I'm bad, but I've been fine

I'm a terrible blogger. If you can even call me that. I've only posted a couple times months ago.

Many things have happened both in the world at large and with me since my last entry. Of course, there is the historic election, which pleased me. I like it when the guy I voted for wins. Also, I'm so proud of the several people who voted for the very first time. My sister didn't bother her first chance, in 2002, but she made sure to take my niece this time. My aunt too, voted for the first time, at 62. I want everyone to add their voice, regardless of which way they vote. Honestly. I'd rather my candidate lost in an election where 99% of eligible voters turned out than have him (or her) win with a 39% turnout.

In more personal spheres, I just had a birthday this week. My thirty-first. My younger brother and his girlfriend gave me my favorite present ever, my brand new nephew Landen Joseph. 20 inches long, 6lbs, 4oz. Within the hour of his birth, my brother went from saying that he was blonde with blue eyes, to thinking Landen's eyes were going to turn out more brown. I haven't gotten to go see him just yet. First, I didn't want to overwhelm the hospital with family. Then it's been really snowy. Also the week has been full of plans with people who wanted to celebrate MY birthday. My brother has only just been living with his girlfriend a few months, and I'm not sure where it is exactly. I'm full of excuses.

The house is mostly decorated, and I've been shopping for Christmas. There's still one more baby coming this year, but I've nearly gotten the present all done. After Christmas, I'm going to begin my sister-in-law's wedding present. When that's done, I'm going to dig into a meaty lace project. YAY!

I hope to be a better blogger soon, but no promises, sorry.

I Probably Shouldn't Have Done That...

First, a little background on me. I'm 30, married, and I live with my mother. I know how that sounds. I hear it too. My husband is a trucker, and is home about 4-5 days a month, maybe. It makes sense to live with someone then, to share expenses and to stay busy. Mom has a few health issues, so it works for her too. Except not so much privacy, but oh well. I get all the best looks from people though. "Do you work?" "No, I knit and look after Mom." Imagine. The truth is, she is 5'2" and shrinking, has hip and back problems, and frequently has little to no sensation in her feet. And she is always trying to do things that a 6'3" trucker wouldn't want to try alone.

But I digress. My husband, Adam, is out on the road for about three weeks at a time, and I generally don't get money until he gets home. He just left out Saturday, so I won't see him again until the end of August, or start of September. I paid our bills, and then.... I totally splurged on a beautiful sock yarn/scarf combo from http://knitivity.com. Ray over there is always cooking up something tempting, but I try to resist. The other day though, he got me. A colorway called At the Beach called to me. I'll try to post pictures when I receive it. I'll pet it when I wish I'd saved the money for something else, especially since I'm really not a sock knitter.

It's not a bias against socks, I'm just afraid of double pointed needles. They make me crazy. I can do the two circular trick, but it seems to pull on the sock, you know? This April, I went to see Stephanie http://yarnharlot.ca at a book signing event, and I bought one of those clever little 9" circular needles. I finished a sock! I was so proud. I got about two thirds of the way through the second sock, and SNAP! My little toothpick looking needle broke. I knew tiny needles should be metal, I KNEW it. Anyway. So I'm not a sock knitter, but I am the owner of some beautiful, if a little pricey sock yarn (and matching silk scarf!).

Yay!!

Well, now I went and put my foot in it...

Welcome!

I've been threatening this for some time, and here I am. No longer blogless.