Waiting to go to sleep...

I love my children.  But they can drive me bonkers.  About once every two weeks or so, Isabelle wakes up right about the time I want to go to bed.  And she can't say why she is awake, she just has this high-pitched squealing cry she does that kind of sounds like a belt loose in an engine.  It sets my nerves off, which makes it a hard task to be comforting.  But I do my best.  Hopefully now that she has been hugged, kissed, and tucked in with a bear, she will be asleep again soon.  I try not to sound too aggravated - sometimes it's growing pains (she's the only one of my children who have them), sometimes it's her eczema flaring up and she's itchy (luckily it's not that tonight since we're out of cream), but tonight I think it was just a bad dream. 

So you know what?  I'm going to babble for a bit until I know it's safe to go pass out.

I opened my email this morning to see today's Living Social deal and got so excited.  It was a $30 coupon for $15 to the only true yarn shop in my area.  Yeah, I snatched that up.  I've never been there.  I normally shop at Hobby Lobby.  I'm not really into fancy yarn.  I'll pay for designer fabric sometimes, but I haven't felt the need to pay for designer yarn yet.  But I have a shawl I want to make and I need some lace weight yarn, which Hobby Lobby doesn't really carry.  The pattern actually calls for cotton thread, but I don't like how it feels or how it was working up and I checked on Ravelry to see what other people used and decided on lace weight instead.  So when I am on vacation the last week of this month, I'm going to take a trip across the river and check it out. 

I'm so ready for my vacation.  Or rather "staycation."  I don't like that word.  We are going to stay in a cabin at Crowley's Ridge over the first weekend, but that's the extent of our vacation plans.  I am mentally planning the week out though.  I'll have a Mommy/daughter date with each of the girls, hopefully a ME date, and, if I can get someone to watch the kids, a date with my honey.  Our 10 year anniversary of our first date is June 30th.  I think that deserves a celebration.

Want to hear how we met?  It's one of those things that if my kids ever, EVER do anything this stupid, I'll lock them up until they're gray-headed.  I was up one night, alone and bored while my roommates slept, and playing online.  I started chatting with this incredibly goofy guy and decided that we'd meet at Waffle House for coffee.  At like 2am.  By myself.  With a stranger I just met online.  With absolutely no one knowing I was doing it.  That's just about the definition of stupid right there.  But it was the best stupid idea I ever had.  I'm not quite sure why or how he's put up with me for 10 years and vice versa.  We are a good example of opposites attracting.  He likes country music, I like hard rock.  He's a farm boy, and I like having civilization outside my door.  He was a pot-smoking punk in high school, I was the straight-laced Valedictorian.  But we've found enough common ground to get by and we are both insane, so it works.  And we make gorgeous kids.  =)

I have finally gotten my groove back at the gym.  It's hard to get into going in the morning.  And by morning I'm talking 4am.  I have to be at work by 5:30am, and I have to go straight home to take care of the kids, so it's my only option.  But I've gone pretty steadily for the past 3 weeks and I feel better.  I've only dropped about 2 lbs so far, but the fact that I don't feel so sluggish makes up for it.  Gotta take care of Momma.  And get ready to go on a cruise in January.  ;) 

I'm trying to work more physical activity into my evenings with the girls.  It's kind of on hold for a few days while Mr. Bill fixes his truck, but Monday we went for a walk on the Big Dam Bridge (that's it's actual name - isn't it great?)  It kind of rained a bit, not enough to send us home, but enough for me to get this cute picture of my bugaboos...

I think it's safe to go to bed now.   I have a date with an elliptical machine in a few hours.

Happy Monday!

Good morning!  How was your weekend?  Mine was nothing all that special.  We did explore one of our local parks Friday, but I'm still adjusting to the heat (which takes until Fall for me) so that was about the extent of our excursions for the weekend. 

Last week was super nutty at work for me, so I'm hoping for a much better week this week.  And.... I have 10 workdays until vacation, so I'm pretty stoked.  We have nothing planned, except a weekend trip to Crowley's Ridge.  I think I'm going to plan some Mommy/Daughter dates with the girls - I never get much one-on-one time with them.  I seriously cannot wait for time off of work.  I think we all should get a summer break.  =)

I started working on Zoe's afghan this weekend.  Want to see a sneak peek? 

I could do the whole afghan in that green color.  Wouldn't that be adorable, like daisies in a field?  Alas, my Dodo was not having that at all.  Pink!  We must have pink!  

It will be 8 squares across, so that's half of the first row.  I haven't allowed myself to do the mental math to say how many rows I need...  no need to stress over that just yet.  It will be just big enough to cover her twin bed.  Not truly twin-sized, but close enough for her tiny self.  She still insists on sleeping with her baby blanket - she's my Linus.  I've been piecing the squares together as I go, to avoid days of joining and to avoid losing any squares, and Zoe will pick up my work in progress and just dance around with it.  I think she's excited.  Maybe it will keep me on task so that it doesn't take me 5 months this time.

My cousin asked if I was interested in making a queen sized version.  I told her I'd have to get back to her on that one.  Queen sized?  Goodness.

I had a very difficult time choosing between crocheting and reading this weekend.  It's been a while since I've really gotten into a book.  The last two books I checked out of the library had to be renewed so I could finish - so they each took me over a month.  That's really slow for me.  But I got Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry on Friday and I've been hooked.  I've actually considered getting the audio version of it.  It's set in London and I would love to hear the accents (assuming it's recorded that way - I've actually never listened to an audio book to know what they are like).  Normally, I can't stand to be read to, but I'm really thinking of trying it.  And then I could crochet at the same time.  I mean, seriously.  Since they refuse to extend the day by several hours to accommodate everything I need to get done in a day, this would save me some serious time.  =)

Sock Monkey hat tutorial - Basic Sock Monkey Beanie

Welcome to my little celebration of Sock Monkey hats!  The first installment will be the Basic Sock Monkey Beanie.  This is just a beanie.  If you would like ear flaps, please go here for my tutorial on ear flaps!

So, on with the show!

Basic Sock Monkey beanie

You can use whatever yarn you please, of course, but my personal suggestion is Vanna's Choice in Taupe Mist and Linen.  I think they look closest to an actual brown Rockford Red Heel sock.  I buy mine at Hobby Lobby, but I have seen it at one of our local Walmarts (I live in AR, so there is one on just about every street corner) that has a large craft section.  My usual Walmart does not carry it, so chances are, if your Walmart doesn't carry fabric, they probably won't have it.

A few notes:

I would like to suggest that you learn how to make a magic ring, if you don't know how already.  It's tricky at first, but you will be able to tighten up the holes much better this way.  There are tons of videos on youtube to help you.

I'm giving you a pattern to make a child-sized beanie.  At the end, I'll give some suggestions for sizing it up or down, and if you ask me really nicely with a pretty please, maybe I'll write up a different size for you.  The pattern is how I make a beanie - if you already have a tried and true basic beanie pattern you love, by all means, use it.  Just make the first half of the rows in Linen and the second half in Taupe Mist.  Then you can skip to the Parts section.  For the rest of you....

Supplies:
Vanna's Choice in Linen (or another worsted weight yarn in a beige shade)
Vanna's Choice in Taupe Mist (or another worsted weight yarn in brown)
Small amounts of worsted weight yarn in black and red
H hook
Yarn needle
Polyester fiberfill (very small amount)
Safety pins (optional)
Pompom maker (optional)

R1:  With Linen, make a magic ring and hdc 10 times into the ring OR ch4, 10 hdc in 4th chain from hook.  Sl st to join (10)
R2:  ch1, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join (20)
R3:  ch1, *hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc to join (30)
R4:  ch1, *hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc to join (40)
R5:  ch1, *hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc to join (50)
R6:  ch1, *hdc in next 4 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around, sl st in first hdc to join (60)
R7-10:  ch1. hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join (60)
R11:  ch1.  hcd in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join, fasten off (60)

R12:  Join with Taupe Mist, ch1, then hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join (60)
R13-21:  ch1, then hdc in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join (60)
R22:  ch1, then hcd in each hdc around, sl st in first hdc to join, fasten off (60)

Beanie is complete.  Weave in your ends.  I like my beanies to cover the forehead, but if you feel that this beanie has too many rows for your liking, I would reduce the number of rows you make in Linen.  You need at least 11 rows of Taupe Mist for the face to fit.

Time to make the monkey parts!

Eyes (make 2)
R1:  In black, make a magic ring and sc 6 times into the ring OR ch4, 6 sc in 4th ch from hook.  sl st to join (6)
R2:  2 sc in each sc around.  sl st to join.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching (12)

Ears (make 2)
R1:  In Taupe Mist, make a magic ring and sc 8 times into the ring OR ch 4, 8 sc in 4th ch from hook.  sl st to join (8)
R2:  2 sc in each sc around.  sl st to join. (16)
R3:  *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc.  Repeat from * around.  sl st to join.  (24)
R4:  *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc.  Repeat from * around.  sl st to join (32)
R5:  *sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc.  Repeat from * around.  sl st to join.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching (40)



Mouth
The first row of the mouth is worked on both sides of the chain - when you get to the end, you will work on the bottom loops of the chain to work back towards the beginning.  It's hard for me to explain, so if this isn't clear, let me know so I can try to clarify!
In red, ch 16
R1:  Starting with 2nd ch from hook - sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, tc, tc, tc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, 3sc (beginning to work on the bottom from here) sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, tc, tc, tc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc.  join with first sc with a sl st and finish off

Can you see what I'm doing here?  You just work in the loops at the bottom of the chain.

R2:  Join with Linen  - sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, tc, tc, tc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, 3sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, tc, tc, tc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, join with sl st to first sc, finish off, leaving a long tail for stitching.

Pom Pom
If you have a pom pom maker, use it!  I think they make the most  uniform-looking pom poms, but if you don't have one, don't fear!  Here is a quick run down on how to make one with just yarn, scissors and your hands, if you have nothing else.

Take your red yarn and wrap it around the fingers of your hand, not too tightly, about 80-100 times.  The more times you wrap, the fuller the pom pom.   Cut about a 10-12 inch length of yarn.  Slip it between your hand and the yarn and tie it tight.

(Kind of tricky one-handed, so you might need some help)  

Pull the yarn off of your fingers and then wrap the tying piece around the middle of the whole

bundle.

Cut the loops and shape.

 

Assembly:
Fold the hat in half, with the joining seam running up the back. (Do you know how to make your seam almost invisible?  If you need me to give a tip, let me know!)

Take an ear, line up the diameter of the circle and the side of the hat and safety pin it in place.  Stitch to the beanie up the middle of the ear.  Fold the ear in half and whip stitch around the edge to close it up.  Fasten off and repeat for the other ear.

 

Line up the ear

Stitch up the middle (where the yarn is laying)

Fold ears and sew closed

Line up the bottom of the mouth close to the brim of the hat.  Pin the sides of the mouth in place with safety pins to keep it from traveling while you stitch it to the beanie.  Begin at one corner of the mouth and stitch the bottom on.  Stuff the mouth - lightly.... if you overstuff, it will show through the stitches - and finish stitching the mouth on.

Pin mouth in place

Don't overstuff!

Eyes - pin them in place and just stitch them on!

Sew the pompom on top and you are done!  Slip it on a cute little head and giggle at the cuteness!

Sorry, no picture of this monkey on a cute little head.  They are in bed.  =)

Next up will be the Punk Monkey.  Hopefully I'll get that up tomorrow night.

Pattern is for personal use only.  Please contact me if you have any questions!

Shamelessly self-promoting here:
                    

Procrastination and Evolution

Tomorrow is my Olivia's last day of Kindergarten.  I got her report card today, filled with check marks showing that she's mastered everything expected of her (and then some) and that she's headed to 1st grade in the Fall.  I'd be a bit more melancholy about it, but Isabelle will step right into her place, most likely with the same teacher (that's what we requested anyway). 

I've been scheming and dreaming up an end-of-the-year gift for her teacher for a while now.  She calls all of her students her Blackwell Butterflies, so when I saw this I knew I was going to make it.

Source: felting.craftgossip.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

But then I decided I wasn't going to cut out that many butterflies out of felt and I didn't see any sense buying a punch if I didn't have plans to use it for more than one project.  Normally I don't have that kind of restraint, so I'm kind of impressed with myself there. 

Felt turned into crochet.  After being dissatisfied with my mobile, it sat in the closet.  And sat and sat.  I had decided to turn it into a wreath instead, but just never did it.

Well, you can guess what the girls and I worked on this afternoon.  Nothing like the last minute. 

The washers say "BLACKWELL", "BUTTERFLY", and "2010-2011."  19 butterflies... one for each kid in the class (according to Olivia).  

And of course, when we were done, Olivia came up to me with a zippered clutch that I made a while back that has butterflies on it and asked if she could give it to her teacher.  If I had known she wanted to give her that, I could have saved myself some procrastination.  =)

What on earth?

I get really tickled at the variety of things that family and friends ask me to make.  Sometimes it's normal, like a cell phone pouch or a cute little dress.  But sometimes it's just off the wall.

I made my older sister a sock monkey for her birthday.  She has asked for one for months, so I made her a blue sock monkey.  Just a plain ol' sock monkey.  Yesterday she asked me if she were to give me some gold lame if I could make her monkey a disco outfit.  And I still am not sure what is more strange to me... that she wants to make her monkey look like a 70s pimp or that she just so happens to have gold lame on hand.

Also, yesterday, Bill's aunt emailed me to see if I thought I could make some little South Park amigurumis for her oldest daughter for Christmas.  I had just happened upon a pattern for them days before, which was kind of odd, but that's not the weird part.  This is:

She also asked if I could make something like this for a coworker of hers.  What is that?  I said that I think I probably could, but it would be crochet instead of knit, because I don't know how to knit like that, nor do I really care to learn right now.  But still.... I'm not even sure who or what that is supposed to be.

***UPDATE***  Thanks to a friend of mine on facebook, we have determined that this is Michael Myers.  

So, I guess after I finish those sock monkey hats, you can find me making pimp outfits and serial killers.

I'm trying...

It's been a crazy few days. My father had a heart attack on Thursday - he's OK, well, as OK as someone who just had a heart attack can be, but I'm just kind of not all here right now.  Understandable, I hope.  He's having a procedure tomorrow to replace some blocked stints and hopefully he'll go home soon after. 

I've been working on my sock monkey posts, but I need a little more time.  I need to make a basic sock monkey hat for pictures and a Sassy to write the pattern out.  It'll happen soon, but I won't be ready for this week.

A-Z about me

I'm being a bum this morning and found this on a blog and decided to use it to procrastinate doing anything important.

A. Age: 36.  I thought I was 36 all year last year, but I didn't turn 36 until December.
B. Bed size: Full.  Which is fine now that the kids sleep in their own beds and hubby works nights.  It was awful a year ago when all 5 of us ended up there at night.
C. Chore that you hate: Where to begin...  mopping.  And we don't have carpet, so every floor has to be mopped.
D. Dogs: I have mixed feelings on dogs.  I wouldn't mind having one, but I get annoyed at people who act like dogs are people.  They're not.  They're dogs.
E. Essential start to your day: Going potty.  Everything else can wait.  LOL
F. Favourite color: Lighter shades of green
G. Gold or Silver: Silver.  I don't like gold at all... the metal, the color, any of it.
H. Height: 5'7"
I. Instruments you play: None.  I've wanted to learn piano, I've tried guitar.  I'm more of a vocal person, I guess.
J. Job title: Office Manager or Medical Biller/Coder or "The Other Jennifer"
K. Kids: Three crazy little girls - Olivia is 6 1/2, Isabelle is 5, and Zoe is 3 1/2.  We didn't really plan for them to be so close in age, but other than feeling like my life is on fast forward all the time, I wouldn't change it.
L. Live: Sherwood, AR (about half an hour from Little Rock, if you wondered)
M. Mother's name: Donna
N. Nicknames: The Wife, Jen, Jif, Fer, Polack (thanks to my last name, which is NOT pronounced like that).  I answer to just about everything but Jenny.  I was Jenny until I was 10, and then decided I didn't want to ever be called that again.  Only one person (my sister's BFF) ever calls me that. 
O. Overnight hospital stays: One for each kiddo.
P. Pet peeve: Bad grammar/spelling.  I am not perfect, but at least I try.  Some people don't.
Q. Quote from a movie: Anything from The Princess Bride or Drop Dead Fred
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: Older sister who is 5 1/2 years older than me and little sister who is 2 1/2 years younger than me.  I think it's really cool that I came from a house of 3 girls and have 3 girls myself.  I would be lost if we had had a boy.
T. Time you wake up: 4am if I'm going to the gym, 4:30 if I'm not.  During the week, of course.  On the weekends, whenever the girls get up, which is usually the same time as the sun.  Unfortunately, regardless of when I have to get up, I'm lucky to get to bed before 11pm. 
U. Underwear: I get tired of seeing my kids'.  They need to either stop wearing skirts or learn to be more ladylike.
V. Vegetable you hate: Radishes or beets.  =P
W. What makes you run late: Shoes.  My kids can never find their shoes.
X. X-Rays you've had: wrist and teeth.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Homemade spaghetti sauce. 
Z. Zoo animal: Gorillas.  Specifically the ones at The Memphis Zoo.