Pace

Pace is relative. The pace of my life over the past couple months was crazy hectic. I managed, but it was a whirlwind of work, stress, worry, comfort (junk) food, and caffeine overload. Now that our work deadline has mercifully passed and B's health situation is A-OK once again, things have slowed down and my life is starting to get back to normal. I use that term loosely, of course. But at least I am able to spend more quality time with B and the doogles, not to mention my current (resurrected) knitting project.

I am finally making some detectable progress on Carmelita! I am now on Chart 3 of 4. I could almost cry.

I am now also able to see my family again. On Sunday, I gladly braved the sweltering Valley heat to visit LA, Rex, and the Peanuts... The now walking Peanuts, mind you! It was so great to see them again! They were both happy and playful, and the best part- they seemed to remember me (or at least weren't afraid of me) - which I was very happy about, especially considering I have been quite the absent Aunty as of late. We made funny faces and played with toys...when Kyra wasn't sitting in the toy box, that is...

"Huh? What? Is there a problem?"

For most people in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer is nearly over. For some of us, it's just beginning. Kinda sad, yes, but we'll take it!

Winnings...and a skirt

Now one of the best little pick-me-ups I received towards the end of our 8 week work marathon, was what you see below. These, my friends, are the spoils from the Loopy Ewe's First Anniversary Contest! I'm still shocked I actually won. I tend not to enter contests for the sake of winning because honestly, my track record with contests (or any competitive event for that matter) isn't that great. I enter them more to show support for the host and let them know that I am indeed out there as I tend to be a little quite in the blog-0-sphere. However, in this case, I have to assume my winning was some sort of Loopy Karmic Pull.

As always Sheri outdid herself and the generosity in the prizes was clearly off the charts! I couldn't believe what I pulled out of that box! Not only were the colors beautiful, but they were all from indie dyers who I hadn't been exposed to yet. So, given the beauty of these yarns, I thought they each deserved a little close up of their own.

First up, is from Yarn Love and the colorway is Fondley (It looks like Sheri is currently out of Yarn Love yarn so I linked directly to the Yarn Love site). This is 495 yards of 75% superwash 25% nylon. The greens and the yellows are simply gorgeous.

Next, is from Gypsy Knits in the Circus colorway. Now, I tend not to be drawn to colorways named 'circus' because well, they usually look like a circus ;-) However, the colors here are fabulous, soft and complementary. I would even say more spring bouquet than circus. This hank is 360 yards of BLF superwash.

Finally, I bring you Apple Laine's English Garden. The colors in these hanks are luxurious, deep and rich. Each hank is ~190 yards of a 50% wool, 20% mohair, 20% silk, 10% nylon yarn.

So, thank you Sheri! And congratulations on an amazing first year from one loopy girl to another!

Now, I know that most of you out there already know about the Loopy Ewe, but for those of you who haven't or haven't yet placed your first order, Sheri is a phenomenal business woman. She values customer service and goes above and beyond. I've talked about some of the perks before here, but there are even more now. If you are a sock knitter or lace knitter, check out her shop, you will be amazed!

Finally, I have a finished object of sorts to share. I mentioned last week that I was going to have trouble fitting into my regular work clothes again after too much time behind my desk the last couple months. Well, to solve this dilemma as well as try to introduce a little more femininity into my wardrobe (without having to actually go shopping - and yes, I really don't enjoy shopping, I know! gasp!), I present my latest endeavor: skirts!

I made this simple draw string, A-line skirt using the formula and template drafting in Sew What! Skirts. I used about a yard and a 1/4 of a cotton print (Rufina by Clothworks) that I picked up at Rosie's on sale. With the 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon I used as my tie, the whole skirt came to about $6. It actually came out a little big, so the one I made last night I was able to take in a bit for a slightly more fitted look. However, that FO will have to wait for another day!

Chloe and Oysters in the Desert

My friend A recently gave birth to a precious 3 lb+ baby girl. Mom's life was endangered by a rare condition and as a result, the doctor performed an emergency C-section. A told me how she didn't feel like a mother for the first month after giving birth, since her daughter remained at the hospital in intensive care. But mom and baby (who finally came home) are doing well. In both of their honor, I knitted Chloe (Kai Cable Sweater from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms.)

I used Blue Sky Organic Cotton - although I LOVE the feel of this yarn, I had overwhelming amounts of cotton lint on my clothes after knitting with it. What's worse, the strands of my second skein kept breaking, especially when I was seaming. Was this just a case of a bad skein, or is this yarn apt to shred?

Smoking martinis at The Falls

I finished the sweater during K and my quick weekend getaway to Indian Wells/Palm Desert, where we lounged by the pool, ate, drank, slept, shopped, and golfed 18 holes in 110 degree heat. Call us crazy. Wine tasting in Temecula on Sunday in 100 degrees and later hitting San Diego in 90 degree heat was a breeze, in comparison to our time in the desert. But we had a great time, especially for only $99 a night at Miramonte Resort and Spa. At The Falls in La Quinta, we enjoyed some smoking martinis and ate my possibly new favorite raw oysters on half shell - the Totten Inlet Virginica, profiled in the NY Times as "the best oyster on the planet." Yum.

WE'RE DONE!

I decided to follow in Nonnahs' footsteps and just get right to the point! WE ARE DONE!!! August 17th has never looked so good! Although today is the official deadline, all of our hard work had to reach it's destination (aka Nebraska) today, so that meant everything had to leave the office by FedEx time yesterday evening. However, despite a few last minutes cases, we kicked some serious butt and almost everything was filed well in advance. In fact, this week has been 'almost' normal with only 1-2 hours of overtime a day. Thanks to Nasus' K, an awesome 'system' was put in place to process and unprecedented number of cases in a very short amount of time. I myself ended up filing 85 cases, which amounts to close to 150 total applications.

Now to give you a feel for our lives over the last 8 weeks, I figured what better why to pay homage to this crazy summer than with a photo essay:

"filings"

"Instructions"

"Organizational Nightmare"

"Motivation?"

"Sustenance" - yes, this is my desk drawer.

"Elixir of Life"

"Fresh Air"

"Refueling Tummy and Mind" - see Seraphim back there?

"Mama, Do You Still Love Me?"*

Life has now been cleared to return to normal. B and I can now safely celebrate our anniversary and his birthday. And poor Jenny can now have her 'normal' evenings back. I also need to get back to the gym because I can no longer fit into any of my work clothes (we've been allowed to wear jeans all summer but next week we have to go back to business casual). I am also now in the process of catching up on what all of you have been doing all summer. Boy, you guys have been busy!

So that's all for me for now. We are celebrating our deadline with a short day at the office, so after 2 PM I will end my 14-work-days-in-a-row marathon and begin my first 2-day weekend in nearly 8 weeks! Have a great weekend everyone. You know we will!


*Please note that the car was parked in the shade, windows cracked and sunroof open.

GOOD NEWS!

I won't lead you on (I'm not that kind of girl). Here it is: I am over-the-moon happy to announce that A Little Loopy has been reinstated as a cancer-free zone! We FINALLY* received the good news phone call we've been waiting for since around this time last week. (Waiting for medical test results...seriously...is there a slower mode of time?) The results of B's last test came back negative (which, in medical terms, is good)! Lymph nodes are clear! This means, everything is clear! YAY!

I am so beyond relieved, I can't even begin to tell you...although I'm sure you can imagine. The last 6 weeks or so have been some of the most stressful that I can remember. What's weird is how everything hit at once. Out of nowhere, we were hit with an unprecedented amount of work at the office AND with B's devastating diagnosis at home. I've been trying to stay afloat and as positive as possible through all this, but it hasn't been easy. More time at work and commuting + less time at home + more stress + less sleep = 1 sad little Nonnahs.

I've been doing my best to stay upbeat, and I think I've done a damn good job of it to tell you the truth, but I have to admit it's been taking it's toll over the last week or so. Just a general burntoutedness, I suspect. Thankfully, all this hellishness shall soon be over! I was already able exhale a ginormous sigh of relief yesterday, and the end is finally in sight at work! Friday is the filing deadline Dis, Nasus' K, and I have been working toward (or is it against?). Woo-hoo! I plan to celebrate by sleeping as much as I can this weekend. It doesn't sound like much of a celebration to you normal folk, I'm sure, but sounds absolutely heavenly to someone who's mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. I mean, worry-free sleep. For hours. Not having to set my alarm for 5:00am to go to work. Not having medical test results looming over my head. Just sleep. I honestly cannot remember the last time I've felt truly rested. Aaaaahhhh... Oh yeah, and some wine may or may not be consumed as well. Margaux, get your toasting glass ready!

Oh and while I've got the glass raised, I want to toast you all, for being so supportive through all of this. To friendship! Your comments and personal emails have meant and continue to mean the world to me. Thank you, thank you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish I could give you each a great big hug in person, but until that day comes, please accept a big, heartfelt *MWAH!* Love you guys!

* Waiting for medical test results…seriously? Is there a slower form of time known to man? Janeane Garofolo one had a bit about how Stairmaster time was the slowest time in the world, but I think she may wrong. Then again, it may be because I don’t use a Stairmaster.

Traveling on the bus in San Francisco

E and I just came back from a sisters' mini-getaway in San Francisco - let me just say that I fell deeply in love with the city. In my past trips, I never really had a chance to experience the city and its public transportation system the way we did this past weekend. On Saturday, we took the shuttle bus & BART from Oakland, then took two different buses to Sausalito/Marin City to get to Muir Woods. We took a nice short walk through the redwoods and made a note to stay longer in Sausalito the next time we're in the area (although I do not wish to diss the park, I do prefer the majesty of sequoia trees at Sequoia National...)

Then we took the bus again (you get the idea) to the Japanese Town Street Fair. E and I were moved to tears as we watched the SF Taiko Dojyo perform - their positive energy was almost overwhelming. The female members performed a set derived from a village in Japan where the women traditionally beat the taiko drums to signal the men to return home - very cool, since the men usually beat the drums. I bought a lot of cute things at the fair... oh, and a note to Nonnahs and Dis: there were a lot of home-based vendors selling their creative crafts. You girls need to start something somewhere...

I think that some in the bay area may consider Naan-n-Curry a Panda Express of Indian food, but the food there was delicious! E ordered the most tender tandoori chicken that I've ever had in my life. I ordered bhindi chicken (curry with okra - yup, K is cringing) which was fabulous. We need them to come down to SD. Then to SOMA (South of Market) where we saw a few bands perform at Slim's. Did you know that Billy Bob Thornton has a band? He'll be performing there in September. Ah...movie stars and their desire to be rock stars.


Next day...Lindy at the Park! There's a free lindy lesson every Sunday at Golden Gate Park. We met a very sweet man who lost his wife six years ago (seen above dancing with E.)

We saw the carnivorous plant exhibition at the nearby Conservatory of Flowers. Can you believe these are plants? Yikes!

Then to Fisherman's Wharf to grab some clam chowder. I really don't like the area, but will fight the throngs of tourists there in the future just so that I can dip a spoon into a sourdough bread bowl.

My friend A recommended that we check out Cow Hollow and the Union Street stores. A cute area with boutiques mixed in with some chain stores. Seriously, if I ever moved up here, I would have to file Chapter 13 because of all the great shopping.


Then to North Beach - we listened to a blues band at a dive, then walked to Stinking Rose. The place was a bit too touristy/Spaghetti Factory for my taste (I'm guessing that the one in Beverly Hills has a different ambience.) The garlic ice cream was interesting...I really liked the caramel mole sauce. I ordered crab, which was pretty tasty, but prefer the garlic roasted crab at Thanh Long (sister restaurant to Crustacean.) We wandered in Chinatown, then got a great quad work-out while climbing a hill to catch a bus back to our hotel.

Last day was spent at the Embarcadero and shopping around Union Square. We love Slanted Door! It got pretty crowded for lunch by 11:30. I'm definitely coming back here to eat. We took a brisk walk by the pier so that we could burn some calories and make room for green tea gelato and a chocolate cupcake with raspberry frosting. Unfortunately, my cupcake got a bit banged up after carrying it around for a few hours - but still tasty! I bought a few things at H&M - I remember not liking the store when I was in Europe, but I am now a fan. Clothes are about a size smaller than the U.S. equivalent, but I love the cute, cheap chic! Again, none in SD (the closest stores are in LA/Pasadena. Hum.)

still yummy, despite its form

Actual Knitting Content!

I know this is probably blowing your mind right now, but I'm not kidding. See for yourself if you don't believe me!

For starters, a project has begun. Sometimes there is a little hole in your knitting heart that can only be filled by socks- am I right? I knew I had some waiting room time coming up, which I used as the perfect excuse to cast on a new pair of socks. I'm working on Augusta, Dahlia Socks using Sundara's yummy sock yarn and US1 DPNs. You might think spending the entire day at Cedars Sinai would get me further than this, but only if you overestimated my knitting speed and level of concentration while hanging out in the hospital. Nevertheless, I love how the pattern is emerging, especially on the front. These are going to be pretty.

Now. I received the most incredibly generous "prize" in the mail on Friday. After spending 9 hours at the hospital, you can surely appreciate a) how happy I was to receive a little present in the mail, and b) how all the more elated I was to see what was inside. K8, you totally made my day!

People. You know I'm not one to show off, but you've GOT to see what I was just gifted from the above mentioned K8 who, incidentally, totally rocks! Yes, that's Malabrigo. The same Malabrigo that I've been dying to get my hands on (to own, I mean, I've fondled many an in-store Malabrigo)? In the same exact colorway I would pick out for myself? Yes, that would be it! Look at all those greens...aah...Does that say Nonnahs, or what? Yes, it does! And as if that weren't enough, check out that gorgeous sock yarn from La Petite Knitterie! I love Lori Lawson's work. She is a true artist, and her handpainted yarns and rovings are exquisite. And, look at that colorway. Perfect again! You know that olive and chartreusey greens will get me every single time, and paired with those blues and teals? To die for. And speaking of chartreusey green...those stitch markers! K8 made them herself, in the perfect color for me...

...and for Carmelita! Yes, that Carmelita- remember her? My long, long lost Icarusian friend? Well, she's back! I finally picked her up again last week. We're getting reacquainted; she's coming along. I'd forgotten how much I love that Misti Alpaca Lace yarn, and how happy this color makes me. I'm really hoping to make some serious progress on her now, and I pray it's without incident. These stitch markers can only help in that regard- it's like they were made for this shawl.

I really don't know what to say, K8. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and your eerily spot-on knack for picking out the exact things for me that I would chose for myself. Thank you so very much! If anyone else has to spend all day in a hospital waiting room, I hope you would be lucky enough to return home to a gift half as lovely as this.

Well, hopefully next time you hear from me I'll have another good (and final) B update to share. We're awaiting yet more test results, which we expect to receive in the next couple of days. Good thoughts...good thoughts...

The countdown begins...

In less than 2 weeks, Nonnahs and I are going to have our lives back. We can hardly wait!!! However, working so much does have some positive side effects. I rarely have time to go to any stores, so unless I order something online (which although I admit I do that a bit), my stash has a whole new meaning.

For instance, this dress (which I love but would never have the courage to wear without a wrap or something) is getting a little something to make the outfit complete.

I've been contemplating wraps and shrugs, but had trouble keeping the options in focus while looking though my knitting magazines and books. Here's where Ravelry rocks! I just did a search for "shrug" looked through the pattern options, queued by favorites...and ended up picking out the Anthropologie-inspired capelet to work up in some chocolate Kona Bay Cotton I had in my stash. I'm so excited. I re-worked the gauge this morning (which was basically one calculation) and off I went...

I also thought I would finally take a couple progress photos. First, I made it to the first chart on my Seraphim. (See the little eyelet below.)

Seraphim has taken over as my office knitting. I can keep everything in a little zippered bag and the stockinette is just what I need during such busy days. And the Koigu! Well, it makes me a very happy Dis.

I also made it to the body portion of Fifi, my current evening project.

I'm worried about Fifi. It was so hard to tell if I've got the sizing right when I tried it on. It's so stretchy that I'm just not sure if I'm pulling and tugging too much or just enough. I'll give it another few rounds then I'll try it on again to make sure the armholes and chest will be ok. I understand their is negative ease, but I also don't want to look like I'm wearing my Speedo swimsuit. I'm also worried about my neck. I was at the park when I cast-on...and didn't have access to anything that explained a cable cast-on. So, I did a knitted cast-on and I'm rolling like a tater tot. I'm hoping blocking will help but I can't escape the knitting doubts that the whole thing will be messed up by a poorly chosen cast-on.

All right, enough about that, it's time for some wine, cheese, a movie and the rest of our laundry. Also, thank you for your wonderful anniversary wishes! It meant a lot...especially since I didn't see B until 9:30 that night! But we did go out for dinner and a movie last night (we finally saw Harry Potter in IMAX 3-D) and I'm hoping to have a new capelet to wear over my new dress for our "real" dinner celebration in a couple weeks. So, that's all for now, I hope you all have a great week!

10 YEARS!!*

So, wow. Today's our 10th anniversary...and I have to work and B has to study for a final tomorrow morning, so yeah. Theoretically we could celebrate tomorrow night after I get off work, but I am so completely exhausted, I have no energy for even the idea of planning something let alone being an enjoyable dinner companion. So we'll see. We may delay our celebration until the end of the month, after my work deadline is reached and things can get a little more back to normal.

Therefore, in honor of our anniversary, I thought I would share one of my favorite photos from our wedding. And I think this photo is a pretty good representation of what we strive in our partnership: Don't take things too seriously. Have fun. Be together. And love one another.

August 3, 1997

*Every time I think about it being our 10th anniversary, Jeremy Piven's lines from Grosse Point Blank (which incidentally came out 10 years ago!) ring through my head...the part where he can't believe it's been 10 years since high school and he keeps saying "Ten years! Ten years! TEN YeeeaaaaRS!!!"....and then the other night B recited the lines, too. Ha!