tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344555852011-10-03T22:44:59.370-04:00Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.comBlogger1221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-87525700450358667562011-10-03T21:47:00.005-04:002011-10-03T22:44:34.729-04:00

A dear friend of mine died today. She was about 11 years old, near as we know. I thought she had a bit longer to go, but it turns out that isn't the case. I'm writing a bit about her life, partly in homage, partly to assuage the guilt I feel for being so distracted by my family that I wasn't a better friend to her the past few years. She was an amazing dog, and she traveled with me through a

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1212272779214436292011-10-03T21:00:00.001-04:002011-10-03T22:43:27.993-04:00

I first met Sequoia when she was a wee gal, 9-12 months old according to the shelter. She'd been found wandering around town. She was exactly the dog my boyfriend and I were looking for - a medium sized pit bull mix. Another family was interested in her, so I watched with trepidation as they took her into the fenced enclosure for a meeting. They had a toddler with them, and when he came over to

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-53716662110320549162011-10-03T20:59:00.000-04:002011-10-03T22:44:59.395-04:00

Sequoia and I left the Tijeras Mountains and moved into Albuquerque. It was a huge change - from a 2000 square foot house to a room, from five mile walks to a small dog park. She also got some roommates: a 22 year old cat and a quiet little dog. Oh, and a human friend, too. The cat took one swipe at her, and forever scared her. The dog was a loyal little friend who buried dog biscuits all over

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-25593147261943416552010-10-01T23:20:00.002-04:002010-10-01T23:25:46.985-04:00

I was in the grocery checkout line today, behind a family purchasing the following:1x24-pack of soda3 bags of various popcorn/potato chip/cheese puff things1 box of chocolate chip cookies1 box of toaster strudels1 box of pop tarts(a number of other incredibly manufactured foods)**1 gallon of milk1 huge container of spring greensAnd I couldn't help thinking....what are the odds that the greens

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-70499273411390222582010-09-25T23:58:00.003-04:002010-09-26T00:21:20.781-04:00

The yarnharlot just posted a wonderful synopsis of the "you can't spoil a baby by holding him/her" topic. Go read it, then come back. Thanks.I'd like to jump off from where she left off, and talk about spoiling kids in general, and this horrible idea of "manipulation". It's midnight, so I'm sure this is not going to be as eloquent as I'd like.I have a 3 year old, and it seems like every moment of

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-51642060580390101322010-05-26T06:11:00.002-04:002010-05-26T06:19:26.578-04:00

My son was born at 37 weeks and 4 days gestation. Today I am 37 weeks and 5 days. My son was born 6 hours after I left work on my last day. Today is my 3rd workday since the commencement of maternity leave.I'd like to say that I'm waiting patiently, because what other kind of waiting is there when you have no control? In truth, though, I'm waiting with ambivalence. I'm huge and uncomfortable and

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-86965340529672826762010-01-14T15:34:00.004-05:002010-03-10T15:52:22.873-05:00

Why would you say it when I am? I'll update as needed, but so far these are the wonderful things I've heard during this pregnancy:26 weeks, +18 pounds"That shirt isn't a distraction. You still look pregnant."25 weeks, +18 pounds"Are you still here??""Uh...I'm not due until June.""What? And you're already that big?"18 weeks, +7 pounds"Are you having a baby?""Yes""Oh good, I thought you were

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-70311943969557146542009-12-16T15:11:00.002-05:002009-12-16T15:25:46.634-05:00

I'd always thought weaning would be dramatic, or painful, or heartbreaking. Thus I was thoroughly unprepared for it being unremarkable and unnoticed. The first day we didn't nurse at all was Saturday October 17. I left home early early (to go to Rhinebeck) while the wee one was sleeping, and arrived home while he was getting his bedtime bottle. Daddy did an excellent job that day, and the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-45025431274750370652009-07-29T16:35:00.000-04:002009-07-29T16:35:25.790-04:00

aka nursing an octopusaka nursing an acrobatOh my little monkey,It doesn't seem so long ago that your feet just reached the other side of my body, toes curling around my rib cage. You would close your eyes and place tight fists beside either cheek as your full focus was on getting milk into your belly. You were demanding, needing a top-off every hour or two in those early days. Your cries of

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-21717154415921820032009-07-28T15:02:00.004-04:002009-07-28T15:59:41.018-04:00

Be careful moms, anything you say during labor can and will be used against you in a court of law. "A mom in New Jersey acted erratically while in labor. She was combative. She was noncompliant." God help me if I ever have to give birth in hospital.via Huntington PostA brief summary/Clearly the decision to remove the child from the parents was based on more than just how the mom behaved during

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-88662104941150182872009-07-20T17:12:00.000-04:002009-07-20T17:12:00.510-04:00

I've had a couple of requests lately for some help getting started cloth diapering, so I decided to write it up here for anyone who happens by...There are three major schools of cloth diapering:All-in-ones (AIOs) vs prefolds with a cover vs G-diapersAIOs: All-in-ones are a "pocket" style diaper. The shell has a wicking inner layer that sits against baby's body and a water-proof outer layer. The "

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-60289844481913578172009-06-11T08:46:00.002-04:002009-06-11T08:56:08.435-04:00

I haven't been knitting much, but I've been doing a lot of reading...Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina CassidyPushed: The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer BlockI consider myself a natural childbirth advocate. I understand that not everyone wants to give birth naturally, but for the women who do, it shouldn't be so damn hard. For heaven's

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-81190224695366801382009-04-16T15:12:00.001-04:002009-04-16T15:12:01.050-04:00

This is the playground we discovered last December with my mom. It's a lovely place right in the middle of Soho, with lots of finely dressed children running and sliding and swinging. It has a clean fence that surrounds the area to keep little ones in, and passers-bys out.This is the playground closest to my house: We call it Graffiti Park.Actually, I should say this was the playground:I mean -

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-9460030256536931582009-04-14T09:43:00.003-04:002009-04-14T09:47:06.642-04:00

There are some things people warn you about. Some of those things turn out just like you'd heard, and you feel somewhat prepared. Some of those things are far less awful than you'd been warned. And then there are the terrible twos.My darling, beautiful, amazing child has commenced with the tantrum throwing. Yes, this child:There are several variations on the theme. Once or twice a day we get the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-47717643984237727392009-04-02T09:16:00.003-04:002009-04-02T11:52:03.700-04:00

This lovely sock:Fits more like an ankle brace than like a sock.I know I said I'm not that kind of knitter, but I'm not stupid either. The Jaywalker pattern is notorious for being too tight for most people, so twice - TWICE - while I was knitting the leg I slipped the stitches onto spare yarn and tried it on. It was snug going over the heel, and I'd have like a bit more ease, but it fit well

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-10304117303997350852009-03-26T15:27:00.002-04:002009-03-27T09:40:48.426-04:00

I often read blogs that talk about ripping back a large portion of knitting to fix a relatively minor (to my eyes) mistake, and I always wonder - am I that kind of knitter?It turns out I'm not. Not even closeCase #1For some reason I'd been absolutely convinced that the Francie sock pattern was the match made in fiber heaven for my sunshine yellow sock yarn. My stitch gauge was right on, but the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-25095741269931532482009-03-19T16:58:00.002-04:002009-03-19T17:06:31.795-04:00

Madness at work. I know lots of folks have witnessed downsizing and layoffs, but this is my first time seeing it up close and personal. It's intense. As a result, my intended post didn't get written today.In the meantime, go check out this graph at the NYT website, which does a beautiful job of depicting the gender wage gap for many professions. I was surprised to note that what I'd consider my

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-25355284533365126262009-03-12T16:29:00.001-04:002009-03-12T16:29:00.210-04:00

Lately I've been thinking of all of the ways I could have spent $85,000.I could have taken a fabulous vacation every year for the past 10 years.I could have purchased two super fuel efficient hybrids.I could have had a massage at a spa every single day for the past 3 years.I could have saved enough to one day pay for my son's college education.I could have taken a year off (and then some) to stay

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-84122136023465702902009-03-05T16:45:00.000-05:002009-03-05T16:45:00.413-05:00

One of my goals for 2009 is to knit myself a sweater. I made on attempt back in 2002 making this sweater, but it didn't turn out well. I don't love the high-contrast of the waist band, the neck is far to wide to ever stay on my shoulders, and it overall just isn't my style. Enter this (in celtic mist) lovely yarn, a gift from mom, and Carolyn. Carolyn suggested making a Central Park Hoodie, and

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-59228090612891126052009-02-26T16:53:00.003-05:002009-03-04T10:12:50.675-05:00

Doh.I've been cruising along on the Honeybee Stole. It's an old photo but it really doesn't look much more interesting yetI've been staying right on track to finish by my self-imposed deadline. I've been knitting what I need to, and no more, so that I can work on other more satisfying projects. I'm almost finished with the second section, and today I scanned ahead to take a gander at the third

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-11802416196754959152009-02-19T16:48:00.002-05:002009-03-04T10:11:33.395-05:00

In a world as slow as knitting - or at least knitting in my household - there is something imminently satisfying about completing a project fairly quickly. Or maybe I'm just high on wool fumes from all of the recent FOs...First FO of 2009: Mom's socksRushing Rivulet pattern from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways book with the addition of 8 plain stockinette rows and a feather and fan repeat for the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-39315552129409100352009-02-12T16:40:00.000-05:002009-02-12T16:40:00.126-05:00

I'm having one of those weeks where what I want to do is in conflict with what I should do. This is a bit of a problem for me because I'm a grown up. There is no one standing behind me to nudge me toward doing the right thing, just the far-away doom of that-which-will-catch-up-with-me.Case #1: home - I should be painting the stairs and nudging the other adult in the house toward finishing the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-63028498592643882932009-02-06T18:00:00.001-05:002009-02-12T14:48:09.020-05:00

Yesterday morning I woke from a terrible dream, and I asked B to be particularly alert and cautious at work that day. When he came home, he asked me to tell him about my dream. I'd dreamt that he'd been on assignment, at the roadside, and a car had crashed into the scene, killing him and injuring the others. He was smirking the whole time I described the horrific dream."Our ambulance was

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-7772801172243195552009-02-05T16:56:00.000-05:002009-02-05T16:57:00.656-05:00

First let me say that I am not a single parent. Though the days may get very long, there is always another adult coming home at the end of the day. My son has a delighted and devoted father, a father who listens avidly to the smallest minutiae of our day as I relate it to him each night.That said, this weekend was another experience in mostly-single parenting while sick. While there are some

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-74628286853421179842009-01-29T16:46:00.001-05:002009-01-29T16:46:00.323-05:00

No one expects you to knit something for them. This came as such a shock when I realized it sometime in the past year. Since I'm always knitting, it seems there must be some compelling reason. Perhaps my family will suffer from chill all winter through my failure to clothe them. Perhaps shoes will rub raw spots on naked feet. I think it's the puritan work ethic slipping its insidius tentacles

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-495751695818065372009-01-22T16:54:00.001-05:002009-01-22T16:54:01.404-05:00

It was quite the crafty weekend last week. I took my first shot at yarn dying using some yarn I've been staring at for a while. The yarn was a gift from a friend whose grandma raises her own goats in Vermont (one more reason to want to relocate!).The yarn was a bright peachy-orange, nothing I could ever imagine using for myself, and no one I could think of would be a good match for this either.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-46383959247552756552009-01-15T16:45:00.001-05:002009-01-18T11:27:19.293-05:00

1) Knitters give the best birthday cakes Thanks to Sarah for the yarn cake and to Sa for the TWO fabulous cakes (well, a cake and a pie) for my men back in September. 2) Knitting is the S&M of crafting Sa called to complain that she'd spent 7 hours knitting her sock*. I applauded, but she said, "but I didn't enjoy it! I was ripping and reknitting the whole time!" I laughed cruelly into the phone.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-7233844126794406052009-01-08T16:47:00.003-05:002009-01-08T17:11:43.741-05:00

Somewhere in October I had the thought - Wouldn't it be fun if I could knit a hat for each of my in-laws? Reality check - that's six hats.When I had this thought I was finishing up what would be hat #1:There's a great series of photos while I tried to capture this hat. There was some assistance from a little man. A little man who thought the game was "grab the hat" which resulted in several

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-32825102442863957622008-11-05T12:56:00.002-05:002008-11-05T13:06:46.152-05:00

That's what is mostly on my mind today. The economy sucks, my company is laying people off left and right, the baby still doesn't sleep, but you know what? We have a new president. I am feeling the hope. And the best part is, he won't get sworn in until January, so we can live in Dreamerica until reality sets in and we maybe find out that one person can't turn the ship around. But in more news of

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-60820580187208246612008-10-21T09:43:00.002-04:002008-10-21T09:57:30.557-04:00

Last night as I chased my toddler around and around and around the couch, I had the movie The Businss of Being Born playing on the computer. It's an excellent movie, highly recommended for anyone planning to have a child in the US (FYI - it's available on Netflix, so go check it out). Since it's a bit of preaching to the choir, though, I let it play while we chased, tackled mommy, and looked at

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-13834562792626007222008-09-29T10:29:00.003-04:002008-09-29T10:53:09.245-04:00

There are a number of things I won't miss when Senor Bush is finally deposed, but the biggest one:"I'm confident that [insert horrible policy decision] will be approved.""I'm confident that [insert horrible economic debaucle] will be resolved.""I'm confident that [insert horrible invasion policy] will bring results.""I'm confident that [insert horrible anything]."I'd love to see The Daily Show do

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-72439701450882638282008-09-13T23:20:00.002-04:002008-09-13T23:30:51.041-04:00

A year ago I was huge.A year ago I'd never nursed a child at my breast.A year ago I'd never heard "Ma-ma" and known it meant me.A year ago I'd never known this kind of all-consuming love.A year ago I was only waking up once a night.A year ago my time was my own.A year ago I had all the answers.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-78729525823711345772008-09-11T09:05:00.001-04:002008-09-11T09:07:21.012-04:00

It already seems that far away.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-39640003064537087502008-08-27T10:51:00.000-04:002008-08-27T10:52:31.686-04:00

For the first time we are going on a trip as a family. Aside from the obvious joy of spending a great deal of time with my men, I am incredibly excited because:There will be no bottles to prepare nor pumping apparatus for 12 days. Oh, and the knitting. There will be plenty of time to knit in the car (assuming BabyMan sleeps some and DaddyMan doesn't want me to drive too much), and I'm terrified

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-20147334526295106532008-08-01T09:33:00.000-04:002008-08-01T09:34:20.270-04:00

I'm honing in on the end of the wedding shawl I'm knitting - I have the body of it done, I did 4 rows of transition openwork (basically a lot of YO/K2Tog to signify the boundary of the pattern), and now I have to select a decorative edging. Since I don't have any more yarn that what is in my working skein, I can't overshoot. I've narrowed the edging options down to two choices:1) Famous/typical

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-4417984250656919282008-07-16T11:38:00.002-04:002008-07-16T11:41:16.200-04:00

*Preface*Firstly, note that this is not an apology for letting the blog sit dormant. I'm not sorry that my life is rich with the giggling, chattering, demanding life of a 10-months-and-one-day-old boy. I'm not sorry that my housekeeping (or houseneglecting) is more in demand now that the wee one is inspecting on hands and knees what I can usually ignore from 5+ feet of distance. I'm not sorry

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-32259150985240504752008-05-28T14:23:00.005-04:002008-05-28T15:25:21.922-04:00

When I heard about this yarn producer going out of business, I decided to do my part to help out. It isn't much to buy just one skein, but I do what I can. I can only dream of being a fiber farmer, while she was able to do it for a while. Good luck to you, Shelly!I'm going to make myself a pair of lovely toe-up socks when the yarn arrives (did I mention she's putting it in the mail the same day I

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-3582513618989146742008-05-06T14:26:00.003-04:002008-05-06T14:29:36.965-04:00

Cheer for yourself!Lately we've begun cheering for BabySon anytime he successfully navigates a bit of food into his mouth. This is not as easy as it sounds - you have to place your hand gently by the food (too hard and you bump it or send it flying off the table), pinch it between your pincher fingers, avoid losing it in the palm of your hand, avoid getting distracted by the second cheerio that

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-18403181940149380602008-04-22T20:19:00.002-04:002008-04-22T20:25:22.282-04:00

6:45-7:05pm - I figured out what I was making for dinner while nursing my wet-headed son to sleep. After putting him in his bed, I grabbed the laundry on my way out of his room, being careful to hop over the squeaky floorboards. I made my bed - there, now it looks like the room was tidy all day. Hung up the towel, dirty diapers downstairs to wash. Put away the toys in the living room, folded the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-8002994160555967772008-04-01T16:57:00.000-04:002008-04-01T16:58:29.159-04:00

Reading my recent rants, it seems like my life revolves around the sleep habits of BabySon. This is unfair, as he's a charming little man. He laughs easily, smiles with his entire body, and loves people more than any toy. He's a little champ - we've begun feeding him some solids, and while he'll make the most horrible icky faces when new foods are introduced, his curiousity outweighs his distaste

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-34830293159711440792008-02-19T11:39:00.002-05:002008-02-19T11:41:06.868-05:00

I had a dream about knitting last night (note: onset of dreaming does not imply I'm sleeping longer and thus reaching deep sleep. merely that I'm sleep deprived enough that I drop immediately into dreams) I dreamt that I started a pair of socks, and I was just going around and around and around. Unfortunately that's as close as I've gotten to knitting in a couple of weeks. I need something simple

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-50325689130641721562008-02-11T15:34:00.000-05:002008-02-12T10:26:47.040-05:00

Having a newborn gives one a new perspective on sleep. While in college you may have learned how little sleep was actually necessary to function - I didn't. I was one of those annoying people who finished things ahead of schedule and studied all semester so I didn't have to freak out and pull all-nighters. I've always been a pretty regular 7-8 hour per night kind of girl. Imagine my surprise,

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-3065586512066475032008-02-03T14:05:00.000-05:002008-02-03T14:27:10.530-05:00

Tomorrow is the day.I used to wonder how women could stand to be home all day with their kids, but the way the past 4.5 months have flown by I'm starting to understand. The first 3 months are a blur of sleeplessness, nursing, washing diapers. It is the past six weeks that have really been precious...* waking up first thing in the morning to his mischevious little grin (makes the time on the clock

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-79970485733906697112008-01-19T20:38:00.000-05:002008-01-19T20:42:11.857-05:00

This is the kind of stuff that gets me in trouble with my husband. Apparently the knitting market is broad enough to handle books devoted to Tea Cozies and Toilet Roll Covers.I try not to be judgemental. But sometimes it's hard.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-31548429510178920392008-01-18T07:19:00.000-05:002008-01-18T08:19:18.749-05:00

The month of December was devoted to one knitting project:The Hemlock Ring Blanket, based on the Hemlock Ring Doily but knit in bulky yarn rather than laceweight. A clever idea from Brooklyntweed, with much better photos on his site.This was a slightly obsessive project, with slightly depressing results. The center doily knit up quickly, in one blissful baby-being-supervised-by-someone-else hour.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-86746409512307544192007-12-28T17:01:00.000-05:002007-12-28T17:41:53.000-05:00

A colleague at work told me about parenthood:"It's a small skillset, but it's all about endurance."Of course I couldn't have known what he meant when I was in the halcyon days of my third trimester, all glowing and excited. During labor I thought I had a glimpse of what he meant, but only a glimpse as the powerful forces of nature give you too much momentum to dwell much on the moment.Since birth

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-21829872418791346342007-12-13T11:48:00.000-05:002007-12-13T12:02:36.688-05:00

I mentioned having time to knit, but apparently I haven't had time to blog.This sweater seemed like the perfect thing to knit when sleep deprived and having limited knitting time. Unfortunately the pattern is very sparsely written - assumptions are made where sleep deprivation prefers explicit-ness. Even better, the fun thing about this sweater is that it's a complete mystery as you knit it - all

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-74257102401994604262007-12-01T12:15:00.000-05:002007-12-01T13:15:16.173-05:00

OK, sure it means you have to go down two flights of rickety stairs to use the toilet in your third trimester. Sure it means that showers in the peak of summer are a luxury and hard to come by. Sure it means you're hoisting heavy stuff in addition to the big belly. But today the benefits paid off:BabySon napped through a chop saw, a ShopVac, a table saw. He napped while Grandpa and Daddy yelled

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-20549205356621681772007-11-20T11:00:00.000-05:002007-11-20T11:08:44.777-05:00

Why is it so much harder to get things done with daddy home? Shouldn't it be easier? This post has been ready for well over a week, just waiting for photos. *sigh* Still adjusting to the new pace of life with baby.Not surprising to anyone who knows me, I've figured out how to knit while nursing. Did anyone really think I could sit still that long without having something to do with my hands?*Just

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-52750327465536936542007-10-27T16:13:00.000-04:002007-10-27T16:27:51.955-04:00

Last week my mom and I took the wee babe to Princeton. He was a gem (or we were really boring), and autumn beauty was in full effect.We wandered to Pins and Needles where I pondered many ideas for future projects but succeeded in walking out with a full wallet. I did see a much better rendition of the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket pattern – row by row directions. The version I bought

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-33441338433178267892007-10-08T18:39:00.000-04:002007-10-08T21:12:48.471-04:00

Haven't touched a knitting needle since the little was born. Though watching my mother knit is making the itch act up again, despite the hot weather and the even hotter baby pressed against me. But what to knit? Wool pants for the babe for winter? More diaper covers in the larger sizes? The EZ Baby Surprise Sweater I see everywhere? Socks for the family? Something completely selfish? More on the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-18591584199720683542007-09-22T08:25:00.002-04:002007-09-22T08:32:26.344-04:00

On Thursday I finally finished the baby blanket, after a little self-butt-kicking. I mean, it was almost done, what was keeping me from doing the last bit of edging? As soon as I finished it I said to myself, "OK, kiddo, now you can come whenever you want."How prophetic. Good thing babies are small and blocking to make the blanket larger wasn't necessary. He was born about 24 hours after the last

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-46999492563218959492007-09-11T17:09:00.000-04:002007-09-11T17:23:57.381-04:00

As I prepare for childbirth, I've avoided talking to most folks about my plans. I'm planning to birth at home, and that really freaks some people out. They like to point to the many cases they know of women who needed intervention during birth. But I ask, how often is the intervention needed because of something else that was done....like an epidural? or being forced to lie on her back in bed

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-76396400180672193692007-09-10T13:38:00.000-04:002007-09-10T13:45:19.748-04:00

While I've been feeling bad about not knitting anything beyond diaper covers for my little one, it seems that other people in my life have been doing their part to fill in for me. Mom (Grandma) is at work on a baby sweater - her standard recipe hoody that every mom I've known has enjoyed. Can't wait to see that one. But in addition, check out these wonderful gifts:My cousin JoDee crocheted this

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-83317489179772303722007-08-21T15:43:00.000-04:002007-08-21T15:45:53.296-04:00

This:Might not look very exciting to everyone.Nor this:But considering that for the past 4 months we've been walking to the basement toilet and seeking creative solutions for showering, this is possibly the most exciting innovation since push-up bras. Particularly when you look like this:And you've spent months looking at this:Actually, the photos are two weeks old. Though it's true I looked like

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-48635857105909856952007-08-17T19:25:00.000-04:002007-08-17T19:33:22.529-04:00

What's the best thing to come home to, after spending 2.5 hrs in the car (to drive 12 miles) with an increasingly full bladder and a foot firmly planted in your diaphragm, after learning that your dear husband is equally stuck in traffic despite lights and sirens and will probably be home very, very late, after realizing that though you're hungry it's suicide by heartburn to try to eat dinner

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-85079844947745975692007-08-15T21:06:00.000-04:002007-08-15T21:15:40.951-04:00

OK. I caved. I'm not much of a joiner, so though I've seen raves about ravelry.com I never gave it much thought. Then I gave it a little thought, but the wait list was so long it seemed silly to even bother. Then I went to a knit night (lots of new people!) and people raved in person - which is much different from raving in blog. And it dawned on me...if I sign up now, maybe I'll actually be able

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-82000971915699513462007-08-13T13:34:00.001-04:002007-08-13T13:51:06.126-04:00

When you stray from the universe-ordained plans for baby knitting.I started this a bit ago. It was supposed to be a pair of socks for Socken it to the Family. I searched for appropriate yarn to meet the recipients request. I swatched. I read the pattern twice. But as I was knitting, a nagging doubt started to tickle the back of my brain. The yarn wasn't very forgiving in the pattern stitches; I

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-2741781172125715022007-08-10T17:15:00.000-04:002007-08-10T17:22:22.052-04:00

Over the past several years I've watched the infiltration of technology into my hallowed, sacred home-away-from home: the local coffee shop. At first it was just computers, and just a few. Most folks were reading their books, sketching or writing in their journals, or talking quietly with other coffee drinkers.But then the computers started to become more widespread. Now it's rare to see anyone

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-32697714710788152322007-08-07T17:12:00.000-04:002007-08-07T17:31:59.146-04:00

I'm really not excited about knitting baby things. Diaper covers, yes, I'm knitting away on those. But other baby knitting patterns leave me cold. Cold like there isn't a drop of estrogen in my body. I even have some nice yarn I'd bought to make a little bitty sweater, but I haven't even balled the skeins. Everything looks too fiddly, or too garish. The few items I've seen that are meant to "grow

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-82574710532377732252007-08-02T17:35:00.000-04:002007-08-02T17:35:19.373-04:00

When you come upon your dog looking like this in the morning,How can you help but turn her into your model? She's always posing. In my logic center I realize that she is a simple dog, no different from any other, but in my heart of hearts she is the sweetest, sleekest, prettiest little mutt around. I'm fully aware of what this forebodes with my kid. Cutest, smartest, etc., etc. With lots of

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-28880151686242535662007-07-27T14:31:00.000-04:002007-07-27T14:39:46.636-04:00

I have a favor to ask of you all. I'm starting to hit concern mode about the wool diaper covers. Not anywhere near panic mode, but solidly in the concern mode neighborhood. I've been cruising along, have knit several covers and am feeling good about my pace. But last night in Lamaze we had some post-partum conversations, and I'm thinking that the idea of knitting the larger size soakers after the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-32703107720792801762007-07-23T11:06:00.000-04:002007-07-24T13:45:15.194-04:00

A very "Oh my goodness" morning this morning. I stopped to get a bagel on the way to work. I lucked out and pulled into the parking spot right in front of the shop (this was especially lucky as there is a deluge happening outside right now). I ordered my bagel, waited patiently, and as I picked up my things to go out to my car...where's my car? I looked up the street, allowing that pregnancy

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-15688287540554143762007-07-22T17:36:00.001-04:002007-07-23T11:09:39.217-04:00

Mom called today and asked what I was up to. "I'm sewing," I told her."You mean knitting?" "No, mom, I'm sewing. Like on the sewing machine?""You sew?"Of course, this is to be expected from the woman who had to help me hem my first skirt, which somehow was off by a good two inches in places, despite my diligent attempts to cut along pattern lines and sew as instructed. So there you have it - I

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-13334268010135674612007-07-08T17:18:00.000-04:002007-07-08T17:27:52.984-04:00

It's hot and nasty out and I am not feeling very home improvement motivated. So when sitting around sweating, what's a girl to do?Yep, start some new projects.Not much to show for this yet, but the idea of knitting some light, lacey cotton socks seems perfect for this weather.And I picked back up with the baby blanket this weekend.What's this???Yes, I'm dipping my toes into crochet. Don't worry,

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-31796112332320716122007-06-27T16:40:00.001-04:002007-06-28T17:20:37.475-04:00

I've had this yarn sitting around since Christmas (it was a gift), and I've been going back and forth about how to use it. It's incredibly soft, but a bit frustrating to knit with. I experimented with a baby hat:And thereupon decided that it wouldn't be the most flattering yarn to use for a sweater or other big wearable item for myself. Although the colors are lovely (purpley/grey/tan), it leans

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-32341559488664001562007-06-18T16:58:00.001-04:002007-06-22T08:36:48.301-04:00

This is the image in a May New York Times Magazine article on television.Specifically, an article on a network that is turning 50 years old.(don't forget, BugMeNot is great for getting around stupid logins for free content)

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-81046819893541637962007-06-18T16:33:00.000-04:002007-06-18T14:48:48.131-04:00

Taking a get-away in the midst of household chaos couldn't have been a better idea. You know how you marry someone because you enjoy their company? Details like that tend to get lost among the gaps in the floor boards. It's wonderful to reconnect, to converse about something other than bathtub lengths, tile schematics, and plumber scheduling issues.relaxing way to start your day - coffee on a

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-44684226974424711752007-06-09T11:55:00.000-04:002007-06-09T11:55:02.687-04:00

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. - Bible, Proverbs (ch. XVI, v. 18) Dear Mother Nature,I owe you an apology. I was proud and haughty as I went forth last weekend to work in my yard. I wisely arose before the sun was too high, I worked hard but briefly, and I tamed the many-years neglected sideyard. I pulled knee-high weeds, removed errant vines, relieved

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-64836016823600846872007-06-04T11:43:00.000-04:002007-06-06T09:25:37.375-04:00

Approaching the home stretch, I almost feel like I could see myself knitting another shawl one day soon. I know, I know: I asked for input on wedding shawl suggestions some time ago - I'm sure that implied that I was ready to knit one for myself. But right in the middle of this mystery shawl the idea of starting another one was the furthest thing from my mind. Hopefully I've learned a few things

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-76786712904450892072007-05-27T17:19:00.000-04:002007-05-27T17:40:34.262-04:00

I promised not to complain because we have had such a long, lovely spring, but the hot humid days seem to have arrived. I'm not complaining, but I'm envying my neighbors' good planning. They have two kiddie pools and a blow-up slide with a water pool at the end of the slide. Oh to be 8 years old again. Despite the weather, I'm knitting. The 8-day baby sweater is so close to completion that I'll

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-53388085466354404512007-05-21T17:48:00.000-04:002007-05-21T14:52:31.777-04:00

Things you should not ask a pregnant woman1) "You're only 5 months? You're kind of big for 5 months, aren't you?"I've heard this one several times from both men and women of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, people I know well and people I've hardly spoken to before. I don't think they mean to say "Wow, you're fat" but that's how it's coming across. For the record, I'm exactly where I'm

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-83221331027251770852007-05-17T18:18:00.000-04:002007-05-17T18:28:18.924-04:00

Baby grass:Baby Maslowski:

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-5349019200097132972007-05-15T12:18:00.000-04:002007-05-15T12:24:33.496-04:00

Took SQ for a hike this weekend:Note the turkey vulture on the right? The thing climbed up onto the boulder right next to us - it was apparently having a snack down in the crevice between the two boulders. The thing was THREE FEET TALL. Undaunted, SQ thought it would be worth checking out, so we had to move on so she had other, smaller and less carnivorous, wildlife to explore.I'm hoping to find

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-64698553011861431002007-05-02T15:11:00.000-04:002007-05-09T18:28:53.567-04:00

Painfully, adorably cute. Haven't started sock #2, but that baby has some gestating to do yet, so I'm not feeling rushed.However, I am feeling a push to do some other baby knitting. I'm afraid the Socken it to the Family is taking a backseat for other family reasons. Namely, starting my own.Before I dive headlong into the baby knitting, I'm trying to clear out the WIPs. It's been going well so

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-54608525567147108662007-04-14T16:21:00.000-04:002007-04-14T16:24:04.480-04:00

April 12, 2007 handkerchief crocheted by my mother's father's mother; a shiny new 2007 penny my dad gave me for this purpose; the pearls my mother wore at her wedding; turquoise earrings purchased from an artist in NYC

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-29325285777534992342007-04-09T14:56:00.000-04:002007-04-25T10:01:13.626-04:00

It was my intention to post about two finished pairs of socks two weeks ago. Not as in Easter weekend, but as in the last weekend in March. A couple of things got in the way:1) Sewing in ends and kitchner stitching toes isn't knitting. And I haven't been in the mood for things not-knitting related. Parent #1's socks have been done for two weeks except for this:2) Both of my couin's feet are the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-4861270108104585842007-03-27T10:56:00.000-04:002007-03-27T11:28:06.799-04:00

Living in New Jersey we pay a high tax because "we're close to things" (unofficial Jersey state motto). So it is gratifying to actually take advantage of these special treats once in a while.The Yarn Harlot had a book launch last week in New York, and it was planned to be a big deal. There was gathering in central park, yarn shopping, public knitting - of course all of this occurred while I was

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-55472605882312353112007-03-14T12:23:00.000-04:002007-03-17T17:02:07.887-04:00

I started knitting late Friday. Temperature was in the 40s all weekend as I knit along. Finished the pair late Sunday, and the temperature continued to rise.Although the weather was fair promising that the mittens were going to be a good fit, I had a few concerns. Namely:1) I was not going off any sort of pattern. I measured my hand in a couple of places and increased/decreased as seemed

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-51255508384634745562007-03-10T13:19:00.000-05:002007-03-10T13:46:14.558-05:00

Thanks for all the shawl comments/emails. I'm still undecided, but the suggestions and thoughts have definitely broadened my thinking.Socken it to the Family continues, though I am running into second sock syndrome (or rather, third and fourth sock syndrome). I have one of each done, the leg of the blue one is finished, and now the push is on to finish the tan one (parents will be in town next

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-67232778208014388862007-03-02T16:54:00.000-05:002007-03-02T17:28:05.373-05:00

Things are about to get a little different around here. For one, I'm planning a wedding. I would really, really love to have something beautiful that I made for the day to partially combat the commercialization of such a personal commitment between two people, and I'm thinking of taking a stab at a shawl. Generally I don't have much use for them (they're pretty, but when would you wear one?) but

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-46394337601802635942007-02-28T19:17:00.000-05:002007-02-28T19:18:49.999-05:00

Notes about having a house constantly under construction:1) There will always be a hammer, screwdriver, and/or tape measure on your kitchen table.2) There will always be furniture that doesn’t belong in a particular room (rocking chair in the kitchen, dining table in the living room, couch pillows in the den)3) There will always be a bag of construction waste on the front porch.I’m sure our

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-75286445109950725012007-02-26T13:28:00.000-05:002007-02-26T13:46:14.681-05:00

Not sure where I stumbled across this in blog-land, but since I'm the daughter of a teacher I have to help spread the word:I don't pretend to know the whole story, just what I've read. But a substitute teacher in Connecticut has been convicted of showing porn to her students, and will face a sentance of 40 years in prison. She claims she was attacked by pop-up ads, the prosecution say she was

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-42735435676497445022007-02-21T20:46:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:52:30.090-05:00

I'm full of 'em lately. Two highlights:Brant and I adopted a pet kangaroo. SQ was pretty cool with it, but big ol' kangaroo was a little scared of Brant. Kangaroo and I got along famously, but at one point I had to go somewhere, so Brant was home with the 'kids' and I was a little worried that 'Roo would be nervous. But I came home to find them all bonding over popcorn. If you ever have the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-17003043810303713902007-02-18T15:57:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:53:01.194-05:00

Barnaby came back home last weekend:That's him in the tiny brown box with the mouse on top. My dear friend Cathy had a brilliant suggestion - in the spring when I plant some bushes outside I'm going to bury his ashes. Of course, this will probably mean that said bush will require daily watering, have crazy limbs that need regular trimming, and will probably always be on the verge of catastrophe,

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-86271991964086635832007-02-04T17:45:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:53:29.646-05:00

Today is the saddest of days, for the heart of a beautiful creature ceased to beat.Lord Barnaby Ravenclaw (better known as Barnaby, AKA LBR, AKA Mr. B, AKA Little Man, AKA Pooka) died this morning at 10:20am at the age of four. He died by lethal injection, administered by a kind and gentle doctor at the Iselin Emergency Veterinary Hospital. The decision to end his life was made by me. He died

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1170087283976651882007-01-29T11:11:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:54:49.398-05:00

Sock knitting continues apace, the blue sock and the tan sock competing for my affections. One sock of each is finished up to the heel, and the blue sock is taking the lead (alpaca feels so much nicer in the hand than cotton!). But the tan sock is nagging me... And the orange socks, they're just such a simple pattern; I can work on them anywhere so they're cruising along guilt-free. Nothing much

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1169756175008455112007-01-25T15:14:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:55:22.257-05:00

Are we ready for a woman/black/hispanic president? This question was all over the news the past few weeks, and it's been slowly eating away at the patience in the back of my brain (that's where I store my patience, that's why I show so little of it). The fact that NPR (a "liberal" news media, though if they were so liberal why was this issue even a question?) did weekly segments on this topic for

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1169519782443679452007-01-22T21:05:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:55:57.242-05:00

Clipping along on the Socken it to the Family Socks. Managed to hit the guage I wanted spot-on for Parent #1's socks (wasn't a totally blind guess, that lovely orange sock for myself was similar enough in weight that I could extrapolate). I'm making this one up as I go along, taking the chevron pattern from one of the fantastic knitting resources I obtained this Christmas. About half-way through

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1169393326441799112007-01-21T10:10:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:56:30.204-05:00

In place of holiday letters this year, I sent New Year's sock forms. Members of my family were encouraged, in the most knitterly way possible, to send me their shoe size and color preferences to be entered into a lottery for some hand knit socks. If everyone responds there will be far too many feet for my two little hands, but I'm already enjoying the interaction this has created - receiving the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1169240206647418762007-01-19T15:23:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:57:43.583-05:00

Fresh from California, with more yarn than I know what to do with. I visited Imagiknit in San Francisco and was very impressed with their organization - one room was 50%+ wool, one room was -50% wool. Within each room the yarn wrapped along the wall from thickest to thinnest. Nice. I kept it under control, purchasing the yarn for my next sweater project and sock yarn for Dad's Christmas socks.Oh

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1168462759354320542007-01-10T15:45:00.000-05:002007-02-21T20:57:28.442-05:00

I highly recommend cajoling a friend into enrolling in medical school (or vet school, that's fine, too) located on a tropical island. Being a northern girl, I don't think I could handle living in said climate for months on end, but having a place to crash and a friend to tour around with was great. On a more serious note, staying on the island (rather than bopping in from a cruise ship) also took

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1168208414573174662007-01-07T16:29:00.000-05:002007-01-07T17:20:14.823-05:00

The luggage arrived (at my door at 1am Thursday....is that normal?) with all of my cords and cables. However, I'm going to put off talking about Grenada and Christmas loot. Because today, for the maybe first time ever, I feel like an artist.Brant has been commissioned to repair and repaint a mural on Livingston Campus at Rutgers. The deadline is soon, and due to student break the accessibility to

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1167766446476443022007-01-02T14:31:00.000-05:002007-01-02T14:34:06.476-05:00

I'm not a big resolution-maker. I love the idea of self-improvement, and I particularly like the idea of mentally surveying the previous year and looking for areas that need some help, but annual resolutions just seem like a poor way to do it. The gym is always crowded in January and even into February, but a New Year's resolution is rarely enough to have a lasting effect on someone's behavior.

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1167764530620054542007-01-02T14:00:00.000-05:002007-01-02T14:31:10.610-05:00

1) Despite reassurances that our luggage would arrive "tomorrow" the delivery date remains ambiguous (4 days later and it's still sitting in Grenada).2) The phone number I was given to call about my luggage was a) incorrect and b) useless as the office (once I had the correct #) is only open during the week.3) The website devoted to tracking delayed/lost luggage doesn't work.4) Employees of Air

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1167486343006563302006-12-30T08:25:00.000-05:002006-12-30T08:45:43.026-05:00

The flight went. No modifier in that sentence, but I'm home. They boarded us when they said they would (at 6pm rather than 5pm), but then we sat on the plane for half an hour or so before they announced that we would be stopping in St Lucia for fuel. Oh, and because of strong headwinds the flight would take 30-40 minutes longer than usual. People were *pissed* because we were already running

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1166913032437557362006-12-23T17:17:00.000-05:002006-12-23T20:25:20.876-05:00

After a lifetime in the states, it takes some work to remember what it means to unwind, slow down, and spend an entire day in relaxation.The trip to the airport was uneventful, and rather beautiful as the sun rose over the city.So many thanks to Brant and SQ for waking up at the crack of dark to send me off. SQ was sad to see me go, even laying on my clothes as I tried to pack, but Brant made no

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1166558687362064272006-12-19T14:52:00.000-05:002006-12-20T14:16:43.986-05:00

I'm proud to say that I have single-handedly established the practice of birthday holidays at work. Maybe not for the entire company, but at least for our lab. It just doesn't seem right to work on your birthday.As such, I was off last Thursday for a trip to NYC. It had been a while as home responsibilities have been taking up so much of my time. When I arrived, the day was so beautiful that I

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1165946854329795832006-12-12T13:06:00.000-05:002006-12-16T16:53:37.976-05:00

My left hand is challenged. We've upgrade to "challenged" from a number of other curses and insults over the past few days. I've decided to try two-color knitting, as it's the last big knitting technique I have yet to take a stab (ha! knitting pun) at. I bought this pattern the last time I placed an order with knit picks, as it seemed like a pretty simple place to start - plus with the

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34455585.post-1165712324513139432006-12-09T19:58:00.000-05:002006-12-09T19:58:44.516-05:00

The living room floor has been an archeology dig into bad-taste. We started by ripping out the raspberry synthetic carpet.Beneath this we were greeted with - look closely - shag carpet-print lineoleum .But one more layer down...Ahhhh. Beautiful 100-year old hardwood floors. Well, soft wood to be accurate, but beautiful old boards nevertheless.After removing all of the carpet, padding, and lino I

Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11150750237466882945noreply@blogger.com1