How did that happen?

Wow. It's Wednesday. It was just Sunday a day ago. Or not. I'm having quite a few of those "wow" moments these days.

• Wow, I haven't talked to Diane, Karen, Jane, Karen (that's a different Karen), Diane (different Diane), Sandy, Karen (yep, another Karen), Jan, Cathy, Jill in AGES.
• Wow, I didn't write a note to bereaved family/neighbor in crisis/relative in distress and now the moment's passed.
• Wow, that Clapotis started and frogged awfully fast and I haven't started it over again yet.
• Wow, it's nearly spring and I haven't planned a family trip for the summer (it's all about the dog's kennel availability).
• Wow, the issue of Dunwoody cityhood is looming large and I haven't sent nearly enough emails to support it.
• Wow, those ten pounds sure crept back without my noticing them. Until I tried on those capris from last summer.
• Wow, that leak in the basement isn't getting better and I bet the wood is heading into rot-land.
• Wow, I'm almost out of a pretty important med and I still haven't called the doctor to admit I lost the prescription for it.
• Wow, Easter is this Sunday and I still don't have something for A to wear.
• Wow, that freelance deadline is tomorrow and it's time to put the creative juices into hyperdrive.

Lately, it's like every second of the day is filled with "wow" gulps. I like to keep things well organized and try to anticipate the unexpected by giving myself plenty of preparation and lead time. But running multiple jobs and two kids and a household means there's a lot more "to do" and a lot less time to do it. Yes, I thrive on a full agenda.

But, wow, this is getting ridiculous!

Clapotis croaked and I had to rip it, rip it, rip it

Clapotis is forcing me to learn some new techniques. It's a tricky design, to say the least. I'm adept with kfb (knit front and back), but pfb (purl front and back) is awkward. Then there's the dropped stitch/knit into the bar technique that had me flummoxed. I lost count, cursed, and ripped back to the beginning. I really like the SWTC bamboo and its colorway. Clapotis is worth the effort. I'm just too distracted at the moment.

So in a fit of frustration I decided to put together a few WIPs. I have an assort of totes and cylindrical wine gift boxes (the kind you can find at Michael's for a buck if you hit the sales right).

WIPs on deck:

• Ice Queen - using a Rowan Kid Silk Mohair in deep, rich purple. I won't add beads because they aren't "me." The subtle glints in the yarn will add just the right dressy note. Yarn + pattern + needles placed in wine box.
• Mukluks - using Patons Classic Merino Wool in turquoise (main color) with purple, pink, chartreuse and brown for embellishments. Yarn + size 8 double point needles + book fit perfectly in a huge Anne Klein straw bag lined with a fun beachy print - brand new, found at Goodwill for $2!
• Clapotis - not giving up on this one. SWTC Bamboo in Parrot + needles + pattern placed in wine box.
• Design-as-I-go felted tote using remnants of Patons Classic Merino Wool. Balls + size 10 needles + notepaper and pen to write instructions as I work now staged in basket.

That feels better. I'm all organized and can grab a project as I head out the door. The projects range in complexity from mindless knitting to better-think-about-what-you're-doing, so I can fit them to the destination.

Tonight is softball practice at Murphy Candler, so the Mukluks are on deck.

Knitting on a prayer

This has been one fretful winter. I've been so busy I feel breathless, but the busy-ness has helped to numb the worries cascading through our daily lives.

I like to pretend I'm in charge of stuff. That if I just plan things right and keep things organized I can prevent the unexpected.

I have a really good imagination. And a high degree of denial.

Tim the Tutor will arrive shortly to help A with his geometry proofs and I'll indulge in an hour of Clapotis. I can't do chores while they're working, so it's as good an excuse as any to knit. While I'm knitting, I'll be praying for a young mom in our midst who's suffered the 1918 pandemic Type H influenza, sepsis, dialysis, damage to organs, and potential loss of limbs. Disbelief is putting it mildly.

God, this is bad. Really bad. This woman, this mother, this wife, this daughter, this sister, this friend needs you. Surround her and her family with your love and grace. Help them. Then help me understand WHY. Amen.

Spontaneous knitting

Yesterday, after the parent coffee at Peachtree Charter Middle School (which A will attend in the fall) and transferring T from the Dunwoody MARTA station to the Volvo place (to pick up his 175,000 miracle mile car), I had a scant hour until carpool time. So I roared down 400 to Strings & Strands in Sandy Springs.

Such a nice reception! Well stocked bins, lots of patterns, and a huge sale room . . . wonderful. I was looking specifically for some yarn to swatch for a cardigan project I'm mulling when I found the South West Trading Company bamboo yarn. Hmmm. I need a spring wrap. How about Clapotis? One thing led to another and I exited with swatching yarn plus two skeins of the Bamboo in Parrot, a blue/green colorway. (I guessed on the quantity incorrectly. I'll have to return for two more skeins to make the longer wrap version of the pattern.)

So Clapotis is going on the needles this weekend.