Today I knitted my swatch for the simple knitted bodice KAL. I'm still uncertain about using the beaded yarn for the accents. The original pattern calls for Tilly Tomas silk yarn and a TT accent yarn featuring sequins. I'm not really a sequins kind of gal. Not that it was really an issue because there was no way I could afford the TT silk. This Peruvian Highland Silk is a wool/silk blend from Elann in the Autumn Purple colorway. The beads are some inexpensive Czech glass beads purchased at Michael's crafts. Stringing beads for knitting is very time consuming and any hints or tips would be welcome. Official cast-on for this project is on Sept. 1st.

*We have another house showing tomorrow and unfortunately the house and yard look horrible. The kitchen is about 1/4 of the way painted and all of the outlet covers are missing and there is masking tape absolutely everywhere. In addition, I just pulled the HUGE pile-o-crap out of the garage and dumped it in our back yard so I could sort and set up for a moving sale. It looks like Fred Sanford lives here. "Look out Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you!"

*just a note, this will be the second walk through and our "realtors" are nowhere in the loop.

Today...

while I was painting my ass kitchen...








(I fell off the ladder against the wall)

my girls entertained themselves by transforming a once-clean bedroom into tent city,







and Tasha & Bonny took a nap in the same room without fighting.











A rather quiet and uneventful day so far at Chez But Mom. After our grocery store trip this afteroon I plan on perusing my new book and magazine that Cindy sent. Later all.

WOW!

Yesterday I took the A-Team school clothes shopping. Keeping up with three children in a mall while trying to accomplish a task is dreadful. I hate shopping not involving book or yarn stores. Our promising and fruitful beginning wasn't meant to last.After an hour or so A2 & A3 became bored and A3 actually started hiding in the center racks of clothing while I was looking at clothes for her sisters. A2 started complaining about everything. And I mean everything. Between anxiety over A-3's hide and go seek routine, A-2's relentless whining and A-1's desire to dress like a hooker I finally called it quits. BTW, it's time to leave a store when the sales signs say, "$20.00 off on jeans." Holy cow, I wonder what the starting price was!

Driving home provided ample opportunity to ponder uncompleted painting and home repairs. At one point I considered returning to the mall.

But I came home to a most unexpected and amazing surprize. Cindy sent me a sanity package. Inside there were TWO skeins of her very own handspun. It's lovely and soft. But the wonders didn't stop there. There was also a copy of Nancy Bush's "Knitting Vintage Socks". I have long coveted this book! In addition she included the summer 2006 issue of "Spin-Off" with fabulous patterns and articles. There was a box of chocolates (yum), she also put in three beaded bracelets and a brand new notepad for my to-do lists. My daughters immediately seized the bracelets and proceeded to play dress up, so the bracelets aren't in the picture. Cindy, you are so thoughtful and I'm honored to receive the handspun you've worked so hard on. Thank you!

News from the land of Oz

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060823/sc_nm/
environment_australia_kangaroos_dc

The middle toe on a kangaroo's back foot can slice a person open. And the big red kangaroos are huge and strong... heck, I wouldn't even want to try wrangling with a small gray for that matter.

So I wonder if Steve Irwin will be the pill administrator. "Crikey, this beauty just sliced me from me Adam's apple to me naval."

Also, I wonder how they track who's been dosed and who hasn't. The same slow roo could end up receiving 20 pills and start sprouting all kinds of estrogen related growths. Then they'd need to create a marsupial mammary holder.

All joking aside though, I hope this works and I applaud Australian officials for trying different humane methods. This beats the heck out of clubbing them... I know, bad pun, but I do feel sorry for the baby seals. Kudos to Australia.

Parade of Neutrals

In honor of August's designation as "Neutral" for the project spectrum challenge here are some neutrals found at our little corner of chaos...


First to be featured is the delightful "Augustus" (as in Gloop) from the talented Mama-E's C*eye*ber Fiber Sock collection. Who knew beiges and grays could be so exciting! This blend is just perfect.




Second in the neutered neutral hall of fame is J's Vest. J.V. heralds from my imagination, size 3 Addi-turbos and Heirloom 8 Easy Care 100% wool from Australia. Upon reflection this vest does fit the "neutered" description as well. It is comprised of a seed stitch and some simple cables. Hardly a "ballsy" or innovative pattern.

Third we have the long-neglected Liv Sweater. The pieces for Liv were completed long ago, and she merely awaits assembly. My aversion to finishing stems from past disasters which have rendered garments unwearable or so incredibly sloppy that the wearer looks deformed. "Calling Dr. Frankenstein, can you breathe life (Liv) into these parts and make a sweater?" I'm imagining Gene Wilder with his wild-eyed expression and bushy hair as he hoists Liv's unassembled body to the tower top. Mwah hah hah.

Next up in the neutral parade is was my first toe-up sock started two weeks ago. The creator (me) was seriously displeased and therefore this went by way of the froggy pond to the great sock heaven in the sky.

Finally, what parade would be complete without a beauty queen performing the classic wave to adoring fans as she passes in a classic Corvette convertable... Oops. Due to technical difficulties we are unable to showcase this portion of the neutral festivities. It seems that our beauty queen refuses to wave... or for that matter even come down from her new perch. Distraught at changes in her environment, Miss Bonny has sought refuge on top of my kitchen cupboards. She really is neutral colors and beautiful too. Her tail was twitching impatiently. Is this close enough to a parade wave?

The real estate saga continues. I've reviewed our contract and nowhere in it does it state what the realtors are obligated to do. The contract merely protects their rights as representatives. It doesn't expire for the standard three months. I'm trying to encourage and motivate them. My efforts are being documented should they be needed later.

Cheers!

Hey there! Not much to report from the looney bin. We're still packing, painting and dealing with all of the usual moving and house-selling annoyances. I signed up for another KAL. I have two other UFOs to be completed before I can cast on. And rather than use the suggested silk yarn I'm going to use something from my embarassingly large stash.

We've had one house offer, which we declined. The prospective buyer had some strange requests and a contingency on his house selling. His house is located in the Hill-Top neighborhood of Tacoma. Shudder. The HT area is notorious for drugs, shootings, gangs, etc.

Our realtors are very nice and they'll talk the ears off a stone statue. If you are from the southern USA then insert, "Bless their hearts" here to indicate an impending slam. But they've not actually done anything beyond putting a sign in front of our house. I'm pushing them for some kind, any kind of published advertising and an open house. They aren't very keen on my suggestions. Heck, the flyers in the box attached to our yard sign aren't even complete. There is no mention of the number of beds/baths or square footage of the house. Call me crazy, but I'd consider these to be major selling details.

B. left to begin his new job in the thriving metropolis of Portland. As much as I detest cities there are some great amenities in Portland, including:
1. The airport there is easy to access and not anywhere near as crowded as SeaTac.
2. The MAX commuter trains are fast, frequent and efficient so there is no need to actually drive in the city if you so choose.
3. Powell's Books Not only is this a really cool bookstore, but on September 6th everyone's favorite knitting author will be there!
4. Lots and lots of yarn stores.
5. Not much difference time-wise to my parents' home, we're just coming from the opposite direction.

Not much else to say. Hope everyone is well.