a very long non-knitting, work related rant

Each day I go to work, and wonder, do I really like this job?  The answer can be complicated.  
One aspect of my job that never really bothered me in the past but now drives me bonkers is the endearing (NOT) behaviour of our customers.  
We have two cake sizes and about 12 flavors of cakes and tarts in our case.  Our case is about 5 feet tall, and I am about 5 foot 4.  I can't see through the glass at the back to the glass at the front.  Now here is a typical situation.  Customer comes up and from 3 feet away says, what kind of cake is that (did I mention the signs with cake name and price next to each cake).  They are pointing and I can't tell what they are pointing at so I ask which cake.  They say the one with the fruit on it.  I tell them it's a fresh fruit cake.  They ask the price (did I mention the sign???).  I tell them.  They say can I have that one (again with the pointing).  I say which size, large or small.  They ask, which is the large.  Now on a good day I say the one on the front row, on a crappy day I say the larger one is the large, and the smaller one is the small (I used to ask if they wanted the 6 inch or the 9 inch, but that just confused the heck out of all of them, did I mention tha the sign gives the size!!!!).   Now sometimes this is the end of the transaction, other times when I get out to hand them their lovely boxed cake, I get:
I don't like that one, I want an different one
can you write "happy 20th birthday john dick and harry" on a 6" cake in flaming violet, or better yet can you fit all that on a 3" diameter cookie
can you get me the smaller one, that is too large (or can you get me the larger one, that is too small)
can you put extra______ on it, why is that an extra charge
What spawned this today?  I had a customer call to complain about a cake.  She had gotten a different flavor than she asked for (I will admit we have screwed up a cake or two, but usually not that badly).  She said the team member that took her order "spoke really bad english" and she didn't think they understood what she said.  Now the woman who called was obviously not a native english speaker, so that bothered me (pot, meet kettle).  She wanted something (I didn't ask her what), and mentioned that her cousin worked for my company and told her the rules.  I asked her to return the cake I would check it out.  She said no one liked it so she threw it away.  Now to some this may seem like a reasonable story.  The me this screamed they ate the cake, she told her" cousin" (or the little voice in her head) she wasn't happy with it, her cousin told her to come back and get whatever she wanted in return.  It was the next day, not the day of the cake pick-up.  I told her that since she waited so long I couldn't really check her story and it would have been helpful if she had called the same day.  Well, I talked to the team.  They told l me she didn't place the order, her husband did.  And he ordered the fruit cake first then changed it to cappuccino.  We gave her a cappuccino.  We also had to fix the spelling of the kids name, because the guy misspelled it, twice!!!
This just bothered me.
The other thing that bothers me is when did "would you like your bread whole or sliced" become a yes or no question, or require so much thought?
*sigh*
 

forgive me friends, I haven't blogged......

Okay, vacation is over.  Took four, count 'em, four whole weeks off!!!!
Now I am back at work.  I have decided I hate customer service.  Actually, I just dislike stupid people, who ask inane questions.  Maybe it isn't stupid to walk into a grocery store and ask someone at the bakery counter "What do you have here that a diabetic should eat?".  My response instead of an annoyed sigh, should have been "you need to consult your doctor or nutritionist, I am not qualified to dispense nutritional advice".  I'll have to remember that.  Then there was the customer with the 30 minute cake consult, she wanted to taste different cakes, even though she said she had tasted them all before and knew which one she wanted.  Then she decided she wanted a strawberry and cream cake, with out the strawberries, but she wanted us to dye the whipped cream different colors.  She didn't seem to grasp that wasn't going to work very well.  Then there was the color explanation.  Folks just don't understand.  All natural plant based red does not come out red.  No matter how much red color you add, it will still be pink, not bright red.  
Anyway, today we had at company picnic, as sponsored by out cheapskate store team leader.  They had trivia questions, and the prizes were $10 gift cards, FROM OUR STORE!!!!!!!  Like he couldn't spring for gc's from like Borders, or B&N, or Target or something?  Or if they had to be from our store, maybe for more money than ten bucks?  That will pay for lunch, barely.  And he wonders why the team members think he's a loser.  Sheesh!  Oh, I won two gift cards.  What will I do with my 20 bucks?  Two gas cards would have been sweet!

Well vacation was great.  Got a little knitting done, but no pics of the knitting.  Just finished one of my no purl monkey socks, and immediately cast on the second sock.  It's knits really fast, so I could be debating who the reciepient is by the end of next week!!!! I seem to be running about 1 week per sock.  
Did work on cph, have gotten up to the arm holes on the back, and ready to bind off on the front panels.  What a neat sweater.  Took it to the eastern shore and got quite a bit of work done.  We went to Jane's Island State Park for a week.  Five days of eating crabs for dinner, and being eaten for dinner by dozens of mosquitoes and bitting flies.  It was great!!!  Gotta love that deep woods Off.  If only they could make is smell better.  
This is what we saw when we sat in front of the fire each evening.

This is what I woke to each morning.  TLG (the little general) starting the fire for breakfast.
This was the day the pancakes actually came out as pancakes.  The next morning...................that batch was a little......................strange :-)
We did the whole touristy thing.  The museums, and other strange places.  Janes Island is near Chrisfield, MD (like 2 miles away).  Chrisfield calls itself the Seafood Capitol of the World.  Major Maryland crab and oyster processing town.  Very quiet.  
We also visited Princess Anne,  nice town, lots of historic victorian houses.

Did I mention the canoe?  

Then I returned home, where I slept and read for a week.  My sister (the other one) did manage to drag me off to the beach, where her daughter got caught in the rip tide, and when her father swam out to rescue her, they both had to be rescued.  Thank heaven for surfers, bless all four of 'em.  They went out and bought them back.  Totally cool.
I did go back to the beach, but I didn't spend much time on the sand, or in the water.  It was nice anyway.  
Enough for now.  Must sleep :-)

sweet cafe.....

Okay, I need to blog more, if only for my sanity.  today was kinda freaky.  it started when I jumped out of bed (at 8:15 - the time i was supposed to be leaving the house to go to work) and stepped right into a nice cold puddle of water.  my first thought was "Ashleigh, why did you pee on the floor!!!!!!!" (sorry baby), but with my next few steps i discovered it wasn't the fault of my falsely maligned kitty, but the lovely rain that had seeped under my door and covered my floor, in strategic areas, like every other tile.  Okay, so I leave the house (after moving a few books and extension cords, and surge protectors to higher ground), with sister in the passenger seat (she of the moaning guilt about my stuff getting wet, that dissolved into gentle snores halfway to dc) and call the job explaining that I was late for work due to the flooding apartment (liar-liar pants on fire, partly).  I get to work late and get my stuff done, then leave early.  just as I am about to leave i am questioned by a rep from the regional office about some investigation into some weird cake underpricing thing at the store (which I think was actually an investigation into morale issues since the unions are sniffing around trying to get in again).  Well, i drive home in the (still) pouring rain and find there are no new puddles and the old ones have dried.  But best of all, i find that my yarn cafe package has arrived!!!!!  Yippeee!!!!  Now I was expecting this because darling Kay had spilled the beans and bought hers in, so I was in a properly yarn-lusty state when I got home.  She really made me jealous when she showed me her new Neighborhood Fiber co yarn, that stuff was.... like whoa,  it was just awesome.  I really hope Karida gets her act together soon 'cause the girl has mad skills in the yarn area.   Anyway, back to yarn cafe.  I'm thinking anastasia socks for the yarn.  I feel that designers need to be compensated, must be compensated, but i don't currently have the seven bucks to spare to buy another sock pattern (car window needs repair, check engine light is on, have fall hiking trip to save for, not to mention the summer driving trip with big sis, priorities must be set), so i'm going for the freebies.  enough rambling.  think i'll go charge the camera batteries so i can take pictues of all my recent yarn purchases.  oh, almost forgot, bought bryson rosewood sock needles at sheep and wool.  10 bucks!!!!!  compared to 20 for lantern moon that's a steal of such magnitude it cannot be properly described.  so i bought two pairs.  

spring????

spring has sprung, and with it has come the md sheep and wool festival. I have taken the weekend off to properly pay homage to this event. I have invited family and friends. We will of course travel on separate days. I can shop with friends, but not with family. Family, not being knitters, will be obsessed with prices. Friends, being knitters, will be obsessed with shopping. See the difference?

I have also completed (sort of) a 7 day total body cleanse. I won't bore you with the details, just let us say it went fairly well. I am trying to start a healthier eating regimen, less red meat, more fish and veggies. If you have ever watched "You Are What You Eat", you can probably understand where this is coming from. Plus my cholesterol is waaaaaay too high. Exercise is next on the to do list.

Since moving into my sister's house, life has been a little different. Some of my favorite foods are a little harder (meaning impossible) to find (like good thai and good chinese), but really bad stuff (like burger king and mc donald's) are a lot easier to come by (we are off of the highway - meaning near one of those handy-dandy blue exit signs reading gas, lodging, and cheap food). The family doesn't have any sort of eating plan except to get whatever is easiest. It's hard. I mean, I wasn't the healthiest eater before, but this is ridiculous. There is pizza, every week. Even on my own I didn't get pizza more than once per month, and sometimes not even that frequently. There is Wendy's or Mc D's practially every week as well. The amount of soda consumed is staggering. I am, I don't know what I am . Anyway, my sister suggested I cook whenever I feel like it. Actually, I suggested we come up with a menu and shopping plan. She told me to plan away. She didn't actually say anything about the shopping. I can't afford to to the shopping for 5 people on my salary, I guess we need to have a more serious talk about it. Either that, or I will continue to buy my own stuff, and take a friend's advice and get myself a small fridge to put downstairs in my space for stuff I want for myself. I already take the fruit I want downstairs because if I don't it will vanish with none left for me. It's hard. Thank heaven for knitting. It's keeping me sane.

can't wait!

okay, this has been an eventful week.

missed my pal Justine due to food poisoning (i really have to teach my housemates/family about the evils of leaving food out all the time)

almost fired two team members (my team leader is such a sucker for a sob story and a snow job)

had a birthday lunch with my mom (my birthday is monday, but she took me to lunch today - soup for me due to the still weak stomach)

i have started my cph again, and it's going like gang-busters

i have invited mom over for lunch on monday (did i mention it's my birthday). i plan to make my own cake, 'cause nobody knows what I want more than i do :-)

back in the saddle, yeeeeehaaaaaa!

well, after an extended hiatus, i am blogging again.
the move was more expensive than i thought it would be, in many ways, but i am now relatively comfortably ensconced in my sisters basement.
i have good and bad feelings about this, but hey, it's $400 a month, plus an extra 10 for they y membership. not a bad deal.
my computer isn't hooked up, so i am forced to use the kids'. they have like no memory on this thing so there may not be pictures for a while.

now for the important stuff, the sock clubs.

i oh so love twisted fiber arts yarns!!!!!!! her selections for the club have been fantastic, and the ravelry group is great. everyone gave out great suggestions for patterns. i made two pairs of socks from the yarn she sent, and i ran out of yarn for the 2nd pair, but purchased a great lovely 100% bamboo in a slightly brighter pink from this place, my new favorite yarn shop (i'm a sucker for a shop with a couch :-). it's less than 15 minutes from my house. how cool is that! back to twisted. the second sock installment has arrived and the colors are darker, but fabulous!!!! i love it, have i said i love her yarn?

ooooh and the yarn from jolly jumbuck was equally fantabulous!!! they sent this wonderful stuff in the most wonderful shades of blue. it was called mermaids ........um, don't remember the rest, but i think you get the drift. anyway, they sent a list of pattern suggestions along with it. love it. they also sent stitch markers, hand crafted, and a baby sock blocker key chain along with a baby sock pattern. and chocolate eggs, too! I can't wait until i get my next installment of this sock club. the next one if from a different dyer. will it be as great as this one??? who knows.

the last club was the eleganza club. it included a binder, newsletter with pattern included and, of course, the yarn. the yarn was a very bright kinda cottony thing for ankle socks. it was very nice, but i am not much of a lacy top anklet kinda gal. i'll probably look around for something else to mix it with.

on the other knitting front, I started and finished my noni triangle bag. what did you say? what noni triangle bag? what happened to the cabled sweater from hell and the central park hoodie projects???? well, the cable sweater is still lying around, incomplete. the cph has been frogged and is awaiting a restart. i found this pattern while searching through the noni website and decided i would order it one day. well, while perusing the shelves at my new favorite shop, i found it! i decided it would be a great bag to have. who cares that it's april and the weather is about to change! i am going to make me this bag, in charcoal and tan (because i have this yarn i bought for another project and changed my mind and used another yarn for it) lambs pride bulky. i haven't started felting it yet but i am way happy with it so far. it's going in the washer tomorrow night after work. it was a little tight on the tan yarn front, so i made a few changes (very minor - the strap has a stripe instead of being a solid color) but i think it's going to be great! i am going to line it. my other sister has a sewing machine! can't wait to add pictures!

blech...

I have the flu. next year I get the shot, I swear. I know I have been saying that for the last couple of months, but this time I mean it. Anything to avoid having someone stick that little swab up my nose again, yech. What makes the whole thing worse is that I can't find my knitting. I am surrounded by boxes, but I can't find the one with my cph in it. *sigh* The last thing I want to do right now is unpack. Not much of a post right now. I feel sooooo tired. I think I'll go back to sleep.

woohooo!!!!

Okay, my apartment is half packed, I am almost out of boxes, and the movers are scheduled to be here in 12 hours.  This should be fun.
Meanwhile, I have completed the first 3 1/2 inches of my niece's Central Park Hoodie. 
It's coming along swimmingly, but I guess it should be since at this point it's just rib :-) 
I must say I love the options needles.  They feel great, look great, and the sharp pointiness is divine.
I have also taken the plunge.  It pays to stay off the computer at 2am, I have to say that first.
This morning at about that time (actually it was probably closer to 1am), I joined 3 (count 'em, 3!!!!!) sock clubs.   The Eleganza Yarns Sock Club, the Yarn Collective Sock Club, and the Twisted Yarn Club.  Totally cool!  Very excited.  Well, I think I need to stop procrastinating and start packing :-).  If I get a solid hour of packing done, I will allow myself a 30 minute stretch of knitting :-)

ain't life grand :-)

Here I sit, I have The Matrix on the tube, my new phone on mute, my new options needles on the sofa sitting with my 10 skeins of lamb's pride wool/mohair in red hot passion (lot 020) and my central park hoodie pattern in hand.  I must say, after the minor (HAH!!!) glitch with the post office, knitpicks and ups came through with flying colors!!!!!  I may have mentioned that the wonderful people at the post office lost my package (expletive deleted because someone may actually know a good postal worker), the folks at knitpicks in response to my email requesting aid, sent a new package ups.  After a couple of misses with the delivery guy, and a bit of misdirection (my request to come in and pick it up somehow was changed to a request for a new delivery), I have my new toys and it's time to play.  I must say I gotta recommend knitpicks for their great customer service.  I also recieved the yarn samples I requested and now I think my own cph will be knitted in the superwash merino.  It feels yummy, and I think I found the color I like.

postal blues........

*sigh*  
It's been 10 days since my knitpicks options harmony needle set left ohio, and according to the usps 
tracking thing,  my needles are 8 blocks away at the Brentwood 
Road sorting station. 
They have been there for 7 days.  
I have emailed the postal service (for all the good that will do),
and I am tempted to email knitpicks (which will do absolutely no good what-so-ever).  
I want my new needles.  I want them now.  
Unlike Veruca, I don't want the world, I just want my needles.  *sigh*
I also want my other new item.  
I am due for a new phone (razr is doing that "I'm about to fall apart because
you know I wasn't meant to last for more than a year or two anyway"thing)
so I ordered this.  According to the amazon site, an item that I purchased
Friday evening, and paid for 2nd day service for, hasn't even been picked up yet!!!!!!!!!.  
How can they meet a guaranteed delivery day of the 16th if it hasn't even
left the warehouse yet!!!!!!  
It's active (I just left a message for myself *giggle*),
but I can't use it (whaaaaaaaaa).  
I bought it through Amazon because I saved $100 for the same 2 year
contract I would have had to sign up for if I had gone through t-mobile.
Well, patience is a virtue.  It's just I'm not all that virtuous ;-)

Happiness is.......

.......................stitch markers!!!!!!!!
Okay, raved about this hat pattern, then I got to the lace part.......several attempts later I thought "you finished an entire lace shawl, two of 'em, what did you do different from this little hat??!!!!!????"  And then it came to me, STITCH MARKERS!!!!!.  What a difference.  Now I know when I have added a yo or fogotten one.  whew!  Almost done.  But because of my hair, I am making the hat using bulky yarn, but following the instructions for the worsted.  Hopefully this will add the extra 2 or three inches of hat I need to cover my hair, otherwise I will have a really big hat :-)
Oh, and the yarn is Araucania Copihue.  

Resistance is Futile!

I did it!  I went shopping, in a fun and fab way.  One of my co-workers is a knitter (yea!) and yesterday I grabbed her and we went shopping.  We stopped at Inez's Stitchery and she bought a skein of something for a hat.  I left empty handed.  Then it was on to a tangled skein.  There I ordered 9 skeins of lambs pride worsted in a lovely shade of deep, dark red for my niece's central park hoodie!  So glad they came out with the plus sizes.  
Also, I purchased (because I couldn't leave a 2nd store empty handed!) this fabulous yarn 
that I am using to make a hat for me.  

I'm making this one, Kay's suggestion, and it is fun and easy! 
I also purchased needles to use to convert the lovely sockyarn from Suzanne into actual socks.  I bought circular Addie Turbos (insert light saber sound effect) in size 1.  They feel fantastic, much better than the size one bates circs I was using before.  
The bates had this nasty little bump just behind where 
the needles joined the cable, as well as this nasty tiny hitch 
just at the join.  
The yarn would alway get caught there and it made knitting socks such a chore, the other pair I started just stayed on the needles.  
I also drooled over the Lantern Moon sock needles, in their cute little bags, such lovely wood.
And the best part of all is the impending arrival of my Options Needle kit!!!!  It's on the road and should be here within the next few days!!!!  Ain't life grand *sigh*

turmoil

Well, my life seems a little chaotic right now.  There is the holiday, settling into a new job, packing and moving, it's Christmas and I have neither the time nor the energy
(nor the money) to go shopping, or to get people the things I want to give them.
I have lost my creative flow with the completion of baby brothers socks and cozy.  
I guess I just need to cast-on, but I can't seem to get into the flow.  
I went to StitchDC thursday night and bought some Cascade Baby Alpaca.  I was looking for inspiration and was listlessly poking around the shelves when some novice knitter and one of the sales divas came up beside me.  They were talking about scarves and baby alpaca.  The knitter was asking if it would be too scratchy for someone who didn't like scratchy wools.  I told her about my last b.a. scarf experience and she quite promptly bought the yarn.  Then some other chick bought the same color, then I found inspiration.  Unfortunately, they bought the last 4 skeins of the color I wanted.  bummer.  So now I have 4 skeins of baby alpaca in a very deep navy, or maybe it's black, it's so dark I can't tell which I suppose means it's black.  I guess my sister would like a little black scarf *sigh*.
I think part of the problem is also because of the upheaval I haven't been sleeping well, and I have a sore neck (this is day 4 of the sore/stiff neck saga), as a result I think I am really tired.  To make things even worse, I have just 2 See's truffles left *sigh*

I'm in lust *sigh*

I have been lurking on the knitpicks website for the last few days.  I'm talking stalker calliber lurking.  I want these!!!!!!!  I saw them at stitches and I really liked them.  Now granted they do only come in sizes 4 through 17, and I do have most of those in either dpns or circs, but I like 'em.  *sigh*  I guess its a good thing that they are out of stock until January.  

Thank you so much Suzanne!!!!!

The boxes were so pretty, I was almost hesitant to open them.  I mean, they did have Christmas wrap on them.  And so nicely done!

Now, the observant will notice a few things.  I said  "almost" and "did".  
Hah!  Like I was going to wait.  Puhleeeze!!!  Let's get real here.
Of course I opened them, like immediately.  One of the items didn't make it home unscathed (it's hidden behind the nicely wrapped ones).
What did I get, you ask?  Weeeeeeelll........TADAAAAAAA!!!!!

There was chocolate.  The blue one, the chocolate hazelnut thing, was gone like 15 minutes later.  I opened it, broke off a square, neatly folded it closed and savored my first portion.  Then I said screw it, and sat down with the remainder.  I briefly 
considered fixing a nice cup of 
tea, but hey, life is short and chocolate must be eaten :-)  Haven't tried the other bar yet, but it's time will come *eyes raised and hands folded piously*
The Earl Grey with Lavander is divine.  The Twinings Christmas tea went to work, it too is wonderful!
And the patterns!!!!  The snowmen made me laugh, the tea cozys......well, I have never wanted to knit a tea cozy, but now that I have a pattern I have to (just to see if the darn things actually keep the pot warm :-)  They just look so cute!!!  I love the green striped one and that's the pattern I am making.  Mine will be blue and white.
As for the backpack, I have been thinking about trying entrelac, and now I have just the pattern to start with.
Last, but not least, there is sock yarn and Favorite Socks.  She said to jump start my sock knitting.  I am off to get new needles.  The yarn is divinely soft and I love the colors.  The book is great and I am trying to decide which pattern to start with.  

Suzanne, thanks so much.  You have been a great pal.  I hope we stay in touch.  And you have a standing invitation to visit next time you are in the Baltimore/Washington area :-)

nummmm-scarf-snarfle-nummm.......

..........mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....I guess you can tell I got my last package from my pal.  Thanks Suzanne!  Pics to come, I need a breather right now, just a moment to recover.  I am savoring the last lingering traces of a Sees Truffle (Sees is her favorite local candy shop, and a big favorite of mine too, I always go there when I am in Cali).  I think it was something lemony coconutty, all I know for sure is it was chocolate and the flavor lingers on, mmmmmmmmm....... I think I need a sip of my lavender earl grey tea, too *sluuuurp*  ahhhhhhhh.........

well, nothing new

Nothing new to report. My internet at home is out so, I have to blog at work. A pesky situation since I am not supposed to be doing it :-)
I am debating about sending my sp a final package. She hasn't blogged much, which has been a disappointment. She never posted pics of my first box, and just wrote a "hey I got my box, will post more later" kind of thing, and never got back to it, yet she finds time for ravelry almost everyday. I am a little bummed about that. Can't decide if I am going to do this again next round or not. I did get some great pals the first two rounds, and my upstream pal is pretty great. *sigh*
Well, the socks for baby bro, as I mentioned were a hit. He wants elastic in them because he is concerned about stretching them. I think I'll just make him another pair. He says he wears them to bed every night and he plans to take them when he goes to shoot at Sundance. My socks hit the slopes!!!! um, make that the lodge, he doesn't ski.
I am making gloves for middle sis. They will match her hat and purse.
Big sis.......don't know what she gets.
Big nephew will probably get a hat. I think I know just what to use.
Stash reduction is the name of the game this year.
I think Big Bro will get socks too!

*sigh*

I wasn't going to do it, but when one of the chicks on the team guessed my age at 52, I had no choice.  Dark Chesnut, here I come.  
Also, I am frantically searching for a christmas project.  I think I have found a couple for me, but I need stuff for the family.  What to do?  Suggestions helpful.  
Last year it was hats and scarves and purses.  I think this year a purse for the older sister, a bigger hat for mom (yeah, I know I said she was off the goodies list, but she does wear the socks, and she is my mom after all).  The little girls are getting money.  Basic, and I don't have to worry if they like it or not.  Hmmmmm, that leaves about 9 other gifts.........

6 weeks of madness, and so it begins

For anyone who has worked in retail, they totally understand.  It's actually 7 weeks because it all began today, or maybe 8 weeks because it started a bit last week.  
What am I talking about? What we generally call "THE HOLIDAYS".  
It's that rush of 4 holidays in a 6 week period, starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year's Day.  I had a customer get a little miffed because I told her we didn't carry cocktail loaves except during the holidays.  She informed me that Rosh Hoshana (forgive my spelling if it's incorrect) IS a holiday.  I tactfully left it at that.  Unfortunately for her, when it comes down to it, it's not a major holiday as far as the retail market is concerned.  
The biggest holiday of the year in a grocery store is Thanksgiving.  The next biggest is Christmas.  New Years is usually pretty big too, with Hannukah thrown in tasty, sweet icing for the cake (a roving bonus holiday since the dates change every year - it's based on the Jewish calendar).  
I can't tell how much my dept in my new store is going to make (company policy), but we are talking more than I have ever participated in making in a dept.  It's stunning.
New store?  I left my old store like 3 weeks ago, and now I am working in a lesser position in a store closer to home.  I am enjoying not having to work as hard, and not having to work as long, and the shorter commute.  I like my new crew.  I like my new team leader.  I don't like the decreased pay, but life happens.  I don't have to do all the work, and it's a revelation.
It's also giving me the chance to actually be an assistant, something I never did.  It is actually kinda fun.
But this weekend it's all about pies.
Hundreds and hundreds of pies.  
I will be so sick of pie, it won't be funny.  
I may not have time for knitting!!!!!  
I'll be working 12 hour days!!!! 
Oh well.  I can knit now.

Finished baby brother's socks.  
Well, they started out as baby bros, I thought they were 
too girly a color for him, and then decided to keep them, 
then I thought I would let him decide if he wanted them.  
I mean, I really wanted to give him some socks, ya know?
I showed them to him, asked him if he liked them, 
and told him I had made them for him, but if
he didn't like them, I would keep them.  
He smiled and put them on.  He liked the stripes, the fit 
and the thickness. 
He slept in them the two nights he was at my house.  
I felt good to have made something he liked.  
Nothing like knitted love :-)


And here, finally, is cozy in all it's knitted glory.  Pictures don't do it justice.  
It is indeed, very cozy :-)

  
Oh, and here is my Fantine, from French Girl Knits.  
The color won't come out right. 
It's actually teal, not the blue it appears to be in this picture.  Very bulky, very warm.  
Needs a button :-)

how lost am I, Hah!

I was sitting here, for like an hour, trying to figure out why it was still 1am.  then I looked at the tv schedule and I was still confused, why was Cowboy BeBop on????  Then I looked up the usno clock, it's two am.  um, shouldn't it be later.  Well, I finally looked up daylight savings.  Cheesy-peesy, today is fall back day.  I could have enjoyed an extra hour of sleep and I spent my time watching anime!!!!!

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sock one, almost done

Wooohoooo, whatever my problem with youtube was, it's now fixed and 
I am once again back in the Naruto saddle!!!!!  
I've been watching my favorite anime on youtube (yes, it is a cartoon, but this ain't buggs bunny - not that I have anything against him, he's my fav!), I love anime!

I am also working on my first toe up sock for me?  This one is in a thinner yarn, not quite fingering and its on  us 3 needles.  I had planned to give it to several different people, then I decided I needed a pair of socks.  Pics later.  I have discovered I really like the provisional crochet cast-on.  It's so easy!

Happiness is......

.....a new package from you secret pal!
Yes, I am happy.  Wanna see why?
Now, to sorta give you a little bit about this, I have little sheep push pins (small row of 4 sheep traveling sideways).  They are adorable.  Love the sheep.  I have this delightful, yummy, soft, sensual, sensational Malabrigo in Tuareg (can we say oooooooooooh?!).  There is a little sheep note book (very cute, and quite handy).  And now we get to the spooky part.  Why spooky?  Well, this weekend I was in NY (no, didn't get to go to Rhinebeck, even though I was only 100 miles away!!!!!!) and I was in this Japanese bookstore.  My neice and nephew and I were poring over the gummies.  We debated, strawberry, kiwi or peach????  Well, peach lost (I wanted peach, out voted by teenagers).  Well now I have a bag of peach all to myself!!!!!
Also, last week at Stitches East I fondled the Interweave Holiday issue.  Decided no, I am not getting it yet.  This weekend went to Purl (great yarn shop, friendly staff) and again fondled the mag, decided to pick up yummy red silk/angora/wool instead (gloves for moi).  Glad I didn't get it, 'cause now I have it!!!!  Thanks so much pal!  Feeling quite spoiled, but concerned about the mind reading thing.  

cozy

Project Cozy complete, but for the blocking.  Now we will see if my idea works.  Taking a page from Mistress Brenda D I trotted off to the HomeDepot and bought some small rods, 3 feet in length (3 bucks a rod, 6 rods).  I need to wipe em down and then its on the bed they go.  my makeshift blocking tools.  I am determined this baby is going to New York with me this weekend.

12 more inches!!!!

Yes!  12 more inches to go on Cozy.  That's only six more pattern repeats, followed by the final 3 rows of garter stitch.  I could be finished tonight!  Then it just needs blocking.  I am thinking of taking it over to A Tangled Skein to have them block it.  I have neither wires nor space enough to block it myself.  It's going to end up about 6 feet long, my bed isn't quite long enough.
 
I am thinking of making a sweater for my nephew.  He is such an adorable boy.  He was so happy yesterday.  His football team won 30 - 0, and he sacked the quarterback!!!  Yippee for him!  

Heard from my pal again, she is plotting another package :-)  

well....

Off to the post office tomorrow morning to mail my pals first package.  Not going to post pics, in case she sees this, but I 
think she will like it.  
She likes socks, and there will be a sock pattern and yarn included.  I tried to find stitch markers,
but no luck yet.  I may have to try my hand at making some.  I have included a book from her wishlist.  I hope the list is up to date.
on the knitting front, I am 3/4 done with cozy.  I will be so glad to be done.  Can't wait to block it.
on the personal front, job issues I won't discuss.
on the physical front, it is so freakin' hot I can't stand it!  Where is fall!!!!?????

The stash moves out of the closet.........

Well, I have probably missed the deadline, but here are pictures of my stash anyway.  There is more, it's just scattered all over my apartment right now and I don't have the energy to look for it.  
I keep it in the closet to, well, I was going to say keep it away from the cat, but since she sneaks in there anyway, I guess that's not exactly how it's worked out.  I keep it there to keep it off the floor, basically.  The Namaste bag was a gift from a friend who has a friend who gets this stuff for FREEEEEE!!!!!!  How cool is that!  She has all this stuff and when she found out about me, she gave me the bag and a needle case and the bag was overflowing with yarn goodness.  Needless to say I was very happy :-)  
The yarn in the bag with the ribbon was from my trip to NOLA last year.  I bought this lovely hand dyed and hand spun purple and red yarn at this shop,  The Quarter Stitch.  Wonderful shop with a lot of great yarn.  If anyone gets a chance to hit the big easy, drop on by.  The staff was great and the selection wonderful.  
Yes, there is the infamous pink and black bag I felted, I still 
need handles to finish it.  See Justine, I did make it :-)  Still need to add the flower too, and the leaves.  

I am on vacation!!!!

Hmmm, I wonder if I can figure out where Kelly stored the pics on her laptop...............................................................................................................

Aha!! Here we go, me, gasping for breath on the trail. Yes, I know it looks like I am laughing, but trust me, it was the proximity to death in the form of the crumbling cliffs over the waters of slightly frigid Lake Superior.

Now I am currently ensconced in a lovely room in the Hilton something or other in Cincinnati. Very nice. Ooops, it's quarter to 4 and I promised to take something over to the center where Kelly's massage conference is taking place.

Gotta go!

Hey Shelby!!! Don't end the contest before I get home!!!!!!

I got goodies!!!!

Got my first package from my wonderful sp 11 partner.  There is tea, cookies and a cute little mug from her trip to Hawaii.  Yes, this tea is going with me to Wisconsin :-).  Can't wait to try it.  
There is beautiful yarn in my favorite colors (silk and wool, yummmmmm).  A tin of baby altoids (yummy).  Bath salts.  I was longing for a relaxing bath *sigh*, what timing!And chocolate, two chocolate bars!!!!  They are going to be savored, ahhhhhhhhhh.  Thanks so much for the package.  I love it!

WooHooo!!!!

I finally have a Ravelry thingy.  My name is Sakurak (i meant to make it Sakura-K, except it didn't quite come out that way, oh well).  
This afternoon I left work and found myself about to start singing.  I am officially on two weeks vacation!!!!!!   Soooooo glad to be able to sleep in tomorrow, sheesh!!!!  No baking, no problems, yes i have to send an email to my atl, but after that, all done (talk about your run-on sentences :-)
I leave for the Apostle Islands on Tuesday, then it's on to Cincinati (don't ask, I have a friend who is going to a conference, I am hitting the tea shops and book stores, and museums).  It's all about the leisurely drive.  I do have to return for inventory, but it's all good.  
Now I have to run to the post office to pick up my first package from my pal!!!  Luckily it's at the main post office and they don't close until midnight.  Can't wait to see what it is!

why i love/hate cozy

I love the color
I love the yarn, soft and silky
I love the pattern
I hate the pattern
I hate the fact that at least once every two pattern group repeats I end up with either 14 stitches when I am supposed to have 12, or 11 stitches when I am supposed to have 13
Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
And now I can't find that blasted usb cable for the camera *grumble, grumble*

no pics, buuuuuuuuuut......

I just got a prezzie in the mail from Justine (sp 10 pal)!  I almost snatched it from the postal worker (not a good thing to do), and then I started opening it on the way out of the post office (first flap was undone before I hit the vestibule, second flap just as I hit the door), then in the middle of the street I opened it up (the light was red, I was fine) and when I hit the car I cheated and started reading the first chapter of my new JD Robb (it's now put away, becuase I have 6 more books to go before that one, but I ain't makin' no promises it's gonna stay put away ;-).  I love the magnets, the note pad, and especially the felted "k".  The little stickers are way cool (they all have little k's on them  - woo hooo!!! yea for k!!!), perfect for that photo album I have been meaning to finish up.
Thank you so much, you spoiled me rotten!

What am I doing up??????

Haven't the foggiest.  I have been having difficulty quieting my mind to sleep for the last couple of weeks.  Maybe I should see my doctor.  

Anyway, tomorrow is the first meeting of the very small snb group I started.  We will see how long this lasts.  It's basically a group of people from work, getting together to talk and have coffee at the local starbucks.  I hope we stick to it.  They are really cool women, all team leaders at the store, I get along with them well and I think a few of us need an outlet.  We will of course be knitting, or something.  

Making great progress with Cozy.  The socks, um, haven't really done anything with them.  Still just toes.  I am doing a toe-up sock, but I don't have a pattern in mind and I need something simple.  I just purchased Interweave's "Favorite Socks" and I found a pattern in there that might be easy enough (need something challenging, but not frustrating) since it says for beginning sock knitters.  It's top down though.  Hope that doesn't matter.  I guess the lace pattern will be fine, and no one will know but me anyway, so who cares.  
So, that's what's on the needles!

As for what I did today, here is a picture of the cake we (my decorator and I) did for my Store Team Leader's daughter (she's 3 and today was her birthday party).  
The theme was butterflies (bet you couldn't guess that).  
The mom bought in all of these little paper butterflies that she had cut out (better her than me). The cake is peaches and cream (sliced peaches, yellow cake and sweetened whipped cream).  
I did the writting and the design, Bishnu iced the cake.  It was fun.  

Games? I looooove games!!!

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?  Well, I would have to say stitch markers, especially after working with cables and lace patterns.  It makes life sooooo much easier.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If
so, how much and what type of project?  I do take a project with me, and it's whatever I happen to be working on.  Don't care about the size or the type.  

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?  Hmmmmmm, that's a toughie.  I loved the Outer Banks, but what's not to love about sitting on the beach in the fog at sunrise.  I also loved Mesa Verde.  But the Cali coast is probably my real fav.  I love the drama of the coast, the sound and sight of the surf, and the peace of all of it.  And San Francisco is not bad either.


4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?  In the past I have really used those Elle knitting books that came out in the 80's (I think they are all out of print now).  I made several projects in those, and I return to them often for inspiration.  I don't think I have a current favorite.  

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?  I think my favorite knitting podcast is Cast-on.  

So psyched!

Heard from my sp11 pal yesterday.  I'm excited all over again.  I have new friends (Lynda, Justine, Shelby, Katie and Sabine) and now I am getting what I hope will be two new ones.   I can't wait to find out who I am going to spoil.  I also love the fact that Shelby is my hostess again.  I had such a great time last time.  

sp 11 questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?  Not overly fond of acrylics, hate fur, not overly fond of eyelash either.  Like simple straight forward stuff (mohair, angora, 100% wool, silk, cotton and the like).



2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?  Right now I am using a looseleaf binder with page pockets for my circulars, a roll up needle holder for the straights, and a canister for my dpns.


3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting off and on for about 20 years of so, but I still consider myself an intermediate beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yep!



5. What's your favorite scent?  Love gardenias.  I also like jasmine.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?  Yes I have a sweet tooth.  I like caramels, gummy stuff (like bears and fish), almost everything.  Just a reminder, chocolate is not a candy, it's a food group and I am a firm beliver in consuming as much as possible of that particular group :-)


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?  I don't spin, but would love to learn.  I do a little beading sometimes.


8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like classical, rock, jazz, r&b, lots of indie (like ani difranco), cajun is a new favorite, I have pretty open tastes.  I like very little country.


9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?  I love blues, reds, jewel tones mostly.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have a cat named Ashleigh.


11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Love hats, scarves and mittens.  Ponchos are not on my list of favorite things.  Shrugs are good though.


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?  I like knitting sweaters and mittens.



13. What are you knitting right now?  I am currently knitting Cozy (starting it for the 3rd time, but this time is the charm) and a pair of socks.



14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?  Love handmade gifts.



15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?  Prefer bamboo to aluminum, aluminum over plastic.  Like circs over straights, because i have a tendency to lose needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope, would love either.



17. How old is your oldest UFO? 3 years, still working on that sweater.



18. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?  Tea pots.  Love tea and the pots you brew them in (or cups you brew them in too).



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 lust after Lantern Moon anything.  The needles are beautiful and feel so wonderful in your hands.  
I fondle Alchemy yarns on a regular basis.  
I have subscriptions to Interweave Knits and Adorn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?  Intarsia.  I have a few patterns I would love to try.  Spinning.  Would really like to learn to do that.  Lace.  I get really confused with all the counting, but I love the end product (have finished only one project).


22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am a sort of sock knitter.  I like to knit big easy fast socks, although I fantasize about finishing my multicolor bluey-red stripey socks *sigh*
Foot measurements are 10 inches long and 7 inches around.



23. When is your birthday?  April 21st

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? i'm on the list.

Proud Auntie Moment

Here is a link to an article my niece wrote after working at the Bill Southerland conference  in Atl.
What a smart kid!  She makes me think there is hope for the world, in spite of what I see around me.

Wow!

It took me 12 hours, but I finished it, all 759 pages of it.  Wow, I loved it!!!!!!!!  What a great ending to the saga, and I only cried a little.  
*sigh*

arghh!!!!

Okay, felting has begun.  I washed and washed in Kelly's washer (thanks Kel!) and felt that I had overstayed my welcome, and that the bags were small enough, so I came home.  Decided to do a little measuring and they are not the right size!!!!  Still too big!!!!! *sigh*  So tomorrow it's back in the machines *grumble, grumble*
No pics yet, but almost there!

Oooh........ if you insist :-)

Let me preface this by saying that I am not giving in to bribery or coersion.
I am far above all that (she sniffs haughtily).  

Here are pre-felt pictures of my Noni bag (a gift from Wierdling).





 
 I think I'm afraid to shrink it.  What if it shrinks too much?????  I decided to use the washer in the laundry room in my building, which should work fine, especially if I stand there with it.  Also, I don't want to mess up any of my friends' washers doing this.  I'm going to felt both bags, and my tote exchange buddy's bag is made from lamb's pride mohair/wool yarn.  It's very fuzzy and sheds a bit during felting. 
I should finish the pocket tonight (about 2 inches away from finishing now - thats about 6 rows).  Of course, this is no longer a suprise to my pal 'cause she is the intrepid sort and has already figured out who I am :-)

I'm loving both bags.  Mine will be cute and petite *sigh*.  
Hers will be honkin' huge!!!!!  I think the next time I make this bag, I'll make the smaller version.  
The good thing about hers, straps are made with the bag.
The frustrating/fun thing about mine, must find handles!!!!!  I found the cutest pair last week, but I figured the black with white polka dots would not go with the pink and black striped bag (bummer).  I think it's going to be either really cute bamboo or plain black.  I can't find any pretty pink handles *waaaaaaahhhh*.  
I've decided to hunt for a paler pink cascade 220 (yarn shopping, such a hardship :-) to make a lighter flower 'cause the purple won't cut it, and I think the bag is cryin' out for more than two flowers, 'cause I'm sure you know how it is when you learn how to do something new, you just go crazy and I went bonkers for flowers.  I may make purses for family and friends for christmas and I think the purple flower will go on one of those.  

Okay, tomorrow I take the plunge and finally felt it.  

Alright Justine, where's my chocolate!!!!!!  And that goes for you too Shelby:-)

I will not be bribed....... unless chocolate is involved

Pictures.  Hah!!!!!  No I haven't felted it yet.  And NO, no pictures yet......but only because I have to find the camera :-)

Got this from Justine!

You Are Aphrodite!

A total shining star with a ton of admirers And no wonder: you live life to the fullest! When things get bad, you can easily take off to a happier place But occasionally, you need to deal with problems head on

What Goddess Are You?

Well, sp 10 is officially over tomorrow and I have revealed myself to my pal.  Hi Lynda!!!  It was fun.  I got to spy on her in the sock knitters message board *heehee*.  She never knew I was a member.  I commented on her blog, and had the wonderful opportunity to view her beautiful pictures.  She's great!
I also have to say thanks to Justine for being such a great spoiler.  No, I am not going to put up new pictures of my bag until I have felted it (which should be this evening), so there!  Well, off to have my boobies squished.  Reminder to all over 40 to schedule your mammograms regularly!!!!
Ciao!

Tease!!!!!

HA!  Now this is a tease!!!!!

ugh!

Well, got a call from mom today.  She has officially been diagnosed with diabetes.  Now my mom walks on her treadmill, or in the mall everyday.  She weighs about 70lbs less than me.  Her blood pressure is lower (although we both take meds).  Her cholesterol is much lower than mine.  And let's not forget she is 72.  This lets me know I need to get to work.  I looked at the handy bmi calculator they were handing out at work, and my weight doesn't even appear on the chart!!!!
gotta start getting healthy!

almost finished!!!

I have been a knitting fiend these last few days.  I have finished my purse and now I need to felt it, and finish the flowers.
Yea!!!!
will post before and after pics later.

The postman knocked thrice.....

And I opened the door to......



Part two of gifts from Wierdling!  I told her the box was like one of those little clown cars, where suprises just keep coming!
There were these great needle holders

stitch markers that are so cool they could be earrings (I'm almost reluctant to use them, 
they are so pretty)
a big K magnet
lip gloss (all of them didn't make the picture because two of 'em are in my purse)
a lipstick holder (I've always meant to buy one of those)
pretty pretty sock yarn complete with needles (yea!!!!)
 lovely bracelets (the woman is scary, they match a necklace and earring set 
my sister gave me a couple of years ago)

thank you cards
shopping list pad
wonderful note cards (one of the girls almost looks like me ;-)

gardenia air freshener (I love gardenias!!!)
cute tissues (they go in the purse too)
ribbon
there is this bracelet, that I think is a stitch counter, am I right?

and.........
the complete Lime and Violet on CD, a pretty and whimsical spinner thingy (I haven't had one of those in years, 
takes me back and makes me smile, love the peachy color), and the answer to the cascade 220 question - a Noni purse pattern!!!!  I am
making the one on the right, love that pattern!

She also introduced me to the novels of JD Robb (for that I won't thank her, I now have another series to begin collecting - I finished the book the next day and I am off to begin purchasing the rest of the series)  She and I have very similar tastes in booksso she knows what I like.
Thanks so much!!!  You made my week!

the post, um, person, brings goodies!

I have goodies from my pal.  Also, my pal's cover was totally blown by her sister *giggle, giggle*.  Thanks Wierdling!!!!!
I love the flip gloss (wearing it now, yum, strawberry).  Ya know, I really gotta say, get out of my head would you!!!!  How did you know that I have been searching for lip balms, lip glosses and lip sticks for the last few weeks?  
That totally sexy bit of green and red loveliness is a Lantern Moon needle holder,  lovin' it!
There is also licorice.  Already had two pieces and working on a third.
There is a cute little snail plant buddy, who will soon find a home.  Hmmmmm, the orchid or the spider plant, decisions, decisions........
There's a bright orange pencil case, a pair of beautiful butterfly bookmarks, and........Cascade 220 in black and a marvelous shade of pink.  Beautiful.   She says there is another package, and I think she said it's the rest of the yarn.   Thank you soo much, I love it all!!


On the knitting front, I bit the bullet, pulled out the size 2's and started a pair of toe ups. I started them using the magic cast-on, and I am knitting using two circs.  It's actually not that hard and with toe up it seems like I am making progress.  Don't know why I was so hesitant.
I'm not really following a pattern, just generic toe up sock instructions I found on knitty.com, 
and I am using a lace pattern I found in the 365 stitich a day calendar, it's a january leaf lace 
pattern.   More to come, especially when the next package arrives from Wierdling :-)

Totally stole this from Katie, looked like fun. Had no idea I had done so much, looks like a lot when you put it this way!

Bold for stuff you’ve done,
italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and
normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket (baby)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn - um......
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down - um, why?
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater (about 10 so far)
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting - what's this?
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Toy/doll clothing - did this as a kid
Knitting with circular needles - always do!
Knitting with your own handspun yarn - someday.....
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street) - not likely!
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit (maybe)  - do 12 year olds count?
Bobbles
Knitting for a living - sure, but would have to speed up first :-)
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking - don't know what that is
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets - NO!........ although.......... I might make those cute little felted fish in knitters stash for my cat.....
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair - not likely
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

7 facts about me

I've been tagged by Sabine!

"Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog."

1)  I love Japanese anime.  I am currently watching Speed Grapher, which I purchased on i-tunes.

2)  I love to read.

3)  I adore Chocolate cake.

4)  I don't have children, but I would have liked to have had one.

5)  I like to paint my toenails red.

6)  Sometimes I sketch.  I have taken art classes, but not recently.

7)  I hate lima beans.

I tag Shelby,  Katie, Tendai, Imani, Kelly and anyone else who reads this

no knittin', just sittin'

i haven't done any knitting this week, just sitting and frogging, and starting.  I did reach the chick with the knitty pattern and there wasnt' a problem with the pattern or what I was doing, it is supposed to be that small!!!  I guess I need to pay more attention.  this bag is going to the niece, but I will finish it.  
Cozy is still sitting there, awaiting more work, still at about 6 inches.  Just 70 more to go!!
No other new projects on the needles, but I am dying to make some toe up socks.  I just realized the other day that I have several pairs of capris that I wear to work, and I have to wear socks (because it's the dress code).  No one says they have to be plain socks, so fun socks here I come!
Just need a pattern and the guts to do it.  I usually make thick slipper socks for people, so there isn't a problem with them.  they knit quick and easy, but these may take longer.  

hmmmmmmm

This is from some movie I probably won't see, but it looked pretty cool.  

depressed

*sigh*  I think I'm depressed.  It started when I planned to ...... actually, it started years ago, but the reason I am blue now isn't a reason, there are many - but at this point it's because I wanted to go to sheep and wool, but I have to work sunday to take inventory.  To add to this, lights are lighting up in my car, and that ain't good.  I totally screwed up my finanaces by making crazy purchases (shopping therapy is not a good thing), and now I probably need major work on the car.  At least my expense check from working at the new store came so that will help with the car.  Now to ice the cake (hey, what do you expect from a baker) my sister has been planning this trip to New York for all of us since Christmas, it's her gift to us.  Well, since my car started smoking today (overheated in the drive through at the kfc, very embarrasing) I think I should probably drive to the nearest repair shop in the am, instead of driving 45 miles to her house to sign on to the rental car, and then spending money that should go for car repairs on museums and meals in the big apple.  But I feel guilty because now they won't go since I won't be driving.  I wanted to go, and I was kinda excited about going, but now I just want to veg and be depressed, and clean my apartment, and get my car fixed, and put my shelves that fell off the wall back up.  And maybe go for a walk in the morning.  I think I also didn't want to drive.  We were going up for the day, and since she doesn't like to drive at night, Iwould end up driving from New York to Baltimore at probably 9:00 at night after getting up at 5am.  Doesn't that sound like fun.  NOT!!  It's not like they can't go on their own, it's just none of them like to drive on the highway (I don't mind it) and none of them like to drive at night (or have poor night vision).  I guess all of this is so I could say to myself "you know what you have to do, and what you need to do.  don't beat yourself up because something came up and you can't fall in with someone else's plan.  it's not your fault and stuff happens.  be nice to yourself and go knit something.  have another sip of iced tea."
Okay, I don't feel better.
oh well.

Oooooooooooooohhhhh!

I just got my package from the Birthday Contest and I am sooooooo happy!  The yarn colors are as phenomenal as expected *sigh*  It's soft and dreamy.  And she included a little something extra for my birthday.  I have a little sock!!  I was lusting after these little mini sock blockers and now I have two, and one has a sock on it!!!!  Wonderful, I love it.  Thank you!!!

On the knitting front, I went shopping and bought the hemp for my cocktail monkey purse.  This is one project where the actual knitting stuff will cost way less than the decorations.  The hemp was 2 bucks off so it cost only $5.  Talk about a budget item.  I plan to start on it tonight, while I think about what to make with my new yarn............now where did I put that copy of "one skein".................
 

another exchange

Okay, following in the footsteps of many of my fellow sp participants, I decided to take part in another exchange.  I have joined the International Tote Exchange.  I get to make a purse for someone and send it off to them.  This will be so cool!

I am really getting into the purse thing.  I made several for Christmas gifts and I plan to make a few more this month (one for me and one for one of my team members).  I fell in love with the cocktail monkey purse and have found all of the materials for it except the Hollywood Ostrich Fringe.  Well, actually I did find it on ebay, but I don't like any of the colors and I don't think they go with the monkeys.  

Here are my questionaire answers:
1. Name and blogger handle: Kathy
2. Blog URL (if applicable): http://breadandcirculars.blogspot.com/
3. Do you want a purse that is felted/not felted/surprise me: Surprise me!
4. Color/fiber likes and dislikes: I like natural fibers and most colors. I'm not particularly fond of browns, oranges, or pea greens but if it really works in the pattern, it could be cool. My favorite colors are blues, purples, teal, and red. I prefer shoulder straps, I don't do well with clutch purses as I like to have my hands free.
5. Do you tend to be dressy or casual? casual
6. Prefer a pal who lives in the USA or international? either is fine.
7. Miscellaneous info (anything you want to tell your pal): I like big bags that can handle stuff (not huge). I am currently in love with a little ammo/first aid bag I bought at the army surplus store. I'm really open to pretty much anything and I love seeing what other people do. I don't spin, though Iwould like to learn. I don't dye, but I love to see what others have made. I love to cook and I am a firm believer in the healing power of chocolate (the other food group).

treats por moi!

i won a contest!  It was the birthday contest at bockstock knits.  I am now gleefully awaiting my new skein of Wollmeise worsted weight yarn in the Drachenblut colorway.  I went to the site to take a look at the colors, 'cause I had never heard of it, and now I 
am really drooling.  Yum, it looks delish!!!!!!!!  The blues, the reds..... *sigh*  And it was my birthday!!

on the current knitting front, i frogged all 7 inches of cozy and started again.  I am using my nice new sheep notebook to keep notes in.  I was going to use my nice kniting journal from Sabine, but I think I will put the finished notes in the Sabine journal and the work in progress notes in the sheep journal.  The sheep notebook can weather my purse better (since my purse contains the ipod, camera, ring o keys from hell and the bulky won't close wallet).  

on the bulky wallet front, my assistant from hell (actually, she's from China) gave me the cutest little silk wallet.  So delicate.  Only to be used on special ocassions, not for the daily pounding my wallet gets.  It was my birthday saturday (I think I mentioned that already :-).  The team turned off the lights and sang to me, complete with cake and candle.  I got birthday wishes from the entire store all day.  It was very special.  

I also recieved the neatest e-card from my pal.  she seems to always know how to make me smile.  Today is cherry cheesecake day!  Thanks Schascle!

And to top it off, the wedding cake went fairly well.  she wanted a simple cake, for a renaissance style wedding.  Um, she didn't ask for the bows, but we thought it was naked.  I hope she wasn't mad.  I guess I'll hear about that later if she was.

In 1965 (the year you were born)

Lyndon B. Johnson is president of the US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara calls for a nationwide network of bomb shelters Former leader of the Black Muslims, Malcolm X, is shot and killed in New York City To protest voting rights discrimination, civil rights demonstrators begin a march for Selma to Montgomery with federal troop protection The first commercial satellite, Early Bird, is launched into space by Nasa to transmit telephone and television signals Voting Rights Act is signed into law Riots by young blacks in the Watts area of Los Angeles begin, causing $200 million in damage Hurricane Betsy claims 75 lives in southern Florida and Louisiana United States President Lyndon Johnson proclaims his "Great Society" during his State of the Union address Dr. Dre, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey Jr., Shania Twain, Moby, and Ben Stiller are born Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series Green Bay Packers win the NFL championship Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, is the top grossing film Dune by Frank Herbert is published The Beatles' Rubber Soul is released "Satisfaction" by Rolling Stones is a top hit The Beatles appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing songs from their new album Help! Sony introduces the Betamax, a home video tape recorder Nearly all of NBC's programs are now broadcast in color I Dream of Jeannie premieres

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Thank You!!!!!

I just went down to the mailbox and guess what I found?  A package from my Secret Pal!  
She is such a loon!!  I love her.  She sent me sheep!!!  Absolutely adorable sheep, I love it!!  I opened it and it made me laugh, I'm still smiling.
I have note cards, a memo book, note pad (I need one for my grocery lists - how did she know), note book, magnet and a little sheep-on-a-string that is going to like it's new home (hanging from the mirror in my car :-)
Thank you so much, you really brightened my day!

quiz!!!!

The Poo Quiz: What Kind of Poo Are You? Your Result: Totally Not Interested In Poo Or is that just a stance you're taking for the effect? I'll bet you just want your friends to think you're too COOL for poo. Don't you? Are you strong enough to turn that cynical gaze inwards, my hipster friend?
The Perfect Little Poo-Poo
Reluctant to Poo
The Mystery Poo
The Never-Ending Poo
Fecal Urgency
The Poo Quiz: What Kind of Poo Are You? Create MySpace Quizzes

back from purgatory!

finished helping in ohio.  very glad to be home.  must go pickup kitty!  only good thing about cleveland was i found a new paranormal author, c e murphy.  i bought Urban Shaman and enjoyed it immensely.  off to find the newest book in a few weeks, reviews for the second book were not too good, but the excerpt from the third one looked good.  
on the knitting front, finished another 8 rows of cozy, but somehow ended up with the correct number of stitches but a stitch shy on the pattern.  to frog or not to frog *sigh*
darn lace patterns *mumble, mumble, riiiiiiip*

when will i learn......

when will I learn not to offer that invitation to baby brother to spend the night at my apartment.  he comes in late.  wants to talk.  wants to go out to breakfast the next morning.  none of which would be that much of a problem on it's own, but i am sitting here at 11:57pm, waiting for him.  he said he would be here at 11ish.  i guess i should have asked which time zone.  did i mention i have to get up at 5:30ish to get to work at 7am?  did i mention i told him this, twice?????????!!!!!!!!!  next time, i am not answering his call.  sheesh!  last time he stayed, i had an accident trying to find a store so he could buy a charger.  this was the morning after he said he would be in by 10 and showed up at 1am.  he doesn't have a key, and i don't have a spare (it's one of those do not copy security thingys).  anyway, it is now 12 and he is sol.  I am off to bed.  
I leave you with my latest cake.

we added balloons to hang off the side of the basket, and the customer had winnie the pooh figures to sit on top of the basket.  very challenging to create, since all we had was a 2 inch square picture to use, and we had only an hour to make it.  3 tiers of cake, two flavors of cake, and a lot of all natural food colors and chocolate ganache.