I’ve decided that I’m definitely going to do a pink scarf for the Aug-Sep KAL, but I probably won’t do the Sister Scarf for myself. Even though it’s a beautiful pattern, I’ve already started it and frogged it three times. I seem to have issues with the Horseshoe Lace and it’s showing each time I try to start this scarf.

So, I’m on a quest to find a different scarf pattern for the pink scarf for the KAL. I’m working it in LB’s Cashmere Blend, so I have to find one that won’t be too wide (I prefer them skinny to medium width) but will still be warm enough to wear.

I’m currently working up a knitted scarf pattern to post to my Patterns Blog, but it’s going fairly slow, especially since it’s on the back burner right now. As soon as it’s posted, I’ll be sure to post here!

In other knitted scarf news, I’m planning (and have yarn for) a new scarf to wear either this winter or next. It’ll be fun, flirty, and delicious. Confused? More details to come, along with teaser pics of the yarn colors!

Yeah. You read that right. The Purl When Ready Socks went to the frog pond about a week ago. I was too distressed to even post about it then. All was going well until I finished the heel and started on the instep. As I was trying the sock on to see how much further I needed to go before starting the toes, I was admiring my work until I saw the sole of the sock.

I had a three stitch jag that I knew wouldn’t fix itself through wash and wear. And I was only about an inch or so away from starting the toe shaping!! So, out came the dreaded frog from its pond. I’m salvaging the yarn by making the Lacy Mock Cable Socks instead. I’ve just started the heel flap today and have gotten about half-way through the flap. I still haven’t used all the yarn I frogged from the other sock, but I’m getting there! I like this sock because it’s a rib pattern and will hide any flaws in the stitching. I’m going to try the Purl When Ready again because I want some “plain knit” socks and they are a basic sock made for a big size 10 foot like mine.

When I finish the first sock, I’ll post a pic with it on my big foot. It’ll be a few more days, though. I’m not a speed knitter like some talented people out there!

So, my BIL got married yesterday, and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for it to happen! Corey and Emily held their ceremony at the St. Ann’s Shrine in Isle La Mott, Vermont overlooking Champlain Lake. Since it was an outdoor wedding, everyone worried about the precision forecast saying it was supposed to rain. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the temperature was a perfect 74 degrees, and there was a nice breeze that kept the bugs away. Perfect setting!

Delbert did his job as ring bearer wonderfully, and William did a great job at the altar with his job. I think the Deacon was more nervous about this whole thing than Corey and Emily! I didn’t have any problems with the readings, and interestingly enough, they were the same reading Del and I had at our wedding 5 years ago! Just a different setting and different translation, but the same passages. Neat, huh?

At the reception, we had a blast. The kids were on the dance floor more than the adults, but they had a lot of fun. I told Del that I wanted to dance with him before we left, and we got to dance to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” We also did quite a few fast songs before leaving. I had a lot of fun dancing with Del’s Aunt Carol, and we were the subject of a few candid shots. Mind you, I was wearing wedge sandals, so my calves got quite a workout while dancing! I really felt good at the end of the night, and the kids all but passed out in the car on the way back, and Sami went straight to bed when we got home. I actually went to bed at 10:30 (early for me) and slept all night! Whew! What a day.
Anyway, I’ll provide links for some wedding pics and the birthday party pics as soon as I get the pages made. Keep watching!

Corey and Emily’s Wedding

Delbert’s Birthday Party

So, I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. W today to discuss how the meds adjustment was working out and how my weight and sprain were doing. All in all, I’m feeling a lot more like myself and told him such.

The fatigue seems to be directly related to my depression. Dr. W asked me about my depression symptoms, so I told him. I get extremely fatigued, want to shop–he about fell out of his chair laughing when I told him I buy yarn–and end up spening too much, and the elevator dreams. He asked how all those were doing, and I’ve been feeling less tired, don’t have that extreme urge to buy yarn–I want some, but I realize that I don’t have the money right now–when I know I can’t afford it, and the elevator dreams haven’t been back since the adjustment. Although, I nearly had a break down in the elevator at the medical center. I was white-knuckled as that damn car took its time getting to the first floor (the dr’s office is on the 4th floor and I wore the wrong shoes for the stairs). I really felt like the elevator was not going to stop.

I’ve been cleared for exercise! My foot has completely healed in a matter of 5 weeks. It just goes to show that with proper care, sprains can heal quickly. I haven’t done any DDR or other exercises that require a lot of strain on the feet and ankles. I can run, jump, and do other cardio exercises now. Yay!! I should see a drastic improvement in my weight over the next two months before going back. Speaking of weight, I did lose a bit since my last visit, though it was just over half a pound. Still, it was a change in the right direction. That’s encouraging to me, and I’ll take the half a pound and improve on it.

We discovered another allergy/skin irritant: blue dye. It seems to only be a topical reaction as I haven’t noticed any reaction when I’ve ingested the dye. Yesterday and today I washed dishes in a different detergent than what I had been using–different only in color–and my hands and arms about killed me with itchies. The color change was from orange to green, so I suspected the blue dye almost immediately. The doctor agreed when I told him that I’ve never been able to use laundry detergent that has blue coloring to it. For the dish detergent? We bought Sun Light for Sensitive Skin so I can continue to help with the dishes.
And I’m apparently allergic to tea tree. At least the fragrance portion. My poor scalp broke out in eczema as did my hands when I used a tea tree shampoo and conditioner–I absolutely LOVE the smell–so I switched to a kinder, gentler, non-irritating cleanser for my hair. I’m now using a cherry almond shampoo/conditioner duo and LOVE it even more than the tea tree! It makes my hair smell good and it cleans without irritating my scalp or hands. Take about relief!
And for my environmental allergies, Claritin only does so much and doesn’t relieve all my symptoms. My ears ache and itch as does my throat when my allergies are acting up. I was prescribed Zyrtec. And just in time, too. My BIL is getting married tomorrow and it’s in Vermont, so I’ll be exposed to yet another set of new allergens. Yay, allergies.

Well, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow, so I’m off to bed to get some sleep. Yep, my sleep is more regulated now that the depression is under control. I go to bed early and am able to wake earlier in the mornings. I feel good!

Not mine, but my youngest boy is turning 4 on Wednesday! Wow! Where does the time go? Anyway, we’re having his party tonight so more of the family is able to attend, including their two girl cousins, Monique and Brielle.

So, what are we, ahem, am I doing for the party? Batman! Our little guy is big into Batman right now, so we figured it would be a big hit to have a themed party this year. I’m doing a Bat Signal cake (yep, we’ll have black tongues and teeth), Delbert is going to have a Batman mask to wear, and we’ll have Batman party favors and balloons. Also, he’s receiving several Batman figures as gifts.

Major issue: the frosting I made last night is too thin, so I’ve dumped an extra half pound of sugar into each color just to get it to the correct consistency. Not fun, and spreading the initial layer of frosting on the cake was like spreading butter on the cake. It’s a bit drippy and I’m going to have a lot of clean-up to do on the foil before serving this cake. Ah, well. That’s what happens when you pour your milk without measuring!

The cake didn’t turn out bad, though it’s a bit warmer than I expected it to be, so the thicker frosting is trying to abandon ship. Oh well. The fan is on to cool the air in the kitchen, so hopefully the frosting will harden soon. Delbert is ecstatic over his Batman cake and was jumping with excitement saying, “That mine cake!” (He’s a late talker with a slight speech impediment, so he’s still learning the correct usage of words.)

Without further ado, the Bat Signal cake (clickable).

The party I’m putting together follows:

• lemon Bat Signal cake
• Batman favors and balloons
• veggie tray with ranch dip
• rippled ‘tater chips
• Glazier’s (red) hot dogs
• Breyer’s ice cream–Natural Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Snickers

My MIL is making Michigan sauce (don’t ask me what it is, ’cause I really don’t know), and her mom is bringing corn on the cob.

We’re hoping for a lot of fun tonight. I won’t be able to post pics right away because of the wedding this weekend–Delbert is the ring bearer, William is the altar server, and I’m reading–but I’ll be sure to get a picture page done up for the party. Especially my cake. And, yes, it will be served from a foil-covered Wilton cake board. It’s a four-year-old’s party; it’s not a fancy graduation party or a wedding cake, so no one will really care about the foil-covered cardboard.

I decided to write a new post for the pics because I was unable to get on the computer Saturday and Sunday. Between my teenaged SIL’s chatting and my hubby’s working, that didn’t even leave me time to check my e-mail!! The pics are clickable for larger view.
Here’s Tracey’s lunchbag. The dots on the “full” pic are where I plan on sewing snaps to keep the flap closed.

Lunchbag Full:	Lunchbag Empty:

And Tracey’s scarf, before frogging & reworking.

Scarf Size:	On Tracey:

And another knitted FO that I neglected to post when I finished the bag. This is the Shopping/Needlework Tote from Frugal Knitting Haus, worked in a single strand of LB’s Landscapes in Country Sunset. Because it’s worked in a single strand of a bulky yarn, my tote is considerably floppier than the pattern pic. I’m planning on another tote in this pattern using a double strand of a cotton yarn.

Here are a couple of crocheted items. The first is the Jaunty Shells purse from Trendsetting Totes. It’s worked in Aunt Lydia’s Quick Denim in Rose and I added glass beads around the top edge. I still haven’t lined it, and my pens and keys like to stick through the shells from time to time. Oh, well. That’s what happens when the sewing machine and fabric stash is packed downstairs! The second is my CAL WIP. This is the first part of my thread tablecloth. I’m using size 20 Royale Crochet Thread in Natural for this project. I suspect this one will take a while to complete!

Jaunty Shells:	Tablecloth:

And Deneen, since stopping the Seasonale, I’m feeling much better. My hands are doing much better–they don’t itch constantly anymore. Just when I’ve been holding the cat too long. Apparently, I’m allergic to Sierra because everytime I hold her, my hands itch unbearably for a while after I put her down. Thankfully, it’s cold today so my hands are feeling great! I’ve also lost 3 pounds since stopping the BCP. I had a feeling that was causing my weight gain due to water retention, but I didn’t want to stop taking them without doctor consent, kwim? Now, if I can just get my ears and throat to stop itching…Claratin, here I come! The depression is once again under control with a slight dosage increase. I’m feeling like myself again, but still counting the days until school starts…..just 16 more days…..