the Olympics (for Ravelympics)...  but I finished my last project today at the beach...  Eamonn's hat...

Need to get this picture on Ravelry...  details about the yarn and project to follow...  by the way.... WEATHER GORGEOUS today at Cape Hatteras...  I am a knitting TAN Goddess!!

                                   

Updated 8/25/08):  Pattern:  Flap Cap by Carol Anderson

Yarn:  (doubled throughout) Cascade 220 Wool

                   Red 1 skein

                   Black 2 skeins

Needles:  US 9 and US 10 circular 16 inch and US 9 dp needles

Note:  Eamonn liked it without the ear flaps.  This hat is AWESOME and warm for the winter - very heavy and wears well.  I made one last year (with ear flaps) for my older son Liam and it still looks great (picture to follow)...

BTW:  Not a cloud in the sky...  drinking my coffee on my deck and watching the waves crash...  The days are going too fast!

Heaven on Earth...

We left Lake Wallkill at 1am and arrived in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina Outer Banks at 12:30pm today...  First time we are staying at a condo and it is beautiful...  Weather was hazy, hot, and humid until the rain began to fall..  No damper on our day though...  Unpacked, bought groceries, ordered pizza, Terry made shrimp for him and Eamonn, and we vegged and caught up on some needed rest...  Will update tomorrow on weather...  About to go..... KNIT!!  :)

Coffee will be right here in the morning...  I'll take pictures of dolphins if I see them!