Hi There, Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Gestating.

Yeah.  So.  It's been a long time.  But I have a good reason.  I got pregnant :)
I really don't like it when people become completely obsessed with only talking about baby stuff and never anything but the baby stuff and heaven help you if you dare not show an insane amount of interest in their baby because their baby is only the most important thing in the entire universe to EVERYONE, but because of complications, it has been really the only thing going on in my life.  Interesting to live (okay, not so much), not so interesting to read about.  I will talk about family stuff, and baby stuff, but it was the same thing all the time.  Very boring.  Plus, even though I was on bed rest, I couldn't knit, because everything made me nauseous.  Reading, television, movement, colors, you name it.
Recently I've begun to be able to do stuff sometimes.  Not a lot, but it some.  It's nice.  Really nice.  I want to yell and shout and jump around because it is so amazing to be able to do even small stuff.  I am attempting to get my craft room redone right now.  I can't help much, because furniture is heavy, but I'm doing what I can.  I am working on starting to knit up some baby pants, in a purple and green cotton.  Oh yeah, our baby is a girl. :)

I wrote that when I was getting pretty sick, and then promptly forgot about it for a while, so I'm better now.  Getting a really bad cold put me back a bit.  I had gotten a taste of doing things, and then I was stuck in bed again.  Of course, now I've been having to deal with Braxton-Hicks contractions that range from not bad to ouchie.  Which means when I overdo something, I can get one.  Or if I'm doing nothing at all. Either way, if I get too many, I'm supposed to lie down and drink water.  Fun. Although, for a few weeks now I've been able to see her awesome soccer moves.  Her legs are so long, and so strong!
At least I get to knit and spin some.  I'm almost done with the baby pants.  They said to make the legs a certain length, but to my completely untrained eye it looked like it would make them flood pants, so I may have added a couple inches or so... hey, I can always roll up the pantlegs!  I am trying to pick out what to do next:  I am trying to decide between hat, sweater, or more pants.  Or maybe a skirty shorts soaker.
I've also been cooking and trying to catch up on cleaning. Man, I love cooking, and... also the satisfaction of getting something done.  Homemade soups are still a super favorite, and my super sensitive nose is helping with ad-libbing ingredients together for meals.  It is very nice.  The cleaning... it has has has to get done.  I have a whole list of things that have to get done soon.  It ranges from things like painting the house, to painting the baby room, and the worst part is that I'm supposed to avoid paint!  I can't even help with a lot of stuff! No heavy lifting, no fumes, no doing this or that blah blah blah, all it means is that I'm a big lump of uselessness for the big projects. *ahem*  I'm sticking to things I can still do, and if my doctor asks, of course I'm not overexerting myself and possibly causing more Braxton-Hicks.  (If I were though, it would be totally worth it to have certain things cleaned up)

Okay, NOW I'm HOPEFULLY Coming Back from the Dead for Real

Okay.  This summer has been so horrible and I hope that along with the season, all the things that have been going on leave.  In addition to the other stuff I already talked about, I had a really bad wart that needed a few laser treatments to remove it, but I had a bad reaction to the laser every time. Which resulted in a horribly bad and deep blood blister, so I couldn't walk for about a week each time.  I had another bout of sinusitis that spread to my eye, ear, and throat.  I also had some colds, more issues with my lady bits, and problems with a couple organs.  The latest thing is pretty much my fault, but still sucks.  I went to the Renaissance Festival wearing some shoes that looked great, but hurt my feet... really bad.  I did eventually switch to tennis shoes, but it was too late.  Both of my big toes turned purple, I had to get some meds (which caused yet another lady bit issue) and had parts of both nails removed.  Healing has been a long process, hindered by yet another cold.  Yay for me.

On a more cheerful note, I've been doing some glass fusing, experimenting with stuff... that mostly isn't turning out, but hey, live and learn.  I am also knitting, which is soothing since I haven't been able to spin when I have feet issues, though I did just have to frog a big secret project.  My sister in law had her baby, which is the most adorable baby in the entire universe.  I've gotten to visit her a few times, and even watched her once!  Hopefully I will get to see her again soon, but ever since she went back to work they've been busy.  Andy is her godfather :) which kinda makes me like a step-godmother sorta.  I'm the one who has time to plan things for her and stuff :P I knit her a couple pairs of socks and a blankie (that I of course forgot to take pictures of).  And I might or might not be working on some other things *shifty eyes*.

Tonight I'm going out for the first time in a while.  One of my friends is in a band that is part of a charity concert SlutWalk Benefit Concert @Acadia which benefits slutwalkminneapolis.  Don't let the name scare you, check it out.  It's an awesome cause. It's at a bar/restaurant place so there will be seats and food.  Perfect for a nice night out that isn't too taxing, all for a good cause, and watch my friend perform!

Present-y Pictures Please?

I have a horrible habit.  I will knit something up as a gift for someone, and never remember to take a photo of it.  I know it seems like a small thing to get irked about, but... I really really want to post a pic on my Ravelry projects page.  It just looks so empty.  And that makes me feel sad, and not at all productive, especially since I have this horrible habit of forgetting all the wonderful things I did.  I tried journaling my life for a couple months, once, and it was really amazing.  My short term memory and bad self esteem made me feel like I did nothing at all, but by chronicling my days, I saw that I did a LOT.  Then I lost the notebook and being the obsessive person I am wouldn't write anything until I found it.  Then forgot about it.  And still haven't found the notebook, despite several thorough cleanings of the entire house, top to bottom, or rather, bottom to top.  And then, when I ask for pictures, I rarely get them.  In fact, to date, I believe only one cousin has complied with my request.  Is it really that unreasonable?
Anyway, onto more fiber-y things.  I finished some more yarn from my Painted Tiger club, it's not colors I would have picked for myself, but that's kinda the point of why I'm doing the club.  To expand my experience of different types and color combos of fiber.  Don't get me wrong, it's by no means ugly, it's just not me.  And now that I have some hand carders, I've been carding up all the bunny fiber I have, which is a surprising amount.  First I practiced on some cheap superwash wool, and now angora.  Next up is either the puppy fur, or a blend of angora, merino, and possibly sparkles? Help me decide!  I have also determined that I NEED a drum carder.  I just can't afford one.  Ah, maybe with time... *sigh*.  I have horrible habits that snowball into bigger ones.

What puppies are really good for

Some Artsy Inspiration For Your Day

I had been thinking about doing something like this if I ever had the money, and this morning I came across this!

What I'll probably end up doing is making some smaller versions to make some chair cushions or something. Much more affordable than 1,600 balls and cones of yarn.

Whistle While You Work

I've been cleaning.  And cooking.  And cleaning.  And drying herbs.  More cooking.  More cleaning.  Not just surface stuff, the deep stuff.  I'm also helping a friend build a yarn swift.  He's designing it and doing all the hard stuff, I'm helping where I can.  I wish I could do more, but what can I do?  Next is building custom shelves.  I'm changing lots of stuff up and moving furniture.  I'm even getting an elliptical that someone is getting rid of.  That will help with working out, so I'm happy.

peanutbuster's photostream

peanutbuster's photostream on Flickr.

Get Out! (and Knit)

I had another assignment a bit back that I think is pretty spiffy.  I had to incorporate a few different elements for the teacher, and it all came together well.  I had to create something in response to this group called Futurefarmers.  They go out and do stuff in communities.  They are a collective based in San Francisco, CA that works with tons of stuff.  It had to have at least one of these elements: performance, collaborative, or temporary installation.  I chose performance.  The teach added a couple more parameters to this.  Because of the earthquake and fire in 1906 in San Francisco, I had to spend at least $19.06 (bonus if you can spend exactly that, which I did!  Thank you Bonnie) and I had to use wood or the woodshop.  It also could NOT be in the art building.
I went out and made my own double pointed knitting needles, which went better than I could have hoped for.  I might make my own again sometime when I don't need a specific size. 

I then bought some spiffy yarn and went out to Quarry Park and knitted bracelets while I hiked and gave them away as I made them.

It was a bit disorienting, but worth it.  I couldn't work too fast because of the hiking and cold, but it was so fun.

Some were scared when I approached them and tried to give them a free bracelet, some were excited.  It was really nifty to just pop in on people in a place where you don't run into many, and give them something handmade for free.  People just don't expect it at all.   I plan on doing it more, after the busy semester is finished.

Go there sometime.  You definitely will enjoy the scenery, and you might just get something extra ;)