Warming Hearts

I love this time of year, not the weather but yes the fact that I can wear sweaters and make hats and gloves for everyone and we are all happy about it... I made my husband a new hoodie and I have myself a new hat from yarn that was purchased in France on my last trip. (See previous post). I will be publishing the new pattern to Ravelry. I think this one will be for purchase. I would love to quit my job and do knitterly things for days unending. I have found so much inspiration this year for so many projects. But I think that may be because I feel better. I recently had surgery for endometriosis and am really quite happy with the outcome. I have request from people to make some baby hats, they are always so fun and cute. I am really trying to stay positive. I have been really stressed out this year, and with not feeling that great I think it just made things worse for me. How do you spend Fall/Christmas time trying to stay upbeat? What are some of your tricks or activities/hobbies that you use to keep yourself busy? The dogs are good, kids are rebellious but teenagers, so I guess that is expected. Husband is happy. Pictures of projects are included.

Travel is in My Blood

Have you ever just found something that you truly enjoy all the time? I know yarn is a big deal and all but I also love traveling. I recently went to France (again) and introduced my husband to the French culture; and you know what? We both had a blast. It was an awful trip getting there and it started raining the first day, but we were still loving every minute. Even without an umbrella with us. It's truly funny because before we left I said we needed to take one with us everywhere. And we left one here in the states and the other in the hotel room. We looked like drowned rats getting on our river cruise dinner. I digress. Can I just say that I love Paris. It has always been one of my favorite places in the world. I have rarely had any trouble there, be it people, subways, or even circumstances. We visited the Eiffel Tower, the Arc D'Triumph, Versailles, the gardens, Petite Trianon, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Shakespeare's, Pantheon, Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Sacre Couer, Les Deux Moulins, the Latin quarter restraraunts frequently, park d'Saint Dennis, Crypts, L'oisive The, the oldest theater in Europe, Bergere de France, Les Peuces and La Montmartroise for breakfast many times. I was worried that this was too much for my calm laid back nap-loving husband to take in, in just 4 days. He LOVED it! Success! He did not speak the language and he was out of his element the whole time, but uncomfortably so. He wants to go back as soon as possible. I have missed Paris so much over the years, and was sooo happy to be back. I think it rubbed off on my husband. He was totally fascinated by the history, The beginnings of Viking settlers called the Parisi, and the architecture, and sculptures and artwork in every detail of their very ornate relaxed lives. We even visited an Irish pub just for him. My only wish was that there were better souvenirs to bring back to everyone at home. The vast majority were either severely overpriced or Severly under par for quality. But it did not ruin any part of our stay. I would like to advise any future travelers on tips for saving money and getting the most out of your stay. 1. Use the App Hopper to fins the best times and dates to fly at a reasonable price. 2. Compare that with prices that you find in CheapOAir App or on their webpage. 3. Clear your browsing history every time you search for flights, they can tell you are lurking and the prices will go up based purely off your interest. 4. There are many apps for finding a place to stay: CheopOAir had some, AirBnB, Booking.com, and many others, I ended up using the last of the three and saved a TON, but don't forget that taxes are usually not included in your initial booking and will likely pay the same amount again when arriving in TAXES. 5. Excursions! I booked them all through Viator the app, or on their webpage. This is by far one of the most expansive databases of things to do anywhere there is tourism. We have loved every purchased, and all worth the money. We bought our museum passes, (over 50 places for free and skip the line access almost everywhere), 4 days without bus or subway fares included. This was because it was cheaper to buy a cartouche of 10 in the subway at a time. We bought 2 in 4 days and did a lot of walking. (That is how you see more of Paris). We also purchased the Siene River Cruise with dinner, and the Eiffel Tower guided tour because we could not get any the preferred day from the Eiffel Tower webpage. Let me advise their tour guides are some of the nicest and most intelligent, speaking many languages and they were considerate, not going to fast, and even got us water, and dropped us off in the top to explore after fully educating us about the structure and architect. Amazing. We also did some regular hangout fun together like feeding the pigeons in front of Notre Dame With birdseed, and checking all the local vendors for one of a kind thoughtful gifts, and even street food. Grand Marnier crepes are apparently the hubby's new favorite treat. The biggest thing I can say is that if you are flying and having trouble getting to the airport or even registering your ticket reception, call the airline that you are flying with, i.e., Delta, or Spirit, etc. If you can' tune the app to check in early they need to know. We will likely never fly with Spirit airlines again. They were difficult and unsympathetic. We ended up having to book another flight with another company. And even though it cost through the NOSE last minute, Delta I worth it. They were so accommodating and even rearranged our seats when they found out what happened. (We arrived as they started to board but were blocked from boarding because their (Spirit) app would not let us check in). Also NEVER stay at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. They overbooked the hotel, and gave us a dirty room with a door that did not lock at all, anyone could open the door from the outside. When asked to move the room, they had already wasted 2 hours of our time in line, it was now the middle of the night and we ended up waiting another 2 hours to get the manager to refund us. The beds were already messed and there was blood on the back of the bathroom door folks. There were 3 other sets of travelers there at the same time with no room and being told they would not get a refund. One desk clerk even told a lady she could not speak Spanish yet I had heard her have a fluent conversation 5 minutes before, (I took 5 years, but am super rusty). All in all it is the worst experience I have EVER had at a hotel in all of my years of travel. Roach motels included when I was younger and poorer. (Sometime you take what you can get.) That is the gist of my travel advice from this years' sound on international travel. I hope I have helped someone with reservations about booking this trip and inspired them to go ahead and go for it. If you have any questions or would like any clarification feel free to message me. Also pardon any mistakes, I did not double check my spelling or grammar as I just wanted to get this out, and sorry for the crappy formatting, my paragraphs do not take on my iPad.

Little by Little

I will get there one of these days, I am almost done with the front of the left of the sweater I showed in my last post, that means only the right front panel left to do....and it will be done, soon. I want to take it to Paris this summer, or something else I don't know what, but I want some of my pictures to have knitted garb in them. I still have yet to take a photo with me and knitting from anywhere in the world. Why not one of my all time favorite places? Let me mention; I have been depressed recently, my husband said something the other day that hurt my feelings, deep down. It made me doubt everything. He didn't intend it that way, but that just goes to show that words can hurt a lot. He apologized not realizing that it had shaken me that bad. As it goes, I would love to say I have more confidence than most women and a comment would never affect me that way. Alas I am but a girl on the inside, soft and melty. Ladies take comfort in each other. Share your burdens if you need to and get help the last thing I wanted was to get worse but I almost called the doc for medicine. I resolved to start doing more for me, and I am going to stick to it, I am already feeling better about it. But let me get to the good stuff, I real pick me up...I got a package in the mail the other day, (I ordered it), so no surprise. But I was surprised with the items in the box, and the presentation of the box. It came with a welcome and thank you letter, a pattern in knit or crochet and 2 yarns, and knitting needles and a crochet hook, and guess how much this wonderful package cost? Just $15.00 from Darn Good Yarn. It's a Monthly mail order kit. Yay! I am so excited. It's compact, it affordable and the items are cute, and quality. Win, win! Take a look!

Selfishness lol

So I have decided to finish something that I started years ago, the Dollar and a Half Cardigan by Veronik Avery. I started this sweater in 2012 and it has traveled most of the United States. I pick it up when I travel and then forget about it for more pressing matters. My bestie declared when I started it that it would never get finished, she knows me well. I do not like making things that are asymmetrical. But I have made the back and both sleeves and I have cast on for the front and making good progress, which is giving me new confidence. So, here is a photo, hoping to have it done before going to France and getting some pictures taken in it. I used Bernat Satin yarn, polyester I believe, but it has a nice sheen to it and it will wear for a long time. AND it's washable, and in my house that is a basic requirement. Even though I have no toddlers, I still have two hairy children, (our dogs), and they jump all over me all the time, clean or muddy.

Too Much!

Ok, here were go...Since posting last, Myer has earned a spot in State Finals for Archery. I have applied for an Art teaching position as well as a Kindergarten teaching position. Our oldest daughter Ahava has signed up for wrestling and seems to like it very much. I am supposed to travel for work, a conference for our Employee Resource Groups. It's is a learning and support group networking social. I have become a board member of the knitting group, and trip planner. The two youngest kids are have been very good this whole time, and our youngest boy is being signed up for baseball by his bio-mom. He doesn't want to play, and she wanted us to buy everything and pay the registration fees. Um I don't think so. Also my X has been trying to claim the older child on his taxes and he isn't allowed to, the kids were in an accident with his wife and they screwed everything up by telling the hospital that I was uninsured like them. No. Kids are my first priority in everything that I do. I am no longer allowed to knit or read at work or to type anything, or print anything, Work is increasingly stressful. I can't seem to make a right move. I am sure that if my manager was watching she would have to tell me how to turn my computer on, as I do so little correctly after 10+ years in my position. I am not sure how I ever got along without her. Excuse my sarcasm and dry wit. I don't have a lot of outlets. Wine has been a nice relaxation technique, and the other day, I had the best margaritas at Los Luna's in Joplin. Still missing the work wife, we have been separated nearly a year now. She is doing great, working nights at the hospital. So I think that's the bulk of most things...on to KNITTING! I have been working on several more sweaters, for babies, dolls and more. Here s a small preview:

I have also been working on fingerless mitts for a co-worker that is going to retire. She is a sweet lady, and she once did me the hugest favor. I just wanted to let her know that she is appreciated. I hope she likes them when I am done.

Cutie Patootie

So I have had the opportunity to hold my new nephew last weekend, and he was a preemie, but definitely not anymore. He is growing! I wanted to make him a hat and sweater but I am not sure I could keep up. Will have to post a picture of him later. He is having a baby shower this Friday, have to go shopping! I made another cupcake hat, they are just too cute! I know I probably swore I would never make another because they kept getting stolen. Here is a gratuitous pic:-) Please excuse the disaster in the background, I was knitting while I was in the car.

I also made a preemie cable baby hat, and am surrently working on a matching sweater. Will post pictures later and hopefully the pattern. I hope you all are having a great winter!