Ode to a Monster

 Everyone needs a favorite monster, right?  Well, as far as I can tell, Older Son's favorite monster is none other than Cookie Monster!  Despite the fact that we live in a camouflage and ball cap kind of area, my Older Son decided about 3 years ago that he just wasn't a ball cap kind of guy and he has been wearing "beanie" style hats ever since...  There have been a few of them.  There was the Archery Beanie.  Then there was the black beanie with the white skull...  Then there were 2 white beanies with black skulls...  The second white beanie wasn't all that old when suddenly I realized that I hadn't seen it for a while and Older Son started to ask for a Cookie-esque hat.  It was only once I had made the new hat that I was told what had happened to the last hat.  He had given it away - to a GIRL!!!  I was seriously not impressed.
I was telling the other knitters about this at my last monthly knit night.  One of the older and clearly wiser knitters pointed something out to me:  that I had been paid quite a compliment!  A hand knit hat wouldn't likely be the first choice for a keepsake for most teenage boys.  She also very rightly pointed out that the influx of hat requests from his friends is also a compliment.  Sometime it is very useful to have a different perspective on things.  Thanks, Joan!

My "go to" hat pattern has become this one.  I have never made it as written and have never used the original skull, but I have used the basic hat part MANY times.

(Almost) Instant Gratification

With everything going on at work these days, and sometimes feeling overwhelmed at home, too - it isn't easy being a wife, mother and employee all at the same time - I felt the need to accomplish something recently.  Start to finish.  Period.  Where did I turn?  To my knitting, of course!  Specifically, a baby sweater.  It had no intended recipient, I just needed something that I could start and complete and be satisfied with the product.  Isn't it cute???
I took it to my knitting group for "Show'n'Tell" at our last meeting.  The next day I received an e-mail from one of our beginner knitters asking if I would sell it.  Her great-niece had just had a baby girl.  SOLD!!!  She was pleased to be able to give a handknit sweater.  I was pleased that the sweater had found itself a good home.  Handknitting won't make you rich, but if you can cover the cost of your yarn, it is all good. 
The yarn is SMC Baby Wool in Light Pink.  The pattern is Bolero A.  It is a nice washable wool - although dry flat - that is a good price point, with great colours.  I really enjoyed knitting this little sweater.

But I Remember Being Pregnant...

Although I remember being pregnant with Younger Son, based on this photo, it appears that he is the result of cloning.  He looks just like Mr. Me!!!  (Who you can see in the mirror...)

Something To Look Forward To

Things have been kind of wearing me down for a while.  Anyone who might happen to still bother to read me probably already knows this.  I am still looking for a way to find a better balance and perspective in my life.  But until I manage that - which after a particularly brutal day at work, seems further away than ever - I'm really trying to enjoy the small things in life.  To all the Americans out there, happy Thanksgiving on Thursday.  Despite economic woes, us North Americans really are lucky to live where we do.  And just because I care so much about the North American economy, Augusta, Maine - look out!!!  We are coming Black Friday shopping again.  Fifth year.  Our lists have gotten shorter as the kids have gotten older, but we enjoy getting away all the same - and maybe more.  We may miss Oriental Jade this year, but Olive Garden, we will be there.  Now - what should I pack for a knitting project?  Perhaps my father-in-laws Christmas socks...?

Parking Lot Rules?

Having learned to drive as an adult, my experience with driver education isn't really all that old.  Despite being in my late(ish) forties, I have only been driving for approximately 15 years.  As a rather nervous adult student, I paid very close attention to what they told me...  And I honestly don't remember there being a series of "parking lot rules".
Thursday evening after work, I headed over to the grocery store to pick up a few things - actually quite a few things.  Living in the country, I am often surprised at how much less expensive it is to buy some things in the city.  Every so often, I take advantage of this and drive to work so I can run errands afterwards.  I pull into the parking lot and start scanning the lot for a spot to park.  I don't mind walking a bit.  I don't need to be right at the door.  I spotted a couple of spots side by side.  I pulled into one of the just as the woman in the facing spot was backing out.  I looked quickly and drove through.  Imagine my surprise when some "lady" puts down her window and says:
You're not supposed to enter the spot from behind!
My reply:  Is that a rule?
Her response:  Yes - it is!!!
My reply:  Is that written down?
Her response:  Seriously!!!
Following which she drove away...  Now, if I had seen her waiting for the spot, I wouldn't have pulled through - no big deal.  I've had the same thing happen to me many times, and while it can be irksome, I just move along and find another spot.  Over the past couple of days, I have been watching people more carefully in parking lots to try to determine whether I was really doing something that just isn't done.  Having witnessed many drive throughs, I've got to say that it appears to be common practice.  I'm pretty sure that they told me in drivers education that this was perfectly acceptable, and could actually be the safest thing to do, but I am still questioning myself.  So - tell me, are there parking lot rules that I just don't know about?  Have risked bad parking lot karma?  While I know that I don't always succeed, I do at least try to be polite and considerate.
I found the whole thing to be rather shocking and off putting.  I consoled myself with the Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting...