This weather is so weird. It’s been hot, pushing 90 degrees for a few days, and now, it’s coat weather. What kills me is that there isn’t much in between. It’s a rapid rise and drop. No time to get used to it. Just weird.

Veronica’s teacher today was talking about bio mass. I didn’t understand the term, then she said that the days of rain followed by hot sun has spurred everything into massive growth mode. I can attest to that. My blackberries and stinging nettle look quite threatening off the back deck, and are encroaching.

I haven’t started feeding my goldfish in the pond yet, because the water temperature isn’t staying above 50 degrees, but we’re getting into late May now. It all seems so odd.

My arms are killing me. I’m in braces again, and I’m going to be good about taking the anti inflamatories regularly. I’ve been pretty lax.

So, I’ve worked on the shawl a little bit. The first day felt fine, the second day was uncomfortable. Typing is uncomfortable. Playing guitar with braces on is uncomfortable.

I think I need to pull out my wheel again.

I, I, Palindrome. I, I, Palindrome.

I honestly don’t know how to type that out, but it’s a They Might Be Giants song.

I, I, ‘m 33! It has to be a lucky year. 3 is lucky, and I’m TWO of them!

We’ve been pseudo celebrating for days. It started Friday, when we went out in search of the guitar I thought I had picked for myself. I’ve been eyeing it for a couple months. I’ve gone in and played it a dozen times (or so it seems). We went in on Friday and it sounded atrocious. I have no idea what happened. The manager said something about their humidifier going caddywompus, but still.

So we left. I was deflated. I’d been searching for a guitar for a year and a half and hadn’t found “the one” yet. Then I thought I had, and I hadn’t.

But we got ice cream. It was the beginning of my birthday.

Saturday, Nate and I went on our date. We got our new eyeglasses adjusted (Nate has glasses! Remind me to tell you about it. If you live locally and need glasses, I can totally tell you where to go) and then decided to try the Guitar Center in Seattle to see what they had. And I came home with an amazing guitar.

It’s the same model as the one I thought I was going to buy, but this one really sounds incredible.

I had it set up yesterday, and the four guitar builder guys in this indie shop I took it to raved about it. It rings like a bell. It sings. (It resonates like crazy, has very even tone, and is all-around awesome). So now, I FINALLY have my own guitar. I’m giddy.

Saturday afternoon we went to the girls softball game, then to a big family dinner at Tres Hermanos sponsored by Nate’s grandma. (Not for my birthday, but it was still a party).

Sunday, we had the big family gathering at our place.

Monday, well, wasn’t exactly a party, but I got my guitar set up, played with my brother, and went on a fun walk with Veronica and Clark. Plus, there were leftovers from Sunday. So food was good.

And today is the actual day.

I want to knit more on the shawl. I have a guitar lesson. I’m hoping to hit an indian buffet for lunch if I can manage it. Hayden is coming over tonight for our usual Tuesday Knit Nite.

Good times.

Added-

The girls made my breakfast shake and toast for me while I was in the shower. They added half of a can of orange juice concentrate from the freezer. My brain’s kinda buzzin’.

Partly, I’m sure, because we never had a freakin’ SPRING! But I’m realizing that the girls are going to be out of school in a matter of weeks. Less than a month. Wow. That just means that before I know it, my girls will be in 5th, 4th, and 2nd grade. Which means Abby is almost in Junior High School.

It goes so fast.

I’ve been running around all morning, but right now, I want to sit down and get some of the Zen Garden shawl done before the girls get home from school.

Oh, and my site has been updated (the software), so I think I can post songs now. Thanks, Tim!!! But it’s suddenly scary.

Hi all. I took a couple walks this week. Counted some calories. Ate too much.

How was your week?

After receiving a wee bit of sass from my dear friend Katie last night regarding knitting and what is or isn’t replacing it in my life, ahem, I figured I’d post proof. Hayden graciously took this photo of me last night, working on the Zen Garden Flower Basket Shawl. It’s much bigger now.

Unfortunately, I’m not posting the whole picture because I look puffy and huge. This is the first time in awhile I’ve shuddered at a photo of myself, and I hate it. I’ve put on about 10 pounds this year and part of last, but it feels, (and looks) like 30. Ugh.

Anyway, I’m working on this lovely shawl. It’s soft and beautiful, and I’ll post more pictures soon.

Love ya, Katie :-).

So, Nate and I, along with some good friends went to see KT Tunstall on Saturday night.

(I’m still recovering from the trip last week, which was fabulous. I’m not up to a full post, but I thought I’d share this).

Aside from the fact that KT was incredible…

her opening act was fantastic. I just looked up his website and there’s a video. I had no idea he’s mega huge in the UK.

He’s dang cute.

And funny, too. I leaned over to Nate during the performance and noted that he looks a bit like Collin Firth. And anyone that can be remotely compared to Collin Firth has to be hot.

So on this page of his site, you can see his music video if you’d like.

We were really wowed. We bought his CD, and to be honest, I really liked the live, bare bones performance of his songs a little better. It was just his guitar and a keyboard. But a couple times through and the album is really growing on me.

KT never stops moving. She dances while she plays, which is why she’s blurry in my photos. She reminded me of my sister up there on stage. Excellent stage presence, and clearly comfortable there.

I’d be losing my lunch behind the drummer, if it were me.

I’m getting ready to go on this 3 day field trip with Abby’s class tomorrow. At least, I would be getting ready, but Clark must know something’s up. He’s being beyond annoying, and I’m so frustrated, I could scream.

I’m so looking forward to sleeping in a tent. And right now, I’m so looking forward to being hours away from my 2 year old.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. I’ve wanted to respond individually to you, and still hope to, but I haven’t had the time yet. I appreciate it, and thanks for reading!

I intend to bring some knitting, along with my guitar on this trip. I want to bring socks, but am afraid what that might do to my elbows, so it’ll probably be lace. Ooh, yeah, the lace I need to knit before the beginning of June. This could be the perfect opportunity. Cool! I’ll ball the skein and post a picture a little later.

I should have something good to show next week. We’re going to the Grand Coulee dam. I hear it gorgeous around there.

I’m going to start a Flower Basket shawl with it. I’m a little concerned about the variegation of colors, but I figure I’ll start it and see how it works out.

Good morning!

I did ok this week. I ate within my calorie target, went on one 35 minute walk with a stroller and massive hills…

But I totally messed up last night with pizza, licorice, cheese bread, and Coke.

It was still a good week.

Next week, I’m going on a three day camping trip with Abby’s class to Eastern Washington. Food is going to be difficult to manage, and I think I’m just going to enjoy myself and start tracking when I get back.

How was your week?

I feel weird apologizing on my own blog for the lack of fiber-y things, but still. I’m apologizing. Maybe because that’s why some of you started coming in the first place.

I’ve been doing other things. And my son is getting more and more demanding, both in things he demands of me, and requiring more of my attention to keep my house intact and his-self alive and undamaged.

I’m not quite sure when the fiber arts will be constant and abundant on the blog again, and I do miss them. I still love blogging, so I’m going to prattle on about things, many of which will undoubtedly be the antics of my son, because that’s a huge part of my world right now… (I say as he reaches for my mouse. And I push it out of reach. And he yells at me and pushes my leg. And my elbow, making it hard to type).

So, my arms are killing me again. I can barely pick up anything with my left hand. I’d kind of ignored my arms while I was sick, because I didn’t really want restrictive braces on while I was overly sensitive, you know how being sick is. And I’m still on the road to recovery. My arms have had enough. So I’m wearing ONE brace.

And I’m still playing the guitar. Which is why I think I’m hurting as much as I am. It’s so frustrating. I don’t want to stop.

I spent much of this morning writing a song at the request/demand of my friend Sara, who hosts our little guitar group that gets together on Wednesday afternoons. We’re all supposed to write one before next week, and hers is already done.

Anyway, my song is unbelievably sad. As in, depressing, not lame. Tho’ it might be that, too. It’s hard to tell when you’re writing something yourself. I’m still hoping to be able to post songs here relatively soon. Maybe you could offer some constructive criticism or suggestions when the time comes? That could be fun.

I’ve been asked to play guitar on the 3 day field trip Abby’s class is taking to Eastern Washington next week. (I get to sleep in a tent. All by myself. I’m incredibly excited. I didn’t marry a camper, so any chance I get is glorious). I told her teacher that I’m very much a “student”, and there are probably going to be others there more qualified than me, but I remain asked. So I’ll do it. I figure, if 70+ people are singing “Roll On, Columbia Roll On”, they aren’t going to be too aware of my little flubbs.

Right?

They won’t hear.

I’m trying to overcome fear of performing anyway.

And even if I mess up every chord, they’ll still love me.

Yeah. So, I borrowed my brother’s guitar to take, because it’s easier to play than my mom’s, which I have on semi-permanent loan.

I don’t think I could swing my electric (I bought the groovy Fender Strat) and battery powered amp. I think they’re looking for “traditional”. But man, it’d be fun.