Good News :o) Bad News :o(

Let's start with the good news first. Stacey and Jon leave for Guatemala on Feb. 10th to pick up baby Logan and bring him home! We are all so excited! It seems like this adoption went so fast compared to Mia's. They started looking for an agency in June, found Logan's referral in July, and now they are picking him up in Feb. I told my daughter it only took 9 months, just like a pregnancy! She is a bit stressed since she thought they had another 2-4 weeks to get ready. She is still waiting for his crib and dresser to be delivered, she wanted to paint a mural (she's doing his bedroom in a pirate theme!) on his wall, and she still needs to hire a substitute teacher for her class. Other than that, the family is thrilled to be going to get him. Adoption in Guatemala is becoming less and less popular with the government, and the programs there may be shut down this year. The country is not yet Hague Treaty compliant and that will stop many from being able to adopt from there. We just feel so blessed that Logan's adoption went so smoothly and that the birth certificate now states Jon and Stacey as his parents. They will only be in Guatemala from Sunday, Feb 10th thru Wed, Feb 13th. Be sure to follow their journey to Baby Lo (Mia's name for Logan) at their blog. And of course, Gramma (me!) will have many new pictures in the future!

Now for the bad news. As many of you know, I have my house on the market. This month is was really being shown a lot. Weekly. I was hopeful that finally, things were gonna happen! And did they ever! I woke up Saturday morning to get ready for work as usual. While in my bathroom putting on my make-up I kept hearing a strange noise downstairs. Strange like...running water! When I went to investigate I was appalled to turn on a light and find the family room full of water, and the bedroom, and the bathroom. There was at least 2 inches of standing water. If this wasn't bad enough...I could still hear water running and it sounded like a freaking waterfalls! I couldn't see where it was coming from, but I could hear it in the wall behind the bathroom. I called Steve and by the time he got to my house the basement (lowest level) had now taken on about an inch of water also. He found the main shut-off valve and stopped the water works. We called our insurance agent that afternoon, but never heard from him until Monday...I'm sort of mad about that. Considering we were without water for 2 days and it would have been nice to have the clean up people here on Saturday instead of having to wait until Monday. Anyway, they sent out a company called Puroclean to start the clean up. I have to tell you...I am impressed with this company. The 2 young men who showed up were friendly, yet professional. They had this HUGE machine that sucked up all the water. They basically ripped out the bathroom, all that's left in there is the toilet. They are going to try and save the carpet since it was just laid in November and is brand, spanking new! We will recarpet if there is any indication of mold or mildew. They have hung plastic curtains to contain the area (half of the family room, a bedroom, and a bathroom) and they have special machines running that have been going since Monday afternoon. It looks like I've had a hazardous waste accident, not just a broken water pipe! Oh, and the best thing...they capped off the burst pipe so I got my water back on. Being 2 days without any water is terrible. Unbelievably difficult. We had bottled water for drinking, but think about it...no cooking, no washing of hands, no bathroom...toilet or shower! We were going to Steve's or my mom's to shower, and we ate our meals out or had take out. It was a real pain in the ass. We have had to pull the house temporarily off the market, but will leave the listing active. I guess the only fairly good thing is that we will get a totally new bathroom out of it. Big deal.

So Sunday I am off of work at 1:00pm and I am hungry...remember, my water has been off since early Saturday morning! So I stop at the local Wendy's and get an Asian chicken salad to go. I am going to go home and get the wet laundry off the basement floor, take it to Steve's (our other house) and wash it. Steve is working all day so I will take my knitting with and wash clothes, knit, and watch t.v. Sounds relaxing after all the hassle. So I pay for my salad and realize that the young lady has given me $20 extra in change. I honk my car horn so she'll open up the window, and show her that she's given my too much change. She looks at me like I'm a lunatic for giving it back, and thanks me with this quizzical look on her face. I believe in "what goes around, comes around" others call it Karma, or as the Bible says...do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. That was not my money, it was Wendy's. I would be stealing by keeping it. It makes me feel good to do the right thing. So I'm driving home with my salad and feeling good. Karma, I did good, good will happen to me in return. I pull in my driveway and hit the garage door opener...the door rises about 5 inches and drops back down. I hit the opener again, same result. I try once more, but this time a cable drops down in front of the door. Karma...whatever. The garage door repair man will be here this afternoon.

Isn't life interesting? My daughter has a very calm demeanor. I've rarely seen her angry, or truly upset. She is funny, kind, and very lovable. She always sees the silver lining in any gray cloud. When I was whining, I mean, telling her about the broken water pipe, the mess, the hassle, the dang garage door, the need to find a contractor, carpet layer, plumber, yada yada yada. Know what she says to me?? "It could be worse Mom. You are safe, healthy, your families okay, no one was hurt, and it will be fixed good as new. It's only some stupid carpet, and it's only a house. The things that are really important are okay, and that's what matters." Okay...reality check time. She's right. It's water that ruined some things in the house. It will be fixed, the insurance (minus the $1000.00 deductible) will pay for it, things will be fine.

It is cold here...no, I mean it, really cold! This morning it is -12 air temp with -32 wind chill. That is cold, Minnesota winter cold. The kind of cold where your nose hairs freeze when you breath, and your clothes feel stiff because they are frozen. You have trouble seeing because the moisture in your eyes gets so cold that they tear up and water. Yup, good ole Minnesota winter. When I walked the greyhound this morning she was content to do her business quickly and get back home. I plan on staying in today, making a pot of chili and some cornbread, knitting a bit, reading some blogs and playing at Ravelry!! Yes, I am an official member of Ravelry! I am having a bit of trouble figuring out just how to navigate the site, but I am having fun. It's not exactly what I thought it would be. I thought it was more of a forum with a lot more interaction between members. Maybe I just need to nosey around a little more and see what all is going on! Anyway, I am KnitterKaren on Ravelry, but I really haven't done anything yet so don't bother to look :o) It is fun to look at the finished projects of all the other members, especially the patterns I would like to knit. There are many members that call themselves designers that are willing to share patterns, and lots of people who post links to their patterns and blogs. You cannot put patterns on Ravelry...only a link to them. I think. Maybe it's time to go over there now and figure this all out. Have a great day, and if you're a fellow mid-westerner...keep warm!

January Slump

I have been knitting on my socks that I started in July 2007. I finished one and immediately cast on the second one so I could keep the momentum going! They are the Baby Breath socks from Jean Townsend and they are turning out very cute. I think that they will be given to my mom who has been looking for blue socks that "aren't navy blue but not light blue". The whims of an 81 year old! I noticed that when I knit my socks on 2 circular needles, as opposed to 4 dpn's, I get those funky "lines" where the needles meet. No, these are not ladders since the stitches are just as tight as their neighbor! I think it is the yarn fuzzing from being handled and manipulated onto the needle. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe it's just the yarn I used...KnitPicks washable sock yarn. It's a mystery to me!


I have been browsing the GarnStudio site and fell in love with a couple of their Spring/Summer sweater patterns. If you aren't familiar with this site I recommend you link on over there and check out their patterns. They are all FREE, yes FREE! They have been translated into English from their original Norwegian. There are 2465 patterns in English and many of them are awesome. Be sure to check out the "accessories" and "felted" links. Heck...check out the whole dang site! Their Norwegian sweaters are beautiful, real stunners. Maybe someday I will knit one of them. Maybe. Above are the 2 patterns that I will knit for sure. They haven't been translated yet, but should be soon. They are both from the Spring/Summer 2008 collection (link is on the lower left at their site). The white sweater I will knit in rose colored Auracania wool and I will lengthen the sleeves. The cabled cardigan, which I really love, will be done in denim colored wool and I will lengthen the sleeves on this one also. Cute, aren't they?

No one looked at either of our houses that are for sale the whole month of December. Not so this month! The house I live in has been shown 4 times, and the house hubby lives in has been shown twice and had 1 Open House. So far...no offers on either. :o( But, spring is just around the corner, okay, it's a few months off, but hopefully the market will change for the better by then! I am still so torn as to which house I want to sell, and which one I want to keep. I guess it all depends on the one that gets the best offer and sells first!

Since today is my day off I will bake. I love to bake. I will bake cookies and maybe some bread. After I bake I will start my new book. My older brother (I am the only girl in our family, sandwiched between 2 brothers who are always referred to as my "older" or "younger" bro) Randy is an avid reader. He goes through at least 8 books a month! Lucky me...I get all of them when he's done! Lately I've noticed that he's been reading a lot of books by Stephen White. I haven't read any by him, but Randy said they are good, very good, so today I will start the Stephen White book "Kill Me". Sounds uplifting doesn't it! I will let you know what I think of it. I'll read just about anything except science fiction or fantasy.

I have heard of a malady called "blog fade" and I think I make be contracting it! I have such a hard time writing in this here blog! I keep thinking...what should I write about, and who really reads it and gives a hoot anyway!? I know I have my regular readers (thanks Janet and Janice!) but I am wondering if I should chuck this whole blogging thing and wait for my invite to Ravelry. Whenever that will be! I noticed that next month will be my blogs one year anniversary. Maybe a contest is in the works. Goodness knows, I have some awesome sock yarn that could use a new home. Stayed tuned for The String-Slingers Anniversary Contest...details coming soon. Pass it on!

Proof Positive!

Started in 2007...finished in 2008...finally! Mariah's Christmas/New Year's mittens. Knit in Galway (worsted wt) on size 5 Crystal Palace dpn's. With this pattern in the largest size, which is still small for an adult. But, like I've already said...Mariah is very petite and they will fit her small hands perfectly. She adores pink and her winter jacket is black so they should look fine with it. Now all I have to do is finish all those second socks...nahh, I'm gonna knit me a sweater! I've got it narrowed down to the Celtic Cardigan (see last post), The Braids Cardigan, or this pullover. Which one? Decisions, decisions. Now, do I need new yarn or do I raid the stash and use that Araucania that's been aging for the past 2 years. I'm thinking the Braids Cardigan in the rose colored Araucania and new denim blue yarn for the Celtic! I do have some Christmas money to spend! I think it's harder to pick a pattern and yarn than to knit the darn thing!

Dinner last night was tasty. Steve and I went to Applebee's (called Crapplebee's by my children!). I had steak and he had shrimp. They have a new menu...sort of different. Lot's of multiple choice type dinners. Pick one from this list, two from this list, etc. I liked the menu, hubby not so much. Then we went and saw the movie National Treasure. We both liked it. But what is the deal with Nicolas Cage's teeth?! They look, BIG! Big and really white...most likely veneers. He's still a cutie even with the gleaming chompers and his funky little ears! Good movie, lots of unrealistic things happening, but fun, lots of fun!

I have a small vent I need to get off my chest. Ravelry! Yes, I have been waiting a longggg time to get my email telling me I am one of the elite, and have finally been accepted into the Ravelry cult. Here's my gripe...why does everyone who knits, and has a knitting blog assume that you are on Ravelry?! I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to check out a pattern or see a photo and where is it...on Ravelry of course. And can I view it? Nope. So please remember that many, many of us are not members of Ravelry.

Baby Logan Is Coming Home!

Logan with his foster mother in Guatemala

Yippee! My daughter and son in law just got the news that their petition for adoption has cleared the Guatemalan courts, the last step in adoption, and Logan is officially theirs! Stacey (DD) will be traveling to Guatemala to pick him up within the next few weeks. I have a feeling that her mother or father in law will go with her. She is a seasoned world traveler and is fine going alone for 3 days since Jon has clients lined up from now until the end of summer and can't travel with her! They really don't want to take Mia out of school again and they are worried about getting sick. So, the easiest route is to leave hubby and daughter home and travel alone. I used to worry about her when she did things like this, but after worrying for 5 years as she traveled all over the world (some countries that you really don't want to be in these days!) I guess I'm used to it. She's been in countries that most of us would have no desire to visit, such as, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. She's also been all over Africa, Europe, The Middle East, China, many Asian countries, just to name a few. I'm very proud of her and all she's done. I'm also very glad that she's now married and settled down! The priority now is to get Logan home! I guess I will be going to visit soon unless she decides to come to Minnesota for awhile. I know her Gramma (my mom) would love to see her and the kids!

Celtic Cardigan by Oat Couture

I finished Mariah's second mitten, and as soon as she picks them up I plan on taking a photo of her wearing them...if for no other reason than to prove I actually finished a project! I am so wanting to start a sweater. I have had the Celtic Cardigan pattern for a couple years and I think that will be the winner! I am going to order some denim blue worsted weight yarn from KnitPicks or Beaverslide and start that sucker! The purple cardigan still has left a bed taste in my mouth and I have decided that I will wait until next (2008) fall to start that one. Or, maybe I will just use that beautiful purple yarn for something all together different!

Hubby and I are going out to dinner tonight and going to see the movie National Treasure. Tomorrow is my day off and I will be waiting around for the Maytag repairman to show up and fix my dishwasher. I had forgotten what a drudgery washing dishes by hand is! I can't wait to see that repairman at my doorstep! Gotta bolt, my date (hubby) is ready to go!

2008...

Happy New Year! Nothing too exciting happened here on New Years Eve other than I went to bed at 9:00pm since I had to be at work at 6:00am New Years day. My good friend Kathi, who was vacationing in Texas, decided to call me at 12:50 thinking that it was 11:50 in Minnesota. She was sounding pretty happy and said she wanted to be the first to wish me a Happy New Year. Then she yells....What are you doing? I'm in bed. With who? Myself, I was sleeping. Sleeping? Yes, sleeping, I have to get up at 4:30 for work tomorrow. Oh, well Happy New Year and go back to sleep! click

My friend Janet also stopped by, at a normal time, and brought me my Christmas present.
The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice
This is an awesome book for any knitter. I have had such a great time reading through it. It is a techniques book, but also a history book. It is full of knitting tips and written by many different knitters. Many of the chapters are by Elizabeth Zimmermann or her daughter Meg Swansen. Highly recommended reading for any knitter.

Oh, I also found a really fun site that lists free patterns. Be sure to check out the beautiful dishcloth under "Fripperies" and the lovely blankets. Cool site.

I wish that I could tell you all about the numerous and wonderful items I knitted in 2007...but there aren't many! In fact, I think there was a couple dishcloths, maybe a sock or two, and part of a couple sweaters. I have been in a knitting slump for over a year. I want to knit, my fingers are itching to knit, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit and enjoy a couple hours of knitting relaxation. I am always worried about the house, is it clean, could the realtor show it today without me being embarrassed by the dog hair, or dirty dishes?? I really wish one of the houses would sell. I want to be settled in where I know I'm going to be staying. I guess that's just a lame excuse for not knitting. In the summer I always say it's too hot to knit, in the fall I always have big plans for knitting, then the holidays hit and I'm too busy with work and home. Now that we're heading into the winter slump (January and February) maybe I can knit a bit. I still haven't finished Mariah's second Christmas mitten...I am so bad! I am going to work on it today, I swear!

Tomorrow my friend Joyce and I are going to go see "Atonement". This is definitely a chick flick that the hubby would never go see. We did see "I Am Legend" and I loved it even though it scared the crap out of me. I had no idea it was a scary movie, I thought it was like "Castaway". Boy, was I wrong! It is a great story and Will Smith is wonderful. I won't say anymore since I recommend you see it yourself.

My DD Stacey and SIL Jon are home and have recuperated from their illness. Jon called it the Guatemala Diet...lose 10 pounds in 3 days! They were both so sick. But they are home now and feeling better, although they wish they could have brought Logan home with them. Thankfully, Miss Mia didn't get sick and is still her funny, perky, little self. I plan on going to visit for a week once they bring Logan home, hopefully sometime in the spring. I miss them and wish they lived closer.

I am off to clean my house so that I can knit guilt-free all afternoon! It is cold here (-2) so maybe I will pop in a movie, make some tea, get under a quilt on the sofa and knit that second mitten. Happy New Year to all.