Already Behind

 First just let me say that until yesterday, I had no idea that the Olympic opening ceremony was today. I thought I had until at least the weekend to get my project together.

 I'm not participating officially in any Ravelry group this year but I'd planned on casting on just the same.

 This year I'm going to attempt to do some thrummed color work mittens using Elizabeth, the Clun Forest fleece I have been spinning for what seems likes years. I've got quite a lovely collection of colors.

 I still have some of the gray to spin.

I have one bobbin done and one to go. The problem is that I want to use the gray in the cuffs so I'm stuck.

I'm going to have to spin like crazy to catch up. Here's the puppy photo bomb of the day. She does love my wheels.

The Waiting Game

 Middle Sister and I recently spent a snow day at the hospital having tests done on Daddio's head. Those emergency room CAT scans came back suspicious. We made good use of the time.

She has become an obsessive sock knitter even though we rip out and redo most of what she does. You have to admire that amount of tenacity. As for Daddio, it seems all those spells of his have turned out to be mini strokes. At this point I'm not sure where all this is heading but I'm sure it's not good.

But Not Forgotten

Many years ago our family had a baby that was born asleep. Lately, with all of the weddings and grandbabies being born among what would have been her generation of cousins, we have suddenly been made even more painfully aware of her loss.

Little Sister, who loves to make baby blankies, has made this adorable wrapper to donate in her memory complete with the dear babes initial tucked so sweetly away in a corner. Isn't it just lovely?

Correction

Hold on to your hats people. You know that Lillehammer sweater I posted about a few days ago that was finished in ten days? Well, first I was wrong about the size. It was not for a child but for a 29 year old guy! That's a big size difference. Secondly, she finished a second one. Yes, you read that right. She finished the Salt Lake sweater as well. As I figure it, she must not eat or sleep or do much of anything else but knit. If anyone deserves a gold medal at this year's Olympics, she does. You can read all about it on her blog here. I don't want to upset anyone but she has also finished a few other things recently too. It's in French but you won't need a translation. The photos tell the whole story. Good grief, I feel like such a slacker.

Show Me the Money!

I came in second in the family football pool this year. Last year I tied for first with Dear DIL. The year before that I had also come in second place. I know next to nothing about football and have never even watched a game in my life. The secret to my success......I'm not telling but I do have a method of picking teams and it seems to be working point spread and all. This money is getting tucked away for this year's Sheep and Wool Fest, of course.

 Other than that, Super Bowl Sunday was a pretty simple affair. I made the world's biggest pot of vegan chili by mistake. I kept adding stuff trying to get the heat under control and ended up with enough to feed an army. I'll be eating it all week. Blerp.

 I also made some vegan chocolate chip cookies that turned out pretty decent using coconut oil. All the vegan stuff was for Middle Son who came over to watch the game and meet the new pup.

 Speaking of new pup, she wasn't the least bit impressed with the Puppy Bowl. I was. All the rescue stories were very inspiring this year. I am sorry my own rescue experience turned out so badly, but I am happy to have found Miss Maggie. Health issues or not, she and me were meant to be.

Sunday Pupdate

 Little Pup went in for her three month checkup this week. She now weighs a whopping three whole pounds. She got more shots and a nasty diagnosis: she has a collapsing trachea. All dogs with this condition have a trigger and Maggie's seems to be cat dander. 

This isn't our first go round with this terrible condition so we know what we're in for. The Mister's Maltese has been suffering with it for 13 years. I hope Little Maggie gets at least that much time with us-but it's not really up to us, is it? Happily, the two inside cats are enjoying all the extra attention they are getting with the Furminator and have even accepted daily sponge baths. Now I just have to convince the pup that cats are not good to chew on.

Saturdays and Sundays

 On the weekends, I am up and out the door just as the sun comes up.

 I drive and drive until I get downtown.

 I fly past the monuments without giving them a glance anymore.

 I did notice ice covering the Potomac this weekend. It was and still is that cold.

 When I arrive at my destinations I try and stay warm by sitting in the car and knitting until it's time to get to work.

 Saturday morning's destination is an ice rink near the new National's Stadium.

Sunday morning I am in Georgetown on the water. Both rinks are outdoors and both are cold. That's Daughter out there in the middle. She's been on the ice with a student an hour before I even get there and she will be in one rink or another for another ten hours before she heads home for the night. I don't know how she does it.

I teach four classes all weekend and I am done in.

As for that car knitting. Someone got a new sweater out of it. She also discovered that if she looks out the window, she can see me coming home. It's been a long time since I had a dog watching and waiting for me and I have to say, it's lovely.