Tomorrow after work we are heading over to Edgar's Acres for vacation (at least for me). I am taking a ME vacation. This is the first vacation in ages where I won't be taking care of mom, kids, moving someone, or recuperating from surgery or injury. I'll be spending 10 days gardening in the a.m., doing whatever in the afternoon, and knitting in the summer evenings. I can hardly wait. My blogs will be spotty because we only have dial up but you will hear from me (that is if anyone is visiting The Yarnability).
You know, there is one advantage to dial up ... you get a lot of knitting done while waiting on the computer. I'm taking along my OHS 2007 knitting kit and will keep it next to the computer. These little socks only take about 2 hours to knit in total time.
All I need to have is the sock pattern, yarn, 16" size 7 needles, a pair of snippers, and a yarn needle. Pretty neat. And ...
it all fits into a quart size baggy and fits into my purse (no comment please on the size of the purse).I am taking along plenty of knitting projects. The Heartbeat Sweater, enough yarn for 6 pairs of socks, yarn to start a new sweater, and yarn to knit another baby sweater for charity. I've also got my needle bag, notions bag, notebook of patterns, and knitting magazines.
I am also taking along three seed catalogs, two gardening books, and my seed box and gardening tools.
Because of the weather forecast, I am taking clothes for colder weather, and after the 4th (of course), when summer really starts around here, I am taking clothes for warmer weather.
I might even read a book.
I may have some friends come for a couple of days to weed a dandelion patch.
I might go to Taco Tuesday at the Elks.
Who knows. What is important here is, for 10 days I can do whatever I want. Heaven ... I'm in heaven...
Sue
For those of you who don't know how this all got started, let me tell you a little story.
On April 12, 2005 our oldest son left for Iraq for a 12-month deployment. It wasn't easy. In the many emails I had with him I asked if I could knit him something, but he said that he was issued with everything he needed. That was until November 19, 2005. We were at Edgar's Place for the weekend. I was up at 5:00 a.m. with the dogs when I checked my emails (because he was 12 hours ahead of us). The LT sent me an email asking me if I could send him 288 small knit stockings for their holiday party. This was on a Saturday morning.
The Wednesday before I had a thorn removed from the index finger on my right hand and had a huge dressing on it. On Thursday, Susan came to my office over the lunch hour to teach me how to do circular knitting. She came in with double points, two circulars, and the 40" circular for the magic loop. She took one look at my finger and said "one circular is all you can handle." So I mastered making a baby hat with the 40" circular needle.
So here I am on Saturday morning with a request for 288 small knit stockings. I went outside with the dogs for a walk and looked up into the stars and said "God, did you see what the Lt has asked for? What do I tell him?" God very clearly told me "When your son is in Iraq, you don't say no." So I went back to the computer and emailed back "just 288?"
I then got on my computer and emailed everyone I could think of. To make a fabulous story short ... in two weeks we had collected 783 stockings to send to several companies in Iraq. It was a wonderful way for me to get through the holidays that year. We got back so many lovely notes from the troops, and certificates of appreciation.
When our Lt came back in March 2006, one of the first things he asked is if we were going to do Operation Holiday Stockings 2007. Of course we did. I asked him to find us a company to send the stockings to and he came back with a brigade, about 1000 soldiers, deployed to Afghanistan. Well, we did it again. 
Only this time we managed to compile 1576.
I have the first stocking ready, and am knitting the second one.
The Heartbeat Sweater. This is my "at home" knitting. I am done with the front. It was FUN!!! I'm pleased with the way it came out. I am, however, banking on Jill's comment that the slanted sides will straighten out when the pieces all come together. I've started the back, and am ready to do the shoulders.
I love the way the piece does start out looking like a heart. I'm knitting the back on the 60" needles again because it is just easier to hold the piece up against me on the longer needles. I'll switch over to the 24" when I start doing the shoulders.
The Jaywalker Socks. 
This is a fun sock to knit. I tried to try it on last night, and yes folks, it's too small even though there are 76 stitches on the size 1 needle, instead of my usual 72 stitches on size 1 needle. Grumperina did state that the sock doesn't sag and stays up nicely because it is knit on the bias. Well, it is also a tight fabric because of the bias and the ridges. Not a problem, I know just the person to give these socks to for Christmas. Fortunately, she has size 8 feet.
The socks for Mom (another commuting project). Mom has diabetic feet which are badly mishapened. She wants me to knit her a pair of socks. I took very detailed measurements of her feet and am hoping to come up with something. She wants something colorful enough for her to see, obnoxious, and loud. Well, I think the Lang BEBE Jacquard is colorful, obnoxious and loud enough for her. I love the way the colors are coming out. I am also fascinated with the way the yarn is stacked in the plastic bag. In order to make the sock flexible enough to go over her feet I am using a size 3 needle. I'll try it on my big feet this weekend to see what I think. I hope these work. The next challenge will be finding the sticky stuff to put on the bottoms of the socks to make them skid proof. Any suggestions?
Louie napping in the sun and shade 
Ayden is a mill pup from Tulsa. He is being lovingly fostered by Rebecca in Grandview, WA. Thank you Rebecca for opening up your heart and home to this little boy.
Hiro and Jiro are an owner turn in and are being fostered by Kristine Carter. They are siblings and will be adopted together. Kristine, thanks for being there for these two dolls.
Muneca is one of our Mexican bichon/poodle mixes. She is 7 months old and coming along beautifully with her learning to be a loved pet. She is being fostered by Cindy in Sequim, Washington. Cindy thank you for everything you are doing for this timid and scared little girl.
Angel Eyes is a mill pup from Tulsa, being lovingly fostered by Kaye in Boring, Oregon. Thank you Kaye for saying yes to fostering Angel.
Fritz is another mill pup being fostered with love and understanding by Bitsy in Olympia, Washington. Thank you Bitsy for giving this poor scared little boy a home and love.
Summer Saffron is a mill pup from Tulsa and is stil being fostered with love and patience by Kristine and her family in Arlington, Washington. Thank you again Kristine for loving this little girl.
Mickey McGruff was fostered by Kathleen in Springfield, Oregon, and has now been adopted to his forever home. Thank you Kathleen for helping Mickey get ready for his new home.
March Mickey was fostered by Kathy in College Place, Washington. He has been adopted and is having a ball with his new forever family. Kathy thank you for helping this little mill pup get ready for his new family.
Keenen was an owner turn in from Tulsa and fostered by Gayle in Orofina, Idaho. He has since been adopted by Gayle and is a very, very, happy doggie. Thank you Gayle for fostering, and for falling in love with Keenen.
When I had my accident and sustained the neck injury, I couldn't garden. Last year I was miserable looking at my yard and knowing it was missing me and the love and attention it deserved. I was only able to do a minimal amount of gardening in the veggie patch, and tend to a few flowers. And that was in the Sequim garden where the ground is level. 
Our garden in Bellevue is on a slope, with just a small flat portion at the bottom of the hill. I couldn't do much and both the yard and I suffered for it.
When I started physical therapy, my physical therapist asked what I wanted to be able to do again. Knitting and gardening. Erin is the best, she listened to what I said, and worked with me, and helped me get back into the dirt (and of course, back to knitting). 
I want Erin to see what I have been doing at least four days a week instead of coming into the gym to work out. I have my own stairclimber, weights to lift, and walking, lots and lots of walking, up and down stairs.
It's pretty close, isn't it. I can't explain why I am so excited, but it is a thrill to have a sweater that I knit FIT. And, the best part is, I've been told it looks beautiful on me. I won't be wearing it for a while because it is too warm to wear for a whole day, but on the first cool day this coming Fall, I'll have it on.