Yarn Along

Amazingly I got a few rows knit this week.  Really amazing because if you remember I picked up 216 stitches last week - well, the next line of the pattern was the knit 1, yarn over to end.  So now we're talking about 400-something stitches!  It feels good to be making progress (and thankfully there are only 10 rows in this section.) 

This I just have to share.  A friend sent me the link to a free pattern and it is entirely too cute to not share.  I checked out the other patterns too - ridiculously adorable.  Really, you should check them out. 

The reading front was also pretty amazing this week.  I finished The Union Quilters.  I can't help but read about the Civil War and marvel that anyone survived.  Marching from Frederick, MD to Gettysburg, PA, it's only something like 30-some miles of lovely hilly countryside.  But in July.  Wearing wool.  Carrying all your gear.  Having not eaten properly in weeks or months.  And marching right into battle.  Maybe I'm just a big wuss but that is remarkable. 

And I started a new novel yesterday - The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly.  It "explores the imagined lives of Jo March's descendants."  So far pretty good (50 pages in.)  It's a nice blend of historical fiction and modern through finding Grandma Jo's letters in the attic. 

I can't seem to share a photo today because I'm using all of my space for it???  Anyone know anything about this?  I don't have any photos saved in Picasa or anywhere else and I do not want to have to pay for more storage (what a racket!) 
So now to link up with Ginny.   

Yarn Along

I am pleased to report that I picked up and knit 216 stitches this week.  Now on to the lace!

I've also made a bit more progress in my books (the main 3 I've got going at the moment anyway.)  The Union Quilters  is a nice, light read.  I really enjoy  historical fiction and seem to be into Civil War era lately.  Mother Teresa - Come Be My Light is so interesting, to read her own words and how deep her faith was is amazing.  As for You Are Your Child's First Teacher I'm really hoping I'll be able to renew it again.  But I'm loving it - who doesn't love reading something that agrees with what they think?  :)  It is giving me lots to think about. 

And so for this week that's all there is, there isn't any more.  Off to link up and check out what else is happening at small things.  :)  I love Wednesdays!

Yarn Along

I'm glad to be back Yarning Along.  Last week I had nothing to report.  Not a single thing.  It was so very sad.  But I've managed in the last couple days to get a few stitches in and I'm feeling a little better.  (Don't ask when I think I'll be able to finish the lace section, I'm not sure I can handle thinking about how long that will take.)  I'm really liking the project though and my frustration is entirely about not being able to work on it more.  I can't wait to see how it turns out. 

And in spite of having no time to read in the last 2 weeks I started yet another book.  That's what happens when, for once, Mama takes nothing with her to the library for preschool story time and baby miraculously sleeps - Mama wanders until she finds something to read.  Which is not difficult in our wonderful library.  So my main books at the moment are The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini and You Are Your Child's First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy.  If I can't be working on my own projects it's fun to read about quilting.  And I do love historical fiction.  And there is something wonerful about reading books that agree with you, isn't there?  :) 

So what have I been doing while I can't knit or read (books)?  I torture myself on Pinterest. 

And in honor of my mom's birthday today, one of my favorite photos of the two of us.  Happy birthday, Mom! 

Interestingly, I realized that we should have shuffled the family pictures around on the mantle - that one between her and I is of my paternal grandparents and I think I'm standing right in front of the photo of her parents.  Oh well, 7 years too late for figuring that one out.  But I am glad that the family photo from high school was blocked! 

Yarn Along

Well, there isn't much to say about my knitting other than that I'm still slowly making progress.  I should have it finished by Christmas ;-)  And at least I'm not getting tired of the pattern or the yarn, I'm just tired of not getting to work on it.

But then there are the books.  Even though I had several books going I brought a huge pile home from the library with me on Monday.  In my defence a bunch are for the boys (and I just happen to be really looking forward to reading them.)  But I must admit that I am now reading eight, yes 8, books.  Yet again, maybe I'll finish by Christmas :) 

  And now I'm off to see what other trouble I can get into checking out Ginny and the other Yarn Alongers :)  There's always so much to see. 

Yarn Along

This has pretty much been my knitting view for the last week.  You know those babies who wake up as soon as they smell fresh coffee?  Well, I have one who wakes up as soon as I touch/reach for/even just think about my knitting.  Like just as I sat down to start this post.  Yup, this is my life (for the moment.)  It's incredibly frustrating to me because it's not just the knitting although that might be the worst.  No, it's also reading, housework, sewing, getting things together to do projects with the boys, reading with the boys.  I'm basically spending my time walking around in circles with a cranky baby.  The last couple days she isn't even napping worth beans let alone going to bed in the evening.  Welcome to my pity party. 

But it's just temporary, just a season.  No sense really in getting upset.  It wont do any good so I might as well enjoy what I can.  Hopefully she'll let me check out some other blogs Yarning Along and let me post tomorrow.  Thankfully tomorrow is always a new day.  And thankfully I can hold her and the nook while pacing the apartment. 

Yarn Along

A quick Yarn Along this week - still the same project, still the same books.  But making progress and enjoying them both so it's all good.  Of course I thought I would have gotten more done but don't I always?  I figure I'm about 2/3 done with my knitting.  And probably my book too.  I'm hoping I'll at least finish the decreases today and start the last part but I'm not holding my breath.  There is someone in our household who needs an earlier bedtime but that someone has gotten accustomed to sleeping all snuggly with Mama and so is so not a fan of going to bed.  In fact, this wee someone woke up exactly 13 minutes into NCIS last night and was up until I went to bed a little after 10.  For some reason I really stink at the whole baby sleep thing (although at least this one naps and at least we've found a way of getting some sleep even if it is not ideal.)  All this kills any intentions of an evening of knitting or anything else for that matter.  But so it goes and that's the end of my complaining. 

t6hygg7yggtyt555444r4bbbnfgfm gvgfj hguf ggvhvgfht5667uyu8yu76yn   <- And this is what happens when one leaves the computer unattended to put said napper down.  True story. 

And this book - excellent.  (As was March which I finished last week - highly recommend it if you like historical fiction/ Civil War era/ Little Women.)  Anyway, I'm really loving her humor.  And also the ideas she presents.  Aren't "well brought up" children are everyone's goal?  And any hints at a calmer existence are always welcome.  Plus in some ways I can relate to raising kids in another country.  (I know Canada isn't that different from the U.S. but yet it is.) 

So there is my Yarn Along for this week.  Now on to checking out what else is being posted today.  And the ever important making of popcicles with the boys because they were promised popcicles today.  (Banana yogurt flavor by their choice if you're curious.)  Happy Wednesday :)

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny :)  Happy Wednesday!

 

Since there isn't much knitting to show off here is a sleeping baby :)  I have been getting bits done here and there but not as much as I hope (as if I ever manage to do as much as I hope!)  And, as you can see, the boys got a hold of my yarn.  I don't think it's tangled.  I really hope it's not, I'm not sure I could handle that set back in my cranky, teething baby exhaustion.  (Yes, she's 2.5 months and teething.  Anyone have any experience with amber teething necklaces?)  

I'm not making huge strides in my reading but I'm really enjoying my books.  March is excellent - it's really interesting to "get to know" the March family a little better.  Mother Teresa is likewise fascinating - although I will admit that is what I'm making the least progress in.  I also started another book.  Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman is about French parenting.  She describes it as "investigative parenting" and asks why French kids don't throw food.  I can't wait to see what she finds out. 

And I have to share the books I'm reading with the boys because I know fellow Yarn Alongers would totally appreciate them.  Red Berry Wool by Robyn Eversole has beautiful illustrations (painted by Tim Coffey) and the sweet story of a lamb who wants to be a red sweater.  Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep by Teri Sloat is subtitled "a yarn about wool."  :)  It's hilarious and a good description of making yarn.  And I now have my very own copy (for the boys, of course) thanks to PaperBackSwap. 

Yarn Along

Well, there isn't much to show for my knitting today.  Especially since it's gift knitting.  But I love the color - it's perfect for this first week of fall .  I'm slowly knitting away on it every chance I get.  Few and far between though those moments are.  Since I get so little actual knitting time I have lots of time to think about knitting and I figured out that if I knit one project a month I'll have my gift knitting finished for Christmas.  It helps that I actually get a few extra days seeing as I'll probably be sending them home with my mom when they visit for Christmas ;-)  But I still fear that this goal might be over reaching.  Oh well, the good news is that gifts are always a good thing, even if they come after Christmas. 

Reading hasn't had much more progress but I have started two of those books I brought back from vacation.  March by Geraldine Brooks is a novel based on Mr. March, off to war and therefore missing from Little Women.  I love historical fiction :)  Mother Teresa - Come Be My Light is the personal writings of Mother Teresa.  So far I've only read the introduction so I can't really comment on it.  I am so interested in getting to know a little of the "real" Mother Teresa, beyond the sweet soundbites that get quoted all over. 

And now for linking up and enjoying all the eye candy :) 

Yarn Along

Well, we're back.  I'll post about our trip later, if I get the chance.  There are at least lots of pictures so I'm all set for {pretty, happy, funny, real} tomorrow.  In the meantime we're trying to adjust back to life in the real world - detoxing from too much fun, too much junk food, too late of bedtimes.   It's gonna a challenging week but it's good to be home. 

Not a lot of reading was done in the past 2 weeks since I posted.  But we did bring a huge stack of books back with us :)  And it was nice to read the paper while drinking my (decaf) tea in the morning. 

There wasn't much knitting done either, what with so much going on, a cranky baby, and cats.  But I got some done in the car.  And I brought back a big pile of yarn.  Mostly for Christmas gifts, if I can get them done.  (That hank of "watermelon" there at the top - that'll be a present for me :)  Maybe I'll be able to have something to show next week.

Linking up with Ginny.  And hoping to catch up with what's been going on while we were gone. 

Yarn Along



I actually finished a project!  And I think I can honestly say it was all about process.  Although I do love the product.  But I think for the first time I was knitting simpy to knit.  Usually I figure if I'm going to be knitting I might as well be working on something (as in a definate goal with a purpose.)  So this scarf to just occupy my hands was a new experience. 

The yarn is leftover from the shawl I knit in the fall.  And the pattern is one I will most likely make again - I really like it. 

Reading this week was not so accomplished.  I did finish Bedknob and Broomstick.  It was fun.  I prefer the movie but sometimes that happens when you see the movie first.  I enjoyed the "background" though.  As for the rest of my stack of books it turns out my eyes were bigger than my... eyes?  They all had to go back to the library since we're heading out on a roadtrip.  But I'll be taking my nook and reading lots of Sherlock Holmes and whatever else I find on there. 

Now to link up with Ginny and see what else is going on.  And do laundry.  And pack.  And wash dishes and clean the bathroom.  So much to do before roadtrips.  I'd much rather be knitting.  (But I do have an 8.5 hour plus border crossing drive ahead of me - so much time to knit.  As long as the sun is up anyway.) 

Yarn Along

This week's knitting was good.  I'm nearly to the end of my scarf.  It hasn't even felt like a typical scarf - eternal.  Even though I suppose I've been working on it for nearly 2 months!  I also cast on another project, totally breaking my one project at a time rule.  But if I don't get started on Christmas I'll never get it done.  So this is secret knitting but maybe I'll show a bit of it next week. 

Reading this week has been good too.  I finished The Aloha Quilt and enjoyed it like the other Elm Creek books.  And I couldn't resist a big stack of books at the library.  Currently I'm reading Bed-Knob and Broomstick by Mary Norton.  It's a combined edition of "The Magic Bed-Knob" and "Bonfires and Broomsticks"  and is  the basis for the movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks (which I love.)  I've been interested in reading it for a while and there it was on a library display so I grabbed it.  Love it things work out like that.

And now off to link up with Ginny.  As if I need any more distractions, books, or projects.  But I love it! 

Yarn Along

Well, there still isn't that much going on around here for the Yarn Along.  But that's not stopping me :) 

I finally finished the sleeve on the cardi - so glad I went with short sleeves or I might never have finished!  Now all it needs are some sweet, girly buttons.  I think I'll look for those on our upcoming trip southward.  I also got my scarf fixed.  That means I might be able to make some progress on it :)  And it really wasn't that tough a fix - I managed without a single curse word. 

Other than those wee things I've been planning projects.  Christmas is coming, my Ravelry queue is full of ideas, and we're visiting family soon which means I can order yarn.  But first I have to make my plans.  So much fun!  I think there will be something on that list for me too ;-)  (I'm really loving the "watermelon" colorway from Knit Picks but what to knit it into...)

My reading has been more productive this week.  I finished All Wound Up.  Loved it.  (But then, who doesn't love the Yarn Harlot?  Well, what knitter anyway.)  And I started The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I've also been dabbling in Itsy Bitsy Yoga by Helen Garabedian in hopes of helping the Smallest One to be more comfortable.  We're trying to figure out the gas/reflux/allergy stuff - poor baby has been miserable and that makes Mama miserable.  With any luck a little yoga will help at least a little.  And of course there is always a stack of books waiting. 

Yarn Along

Oh, beloved Yarn Along.  And blessed sleep - I managed to keep Bigger in bed this morning until 7.  So instead of writing this post at 5:30 (which I really expected) I'm writing at rest time (and hoping that Smallest will finish falling asleep and stay that way for a little while, the boys are watching a toy train dvd because they don't "do" naps as a rule.) 

This week I managed to get the second sleeve onto the needles.  But that was it.  And I also managed to knit together some stitches on my scarf which messed with pattern and I need to rip it back to find where I went wrong.  But I need to have enough time (and focus) to do it all in one sitting so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get to it.  Granted, it doesn't mess it up to the point of being ugly so I could just keep going.  And boy is that tempting.  But I want to do it right - maybe I'm a perfectionist, maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment I'm really not sure which. 

I finished Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter this week.  It was a really interesting story.  Granted, I don't think I want to see the movie - the gore factor is probably way too much for me.  Other than that I'm still working on This Is My Body.  For a short book (only 63 pages) It's taking me a long time to get through.  I suppose I just don't have the focus for it at the moment.  So I picked up All Wound Up by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne at the library.  If I can't do much knitting at least I can read about it, right? 

And now off to link up at small things and see what else is being worked on :)  And maybe finish up that sleeve while a certain someone sleeps somewhere other than on my shoulder ;-) 

Yarn Along

Today's post should beshort and sweet - the WeatherMan is back to work today so I'm alone with all three and we started our dayat 5:30 when he went out the door.  I truly hate that our front door is right next to the bedrooms.  So there isn't much to share or much time to share it. 

I finished one sleeve on the sweater I'm working on.  It was only 4 rows and a bind off so I'm rather bummed not to have managed to finish the other but so it goes.  It should be an easy goal for this week, right?  I also need to work on picking up extra stitches because that came out a bit funky. 

As for reading I started Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter last night.  I'm only on page three so no comments yet.  I still have my scattering of books that I'm working on too.  And playing a lot of sudoku on the nook. 

Oh dear, I need to go break up a wrestling match on the couch.  What a day we're in for.  At least I can check out the other Yarn Alongers when I can catch a minute here and there. 

Yarn Along

I so love Yarn Alongs.  I love being able to share and get ideas.  And get motivated to finish projects.  Yay for checking in with what's going on with everyone at small things!

 I was able to get some kniiting done this week.  A baby who actually sleeps, sometimes even in her own bed is a remarkable thing.  The body of the puerperium is finished.  Now onto sleeves.  I'm thinking I'll leave it with short sleeves - less work that way ;-)  I've also gotten a few rows done on my purdy scarf. 

So taking this picture was funny for a couple reasons.  First, just how large it looks.  Or how tiny she looks.  Either way it'll be a while before she wears it.  The second funny was that she had the hiccups.  I love newborn hiccups.  They aren't upset by them for one.  And they sound like a drunken squirrel in a cartoon. 

Readingwise I finished Certain Women last night.  I'm getting a lot of reading done because it's so easy to do one handed.  Next up - to finish This Is My Body and get back into Sherlock Holmes.  I had to take a break from Holmes after he said "pshaw" - it was just a little wonky, don't ask me why, and I needed to step away.  But now I want to find out what happens after that brush off.

Yarn Along

Yup, I was the crazy lady with her knitting basket in the hospital.   I still needed to sew buttons.  The WeatherMan didn't really know what I needed out of it so he brought me the whole basket.  And the boys wanted to help, of course. 

 Here she is, ready to go home.  We'll try again with something less bulky and I hope we can get a better picture.  Oh, and the booties?  Just fit her long, skinny feet.  And don't stay on at all.  I'll have to play with the straps to see if I can make a better fit. 

I obviously did not finish the puerperium cardi I cast on last week.  (You might recognize the yarn from my great yarn untangle and my first attempt at socks.  I think it's happier like this.)  I didn't have the "required" yarn and needles so I upsized.  Just as well given how hot this summer is but it should fit in the fall.  And it looks like I'll have to buy the bigger pattern - both boys want sweaters too (and I am really loving this pattern, I totally get now why it is so popular.)  I'm also still working on my pretty scarf.  Both projects get a row or two knit here and there, when someone else has a turn with the Smallest or she's asleep on my chest.  Eventually she'll let us put her down when she's sleeping and maybe I can get more done. 

My reading is also scattered - all over the living room.  There's the Dr Sears Baby Book at one end of the couch and This Is My Body by Mark P. Shea at the other.  By the chair is Certain Women by Madeleine L'Engle and the Knitpicks and Connecting Threads catalogs.  Sherlock Holmes is in need of charging but still in progress too.  Once we get to a point where I'm not dozing off every other time I'm nursing I'll make more progress.  In the meantime, oh well :)  At least I can type one handed.  And catch up on blogs and Yarn Along.  So now off to link up at small things.  Happy Wednesday :)

Yarn Along

Thank you for all the good wishes last week - I'm feeling much better.  I took a few days off and have been more careful about my posture.  And I got the wee hat finished.  And one wee bootie.  (Because budget is always a concern) I had only bought the dpns for the hat (since I would need them to finish it anyway) but if I am to make another wee hat (which seems like a possibility, someday at least) I'll step up and get a circular to be more comfortable.  It should also help me keep my knitting a little tidier - all those spots where I switched needles tend to be a little wonky looking.  Now to knit the second bootie and then on to ?  My scarf?  Another baby knit?  I don't think I'll recast on my February Lady Sweater just yet, since distractability will be high for the next little while.  But it's calling to me. 

In my reading I managed to knock out two books this week as well.  I had looked over my list of finished books for the year and found I didn't finish a single book in June!  It was somewhat shocking.  So I picked up an Elm Creek Quilts novel at the library and finished that in about 35 hours.  I always really enjoy those.  And I finished Style, Sex, and Substance the other night.  Definitely an entertaining read.  And the questions for reflection at the end of each chapter helped me slow down and at least consider how it all applies to my life, rather than just cruising into the next topic.  The next book in line to be finished is the Tomie dePaola bio.  We love us some Tomie around here.  I'm especially fond of his religious books and folktale retellings but Bigger has also really taken to Strega Nona these days.  I'm enjoying getting to know Tomie (because he's one of those authors you feel like you can be on a first first name basis with) and the development of his work. 

And now I'm off to link up at small things :) 
Depending on what happens between now and then I might schedule a YA post for next week but perhaps not - the wee one is officially scheduled to be evicted next Wednesday morning!  Maybe I'll take the netbook and Yarn Along from labor and delivery.  Hey, I'll have to do something to pass the time ;-) 

Oh, and Karen Edmisten (one of the contributors) is hosting a giveaway of Style, Sex, and Substance right now.  Check it out here.

Yarn Along

This week I finished that second bootie.  I cast on a wee purple hat to go with the girly BSJ I have hanging out, waiting for buttons and a girl baby to wear it.  I cast on a simple yet funky scarf for some slightly mindless easy knitting for now and perhaps for after the tiny one who will suck out my brain cells by sleep deprivation arrives. 

And then I figured out that a bunch of my aches and pains might very well be being caused (or at least aggravated) by my knitting :(  I have pretty terrible posture and I find those wee double pointed needles incredibly awkward.  So I have very sadly set aside my knits for a couple days.  And actually I feel a little better.  Monday I did a lot of knitting, including casting on the hat and getting the first few rows done.  Tuesday I woke up so uncomfortable but by evening, after not knitting all day, I was almost back to normal.  Almost.  Still some lingering soreness in my chest and neck.  And a slight itching in my fingers and ache in my heart.  (Insert sad pouty face complete with big sticking out lip here.)  But such improvement.  So I'll rest the needles again today and see what tomorrow brings.  Hopefully I can get back to it without doing myself an injury. 

As for reading, I haven't been able to focus on any one book but enjoying puttering around with several.  Still enjoying Sherlock Holmes.  Still enjoying Style, Sex, and Substance.  Still enjoying (ever so slowly) Playful Learning.  Picked up Tomie dePaola - His Art and His Stories by Barbara Elleman at the library and enjoying that too.  And of course stacks and stacks of books with the boys.  This week someone let them pick as many books on construction vehicles, race cars, and motorcyles they wanted.  That someone then went back for a work rotation.  Fun, fun, fun, lucky mama.  (But really I can't complain, they love books and stories and that does make this mama very happy.) 
And now I'm off to link up at small things.  And to live vicariously through everyone else's projects, at least for another day or two.

Yarn Along

Warning: there is a level of adorable in this picture that might be disturbing to some viewers. 

That wee little bootie can't possibly fit a real foot, could it?  I mean I have two babies but they weren't really that small.  Were they?  I felt the same way opening that first pack of newborn diapers too. 
Anyway, since I took the picture last night I moved the buttons closer to the toe of the bootie so that straps would fit better and dealt with all those tails.  This pattern produces an insane number of tails but most of them are useful so that's a plus.  The sweater buttons are waiting to see which side they need to be sewn on (I'll be leaving yarn and a needle out for Fava while we're in the hospital :) 
Next up will be the other wee little bootie.  Then a pair of pink and purple to go with the other sweater and if I can get to Michael's before the coupon expires I'll get a set of small double point needles for a pink and/or purple hat too.  With 3(!!!) weeks to go I can totally pull that off.  And cast on a simple something that wont require much brain power for after the kidlet makes an entrance. 

As for reading I'm still enjoying Sherlock Holmes.  Did you see there is another new Watson/Holmes show coming out in the fall?  Maybe I'm just overly aware because I'm reading it but it seems like there are a ton of versions coming out right now.  I figured out this week that they'll make good reading while nursing - short installments, language that makes you feel smart, and the nook is ideal for one handed reading :)  And there are still about 1000 pages left between the two volumes I have. 
I'm also reading Style, Sex, and Substance edited by Hallie Lord.  A very sweet friend lent it to me and I am really enjoying it.  I'm not very far into it to say much but I could totally have written Hallie Lord's chapter about finding balance between style and modesty (yeah, trying to become invisible through her style -or lack thereof- that was totally me.  And I would still hid in my clothes most of the time if left to my own devices.)  But I can also totally agree with her statement that dressing nicely just feels better.  Schlepy clothes lead to a schlepy attitude.  I can't wait to see what the other contributors have to say on the other topics. 

And now I'm off to link up with Ginny.  And check out what else is going on 'round the blogs.  And cast on that other stinkin' cute bootie.  Happy Yarn Along! 

Yarn Along

The subtitle of this post should be "disappointment." 

Yup, that would be my basket, all my projects pulled off needles and reballed.  Mistakes were made and I do not have the brain power to attempting fixing them right now.  I'm better off starting again.  At a later date.  So for now I'm going to cast on some simple, hopefully easy baby knits. 

I'm thinking some booties and hats to go with the BSJs.  I also realize I'm slightly insane making handknits for a July baby.  It is beastly hot and I'm thinking hats???  Well, yes.  Perhaps largely because I think I can finish a couple hats in a couple days and get back to feeling some sense of accomplishment.  (No, that pink and purple is not significant.  I love the yarn and had needed a break for the usual blues I tend toward.  I figured as long as I've hung onto it this long I might as well get it some buttons, make it some accessories, and wait and see.  There's a 50/50 chance of this babe getting to wear it.  Well, maybe less than 50/50, it's rather tiny so we'll have to see if the wee one is really wee enough for it.) 

So there's my plan for the day.  Sit in my chair with a fan pointed at me, cast on some baby things, read some Sherlock Holmes, maybe if I'm feeling really ambitious (and the boys are miraculously asleep or out of the apartment) I'll quickly piece together a new curtain for the kitchen window to block to hot evening sun.  Oh, and of course check out the other Yarn Along posts at small things.  It's a nice plan.