It seems like so much has happened this week. So, I guess I'll try to chronicle it here and see if it's really as much as it felt like.
I guess I should actually bump back to two weeks ago after Sunday Mass. I went to say "hello" to my friend who had just finished cantoring, and in the process of that I met the woman who played the piano for her. It turns out that in the wake of our music minister leaving, this woman was one of many who stepped up and took responsbility for one part of the music program. I, myself, left cantoring about 5 years ago for a variety of reasons. The most important reason is that I didn't feel I was singing for the right reason.
While I was talking with my friend and the piano player, I learned that the piano player was organizing a contemporary ensemble to sing for an upcoming event in church, and she asked if I would like to join them. Well, I had been hoping to get back to singing in church, and the main roadblock for me was now gone. So, "Yes," I said. "I think I'd really like that!" And that was when she told me that Cardinal George would be celebrating Mass for that special event. gulp
This afternoon, after a mere three practices, our new little ensemble had the privilege of singing for the Mass celebrated by Cardinal George. The church was so full of energy, and it was quite an experience. And I'm amazed that we managed to pull this all together so quickly. I say "we" when I really mean "she." It was really our fearless piano player that rallied us together and helped us find the courage we needed to sing from the heart.
The second Big Thing that took place this week was DS's surgical procedure to remove the port-a-cath he had in place for his chemo. Now that chemo is over, the port is no longer needed. And I thank God for that!!
While we were waiting for DS's surgery to be done, I decided to try my hand at knitting two socks on two circular needles ... toe up. It was quite a challenge casting this project on in the middle of the cafe in the Outpatient Clinic. As I wrestled with the two balls of yarn and two sets of circular needles a woman walked by and gave me a look that said, "Are you NUTS?!"
Well, that was the dropped gauntlet that I needed, because it was then that I decided that I would not be defeated by this cast on! On the third try, I did it. And now I have about 5" of two socks knit. I am not happy, however, with the shape of the toes. This particular cast on (found here) seems to leave a rather squarish toe. Of course, it could be my inexperience with this type of cast on that caused the squarishness. Instead of socks, it actually looks like I'm knitting a bikini with very deep cups.
About the time I figured out what I was doing, the nurse called us into recovery. DS weathered the surgery like a champ. He wakes up from anesthesia like most people wake up from a refreshing nap. When we walked in, he was wide awake with a smile on his face.
While we were waiting with him in the Recovery Area, we were treated to some entertainment from one of the adult patients. He was having a little more difficulty coming out of his anesthesia, but at least he was humorous about it. He kept telling his nurse that he didn't want to have his surgery. After she she finally succeeded in convincing him that he'd already had his surgery, he decided that he wanted to have it again. And this was followed by him accusing the nurses of looking under his gown.
I hate to add that I'm still waiting for the yarn for my Einstein Coat. {sigh} The USPS package tracking site tells me that the package arrived at my local post office last night, but, alas, it did not show up on my front porch today.
In preparation for DD's upcoming First Communion, we went shopping for and found a dress for her. Somehow I found myself offering to knit a shawl or bolero or something for DD to wear with said dress. I don't know what I was thinking. I guess it had something to do with the really pretty peachy colored tape yarn I found at Joann's that day. Four balls of it jumped into my cart while I wasn't looking. Thank God they weren't puppies.
And, finally, I am now felting the 5th of the six Oregon Totes I'm making. It's been through two cycles, and it's almost done, but I think it will need at least one more cycle -- maybe two. I decided to try the twisted handles on this bag instead of i-cord. They look really pretty, but they're not going to be as thick, and I feel they're too short. I may end up knitting up some i-cords after all.
So, I guess that wraps up my week. Again, this is all so much more interesting if you're actually living it.
And, more importantly ... Strike Up The Band ... the yarn for my Einstein Arrived!!! It's very soft, although a slightly different color than I expected. I expected the "raspberry" color, but not the charcoal grey. I still like it, though!
On a final note, I've finished my 5th Oregon Tote. Sadly, I'm just not as excited about this one as the others I've done. I think the let-down is coming from the handles, though, and that's easily fixable. So, I will possibly re-knit them. Oh, and this one was done in KnitPick's WOTA -- blueberry & daffodil. As usual, I double-stranded the yarn. It's weird how the Lamb's Pride shrinks more from top to bottom and the WOTA shrinks more from side to side. When I am ready to make my own Oregon Tote, I think I'll opt for the Lamb's Pride. It felts up much more solidly than the WOTA. Oh, and I forgot to take a picture of this one before felting. So, here is the finished product.
