I Can't Believe It!!

Finally got my grades yesterday--4.0!! All A's!! Including Java!! How did that happen?!? I have no idea what I got on my Java final. I'm guessing the test was curved big time. But that would still mean I had one of the better grades, I think. I'm still a little shocked, since I was expecting a C in Java; a B at the very most. My semester GPA is better than Favorite Second Son's!!!! But FSS has a better overall GPA. Since some of the classes I took way back when are being put towards this new degree, those classes are included in my current GPA. Can't complain about 3.46. Now I have to keep the momentum going and continue to do well. But for now-I'm focusing on my knitting.

I'm Done!!!

After months of Java hell, I'm finally done with this semester!! You have no idea how exhausted I am-my brain actually hurts! The Java final was beyond ridiculous; after 3 days and 13 hours of suffering, I just decided to hand it in. There was no way I would do any better if I spent more time on it, so the heck with it. Java is for left brain people-very logical. I'm extremely right brain, not a logical brain cell in my body. And....I get to do it again next semester with Java II. On the plus side, I'm only taking 2 classes instead of 5.

Even through the torture, I was able to do a little knitting. My friend, Karen, asked me to make her a hat with a hole for a ponytail. Before I could design one, I found 2 patterns online. The one I ended up making was on the December 2007 MagKnits. The hat is called Hannah, and is a quick and very cool knit.


I used Patons Shetland Chunky yarn and size 10 needles. Took about 3 hours and would make a great gift. If I wore hats I'd make one for myself. Currently I'm working on the Afghan Squared from the Lions Brand web site. It's just a big granny square, with each round a different color. I hope to get that done this week so I can mail it to DH's aunt in California. I'm also knitting the Modern Quilt Wrap that was offered on the Knitting Daily web site. It's definitely a slow knit but it is coming out nice. I'm using Knit Picks Palette yarn-the pattern calls for Rowan Kidsilk, which is waaaay too expensive plus I don't like mohair.

So, being in the great Northeast, we get to experience winter in all its glory. Today was the second storm this week, giving us at least a foot of snow and much ice. My Baby is hoping for a 2 hour delay tomorrow morning, which would make 3 Mondays in a row of delays. Meanwhile, my FSS is in Puerto Rico "training" with his college swim team. Yeah, right!

Busy, busy...

Such a busy time, especially with the holidays coming. But between killing myself with Java and other classes, I finally finished the Color Party Parka from Sally Melville's book, The Knitting Experience, Book 3: Color.



My first experience with intarsia. Not bad, but I'm glad it's done. It's made from Paton's Classic Wool. I don't like wool so we'll see if I can wear it without itching all day.

Here's My Baby dressed as the school mascot...



...and as a Pez dispenser for Halloween

Boston Red Sox-2007 World Series Champs

It was another late night, but who cares-the Boston Red Sox won their second World Series in 4 years! Yes, the curse is over! (Photo from boston.com)

After falling behind 3 games to 1 in Cleveland during the ALCS, Boston came back to win 7 in a row, sweeping the Colorado Rockies. Thanks to everyone on the Boston Red Sox forum on Ravelry for keeping me company and providing lively conversation during the playoffs and throughout the season. Next order of business-resigning World Series MVP Mike Lowell. No conversation with A-Rod allowed!

PS-Happy birthday DH!

Rhinebeck virgin no longer

Yesterday I went to my first fiber festival. New York Sheep and Wool at Rhinebeck, to be specific. It was wonderful seeing all that yarn, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed not seeing a lot of those yarns that you hear about online. I heard today that Sock That Rock yarn was there-where? WHERE? What a bummer! But I did buy this soft, soft yarn

Maple Creek Farm 100% merino wool lace yarn in a yummy pink colorway. I'm not too much for pink, but this spoke to me. Had to buy it. And it was all I bought. This may be sacreligious, but I really don't buy stash. Yes, you read that right. Same for my quilting. I'm just the kind who buys for the project. I saw some absolutely gorgeous yarns yesterday, but what if I don't buy enough? Especially since most of what I saw were hand dyed yarns. I'm more of a buy what I need when I need it knitter. But I admit, it was hard to resist!

Last night while watching the Red Sox dominate game 6 of the ALCS, I finally finished the Lacy Mock Cable Socks.
The pattern is from The Island of Misfit Patterns. I used size 2 needles and Sockotta yarn. Took me 2 months to finish-just don't have the time. And of course, I'm not a monogamous knitter.
Speaking of knitting, back to the Color Party Parka. I'm finished with the body, now I start the sleeves. A good knit while I watch the Red Sox win the American League Championship. Go Sox!!!

No More WIP

Finally finished a project-Sitcom Chic by Bonne Marie Burns.



Took longer than usual because I just don't have as much time as I used to. But, at least I can still knit a little.

Can't believe I'm already into week 4 of school. I did take some time off this past weekend and went to NYC with my sister in law and her niece. Left early Saturday morning and came home Sunday afternoon around lunchtime. We got to experience Canal Street and "knockoffs". They're knockoffs all right-my "Versace" bag already broke!!! In the evening we saw "The Color Purple", starring American Idol winner Fantasia. I never liked her on AI, but I have to admit she did a great job in "Purple". Overall, I thought the play was just ok, though SIL and niece loved it. I just wasn't feeling it.

Last night I started a new project. It's the "Color Party Parka" from Sally Melville's book "The Knitting Experience Book 3: Color". This book has some great patterns, but I bought it just for this one. It's all intarsia, should be fun.

Back to the Red Sox vs Oakland game. Gotta watch the Sox clinch the AL East!!!

This is killing me...

Who's idea was it for me to go back to school? I can't believe the amount of work! I remember when I was in college waaay back when, I had 15 hours of class, plus homework, plus a job and I still had time for friends and socializing. Now I feel like I don't even have enough time for just school work. This had better change soon. My knitting is suffering!

Yesterday I went with DH, his sister and her husband to the US Open. I have no interest in tennis but I go because DH likes it. We saw Venus Williams crush her opponent in less than 90 minutes. The other players-never heard of them. Even though I'm no fan, last year's was more fun. We got to see Andre Agassi in his last match ever, so in a way, we were part of history!

Back to following the Red Sox game. They were beating Toronto 10-1, then Toronto decided to score 8 runs in the 6th inning. No, no, no...must win American League East, then American League, then.....the World Series!!!

Back to reality

We got back from our cruise yesterday. Cozumel did not get affected by the hurricane, so off we went.

We were on Carnival Inspiration, one of 8 similar ships. If you've been on one in the group, you'll be familiar with the other 7. We've been on 3 so far. Next time we'll pick a larger ship or a different cruise line.


You gotta love the towel animals!


This was my lunch the first day.


We went to Paradise Beach on Saturday. Heat index was 101-they weren't kidding! My lips are sunburned, never had that happen before. There was sun worshiping, a water trampoline, kayaking and an iceberg that you climb like a rock climbing wall. DH and son did that. I just watched from the safety of the shore.

To really bring me back to the present, my online classes started yesterday. I checked in yesterday but was too tired to really do anything. 5 computer classes....what was I thinking?!? Today I printed out some course assignments and took tutorials of how to take a class online. There's a lot more to it than you would think. I'm hoping that once I get into a routine and get used to everything I won't feel so overwhelmed. Right now it feels like I'll only have time to do school work. I can't throw my knitting aside until the end of December!! I'm a very organized person-I'll think of something.

Cruise tomorrow

Leaving tomorrow for a Carnival cruise to Cozumel, I hope. I think Hurricane Dean has passed and it will be safe to head for Cozumel.

Here's what I have waiting for me when I get home:



I'm going back to college for my degree in web design. Classes start the day I get back from vacation. Since I'm taking all 5 (!) of my courses online I can check in a little later in the day.

What was I thinking?!?

My Son, the RA

Yesterday was the big day. It's hard to imagine 2 people sharing a dorm room-it's so small for him all by himself!



He has all the important things-computer, TV, DVD player, Nintendo. Everything else is optional :-)



Somehow we squeezed all of Favorite Second Son's things in the car. It was a little easier this year since he was able to leave his mini fridge in a storage room at college.

While hubby drove, I spent some time working on this:



It's the Lacy Mock Cable Sock from the Island of Misfit Patterns. So far it's pretty easy, a little more time consuming than I'm used to. Most of the socks I've made don't have a lot of purling. This pattern does. It's a 5 row repeat, easy to remember. The pattern was made with Plymouth Sockotta, which I'm using too, from my sock stash. I didn't get as far into the sock as I wanted to. FSS's college is a long drive through the mountains, with the accompanying twists and turns in the road. Leads to some stomach turning sometimes and crossed eyeballs when taking those roads at 55MPH. Next year I get to bring 2 kids to college. The youngest is planning on going to a school that's only 2 miles off the highway-much easier ride.

Back to School

Can you tell it's back to school time? Favorite second son leaves tomorrow for his junior year of college. Wasn't he just born.......



And that's not everything!

Pouch

Here it is...simple to make...thanks, Kerri!

Check this out

Thought this was pretty cool-may try it out tomorrow...

Pouch bag tutorial

Harry Potter socks

Okay-who hasn't read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Not too many of you, I'm sure! I won't give anything away other than to say everything wraps up and all is explained. To commerate the book I made a pair of House Socks from Charmed Knits for my friend Marie's birthday last week.




First time I made socks using 2 different colors, and I have to say, I didn't like it. The end of each row where there was a color change didn't seem tight. I think I'll stick to solid colors or varigated. I have more of the Harry Potter yarn to make a pair for me, but after that, one skein at a time.

It's About Time!

Hello, blogosphere! I guess I have finally arrived! I never really wanted a blog before since I felt like I had nothing to say that would be of any interest to anyone. But, since I'm going back to college for my degree in web design, I thought it might be a good idea to create a blog and play a little bit with code.

So, a little about me. As I said, I'll be back at college in a few weeks to get my degree in web design. I already have my B.S. in Business Administration but haven't used it in many years. I've been a SAHM and now it's time to get back to work. I'm married with 3 boys, ages 22, 20 and almost 17. The 22 year old works and will be trying college again for the 3rd time (yes, the 3rd time!) Child 2 (aka Favorite 2nd Son) heads back to college for his junior year on the 15th. He's a Resident Assistant so they go back early. My Baby is a senior in high school this year and hopes to be driving if he could just pass his road test. They say third times a charm! Hope that also holds true for Child 1. I'm also a HUGE Boston Red Sox fan, have been since I was a little girl. Interesting, since I was born and raised in New York State. My husband and kids are Yankees fans, which makes for a pretty intense household during the playoffs...remember 2004...ah, memories...

Now I guess you're wondering about the name of this blog. The "knitting" part is self explanatory. The "karate mama" part-nice story. I've been training in Shotokan karate for the last 15 years. There's a group of us who train in the morning, and over time we've gotten rather close. A few years ago we decided to see each other socially outside the dojo. The first get together was at Amy's house and she referred to us as karate mamas, since we were all from karate and we were all moms. The name stuck! We even have a karate daddy in our group!

I used to dabble in lots of crafts-knitting, crochet, decopauge, wood painting.....I guess you could describe me by the cliche "Jack of all trades, master of none". Doing all those crafts uses a lot of supplies, takes up room and cost more money than I cared to spend. So I decided to just do what I really like, and I'm down to knitting, crochet, quilting and cross stitch. Occasionally I will make a latch hook rug. But knitting has become an obsession lately, especially since Ravelry showed up-more on that another time.

I'll post pictures soon of what I'm working on. Right now it's a lace shawl from Victorian Lace Today.