God said, "Let there be air."

And the Handy Household now has AC again. Just in time for the massive heat wave that has hit the southern Ohio area. We are talking 90's, people! NINETY THREE degrees today. AC has been out a week and even poor Guy, above, is saying, "It be hot, Momma.". AC guy showed up and $145 later, which is the best money I've spent today, we are good to go.

I don't know what to say about this picture. It speaks to me on so many levels.

Mah boy was the only one to get muddy on the tug-o-war today at field day. He was on a mission to get dirty. No surprise there, huh?

Hope your week is going well. This Tuesday has just been crazy busy. I'll be scooting down to Nashville later this week. I love road trips!

The Hoodie

In an effort to clear out my WIP box, I set a deadline of today to finish this hoodie. Unfortunately, I got distracted. Or fortunately depending on where your priorities lie.

I've been busy....

Counseling two cats takes time and patience. They been having issues lately. This session ended with Whiz taking a swan dive off the top of the open garage in an effort to lay in sabatoge for Guy.

I'm trying to decide if I will fall off the roof if I loop a piece of rope under the vines and climb up on the roof to tie it off. Jon says he is going to build a trellis, but I'm 5'3" and have to duck and dodge not to get eaten by this thorny rose bush to get into my house.

Code F-21. What the hell? Ever sucked on a water hose to try to drain a pool? Well, apply that method and the is me sucking on the end of a the drain tube trying to unclog the stupid washer.

Ah, but this is time well spent. Wearing my kids out so I can tuck them in under my latest quilt. It's pretty, isn't it? The quilt. Baby girl is always pretty.

So, for the month of May, I cannot count the hoodie as complete. I still have to knit the hood and the button band. Which will take 2 more skeins of yarn, which equates to about 20 more hours of knitting. Bugger it all, but I gotta go clean the garage. Kids and Jon are fishing and I'm taking advantage of the quiet house to clean, knit, eat, watch Criminal Minds....The last may not be a good idea after it gets dark.

Hope your holiday weekend has been amazing. Mine has been home busy, hand busy and mind busy. Just the way I like it.

Saturday Somnolence

Sitting on the couch yields a baby bib.

Sitting on the bank yields catfish.

Sitting with James yields a lesson in compound words.

Sitting yields a blob....

Sitting yields kitty butt on my sewing.

I hope you spend some time just sitting this weekend. I know I will be sitting this weekend. Hopefully my butt doesn't end up looking like the gooey blob of purple.

Have a great weekend!

Contacting Me

I've gotten a few questions about how readers can keep up on this blog. Some of my readers are not Google readers or Blogspot account holders, or whatever else makes it easy to get to my blog.

You could google Handy Hooker, but if you do that enough times your IT department might come looking.

One easy way I connected to readers was through NetworkBlogs on Facebook. That connection is no longer viable. It may resurrect itself at a later date, but my FB is gone for now.

What I have done to make sure you are able to continue to read my blog on an easy accessible basis, is added an email subscription to my side bar.

Look to your right...see it? Well, fill it out and my handy dandy little old blog will pop right into your email every time I post.

If you've been following me for long, you know I post pretty regular, but I don't bomb the blog world just to fill space. If I've got nothing worthwhile to say, I don't blog.

I twitter. Find me on twitter rottnluck.

Another way to keep in touch is through my Etsy shop, which currently does not have anything. But ties into a big reason why I no longer have FB. FB is a time suck. Time I need to spend knitting, crocheting, tie quilting and continuing to learn and know my kids. Kids come first and beyond the Zuma addiction, I really don't miss FB. I miss my friends, but it is hopeful they will find me here, on Twitter, on Ravelry (saraOH) or even Flickr (rottnluck01).

This ends this Handy Hooker public service announcement. Keep on hooking!!!

Frisky Sheep Yarn Tunic

Many moons ago, I knitted this tunic out of Frisky Sheep yarn I purchased during the Ravelry Sock Summit Dye For Glory. Which further investigation tells me the yarn was purchased in 2009. I distinctly remember working on this tunic during a 31 party I attended in 2010.

It has sat in the WIP box all finished except for the straps and buttons. The straps took forever in the double knitting the pattern called for, thus the reason it got tossed into the WIP box. I hated the double knitting. Loved the look, hated the tediousness of it.

This little stretchy knit feature on the back between the shoulders blades is pure pattern genius. Love it! So very clever of the designer to put it in.

Back to the straps. Sunday night I ripped out all the knitted straps and crocheted the straps. Seriously, I had literally FEET of yarn left over, I was cutting it thatclose to running out of yarn. I love the crocheted straps and they striped pretty even with the knit portion of the tunic.

Pattern is a purchased e-book by the March Sisters and is the Jo Pinafore. It was a great little pattern and I'm so glad that the project is finished. I'm going to blink and Jesse will have out grown it. I have two choices, knit faster, have more kids. I think I'll try to knit faster.

All Heart Hoodie

In April, I cast on this hoodie. Last night, I finished it. Loved this pattern and the finished object.

It took some begging and wheedling for me to convince Jesse to put it on for a short photo op.

While I think she likes it, she was reluctant to commit to wearing the hoodie. She says, "I'll think about it."

She has yet to wear anything I've made her on a regular basis. The pattern had some interesting features and one is this occipital bone increase for the back of the hoodie. Typically hoodies are made by knitting a long rectangular stripe and then sewing a seam down the top of the head. This hoodie was made by adding the back increases for the curve of the back of the head while making the sides. Then making a panel for the top of the head. It results in a nice hoodie. I just need to figure out how to get rid of the points at the seams.

The heart pattern is adorable and repeated on the hood as well as the body of the hoodie.

What I do like about the hoodie, is how it lays when it isn't pulled up. Bonus points for this pattern for having this flat hoodie that lays well.

Overall, I'm really pleased with the pattern. Below I've made my notes on how I will modify this pattern. It was published in Creative Knitting magazine, Child's Play, Designs for Tots to Tweens, Spring 2011 Edition. I purchased my copy at Kroger and paid $9.99.

What I love about the magazine was the usefulness of the patterns. Tots to Tweens is a lot of usage out of one pattern. With growing kids, it is vital to have versatile patterns that will grow with my kids. I made this hoodie in a Size 6 and I suspect Jesse will outgrow it quickly.

Here are my modifications for my next project:

Circular needle pattern for All Heart Hoodie

Back and Front worked in the round

Caron Spa yarn, using a size 8 16” or 24” circular needle for Girls Size 6

Cast on 108 stitches. Join in the round without twisting.

Place marker at beginning of join and place marker at stitch number 54 to indicate front and back.

Work Knit 2, Purl 2 for 1.75 inches, ending with row that increases 1 stitch at beginning of row and increase 1 stitch at stitch 54. (55 stitches front and back, 110 stitches total)

[Work Rows 1-4 of Horizontal Lace] 4 times.

Horizontal Lace (multiple of 2 sts + 1)

Row 1: knit across

Row 2: purl across

Row 3: knit across

Row 4: k2,*yo, ssk; rep from * to last st, end k1

Repeat Rows 1-4 for pattern

Knit 1 row, purl next row, knit 1 row, increase 12 stitches evenly on last row (61 stitches front and back, 122 stitches total)

Set up row: *Knit 4, place marker, k15, place marker; rep from * twice more, end with k4 and repeat for back. (total of 6 k15 sections for front and back)

Follow pattern for heart panel except knit all even numbered rows.

I suggest skipping the shape armholes. For my hoodie it left a funky point at the underarm. Work St st up front and back until measures bottom of arm. Place front stitches or back stitches on holder and work front or back. Back will measure 16 inches in St st until shape neckline. Front will measure 13.75 stitches until shape neck. Follow pattern for the shape neckline on back and shape neck on front.

Add armhole trim.

Hood

Follow pattern, except for length, make hood 7 inches before binding off to work center panel

These are my modifications for the next pattern. Overall, great pattern, I hate seams, so as seamless as possible is preferable.

Teacher Appreciation

James' teacher has been amazing with him this year. I couldn't have asked for a better fit for this wonderful child of mine. She has been extremely patient, positive and caring towards us and James. We have been blessed to have her as his teacher.

Many moons ago, ahem, 2 years ago, I crocheted the purse and flowers.

It hung out in the WIP box all these years, lacking handles and felting. See, I gave away the yarn I was going to make the handles from. Didn't want to purchase handles. Thus, tossed it into the WIP box till I got some inspiration for the handles. It happens like that sometimes. Things get thisclose to being done and one little bugaboo snarls the whole project.

Last night, inspiration hit. I originally planned on making a scarf for the teacher, but no yarn or pattern jumped out at me and I was floundering trying to come up with the perfect teacher appreciation gift. I actually tossed a skein in a box and muttered to myself, "I guess I'll bite the bullet and get her a gift card." Which made me sad and mad at myself. I'm clever. I have tons of yarn. Tons of patterns. Yet nothing wanted to be Mrs. F's gift.

Then this little girl hollared from the box, "PICK ME!! For the love of God, I'm pretty, useful and almost done. Just finish me already!!!". So, I grabbed some wool/cashmere bulky weight yarn from the box and made the handles. Sewed everything and tossed it into the washer. It took a few cuss words, but I finally got it all felted and finished.

I hope she likes it. The handles are actually my favorite part after the flower blobs. The handles are super sturdy and hello, cashmere!

Hope your weekend is going well. I guess I missed the rapture and if you are reading this, then you did too. Yer a sinner, too.

Graduation

Jesse graduated preschool tonight and with that door closing I've sent off this letter to see where she is placed in kindergarten next year.

To whom it may concern:

On April 28, 2011, Jesse was evaluated by Mrs. B for the kindergarten registration at Whoville Elementary.

Based on Jesse’s evaluation, she recommended Jesse be placed in Young 5’s.

It was stated that we wanted Jesse to be placed in all-day kindergarten based on several facts.

One, Jesse had spent an entire school year, 3 days a week, attending preschool at Whoville Baptist Church. Despite the time and attention at pre-school, Jesse has not thrived. This information was related to Mrs. B.

Second: Based on Jesse’s poor performance in pre-school and despite the fact we had her hearing tested in late 2008 and it was normal at the time, we suspected her hearing may be affecting her performance at pre-school. On April 22, 2011, we had Jesse’s hearing evaluated at Dayton Children’s audiologist. Jesse was recommended for bilateral hearing aids. This information was also related to Mrs. B.

Jesse is a bright child. She crochets, paints, writes her letters and numbers, fishes, baits her own hook, and has great agility. Her hearing loss does affect her ability to distinguish sounds, follow directions, and understand subtle distinguishing characteristics of the spoken and unspoken English language.

If we thought for one moment that Jesse doesn’t have the ability to focus on seat work and needs time to “mature”, we would agree to the Young 5’s. Based on the activities we see her do, that are not quantified in the kindergarten evaluation, she is ready and able to attend full day kindergarten. The full day is the best option for her because it will give her the extra time she needs in the classroom to stay on track academically. Her hearing loss puts her at a serious disadvantage.

For the past 30 years or more there has been a family member from our immediate family attending Whoville local schools. We, as parents and alumni, know the staff and the facility have the ability and the means to ensure our child does not “get left behind”. Please advise if the request for placement into full day kindergarten for Jesse has been approved.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jon and Sara

If you aren't familiar, the Young 5's is a half day kindergarten and students placed in the class will do two years of kindergarten.

My mom tells me the loudest squeaking wheel gets the most grease and based on what I know of this school district, this is accurate. Well, that and the fact that when my mom showed up at school board meetings, the superintendent would meet her at the door and ask her what she wanted and guaranteed he'd make sure she got it. Then would say to her, "Please don't come in.". Which if you know my mom, then well, you know. LOL

Wishes

"Look, Mommy! A yard full of wishes!"

Huff and puff and wish away!

She's a dreamer. She keeps my optimism and hope alive. When life seems dumpy, Jesse will run her hand down my hair, or nuzzle me like a kitty or lick my toe and I'll know life is still okay. She inspires me to dream, to keep trucking.

The Hertz Part II

I blogged about Jesse's hearing test here a few weeks ago.

Last week we went to the ENT at Children's. The audiologist explained to me that a visit to the ENT was necessary to make sure Jesse could wear the hearing aids. The doctor would check to make sure there was no physical impediment to her wearing hearing aids.

If I say "wear hearing aids" enough times, maybe it will dull the sharp pain I feel every time I say it.

The reactions I received from family about Jesse's hearing were the following: From my side it was a "Well, we aren't surprised. Just let us know how it goes. She will be fine." From Jon's side of the family it was, "The test is wrong. Jesse can hear just fine.".

As the mom, the second reaction surprised and pissed me off. This is a journey that is all about Jesse. What can we do to help Jesse? What support does Jesse need? Do we need to modify how we talk to her, IE. make sure we are always facing her when we speak to her? Do we gather more patience and not lose it when she "doesn't listen"?

So, I snapped at my husband and my MIL for their reaction. My husband swallowed it and quickly got on board with me. Seriously, I'm in full mommy mode, my child needs help and we are going to get her the best and most help as quickly as possible so she doesn't fall behind. My MIL wasn't so gracious and it made her cry. To which, the result is I'm ungrateful for all she does. Love her, but totally not the family drama I need or want at this point. Get on board, corral the horses and let's get Jesse on the path so that she succeeds despite her disability.

Hearing loss not only affects how well children do academically, it also affects their social learning. As an adult and the issues I've had because the learning curve on the social aspect was so steep, well, these are issues I'd prefer my baby girl not have to deal with. Early intervention, familial support and lots and lots of love will make the difference for her in the social arena. The academic part of the equation will come along just fine as long as we are able to fit her with a great teacher and learning environment.

Which at this point is still questionable. Jesse tested really low for her kindergarten screening. I've requested the school assign her to the all-day kindergarten program so that she may get the attention and put in the extra time she will need to stay on track academically. If this doesn't work out, then we will enroll her in a Christian school program. If that doesn't work, then well, that will mean a lifestyle change because she will need home schooled.

I haven't even mentioned the words home school to Jon. He scoffs at the idea. But we may have a child that will benefit from it and we need to plan accordingly.

The visit to the ENT did NOT go as I expected. Jesse was referred to have genetic testing and a CT scan. I thought you only got CT scans when something is seriously wrong. I mean, this is just hearing loss. Her family history is pretty riddled with partially deaf people. Why the CT scan? The doctor states that because her hearing loss was so sudden (she was tested in 2008 and had normal hearing and she passed the infant hearing test at the hospital prior to her release after being born), he wants to make sure that there isn't anything else going on.

I'm not speaking the name of the big scary thing that could possibly be wrong with her. I'm believing it is exactly what it is in all of us kids, genetic hearing loss.

Good thoughts and prayers as Jesse navigates her journey. She was a trooper for the genetic testing blood draw, let's pray she does fine for the CT scan.

Percolating

I'm reading Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I love this lady. She resonates in my knitter's soul. She articulates all the minutia that runs through my head when I'm knitting. This is a quote from the book that had me saying, "YES YES YES!".

Every person I have ever met feels deep down that if the world really knew them, if the world really knew what they were thinking or how they felt or about the mistakes they have made, if someone really found out the deepest, most true things about you, or if your inner self was allowed to make calls out, then all those people wouldn't love you. They couldn't love you really. This feeling is the reason philosophers and religious leaders, mentors and mothers have been telling their lambs forever that it doesn't matter what you think. It is only what you do that matters. It is enough to do the right thing, or a good thing, no matter what you are thinking, and the message the knitting sends to that inner voice in your head is a simple one: "You are competent. You are doing the right thing. You are doing it over and over and over again. You are not making a mistake, and if you do, there is a way out. Good job. Also, great socks. You're lucky to have 'em." And when you hear that, it can resonate and grow through you, and maybe, if you knit enough stitches in a row with that level of clear skill? Maybe the cover of Cosmo won't matter to you so much, and you'll tell your husband that it's his damn time to do the dishes because fair is fair and you're worth it. Or not.

Personal growth through the actual growth of knitting. It's proof. It is tiny but real accomplishment, it is order out of chaos, it is usefulness drawn out of string. This is a small power, but one that you have, and as long as you are knitting, you can tell that inner voice to stuff a sock in it.

I've been knitting a few years now. The leaps and bounds I've matured in my technique, skills and projects have been surprising to me. Even more surprising is my level of patience has increased. Not patience for stupid, whining or negativity, when in fact I have an even lower tolerance for those things the last few years. No, where my patience has really been noticeable is in the ability to hold my tongue. I've refrained from saying things, shared less, and accepted things said to me. Then I let those things percolate and I think before I speak. Maybe some of you were born with natural filters, I wasn't. I say what is on my mind and usually the recipient dislikes the manner and method of my delivery.

Maybe it doesn't make any sense. I'm the only one that spends time in my own head. It is a challenge to put others first, figure out what motivates them, live life so others have it better than me. There was a day back when I first started this blog, when I realized I needed to find me. What defines me? The time spent knitting each little stitch puts me inside my head, it is time spent praying for others, it is time that puts a little peace in my soul.

I've done things in the name of what is right that has earned me the label of "black sheep" or "being on the shit list" or "abuser" among family. So, it isn't a wonder that I seek solace in the stitches. The peace, the affirmation that I am indeed OK.

What gives you peace? What affirms you are indeed OK?

My Mom

My Mom by James

My Mom's favorite food is dtad. (potatoes) but she doesn't like pizza (with olives).

She spends most of her time doing loly. (laundry)

Mom helps our family by help pes. (helping pets)

The thing my Mom likes to do for fun is help fawrs. (flowers)

When my Mom daydreams she thinks about uonrckon. (unicorns)

If Mom could have one wish come true, she would wish for to me to pl my tof. (me to pull my tooth)

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was spent outside all day. The day started out in the 50's with a nice stiff breeze that turned my flip-flop clad toes purple and then turned in to a gorgeous cotton candy blue sky with a hot sun day. We spent it at Pine Hill Park celebrating Jesse's birthday. I've cast on another baby tunic. Surprise, huh? My new needles are Addi Lace Turbo's in a size 11. Love the points on these needles. The regular needles are fine, but I'm going to stick with the lace.

Six adults and five kids, off to fishing we go! Jon's brothers and their wives and kids came out to the park to celebrate with us. Meme and Papaw stayed behind at the shelter house while us younguns walked back to the lake. This park is huge and so much fun for everybody. It was a great choice for a party, mainly because it meant I didn't have to clean my house.

James pooped out fishing long before all the other kids. "I wanna fish for catfish!" wah wah wah. Unfortunately for everybody there, I was along on the fishing expedition which pretty much guaranteed no fish would be caught. The bad fishing juju force is strong with me.

Jesse on the other hand has good fishing juju. She caught the biggest fish in the pond...herself.

It was a relaxing day. Jesse enjoyed herself as did everyone else. Low-key, low fuss, easy party is the only way to go with these kid parties. Jesse celebrated in Iowa last week at a pizza jungle jim called Happy Joes in Davenport, IA. She ran around with me and did all the games and it was fast easy and she enjoyed herself. Dad enjoyed himself, as well, he was reminiscing about his High School years since he worked there then. He ordered gluten free ham and sauerkraut pizza for me and him. Good stuff. Jesse had cheese.

It's Monday and I hope ya'lls week is good. P.S. I left the park after the party and not an hour later Jon and Josh caught five catfish. The curse is real.

Pretty Black Capelet

It's Friday!!! Can I get a woot woot???!!! We are slowly getting back into the rhythm of our house and it feels nice. I read a book last night which was amazing. Turned off the computer and curled up in my chair by the window and just read.

What is up chicken butt?! These are brand new jeans, size 6, same brand, cut, type I always buy and for some reason they are big on me. I hope to wash and dry them and they will fit right. Which is a dicey proposition because the dryer took a crap tonight.

James is getting a 2 minute course in the Kindle. He loves it.

Knitted used Cascade 128 bulky wool yarn.

I knew when I bought the purple shirt I would need something to cover my shoulders. Shirt was purchased at Kohls. Love these shirts. I bought two, the purple and a green one.

Have a great weekend!

The Day After Vacation

"HELP!!!" "ACK!" "Where's the plunger?!" "HONEY!!! GET UP!"

My morning started out with the toilet over flowing. Nothing like seeing a man jump out of bed and run to the bathroom and then try to plunger the toilet buck naked. Towels were flying everywhere.

Got James and Jesse off to school. Before that, though, I checked James school folder. He had gotten a yellow while I was gone. I asked him why because the note said "hit a child because he had his head resting on the table" with a side note that said "I know he is a good kid. He just hits or pushes before he thinks! We keep talking about other ways to solve his problems. :)".

Have to say James kindergarten teacher is the kindest most patient, firmest, most understanding teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better fit for James.

James and I talked. He had his version of the story, but the end of the story is James needs to think before he acts.

I suspected that a large part of the story was James was cranky from the night before. Jon told him they would go fishing Thursday night to catch blue gill because Jon was going fishing Friday for catfish. Bad call on Jon's part because James had the epic of epicest meltdowns about missing out on a catfish fishing trip. Especially the first one of the year.

"You're suppose to take me ALWAYS!"

So, I'm sure James was pretty short tempered and surly on Monday. We all have those days.

Today was one of them for me.

It has just been one of those Day After Vacation days where not too much goes absolutely right and not too much goes absolutely wrong but everything feels out of sync.

It actually feels like a Monday.

Hope all is well with you and yours. I finished up a capelet in Iowa. Super excited to show you, but I need to block it out so it will fit better. Dee boobies are bigger than I thought or I have more back fat than I realized.