Sunday, January 25, 2009

It's a Small Wonder, Really

On Friday evening I took my first flight post 9/11. I was mostly prepared for the increased security which is to say that I chose not to pack any liquid in my carry-on, just to save the hassle. I verified with the nice man that issued me my boarding pass if the security people would be tempted to confiscate my Pony needles that I was knitting Colin's cable socks with. The answer was no. I was much relieved. The guy went so far as to say you're even allowed those BIG plastic needles that are This long (he was holding his hands at least two feet apart, I kid you not!). So it would seem that knitters are a revered group, and the security people have decided that the other passengers would be safer with us and our needles That are THIS BIG, than to have us on the aircraft without knitting needles. I like it. I plan on pushing my luck today, though, and see if they will attempt to separate me from my Addi circs. The Debbie Bliss sweater is missing half a sleeve at this point and I plan on wearing it in Poland. If worse comes to worst, I still have room in my suitcase where I can stash it for the duration of the flight.

So. On Friday I flew with WestJet. It was fine. Enough leg room had me pleasantly surprised. But did you know that these days if you want a pillow and blanket, it will cost you a mere $7.00? Cost cutting at it's finest. The average speed we flew at was 423 mph and we flew at the altitude of 39 474 ft. We flew over New England en route to Toronto and it was a small wonder that we weren't asked to present passports just to fly over US air space.

Must run. Dearest brother arrived to take us to his home before going to the airport and I must try to charm my niece. She's being terribly shy. Not surprising considering the last time I saw her was when she was 3 months old.

Friday, January 23, 2009

I'm Excited!

Good timing if you ask me. I'll be leaving for the airport in about two and a half hours. I am mostly packed. The biggest news is that I'm actually really excited, at long last. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends for the first time in over 14 years. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. And even though it's brutally cold out there, it's a great day for flying. I admit being stranded in an airport during a snow storm was weighing heavily on my mind. No worries now.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

2 Sleeps Left

Hubby informed me that I only have one full day left at home. Heh. So instead of packing, it seemed logical to me to clean and rearrange the kitchen cupboards. Yup. My kind of logic. He wasn't fooled. Totally called me on the whole packing avoidance thing. Damn.

So then it seemed like a good idea to sit on the couch and read for an hour or so. Then wander around the house aimlessly.

Finally, I opened up the suitcases. And actually started putting clothes in. That's packing, right? Being the freak that I am, I felt my heart pounding and idly wondered out loud if I was having an anxiety attack. Note to self: keep mouth closed with hubby nearby. He hauled out the little blood pressure machine and sure enough, blood pressure elevated, heart beat faster than normal. I'll get over it.

I still need to decide what knitting to pack.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Three Days to Take Off

Knitting update: Another two balls down, for a total of 15 of 100. Note that I am only counting full balls finished. I've used up at least 3 or 4 partials on top of that. I made a very nice cabled neck warmer and hat for hubby. The neck warmer is quite long so he can actually pull it up over his ears and tuck it under his hat in extreme cold. He likes them both. Apparently they are very manly. I am almost done with a pair of heavy socks for myself too, only a few rows left on one of the toes.

I can't believe I'm leaving in less than three days. Everybody keeps asking me if I'm packed, and excited. No. And no. I did bring the suitcases out of the basement. That has to count for something, right? But for the life of me I can't muster up the excitement. I actually cried today when hubby asked if I was getting excited yet. Maybe it's separation anxiety. I have never been away from the kids since they've been born. Maybe once I'm on the plane, in the air... I must start thinking about knitting projects to pack, and something suitable to knit on in flight. After all, what am I going to do if a storm hits and I'm stuck in an airport waiting room like so many have been in recent weeks? It doesn't bear thinking about.

P.S. Dorothy, don't you think it's time to update soon?? *GRIN*

Friday, January 16, 2009

Brrrrr!

It's that good kind of cold, if ever there was such a thing, when the snow actually squeaks under your boots as you walk. I've been walking a lot lately. The new improved me, apparently. House cleaning, and now exercising. My goodness: what's this world coming to?

Knitting update: finished the first baby blanket and another one. That makes 13 balls of yarn down.

Have you visited the Yarn Harlot? This cold is putting us in the same mind frame. This morning as I walked the kids to school all I could think of was how quickly I could knit a pair of wool long-janies. I was even drafting the increases up the legs and trying to remember if I had enough wool. (Stop laughing!)

Stay warm and may the power be with you.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

HEHEHE. I thought that would catch your attention. I swear it's true: my body has been invaded by the body snatchers. Why else would I get these uncontrollable urges to clean my house? Seriously! Laundry is almost caught up, too. Spooky, eh?

I have also been knitting, a lot, in my very clean house. And joining all these crazy groups on Ravelry for stash busting. Needless to say I am still on a yarn diet, and in light of the diet and need to knit down the stash, I joined a group to knit down 100 balls of yarn by the end of 2009, and another group to knit 12 adult sized sweaters by the end of 2009, and also another group to knit a pair of socks per month (from little baggies set aside with yarn and pattern for this purpose, although I have yet to assemble said baggies).

So far, I've already knit down 8 balls of yarn, and knit 2 scarves, and 3/4 of a baby blanket. They are presents to take to Poland with me so that's why I'm knitting at warp speed.

I did take some time to work on darling daughter's quilt today and it's coming along nicely.

To top it all off, my computer at home is acting up and I have to emerge into the world (local library) to update all you lovelies. May the force be with me. I leave in 10 days.

Friday, January 02, 2009

Happy New Year

Thank you all for your kind words about Pointdexter. There is a definite emptiness, that feeling that something is missing. I know what it is: my excuse for sitting on the couch reading or knitting for hours on end with Pointdexter cuddled on my lap or warming my neck with his sprawled body on the couch back. The other cats aren't nearly as inclined to give me that excuse, unasked. Here is Thomas in his preferred snoozing spot. Yeah, not enough room on my lap for him to stretch out like this.

And now for my little secret, that I have been avoiding blogging about, for fear of jinxing it. I'm going on vacation. Without kids, or husband. Question: does it still count as a vacation if you're travelling with your mother? She is footing the bill. See that? Have passport, shall travel.
I'm going home. To Poland. For a month. Leaving in three weeks. I haven't been back in over 14 years. Last time I needed a Visa to even get into Poland since it was still under communist rule. I'm starting to get a little excited.