AH HA moment or is it UH OH??

The second session of the Nihon Vogue certification program was rigorous. After the first day, I came home exhausted. I had intended to review my notes and do some pattern drawing. I came home and could only manage to have dinner and start reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

The first day we worked hard on drafting the pattern for project 3 - a crewneck sweater with set-in sleeves. The pattern drafting is a done using very exacting techniques. Making sure the sleeve cap will fit into the armhole is comprised of many steps. Most of us had to do adjustments to the body at the bustline(moving the bustline up) to accommodate the correct measurements of the sleeve cap.

In addition, another thing I learned is that the decreases for the front and back are not done at the same rate. So if you calculate decreases for the front, they are different for the back - you cannot just calculate the rate for the back and use it for the front which is how most patterns are written. The number of decreases for the front and the back must be the same overall because your shoulder seams must match.

You can imagine there are quite a few calculations to make all the pieces fit together! There is A LOT of math involved in this. It is all very intriguing to me. I love it! It is so very interesting and logical. I'm a Virgo so this goes along with my personality - analytical.

Here is a photo of Jean with one of the sleeve diagrams.

I am astounded at the talent possessed by the students in this class. I feel a bit out of my league but there is so much to learn from those with skills that exceed ones own. It is really energizing to be a part of this course.

Here is a bird's eye view of our classroom.

The environment is relaxing and supportive. Suzanne feeds us so well. We have breakfast and lunch provided as part of our course fees. The food is very delicious and healthy! It is a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

The title to this post is about an Ah Ha moment I had. I've been knitting along on my raglan, top down, sweater. Before our class on Saturday I put the sweater on waste yarn and tried it on to make sure it fit. It was a bit tight but I figured it was because this is before the first wash and the yarn will relax after its first washing.

During the weekend Jean talked about garment shaping done purely with the increasing or decreasing of needle size rather than increasing or decreasing the number of stitches.

For every .25 mm that you change needle size, this will change your garment size by 4%. So for instance, say you are knitting on 4mm needles and your garment is 50cm(20 inches) and you change(increase) your needle size to 4.25, your garment will increase 2cm(.8 inch).

So you can do shaping purely by changing your needle size. You may want to use this technique if you are trying to keep a full pattern repeat but you want to do some shaping.

We also, in class, discussed that in Japan they have needles in sizes that are in-between the ones we use in the United States. For instance in the US we do not have 4.2mm or 4.8mm needles.

I began thinking about how my raglan sweater felt tighter than I expected based on my exacting calculations. So in my notes, I had jotted down that I had used a 4.25 for my guage swatch. I used this same needle to cast-on for the project. Then eventually I needed to switch to another set of needles because there were more stitches on the needle than was comfortable for the length of circular needle so I switched needles. I happily knit away. I realize that there may be a bit of difference between addi's as compared to bamboo but I *figured* it was negligible. Plus I didn't have the length in bamboo that I needed and I needed to continue knitting.

Today I realized (Ah Ha) that maybe the needles I used for the guage/beginning of the sweater was different than what I used later on in the sweater. What I did the guage and began the sweater on were 4.25mm and the ones I'm now using are 4.00. This was the UH OH moment.

Even though both are marked US6, they indeed are different and will make a 4% difference in my garment! This explains why the sweater felt a bit tighter than I expected.

I'm learning so much in this class. I'll definitely be more attentive to needle size, not the US measurement but the mm measurement. As a result of this class, I'm a convert to the metric system. The calculations are easier to do and the needle sizes are more exacting. A US 6 is not a US 6 for all manufacturerers because one might be 4.0 and one might be 4.25.

You know how you *know* this but don't really know it?

The exacting standards of this course are helping me *get* it. Maybe this small detail will help you learn from my mistake, I mean lesson.

Ready for class

I finished all my homework for the next Jean Wong/Nihon Vogue certification class.

I completed my swatch for Project 3, or P3 as I term it, Wednesday night and it is now dried and ready to go. The swatch did relax after it took its first bath. The stitch and row guage before washing were 18 stitches and 27 rows per 10 cm. After washing and drying they are 16 stitches and 27 rows.

Here is a photo of the swatch on my everblooming hydrangea that is out on our front deck. Notice the rain droplets? It is yucky rainy today!


The blue bracelet is from Heaven Help Us on Etsy. The medal attached to the bracelet is of St. Blaise. Now if you grew up Catholic, you'd understand. Catholics have saints for everything. This particular saint, according to Sister Mary Martha(you've gotta read her blog - such a crackup!) is the Patron Saind of Cold and Flu Season, Throat Problems and Wool. I had to buy it once I read that St. Blaise is "also the patron of wool gatherers, sheep farmers and shearers and wool weavers". Sounds applicable to me!

Go to her Etsy store. You'll find saints for just about anything. Maybe you need a patron saint of Great Breasts or how about the saint for People who get dissed. Maybe you need St. Isidore, if you are a Computer Geek.

Here is the raglan sweater for class. I put it on waste yarn(the purple stuff) to try it on to make sure it fits. It is a teeny weeny tad bit tight but this yarn also relaxed after washing the swatch so it should be okay. The green yarn is what Jean provided to us for a provisional cast on. It is very slick. She gets it in Japan.

Here is the sleeve detailing:

And the front details. If you look closely you'll see that the back is just a bit longer(3cm to be exact) than the front. The raglan is designed this way. I'm sure I'll get more details on why this is tomorrow in class.

Have you ever lost a project in your house?

Last Friday Greg and I had about 30 people over to celebrate Greg's retirement. I had my 100% linen summer sweater project, Memories of Ukraine, on the couch in the living room. I saw it there, picked it up and put it away before guests arrived. Where did I put it? I cannot find it. It is NOWHERE to be found. I have looked in all the usual hide-it-away places and I cannot find it. I'm so frustrated!! I must have more hidey places than I thought. Isn't that weird???

Since I cannot find that f*&# project, I picked the Angel Lace Shawl back up again. I have two more pattern repeats and the border to do. I'm getting there!

Do you want to know yet another bone headed thing I did recently? First let me give you some background. I've been working very hard at work(and longer hours some days). Lots of stress and pressure. Any of those of you that know me well, know how serious, super responsible I am at work!

So a couple friends of mine, Greg and I were going to see the 4pm showing today(Friday) of the new Harry Potter film at the IMAX at the Pacific Science Center at the Seattle Center. I bought tickets earlier in the week on-line. About an hour before we were set to leave the house to pick up Jamie, I look at the receipt I printed out. The tickets were for yesterday. YESTERDAY! The 4pm show today is sold out so we had to bag the whole outing. All the shows for the weekend are sold out. Dorkiness #1.

Then you should have heard me on the phone to the Pacific Science Center. I call the number printed on the recept and it is a message, not a live person. I leave a message. Shortly after hanging up I realize I left all the important information EXCEPT my phone number. Dorkiness #2.

So I call them back. In my haste, waste, or whatever, I mis-dial. I start into my story and the lady on the other side says "I think you have the WRONG number". Dorkiness #3.

Meanwhile, Greg is laughing his butt off at me. Shit. Give me a break. So to do something relaxing tonight - we'll just go out to dinner. I'm hoping they will let us re-book our tickets for another showing. Who is the Patron Saint of Dorkiness?? I need to find a saint to help me with my lack of brain power.

My next post will have some photos from the Nihon Vogue class. I'm excited! We start bright and early tomorrow morning. Part of me is dying to get my hands on the 7th Harry Potter book tonight at midnight. But then I know I'd be up reading it when I need to be sleeping. Admittedly, I'm going to get it early in the morning before I go to class!

This kind of *passion* for life gets me in trouble. Too much life and not enough rest!

I guess that is not such a bad thing.

BBQ with Cuzzin Tom!

I attended a BBQ today hosted by TMK and Ryan to celebrate the visit of Ryan's Cuzzin Tom.

Everything about the day was perfect. The weather, the food, the company, all perfect.

Tom even had gifts to hand out but...there was a pop quiz. I think I was probably one of the only attendees that did not come home with a prize!!

Here are some photos to document the (wonderful) day.

Folks hanging out.

Ryan and the Cuzz working on quiz questions and choosing the prize for the winner:

Here are some photos of the gifts/prizes:

There were also more Dulaan contributions. These you have to see to believe - Blogless Gail(as I call her) knit these up. She knits with great love to warm Mongolia.

And an adorable hat knit by Rebecca.

Then Tom received gifts. I love his response to getting coffee - it is to "help in my awakening". What a line from a buddhist monk!

Gotta love this photo - Tom modeling a hat MaryB knit for him.

Thanks Ryan and TMK for a lovely day. One last photo. TMK's yard is beautiful. I was able to capture a bee on one of her huge lavendar plants.

Nihon Homework Completed and More!

Whew. I have finished my homework for the Nihon Vogue course - ready for next week's classes. The class sessions are full weekends (Sat/Sun 9-4:30) every 6 weeks.

I missed the very first session as I was on vacation in Bonaire. I'm relieved that I will not miss any other classes because you must attend 80% of the classes to pass as well as complete all 8 garments. I have to say that missing a class is also difficult because there is so much to learn in two days. It is really hard to catch up. I did take Jean Wong's Tailored Japanese Knitting class earlier this year at Madrona and that really helped. Without that, I think I would have been completely lost.

Thursday night I hooked up with Melinda and got a very important piece of info on the increases. She had one small diagram in her notes that made all the difference for me on when/where/how to do the Nihon increases. We met up at Village Yarn and Tea. The second Thursday of every month, they have a spinning gathering from 6-9pm. I got to hear about her trip to Shetland and she brought me back the cutest little fair isle sweater. Here it is on my wheel.

I do have photos of my vest. Plain stockinette(remember by K.I.S.S post?). It went quickly once I got the info on the increases. This is the advantage of using a worsted weight yarn. Here is a terrible photo of the vest.


I also have my yarn picked out for project #3. Project three is a round neck sweater with set-in sleeves. The design of the example in our textbook is a little...old lady-ish. The yarn I'm going to use is a silk/wool combination. I've had this yarn in my stash for MANY years. Actually my sister picked this up at a yard sale(when knitting was not so popular - but it was popular with me! You know, in the "old" days). The yarn is Tahki Chelsea Silk. I'm not sure how much the yarn cost - one skein had a 5 cent label. I have enough for a full sweater! Amazing.


I decided to use this yarn because the point of the Nihon class is to learn as much as possilble. I know that certain fibers grow in length over time. Jean has talked about adjusting the knitting to take this kind of growth into account-I want to learn first hand so I thought this would be a good choice. Also if I knit something plain-ish, this yarn doesn't need -much embellishment, it is pretty on its own. I would wear a plain-ish sweater in this yarn.

Note: I may change my mind on the yarn to use for project3. I also have some cotton fleece in the stash that needs to be used up. This is also a very good candidate.

On the subject of stash acquisition....

Thanks to Amy, she introduced me to the Plucky Knitter. I ordered two skeins of yarn from her and it is ggggrrrrreeeeeeaaaaat. The first is Good N Plenty. I love Good N Plenty(the candy, and now the yarn!)! Had to have that. Then I've been looking for a great sage-y green yarn for some socks to go with some Dansko's that I have. This is going to be perfect. See?

I've been considering a blog contest of some sort. The winner will get a skein of something from my stash. I'm still thinking about the details of the contest. Stay tuned!

Tea Cozy

Pattern: Shop pattern from Churchmouse Yarn and Tea
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks that Rock Heavyweight in Nodding Violet
Needles: US 4


One skein will knit two.


I got the pattern and yarn during the LYS tour in May. I think this turned out very cute. It is a quick knit - I did it in a few days.


Now I need to get back to my vest...there is something about this project that I am dragging my feet on!


Oh! I almost forgot to mention I got a notebook for my Nihon Vogue projects. How handy! It comes with a calculator(I've been using a calculator a lot) and it even has cm markings on it! (I'm really beginning to like the metric system!) It comes with some handy little bags that you can put accessories(stitch markers) in. I found it at Costco.

Next post will have actual photos of the beginning of the vest, really. It is not like an imaginary friend. It really does exist...in fact I'm doing the increases up the the beginning of the armhole.

One more photo - more evidence that dogs are allowed on the couch. Keep in mind that Beanie(the Maltese) cannot jump up on the couch. He has to be picked up in order to get on the couch!

K.I.S.S.!!!!!!!!!!

I've been a bad blogger. No post in quite some time. Where does the time go?


I've been a bit busy plus there was a national holiday in there and my hubby retired. Yes, Greg is now one of those AARP kind of guys! He no longer has to get up and go to a job! I'm envious but very happy for him!



What is the K.I.S.S.? Keep It Simple Stupid!



Honestly, this Nihon Vogue certification thing has me...challenged. How?



After I got the raglan to the point I need to for the next class, I was tasked with figuring out what I wanted to do on my vest.

In my last post I said that a plain round neck vest was BOR-ING!


I take that back.



I got stumped in my pattern drawing and sent Jean an email. She responded that it would be easier to talk on the phone.



Monday night we chatted and she helped me get past my issue. Not attending the first session has proved a bit challenging. Not because I'm not an experienced knitter but there are tidbits of information that no one could remember to say "Naomi, don't forget that increase and decreases for the waist should be only 1.5 - 2 centimeters in from the beginning of the armhole or hip measurement". I was getting stumped on the pattern drawing for the waist because I didn't have this small, but very significant detail!

See my dining room table filled with all my stuff trying to figure out/draw my pattern.




I decided that I would, indeed, keep things simple. The whole point is to learn the techniques. I want to jump ahead and do more complex things.

Each project progressively teaches new/more skills. The point is to learn the techniques first and then take those skills and eventually incorporate more complexity into the designs.


Here are the swatches I prepared for this project-Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on US 7.

My original plan was to use lace patterning in the middle part of the vest and stockinette on the sides so the waist decreasing and increasing could be done easily in stockinette.

When you draw the pattern for your unique measurements, you need to calculate the armhole decreases. I was asking Jean how I would calculate the armhole decreases with the lace and stockinette. Would I use the stockinette guage, the lace gauge or a combination of both?

She said I would use my guage ruler(provided for our class) and the part of the armhole with the lace patterning I would draw the grid with that guage(row and stitch) and for the stockinette I would use that guage. Then, she said the decrease should either be a half or full pattern repeat. So if the lace pattern is 11 stitches the number of lace stitches decreased should either be 5 or 11.

This photo should help explain this a little bit. Here the grid is drawn only for the stockinette guage. If I were to do a combination of the lace and the stockinette, the grid would have two different graphs within the armhole area.

I calculated the amount of decreases, stitches with the lace pattern and the numbers were not going to come out right. I would need to figure out another lace pattern, swatch it and re-draw.

That is when I was decided I didn't have enough time. I don't need to be super woman and do it all!

So once I got past that decision I was ready to start! Yes!

I cast on and knit 20 rows. I, admittedly, was watching the season finale of LOST on ABC.com and my attention was more focused on what was happening on the island. I put my knitting up to my body and I realized....this is way too small. What the?

I hate to admit it but rookie mistake here. My pattern is for half the back. So I need to double the stitches....uh, yeah. Maybe it is a good idea to K.I.S.S.

To end my post I have to post this picture of Greg and Chase. Before Chase got sick, the dogs could not be ON the couch(not my rule - before Greg they used to sleep in the bed with me). They had to be invited up and if they were on the couch, they had to be in a human lap. No actual doggie bodies on the couch.

Since Chase's recovery, that rule has gone out the window. Boy am I glad Greg has come to his senses and allows the boys up on the couch. Here is the evidence!

Actual Knitting Content!

Thanks for bearing with me fellow fiber lovers! I have been neck deep in personal challenges(and ranting)!

Let it be known that during all that time, knitting and spinning has been my source of calm.

As you know I am enrolled in year one of the Nihon Vogue certification program with Jean Wong. I am working on a top-down raglan sweater. I am knitting it out of Jamieson Shetland in the Oceanic color. I am actually doing the *traditional* student role in that I am knitting the exact project that is in our textbook. Many students are doing plain stockinette, or something of their own choice. I'm doing exactly what is in the book. There is a cable pattern down the sleeves and a cable/lace pattern down the front. There is no patterning on the back.

Here is a photo of the detailing of the front:

Detailing of the sleeves:
With a top-down raglan type sweater - you increase at each junction front/sleeve, sleeve/back, back/sleeve, sleeve/front. The increases are done every other row. So what I do to keep track of whether this is an increase row is I pair a coiless marker, one green, one orange. When it is an increase row, I put the green coiless marker on the needles at the beginning of the row. In my brain Green means go(increase), orange means stop(no increase). Then I switch it back to orange on a non-increase row. See picture below to get a better sense of what I'm saying. So the photo below means it is not an increase row.

For the next session we have to have it knit up to the bust measurement and I'm there! YES!

I have yet to cast-on for the second project which is a vest. I have the plain stockinette swatch as that was what I was going to do for the full vest.

As I was pondering a plain round-neck vest in stockinette for the vest...I thought it screamed "BOR-ING". So I like the idea of doing a lace pattern. The only challenge is having decreasing and increasing at the sides for seaming(which we will learn the correct Nihon technique). I don't want to have to calculate how to do that in a lace pattern. I *could* talk to Evelyn Clark about it at Ferals but I don't want work that hard right now. I'm thinking about doing stockinette just at the sides of lace pattern.

Haven't you seen sweaters or vests that had a pattern in the front/back but had plain stockinette on the sides(it is supposed to be slimming as well). I thought I would do that as a compromise.

If I do that I may need to do another draft of the pattern. I'll have to do more swatching to see how much the patterning affects the overall garment. Homework for the weekend!

Saturday is set aside to go to Churchmouse with Michale as well as meet with her mother for brunch at Cafe Nola. Sounds like a perfectly good way to spend a Saturday. (note: Greg will be down at Bangrila doing lots of yard work! I timed this little trip well, didn't I?)

I have dreams of knitting on other things. The knitting lust list has grown considerably. I have Memories of the Ukraine in Euroflax(remember I was knitting this in Bonaire), finishing my Kauni Cardigan(the one the Yarn Harlot picked up and now everyone is trying to get the yarn!), finishing up Starmore's Abalone, various socks and now...the dragonfly vest by Janine Bajus(the pattern is in Sweaters from Camp). I'm dying to take a class from Janine - just have been so busy! Someday the stars will align and I can take a fair isle class from her.

Here is a photo of Gail's(blogless) version. Notice the cute turtle stitch marker? She says she has that marker because she is going so slow on it. Isn't that beautiful? Makes you just want to get on-line, order the book, supplies and start casting on, doesn't it?



Spinning news: I recently acquired a Woolee Winder. Oh. Man. I. Love. This. Invention.

Time is at a premium for me( shut up! I don't have children, I have a self-sufficient-dinner-preparing husband, I have easy to care for dogs, I haven't been exercising) and I like to make the most of my time. I do not like having to stop my spinning, move the fiber from one hook to another. With this handy dandy buddy, I don't have to! It is a wonder. Thank. you. very. much!!!!


One last thing. I went to a Seattle Mariner game on Sunday. Our old friend Ken Griffy, Jr. was in town(I know, you couldn't live in Seattle and not hear about it). He hit two home runs against Seattle and the whole stadium gave him a standing ovation despite him earning runs against us. Seattle loves Griffy. I got a photo of him hitting the ball on the first home run he hit. Have to share it here. Maybe some day he'll be back wearing a Mariner uniform!

4 Years Served - of a Life Sentence!

The title of this post comes from my friend Linda. She and her husband George say this regarding the number of years they have been married.

Greg and I celebrated our four year wedding anniversary on June 22.

I quickly went looking for some digital pics of our wedding day. You know how quickly computers get obsolete? Well I archived a bunch o' fotos onto CD's and you know what? I can't find them. I don't want to take the time to scan the "real" old fashioned photos that were actually developed from film. Some day soon I'll post of wedding photo.

What has life been like with Greg?

I always tell people that have not found their true love that I wish for them, what I have with Greg.

He's a sensitive but very male, male.

We laugh everyday. I think there was only one day when we did not laugh. We didn't laugh because we went to bed mad and didn't talk. So there was no laughing because we weren't even talking and there was a lot of sighing going on!

We say we are sorry when we need to fess up on our behaviour and when our partner needs to hear it.

We take a moment out of each day, look into each others eyes and really connect. We say "I love you" and really touch, soul to soul.

When one or the other is out of town, we have to connect at least once a day by phone. If phone is not an option, we email.

He usually plans/goes grocery shopping and makes dinner during the week. He really tries to make really yummy salads with dinner so I'll eat enough fiber! If I'm especially lazy or tired from work, he'll even do the dishes!

How does one describe what I consider a soul-mate? I can't imagine my life without him. We work so well together - we are truly a team. We support each other, we challenge each other to be better human beings. Life is better, brighter and a hell of a lot more fun with him in my life. He made my world bigger, not smaller.

We are a very huggy couple. I need Greg hugs everyday and when he's not available, Chase and Beanie come in a distant second....although when I'm mad at him, Greg comes in a distant third! :)

We've been together a total of 7 years and they have absolutely flown by.

Honestly, everyday is better than the one before. Greg is the sweetest, gentlest, most thoughtful man I know. I would vow to marry him all over again. No question.

Soapbox

I'm mad, disappointed and not surprised. I hemmed and hawed about posting this in my blog because my blog is MOSTLY about knitting and travel but those of you that follow my life, sometimes it veers off into the more personal.

Beware: This entry is a very personal one and it contains my OPINION!

President Bush just vetoed a bill aimed at at promoting stem cell research.

Until a person has walked in the shoes of another, please do not judge.

I know with this post I'm going to be putting myself out there - on a narrow ledge in full view of others and doing so with purposeful intention.

My hope is that with this post, someone will hear this plea.

In general, I'm a very "out there" person. I'm not the type of person to hide things from people or NOT share my life experiences with people. Life is about learning, isn't it? At least this is how I view life.


Some people may stop reading my blog after this but I'm willing to take the chance in hopes that this post may affect people - maybe even motivate some to take action.

In my last post, one of the random things I wrote about was that I was an egg donor with the use of fertility drugs. I made this decision deliberately and with MUCH consideration. I struggled with it. I fought with it and I finally made peace with it.

This will be a long post so please bear with me(that is if you want to read it all).

Where do I start?

It all started with a leukemia diagnosis. My niece, Nicole, was diagnosed with leukemia. A rare type for children. She was 5 years old at the time. Her only *cure* was, and still is, a bone marrow transplant. We held numerous bone marrow drives, we pleaded with TV stations to run her story. It was picked up by national news agencies but people still did not/do not sign up for the bone marrow registry! The sight of the needles were just too much for people. Now they can do the tissue typing with a saliva swab. No more needles.

Every member of our family all got tested to determine whether any of us were bone marrow matches for her. None of us were.

My sister and her husband hooked up with a California geneticist that could determine, after 8 cell splits, whether an embryo would be a match for Nicole. This man, with the help of technology, could assist in bringing a child into the world that would be a perfect tissue typing match for Nicole, a life saving match.

My sister and her husband tried this fertility routine a couple of times. It is very, very costly. The last time they tried was in few days before 911. She was on fertility drugs and the timing of implantation needed to be timed exactly. Any of you that have undergone any type of fertility treatments know that fruition/maturation of the eggs is very important. Right at the time of the 911 disaster, Rob was scheduled to go down to California for his part of the fertility routine. Trish was already down there with her maturing eggs! Because all the flights were grounded and cancelled due to the twin tower disaster, this hampered their efforts. They had to go down to California because the technique of determining if the embryo cells were a match for Nicole was not being done in Seattle. Eventually by working with this geneticist, they were able to do the techniques from Seattle.

So, the story continues. My sister Trish is 3 years older than I am. Through the bone marrow tissue typing we all went through, we discovered that Trish and I were bone marrow matches for each other.

The biggest issue my sister faced was that her eggs were getting old. This was causing problems with getting the embryo to split and many were not developing because of the condition of her eggs(scrambled perhaps? Ok, bad joke).

Being an analytical person I thought - "I wonder....if we are bone marrow matches for each other, maybe she could use my eggs since they are 3 years younger?". In working with many agencies to confirm whether this could work, it was determined my eggs could be used. That means that a child created from my genetics, along with her husbands, could create a child that would be a bone marrow match for Nicole.

Now I had some HUGE issues with going forward with this.

Essentially I would be having a child with my brother-in-law. This was VERY hard for me because I'd always wanted to have children of my own. I had met a wonderful man, my soul mate Greg, who was 14 years older and he was past the point in life of having, and raising, children. Having children of our own was not an option.

I was haunted by this decision because I so wanted to have children. I agreed to marry Greg knowing he did not want children. I had lived enough life to know that having this kind of loving connection with another person is a rare thing. I gave up having children for Greg.

Now with this scenario, how would I deal with seeing a child raised by my sister and brother in law that was half me and not raise it? How would I deal with seeing this child? How much grieving would I experience. How hard, emotionally, would this be for me?

I knew in my heart that if this could save Nicole, I needed to do everything in my own power to save her. If I didn't do this I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life. If she died, I would feel like I was somehow responsible if I didn't try this option.

All of this work in genetics had allowed us to be able to determine after an embryo cell splits 8 times, whether it would be a life saving match for Nicole.

Do you know how hard going through fertility treatment is? You have to get shots in your butt and in your stomach everyday. No, twice a day. Near the end when your eggs are maturing, you have to go in for vaginal ultrasounds EVERYDAY! Everyday I walked up to "pill hill" from work for those ultrasounds, dreading every step, but I just kept thinking that my efforts could save Nicole.

In my early 20's I had to have one ovary removed. I had endometriosis. So I only had 1/2 the number of potential eggs in a cycle than a normal two ovaried person.

Long story short. My eggs were old too.

I was going through all of this right after Greg and I got married. We did it the few months between our wedding day and our honeymoon. We waited a few months after the wedding before going on a honeymoon and this was what we did in-between!

Greg had to deal with this emotional wife caused by all the fertility drugs! He was a saint. Not only did he have to deal with me and my mood swings, he had to give me all the shots! The ones in the stomach were especially painful. He hated giving me the shots because he knew it was hurting me. He did all of this because he knew it could save Nicole's life.

It was a very disappointing result. I only got 8 eggs extracted and some embryos were not even viable. None were matches for Nicole. The odds were 25% of the viable, fertilized eggs would be a match.

I remember walking into the doctor's office after we knew the results were back. Trish had to take fertility drugs also to prepare her body for implanting the fertilized egg. We knew there was bad news when we walked into the office. The nurses would not even look us in the eye.

We cried....and cried and cried some more. One doctor came in and asked us if we wanted some help. I knew he worked in fertility and must have had experience dealing with disappointed wanna-be parents but it sure didn't feel like it. His "bedside manner" left a lot to be desired. It was like he did not understand why were SO upset. We were trying to save Trish's daughter and my niece's life and it was not going to happen. Uh, you think that might be upsetting? DOH! Get a CLUE!

We eventually pulled ourselves together and walked out of the medical building in a daze.

Why am I on a soapbox?

Stem cell research could help cure diseases like leukemia and Bush just vetoed a bill for stem cell research.

I just love these quotes by Bush and his logic.

"America is a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred. And our conscience calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values," Bush said.

"Destroying human life in the hopes of saving human life is not ethical. And it is not the only option before us,'' the president said.

By preventing the funding of stem cell research they are basically putting the nail in so many people's coffins. Many of these people are living through debilitating illnesses that may one day be cured based on the research done with stem cells. Is that valuing these people's lives?

There is even new research shows it might be possible to create embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos. Many of the embryos used in research are those that have been discarded by people undergoing in-vitro fertilization. I recall signing a release that the embryo's created but not used for implantation could be used for research. Some of my embryo's might have been used for research.

Embryo's that are created during the fertility process but not used for research are usually destroyed.

So will Bush and his buddies be introducing legislation outlawing fertility treatments because the unused embryo's should not be destroyed? What does he plan on doing with these embryo's that currently are being destroyed? He says the issue is that one life should not be exchanged for another but they are being destroyed now anyway. So where does that logic lead? Nowhere, in my opinion. If he truly disagreed with the destruction of these embryos, he should introduce legislation that prevent the destruction of these embryos. If he did do something crazy like that, what would he do with all of them? Would he use federal funds to keep all those embryo's not used during in-vitro, viable? I guess he hasn't thought about that. Maybe he hasn't continued thinking through that line of reasoning.

Shouldn't these embryos that are now being destoyed be used for something valuable like research on how to cure diseases and save lives?

They KNOW stem cell research will help find cures for diseases.

The spin doctors do not title his action: "Bush vetoes funding for life saving research"

Well basically that is what Bush just did.

I've been Memed

Ellen tagged me!

I actually like this meme. I have found it really interesting to read what random facts people choose to write about.


My Random facts:

1). I'm one of 7 (technically should that be 7 of 7 since I'm the youngest?)

From day one, I've always been defined that I am one of 7 girls in my family(no, I have no brothers). I am the youngest of the family and rightly defined as "spoiled". I didn't have just one mother, I had 7 - my mom and my 6 older sisters.

2). I love animals!

As a child I always tried to rescue, catch, watch or bring animals home. I tried to rescue birds that tried to fly into our large living room window. The birds would be under the window on the ground either dazed, or sadly, dead. I tried to help them if they were still alive.

My parents were very good at tuning out children, especially by the seventh one. I kept trying to get a pet. I begged, pleaded and begged some more..."Can't I keep this dog?", "Can I have a hamster?", "Please, please, please, please?". I did bring home the one dog we had growing up. Big surprise, huh?


Even today I will try and rescue animals. Just recently a little bird hit one of our windows. It was on our deck, dazed. I tried to pick it up but it had just enough energy to fly up to our table on the deck. I set some peanut butter out on the table. It pecked at it and got his/her strength up and flew away. I felt so thrilled and happy!

Yes, instead of killing spiders or moths in the house - I try to catch and release them. Many of us fiber lovers would not be be so kind to the moths but I just can't kill them. The only bugs I relish killing are mosquitos.

3). I used to be a CPA (thank you for your condolences! Smile). In fact I let my license expire this year! Let's celebrate!

How did I become one? Well honestly, since I knew I had to pay for tuition and books for college, I knew I was going to need scholarships, hence the motivation to get good grades, be well rounded, so I could get help paying for school.

My mom was helping me fill out the applications and you had to define a major. Major in what? I was in high school. I hadn't thought much more than getting straight A's, cheerleading and being boy crazy. What would I DO "for the rest of my life to support myself?" I had no idea so Mom put down 'Business Administration' on the application. I got to the University of Washington and didn't know what classes to take so I took Accounting in the School of Business. I got a 4.0. I thought "This is SO easy".

That is how my career life began. Sad but true. The path of least resistance or being lazy. I don't know which. Then when I graduated my dad kept hounding me until I passed the CPA exam(can you hear "Oh DAD!" in a whiny voice?). So thanks to Dad, I did earn those 3 capital letters to put behind my name so I could sound more professional. Me professional? I know. Don't laugh.


4). I was an egg donor(fertility). Long story, way too long to explain here. I didn't do it to earn money, and no child resulted from it sadly. If you ever want to know the details, let me know. As I write that, I know no one will ask because they'll be too embarassed!

5). Related to number 4 - my sister Trish and I are bone marrow matches for each other. If she needs a bone marrow transplant she's covered and if I need one, I'm covered.

6). If Greg dies before I do, my house will be filled with dogs(and probably a lot of yarn, and roving). Let us just hope 1) this doesn't happen, and if it does happen that I don't 2) start buying sheep, llamas, etc for the backyard!

7). I absolutely love Michael Buble'. I could listen to his CD's over and over, and then over and over again. I don't know what it is about his voice. I'm so excited. While in Bonaire Michael Buble tix went on sale I and got a pair to see him at McCaw Hall in late August for my birthday! Luckily Greg likes him too. (I love him - Michael Buble' that is...athough I do love Greg too!)

Well that is it! Who should I tag next?? Don't hate me!

Melinda
Rebecca
Ryan
Jamie
Sandy
Karen
Margaret

Rules of the meme: Each tagged person provides 7 random facts about themselves on their blog along with the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog.

For the seven people you've tagged, you need to put a note in their comments so they know they have been tagged and will read your blog for more details.

Have fun with it!

Nihon Vogue with Jean Wong

I am fortunate enough to be enrolled in year one of the Nihon Vogue knitting certification program taught by Jean Wong, sponsored by Madrona Fiber Arts.


While in Bonaire I missed the first of ten, two day weekend, sessions which will be conducted in the next year. There are 14 or 15 students enrolled in this program.


This past Sunday, I met with some fellow students so that they could help me get up to speed on what they learned in two days of intense instruction!

Here they are looking quite coy at Third Place Commons in the Lake Forest Park Towne Center! From left to right: Melinda, Scottie, Joni and Shiori.

I'm glad I had taken Tailored Japanese Knitting from Jean at Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat because she taught the pattern drafting then and that material is *somewhat* fresh in my mind. She also taught the pattern drafting over the weekend so I don't feel like I missed out too much by not being in the first session.

These photos show that the Nihon method of pattern drafting is somewhat complex! We will have to do this drafting for, all or most, of the remaining projects. I'm hoping that pattern drafting will eventually become second nature.

Project one is a round neck vest. The pattern drafting we have to do is for the vest. Project two is a top-down raglan(no pattern needed). I have done a couple top-down raglan sweaters in the past so I'm pretty familiar with the concept of that garment.

Overall I feel at ease with getting up to speed. I may write something completely different, a post full of expletives, once I actually start drafting my vest pattern!

I'll post more information as I actually start my projects! I know what I'll be busy doing this weekend!

Photos of "The Boys" for Greg

When I left Greg in Bonaire he asked me to post some photos on the blog of Chase and Beanie so he could see them. I have finally had time to do this. I've been busy!


So here are a couple of Chase and Beanie before they got bathed and had their hair trimmed.



Chase: Beanie:

Now the new and improved versions.

Beanie in motion.

Chase looking up at me saying he is hungry and wondering why I don't give him MORE!

This photo shows Chase's leg they had to shave so they could administer IV fluids. You can also get a peek-a-boo view of his tummy that was also shaved for the ultrasound.

I gotta run. Ever since I got home Chase has been whining that he is HUNGRY. He is now fed 3x/day and you'd think I was starving him. He has lost 2 pounds since his hospital visit and weighs in at a whopping 10.6 pounds.

Like most humans - he hates being on a low-fat diet. He just came into the office again, found some paper on the floor and is scraping at it to get my attention. Yes, he's feeling much better.

Bonaire Stuff

I am intrigued by the physics or whatever that makes the leeward and windward sides of islands. Admittedly I'm not educated in what makes this so(all that science stuff.) All I know(don't be embarrassed Greg) is that the side of the island we are on, the west side, is the leeward side and the waters are so calm and serene while the east side, or windward side, has very rough waters.

Here is the view from our room on the leeward side. We sit out on our deck every morning and enjoy our tea/coffee with this wonderful view. When I get to Houston, after clearing customs I am going straight to a Starbucks. I need some *good* coffee!

Now here is the windward side:

One of the newer sports that is hot is kite surfing. It is pretty cool stuff. There is a famous brother trio on the island that I read about in one of the local publications. This sport looks like you need a lot of athletic ability.

I just did a quick browse of some of Greg's photos. I hope he doesn't mind that I post them before they are truly ready for public consumption....

If you click on this photo you can see this guy has blue claws.

Today is Thursday already. I have just today and tomorrow here before I make the long trek home on Saturday. I fly off Bonaire at 7:30 am. Gotta love those early flights(not).

Admittedly I've indulged in spa treatments while here. Last Friday I had a deep tissue massage that was to die for. Not the kind that Ryan and TMK had that left them bruised! See the archives of Mossy Cottage Knits on April 16. Tuesday I had a facial, this morning I tried reflexology and this afternoon I'm getting a polish change on my toes! Did you know that bug repellant will make your polish bubble up? It looks unsightly! Tomorrow afternoon I'm doing another deep tissue massage so I can be relaxed and ready to come home!

Usually when G and I go on these types of vacations I think "Oh, I'll do spa treatments" but never do because I'm sort of...well, I think..."its too much of a splurge". Greg always tell me to do them but in my past I had to be more of a financial miser and old habits die hard. He does two dives a day and that adds up. So he figures to make things "even" I should do a spa treatment a day.

You know what? He is learning to compromise in marriage! You can teach an old dog new tricks! (Don't worry about that last comment. We joke about this all the time - he was 51 when we got married and had never been married before - so learning to compromise has definitely been a process!). Love you, Greg!