Guess what this first photo means.........

The Hemlock is coming off the needles, and it is going to be a long process, but no too painful, as I am just so glad to be nearly finished it.

I did the last 12 rows or so of 'yarn over knit 1' and then 4 rows of knit. The edging for the cast off finishes it off nicely.

Next project is either the second month of socks or I will get a start on the peacock shawl. I have some 2ply merino in a rust or burnt orange colour and I would really love to make it in that. Will I swatch or won't I. For those who know me, already know that answer. I am not really big on swatching unless I felt it necessary, I feel like it is wasting good knitting time, and I haven't really had a problem with it for many many years.

I figure if the pattern is correct and the yarn is correct for the pattern or similar, then it is going to all work out OK.

The last month or so my life has consisted of 4 deaths and a ball, from that I attended 2 funerals as the age range was 19, 24, 37 and 75, I just couldn't face the two younger funerals and they died a day apart. The 19 year old I worked with and she was a few kilometres from home on the highway and something happened and caused her to go to the wrong side of the road having a head on with a 4wd, and her car burst into flames on impact, she was going to Canada for a year in early december to work at Whistler? The 24 year old was a second cousin who took his own life and only 8 years after we buried his older sister who at 19 died of a peanut allergy. We have already buried two 19 year old cousins over the years and I just knew I wouldn't cope with it again. A dear neighbour next to my parents died at 75 last week, which in my eyes is not old (my parents are 70 & 69). The 37 year old a dear friend we road with and who painted Ned Kelly mural on DH bike.

The ball was for the Kidz Wish Foundation which are a local Wollongong (Illawarra) charity for sick and disabled children. 2500 children were treated to their christmas party and entertainment during the day and then the sponsors and friends got together for the ball and more fundraising in the evening. Because the Harley Owners Group (Illawarra NSW Chapter) are a sponsor we got to buy tickets to the ball. The guys got to wear black jeans, white shirt, tie and their bike vests, (not fair), the girls had to go formal. I guess it isn't too bad dressing up in a dress sometimes.

Now for some excellent news, a wedding is being organised in our house, 6 December 2008 is the date.