Wait...It's Still February!

The mountains behind my house in the clouds!

Wow! Time really flies! I mean, I know that it does when you're busy, but, Wow, it's really flown this month (seems like I say that all the time, now, doesn't it?). Anyways...I've been working on my XO Cardi (from Vogue Knitting) and am at the sleeves. My goal is to finish the sleeves, doing both at once, today, block tomorrow, and seam by Wednesday/Thursday. I also made an armando hat--check this one out! I like it a lot better than it's sister the amanda hat!
This week is Rodeo week here, so the kids don't have school at the end of the week. Out here the Rodeo is a big thing! It's 85 years of tradition! Also, we've got our spring sports starting this week, both mine play baseball/softball, and true practices start this week. But wait...you say...winter's still here. Yes, but out here we rarely get snow, more rain this week, and the kids can play with sweatshirts on and they're fine 'cause they're running around; I, however, freeze, but wear my lovely collection of hats (armando, owl hat, beanpole beanie, utopia, and stella's hat) to name a few! So...if I don't check-in in the next couple of weeks, it's because the Cactushousehold is back living on sports fields! {I'll try to post my fo when I get there!}

Still Here (and happy May)!

Ella.

I think she's looking at birds (or our evil squirrel) in the backyard.



Yes, I'm still here. It's been a weird/hectic last few weeks around the cactus household. Our air conditioner unit broke about a month ago (which was fine, it wasn't too hot), and the guys have been in and out of the house for the past few days (driving Ella crazy). But today the weather people are calling for temps in the low 100's today and I really, really need my air conditioner! They're telling me today (let's hope and pray) it will be done!

Let's see...what else...oh, yeah. Baseball's going strong for the Munchkin. Games three times a week with practices thrown in hither nither, you know the drill if you've been there! And then the LittleOne with softball, again games two times a week with practice. Running, running, running...

And then out here, school is out in, oh, let me count the days on the calendar....in about 11 days (not including the weekend)! Holy Crap! Another school year has come and gone! I'm not ready for the summer yet!

But...I did finish the first sleeve of my whisper(rav link) cardi and I did work, oh, about four rows on my skirt the other(rav link) day! Progress people!

Washing

Okay. Seems like the knitting bout with nothing has worn off. I bought some lovely purply yarn (this); color 2405; for a whisper cardi. I did my gauge swatch and am off gauge, but I was tired when I swatched, so I think I'll have to do it again.

Now...for this title...has anybody ever washed their son's baseball practice things and then found 7 pieces of gum in the washer?

Thank goodness I found them before it all went in the dryer!

Spring Update

Thanks to all who were worried about Mr. Snakey coming to visit! It was such a shock to see such a giant snake in the backyard! We've had snakes and other critters before, but never a rattlesnake, and never one that big! Ella was curious, but she (I'd like to hope) knows better than to mess with it! He has such moved on, and I haven't seen him since! It is spring out here, the days are getting warm, and March is usually when you see the snakes and spiders come out of their winter hibernation.

On the knitting front, not much news. I haven't had time to pick up the skirt (rav link) in a week, so it's been slow going. I did start on the front, so I have to finish the stst portion of the back and then complete the front. The lace details and such keep it interesting. I have been knitting a baby blanket too! (And I swore I'd never knit another one!) But this one is fun, and when I saw these (rav link), I couldn't resist using up my stash of leftovers. (if you do a pattern search in ravelry for "fish" see what comes up) And they're portable! Both kiddos are into their softball/baseball seasons and I can take them with me! I also want to start, and have been itching for a week or two or three...the whisper cardi (rav lik). I have some yarn (I'm thinking the red) that I think would be perfect for it!

I hope all have a glorious weekend and my goal is to try and knit on that skirt!

Ode to June

I can't believe June is here already! What happened to May? Summer is here in full force in the desert! The days are starting toasty, but still somewhat cool when the sun goes down. Swimming lessons started today, so at least the kids get a little cooling off! Baseball is still going on, this week the Munchkin's (the oldest) team has the championship game for his division. His team has only lost 3 out of (I think) like 14 games (that's like an 11-3 record). So this past weekend they had the play-off games and won both of them. We'll see how they do on Wednesday! It's supposed to be hot this week, with the temps in the 100's (it's a dry heat, ha!), so I'll "pre-hydrate" him! (They still play in polyester pants! You'd think someone would invent/create a material that could breathe and still repel grass/red dirt stains.) The LittleOne has her last game on Saturday morning, so it'll still be somewhat nice!
Hope all are having a great day/evening/morning!

Later (this week, I hope) I'll have my Razor Cami to show you! (This is a Ravelry link. There's some issue with the pattern instructions, but at least you can get an idea of what I'm doing!)

WIP Wednesday

I'm slowly working on my CPH. The sleeves of anything seem to take me a long, long, long, long, long time. When I've made some better progress on them I'll take a picture, but for now, you'll just have to picture it in your mind!
My socks are going just as slow. I thought I'd have plenty of time at all these baseball games and practices, but...I seem to get too involved and can't focus on the knitting! The Munchkin (the oldest) has got a great team this year. They're 4-0! He got to pitch last night and did a great job! Didn't let up any hits, and only let up 3 runs toward the end of his second inning! It's such a boost to his self confidence when he pitches well. The LittleOne has back-to-back games this weekend, so we'll see how she does! (I found out last night that she's the only girl in her whole division! Wow! Girl power there!)

Does Ella look like the LittleOne's baseball team mascot?

I think so! Maybe not as mean though!

This weekend officially kicked off baseball season in the Cactus household. With two playing at different levels, I need something to keep me busy...so I cast on some socks. They're going to be the Pulsations Socks and I'm using some Opal yarn in the color neon, that I had bought sometime last year. With games for each at least twice a week as well as practice, I should knock these out in no time!

CPH Note: I finished the left side on Sunday, and started the sleeves! I'm doing both sleeves at once so they'll come out even. Have a great week!