Big bad Betty

You remember Betty? The cute pink sock monster from a few posts back?


Well, it would seem Betty was a hit at the Knitter's Frolic. Etcgirl tells me that Betty was so well met, in fact, that they sold out of Sock Monster kits.

Mission accomplished.

My Girl

Ah, my Sweet Pea. Just shy of 2, full of enthusiasm and silliness.


She loves to play outside. We'll be getting her a full outdoor playset soon . . I just have to decide on one.

She also loves to eat . . . even when she's not supposed to be eating. Here she is getting dinner ready for me -- and snacking.

And with her really exciting hot dog picnic.


But I think this was her favourite of all -- driving my car!!

I'm almost done.

I'm in a weird, weird place right now.
In the last week or so, for various reasons, I've really been pushing to finish up all my knitting projects.

Yesterday, I completed (Bad-Ass) Betty.


Another sock monster, this one is a store sample for Shall We Knit? To make her one of the girls, I gave her a string of pearls, and a polka dot apron of her own - just like they wear to all their events.


She is my favourite sock monster to date. Love her!
She was a rush job because Karen of SWK hinted that Betty might be going to the Knitter's Frolic with the store display. Since the pattern is a blast, and the finished product is adorable, I really wanted to have her ready to go. Sadly, the last week or so I've been feeling a mite under the weather - totally screws with the knitting. I really had to buckle down to get her done. But I finish her I did! I delivered her to the store yesterday.

There was much squeeing. Made the nauseated knitting worth it. (Thanks Etcgirl!)

The other project on the go was my Summer Fun Tee. I wanted to get it done, so that I could wear it. Just this morning, I put the final trim on around the neck. Now I have to weave in ends, and sew 2 tiny seams, and it's ready for wearing!


So why does this put me in a weird place? Because now I have nothing on the needles. No works in progress. There are things I'd like to cast on . . . but given the state of my health right now, I'm not motivated to actually start anything. I promised a friend of mine some small items as donations for her local hospital, but that's going to take a while - I need to be in the right head space to make preemie burial items, and I'm definitely not there right now. I have a pair of baby mittens that I had set aside a long time ago, after I misplaced one . . . they only need a thumb, but it's May and not the right time of year for making mittens.
But . . . what do I do at work if I'm not knitting between calls?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

What have I been up to since I made that mermaid? Um . . . good question. I made some doll clothes!

Beebie modeled the sweater for me, but is much to small to show off the dress. You can see the skirt lying across her lap.
Pattern: February Doll Sweater from Petite Purls.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - took almost the entire skein.

I've been working on yet another Sock Monster for Shall We Knit?
I love the colour! Koigu makes some really beautiful yarns.

I have some really crazy finishing ideas for this one, but it needs to go to the Knitter's Frolic with them very soon, so I need to get on it!

I'm working on another doll from a pattern I created - looks really good so far. It just needs a little tweaking to make the whole thing match better.


In case you were wondering, I went with the green on the right for the eye colour.

But my main focus has been finishing this:


Because I really want to wear it this year!
So far, it's coming along well - I'm working on the bottom edging right now, actually. That means less than 5 rows left in the body, then I think 6 rows for each 'sleeve' and the neck edging. I could get this finished today or tomorrow if I apply myself!
Pattern: Buttercup
Yarn: Classic Elite cotton Bam Boo - should have unbelievable drape.

Doll #8

This fine mermaid is currently in the post . . . on her way to Alabama.

She is the first doll I sold - and is fully custom made. I think she's awesome, and I'll definitely make more mermaids!

Why? Why? WHY?!

Can I be the whiny toddler for a few minutes here?

We're sick. AGAIN! It's obscene the number of illnesses we've had in the household for the last 6 months. I can honestly only think of about 15 healthy days I've had. I'm so tired of being sick!

We've gone through 12-15 boxes of facial tissue, 3 boxes of sudafed, and I can't even tell you how many bottles of children's pain reliever and fever reducer. Since January.

About a month ago, Sweet Pea had an ear infection.


She went on antibiotics for the first time in her life. They worked quickly, and she felt better in short order, but the cold that caused her ear infection did a number on me. I just got better from it week before last.
Then last week, on Thursday, we started over again. There's a long, aggravating story here - to sum up though, she was in a bad, bad way. Because of the kind of doctor situation we're involved in, we are asked not to go to walk-in clinics or ERs unless we absolutely have to. I would have liked to take Sweet Pea to the ER on Saturday, but I was talked out of it. She had a fever of 38.9 (103) for three days, ate nothing for five days, and drank very little for 2 days. I was very worried. She spent Saturday sleeping on my chest, crying and being lethargic. Sunday she seemed to be coming around, until the afternoon. She laid on the floor all afternoon and whined. Monday she seemed to be on the rebound, but developed a really scary, wet, choking cough. We called the Dr's office and made an appointment. Tuesday we arrive for our appointment at 5:27 - they tell us we've missed it - we're 10 minutes late. We weren't, but the receptionist refused to admit us. I made a scene at the office, and spent 90 minutes last night drafting an email letting them know just how I feel about this whole thing. I spent much of the night last night listening to my daughter choking and coughing in her sleep. Today we took Sweet Pea to a walk-in clinic. She has another ear infection, and possibly something going on with her lungs, although the dr said they sound pretty clear. He thought something might be brewing based on her cough and prescribed a heavy duty antibiotic. Hopefully she'll be much better very soon.

But me? I have another crap-tastic cold. And I'm getting tired of being on cold meds, and not being able to taste, or smell or anything. I just want to be healthy! I can only hope with spring and summer on the horizon we can shake all this illness BS for a few months.

Some vacations are better than others.

Today was only day 3 of my vacation, and I'm all vacationed out. From this point on, it's all gravy.
Is it because it's the first vacation I've really had since going back to work? Probably. And so far, it rocks.

Yesterday, I had the best day EVER with Sweet Pea. We did lots of snuggling, and singing, and playing. We went swimming (!!). We went to the park (!!).



We went grocery shopping. It was awesome! If every day were like yesterday, I would already have a slew of children. Days like yesterday make me sincerely yearn for more babies to share more love and fun with.

Today, I took Sweet Pea to daycare, and spent much of the day at the LYS fondling, sniffing, and finally purchasing some really great stuff. I have purples for a wee girl cardi. I have black for a mystery project. I have pinks for another sock monster (store sample - yay!!). I bought 2 new books. I am in a state of complete bliss.

I filled the mommy jones. I filled the me jones. Tomorrow Mr. Wonderful will be home, and I will hopefully fill the family jones. Ah, yes . . . life is good.