*sigh*

I love it when blogger swallows my posts, even though I am saving them all the while.
Anyway. On the 3rd I went to the TransAfrica Gala. It was a lot of fun and I saw a lot of people I hadn't seen in years (like since I was in college and my sister was dragging me off to demonstrations every weekend). The food was excellent. The music was great. There was a mini-concert by Wynton Marsalis. Love him. He is phenomenal. The picture is fuzzy but here he is.
I also got to meet their board chairman.  He was incredibly nice.  And he is really tall.

And yes, that is me with Danny Glover :-)
Today I went to H-mart and bought a little bento box.  That is my new passion.  Bento.  Saving money by taking lunch, spending time creating something tasty and pretty to eat, focusing more on putting good food in my body.  Did I mention the saving money part?  This is my lunch for tomorrow (part of it).  This is the stuff that is going into my udon noodle soup.  Green onions, shrimp, egg, fried tofu, and mushrooms.  We had the same thing for dinner tonight.  Quite yummy.
  
I also went yarn shopping.  Two weeks in a row!!!  Last week I bought this.  Berroco Peruvia.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  The brown is like a really deep milk chocolate.  and the yarn is so soft and warm.  It's going to make great gloves!  Well, as warm as fingerless gloves can be.
    
Now the Berroco came from All About Yarn in Columbia.  The lovely, sexy red came from Coverhill in Catonsville.  I stopped in there today ('cause I was on my way home from the bank, how fortuitous is that!) and picked up this one for a pair of socks.  It's called Casbah, and I don't know if that's the color or the yarn 'cause there ain't no lot number or anything on the label, just the name and composition (81%merino/9%cashemere/10%nylon - 100%glorious).  This my not end up on big sister's feet.  This one may be all mine!  And it's machine washable to boot!  And 20% of my purchase dollars went to a local AIDS charity, talk about a win/win.  And of course I had to buy stitich markers, just because.

better

Today I found a new doctor. She's very direct and no nonsense.
I got a great text from a friend, actually I recieved messages from 3 friends. One is enjoying her new job. the second is moving back to dc. the third told me about the new knitty. Wow, that's a lot of socks. And it also told me I really do need to make fingerless mittens for my baby brother. Photographer in New York in winter. He needs fingerless gloves. Something thick and in a nice neutral color...... I am thinking gray.

blue

Feeling a little blue today. I think my zest for life is at a low ebb. Could be that I am tired. I cooked for the family today. It was my sister & bro-in-law's 22nd anniversary. I made a wonderful dinner as a suprise. Remind me not to do that again. He bought home fried chicken (didn't remember it was their anniversary) which he quite promptly ate and was too full for dinner. She was 3 hours late getting home. It was a suprise, they didn't know, it's no one's fault, but I was peeved. I think I must need some time away from home, doing something rechargey. I need some cheering, I think I'll go watch some Wallace and Gromit.

oh joy, a day off!

Well, it's two days off in a row for me. It's been an interesting week. I had a customer come up and tell me we had the worst bakery of all the bakeries in the company. I am being sought out by one of our "favorite" customers (he's actually not that bad, and he has a point about the bread). I made plans for my day off and spent the entire day sleeping (I laid on the bed to do a sudoku puzzle and the next thing I knew it was 3 hours later - I must be tired) instead of accomplishing things on my to do list. I am drinking one of the worst cups of tea I have had in a while (Tanganda brand tea from Zimbabwe - very strong tea). And I need to do my hair (two hours with my arms in the air *sigh*).
CPH is almost done, but for the seaming and the closure decision.
New yarn from the elements sock club. I love her yarn. This was an excellent sock club. If she does it again, I am on board.
So here I sit, listening to Tori Amos and "enjoying" a cup of tea.
Life is good. If only I was there, instead of here *sigh*. I love Seattle.

YES WE CAN!!!

This morning I sit here, almost too overwhelmed to write.  I never thought I would see this day.  This morning, I almost didn't leave the house, but the roomies badgered me into it.  I drove to DC, prepared to wait (I had the ipod, a skein of yarn, needles, and a new sock pattern).  I parked and prayed Iwouldn't get a ticket.  The line was very long, much longer than in past elections, and I was suprised and pleased by the number and range of voters.  Black, white, hispanic, the young as well as the elderly.  It has never felt so good to cast a vote.  I have never felt so strongly about a candidate.  I can say I participated.  I voted for the first African American President of the United States of America.  I have never felt so proud.

Noooooooo!!!!

David Tennat won't be The Doctor anymore???!!!!!  Oh horror of horrors!!!   *sob, sniffle*   He's like my 3rd favorite!  *sniffle, sniffle*
mmwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

sooooo tired

Okay, today I overslept.  I had to be at work at 11 am and I woke up at 10:40.  Not good.  I was about 40 minutes late for work (I have a 40 minute drive).  I just felt so off for the entire day, plus I was so tired and sleepy I just couldn't function.  There were the usual endless questions from team members and customers, and a few really good custie questions, so all in all it was a good day, just very exhausting.  Maybe I am coming down with something, headache, mild dizziness, upset tummy.  Who knows.

Anyway, started on 2nd sock and I am about half done.  Just finished the short row portion heel and about to start picking up stitches for the gusset.  Maybe top down socks aren't that bad after all.  Two weeks isn't that bad for socks, is it?  Okay, maybe it's actually closer to three, but still, It's not too-tooo slow, I don't think.

Thanks to K I have been up to my ears in Torchwood goodness.  She loaned me DeLovely (which I plan to watch this weekend) and she sent me lots of links to pics from the Torchwood conventions in England.  I wonder if they will ever cross the pond *sigh*  

This week I have also been vastly entertained by the Palin as president site.  Everyday there is something new added to the site.  Such fun.  

Socrates......no, not the Greek, the Yarn!!!

   
Okay, when I went shopping with K, I bought sock yarn.  I intended it to be for socks for baby bro, then I got selfish and decided they would be for me, then I tried them on and realized that they don't fit over my heel very well, so they will probably be for mom (unless I can block 'em to fit me - selfish little b that I am:-).
I'm not much of a photographer so I can't seem to capture the color correctly, but I tried.

strange day.....

Well, I arrived at work to find tons of emails.  One was from my boss informing me that a tm had come to work, left and not returned.  Turns out she quit, and her fiancee called to tell us she quit.  Seems the fiancee told her she had to quit because there were too many men talking to her.  hmmmmm ;;looking around, checking the date on my computer, the calendar on the wall, the date on the cable guide;;  I was right, it is 2008!!!  She is a very attractive young woman, and he needs to get a grip.  He hasn't married her yet, and he doesn't own her, SHE needs to get a grip.  This does not bode well for their future.

Next, another tm didn't show the entire weekend.  His last call was on Friday when he told me he would be late, then later, then very late.  He didn't show.  I called him and reached his girlfriend who said he was in the hospital and couldn't talk.  She is bringing a dr's note.  I told one of the store managers.  His response - "he's in jail".  Now does this guy know something, or is it because the tm in question is a young black male?  

Next, we had a customer service training.  They said give product away.  Concentrate on making every customer's visit a great experience.  Now, how do you reconcile giving away product with decreasing shrink, when sampled product (both the small pieces and the stuff you sign off on) is all shrink?  I'm confused.  I don't understand business *sigh*

deep breath......

stitch markers
check!

Options Harmony needles with 60 inch cable
Check!

Central Park Hoodie in Lambs Pride Red Hot Passion
Check!

 
Okay, I guess it's time to start that button band!
I checked on Ravelry and found a suggestion to pick up three, skip one.
Guess I better stop stalling and start knitting.  I so don't want to do this *sigh*

random thoughts

Last night my sister, the kids and I spent a little quality time on youtube and a couple of other sites.  We watched theSNL Palin skits, as well as clips of the Palin/Currick interview.  Then we watched the entire interview.  It was both sad and frightening.  This is a woman who would be a heartbeat (and let's face it, he in all likelihood wouldn't last the whole four years) from the presidency.  I know interviews can be intimidating, but......... she was reading responses from notes, some of her answers didn't answer the questions, her answers about Israel and Iran were terrifying!  I can't believe anyone would support McCain, but with her as a running mate that should make it easier to decide not to.  
I watched the debates.  I was even less impressed by McCain than before.  Unfortunately I am convinced something hinky will go on with this election too.  
I think I'll buy a lottery ticket today.  
Last week went out with a friend.  I told my sister it was great to have a friend who could appreciate my interests (knitting, torchwood, firefly, good music, tea).  We had a day of all 5!  She purchased yarn, I just looked (totally not my fault, no matter what she says, I just took her there :-)  We went to Eleganza in Frederick.  My favorite part of the store, the sale bins.  Gotta love $4 yarn.  Then we had tea at Serenity.  It was awesome, as always.  Love that place.  My friend bought tea (again, not my fault - the store does have 53 varieties of loose tea so how could she resist).  Great times.  Part of the fun was me trying to remember how to get there.  Did I mapquest directions, like I usually do?  Of course not, so there were lots of wrong turns and a lot of driving around.  She took it well (I mean we did both have big Starbucks cups in hand and great music on the ipod) and we found both eventually.  I think I did well for having been to each place just once, and not on the same day.  Okay, maybe I went to the yarn shop twice, but it was a year ago.  
cph is still on the needles.  There is something intimidating about having to pick up 300 stitches.  Socks are almost done (finally), just need to bind off on one and finish the last inch of the 2nd.
No gift knitting done, or started, or thought about.  Okay, not true.  I am going to make a scarf for baby bro, as well as the socks.  Finally something to do with that dark blue baby alpaca (the scarf, not the socks). 
Off to finish the laundry.  The kids are home because of Rosh Hashanah.  I am ignoring them.

Why?????!!!!!!!

Why are some men such babies?  one of the guys was sooooo upset tonight because I wouldn't change his schedule so he could go home and watch the game tomorrow.  Good lord you would have thought it was the super bowl the way he carried on.  sheesh!  His reasons were perfectly sound.  Except this is the end of the fiscal year and tomorrow is inventory.  And I have scheduled two people to work inventory who haven't done it before.  I have no idea why they made him a supervisor.  He's such an ass.
*sigh*

Eureka!!!

Found new socks for baby Bro!!!

almost done......

Well, just sitting here listening to Blondie and enjoying the 500 gigs of external hard drive bliss just purchased from Best Buy (oh Joy!!!!).  No more evil "you have 200mb of memory, please delete something for heaven's sake!!!!" messages.  I put the whole itunes file on there and now I'm crusin'.  way cool.  

okay, still no pics, but the cph is almost done!!!  Unfortunately it fits her (booooooo......um....yea?) so I have to give it to her (my mom said so, 43 and still listening to mom *sigh*).  Anyway, now her brother wants a sweater.  Kinda nice, huh :-) especially since he doesn't know who the red one is for.  Now I am trying to find something for a 14yo boy.  It won't fit him by the time I finish it, but whatever.  I guess if I make it waaaaaay too big.......  But something that he will wear, I am at a loss *sigh*  Most of the ones on Knitty don't look very interesting - too fussy, or too many cables (hellooo, just finishing cph and the multi-cabled sweater from hell is still on the needles after 3 years!!!!).  Hmmm, need to think about this.  Maybe I'll cast on some socks and think it over.
 

No-Purl Monkeys finally done!

Feast your eyes.  Here they are in all their variegated glory.  No, I don't know what kind of yarn it is, just that it is soft and lovely.  A little darker than I have been buying lately, but love it anyway.  

Who are they for?  Why me, of course.  I have discovered the joy of making things por moi.

They are toe-up ('cause I just love the toe-up thing, makes the socks go easier), short row toe and heel ('cause I love the short row thing, too), and the bind-off was this super elastic thing I found in one of my sock books (m-1 every other stitch).  Now they fit over my heels, and stay up just fine :-)  
Finished them off during the NCIS marathon.  Super easy (I say that after ripping back two rows with fingering wt yarn and size 1 needles, twice per sock!!!!!!).  
Now that I know I need a little looser bind-off, I will definitely make them again.

A very short and pictureless knitting rant :-)

I have started sleeves on the cph.  I really want to keep this for myself, but I told my sister I was making it for my niece.  
I finished a pair of socks (yea!!!)  it's that something or other waves socks on the cover of "favorite socks".  Unfortunately I can't get them on because I have to take out the last two rows and use a more elastic bind-off.  grrrrr, wanna wear 'em now!!!

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.