The move went really well Saturday. By 7 pm the only people left at the house were the ones who were staying the night. The movers got all of our heavy heavy furniture into the right rooms and I had most of the kitchen unpacked. Most importantly we had the TV set up. I made some peanut butter cookies with our friend Andrew while the boy went and got Chinese for everyone with our friend Josh. The four of us spent the evening eating Chinese and cookies while watching Good Luck Chuck. The movie was amusing although I think I would have preferred the rated version. The boobs got a little old…
Sunday we went to his parents’ house to get his clothes (a novel idea…) and some of his other belongings. We also walked away with our new (to us) pots and pans from his grandmother. They are Guardian Service and were sold during the War (WWII). I am told they make amazing food, however I am willing to bet that most of the “amazingness” came from the chef. I can’t wait to try them out to see how they cook.
Sunday afternoon my sister called because she was bored and stuck at home so I picked her up and the three of us hung out and put together more of the basement. The basement has been dubbed “the man room” (by me) as it houses all the entertainment items as well as the bar. Of course since the TV is down there the yarn must go down there because I knit while we watch movies so it will also house some shelves of yarn. Late Sunday night as the boy was getting ready for bed it suddenly dawned on me that I should probably set up our internet and check e-mail to make sure I wasn’t s’pose to fly anywhere on Monday. After a little grumbling and resetting the modem, our internet was up and running and I did not have any plane tickets in my inbox. Hooray.
On my last day in town instead of packing like a good girl, I went with my friend MysticSpiral to acquire yarn of the less expensive variety. Because we all know the best way to pack for a big move is to buy more stuff. I acquired 7 sweaters worth of yarn for about $14. How you say? Well, we went to the thrift store to reclaim yarn. Now it will find a greater purpose and longer life in my possession. I am a bit jealous that she found the 100% cashmere sweater in a lovely purple color. But I am quite pleased with some of my findings. After our shopping expedition we went and hung out at McDonald’s where she showed me how to break the sweater down. I forgot to take a picture of it in pieces but here is the yarn wound into skeins.
I may use this yarn to make Sahara. The fiber content is 40% Silk, 30% Nylon, 15% Ramie, 11% Wool and 4% Other
When all was said and done this is what was left over. Not too shabby if you ask me.
Friday night MysticSpiral, her daughter - Sprout and husband came over to share in homemade pizza and shenanigans for our going away party. Unfortunately a number of people had caught what ever bug it is that is going around and weren’t able to make it. I had a grand time hanging out with them and Sprout provided hours of entertainment for all of us. The boy and I must crash into bed now for we have to be up early in the morning to move.
Alpaca Surprise was completed on time and delivered to the boy on the morning of our closing. There were many reactions that did not really begin until he put them on.
“Oooo they’re soft and squishy.”
“My feet aren’t sweating, are they like wool and wicking it away?”
“They’re warm, but not too warm, I probably won’t wear them in the summer.”
“Can I wear them to work?”
“Can they go in the washer?”
“Thank you.”
He put them on and wore them for the rest of the day. We are going to keep an eye on them to see how they wear, if they turn out to be pretty hardy he may just get another pair! 
See, even the chicks dig his socks.
Description: Man socks for the boy made in Alpaca Sox.
Pattern: On Your Toes Socks by Ann Bud
Yarn used: 1 skein of Alpaca Sox (just enough yarn leftover for darning), Colorway 1877 Dress Grey (20% Nylon, 60% Alpaca, 20% Merino) 100g / 450 yds
Care Instructions: Hand Wash
Needle Size: US 2 (2.75mm)
Modifications: I knit until the leg was equal to the toe when folded in half. Plus by that point I just wanted them done.
Finished Size:Adult Large
Date Started: 2/12/2008
Date Completed: 3/24/2008
Notes: I knit these two at a time on magic loop. The foot took forever. In fact I knit for 10 hrs straight on a return flight from Germany and didn’t finish the foot. I kept reminding myself that although they felt like they were taking forever, I was making two and that when I finished the sock they would both be done and so it really wasn’t taking as long as it seemed. Once I got past the heel they really seemed to take off. I decided to knit until I ran out of yarn, but my goodness that skein has a lot of yarn. I kept referring to it as the never ending skein of yarn because each time I thought I was getting close to the end it just kept coming back with more yarn. So I bound off once the leg length matched the foot length.
Today we closed on our house.
Saturday we move in. Huzzah!
The closing was rather anti-climatic. I was a little sad we didn’t even get to see the sellers as we were hoping to ask them little questions about the neighborhood. Apparently, this is the norm these days. All parties from the closing scooted out of the meeting room before I even had enough time to process everything and ask the remainder of my questions. I thought a closing was suppose to be a big joyous occasion but really, it’s not.
After the closing the boy and I went out to try one of the “new to us” restaurants in the area, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. It was actually very good. We got a chicken barbecue deep dish pizza, a micro brew for the boy and an Italian margarita for me. After dinner the boy scooted off to work and I went to drop off our house key to the person who will enter our home first. It’s a little sad to only have your house key in hand 2 hours before you have to give it to someone else. But at least I know that my dear friends will be in my home washing out cupboards and prepping the home while I deal with the movers back at the apartment.
T minus 3 days until the move.
Today’s Eye Candy Friday is brought to us by way of German yarn shops. I bought this on my trip to Germany back in November. The plan at the purchase time was to make some sort of fingerless gloves maybe throw in some beading. I think that is still the plan. Any other ideas?
Name: Regia Silk 4-ply / 4 fädig (Uni / Solid)
Brand: Schachenmayr nomotta
Weight: Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi)
Yardage: 218 yards (199 meters)
Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 30.0 = 4 inches
Needle size: US 0 - 2½ or 2 - 3mm
Fibers: Silk, Wool, Nylon
Texture: Smooth, 4-ply
Machine wash?: yes
