Well, we landed in Virginia a week ago and it’s been non-stop kids and getting used to living in a state with laws.
Seriously.
Here I need a passport and my actual social security card to get a driver’s license. In Arizona I think you just have to be able to pronounce your name. And you also should be breathing.
Mostly.
Right now, however, it’s nearly 3am and I’m covered in mosquito bites.
Yes, I’ve been putting spray on.
I’ve found some promising new ones, and I’ve learned a couple of tricks, the best of which is to put anti-perspirant on the bites.
It’s working.
Which is why I’m thinking my forearm—which is so itchy it’s painful—is maybe not so much a mosquito bite as it is a reaction to something. I don’t know what, though gluten’s always a likely target. Aspartame started giving me hives on my wrists, so I’ve been avoiding that. This is new, though. Really hot heat hasn’t worked, icy coldness isn’t working, and I’m soooo tired.
However, it’s given me a little peace and quiet to be able to catch you up.
I’ve been able to knit. FINALLY. It’s been miserable driving and driving and driving and not-knitting. So, once the DH was back in my life he volunteered to drive and lo, I knit an Ancient Mariner Watch Cap from the Madame Defarge pattern book (you can click a link in the sidebar to get one). And on that note, we’ve been doing pretty well. Folks seem to like the book so far and those who’ve knitted the patterns seem to be quite happy. I’ll post some pix below.
Other knitting has included Tristan socks for my BiL (also from WWMDfK?); a baby kimono for my NEW NEICE!, pattern from the first Mason Dixon book; two raglan hoodies (for the new babies in my life); swatches for a new sweater and skirt design; two shawls (both for Thing 2–he fell in love with two in Dixie’s shop in Eau Claire), and I know there’s something else, but I’m yawning too much to remember.
Instead I’ll regale you with some pix while I try to figure out what to do with my forearm again.
A little Defarginess for you:
Thing 1’s Gluten-free birthday cake designed and executed by Thing 2 
MamaO is Heather Ordover, author, designer, mother and knitter... not necessarily in that order. You can get posts from this blog sent directly to your inbox by signing up below, Follow her on Twitter and Like her on Facebook if you're feeling friendly-like.
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for “bug prevention” listerine. the original kind. mum says that works wonders for her… i keep forgetting to put it on.
for hives/reaction/itchy burts bees res-q ointment. that stuff be magic for me. cleared up quite a few things on my arm quickly.
Love Burt’s Bees, but never heard of that one. I’m excited! Nail polish is holding me for now… that and boiling tea-bags before the polish application…
Welcome to Virginia, Heather! I made the Tucson to Northern Virginia move almost 4 yrs ago now, so please let me know if you have any questions or would like to get together.
Sorry about the mosquitoes – they can be pretty heinous. My husband and I swear by incense-like mosquito coils to ward them off, but I don’t have any great remedies once bitten. I have an awful time with bites, too…
Wow! What are the chances of AZ to NoVa?! Small world! Do you have a fave yarn store around these parts?