As a working mom, one of the things I appreciate greatly about owning my own business is the flexibility it gives me to be available when the children need me. I'm lucky enough to have the fabulous Becka and Amanda covering the shop so that I can be home most afternoons for the post-school hours. On those days when schedules don't quite work out and I need to be with the boys and at the shop, I can always bring them with me.
The key to such occasions is prep work, the gathering of activities and foodstuffs to occupy them for the duration.
Today they had books, a computer and an ipod. At home, that set up would mean I wouldn't see them until I had announced - at least five times - that dinner was ready, and then they only emerge once I finally scream that it was on the table and they had better COME DOWN NOW!
To which they reply, "what? I didn't hear you."
(This is when my head explodes. The building pressure has to escape and it takes all my neurons with it. With no brain power left, I can only stare at their oblivous faces as they commence to scarfing down the food.)
But at the shop. Oh, at the shop, it is an entirely different story. Books, computer, and ipod are all code for mommy has a lot of work to do and is trying to keep us busy, so clearly we need to refocus all her energy on us.
In the car, I had explained to the boys the available snack situation - pretzels ( Connor doesn't like them, which is, as it turns out, good, since Alec had already eaten them all) and yogurts (again with the not liking). They both seemed to accept that I'm not going to offer up anything else, and upon arriving at the shop settled into reading and computer playing.
Until people walk in. The arrival of customers was like a silent signal to launch level 10 parental harassment.
As I try to help 3 customers, the almost 10 year old announces that he's hungry and needs food. (Remember, only minutes before he rejected the food offered and was content with his book.) "Not now," I hiss and wave him away.
A minute later, as I discuss socks, he's at my side announcing for all to hear, "I'm hungry, I need food."
Yes, I am clearly starving you, my poor growing child.
He starts to chant: "Food, I need food. What do you have? Where are the snacks?"
This continues until the customers have departed. Audience that must be convinced that his mother is starving him is gone, book reading can recommence.
Oh, and he decides that perhaps he'll just go with a yogurt after all.
Despite such strangle worthy behavior, I am still knitting him a sweater. (Motherly insanity love at work.)
Halfway up the front and loving the look of this cable pattern.
The long stitches are slipped twice before being crossed in a cable. I'm almost at the arm shaping on the front. All other pieces are done, so it's the home stretch.
Everyone give Amanda big congrats next time you see her. She finished her first sweater!!!! This is an important knitting milestone.
She made a lopi-lite vest out of Cascade 220. The colors are beautiful. Unfortunately, the sweater is just a tad too big. Amanda is an itty bitty thing. Therefore, we have a problem. This being her first sweater, and a lovely one at that, how do we make the sweater fit? I'm thinking felting it just a tad. This is a risky maneuver. Too much of the felting, and it'll fit her niece. What do you think? Ideas?
Monique stopped by today and we had a great time picking colors for her latest sweater project. She also brought two sweater sets that are fresh off the needles and ready to be sent to some lucky kids in CA.
A gorgeous classic tweed jacket in a Debbie Bliss design and knit in Cascade 220 Superwash.
Note the matching beret:
That's going to be one stylin' little girl. Her brother will be equally adorable in his new vest and hat:
On Monday, I got to check out Anna's latest project.
She's making Dulce de Leche from the Spring 2009 Twist Collective and using Silky Wool from Elsebeth Lavold. The sweater is going to be stunning.
Today also brought a surprise present from my good friend Jocelyn.
It's a thingamagigy.
The box claims that it is a "McMorran Balance designed by H. McMorran, B,Sc. Formerly lecturer in Textile Testing at the Scottish College of Textiles, Galashiels, Scotland." It helps you estimate the yardage of a skein of yarn based on the weight of the yarn.
On my spinning side of life, this was a sorely needed item. I've been happily spinning pretty little skeins with only a rough guestimate of the yardage.
Joceyln discovered my problem 2 weeks ago when I presented her with this:
It's the skein I made from the Woolen Rabbit fiber. Even though I knew the colors weren't for me, I loved them and just HAD to spin it. But, after you've had the fun of spinning this luscious fiber and you have a skein of gorgeous yarn that you'll never knit because it just isn't a colorway that works for you, what do you do? You gift it to a friend who would look great in that color, and who also loves the spinning/fiber/knitting thing.
I definitely picked the right person. When I gave Jocelyn the skein and told her where and when I got it (SPA of this year), she laughed. She had picked up and put back those same braids of fiber many times, congratulating herself on her restraint.
She loved it and I was thrilled that she loved it. But, I couldn't tell her the yardage. I had no idea.
Now I will. I have a yardage thingy. Thanks, J!