2008 In Review (Kinda)

I had planned on writing this nifty, insightful and witty post to close out this year. But then I got realistic and remembered that I'm lazy! So, I got this meme from Ames:

2008 IS ALMOST OVER, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

lost a friend?
Didn't lose them as such, just started putting as much effort into the friendship as they were (minimal)

stayed single almost the whole year?
nope

kissed someone new?
nope

had your heart broken?
nope. it's pretty difficult to break frozen stone lol

had a stalker?
nope, I'm scarier than them.

done something you've regretted?
oh probably. but I learned from it.

were involved in something you'll never forget?
yep

visited a different country?
nope

lost something important to you?
don't think so

got a gift you adored?
sure!

dyed your hair?
yep, once or twice.

read a great book?
yep! Can we say Kim Harrison??

saw one of your favorite bands/artists live?
nope

2008:Your Love Life

Did you break up with anyone?
nope


Did you get anything for Valentine's day?
we don't celebrate it (by mutual agreement)

Did you meet anyone special?
sure, i've definitely met some 'special' people....

Did you fall in love?
Well, there was this pattern...and this yarn...need I go on?

Do you like someone right now?
Yes, I like my friends!!! (I'll second Ames' answer here)

2008: Friends and Enemies

Did you meet any new friends this year?
yep

Did you dislike anyone?
I tried to be impartial first...

Did you make any new enemies?
ohhh probably

Did you resolve any fights?
possibly?

Did you grow apart from anyone?
see the first question....

Do you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?
Just that I wished I could have spent more time with some of them. (Ames' answer again!)

2008:Your BIRTHDAY!

Did you have a cake?
I think so?

Did you have a party?
nope

Did you get any presents?
yes

If so what was the best thing you got?
yes?

2008: All about YOU

Did you change at all this year?
I learned stuff

Did you get your hair cut?
yep. I got a whopping 8-9 inches lopped off!

Did you change your style?
Uhhhh.....

Did you have a job?
yep. got my 10 yrs in this year

Did you drive?
yep

Did anyone close to you give birth?
if they did, they hid it real well....

Did you move at all?
I move every day. Did I change residences? Nope

Did you go on any vacations?
I think so?

Would you change anything about yourself now?
I'm always a work in progress


2008: 2009

Was 2008 a good year?
sure

Do you think 2009 will top 2008?
ask me in a year


2009 Plans - Goals and Resolutions.....
I have some goals. I don't make resolutions anymore. I feel like it's setting myself up to fail.

Happy New Year, my three readers!

Post-Holiday Bare Bones Update

Okay, okay. I know I haven't posted in like 10 days. Do I get any points if I mention that I was dealing with (I think) _four_ Christmases, and none were in the same place?

Got lots of goodies. The only person to get me anything yarn-related that isn't a knitter was Mom. She got me a knitting loom and some notions and some tote bags. Hey, I never thought anyone actually listened when I griped about never having enough notions or bags to put projects in lol.

I have to work today *snarl* so I don't really have time to get photos uploaded properly. You'll just have to wait until next post.

In other news, I got my tour t-shirt from Kim Harrison recently. It's all I can do not to wear this shirt out! There were also some other goodies with it (b&w m&m's with White Witch and Black Curse printed on them, shoelaces with Once Dead, Twice Shy printed on them, and a packet of the Angel tomato seeds). If you haven't read Kim, then the last sentence probably doesn't make much sense.

Anyhoo, I'm off to do some pre-work chores.

Happy Recovery-from-the-holidays, everyone!

GIFTS!

Ames and I exchanged gifts today! See, we did but we didn't know what we were getting each other. Waaaaay back in August or something, she had the awesome idea that we could make each other "knitter's survival kits" for Christmas. So we did. And that was really all that was said about it at the time. We didn't set any limits (as far as I know anyway) and we really had to work on keeping our ideas and things secret. Which is kind of hard when you're buying stuff together. See that little purple bag under the L? We both bought that bag for each other. We actually agreed to get one for each other and change the inner contents. It was great fun to do. I think we're going to keep doing this for the holidays for each other. Does that mean we just started a tradition? Hmm.

So, to list all the spiffy notions and everything:
Photo 1:
The bag everything was in (Stoplight red with orange interior and scads of little pockets inside! The perfect sizes to hold needles and notions and even the keys on an attached lanyard.)

Photo 2:
(Clockwise from top)

A handmade yarn cake holder in green (sitting atop my niftiful card)
Size US 6 dpns
My awesome crocheted "LISHY"
A toolbox filled with more notions (listed below)
Size US 2 14" Straight needles
The purple bag filled with Hersheys Bliss (w/ almonds)
A ball of Patons' Classic Merino in colorway Palais

Photo 3:
(On the lid)

Straight Magnets
Stitch holder
Cable Needle

(In the compartments, Top Row and Large Compartments)

Measuring Tape and Thimble
Scissors, Row Counter, and Stitch Markers
Hand Lotion
Assorted Sewing Needles

(Bottom Row)

Needle Coils
Sweater Needle Holders
Assorted straight pins, safety pins, and buttons


Is this not the coolest gift or what???

If you want to see Ames' goodies (as in her gift, get yer head outta the gutter, you!), check out her blog. I'm sure she'll post it soon ::grins::

50 Odd Things

Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you! I thieved this from Si, and added at the end to tally up to 50. :P

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope. And I usually like cheese.
2. Do you own a gun? Yep. And I know how to use it and clean it.
3. Wax or Shave your body parts? Waxing HURTS!
4. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really.
5. Real or fake nails? Real
6. Favorite Christmas song? Holly Jolly Christmas. Don't know why, but it is.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? soda
8. Can you do push ups? probably
9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? the only jewelry I wear consistently is my amethyst ring and my 'spensive watch
10. Favorite hobby? knitting and reading are tied
11. Do you have A.D.D.? I don-CAT!
12. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? that i'm lazy (I'm thieving Si's answer here)
13. Middle Name? I'm not telling!
14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Ouch! What? Hmm...
15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Big Red, Diet Pepsi, Water?
16. Current worry right now? That my head won't stop hurting
17. Current hate right now? Hate takes a lot of energy I don't feel like wasting.
18. Favorite place to be? Wherever I'm comfortable
20. Like to go Shopping? Depends on what I'm shopping for
22. Do you own slippers? Yep
23. What color shirt are you wearing ? Bleached-out grey.
24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? um?
26. Favorite color? Jewel tones
27. Would you be a pirate? Can I have Johnny Depp if I say yes?
28. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing, in or out of the shower, unless alcohol is involved.
29. Favorite girl's name? Well, duh, mine lol
30. Favorite boy's name? Seth is good
31. What's in your pocket right now? nothing. I don't have any pockets!
32. Last thing that made you laugh? Probably something OH said to me today.
33. Best bed sheets as a kid? Uh...You expect me to remember something like that?
34. Worst injury you've ever had? I haven't had anything seriously bad...yet. (Knock on wood)
35. Do you love where you live? I like where I live. Is that good enough?
36. How many TV's do you have in your house? 2
37. Who is your loudest friend? They probably consider me the loudest, honestly.
38. How many pets do you have? Mo!
39. Does someone have a crush on you? I'm supposed to be psychic now, too?
40 What is your favorite book? I think favorite books are like potato chips - you can't have just one!
41. What is your favorite candy? CHOCOLATE!
42. Favorite Sports Team? UK Wildcats, I guess.
43. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Knitting, I think.
44. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? What time is it? followed closely by What day is it?
45. Worst habit? Most would say smoking.
46. Do you play an instrument? Does the radio count?
47. How long does it take you to get to work? 10-15 mins
48. Plans for the weekend? Sleeping, and (hopefully) giving Ames her gift!
49. If you could eat anything right this second what would it be? Can never go wrong with steak lol.
50. What's your favorite (still running) TV show? It's a toss-up between House and Grey's.


(And so Ames doesn't shoot me, here's a photo of the scarf I made for my SIL):

Done!

All of my (major) shopping is done!!!!! *insert happy dance*

Of course, now it all has to be wrapped....

Mo Kitty

Mo likes to sit at the window and check out the goings-on in the neighborhood. When she was smaller, she tended to sit or lay on the sill. Now that she's too big for that, she likes to sit like this.

Is it just me or does she make you think of a meerkat?

It's all well and good, except for when she goes batshit for no apparent reason. Like she did yesterday morning at about 6am.

Speaking of 6am, that's when I have to get up tomorrow (and possibly Tuesday as well). Can we say 'Suckfest Extreme'? I have to work inventory, and it's naturally on day shift. Yes, I'm going to whine about it for a little bit longer. The only up to this is that I've only got about 4 weeks left of the year to work. I'm taking, more or less, the last two weeks of December for the rest of my vacation time.

On the knitting front, I've finished a scarf. And a matching bag. Both for my 13 y/o niece. The scarf is the Zig Zag Scarf by Lion Brand. The bag is the Small Diagonally Knit Bag by Barbara Breiter.

The scarf took me a few days, but lump together the time and it's only about 3-4 hours to do. The bag is 2-3 hours, not including lining. I included lining. Yes, I've gone insane.

Stole Update

The stole is progressing. Slowly, but surely. Above is a photo of the edge. Now, I'm in the transition chart, then on to the repeats. A dry-block measures 9" long and 17" wide. I'm hoping that the next sections go a bit faster. It would be cool to finish it by Christmas, but I'm not going to push it too much because that tends to attract a rain of frogs.

So, I had class Tuesday. Did I mention that I am taking a class (to get a raise)? It's basically a class on how to talk to people. Anyway, for some reason, I forgot my cigarettes and lighter at the house. So I stopped along the way to buy some. Picked up a red disposable lighter. The cashier was nice and tested it to make sure it worked. It didn't. The casing around the wick kept popping off. So I reach over and pick up another red one. This one would not stop burning after being lit. Thank goodness I thought to check that one. By this time, the cashier and I are both chuckling at my luck. Third try, I pick up a clear one. It works fine. Whew. Guess I wasn't meant to have a red lighter right now. Did you know that some people think that red is a color of bad luck? I'm not one of those people. Red actually happens to be one of my favorite colors.

Yesterday, I met up with Ames and Spud at Starbucks to have coffee and yarn and conversation. It was fun. The weather was crappy, but we were inside so it didn't matter quite as much. Ames talks about it more over at her blog.

That's about it for now.

One-Word Answer Meme

I got this from Si, who got it from Posie Gets Cozy, who got it from...well you get the idea.

Where is your mobile phone? loveseat
Where is your significant other? couch
Your hair colour? reddish
Your mother? friend
Your father? invisible
Your favourite thing? stuff
Your dream last night? dream?
Your dream goal? happy
The room you're in? quiet
Your hobby? knitting
Your fear? nuttin!
Where do you want to be in 6 years? uhhh
Where were you last night? out
What you're not? graceful
One of your wish-list items? furniture
Where you grew up? places
The last thing you did? read
What are you wearing? clothes
Your TV? DVR
Your pets? Mo
Your computer? entertaining
Your mood? lazy
Missing someone? nah
Your car? Mine!
Something you're not wearing? shoes
Favourite shop? knitpicks
Your summer? work
Love someone? yep
Your favourite colour? green?
When is the last time you laughed? today
When is the last time you cried? forever

Play along — it's fun!

KNITTING!

Thanks, Cheeky!

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

My first yarn crack was Caron Simply Soft. Now... KnitPicks lace weights.

Your favorite needles?

At the moment? My US 2 Addi Turbo Lace circs.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

The first pair of socks I made (with acrylic yarn...boy, were they stinky!)

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

Whatever lace I'm working at the moment!

Most valuable knitting technique?

Well Duh! Knit and purl stitch.

Best knit book or magazine?

I don't know about best, but I still use my copy of Easy Knitting since it has a tiny stitchionary and instructions on designing your own sweater.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Does the Pratchgan count as a KAL?

Your favorite knitblogs?

Look at my links.

Your favorite knitwear designer?

Maybe Shui Kuen Kozinski. Lots of pretty shawls!

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

Honestly? Probably my cuffs. Photo? Ok here:

Thinking

Here's a photo of the swatch of what I am currently working on. Yes, I swatched. I figured out that I blocked it out just a little too aggressively, so when the project is finished, I have to remember to be a little bit gentler.

Halloween was good. We stayed in and watched a few movies. Now, we're bracing ourselves for the upcoming holidays and flipping coins to see who's going to which ones.

I almost have my homemade swift workable. So far, it's only cost me about 2 dollars. Unfortunately, I have to go buy some more materials. I'm hoping to keep it under $20. And not buy any lincoln logs.

I'd give a better post, but I'm still kind of sleepy.

Proto-Swarf and Punctures

So, I'm working on a pattern for a shawl. Have been for a couple of months now. Anyway, I've managed to get my butt in gear a little bit and actually knit up the charts that I made forever ago. A couple of you know what this thing could look like when I can make what's in my hands resemble something like what's in my head. At the right (no, your other right) is a photo of not-quite-half of the proto-swarf. How the heck did it get that name? you ask. Well, I'm glad you asked. It started out as a swatch. Then it became the tapestry swatch. (Which got frogged due to multiple circumstances that I won't go into here.) Then I made a Luna Moth Shawl that turns out to be for a Christmas gift. And, after that, I thought I'd make another LMS for myself, only in this pretty, rusty color. Well, the yarn didn't want to be a LMS. It didn't want to be a Forget-Me-Not Shawl, either. I know. I tried. Twice.

So, after some deliberation, pleading, and threats with a flamethrower, the pretty, rusty-colored yarn became The Swatch. Which, in one of our laundry-soap-induced fits, Ames and I re-christened it The Swatch Scarf. And, well, you know me. I like to shorten words. A lot. So it was re-re-christened The Swarf.

Earlier tonight, while I was working the kinks out of my hands (from the knitting, you gutter-minds. Yeah, you know who you are. Don't make me point you out to the rest of the class!), I showed it to OH, who asked me what the hell a swatch is. After I explained, he responded with 'Oh, a prototype. Why didn't you just say that instead?'

After bandaging my forehead and repairing the dents in the desktop, I have hopefully settled with calling it The Proto-Swarf.

And, yes, I intentionally left it rolled around and not showing really anything of the pattern. Hey, I'm hoping to make it into a Mystery KAL one day....

In other news, Lil Miss Mo has apparently decided that I'm one of her new scratching posts or something. I'm finding cat scratches (no fever) in some odd places. Like on my stomach. And shoulderblades. Just to name a few. Oh, and I'm the proud new owner of a puncture wound on one of my thighs. Good thing she's so darn cute!

Ahahahaha!

Happy Halloween, pink blobs!

This photo so needs a caption, don'tcha think?

1996

Thieved from Si.

The rules:
A.) Go to Music Outfitters
B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about)


1. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio
2. One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
3. Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion
4. Nobody Knows, Tony Rich Project
5. Always Be My Baby, Mariah Carey
6. Give Me One Reason, Tracy Chapman
7. Tha Crossroads, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
8. I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis
9. You're Makin' Me High/Let It Flow, Toni Braxton
10. Twisted, Keith Sweat
11. C'mon N' Ride It (The Train), Quad City Dj's
12. Missing, Everything But The Girl
13. Ironic, Alanis Morissette
14. Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Whitney Houston
15. Follow You Down/Til I Hear It From You, Gin Blossoms
16. Sittin' Up In My Room, Brandy
17. How Do U Want It/California Love, 2Pac
18. It's All Coming Back To Me Now, Celine Dion
19. Change The World, Eric Clapton
20. Hey Lover, LL Cool J
21. Loungin, LL Cool J
22. Insensitive, Jann Arden
23. Be My Lover, La Bouche
24. Name, Goo Goo Dolls
25. Who Will Save Your Soul, Jewel
26. Where Do You Go, No Mercy
27. I Can't Sleep Baby (If I), R. Kelly
28. Counting Blue Cars, Dishwalla
29. You Learn/You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette
30. One Of Us, Joan Osborne
31. Wonder, Natalie Merchant
32. Not Gon' Cry, Mary J. Blige
33. Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio
34. Only You, 112 Featuring The Notorious B.I.G.
35. Down Low (Nobody Has To Know), R. Kelly
36. You're The One, SWV
37. Sweet Dreams, La Bouche
38. Before You Walk Out Of My Life/Like This And Like That, Monica
39. Breakfast At Tiffany's, Deep Blue Something
40. 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New), Coolio
41. The World I Know, Collective Soul
42. No Diggity, BLACKstreet (Featuring Dr. Dre)
43. Anything, 3t
44. 1979, The Smashing Pumpkins
45. Diggin' On You, TLC
46. Why I Love You So Much/Ain't Nobody, Monica
47. Kissin' You, Total
48. Count On Me, Whitney Houston and Cece Winans
49. Fantasy, Mariah Carey
50. Time, Hootie and The Blowfish
51. You'll See, Madonna
52. Last Night, Az Yet
53. Mouth, Merril Bainbridge
54. The Earth, The Sun, The Rain, Color Me Badd
55. All The Things (Your Man Won't Do), Joe
56. Wonderwall, Oasis
57. Woo-hah!! Got You All In Check/Everything Remains Raw, Busta Rhymes
58. Tell Me, Groove Theory
59. Elevators (Me and You), Outkast
60. Hook, Blues Traveler
61. Doin It, LL Cool J
62. Fastlove, George Michael
63. Touch Me Tease Me, Case Featuring Foxxy Brown
64. Tonite's Tha Night, Kris Kross
65. Children, Robert Miles
66. Theme From Mission: Impossible, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
67. Closer To Free, Bodeans
68. Just A Girl, No Doubt
69. If Your Girl Only Knew, Aaliyah
70. Lady, D'angelo
71. Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First), John Mellencamp
72. Pony, Ginuwine
73. Nobody, Keith Sweat
74. Old Man and Me (When I Get To Heaven), Hootie and The Blowfish
75. If It Makes You Happy, Sheryl Crow
76. As I Lay Me Down, Sophie B. Hawkins
77. Keep On, Keepin' On, Mc Lyte
78. Jealousy, Natalie Merchant
79. I Want To Come Over, Melissa Etheridge
80. Who Do U Love, Deborah Cox
81. Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
82. This Is Your Night, Amber
83. You Remind Me Of Something, R. Kelly
84. Runaway, Janet Jackson
85. Set U Free, Planet Soul
86. Hit Me Off, New Edition
87. No One Else, Total
88. My Boo, Ghost Town Dj's
89. Get Money, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
90. That Girl, Maxi Priest Featuring Shaggy
91. Po Pimp, Do Or Die
92. Until It Sleeps, Metallica
93. Hay, Crucial Conflict
94. Beautiful Life, Ace Of Base
95. Back For Good, Take That
96. I Got Id/Long Road, Pearl Jam
97. Soon As I Get Home, Faith Evans
98. Macarena, Los Del Rio
99. Only Wanna Be With You, Hootie and The Blowfish
100. Don't Cry, Seal


Hmm, a lot of the stuff I like/liked aren't on this list...

Twenty-one

Thieved from Ames...

What were you doing when you were 21? Let's relive shall we????

Here we go....

!. In what year did you turn 21? 1999.

2. How many years ago was that? 9

3. What if anything was memorable in how you looked? Um...I had long hair? I think.

4. What was your favorite outfit? Same as now. Jeans and a t-shirt.

5. What kind of car did you drive? A Chevy Corsica 5-speed.

6. Did you have a job? Yep!

7. Did you like your job? It was/is a job.

8. Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? I had a husband...

9. What can you remember about them? He was an ass and I wish I could blame the marriage on a drug haze. But, I learned from it at least.

10. Did you have any close friends? Not so much

11. Do you still stay in touch with them? See #11

12.Did you do anything special on your 21st birthday? See #8 & #9

13.What was the most memorable moment of the year of 21? I got divorced!

Now it's your turn! Repost this with your answers on your blog!

Warning! Funny ahead...

I remembered this from a friend's myspace blog. Thought it would make my three readers chuckle (and possibly snort with laughter). I can't claim the originality for this, but I sure wish I could.

For your own safety and that of your computer, do not drink (any liquids) while reading the rest of this post! You've been duly warned.

"How to give a cat a pill"

1. Pick up the cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while sliding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow...

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from under chair. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take a new pill from foil wrap. Cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between the knees. Holding front and rear paws ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make a note to buy a new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set aside for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from beneath spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down straw.

9. Check label to make sure that pill is not harmful to humans. Drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with spoon, flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for last tetanus shot. Throw t-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call the fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining room table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from garage. Force cat's mouth open with small trowel. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour ½ pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture store on the way home and order a new table.

15. Arrange for vet to make house call.

KITTY!!!!!

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of my little cave. Mo, say hi to everyone... Mo... Mo? What do you have...Where are you going with that??... Get back here, you little shit!

Well, she's not being real sociable at the moment so you'll have to make do with some photos, I guess.

We adopted her Saturday and brought her home. OH and I had every intention of opening her carrier and leaving her alone to explore and get used to everything. Yeah, that worked well. I would guess that we looked like two new parents hovering over their newborn child. Luckily, this will be the only type of children we plan on having. (That being the four legs and furry kind.)

While we really want to have 2 kitties, our current living situation only allows for one. But that's okay. It's been a really really long time since either of us had a furball, so one will be plenty.

We got kind of worried about her yesterday, though. Where Saturday, she was all hyped up on adrenaline, yesterday she just kind of laid there and didn't really move much. So, we took her to the vet today to get everything checked out. She weighs 4 pounds exactly and is roughly 4 months old. And healthy. Except for a touch of a kitty cold. Luckily, there are no pills to give her. Just some liquid antibiotic and goo to put in her eyes. Guess who gets the joy of doing that twice a day for the next ten days? Yep.

Oh, and we named her 'Mo' because her motor (ha) runs almost all the time. It got narrowed down to Mo, River, or Jayne and Mo just kind of stuck. So, if this kitty has more than one name, I'd guess she'll be 'River Mo'.








Ain't she adorable?

I'm having a MOMENT, here...

I have to re-evaluate my life. Luckily, there are only a few areas I feel the need to re-evaluate. Like my wardrobe. And whether or not I want to dye my hair.

Where did this come from? Why do I feel the need to do this? Well, let me tell you....

I found my first grey hair this week. Ack!

Yes, I know. It's not a big deal, you say. There'll be plenty more where that came from. You'll get used to it. Blah blah blah-de-blah. I know!

The thing is ... well ... the thing is ... um ... you see ... *sigh* It's physical proof that I'm a grown-up. And I just don't think I can handle that yet. I mean, I've only got 3 decades under my belt. I don't want to be a grown-up yet!

So, let me have my moment of panic, okay.

The tank is done!

See, here's a headless me to prove it! Too bad the blasted thing decided to pooch out in a couple of awkward places. Now it can be thrown into the bottomless closet of doom!
















Went to the family reunion. Was told that my attendance was 'mandatory' since one of my grandmothers was supposed to be there. Key words = supposed to be. Guess where she was. Not at the reunion. She went to Tennessee. Argh! Still, I guess it was okay. I saw some other family members (also not at the reunion), spent some time outside of work with Mom and Pop.

This coming weekend, though, I am not making plans!!!!! Hey, Ames. Our weekly ritual does not count as plans unless it can get us out of some other obligation lol.


Here's a photo of my current project. It (hopefully) will be a shawl. Yes, this is what most of my projects look like in the beginning. Only not quite as neat. Yes, there are two balls of yarn in a 'yarn bra'. (I did not name the thing, I swear!)

This shawl is the Forget-Me-Not Shawl over on Elann's site in the free pattern section. I hope I'm up for the challenge. I'm currently on attempt #3.

Attempt #1 was frogged due to my inability to count.

Attempt #2 was going well until I got to the second pattern row (row 11 I think) when a simple yarn over made me have a headdesk moment. Did I mention that this was after I forgot how to do my decreases and had to look them up on KnittingHelp, then remember how to properly reverse them to suit my knitting style.

And, before I got to the pattern rows on attempt #3, I had the bright idea to look at the written pattern (since I learned to reverse decreases on the written patterns) and compare it to the chart to see if I needed to change things up in the chart.

I think this is part of the reason I have trouble knitting something *exactly* to pattern. I always, always have to change something. Ask Ames. She's dealt with me and patterns before.

So, needless to say, I'm pretty sure that the tapestry that I'm doing has to be frogged and restarted as well because I did the decreases in the wrong flipping direction. Yes, it matters. Well, it does to me.

I'm going to go forage for chocolate now....

Shawl n Crawl

Firstly, I finished a shawl! It's the Luna Moth shawl and I really want to make another one, but in a different color. This one is going to be a Christmas gift for one of my grandmothers. She requested one and survey says that she'll like it. Cross your fingers...















Secondly, Ames and I went on a yarn crawl today. We had funds, a full tank of gas, no a/c, polar pops, and a fistful of directions. Believe it or not, we found our way to the first stop with no problems. No wrong turns, either!


See, we even have photos with some of our yarn cakes.









The owner of Clementine's was kind enough to let us know that what we had planned on as our second stop no longer existed, and printed out some directions for us to a different place instead.

Third stop: Mass Ave. Knit Shop! I had been here before, but it was Ames' first time. She reacted much the same as I did when we walked in. Which was to stop, gape, and absorb the atmosphere. Sometime during our perusal, the rest of the road trip just kind of ... disappeared. But, neither of us were disappointed with that fact. We spent several happy hours petting yarn, picking brains, concocting patterns, and yarny goodness! I even tried my hand at making yarn cakes with my purchases:










The cakes you see in front of me were wound by me, with one exception. Don't ask which one because I honestly don't remember.










Behind me, you'll see Dru hamming it up as well. (Forgive me if my spelling is off, Dru!)
















And then, much later in the afternoon, we decided it was time to take our new stuff home and introduce it all to its new friends in our stashes. Of course, it's all clamoring to be used right now but I shall be strong and finish the buddy tank first!

(Oh, and you can see my new, much shorter 'do as well.)

Intermission

I may have to *gasp* take a break from knitting. Or get a hand masseuse. But I really want to finish the eleventy billion projects I have around the room. Honest!

OH once suggested that I need another hobby. After my incredulous look, he hastened to clarify that I needed another hobby that wasn't knitting related. Doesn't that constitute heresy or something? Of course, then I turned him into my human swift for a while and he didn't mention it again.

What all do I have on the needles today, you ask? Well, I'm so glad you did ask. I have:

1. A hat for Pop (probably for xmas) over halfway finished.
2. Wristwarmers/cuffs for a cousin of mine (barely started).
3. Tank top (buddy knit with Ames) small amount finished so far.
4. A swatch/tapestry that I'm designing (roughly a quarter finished).
5. A shawl (Luna Moth Shawl) that is over halfway completed.
6. Another shawl (Kiri) that's been hibernating for a while now.
7. A scarf (Candle Flame Scarf) that's hiding out in one of the knitting bags.
8. A blanket/throw for an uncle. He's been patiently waiting for this thing for over 2 years.
9. Two! baby blankets that need sewn together.

And that's just off the top of my head. That also doesn't count all the things I want to make. I think I'll save that list for another post.

I'm going to go eat more chocolate now, I think.

Insert-Title-Here

I have lost my witty-title-making ability for the moment.

I do believe I need to admit to something. I'm pretty sure that I'm more of a process knitter than a product knitter. Yes, I have finished some things, but I just can't seem to resist starting more and more projects. So I'm a process knitter with severe startitis. (Process knitter = knitting to be knitting. Product knitter = knitting to have finished items.)

What do I have on the needles right now....

• Tank top buddy kal
• Kiri shawl
• cuffs
• swatch/tapestry

And I'm starting another project. It looks fairly easy, and is in a thicker yarn, and I'm optimistic that I will be able to finish it and not get bored halfway through the pattern (as I tend to do quite often) and ignore it in favor of chocolate. I honestly should weigh a lot more than I do if I truly consume as much chocolate as I say I do....

The tomato plants are still alive! There's even one turning red (a good thing). Unfortunately, it's the one I'm not sure I want to eat as there are some holes in it (from bugs, I guess). But, there's 3 or 4 others that are perfectly healthy looking (at the moment) that I'm waiting for the colors to start changing. Go me!

I've this nifty new keyboard that's addicting to type on. It's very slim, like a laptop keyboard. And it lights up! So I can type in the dark now without squinting to see the keys! My only difficulty with it is that, occasionally, certain keys stick so I have to pay more attention to what I'm typing so that I don't end up typing 'lie his' (like this).

Now, where did I leave those darned sarcasm pills?

The Pratchgan 2008

Ramblings of a yarn junkie: The Pratchgan 2008 - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!

See my previous post for more info. Not much more that I can add to this, honestly. I'm still in awe of what we did!

Pratchgan 2008 - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Way back in December, I joined in with a group of fiber-artsy people over on Ravelry to make an afghan for none other than Mr. Terry Pratchett.

Well, earlier today our wonderful organizer, Shirley, had the privilege of presenting the Pratchgan to Mr. Pratchett in person. She's posted about it, with photos! over on her blog.

She also wrote a letter explaining what it was and why we did it. Here's what the letter says:

Dear Mr Pratchett,

The Ankh-Morpork Knitter's Guild is a group on the fibre arts website ravelry.com where fans can come together to indulge our passion for all things crafty as well as all things Discworld.

At the end of last year we were trying to think of a way to show our support following the news of your Alzheimer’s diagnosis and being a bunch of knitters and crocheters (not to mention spinners, weavers and dyers) we decided a Discworld-inspired afghan blanket was the way to go.

Since 26th December 2007 ninety-nine people from all over Roundworld have contributed a square or two, causing my postman to start giving me some very strange looks. The project thread on ravelry has been a joy as people suggested themes, egged each other on or just had a rant when a brilliant idea turned out not to be so brilliant after all. Somewhere along the way the project became known as The Pratchgan 2008 and the name has now firmly stuck.

We send you this gift and the accompanying letters with all our love, to let you know that a bunch of strangers are thinking of you and also with our thanks for all the years of laughter that your books have brought us. If you ever manage to find the time to join ravelry (a wee birdie has told us that you spin and weave so it’s not entirely outwith the realms of possibility that you might feel the urge to join some day) we’d be honoured to have you as a member of the Guild.

We hope you enjoy The Pratchgan and that it brings you as much pleasure as we’ve had creating it.

Warmest wishes,

Shirley (ravelry name cherryred)
On behalf of the Ankh-Morpork Knitter’s Guild

I feel truly honored to have been a part of this. And yes, I did get a little bit teary-eyed at all of it.

Never too old, I guess.

We had our "Employee Appreciation Day" on Wednesday. Festivities included free food and drink (non-alcoholic, it was during working hours) and a 'Modified Monster Trike' Race.

I was able to sweet-talk my SPOH, as well as Ames, into coming and being cheerleaders for me. They didn't wear the cute little outfits, but they did show up! And Ames even sweet-talked another yarny friend into coming as well. It was great! But I feel kind of bad that I didn't get to spend much time chatting with any of them. SPOH was kind enough to take race photos for me, while Ames got some with her phone.

Here's a photo of me practicing last Friday. I didn't touch a trike again until Wednesday at race time.









Here's me and my team, Ghost Riders. Believe it or not, I was the oldest member of my team.







My leg of the race was from those teeny tiny orange cones in the background all the way around the corner. Trying to keep up the speed and turn were pretty interesting...





You can see my teammate urging me to get the lead out so she could ride her leg.





Gee, can you tell I was thrilled to make a complete idiot of myself? I was mainly just pleased to not wreck or fall on my face during the trade-off.





See the girls on the far left? The one in the pink is a fellow team leader. She and I have loads of friendly competition. What's funny about it is that she talked loads more smack than I did. And guess who didn't get first place *grins*.


This is one of my bosses. (I have two.) It's nice to know we can get management to make fools of themselves willingly. Kind of gives the rest of us a break.







Woohoo! Ghost Riders won 1st place for our shift with a time of 2 mins. 15 secs. We got 2nd place factory-wide.

The fastest team of the whole factory only beat us by 12 seconds. Although it is just a tad embarrassing to be beat by the I.T. people. They get to sit in the a/c all day while we're out on the floor sweating our butts off. Oh, well. We still kicked some ass!

*cue victory music*

Firsts (a meme)

Thieved this from Sleeping Si.


Who was your first prom date?
That would be the guy I was dating at the time.
Do you still talk to your first love?
Nope, I have this nifty ability to make my exes disappear.
What was your first alcoholic drink?
I've been told that I tried some of an uncle's beer when I was little...
What was your first job?
Setting tobacco for my grandpa
What was your first car?
'87 Chevy Celebrity
Who was the first person to text you today?
Ames
Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
I don't have coherent thoughts in the morning
Who was your first grade teacher?
Uhhh..Mrs. Mahoney?
Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
Texas
Who was your first best friend and are you still friends?
I don't remember her name, and we're not in touch anymore.
What was your first sport played?
Whatever they made us play in P.E.
Where was your first sleepover?
Does family count?
Who was the first person you talked to this morning?
Before noon counts as morning, right? Then Ames.
Whose wedding were you first in?
One of my aunt's.
What was the first thing you did this morning?
Woke up.
What was the first concert you went to?
Bush. Then the very next night we went to see Marilyn Manson.
What was your first tattoo or piercing?
First piercing was my ears a really long time ago. First tat is a seahorse on my shoulderblade.
What was the first foreign country you went to?
Does Kentucky count? (Kidding...sort of.) Canada.
What was your first run in with the law?
A speeding ticket.
When was your first detention?
Never. I was a good girl...
What was the first state you lived in?
Indiana
Who was the first person to break your heart?
Let's not go there, ok.
Who was your first roommate?
I had three the first and second time. That was when I reinforced the fact that I don't play well with others.
Where did you go in your first limo ride?
N/A.

T-I-P Update

Here's a photo of the tank I've been working on for about a month. Long time huh. I think there's something like 50 hours in it. But, keep in mind that I've been writing the pattern as I go, and a hefty chunk of those hours were due to my attempts at complicated math, visualizing, looking up stitches, etc.

Anyway, the pattern is solid. I like it, though there are a few tweaks I'll be making to it.

Please ignore the whimpering you hear in the background. It's my conscience and pride either dueling or commiserating.

I forgot to take it out of my bag today when I went to work. That's no big deal in itself. But it let me see/feel how the yarn felt in 'normal' weather instead of just in the A/C. The consensus states that it would be insanely warm during the summer and the pattern isn't really conducive to wearing over another shirt when it gets cooler out.

So, I decided to frog it. I'll remake it with a different yarn, and possibly larger needles. Which will involve more complicated math, visualizing, you get the idea.

Yes, I'm insane.

Hand over the chocolate!

A Moment of Silence, Please

For the departure of my sense of well-being and sanity.

See, in the previous post, I listed the first, what, five attempts on the MKAL. All well and good. Consider this the logging of attempt number six. *Sigh*

I had a couple of 'AHA!' moments during this adventure. And now, I'm going back to the beginning to put them into use. The last attempt ended (I think) somewhere in Clue 1. During Clue 2, I figured out how to read a chart to make it work for my personal knitting style. When Clue 3 was posted (yesterday), I expanded on that first moment. I figured out how to make the chart work even better with my particular style. I decline to explain it right now apart from saying I have to do a little bit of work before I even pick up the sticks and string.

So, why am I having to start over yet again? Because I dropped an indeterminate number of stitches in the middle of the lace pattern. And I'm not good enough (yet) to pick them up properly. Trust me. I tried. It got worse.

I decided (after several deep breaths and many more choice words) to start completely over. For three reasons.

1. The aforementioned dropped stitches incident.
2. I had several errors that I flubbed my way through.
3. I've completely lost my mind.

I still hold no ill will toward the pattern, the designer, the yarn or the needles. Most of it was due to PEBKAC. Problem Exists Between Knitter And Chart. (Yes, I'm reassigning computer acronyms here.) And the pattern looks lovely, what I've seen of it.

Here I go. Sixth time's a charm!

p.s. Send Chocolate!!!!!

Adventures in Knitting

So. I've joined a mystery knitalong. I know we're making a shawl, I just don't have any idea what it will look like until we're done. Here's my wrap-up of how things have gone so far:

Attempt #1:

Read the clue. Goggle at the sheer number of stitches to cast on. Deep breath and attempt to cast on 800+ stitches of lace weight yarn onto 14" straight needles. Realize that this isn't going to work. Frog. Re-wrap yarn around ball. Find chocolate, caffeine and nicotine to console myself.

Attempt #2:

Buy proper needles for the project. Cast on. Knit the first 6 rows. Make an error somewhere in row 7. Attempt to tink back, lose a stitch. Frog, and re-wrap yarn. Eat more chocolate, drink more caffeine.

Attempt #3:

Cast on. Lose a stitch while knitting first row. Frog and re-wrap yarn. Think heavily about buying alcohol to replace chocolate. Realize liquor stores are closed. Set entire project aside to calm down.

Attempt #4:

Deep breath, calming tunes, cast on. Successfully knit first 2 rows. Read pattern wrong about a third through the row. Find error near end of row. Attempt to tink back, lose 2 stitches. Frog. Break yarn during frogging. Finish re-wrapping yarn. Untangle broken piece and wrap for possibility of emergency at a later date. Intake massive amounts of sugar, caffeine and nicotine to calm nerves.

Attempt #5:

Cast on slowly, using different type of cast on. Triple check number of stitches. Knit 4 rows slowly and without errors. Begin row 5 of pattern. Stop and set aside due to being tired and jittery from the sugar/caffeine crash. Cross fingers and hope that all continues to go well. Think about buying new clothes since most of my current clothes don't fit right now thanks to sugar and caffeine...

I'm not annoyed with the pattern. I still really like it so far. And I'm honor-bound to do this thing properly, dang it!

Update: I've (finally) completed Clue #1 successfully! The photo's the proof. Now, on to Clue #2....

Movie meme

Thanks to sleeping si, I have another meme to share.


One movie that made you laugh:
Shaun of the Dead
One movie that made you cry:
Stepmom
One movie that you loved as a child:
The Last Unicorn
One movie you've seen more than once:
The Crow
One movie you loved, but were embarrased to admit it:
I don't embarrass too easily anymore, so I can't think of one at the moment....
One movie you hated:
Zoolander
One movie that scared you:
When I was little, I had a nightmare about the Care Bears Movie...does that count?
One movie that bored you:
Speed Racer
One movie that made you happy:
Pirates of the Caribbean. Any of them.
One movie that made you miserable:
Where the Day Takes You
One movie that you weren't brave enough to see:
um...
One movie characted you've fallen in love with:
How about lust? Then it would be Captain Jack Sparrow.
The last movie you saw:
Get Smart
The next movie you hope to see:
Dark Knight


Consider yourselves tagged.

Look Up

See those dragons up there? See the pretty pink one? She needs a name.

And I'm fresh out of ideas. C'mon people, help me out!

50 ?s

Yeah, yeah. I'm adding 2 at the end of it. I like rounded numbers. "Borrowed" it from Ames heheh.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not that I know of.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
It's been a while.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I guess.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Are you buying?
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
I'm allergic.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yep. I'm awesomeness personified.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Pshaw. I scoff at sarcasm.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Probably not. I don't want a huge rubber band to bounce me back up if I hit.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cocoa Puffs
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
My shoes don't tie.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
In what sense of the word do you mean? Physical? Yes. Emotional? That too.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Banana Split Blizzard from DQ
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
How they present themselves.
15. RED OR PINK?
Green.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Like I'm going to tell you that.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My oldest brother.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Sure.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Why do you want to know?
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
French fries.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The keyboard clacking.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Steel Grey.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Fresh cut grass, honeysuckle, etc.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My SPOH.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Well, duh! She's my friend!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
NASCAR
27. HAIR COLOR?
Natural.
28. EYE COLOR?
Hazel.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Can't.
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Food I don't have to prepare.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Yes.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Get Smart.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Are you planning on stalking me or what?
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Spring.
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs are made of white chocolate. I'm not a big fan of white chocolate.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Strawberry Shortcake Mousse
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Hell if I know.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
See #37.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison (re-read)
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
The mouse.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Re-runs of Grey's.
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Depends on my mood.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Flip a coin.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Devil's Tower. Wyoming, I think.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Why yes I do.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
In a hospital.
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
See #37.
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
12.43 am.
49. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR PET PEEVES?
Stupid people.
50. WHAT PHRASE DO YOU USE EVERY DAY?
New topic!

? ? ?

Here's some questions that I stole from Ames. I'm not telling exactly where I stole it from her though.

Do you have any weird talents?
Oh probably.

When was your 1st kiss?
Before the second.


Do you have a YouTube account?
not anymore.

Last book you read for pleasure?
Aren't most books for pleasure?


What's your 4th text message?
I dunno. I delete them.

What is your birthstone?
Aquamarine

In one word, how would you define yourself?
HA!

Tell me about the last dream you had...
No.


Are your great grandparents still alive?
no

What is you favorite kind of ice cream?
Dairy Queen blizzards

What do you like to do in your free time?
many different things.


Something you really need?
I'm told that I need to get a grip...

What is the last TV program you watched?
Rerun of Firefly

What are you wearing right now?
Clothes.

What color are your underwear?
Why do you want to know?

What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?
Spending time with my SPOH.

When you think of the rainbow, what pops in your head?
Leprechauns

Something you don't have any of:
Patience with stupid people.

Have you lost contact with someone you wish you didn't?
Yes!

Are you afraid of the dark?
That would be a no.

Whats worse, roaches or spiders?
Roaches. Spiders help keep out the rest of the bugs.


How often do you redo your profile?
very seldom.

Do you ever want to get married?

Been there. Done that. Burned the bridge.

How long does it take you to get ready to go somewhere?
Depends on how spiffed out I have to be.

Would you rather be called hot, cute, or awesome?
I'd rather be called by name, thanks.

Travel by bike or walk?
To travel by bike would indicate that I own a bike...


Play any sports?
Only spectator sports.

Who knows you best?
I'm hoping that would be me.

Have you learned a new song lately?
Sure.


What would be the best gift ever?
Stability.

Do you have cancer or know someone who does?
no

What is your current mood?
blank...

Who do you admire?
Smart people. For a given value of smart.


Are you photogenic?
I prefer to be behind the camera, thanks.

Favorite food smell?
There are many, and if I start listing them, I'll have to go raid the fridge.

Why did you kiss the last person you kissed?
Why do you ask?

Would you kiss them again?
Why? Jealous?

When is the last time you smoked weed?
no, thanks.

What movie are you waiting to see in theatres?
Get Smart

Why did your last relationship fail?
He was an ass, and I was less than intelligent.

Have you played on the Wii yet?
once or twice

Do you like Paramore's music?
some of it.


What is your favorite soft drink?
Diet Cherry 7-Up

Last time you puked?
It's been a while.

What do you think of politics?
Thinking gives me a headache.

What is worse, physical or emotional pain?
Emotional.


What are your fetishes?
Need to know basis. You do not need to know.

How often do you say the F word?
Depends on how angry/annoyed I am.

Do you get what you want?
You offering?

Do you know what you want?
Mostly.

More stuff

So, I finally got some decent sleep. The interesting thing about it is that I'm up before 10 am. Not going to complain though.

The tank-in-progress is ... progressing. I had to stop for a little while due to hand cramps. Which is to be expected, I guess, when one knits over 1k of stitches a day for 3 days. But I really want to see if it looks decent and if I wrote it out properly. There's still quite a bit left to do. I haven't quite made it to under the ribs yet...

I'm hanging out with the family later today. I'll let y'all know how that goes. I've made a 'surprise' to take over there with me too. (It's a dessert, and it's not strawberry shortcake [well, not really.])

And now, on to another meme thieved from ssk.

YES/NO GAME RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
You can only say yes or no. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks!

Over 18?
Yes

Danced in front of your mirror naked?
yes

Ever told a lie?
Yes

Been arrested?
Yes

Kissed a picture?
Yes

Fallen asleep at work/school?
Yes

Held an actual snake?
Yes

Ever run a red light?
Yes

Ever drink and drive?
Yes

Been suspended from school?
No

Ever been fired from a job?
No

Totaled a car/motorbike in an accident?
Yes

Sang karaoke?
Yes

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
Yes

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose?
Yes

Ever laughed until you wet yourself?
No

Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
Yes

Kissed in the rain?
Yes

Sang in the shower?
Yes

Sat on a rooftop?
Yes

Thought about your past with regret?
Yes

Been pushed in the pool with your clothes on?
Yes

Shaved your head?
No

Blacked out from drinking?
Yes

Had a gym membership?
Yes

Been in a band?
No

Shot a gun?
Yes

Liked someone with nobody else knowing about it?
Yes

Played strip poker?
No

Been to a strip joint?
No

Donated Blood?
Yes

Liked someone you shouldn't?
Yes

Have a tattoo?
Yes

Have or had any piercings besides ears?
Yes

Made out with a complete stranger?
No

Caught someone cheating on you?
No

Skinny dipped?
No

Regret any of your ex's?
Yes

Been to a rodeo?
No

Been to a NASCAR race?
No

Been in Love?
Yes

Don't answer/ask in comments, please.

Tra la la

Okay, I just finished visiting sleepingsiknits and kinda sorta got tagged by her newest post. So, here's mine:

"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to."

"Life Again" - Decyfer Down
I had to write down the band name because I couldn't remember.

"Teardrop" - Massive Attack
I've been watching House re-runs and I really like this song. With or without words.

"Approach the Bench" - The Audition
Gets stuck in my head quite easily.

"Lemon Parade" - Tonic
Nice, mellow tune.

"Freshmen" - The Verve Pipe
This song has been with me for many, many moons.

"When Your Heart Stops Beating" - (+44)
Catchy.

"Blister in the Sun" - Violent Femmes
I always smile and sing along when I hear this one.

This is harder than I thought it would be...
Tag yourselves.

Picky Picky Picky

Since I've finished one top (the tunic), I've been looking like mad at all sorts of other tops to make. I want to make a tank top. But almost all of the designs I see are almost-but-not-quite what I want to make. So I bit the bullet and am trying to design one of my own. I know what I want, and I think I can make the yarn do what I want it to. I just have to remember to write down what I'm doing!


The first photo is roughly what the table looks like when I'm trying to figure things out and keep track of them at the same time. The second photo is what I have done so far. And, I must say, so far so good. Hopefully I can keep it up. Except my brain keeps jumping ahead while my hands are working on the current segment. Which is all well and good, if you don't take into account my ability to hodge-podge nearly all attempts at multitasking, lateral thinking, working on more than one problem involving simple math and shaping at the same time.

So, needless to say, I'm scribbling things down on paper, typing them into the computer and mentally sketching what comes next. While trying to figure out my gauge at the same time. I'm too impatient to swatch. And since this project is off-the-cuff, I think I can be fairly certain that frogging and tinking will be involved at one point or another, though hopefully not too much.

This third photo is my attempt at an extreme close up to show how the shaping is showing up, but my camera and I are almost not on speaking terms (again) due to its stubborn refusal to take a semi-decent close up shot.

At least I'm not writing this pattern like I write revised recipes. I think if I did that, I'd have a 50/50 shot at amusing some of the people (assuming that someone else tries to decipher this) and offending the rest. Cross your fingers for me.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm working this in lace weight yarn?

Who Stole My Sheep Counter?

Let me just start by saying I hate insomnia! I've been getting by for close to a week now on 4 hours or less per day. I've tried just about everything short of sleeping pills. I even made myself an eyeshade (see photo). It works really well to block out the light and is comfy. And it doesn't leave weird patterns on my face.

Now if I could just find a pattern for that brain/thought muffler...

WWKIP Day

So, yesterday was World Wide Knit In Public (WWKIP) Day. My original intentions were to kidnap Ames and go up to the State Museum and join the knitters there. However, gas prices (roughly 4.17/gal) and the distinct lack of cash changed those plans for me. So, instead, I went over to her summer job at the fireworks shop and knit in public there with her for a few hours. There were some customers too, so there were witnesses even.

Ames was working on a garter stitch dishcloth. I started another pair of cuffs. Now, I'm thinking she might have rather been working on crocheting something, but it was WWKIP and not WWCIP day, so she just had to suck it up lol.

And while I would have rather worked on my tunic, it is at a stage where portability is limited.

Here's proof that we were actually in the same place at the same time and not just holding the needles to look pretty.