Mr. Moose Makes Himself to Home

This is the front lawn of my sister's summer place up here in Maine - the picture was on the front page of the local paper. He or she (can't really tell) is making himself quite at home! He's being very brave seeing as how the moose hunting permit lottery was published in the same paper. Guess he knows that he is safe until October!

Rainy Sunday and some FOs

It's another rainy day - this is getting very depressing! I do have some FOs to add to my 52 in 52 list. I came across this hat on Ravelry and knew right away my DGD would love it. I crocheted it with some wool I had in my stash, but I think I'd like to make it in cotton for the summer. At least I was able to get a photo of it on my manikin head before she made off with it (DGD, not the manikin). It's a very fast crochet - easily made during one baseball game.

The pattern is available here.

I also finished "Wavy" from Knitty.com - it's a little raggily along the edges, but a little blocking will fix that. This was made with two skeins of Galway wool.

And I will be putting that contest together soon!

No More TGIFs!

Doesn't really matter anymore, does it? I finished my Storm Cloud Shawlette - knit with the beautiful handspun and dyed yarn from Vickie. It had more of a ruffle before I blocked it - but I think I like it this way.

My DH gave me this Creative Spinning book at a family retirement party that my DD had for me on Father's Day (she's a multi-tasker!)
I wonder if the spinning wheel is on its way LOL

And the Nora Ephron book is from a co-worker - it's called I Feel Bad About My Neck and other thoughts on being a woman. It's a hilarious look at women who are growing older.
Nora Ephron wrote Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, three of my favorite 'feel good' movies.

I think I need to have a contest in honor of my retirement. As soon as I come up with an idea I'll post it - so stay in touch!

Boxes, boxes everywhere

We packed over 100 boxes the past two days - just in the 2nd grade -ready for the move to the new school.

If the school is not ready to move into in September we'll be in deep trouble! Hey - wait a minute - not me! I'll be home knitting LOL.

We took time out for a pancake breakfast this morning.

Some of the co-workers I'm really going to miss:

RETIREMENT

Yesterday I was working so hard
And at the end of the day
I was exhausted and TIRED.
But today the sun can rise and set
And I can remember
Or I can forget
I can get up if I've had enough sleep
Or go back to bed
And count some more sheep (and dream about their fleece)
I can stay in my jammies all day (and knit)
Clean my house, or go on the computer and play.
I can dine on peanut butter and jelly (probably will have to!)
Or go out for lunch and cook nuthin'.
Oh how wonderful just adding a "RE"
in front of "Tired"
Can make your world be!

(adapted from a poem by Thena Smith)

Countdown to Retirement

By Thursday I'll know what it feels like to be retired! Monday is the last day for the kids, Tuesday and Wednesday will be spent packing for the move to move to the new school. Thursday and Friday will be spent sleeping LOL.

This past Thursday after school, I headed out to what thought was a cookout up at the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. When I got there I noticed the cars were all at the Schooner Club, which is a beautiful log building built by the Navy when there was a base there. So...anyway I was a little confused but figured I missed the memo or something (and here I was dressed in jeans for a picnic). So I went in and was talking to some of the teachers who were already there, when I turned around and saw DH standing there. I said something really kind like - What are you doing here? - you're not supposed to be here! Well, you see we used to go to this club a lot when it was a Navy club and I was a little disoriented here! But I soon realized it was a retirement party! It was great fun - a little roasting, but mostly kind words, lots of laughs - and of course many tears on my part. I've spent more time with these people than with my own family, so I'm going to miss seeing them every day more than I can say!
Wish I'd had my camera with me - can't believe I forgot it - so no pics. But there were a lot of pictures taken, so maybe I'll have some to share.

It started raining as we were leaving, and it hasn't stopped since! I do have some knitting pictures to post - but for some reason can't upload - so this will be a photo-free post!

How Sweet the Sweep!

Dear Yankees,

Thank you so much for visiting Fenway Park this week. We really enjoyed having you. Please come back again soon!

Love, (NOT)

The Red Sox

And speaking of red - I do have a WIP. This is the Wavy from Knitty and I'm doing it as a KAL on Patt's Knitting Circle. I'm knitting it with Plymouth Galway wool. An easy knit - but don't try it without a row counter!

Which Ewe are You?

Fins resilient nature makes them practical and straight forward, a quality these medium wools balance with curiosity and a zest for life. Fastidious in personal appearance and reliable Fins stay true to their flock and make loyal friends.

Find out which Ewe you are here.

More Love!

Another surprise package arrived in the mail! - this one was from Bonnie. Bonnie is another member on my Whoduknit Group and we've become good friends in the past couple of months. I love this KnitPicks yarn - it's cotton and merino wool in two colors that I just love together. Thank you so much Bonnie!

What wonderful friends I have!

You Are Spoiling Me!!!!

I "met" Vicki when she was my upstream pal in an International Tote Exchange a couple of years ago. She not only sent me a fabulous tote in that exchange, but she also sent a lot of other goodies including some hand spun yarn from one of her own alpacas. I've been following her blog and we've been e-mailing ever since. Yesterday I received another package from her with a note saying it was a little something for me to do when I retire.

Inside was some handspun yarn in a hand crocheted 'yarn bra', a pen that spells out 'knit & pearl' on it, some creme savers, the blue letters spell out 'relax' which I plan to do a lot of! And in the package are some pretty stitch markers that she also made. I will never be bored when I retired with all of these wonderful friends right at my figertips! Thank you for being my friend Vicki!

And more spoiling. Last night I went out to dinner with a group (8) of co-workers. We had a wonderful dinner, sat talking for hours afterward (luckily the restaurant was not busy), and they surprised me with a Red Sox shirt and two tickets to a Red Sox game!!!! I am so excited!!! The tickets are for the July 24th game against Baltimore.

Thank You Patty!

I'm just so overwhelmed by the generosity of my online friends I don't know what to say - except THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND! Today I was very surprised to receive a package from Patty in Florida. It was a retirement present (I guess there is no doubt how I will be spending my retirement!) In it was a skein of beautiful Silk Merino from "Politically Incorrect Yarns and Fiber Arts" and a Sushi Blue kit to make a zippered purse from Pick Up Sticks, and as if that wasn't enough a scarf kit from Artsan lace with patterns for three different scarves. I love the colors of all of the yarns. I am so lucky to have friends like Patty! Some day I am going to travel around the country and meet them all in person. Thank you so much! Patty!

I also received a swap package from Valerie for the Whoduknit Scavenger Hunt Swap. You can check out that awsome package on the Whoduknit Blog.