Monday, September 3, 2018

This weekend and a Zick Zack finish.....


This weekend I tried to stay off the computer, stay off my phone, and get a break from all that technological noise that is always so close at hand.  It was a three day weekend here and I tried to pretend I was away so I could get a bit of rest.  Three days off for me means I have to work on Friday next week, so my rest will be short lived.  Little Buddy finished his homework for the week.  This is a sample of it.  He is pretty far behind his peers as far as writing.  He writes with his left hand as his right is more involved.  I'm not so sure he is supposed to be left handed which makes doing everything with his non-dominant hand even harder.






We stayed in on Saturday, actually Little One was in his pajamas most of the day.  It rained a bit and so it was nice to be inside.  We finally got that darn Dish Network booster box moved out of my bedroom on Saturday.  We tried to get them out and scheduled for two weeks.  I am finally back in my bedroom, but I think I am still recovering from all that energetic mess that box caused because my fatigue levels are still sky high.  

We went to the splash park on Sunday morning before the rains returned.   Little Buddy just loves it there so much.  He favors the shower chain he can pull and the steering wheel on the playground.  We even met a lovely little girl who played with us for a while, but Little Buddy asked her so many questions about cars I think she got a little fed up.  He is crazy about all sorts of cars and vans and knows all of their names.  


There was some swimming between thunderstorms and rain.  Even Mr. 24 came in to play for a bit.  This isn't a good picture but considering Mr. 24 was throwing Little Buddy up in the air so he landed with a big splash and a bigger laugh, it is amazing it came out at all.


Little Buddy watched his first full length movie, Cars, of course!   He has not had the attention span or focus to watch a whole movie until this morning.  He drove his race car steering wheel during all the races to help out Lightning McQueen.  Hopefully, we can actually take him to the movies sometime soon, although that is a whole different adventure with the big screen and loud noises in the movie theater.





Among the many chores I had set out to get accomplished this weekend I really wanted to finish this Zick Zack Shawl. This is my second Zick Zack, you can see my first one here.  I loved making this shawl.  I worked the pattern exactly as stated but used much thicker yarn and a larger needle size to make it a shawl.  I used one of my favorite yarns to make this project, Cascade Yarns Tangier in the colors 14 and 9, which of course I don't see listed anymore.  Still it is beautiful yarn to work with and a super easy pattern with a one row repeat.  I think it makes a beautiful shawl.  It is 22 inches wide by 60 long.  I used size 10 needles to make it drape a bit and of course add some width and length to the pattern.  I have had this yarn for this project for several years so I am really glad I finally got this done.  Obviously I watched a lot of football, (Go UCF and OHIO State!) and a few movies to get this baby finished.  I was seriously trying to rest, well and clean the pavers, weed, clean the ceiling vents, floors, make cookies, and do laundry.  I know nice staycation, right?

Anyway, I am off to work a crazy schedule the next four days and then hope to catch up with all of you.  Sorry I have been missing so much these past few months.  Work and life have just kept me so busy my head is spinning.  I know I can hardly expect you to visit here when I can't visit you in return.  For that I am truly sorry.  Thank you for your time and your friendship.

36 comments:

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Zick zack looks wonderful! The splash park must be such fun!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Thank you Meredith for being a friend.

Someone loves water and CARS and you take great photo's of the little fellow to share. His drawing and printing and math equation picture is classically precious.

Your shawl drapes so well, love the colors.


Glad that Dish Network booster box has been moved - I hope that your health improves with its removal.

Hugs

Joy

Anonymous said...

Oh those freckles!!! Could your littlest BE any cuter???

Hope you make it through next week with energy to spare. Hugs...D

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Mere, I'm glad you got the booster box out of there, I had no idea it could mess your system up like that. We don't have dish, but have cable, now I'm glad! I love the Zick Zack shawl, the way the colors work off of each other is pretty amazing. I hope life settles down a bit for you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Betsy said...

That you find the time to post at all is amazing to me. I always love catching up with you and your sweet family. No worries on being able to return visit. I well remember those hectic days when I had three littles and a full-time job, home-schooling and a house to clean, etc. Love your shawl. I’m making the same pattern, except with sock yarn and size 2.5 needles. It’s taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Tiny needles and tiny yarn. But I do thank you for telling us about the pattern. I am enjoying the knit. I’m hoping you have a stress free week my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy

Blondie's Journal said...

I've been missing, too. Life. Little Buddy always makes me smile, even more so in this post as I see him with his big bro!

The shawl is absolutely gorgeous! Where you find the time... Then again, I suspect its your free time and quietness. I need a hobby!

All the best, Meredith,

Jane x

mamasmercantile said...

Glad you managed to get the dish removed/relocated so that hopefully you will feel a whole lot better soon. It was a joy to see Little Buddy having so much fun, he really is doing well. Loved the shawl and the stunning yarn combination. Take care.

yellowtulip118@gmail.com said...

Love your Zick Zack shawl, especially the colours. Buddy looks so happy at the water park and it's so much better with a big brother who can pick you up and throw you in the water. My daughter used to love that too. Sounds like you had a pretty busy staycation and got a lot done.

Araignee said...

The Zick Zack is gorgeous!!! I can't believe you finished it already. I am so impressed. That would have taken me years.

Nance said...

Your shawl is spectacular. I have a huge case of Shawl Envy. WOW.

Thanks for giving us the pattern adjustments that you made, i.e. needle size and final measurements. Very helpful.

Most of my Staycations involve catching up on stuff I never seem to get to. It's nice to finally get it done! The sense of Relief does feel like a Vacation, so...mission accomplished.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Oh Mere, no need to apologize. Life gets crazy for us all. Sometimes it's hard to find the time and energy to visit our friends, but they are still our friends and will be there waiting. I've been really out of touch too. I too took the weekend off from electronics. (Had to get some design work done while I had the chance.)

LB is looking so grown-up these days - wow. So glad he gets to enjoy the splash park, and pool time with his brother. I love the 3 brothers picture. So sweet. :) Maybe it's okay that he hasn't watched full-length movies till now. It might be better for his brain?

Your Zick Zack is lovely. Good luck with the schedule this week, and I hope you're feeling better soon.(Scary about the booster box!)

P.S. Go USC (SoCal) and UW! :D

Delighted Hands said...

I have never kept track of friends who 'owe' me a visit or a ph call so I ignore them until the catch up!!!!! I will not start now! It is so exciting to see the growth of LilBuddy even these last few months! My guys are crazy about Cars, too. Love the pics of him at the water park-pure joy!
Now about that shawl----wow, it is fantastic; the colors, the texture, the size--you outdid yourself! Now for cooler evenings to wear it!!! Take care through the week.

Anonymous said...

Greetings! I've been reading your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage
to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx!

Just wanted to say keep up the good job!

Danette Bartelmay said...

Oh Meredith you Zick Zack Shawl is Gorgeous!!!
And the picture of Mr. 24 and Little Buddy is Perfect... 2 Brothers caught in a moment of togetherness... captured forever... I love it.
I hope you save Little Buddy's drawing forever. It's priceless.
These are precious times My Friend.
Soak it all up.
So much love to you,
Danette

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a cutie LB is! Life is so busy but these little one's can just make our day!

kathy b said...

You are busy leading a full and important life. If your blog posts are thin these days, thats OK!!! We know you are there. ! Love lil B with the sly smile photo. the one where his mouth is closed Hahahah.
So he loves cars and trucks. That's important for me to know!

Love your ZICK ZACK. Wow.

Packer games begin soon. I have my first packer tshirt! But fearnot, I am first and foremost a CUB fan

bittenbyknittin said...

That's interesting that LB has to do everything left-handed, even though that may not be his dominate hand. My dad wrote right-handed, but did everything else left-handed. I asked him once if he recalled being forced to write right-handed, but he had no memory of that. It seems there should be a way to test the brain for right vs left, but without full use of both hands, what would that be? Lovely shawl, btw!

Jeannie Gray Knits said...

Oooh! I LOVE your Zick Zack! That color combo is gorgeous!
The splash park looks like so much fun! Little Buddy sure seems to be enjoying himself.

Anonymous said...

I. love. this. post.
but then what is NOT to love?!!!
little Buddy with his big bro. they're both so handsome!
and the pics from the water park. oh be still my heart.
how you find time to knit? luckily you can't see my mouth hanging listlessly but happily open in amazement. LOLOL! I bet they never wrote under~achiever on your report card. xoxo

Between Me and You said...

Wow, if I were watching your tv I'd think I was at the cinema!! It's huge!!Was it the box thingy in your bedroom which was causing your headaches? I hope they've cleared up for you now. I love the little one's handwriting. It looks fine to me. When my eldest boy was at his primary school (first grade), his teacher used to smack him over the hand for using his left hand and he would try and use his right hand which became very stressful for him, until I found out about it and made my objections known to the school. It never happened again. He eventually even had a left-handed guitar! I love your shawl so much, I've downloaded the pattern and am starting it now. Thanks so much for the inspiration, Mer. Lots of love. xx

CJ said...

Well, that looks like pretty good writing to me, and I love the sentiment too, he is a proud little brother I think. Lovely that he had some time with his big brother as well. The shawl is gorgeous, I really like the oblong shape for a shawl, it always seems very elegant. I'm glad the dish has been moved, I hope you're feeling more energised soon. I can relate a little to the fatigue. I've had low iron, and sometimes, all I can think/fantasise about is sleeping. Wishing you a good rest-of-the-week. CJ xx

Karen said...

I do love that drawing at the top of the page! I hope you're feeling better soon, my friend.

Caffeine Girl said...

I love LB's homework. Some boys just need more time to grow up. Mine sure did. There's nothing wrong with that!
How exciting that LB watched a whole movie. I hope you used that time to rest -- but it doesn't sound like it!
Your ZickZack is beautiful. It makes sense to knit it out of thicker yarn. My scarf made from fingering took forever.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Nice writing and drawing done by Buddy. The shawl is pretty. I think I'll download that one since its knitted. I'd like to find a variegated yarn. That is my yarn fun! I try to stay off internet for awhile too. Get more things done that way. Have a blessed week and hugs!

Christina said...

Your shawl is lovely, the colours are very autumnal - perfect just now. Little Buddy's writing looks pretty good to me, way neater the my nearly 10 year old's, who writes like a stream of consciousness, no space between words, no punctuation and atrocious spelling, too. The message and drawing are very sweet :-) Wishing you a peaceful week. x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I imagine most of what we're surrounded by these days is really messing with our entire systems and some people are certainly much more sensitive than others. Glad you got the booster box out of the bedroom. I think Little B's handwriting is pretty darn good. Looks like there was lots of fun at the water park. Your shawl is absolutely gorgeous. You deserve time to just be so no need to apologize. I haven't blogged in weeks. Hopefully I'll put something together this weekend. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

Jo said...

Your Zick Zack Shawl is fabulous, I downloaded the pattern myself ages ago but still haven't got round to knitting it. I'm impressed with Little Buddy's writing, I think he's done really well, and I love his drawing too. It looks like he had a great time at the splash park.

elns said...

Zick Zack looks lovely!

I was laughing at your "staycation" tasks. It's amazing what we try to cram into a little free time, right?

The family looks happy and adorable as well. I hope you are still managing a little time to breathe in between it all. Wishing you well.

Gracie Saylor said...

Although I am not an expert, I am very impressed with the detail and quality of Little Buddy's homework! He is ahead of some of the little students I tutored. I am left-handed and am glad to have more company if he ends up using his left hand permanently. :-) I crochet as a right-hander, and I swing a bat or golf club like a right-hander but use my left hand for racket sports and bowling. I am fascinated by some of the studies I have read through the years about what researchers are learning about how our brains work. In some of my life experiences I have definitely felt handicapped with issues in balance and coordination, and while I don't wish those difficulties on anyone, my challenges help me value individual uniqueness. I am so grateful to have had a generous creative, former RN mom who encouraged me to swim like you do with your sons. Your creative outpouring in parenting, befriending and making your stunning Zick Zack shawl inspire me, Mere. Thanks for posting! xxxxxxx

Lee said...

Love the photos you take of lil Buddy,he's so darn cute and loves the water,and "CARS",bless him.Hope the furry boys are behaving hee hee.Your Shawl is so Beautiful you must be so proud of it.Take care,remember to breath.hugs xxxxx

Jodiebodie said...

ah! So nice to be able to catch up on your news again but I am confused: I have never seen the word "rest" in the same sentence as "clean ceiling vents" etc.!

I do hope you managed to shirk some of the fatigue in time to go back to your work life. Although it is a nice mental break to do something mindless like cleaning after a week of intellectual gymnastics.

Congratulations on the completion of your Zick Zack at last! It is looking so lovely.

Toni said...

Sounds like a wonderful holiday weekend! Hope this week wasn't too crazy.

Needles and Wool said...

Looks like Buddy had a fun weekend in the water and with his brother. That is great he watched a movie maybe you can go to the theatre soon. The steering wheel idea was fun too! Love the shawl so pretty. Have a great week!

Penny said...

Gorgeous family photographs, and Buddy’s drawing is so expressive, thats one for the fridge door! Your shawl looks absolutely beautiful, and so professional. I have realised I will never be a knitter and will probably donate a lot of my yarn to my mum, who is a fabulous knitter, or the charity shop. X

Judy S. said...

Your Zick Zack is gorgeous! What a great finish. I also loved LB's math drawing!

Christine W said...

Wat a lovely pictures! And your ZickZack is so beautiful!