Well, our camera is looking more like we need to just buy a new one. Easier said than done, of course! If it were working, I'd have pictures for you of my lovely swiffer pads that work so wonderfully. I'd also have pics of my latest project. I started a new shawl. This morning when I added my project to Ravelry, I found out that this will make the 25th project I've posted. And I think that at least half of them are unfinished...oops! Well, in my defense, I find it hard to knit wool in the middle of a Fl summer! Any way, my new project...it's almost done and it's going really fast. I started it on Monday and I just have to more pattern repeats and an edging to complete and then I'll block it and barrow a camera to take pictures of it.

Lately, Shiloh has been doing the craziest thing! She's just three months old and she will already answer simple yes or no questions by shaking or nodding her head. I'll have to take a video of it for you! It's the darnedest thing! Do you think that kids who have older siblings grasp things more quickly? Jenna was an early talker because, I think, Ashton was already talking and running around pedal to the metal when she was born. It's always amazing to watch what unfolds here each day...

What did we do before?

Attetion!...Breaking News Alert!...Congrats to my cousin Krista! She won the shawl and it will be winging it's way to her very soon!...And now bake to our regularly scheduled blog...

I feel very bummed that my camera, for whatever reason, has decided to go to pot. I think that it's just time to buy a new camera. Ours is one of the first digital cameras and it has a whopping 3 mega pixels. You can get a similar model now except that it has 8 mega pixels for the same price that was paid for this one. Any way all this blather to say, I finished some more knitting yesterday and I wanted to share it with you, but alas, you'll just have to use your imagination...

I made a reusable Swiffer pad. It's a beaut too! I use 100% cotton yarn in a purple and green variegated ombre. It has buttons to keep it on the Swiffer and when I'm done sweeping the kitchen I just toss it in the washing machine and it's good to go. I have to say, these have been a long time coming and I don't know why. It took me a whole two hours from start to finish and it was a completely useful result! And I did just buy the swiffer in order to make the pads. I had one when they were new and I hated the waste it created. But then I found this pattern and PRESTO! all it right in the world with my new favorite cleaning tool...

It's done!

My husband says I have a problem. He thinks that just because I stayed up until 12am to do the final row of knitting on this shawl that I am an addict. Well, if that's the case, let me introduce myself. Hi. My name is Megan Curtis and I'm addicted to knitting...

But, I think it's a good thing. And you might too when you see this butte!

Specs:
Pattern- North Roe Shawl
Size- 68"x 26"
Yarn- Colourmart 100% Silk in Duck Egg

I had visions for better photographs to show of this shawl, but my camera pooped out and quit reading the memory stick. I went do to Debbie's and borrowed her camera to take a few snap shots to show you.

Now for the fun part. I don't often knit things for myself. This time is no different. I've decided to give this one to one of you. So, from now until next tuesday (6/16/09) just place a comment here and you'll get entered. One comment per person please. When you comment, I'll add your name to the pot and then draw one out and who ever it is gets this lovely peice sent to them!

Go ahead, you know you want it!

Shiloh

Shiloh spends a good bit of time each day talking to us. It won't be long before we'll be able to understand everything she's saying. I can't believe that she'll be three months old on Thursday!

By the way...

This is Randall's new uniform...

Relief

I've mentioned before that I was searching for ways to deal with and overcome my postpartum depression. Well, I've finally found relief...

I have tried to do all the things that helped when I had it with Jenna. I went outside in the sun, I created things (baking and knitting), and I dreamed. All of them helped a little, but nothing completely took it away. Through it all I did continue to ask my Heavenly Father for help and to search for the answer. I've always known that the various programs that He had established in the church were for a reason. I gained my own testimony of the divinity of my Savior, Jesus Christ when I was a young woman at girl's camp. I gained knowledge of ways to care for my own family as I served in Relief Society. But, there was always one program that I struggled with all these years. That, my friends, was visiting teaching.

When I was studying and preparing my lesson for church, I found a link to this blog. And I found an answer to my prayers. I felt inspired that I needed to really do my visit teaching. I have a list with 6 sisters on it. I called and set up appointments to visit with each of them. I studied the lesson and made a handout. I got out some homemade apple butter to give to them as well. I took the baby and in the pouring rain mind you, visited with these wonderful ladies. And the Spirit was at each home. As I left the last appointment, I could not believe the warm relief that had returned to me. I no longer feel the cold lonely darkness of depression any more. I can truly tell you that I now have a testimony of the purpose of visit teaching. While we each can help to lift another, we can also heal our own hearts.

PS- I'm nearly done with the shawl. I've got 8 more rows to go and then I'll post the pictures and the specs.

A few more tidbits...

Thank you for all your lovely comments about my new hairdo. I terribly excited to get ready in the morning now. It's so easy and fast to make it super cute! Anywho... I thought I'd share some pictures of the cakes that Jenna made in her Easy Bake oven this weekend.

She's used it three times now and I think that she's starting to be happy in the kitchen with me. Ashton has always loved to cook with me, but Jenna would throw a tantrum if she thought that I wanted her help at all. Now, she really likes it. I do realize that it's really all about the food she gets to eat when she's done, more than the making it part, but it's a beginning.

Randall started a part-time job yesterday. I think it's certainly an interesting endeavor. He's doing security work again, which he hates now by the way, but it's a job that pays which is more than what we've had for the past two months. I'm going to see if I can get him to let me take a picture of him in his uniform when he goes to work tonight. If he does, I'll post it and then maybe you'll understand a little more about his reservations...