Hobbygasa presented a challenge on her blog yesterday to post a list of the seven things that you want for Christmas.
For as long as I can remember, I have not been able to sit through the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas" without being reduced to a big blubbering pool of tears. It gets worse every year. So that's made me realize that what I really want for Christmas if for everyone, everywhere to be home for Christmas. Every man, woman, child everywhere. I want them to be where ever it is that they consider home for Christmas. I don't want any family to look at an empty chair around their holiday table.
Oh yeah, and maybe some diamond earrings. ;)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I'm spoiled
I am the first to admit that I am spoiled. I don't think I have ever tried to deny that I am spoiled. I have made my peace with it and I am OK. I am spoiled.rotten.
What is it, that has spoiled me so? Electricity. Electricity and all that comes along with it. I love heat, hot water, lights, cable tv, my DVR, high speed internet, phone service. I love using my washer and dryer, my dishwasher, hairdryer, refrigerator...I could go on and on.
Having had no electricity for the last four days I have had a lot of time to think about how much I love these things.
In my last post, I mentioned that we had gotten a lot of this:
Turns out that was a bit of an understatement. We did not get a lot of ice, we got a freakin' butt load of it.
That tree is pretty much destroyed, as is this one:
I won't bore you with the rest of the pictures. We have over 40 trees in our yard and there is not one of them that didn't suffer significant damage. We will be cleaning up limbs for the rest of our lives. The neighbors across the street have a tree limb in their bedroom.
I heard one report that stated there were 600,000 homes and businesses across the state of Oklahoma without electricity last week. We were without from Sunday night until Friday evening, but there are still a lot of people without power. I pray for strength for them until their power is restored. It's quite tiring.
Enough of the negativitiy. I have decided that the power outage has thrown me seriously off of my Christmas knitting schedule. I have put the mystery project aside for now. I have got to spend my time a little more efficiently for the next week, so I went to my LYS and got this:
Isn't that a pretty little multi-layered yarn cake? It is all Cascade 220 and it is going to be three pretty little felted purses for three pretty little girls.
What is it, that has spoiled me so? Electricity. Electricity and all that comes along with it. I love heat, hot water, lights, cable tv, my DVR, high speed internet, phone service. I love using my washer and dryer, my dishwasher, hairdryer, refrigerator...I could go on and on.
Having had no electricity for the last four days I have had a lot of time to think about how much I love these things.
In my last post, I mentioned that we had gotten a lot of this:
Turns out that was a bit of an understatement. We did not get a lot of ice, we got a freakin' butt load of it.
That tree is pretty much destroyed, as is this one:
I won't bore you with the rest of the pictures. We have over 40 trees in our yard and there is not one of them that didn't suffer significant damage. We will be cleaning up limbs for the rest of our lives. The neighbors across the street have a tree limb in their bedroom.
I heard one report that stated there were 600,000 homes and businesses across the state of Oklahoma without electricity last week. We were without from Sunday night until Friday evening, but there are still a lot of people without power. I pray for strength for them until their power is restored. It's quite tiring.
Enough of the negativitiy. I have decided that the power outage has thrown me seriously off of my Christmas knitting schedule. I have put the mystery project aside for now. I have got to spend my time a little more efficiently for the next week, so I went to my LYS and got this:
Isn't that a pretty little multi-layered yarn cake? It is all Cascade 220 and it is going to be three pretty little felted purses for three pretty little girls.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
A little of this and a little of that
Our cold, freezing rainy Sunday consisted of a little of this:
I spent a lot of time enjoying my fireplace today. There are few things that I find more soothing than a fire.
And a little of this:
Did a little knitting on the mystery project, which by the way, is kicking my @$$. It's grudge knitting at this point, I am going to finish it just to prove to myself that I am smarter than a piece of yarn.
And a little of this:
We had to have some cocoa to warm ourselves up after we cleared all the ice off the steps.
And a LOT of this:
Ice...it's everywhere and it continues to rain off and on. One of our smaller trees got so heavy from the ice that it was completely uprooted. We have limbs down ALL OVER our yard and the evergreen tree is bent almost in half from the weight of the ice. Our power was out for a couple of hours this evening and I know of others whose power has been out most of the day. It is supposed to rain for the next couple of days, I am hoping that it will turn to snow, it's easier to deal with than this ice.
I spent a lot of time enjoying my fireplace today. There are few things that I find more soothing than a fire.
And a little of this:
Did a little knitting on the mystery project, which by the way, is kicking my @$$. It's grudge knitting at this point, I am going to finish it just to prove to myself that I am smarter than a piece of yarn.
And a little of this:
We had to have some cocoa to warm ourselves up after we cleared all the ice off the steps.
And a LOT of this:
Ice...it's everywhere and it continues to rain off and on. One of our smaller trees got so heavy from the ice that it was completely uprooted. We have limbs down ALL OVER our yard and the evergreen tree is bent almost in half from the weight of the ice. Our power was out for a couple of hours this evening and I know of others whose power has been out most of the day. It is supposed to rain for the next couple of days, I am hoping that it will turn to snow, it's easier to deal with than this ice.
Who's responsible for this weather?
Meteorologist Frank Mitchell says we are going to have dreadful cold, freezing rain all week, but he isn't blaming the Canadians for it.
Monday, November 26, 2007
I've started something new
I can't say exactly what I am working on right now, because if I am successful it will be a Christmas gift. But I can give y'all a hint. I am knitting from a chart for the first time ever and the pattern is from IK Fall 2006 issue.
I bet Marianne has already figured out what it is.
KB and Hobbygaasa already know what it is...ssshh, don't ruin the surprise.
I bet Marianne has already figured out what it is.
KB and Hobbygaasa already know what it is...ssshh, don't ruin the surprise.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
May as well be thankful for it
On this Thanksgiving Day I am especially thankful for cold Canadian air:
Unless I am a total moron, that is something like -3 or -4C
Unless I am a total moron, that is something like -3 or -4C
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A finished object and an attitude adjustment
First of all I would like to introduce the beautiful and talented Miss Odessa:
I couldn't take a good picture of her to save my own life this evening, but she is done. That pattern was a lot of fun, I like knitting with beads and I am sure I will do it again. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and it is the color of dark chocolate. I think it made a beautiful background for the beads, even though you can't tell it in the crappy picture.
Odessa really is a quick knit. I got side-tracked for several days and didn't even touch it, but it could have easily been knit in 2 or 3 evenings. The results are most definitely worth extra work caused by the beads.
This little attitude adjustment was on Jaye's blog the other day and it made me feel a little bit better about my thick, unruly, freakishly curly hair:
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today."
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Happy Thanksgiving. Please be sure to take a few minutes to remember how much you have to be thankful for this week.
I couldn't take a good picture of her to save my own life this evening, but she is done. That pattern was a lot of fun, I like knitting with beads and I am sure I will do it again. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and it is the color of dark chocolate. I think it made a beautiful background for the beads, even though you can't tell it in the crappy picture.
Odessa really is a quick knit. I got side-tracked for several days and didn't even touch it, but it could have easily been knit in 2 or 3 evenings. The results are most definitely worth extra work caused by the beads.
This little attitude adjustment was on Jaye's blog the other day and it made me feel a little bit better about my thick, unruly, freakishly curly hair:
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today."
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Happy Thanksgiving. Please be sure to take a few minutes to remember how much you have to be thankful for this week.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Another blog survey
I found this on KB's blog and I thought it would be fun. Actually I am avoiding work and grasping at anything I can find to keep from doing what I should be doing.
If you decide to use this as an excuse to not do what you are supposed to be doing, then by all means let me know so that I can read your responses to the questions.
0. Your name?
Amy
1. First thing you wash in the shower?
Hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
I'm too old for hoodies
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yep!
4.Do you plan outfits?
Fashion sense like this just happens, baby. You can't learn this or plan it.
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
I think I am fi'in to sneeze.
6. What's the longest you've been with someone
I have loved Robert my whole life.
7. Do you say aim or a-i-m?
Depends on the context, If I were going to say something like "I aim to please" it would not make any sense for me to say a-i-m.
8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
I don't usually remember my dreams. I remember dreaming, but I rarely remember about what.
9. What are your pets' names?
My dog's name is Blowfish
10. What are you craving right now?
More coffee
11. Do you floss?
Yes, but only half-heartedly most of the time.
12. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
That hideous smell.
13. Do you go tanning?
Occasionally
14. Who do you talk to most on instant messaging?
I don't know, someone work related. Probably Debbie Ford.
15. Would you dance to the taco song?
Probably not in public.
16. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
I am sure I have at some point in my life, but I haven't lately.
what happened to 17? I skipped it while I was counting to 1000
heh heh heh
18. Where do you want to live?
In a self-cleaning house
19. When did you graduate?
1984
20. Have you ever met a celebrity?
I had dinner at P.F. Chang's one time with Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood. They were actually at the next table, but it was kinda like we were having dinner together, wasn't it?
21. Do you like cottage cheese?
No
22. What are you listening to right now?
Something is on the TV
23. How many countries have you visited?
Two
24. Are your parents strict?
Um, not really
25. Would you go sky diving?
I think I would
26. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?"
Yes
27. Would you throw potatoes at him?
No, what purpose would be served? My Mimi always said, "You'll catch more flies with honey."
28. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
My wedding ring
29. What is your house decorated as?
I don't know
30. Do you rent movies often?
No
31. Who sits in behind you in your math class?
I don't have a math class, I am an adult.
32. What was your first car?
Ford EXP
33. What's your natural hair color?
I don't remember.
34. Can you count backwards from 74?
um, yeah.
35. Who are you going to be with tonight?
Robert
36. Brown or white eggs?
Either
37. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Alaska
38. Ever been on a train?
Yes.
39. Ever been in love?
Yes
40. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes
41. Where do you work?
I am self-employed. I work from my home or my sister's home.
42. Do you do your own laundry?
Yes. Well, I don't always do it, Robert does it some of the time.
43. What is your best friend doing tomorrow?
He will probably hang out around the house until about 11:00 and then he will go to the hospital.
44. Who is your idol?
Idol? None come to mind, really.
45. Ever have cream puffs?
Yes
46. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
I don't think so.
47. What was the last question you asked?
What do you want for breakfast?
48. What was the last CD you bought?
Probably Rod Stewart's American Classics. I think that was the name of it.
49. Boys or Girls?
No more for me, thank you. I have had my share.
50. What is your bus number for school?
I had to walk to school at least 10 miles each way in deep snowdrifts with the wind howling. Barefoot, and I didn't have a coat so I had to wrap myself in newspaper to keep warm.
51. Is your hair curly?
Freakishly curly. Thank God for flat irons.
52. Last time you cried?
Yesterday afternoon when Robert and I were talking about a particular experience he had in Iraq.
53. Ever walked into a wall?
Of course
54. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don't know, but I am pretty sure that this is not it.
55. Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun?
Not that I can recall
56. What's your favorite food?
Bueno Chilada from Taco Bueno
57. Favorite time of the year?
Fall
58. Favorite color?
Blue
59. Where is your significant other?
I don't know, probably in the bedroom messing with the DVR
60. Do you have any tattoos?
No
61. The next person you'll hold hands with… will it mean anything?
Why would you hold hands with someone if it didn't? I'm confused.
62. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Yes
63. Where was your default picture taken at?
At a place where we don't end sentences with prepostions. OMG that was hateful, wasn't it?
64. What's the last movie you watched?
I don't know, I usually get sidetracked when I try to watch a movie at home the last time I went to see a movie I saw Mr. Woodcock. I love Billy Bob.
65. Do you like your life right now?
Yes
66. Who's your number one fan?
Probably Blowfish (the dog)
67. What is your favorite animal?
See #66
68. Do you have good vision?
No, I have horrible vision.
69. What's your favorite t.v. show?
My Name is Earl
70. Can you hula hoop?
I haven't tried in a while, I probably couldn't fit my enormous ass inside a hoola hoop right now.
71. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
I don't see myself forgiving a cheater, but I try to never say never.
72. Do you have a job?
Yep. I have to pay for my knitting habit somehow!
73. Do you believe in God?
Yes
74. What are you wearing?
Blue t-shirt and jeans
75. Who's your best friend?
Robert
76. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes
77. Can you handle the truth?
Of course not.
78. What was the most recent thing you bought?
eh, I don't know, groceries probably or maybe lunch at McAlisters.
79. How often do you talk on the phone?
Constantly when I am working, other than that, not a lot.
80. What color is your carpet?
Green
81. Do you hate/dislike more than 3 people?
I really, really try not to hate anyone (some people make that harder than others). Mostly there are just people that I don't particularly care for. I don't necessarily dislike them, just don't really like them either.
82. Do you like bowling?
Yes, I don't do it very often, though.
83. Are you sarcastic?
Oh, right. Me? Sarcastic? Whatever.
84. Have you ever slapped someone?
Yes, but not recently.
85. Do looks matter?
It depends on who I'm looking at!
86. Do you use chap stick?
Carmex.
87. Are you too forgiving?
Yes and no. I will forgive a lot of things, but once I'm done, I'm done.
88. Do you own something from Hot Topic?
What is that? I guess not.
89. Do you own a gun?
A BB gun.
90. Have you made a prank phone call?
Many times. That was before Caller ID and *69
91. Have you ever been in a castle?
No
92. Do you like your hair?
I love my hair since the invention of the flat iron.
93. Do you like yourself?
Most of the time.
94. Are you emotional?
Not openly, I try to have my breakdowns in private.
95. Are you sick of doing this survey?
Um, a little, yeah.
96. When was the last time you talked on aim?
I don't know, last week sometime.
97.Did you meet anybody new today?
No, but it is still early.
98. Whats the closest thing to you thats red?
Madeline's red chair.
If you decide to use this as an excuse to not do what you are supposed to be doing, then by all means let me know so that I can read your responses to the questions.
0. Your name?
Amy
1. First thing you wash in the shower?
Hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
I'm too old for hoodies
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yep!
4.Do you plan outfits?
Fashion sense like this just happens, baby. You can't learn this or plan it.
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
I think I am fi'in to sneeze.
6. What's the longest you've been with someone
I have loved Robert my whole life.
7. Do you say aim or a-i-m?
Depends on the context, If I were going to say something like "I aim to please" it would not make any sense for me to say a-i-m.
8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
I don't usually remember my dreams. I remember dreaming, but I rarely remember about what.
9. What are your pets' names?
My dog's name is Blowfish
10. What are you craving right now?
More coffee
11. Do you floss?
Yes, but only half-heartedly most of the time.
12. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
That hideous smell.
13. Do you go tanning?
Occasionally
14. Who do you talk to most on instant messaging?
I don't know, someone work related. Probably Debbie Ford.
15. Would you dance to the taco song?
Probably not in public.
16. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
I am sure I have at some point in my life, but I haven't lately.
what happened to 17? I skipped it while I was counting to 1000
heh heh heh
18. Where do you want to live?
In a self-cleaning house
19. When did you graduate?
1984
20. Have you ever met a celebrity?
I had dinner at P.F. Chang's one time with Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood. They were actually at the next table, but it was kinda like we were having dinner together, wasn't it?
21. Do you like cottage cheese?
No
22. What are you listening to right now?
Something is on the TV
23. How many countries have you visited?
Two
24. Are your parents strict?
Um, not really
25. Would you go sky diving?
I think I would
26. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?"
Yes
27. Would you throw potatoes at him?
No, what purpose would be served? My Mimi always said, "You'll catch more flies with honey."
28. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
My wedding ring
29. What is your house decorated as?
I don't know
30. Do you rent movies often?
No
31. Who sits in behind you in your math class?
I don't have a math class, I am an adult.
32. What was your first car?
Ford EXP
33. What's your natural hair color?
I don't remember.
34. Can you count backwards from 74?
um, yeah.
35. Who are you going to be with tonight?
Robert
36. Brown or white eggs?
Either
37. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Alaska
38. Ever been on a train?
Yes.
39. Ever been in love?
Yes
40. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes
41. Where do you work?
I am self-employed. I work from my home or my sister's home.
42. Do you do your own laundry?
Yes. Well, I don't always do it, Robert does it some of the time.
43. What is your best friend doing tomorrow?
He will probably hang out around the house until about 11:00 and then he will go to the hospital.
44. Who is your idol?
Idol? None come to mind, really.
45. Ever have cream puffs?
Yes
46. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
I don't think so.
47. What was the last question you asked?
What do you want for breakfast?
48. What was the last CD you bought?
Probably Rod Stewart's American Classics. I think that was the name of it.
49. Boys or Girls?
No more for me, thank you. I have had my share.
50. What is your bus number for school?
I had to walk to school at least 10 miles each way in deep snowdrifts with the wind howling. Barefoot, and I didn't have a coat so I had to wrap myself in newspaper to keep warm.
51. Is your hair curly?
Freakishly curly. Thank God for flat irons.
52. Last time you cried?
Yesterday afternoon when Robert and I were talking about a particular experience he had in Iraq.
53. Ever walked into a wall?
Of course
54. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don't know, but I am pretty sure that this is not it.
55. Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun?
Not that I can recall
56. What's your favorite food?
Bueno Chilada from Taco Bueno
57. Favorite time of the year?
Fall
58. Favorite color?
Blue
59. Where is your significant other?
I don't know, probably in the bedroom messing with the DVR
60. Do you have any tattoos?
No
61. The next person you'll hold hands with… will it mean anything?
Why would you hold hands with someone if it didn't? I'm confused.
62. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Yes
63. Where was your default picture taken at?
At a place where we don't end sentences with prepostions. OMG that was hateful, wasn't it?
64. What's the last movie you watched?
I don't know, I usually get sidetracked when I try to watch a movie at home the last time I went to see a movie I saw Mr. Woodcock. I love Billy Bob.
65. Do you like your life right now?
Yes
66. Who's your number one fan?
Probably Blowfish (the dog)
67. What is your favorite animal?
See #66
68. Do you have good vision?
No, I have horrible vision.
69. What's your favorite t.v. show?
My Name is Earl
70. Can you hula hoop?
I haven't tried in a while, I probably couldn't fit my enormous ass inside a hoola hoop right now.
71. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
I don't see myself forgiving a cheater, but I try to never say never.
72. Do you have a job?
Yep. I have to pay for my knitting habit somehow!
73. Do you believe in God?
Yes
74. What are you wearing?
Blue t-shirt and jeans
75. Who's your best friend?
Robert
76. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes
77. Can you handle the truth?
Of course not.
78. What was the most recent thing you bought?
eh, I don't know, groceries probably or maybe lunch at McAlisters.
79. How often do you talk on the phone?
Constantly when I am working, other than that, not a lot.
80. What color is your carpet?
Green
81. Do you hate/dislike more than 3 people?
I really, really try not to hate anyone (some people make that harder than others). Mostly there are just people that I don't particularly care for. I don't necessarily dislike them, just don't really like them either.
82. Do you like bowling?
Yes, I don't do it very often, though.
83. Are you sarcastic?
Oh, right. Me? Sarcastic? Whatever.
84. Have you ever slapped someone?
Yes, but not recently.
85. Do looks matter?
It depends on who I'm looking at!
86. Do you use chap stick?
Carmex.
87. Are you too forgiving?
Yes and no. I will forgive a lot of things, but once I'm done, I'm done.
88. Do you own something from Hot Topic?
What is that? I guess not.
89. Do you own a gun?
A BB gun.
90. Have you made a prank phone call?
Many times. That was before Caller ID and *69
91. Have you ever been in a castle?
No
92. Do you like your hair?
I love my hair since the invention of the flat iron.
93. Do you like yourself?
Most of the time.
94. Are you emotional?
Not openly, I try to have my breakdowns in private.
95. Are you sick of doing this survey?
Um, a little, yeah.
96. When was the last time you talked on aim?
I don't know, last week sometime.
97.Did you meet anybody new today?
No, but it is still early.
98. Whats the closest thing to you thats red?
Madeline's red chair.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Knitting with beads is fun!
I decided to knit with beads for my November Do Something New project. I gotta admit I have wasted a lot of time being afraid to try it. It is a lot of fun, and pretty too. I chose Odessa from Mag Knits
and am knitting it with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK color 18021 (dark brown).
It is a very quick knit, I am about halfway done with this one and I am sure I will make more of them. Oh, I will definitely knit with beads again.
and am knitting it with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK color 18021 (dark brown).
It is a very quick knit, I am about halfway done with this one and I am sure I will make more of them. Oh, I will definitely knit with beads again.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
I got my invitation
My Ravelry ID is brickknithouse. It will take me forever to get my stuff organized, but tell me your Ravelry ID so that I can look you up too.
It could be any minute now
I just checked the waiting list for Ravelry:
You are #41733 on the list.
256 people are ahead of you in line.
11813 people are behind you in line.
76% of the list has been invited so far
You are #41733 on the list.
256 people are ahead of you in line.
11813 people are behind you in line.
76% of the list has been invited so far
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
This jury ROCKS!
Here's the whole story:
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_on_re_us/funeral_protests;_ylt=AkRWUFb5AdBLIw3nQdzr2xys0NUE
I am really not sure where this church gets their information, I have read His book and in it God CLEARLY speaks AGAINST hating ANYBODY.
Whatever.
Brandon and Madeline don't know anything about spreading hate, they just want to say Happy Halloween!
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_on_re_us/funeral_protests;_ylt=AkRWUFb5AdBLIw3nQdzr2xys0NUE
I am really not sure where this church gets their information, I have read His book and in it God CLEARLY speaks AGAINST hating ANYBODY.
Whatever.
Brandon and Madeline don't know anything about spreading hate, they just want to say Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Not much knitting going on around here for the last week or so. I finished the match to my left-handed Fetching and have worked a little on a sock for my sweetie.
I have had an allergy attack of unprecedented proportions so for the most part all I have done for the last week is sip cough syrup through a straw and pray for the sweet release of death. Robert claims that I have done a considerable amount of whining too, but I don't recall any of that. I've lost my voice so even if I could whine it would be unlike me to do so. He is crazy and must be making that up.
My parents are on vacation this week, a cruise of the western Caribbean with 5 other couples. They will be in Montego Bay tomorrow, Grand Cayman on Thursday and Cozumel on Friday. I am sure they are having a great time. They will be back in Galveston Sunday morning and home Sunday night or Monday.
It's back to the couch for me, with my cough syrup and tissues.
I have had an allergy attack of unprecedented proportions so for the most part all I have done for the last week is sip cough syrup through a straw and pray for the sweet release of death. Robert claims that I have done a considerable amount of whining too, but I don't recall any of that. I've lost my voice so even if I could whine it would be unlike me to do so. He is crazy and must be making that up.
My parents are on vacation this week, a cruise of the western Caribbean with 5 other couples. They will be in Montego Bay tomorrow, Grand Cayman on Thursday and Cozumel on Friday. I am sure they are having a great time. They will be back in Galveston Sunday morning and home Sunday night or Monday.
It's back to the couch for me, with my cough syrup and tissues.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Addictions, memes and other stuff
First of all:
I was a little surprised, I would have thought it was worse than that.
Secondly, I was tagged by Julie for a book meme, it goes a little something like this:
Open the book you're currently reading to page 161 and copy the fifth sentence on the page, then tag 5 bloggers.
The book I am reading right now doesn't have 161 pages so I just opened it to a random page (page 92) of New Pathways for Sock Knitters by Cat Bordhi and the 5th sentence is:
"Stitches with vertical compression, like slipped stitch patterns or garter stitch variations, are well suited to this pathway."
Who should I tag...hmmmm...
Emma she'll do it for sure - she LOVES her some books
Kristina
Annie
Tina
Tina or as Madeline would say 'nother Tina
I tried to tag people that I hadn't tagged for anything before.
And lastly, I finished this in just a couple of hours yesterday:
Of course it is only one and I have yet to start the second one, but I was really surprised at what a quick knit this was. I am thinking that this might be a good project for the llama yarn that my oldest, er I mean, my lifelong friend gave me.
The pattern is Fetching from Knitty. It calls for a heavier yarn, the llama is a sport weight, but I think it can be done with a few adjustments.
I was a little surprised, I would have thought it was worse than that.
Secondly, I was tagged by Julie for a book meme, it goes a little something like this:
Open the book you're currently reading to page 161 and copy the fifth sentence on the page, then tag 5 bloggers.
The book I am reading right now doesn't have 161 pages so I just opened it to a random page (page 92) of New Pathways for Sock Knitters by Cat Bordhi and the 5th sentence is:
"Stitches with vertical compression, like slipped stitch patterns or garter stitch variations, are well suited to this pathway."
Who should I tag...hmmmm...
Emma she'll do it for sure - she LOVES her some books
Kristina
Annie
Tina
Tina or as Madeline would say 'nother Tina
I tried to tag people that I hadn't tagged for anything before.
And lastly, I finished this in just a couple of hours yesterday:
Of course it is only one and I have yet to start the second one, but I was really surprised at what a quick knit this was. I am thinking that this might be a good project for the llama yarn that my oldest, er I mean, my lifelong friend gave me.
The pattern is Fetching from Knitty. It calls for a heavier yarn, the llama is a sport weight, but I think it can be done with a few adjustments.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Have you ever done anything that you had previously sworn you would never do again?
I do it all the time. I stand up in front of God and everybody and swear that I will never participate in (whatever) again. I am telling the truth when I say it, I fully intend to never do it again. It becomes a personal commandment...for a little while. Then something happens to me, I don't know what it is. I guess I just can't help myself, maybe I am weak, maybe this behavior is indicative of some sort of mental illness, I don't know.
What is it, you might wonder. Which self-imposed barrier did I crash through this time? It was the Seasilk...Seasilk and the Montego Bay Scarf. Modeled here by my youngest niece, Madeline.
The details:
Montego Bay Scarf
By Amy R. Singer
Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Knit with Handmaiden Seasilk in the Ocean colorway
Size US8 straight needles
Approximately 80" long by 10" wide
This picture better shows the details of the pattern:
Lace knitting still does not seem to come very naturally to me, but I will probably do it again. I am too hard-headed not to.
What is it, you might wonder. Which self-imposed barrier did I crash through this time? It was the Seasilk...Seasilk and the Montego Bay Scarf. Modeled here by my youngest niece, Madeline.
The details:
Montego Bay Scarf
By Amy R. Singer
Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Knit with Handmaiden Seasilk in the Ocean colorway
Size US8 straight needles
Approximately 80" long by 10" wide
This picture better shows the details of the pattern:
Lace knitting still does not seem to come very naturally to me, but I will probably do it again. I am too hard-headed not to.
Monday, October 15, 2007
A VERY pleasant surprise
Last week I got an email from my oldest friend. I better be more clear, she is not my OLDEST friend, I have friends that are older than her, but she has been my friend longer than anyone else. We met and became fast friends when we were four years old. That's 37 years ago for those of you who are counting.
Anyhoo, so I get an email from Dana wanting to get together for lunch and we agreed on a time last Friday and we met at Local Table. The time with a dear friend and the incredible food would have been enough to make it a great afternoon, but she brought me this:
This stuff ROCKS! 200 yards of 100% Llama, sport weight. She claims that she is not a knitter, but anyone that can recognize and appreciate yarn like this has most definitely got an "inner knitter" and I am going to try my best to help her wake it up.
This is a very special yarn, given to me by a very special friend and I would like to find a very special project for it. Do any of you have any suggestions?
Anyhoo, so I get an email from Dana wanting to get together for lunch and we agreed on a time last Friday and we met at Local Table. The time with a dear friend and the incredible food would have been enough to make it a great afternoon, but she brought me this:
This stuff ROCKS! 200 yards of 100% Llama, sport weight. She claims that she is not a knitter, but anyone that can recognize and appreciate yarn like this has most definitely got an "inner knitter" and I am going to try my best to help her wake it up.
This is a very special yarn, given to me by a very special friend and I would like to find a very special project for it. Do any of you have any suggestions?
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Noolie is pretty cool
Noolie is so cool, I think we should change her name to Noolio or LL Nool J or Nool and the Gang (wow that one came from the dead file). Not only did Noolie devote her time to walking with Betty's Boops in the Light the Night Walk to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but she raised nearly $800 by herself.
Another cool thing about that is that she had a contest and gave US prizes for helping her with her fundraising efforts. Believe me I did very little, but I still received this in the mail yesterday.
Thanks Noolie, for rewarding my little (and by little, I mean pitiful) contribution to your effort. You are the one that deserves the prizes.
Another cool thing about that is that she had a contest and gave US prizes for helping her with her fundraising efforts. Believe me I did very little, but I still received this in the mail yesterday.
Thanks Noolie, for rewarding my little (and by little, I mean pitiful) contribution to your effort. You are the one that deserves the prizes.
Monday, October 8, 2007
If you think you're having a bad day...
You should go over to Jaye's blog and see what kind of day she had today. It was enough to make me want to slap someone and I wasn't even there! She could definitely use some happy thoughts if you have a couple to spare.
Here are the Regia silk socks I started a couple of weeks ago for my SIL:
The pattern came from a book titled Knit Socks - 15 Cool Patterns For Toasty Feet by Betsy Lee McCarthy, they are called, "Low-Roll Sporty".
We had a nice weekend, we went to the Fair, did some shopping, went to dinner with family for the P-I-T-A's birthday celebration. I hope your weekend was as pleasant.
Here are the Regia silk socks I started a couple of weeks ago for my SIL:
The pattern came from a book titled Knit Socks - 15 Cool Patterns For Toasty Feet by Betsy Lee McCarthy, they are called, "Low-Roll Sporty".
We had a nice weekend, we went to the Fair, did some shopping, went to dinner with family for the P-I-T-A's birthday celebration. I hope your weekend was as pleasant.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
My favorites
This is a contest for SP11. A list of my favorites:
Actor - That's tough, if I were judging solely on sexiness it would have to be Kevin Costner
Actress - Meg Ryan
Animal - Dog
Band - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Georgia Satellites, anybody classified as "Southern Rock"
Book - I don't read a lot of fiction, I like to read biographies and knitting books of course.
Bubble Bath - I like any kind of scented bubble bath
Candy - Chocolate
Color - Blue
Flower - Tulips...or Glads....maybe Irises...well, there's roses, of course...I don't know, what's not to like about a flower?
Food - Anything Mexican
Lip Balm - Beauticontrol Skinlogics Platinum Lip Protection
Lotion - I like any kind of scented lotion
Movie - Bull Durham - Kevin Costner is just too good-looking
Song - Amy's song, written, produced and performed by my husband, for me.
TV Show - My name is Earl
Vacation Spot - Any - a bad day on vacation is better than a good day at work
There you go, now you know even more about me. It's hard to have a blog and remain mysterious, ya know?
Actor - That's tough, if I were judging solely on sexiness it would have to be Kevin Costner
Actress - Meg Ryan
Animal - Dog
Band - Lynyrd Skynyrd, Georgia Satellites, anybody classified as "Southern Rock"
Book - I don't read a lot of fiction, I like to read biographies and knitting books of course.
Bubble Bath - I like any kind of scented bubble bath
Candy - Chocolate
Color - Blue
Flower - Tulips...or Glads....maybe Irises...well, there's roses, of course...I don't know, what's not to like about a flower?
Food - Anything Mexican
Lip Balm - Beauticontrol Skinlogics Platinum Lip Protection
Lotion - I like any kind of scented lotion
Movie - Bull Durham - Kevin Costner is just too good-looking
Song - Amy's song, written, produced and performed by my husband, for me.
TV Show - My name is Earl
Vacation Spot - Any - a bad day on vacation is better than a good day at work
There you go, now you know even more about me. It's hard to have a blog and remain mysterious, ya know?
Monday, October 1, 2007
OMG I feel really old today
Today is my daughter's 24th birthday.
She was the cutest baby, she had these chubby little cheeks and the biggest, brightest smile. Her blue eyes just danced when she smiled, they still do.
She was always a very smart kid. It seems like she was born talking, and she is still talking...and talking...and talking. She has always been an over achiever when it came to school and work. She is focused, hard-working and you'll probably never meet anyone more goal-oriented. She bought her own home ALL BY HERSELF before she was 21.
She is very funny, she has always got a funny story to tell. She is good at finding the humor in the not-so-funny situations too. She is also quite a writer. I think she should start her own blog, she claims that she doesn't have time. So she works full-time and is a full-time student, I am sure that she is not doing much of anything between midnight and three a.m. She could use that time to blog, right?
So happy birthday today to my beautiful, smart, hard-working, funny, pain-in-the-ass kid.
Love you, Kate.
She was the cutest baby, she had these chubby little cheeks and the biggest, brightest smile. Her blue eyes just danced when she smiled, they still do.
She was always a very smart kid. It seems like she was born talking, and she is still talking...and talking...and talking. She has always been an over achiever when it came to school and work. She is focused, hard-working and you'll probably never meet anyone more goal-oriented. She bought her own home ALL BY HERSELF before she was 21.
She is very funny, she has always got a funny story to tell. She is good at finding the humor in the not-so-funny situations too. She is also quite a writer. I think she should start her own blog, she claims that she doesn't have time. So she works full-time and is a full-time student, I am sure that she is not doing much of anything between midnight and three a.m. She could use that time to blog, right?
So happy birthday today to my beautiful, smart, hard-working, funny, pain-in-the-ass kid.
Love you, Kate.
Friday, September 28, 2007
I need some color advice
I haven't had an actual FO in what seems like forever, I need an instant gratification project so I am going to make a new purse using this:
I have several choices of colors to put with it. I have always thought blue looks nice with orange and yellow, so I could put these together:
There's always red, that goes well with orange and yellow for a very bright alternative:
I have brown for a more subdued look. Kind of an autumnal, changing leaf kinda thing:
If I combine it with black I would get a very Jack-O-Lanterny effect:
And last, but certainly not least is white for the illusion of candy corn:
What would you do?
I have several choices of colors to put with it. I have always thought blue looks nice with orange and yellow, so I could put these together:
There's always red, that goes well with orange and yellow for a very bright alternative:
I have brown for a more subdued look. Kind of an autumnal, changing leaf kinda thing:
If I combine it with black I would get a very Jack-O-Lanterny effect:
And last, but certainly not least is white for the illusion of candy corn:
What would you do?
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Alright, alright, I know when I am whooped.
I may be a lot of things, but I am not too proud to admit when I have been defeated.
The Montego Bay Scarf was not my first adventure in lace knitting and it was not my first failure either. But it is going to be my last, by gawd
It has become abundantly clear to me that I do not have the skills, the intelligence, the patience, or the emotional stability to knit lace. That's fine, I have accepted that and made my peace with it. I'm OK. But never, ever in a million years, not even to save my own life will I ever attempt to knit lace again.
If you are ever around me and hear me say that I am thinking about knitting lace I want you to crack me in the kneecap with a ball-peen hammer. That would be far less painful.
Here is what the Montego Bay Scarf looks like right now:
Piece of crap.
The Montego Bay Scarf was not my first adventure in lace knitting and it was not my first failure either. But it is going to be my last, by gawd
It has become abundantly clear to me that I do not have the skills, the intelligence, the patience, or the emotional stability to knit lace. That's fine, I have accepted that and made my peace with it. I'm OK. But never, ever in a million years, not even to save my own life will I ever attempt to knit lace again.
If you are ever around me and hear me say that I am thinking about knitting lace I want you to crack me in the kneecap with a ball-peen hammer. That would be far less painful.
Here is what the Montego Bay Scarf looks like right now:
Piece of crap.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I've been tagged
I have been tagged by Tina that I met on the
Do something New KAL for the 7 weird things about myself meme. I did this a few months back and I just am not sure that I will be able to find 7 MORE weird things about myself to share. I'll give it a shot, it won't be easy. ;)
Here's the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post rules
2. Share 7 facts about yourself, some random and some weird
3. Tag 7 people at the end of post and list their names
4. Let them know they were tagged by a comment on their blog
Here's the randomness that we call Amy:
1. I am right-handed but I play pool and swing a bat and golf club as if I were left-handed.
2. I am the middle child.
3. I have a very good sense of north, south, east and west, but I have to stop and think about right and left EVERY TIME! Could this have something to do with #1?
4. I found my first gray hair when I was 23 years old.
5. Morning is my favorite time of the day, until some *sshole wakes me up.
6. I really don't care who our next President is. I am not very impressed with any of the choices so far and I find all of the political bickering a complete waste of time.
7. I have watched Bad Santa, Bull Durham, Son-in-law, and Breakfast Club so many times that I have them practically memorized.
There you have it, you know me just a little bit better now. I am not going to officially tag anyone. I did that to you just a few months ago, but if you are reading this and want to participate, consider yourself tagged.
On the knitting front:
I am making pretty good progress on the Regia Silk socks. This stuff is heavenly. They are gonna be some comfy socks. I am also still working on the Montego Bay Scarf. I still VERY MUCH love the Seasilk, but me and lace knitting just doesn't seem like a very natural match. I won't give up yet, but I fear that I will have the wonkiest looking scarf ever knit on this planet. We'll see, but it's not looking too good so far.
Do something New KAL for the 7 weird things about myself meme. I did this a few months back and I just am not sure that I will be able to find 7 MORE weird things about myself to share. I'll give it a shot, it won't be easy. ;)
Here's the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post rules
2. Share 7 facts about yourself, some random and some weird
3. Tag 7 people at the end of post and list their names
4. Let them know they were tagged by a comment on their blog
Here's the randomness that we call Amy:
1. I am right-handed but I play pool and swing a bat and golf club as if I were left-handed.
2. I am the middle child.
3. I have a very good sense of north, south, east and west, but I have to stop and think about right and left EVERY TIME! Could this have something to do with #1?
4. I found my first gray hair when I was 23 years old.
5. Morning is my favorite time of the day, until some *sshole wakes me up.
6. I really don't care who our next President is. I am not very impressed with any of the choices so far and I find all of the political bickering a complete waste of time.
7. I have watched Bad Santa, Bull Durham, Son-in-law, and Breakfast Club so many times that I have them practically memorized.
There you have it, you know me just a little bit better now. I am not going to officially tag anyone. I did that to you just a few months ago, but if you are reading this and want to participate, consider yourself tagged.
On the knitting front:
I am making pretty good progress on the Regia Silk socks. This stuff is heavenly. They are gonna be some comfy socks. I am also still working on the Montego Bay Scarf. I still VERY MUCH love the Seasilk, but me and lace knitting just doesn't seem like a very natural match. I won't give up yet, but I fear that I will have the wonkiest looking scarf ever knit on this planet. We'll see, but it's not looking too good so far.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Mr. Woodcock and socks
Despite lukewarm reviews we went to see Mr. Woodcock this afternoon. We both really like Billy Bob Thornton and we thought the movie was hilarious. If you don't care for his brand of humor, you won't like it at all because it is classic Billy Bob. It was not quite as "wrong" as Bad Santa, but every bit as funny.
We went to dinner last night for my SILs birthday. This is what we bought her for her birthday.
**NOTE** That is my brand-new kitchen counter that the yarn is sitting on. THANKS, DAD!
SIL picked a pattern out of a book of socks for me to make for her. This yarn is awesome. It will be a comfy pair of socks. To my relief she pick a fairly simple, quick to knit pattern. Pictures soon.
I also started my Montego Bay Scarf with the Sea Silk. I have only done about five pattern repeats so far. Pictures of that soon too.
I will leave you with a quote from Mr. Woodcock:
"One of my swimmers got through, your mother's got a little Woodcock in her."
We went to dinner last night for my SILs birthday. This is what we bought her for her birthday.
**NOTE** That is my brand-new kitchen counter that the yarn is sitting on. THANKS, DAD!
SIL picked a pattern out of a book of socks for me to make for her. This yarn is awesome. It will be a comfy pair of socks. To my relief she pick a fairly simple, quick to knit pattern. Pictures soon.
I also started my Montego Bay Scarf with the Sea Silk. I have only done about five pattern repeats so far. Pictures of that soon too.
I will leave you with a quote from Mr. Woodcock:
"One of my swimmers got through, your mother's got a little Woodcock in her."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
What a fun group!
Tonight was knit night at the library and we had a good group, most of the regulars were there, except Emma, Eric and Tony. Don't know where they were, but whatever. I'm sure they have some excuse blah, blah, blah. (hee hee)
Starting on the left is Kathy, Sue, Ann, Esther in the corner with her wheel behind her, Marianne, Eva, Janet and Tina who were both there for the first time tonight, Cindy, Joyce and Madeline. Several have blogs of their own, links are on my sidebar. Go ahead, check them out.
I *so* enjoy my knitting group, I hope we can meet for a long time to come.
OFF TOPIC
I sure do wish the NYC skyline still looked like this:
I will never forget the sorrow, fear, panic, pain, anger, and the thousands of other emotions that I felt September 11, 2001.
Starting on the left is Kathy, Sue, Ann, Esther in the corner with her wheel behind her, Marianne, Eva, Janet and Tina who were both there for the first time tonight, Cindy, Joyce and Madeline. Several have blogs of their own, links are on my sidebar. Go ahead, check them out.
I *so* enjoy my knitting group, I hope we can meet for a long time to come.
OFF TOPIC
I sure do wish the NYC skyline still looked like this:
I will never forget the sorrow, fear, panic, pain, anger, and the thousands of other emotions that I felt September 11, 2001.
Monday, September 10, 2007
OMG!
OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! It's here!
This stuff...OMG! I can't even tell you what this feels like. And the color! OMG!
This stuff...OMG! I can't even tell you what this feels like. And the color! OMG!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
You gotta love the mailman
Yesterday the mailman brought me this:
Yeah, no bills, no junk mail just a box with two skeins of Patons Decor, a pretty grayish blue wool/acrylic blend, some hand cream, mints and a couple of pirate pencils. It was a prize that I won in a drawing at Do Something New KAL
It doesn't suck being me!
Yeah, no bills, no junk mail just a box with two skeins of Patons Decor, a pretty grayish blue wool/acrylic blend, some hand cream, mints and a couple of pirate pencils. It was a prize that I won in a drawing at Do Something New KAL
It doesn't suck being me!
Friday, September 7, 2007
My goodness, I have done a little shopping
I guess that vacation got me in the habit of spending money, 'cause that seems to be all I have done this week.
I went to the LYS and I got this:
It is Trekking XXL #188 "Shades of Gray" in the LYS and in my sister's house it looks like grays and black, in my house and most definitely in this picture it looks like grays and blues. It is too rainy to go outside and check it in the natural light, it is very pretty either way. It is on it's way to becoming a pair of socks for Robert. That is if I don't get too tired of knitting before I get them done, he has big-ass feet...size 12.
And while I was there I bought two of these, which will be a pair of socks for me.
It is Panda Cotton in the "Choclate Almonds" colorway. I sure do like the "Rosewater" colorway, may have to go back and get some of that too, since I am in the mood to spend money. I'm just sayin'.
Then I picked up this:
This one is Berocco Love It Colors in the Hotel California colorway. This one is going into the mail with a handful of other treats to SP11 spoilee. She said that she likes pinks and greens and what's not pink on this ball of yarn is most certainly green. Seems to be just what she asked for.
Yeah, and that's not all. I got on the innanets and ordered two back issues of Interweave Knits that I didn't have and just couldn't possibly live without...AND...a skein of
This! AAAAAAAHHHH! I am so excited to get this, I can't wait. I got this in the "Ocean" colorway.
Since I am now in the mood to add pics to this post I will add another vacation pic. Robert took this one standing on the beach in Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. the water there was green, but it was a very pretty green. When the sun hit it is seemed like it was glowing.
We sat at a bar on this beach and drank Coronas (we needed a break from the Margaritas). It sure was hard to leave, I don't know what paradise is like, but it's gotta be something close to this.
I went to the LYS and I got this:
It is Trekking XXL #188 "Shades of Gray" in the LYS and in my sister's house it looks like grays and black, in my house and most definitely in this picture it looks like grays and blues. It is too rainy to go outside and check it in the natural light, it is very pretty either way. It is on it's way to becoming a pair of socks for Robert. That is if I don't get too tired of knitting before I get them done, he has big-ass feet...size 12.
And while I was there I bought two of these, which will be a pair of socks for me.
It is Panda Cotton in the "Choclate Almonds" colorway. I sure do like the "Rosewater" colorway, may have to go back and get some of that too, since I am in the mood to spend money. I'm just sayin'.
Then I picked up this:
This one is Berocco Love It Colors in the Hotel California colorway. This one is going into the mail with a handful of other treats to SP11 spoilee. She said that she likes pinks and greens and what's not pink on this ball of yarn is most certainly green. Seems to be just what she asked for.
Yeah, and that's not all. I got on the innanets and ordered two back issues of Interweave Knits that I didn't have and just couldn't possibly live without...AND...a skein of
This! AAAAAAAHHHH! I am so excited to get this, I can't wait. I got this in the "Ocean" colorway.
Since I am now in the mood to add pics to this post I will add another vacation pic. Robert took this one standing on the beach in Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. the water there was green, but it was a very pretty green. When the sun hit it is seemed like it was glowing.
We sat at a bar on this beach and drank Coronas (we needed a break from the Margaritas). It sure was hard to leave, I don't know what paradise is like, but it's gotta be something close to this.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Oh, what a time we had
We are back from our vacation and it was unbelievable. We had such a wonderful time. I took this picture as I stood on the deck last Saturday afternoon.
I was unable to get a picture that accurately depicted the color of the water. I cannot think of a word to describe the shade of blue. It was so beautiful. As far as I could see was this beautiful blue water and I remember wondering when I took this picture, how deep it was. That evening the Captain made an announcement about the weather and told us that we were about 355 miles out to sea. He told us blah, blah, blah we are traveling at 19 nautical miles blah blah and the ocean depth is 10,400 feet. Ten thousand four hundred feet. As far as you can see X 10,400 feet deep = a lot of water. I don't even know how to figure out how much water that is. I wish I could describe that shade of blue, it was beyond gorgeous.
During our vacation we got a lot of sun, had a lot of margaritas, got a lot of rest, had a lot of margaritas, and did a little knitting, had a lot of margaritas. I finished my first pair of socks. And had a lot of margaritas.
I wish I could say that I will get a lot of use out of them, but my daughter absconded with them as soon I got them finished and laundered. I only hope she gets a lot of enjoyment out of them. Maybe I will get to keep the next pair.
I was unable to get a picture that accurately depicted the color of the water. I cannot think of a word to describe the shade of blue. It was so beautiful. As far as I could see was this beautiful blue water and I remember wondering when I took this picture, how deep it was. That evening the Captain made an announcement about the weather and told us that we were about 355 miles out to sea. He told us blah, blah, blah we are traveling at 19 nautical miles blah blah and the ocean depth is 10,400 feet. Ten thousand four hundred feet. As far as you can see X 10,400 feet deep = a lot of water. I don't even know how to figure out how much water that is. I wish I could describe that shade of blue, it was beyond gorgeous.
During our vacation we got a lot of sun, had a lot of margaritas, got a lot of rest, had a lot of margaritas, and did a little knitting, had a lot of margaritas. I finished my first pair of socks. And had a lot of margaritas.
I wish I could say that I will get a lot of use out of them, but my daughter absconded with them as soon I got them finished and laundered. I only hope she gets a lot of enjoyment out of them. Maybe I will get to keep the next pair.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
SP11 questionaire and another opportunity to help
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? The only thing that I am not that fond of is acrylic. And I am not totally against it, some forms are fun to knit with, just don't care for the stiff scratchy stuff.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I keep my needles and hooks in a disorganized pile.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My mom taught me the basics when I was a kid, I didn't have a long enough attention span for anything more than that at the time. I picked it back up about 2 or 3 years ago. I would say my skill level is intermediate, maybe remedial intermediate, intermediate minus??
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No
5. What's your favorite scent? I seem to like scents that have names like Rain, Fresh Linen, you know, stuff that smells clean, I guess
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? CHOCOLATE
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have done a lot of things, knitting seems to be the one that stuck. I have done that longer than anything else and I don't seem to be getting bored with it.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes, I can play MP3s. I like Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Country, 80s/90s hits
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like them all.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband, dog, me
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, mittens
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I am having fun with my first pair of socks right now, I will definitely be making more, I like felting/fulling, I am going to try lace in the near future.
13. What are you knitting right now? My first pair of socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? More than anything.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
It depends on what I am knitting, some projects need bamboo, some require straight needles, etc. I have used them all(well, maybe not plastic).
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? A couple of months
18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas. Specifically Christmas Eve, it is a very special tradition in our family.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn, needles, patterns, if you can call that a collection.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and Creative Knitting. Someone was telling me about a book called Knitting Sensational Socks (I think that is the title) they said that there were some very handsome men's sock patterns in that book.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Lace is next.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Sort of, I have knitted one and a half socks. My foot is 9.25" long.
23. When is your birthday? May 19
24. Are you on Ravelry? Not as far as I know...what is Ravelry?
As I mentioned in the title, another opportunity to help has been brought to my attention. Florence Knitingale has organized a blankie project for the families of the miners and rescuers that lost their lives in Utah. There is a button for the Miner Blanket Project on her sidebar. If you have a little time and a few yards of yarn to spare it seems like a very simple, painless way to show them that they have been in the thoughts and prayers of people everywhere.
We are leaving on vacation Friday morning and I have not packed one thing, haven't even done any laundry. Our big suitcase is somewhere between here and Balad, Iraq. Tomorrow after I get my nephew off to school I have to get my haircut, my new driver's license, get a suitcase, pick up prescriptions, do laundry, pack everything. I sure do hope that I work well under pressure 'cause tomorrow is not going to go well if I don't.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I keep my needles and hooks in a disorganized pile.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My mom taught me the basics when I was a kid, I didn't have a long enough attention span for anything more than that at the time. I picked it back up about 2 or 3 years ago. I would say my skill level is intermediate, maybe remedial intermediate, intermediate minus??
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No
5. What's your favorite scent? I seem to like scents that have names like Rain, Fresh Linen, you know, stuff that smells clean, I guess
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? CHOCOLATE
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have done a lot of things, knitting seems to be the one that stuck. I have done that longer than anything else and I don't seem to be getting bored with it.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes, I can play MP3s. I like Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Country, 80s/90s hits
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like them all.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Husband, dog, me
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, mittens
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I am having fun with my first pair of socks right now, I will definitely be making more, I like felting/fulling, I am going to try lace in the near future.
13. What are you knitting right now? My first pair of socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? More than anything.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
It depends on what I am knitting, some projects need bamboo, some require straight needles, etc. I have used them all(well, maybe not plastic).
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No.
17. How old is your oldest UFO? A couple of months
18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas. Specifically Christmas Eve, it is a very special tradition in our family.
19. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn, needles, patterns, if you can call that a collection.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and Creative Knitting. Someone was telling me about a book called Knitting Sensational Socks (I think that is the title) they said that there were some very handsome men's sock patterns in that book.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Lace is next.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Sort of, I have knitted one and a half socks. My foot is 9.25" long.
23. When is your birthday? May 19
24. Are you on Ravelry? Not as far as I know...what is Ravelry?
As I mentioned in the title, another opportunity to help has been brought to my attention. Florence Knitingale has organized a blankie project for the families of the miners and rescuers that lost their lives in Utah. There is a button for the Miner Blanket Project on her sidebar. If you have a little time and a few yards of yarn to spare it seems like a very simple, painless way to show them that they have been in the thoughts and prayers of people everywhere.
We are leaving on vacation Friday morning and I have not packed one thing, haven't even done any laundry. Our big suitcase is somewhere between here and Balad, Iraq. Tomorrow after I get my nephew off to school I have to get my haircut, my new driver's license, get a suitcase, pick up prescriptions, do laundry, pack everything. I sure do hope that I work well under pressure 'cause tomorrow is not going to go well if I don't.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I have managed to knit a little bit
Even though I have had my hands full this last few days trying to get Robert settled back in and getting things ready for our vacation next week I have managed to make a little progress on my second sock. I was kinda disappointed at first because there was NO WAY to make the stripe pattern on these two socks even look like they were pretending to match. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it match exactly, but I wanted them to match somewhat. The more I knit on this second one, the less it matters. I am falling in love with the little mismatched buggers.
I am not sure why it was so important to me that they match, I guess since it was my first pair I wanted them to look like I knew what I was doing. That in itself kinda cracks me up. It is the rare occassion that I look like I know what I am doing.
Now for the "tug at your heart/purse strings" portion of this post:
Light the Night Walk is an effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Julie is walking to raise money in her friend Betty's name. If you feel moved to help her I know she would appreciate it. Just click the Light the Night button on her blog to donate.
I am not sure why it was so important to me that they match, I guess since it was my first pair I wanted them to look like I knew what I was doing. That in itself kinda cracks me up. It is the rare occassion that I look like I know what I am doing.
Now for the "tug at your heart/purse strings" portion of this post:
Light the Night Walk is an effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Julie is walking to raise money in her friend Betty's name. If you feel moved to help her I know she would appreciate it. Just click the Light the Night button on her blog to donate.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Quick update
Robert's not home yet, but he is OUT of Iraq which makes me very happy. He should be home sometime in the next 36 hours.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
A recap of last weeks very uninteresting details
Monday - On the way to the library the alternator went out on my car. It was hot, I had kids with me. Good times. A tow truck picked up the car and my father picked the kids and me. Before Robert left we put four new tires on the car so that I wouldn't have to deal with that while he was gone. So the car is sitting in the shop with four brand new tires. Remember that point, it will become important later. So anyhooo, my dad takes me out to get Robert's car, and the rest of the afternoon is spent messing with the details of fixing the car. We didn't make it to the library.
Tuesday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Wednesday - We finally make it to the library. We read a couple of books while we were there and checked some more out to bring home. So we're walking out of the library and I notice that I have a flat tire (Robert's car, mine is still sitting in the mecahnic's shop with 4 brand-damm-gawd-new tires on it). UGH. Once again, it's hot and I have kids with me. More good times. Three hours, $165, and two new tires later, the kids and I are on our way home when my cell phone rings. It was my daughter, calling to report that she had been sitting at 66th and Lewis waiting to turn left when a car ran into the back of her truck. Thankfully it was just a minor fender-bender. The lady driving the other car was 87 years old.
Thursday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Friday - The insurance adjuster calls to inform my daughter that there is "some question of coverage" that needs to be cleared up before he can proceed with her claim. He said that the lady that hit her had recently lost her husband, who was the primary driver of the car that hit Kaytee and when the husband was removed from the policy the car was removed also. He had to find out of the car was supposed to be removed or if it was just inadvertantly removed when the driver was. Whatever...I don't know why we thought for even one second that dealing with an insurance company would be easy.
Saturday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Sunday - This was a good day, we went to dinner at Senor Tequila's for my dad's birthday.
I got involved with Do Something New KAL and I have already gotten started on my something new for August. SOCKS! Can you believe it? Me...knitting socks??? Well, I'm doing it. I don't have any pictures right now, and would be embarrassed to post them if I did because it is such a plain, simple pattern, but it's going pretty well. I have turned the heel and have done the gussett already. I am following Knitting Pure and Simple's Beginner's sock pattern #216 using Trekking XXL #84 in shades of green, brown and yellow. They are nothing compared to the socks I have seen all of you do, but it's a start. My September Do Something New project just might be lace, that is if Marianne is all moved and has time to help me get started. That might have to wait until October.
Happy Monday everyone, I hope your week sucks less than mine did last week.
Tuesday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Wednesday - We finally make it to the library. We read a couple of books while we were there and checked some more out to bring home. So we're walking out of the library and I notice that I have a flat tire (Robert's car, mine is still sitting in the mecahnic's shop with 4 brand-damm-gawd-new tires on it). UGH. Once again, it's hot and I have kids with me. More good times. Three hours, $165, and two new tires later, the kids and I are on our way home when my cell phone rings. It was my daughter, calling to report that she had been sitting at 66th and Lewis waiting to turn left when a car ran into the back of her truck. Thankfully it was just a minor fender-bender. The lady driving the other car was 87 years old.
Thursday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Friday - The insurance adjuster calls to inform my daughter that there is "some question of coverage" that needs to be cleared up before he can proceed with her claim. He said that the lady that hit her had recently lost her husband, who was the primary driver of the car that hit Kaytee and when the husband was removed from the policy the car was removed also. He had to find out of the car was supposed to be removed or if it was just inadvertantly removed when the driver was. Whatever...I don't know why we thought for even one second that dealing with an insurance company would be easy.
Saturday - Pretty uneventful, best I can recall.
Sunday - This was a good day, we went to dinner at Senor Tequila's for my dad's birthday.
I got involved with Do Something New KAL and I have already gotten started on my something new for August. SOCKS! Can you believe it? Me...knitting socks??? Well, I'm doing it. I don't have any pictures right now, and would be embarrassed to post them if I did because it is such a plain, simple pattern, but it's going pretty well. I have turned the heel and have done the gussett already. I am following Knitting Pure and Simple's Beginner's sock pattern #216 using Trekking XXL #84 in shades of green, brown and yellow. They are nothing compared to the socks I have seen all of you do, but it's a start. My September Do Something New project just might be lace, that is if Marianne is all moved and has time to help me get started. That might have to wait until October.
Happy Monday everyone, I hope your week sucks less than mine did last week.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A funny for Friday
You know, I get about 3gazillion (3gazillion - that's a three followed by a billion zeros for those of you that aren't familiar with how much 3gazillion is) jokes emailed to me every week. Most of them aren't funny, a few are what you would call "groaners", but once in a while I get a good one. I just have to share it.
It goes something like this:
A big-city lawyer went duck hunting out in Texas. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.
As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing.
The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it." The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in the United States and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in Texas. We settle small disagreements like this . . . with the 'Three Kick Rule.'"
The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?" The farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurred on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up."
The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney.
His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!
His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth.
The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow patty.
The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said: "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."
Oh my goodness, I just crack myself up somethimes.
I am knitting on something, I plan on having it finished this weekend. If it works out the way I want it to I will post some pictures. I am not working with a pattern, though, so it could just as easily go badly.
Please take a second to answer the poll I have added to my sidebar and by all means encourage others to answer it too.
Have a good weekend!!!
It goes something like this:
A big-city lawyer went duck hunting out in Texas. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.
As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing.
The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it." The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in the United States and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in Texas. We settle small disagreements like this . . . with the 'Three Kick Rule.'"
The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?" The farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurred on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up."
The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney.
His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!
His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth.
The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow patty.
The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said: "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."
Oh my goodness, I just crack myself up somethimes.
I am knitting on something, I plan on having it finished this weekend. If it works out the way I want it to I will post some pictures. I am not working with a pattern, though, so it could just as easily go badly.
Please take a second to answer the poll I have added to my sidebar and by all means encourage others to answer it too.
Have a good weekend!!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Any time of the day???
I saw this on Stitch-ay Woman's blog
I definitely am an afternoon person, they got that part right. To say, though, that I can find energy anytime of the day might be stretching it just a little.
| You Are an Afternoon Person |
 You can find energy any time of the day ... or night! You prefer to be out and about when most other people are. Very early mornings or very late nights aren't really your thing. You're practically solar powered, and the afternoon is when do best. |
I definitely am an afternoon person, they got that part right. To say, though, that I can find energy anytime of the day might be stretching it just a little.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Some people are just always thinking of others
I wish I could be more like that. I would like to be able to look past my own "problems" and do something to cheer someone else.
Marianne can do that, she is, in fact, very good at doing that. Despite the fact that she is trying to pack and move two separate households, I got a very sweet card and some pretty stitch markers from her on Friday. (The picture sucks, I didn't have my camera and had to use my phone.)
They came at the perfect time. I was having a complete melt-down, prozac moment, freak-out, breakdown, whatever...it was a bad day...choose your own label. My husband always says that I am the "brother" in my family, we don't have any real brothers and I was always the tom-boy, the scrapper, the tough one (again, choose your own label). I have never been one to wear my heart on my sleeve, or let anyone know that I was worried or scared or that my feelings had been hurt. Because of that, the people around me don't really know what to do on those ocassions when I do have one of those melt-downs. It just made for a bad day for anyone in my path.
Anyhoo, I want Marianne to know that her little act of kindness was a bigger deal than she would imagine. Not only is she kind, thoughtful, and generous, but her timing is perfect. She tells me that those stitch markers come in very handy when one is knitting lace...we'll have to see about that.
Marianne can do that, she is, in fact, very good at doing that. Despite the fact that she is trying to pack and move two separate households, I got a very sweet card and some pretty stitch markers from her on Friday. (The picture sucks, I didn't have my camera and had to use my phone.)
They came at the perfect time. I was having a complete melt-down, prozac moment, freak-out, breakdown, whatever...it was a bad day...choose your own label. My husband always says that I am the "brother" in my family, we don't have any real brothers and I was always the tom-boy, the scrapper, the tough one (again, choose your own label). I have never been one to wear my heart on my sleeve, or let anyone know that I was worried or scared or that my feelings had been hurt. Because of that, the people around me don't really know what to do on those ocassions when I do have one of those melt-downs. It just made for a bad day for anyone in my path.
Anyhoo, I want Marianne to know that her little act of kindness was a bigger deal than she would imagine. Not only is she kind, thoughtful, and generous, but her timing is perfect. She tells me that those stitch markers come in very handy when one is knitting lace...we'll have to see about that.
Friday, July 20, 2007
There's a bag lady born every minute
Here is a picture of my sister, Beth (left) and her friend Dona with their first felted bags ever. I bet these are not the last ones they make.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
A well deserved thank you
My No Sheep For You partner (still unknown to me) sent me a very pretty skein of King Tut Cotton this weekend. The label lists the color as #310, but it looks like ballet slipper pink to me. It is very pretty, I will have to find just the perfect thing to make with it.
Thanks again!!
And now for the Oklahoma weather report for Monday afternoon 07/16/2007:
Yes, I was driving and taking pictures at the same time again.
Thanks again!!
And now for the Oklahoma weather report for Monday afternoon 07/16/2007:
Yes, I was driving and taking pictures at the same time again.
Monday, July 9, 2007
My first fair isle project is complete
I stepped waaayy out of my comfort zone on this one. I knew that this pattern was obviously fair isle and I was ready to jump in and learn. But this pattern employed several techniques that I had little or no experience.
First, of course, was the fair isle. I loved it every minute of it and will do it again. There was a provisional cast on that I had seen Marianne do it before but had never done it myself. I will definitely use this again, it was not hard to figure out and the results are soooo much prettier than picking up stitches. Then, I had to use DPNs to knit the strap. I am still not a huge fan of this method, but I am no longer afraid of it. Lastly, there was an attached I-cord. This was another technique that I had never used before, but will use again.
If I had been able to read this pattern before I bought it, I probably wouldn't have. I certainly am glad that I did. I learned a lot of new stuff and got a really cute new purse out of the deal.
Here she is:
And the inside:
The pattern is the Lexi bag from Knitwhits.
First, of course, was the fair isle. I loved it every minute of it and will do it again. There was a provisional cast on that I had seen Marianne do it before but had never done it myself. I will definitely use this again, it was not hard to figure out and the results are soooo much prettier than picking up stitches. Then, I had to use DPNs to knit the strap. I am still not a huge fan of this method, but I am no longer afraid of it. Lastly, there was an attached I-cord. This was another technique that I had never used before, but will use again.
If I had been able to read this pattern before I bought it, I probably wouldn't have. I certainly am glad that I did. I learned a lot of new stuff and got a really cute new purse out of the deal.
Here she is:
And the inside:
The pattern is the Lexi bag from Knitwhits.
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