May the New Year bring all that my dear friends and readers wish for and a few happy surprises.
I wish every good thing for my Spencer - he'll be graduating from High School, turning 18 and going off to college to begin his own life. All around a HUGE year. Choose well my son. Is your turn to do all that now. I've done my part, now it's your turn. Go get 'em!
Excuse me while I go cry...
OK...
For my Mom and Sis I wish a happy, healthy New Year and a bottomless box of Kleenex as we all watch our Spencer go forth to conquer the world. And he will, cos that's the kind of guy he is...
Oh crap, here come more tears....
My Honey and I get the same wish: health, happiness and to be united with the one we love. Anyone know a good immigration lawyer who gives free consultations?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Going going gone...
Many things going in the Chaos.
The old year is going (obviously).
Things no longer needed are (eventually) going.
The Chaos is also (eventually) going. Somewhere else. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
I will be going. Maybe. Haven't decided yet. I always chicken out. Going where you ask?
Not where, what. I am once again contemplating NOT coloring my hair. Just going au naturale.
Grey.
I think I'd be a 50/50 salt 'n pepper. I'm not quite sure because I keep coloring my hair. :)
Anyway, now would be a really good time to do it.
I'm feeling the need for a coiffure change.
Whether going grey will be that change, I don't know yet.
One thing I do know for sure is that I really need a haircut.
Maybe a salt 'n pepper new cut?
Dare I do both?
The old year is going (obviously).
Things no longer needed are (eventually) going.
The Chaos is also (eventually) going. Somewhere else. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
I will be going. Maybe. Haven't decided yet. I always chicken out. Going where you ask?
Not where, what. I am once again contemplating NOT coloring my hair. Just going au naturale.
Grey.
I think I'd be a 50/50 salt 'n pepper. I'm not quite sure because I keep coloring my hair. :)
Anyway, now would be a really good time to do it.
I'm feeling the need for a coiffure change.
Whether going grey will be that change, I don't know yet.
One thing I do know for sure is that I really need a haircut.
Maybe a salt 'n pepper new cut?
Dare I do both?
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Me and my big mouth...
This is what happens when you are stupid enough to not start on time, then rush, and then have the balls to brag that things are going along GREAT JUST GREAT!
And then you publish it on the internet.
You mess up the pattern and don't notice until 3 rows later.
THREE LONG ROWS OF 130+ stitches.
And it wasn't a simple enough thing for me that I could just let a stitch go, go down a bit and fix the mistake. I don't do well with that process to begin with... If I did that, it would just be better to frog and start over because it would all be a big fat yarny mess.
So just spent almost the entire knitting time since I bragged about how well things were going, tinking*.
Rinkety tinkety tink.
The yarn ball fell in the sink.
The knitter went skating, instead of just waiting,
and busted her butt in the rink.
(Makes no sense whatever, I know. It just popped into my head.)
So... Sorry Sis, you'll have to wait a few extra days for your knitterly item. There's an envelope coming to Mom's house by Saturday. Enjoy your gift card in the interim.
*Definition of Tink:
Tink is the term used by knitters to mean unknitting or knitting backward. Tink is actually knit spelled backward.
When you notice a mistake in your knitting either in the row you are currently working on or the row you just finished working, the easiest way to fix it is to tink back to the problem stitch and start over.
It is not recommended that you tink over several rows because it takes a long time and is very nerve-wracking.
Also Known As: Unknitting, backward knitting
And then you publish it on the internet.
You mess up the pattern and don't notice until 3 rows later.
THREE LONG ROWS OF 130+ stitches.
And it wasn't a simple enough thing for me that I could just let a stitch go, go down a bit and fix the mistake. I don't do well with that process to begin with... If I did that, it would just be better to frog and start over because it would all be a big fat yarny mess.
So just spent almost the entire knitting time since I bragged about how well things were going, tinking*.
Rinkety tinkety tink.
The yarn ball fell in the sink.
The knitter went skating, instead of just waiting,
and busted her butt in the rink.
(Makes no sense whatever, I know. It just popped into my head.)
So... Sorry Sis, you'll have to wait a few extra days for your knitterly item. There's an envelope coming to Mom's house by Saturday. Enjoy your gift card in the interim.
*Definition of Tink:
Tink is the term used by knitters to mean unknitting or knitting backward. Tink is actually knit spelled backward.
When you notice a mistake in your knitting either in the row you are currently working on or the row you just finished working, the easiest way to fix it is to tink back to the problem stitch and start over.
It is not recommended that you tink over several rows because it takes a long time and is very nerve-wracking.
Also Known As: Unknitting, backward knitting
Monday, December 19, 2011
Secret knitting continues...
...I am pushing the limits here, but still knitting my little fingers off. If I was using metal needles, I think sparks would be flying.
Not really, but the projects have been going along a lot quicker than usual. I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the short deadline I'm up against.
Not at all.
One project is blocking another is halfway done on the needles. The rest are not due before Xmas, so I'm in pretty good shape so far.
I'd be in better shape if I would have started earlier, but well, I'm knitting now, that's all that matters.
Spence and I spent yesterday with family friends who came into town with their son to spend the day "in the big city" shopping and seeing the sites.
Spence and I went earlier so I could shop for a coat. Happy to say I found one and now I won't be freezing my butt off at the bus stop in every long sleeved shirt and fleece I have with a down vest zipped over it.
One of the downsizes of losing weight is all your nice warm winter coats and jackets are too big. Don't get me wrong, clothes being too big is a good thing, but not in winter.
Anyway, we met with friends after lunch and spent more time trying to keep track of each other in the crowds than actually LOOKING at anything.
Oh, and I don't care what language you speak, I'm sure they ALL include the words EXCUSE ME or PARDON ME or THANK YOU. We may not all speak what words you speak, but most of us can recognize good manners.
And to the guy trying to sell his "art" for money instead of begging...it was a good idea until you started yelling out random insults. Kinda ruined the whole vibe you had going on.
Just sayin'.
We gave up on the insanity after 2 hours (not even 2 actually) and got in the car for the long journey out of downtown. It took us longer to get from Union Square to the Bay Bridge than it did to get from the Bay Bridge to Back 40 Texas BBQ.
Where we all enjoyed the company of friends over a yummy meal.
After we waited 40 min to be seated.
Not really, but the projects have been going along a lot quicker than usual. I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the short deadline I'm up against.
Not at all.
One project is blocking another is halfway done on the needles. The rest are not due before Xmas, so I'm in pretty good shape so far.
I'd be in better shape if I would have started earlier, but well, I'm knitting now, that's all that matters.
Spence and I spent yesterday with family friends who came into town with their son to spend the day "in the big city" shopping and seeing the sites.
Spence and I went earlier so I could shop for a coat. Happy to say I found one and now I won't be freezing my butt off at the bus stop in every long sleeved shirt and fleece I have with a down vest zipped over it.
One of the downsizes of losing weight is all your nice warm winter coats and jackets are too big. Don't get me wrong, clothes being too big is a good thing, but not in winter.
Anyway, we met with friends after lunch and spent more time trying to keep track of each other in the crowds than actually LOOKING at anything.
Oh, and I don't care what language you speak, I'm sure they ALL include the words EXCUSE ME or PARDON ME or THANK YOU. We may not all speak what words you speak, but most of us can recognize good manners.
And to the guy trying to sell his "art" for money instead of begging...it was a good idea until you started yelling out random insults. Kinda ruined the whole vibe you had going on.
Just sayin'.
We gave up on the insanity after 2 hours (not even 2 actually) and got in the car for the long journey out of downtown. It took us longer to get from Union Square to the Bay Bridge than it did to get from the Bay Bridge to Back 40 Texas BBQ.
Where we all enjoyed the company of friends over a yummy meal.
After we waited 40 min to be seated.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Winter WonderSuck...
More like Winter WTF?!?
Not much to say here except that there has been a whole bunch of SUCK going on...as in lots of little sucky things have happened to add up to one giant HOOVER. And from what I've been reading in other blogs, I'm not the only ones who has had a Hoover sort of week. WTF?!?
Whatever.
It is over now - so far as I know.
I'll take it.
I won't take the daily afternoon hot flashes though. Mother nature can have those back.
Not much to say here except that there has been a whole bunch of SUCK going on...as in lots of little sucky things have happened to add up to one giant HOOVER. And from what I've been reading in other blogs, I'm not the only ones who has had a Hoover sort of week. WTF?!?
Whatever.
It is over now - so far as I know.
I'll take it.
I won't take the daily afternoon hot flashes though. Mother nature can have those back.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Happiness in the fog of What.Ever.
Happiness is having a dedicated Knitting Chair. Mine is now known affectionately by the name Chair.
As in My Chair, do not sit in My Chair.
Capitalized because it is a such wonderful revered place - if only by me, but who cares.
This is the first time in all my knitting years (that's about 42 total btw - yes, i started VERY YOUNG), that I've had a dedicated knitting chair.
It's the first time, since I became a single parent that I've had a VERY NICE chair. All my other furniture has been fine: second hand/ consignment furniture that has more than done it's duty and served it's purpose. It's worn out, I'm worn out and I only had the bare necessities because that's all I could afford. An extra comfy chair would have been considered a luxury.
And right now, I need some luxury. Still can't afford it, but I have an Angel.
Chair is not brand new, but it sure does look like it. Thanks to a very generous friend who manages to give me some wonderful cast-offs whenever she moves. I've had it for over a year, but have had to share it with a teenage son and an old Kitty and then some very soft donation items.
Now that Kitty has been gone for a while (sadness) and the son is getting ready for college (more sadness...especially since the acceptance letters have started to arrive), and I've packed up the donation clothes, I have now reclaimed it as MINE.
I NEED the Chair. It helps me relax during what little down time I have. Definitely should have reclaimed it earlier, but I guess I wasn't ready to acknowledge I needed it. Or some sort of hooey whatsit. I now officially acknowledge the need.
It's the right amount of coziness.
And Chair soon could be joined by a storage cube/ottoman. Generous friend informed me last night that she has a few to hand off after their last move (they are redecorating in the new place) and would I be interested.
HELL TO THE YES.
A place to put my weary tooties that also holds yarny goodies?
Oh yes indeedy, I am very interested.
Last night was the first night I actually sat in Chair and knit for more than a few minutes.
Knitterly heaven in a sea of boxes.
As soon as all the boxes go away, I'll post a photo of my special place in the Chaos. There are still too many of them in the background.
As in My Chair, do not sit in My Chair.
Capitalized because it is a such wonderful revered place - if only by me, but who cares.
This is the first time in all my knitting years (that's about 42 total btw - yes, i started VERY YOUNG), that I've had a dedicated knitting chair.
It's the first time, since I became a single parent that I've had a VERY NICE chair. All my other furniture has been fine: second hand/ consignment furniture that has more than done it's duty and served it's purpose. It's worn out, I'm worn out and I only had the bare necessities because that's all I could afford. An extra comfy chair would have been considered a luxury.
And right now, I need some luxury. Still can't afford it, but I have an Angel.
Chair is not brand new, but it sure does look like it. Thanks to a very generous friend who manages to give me some wonderful cast-offs whenever she moves. I've had it for over a year, but have had to share it with a teenage son and an old Kitty and then some very soft donation items.
Now that Kitty has been gone for a while (sadness) and the son is getting ready for college (more sadness...especially since the acceptance letters have started to arrive), and I've packed up the donation clothes, I have now reclaimed it as MINE.
I NEED the Chair. It helps me relax during what little down time I have. Definitely should have reclaimed it earlier, but I guess I wasn't ready to acknowledge I needed it. Or some sort of hooey whatsit. I now officially acknowledge the need.
It's the right amount of coziness.
And Chair soon could be joined by a storage cube/ottoman. Generous friend informed me last night that she has a few to hand off after their last move (they are redecorating in the new place) and would I be interested.
HELL TO THE YES.
A place to put my weary tooties that also holds yarny goodies?
Oh yes indeedy, I am very interested.
Last night was the first night I actually sat in Chair and knit for more than a few minutes.
Knitterly heaven in a sea of boxes.
As soon as all the boxes go away, I'll post a photo of my special place in the Chaos. There are still too many of them in the background.
What.Ever.
So tomorrow is the "annual inspecting of the apartments".
What have I done for the last few days or nights when I've had free time?
Knit.
Road my bike with Spencer.
Played a stupid computer game.
Some would say I'm not ready for inspection (like me, for instance).
I don't really care. The place is clean and I'll shift the clutter around into the stacks where it should go and will end up anyway. It's mostly in boxes right now, so it'll be easier than it sounds.
A few signs saying "Donate" and "Back to storage" on each of the respective stacks and I'm done.
Although the "Back to storage" is really "still need to go through" as I do not intend to put anything back into storage.
But the inspectors don't need to know that right now.
What have I done for the last few days or nights when I've had free time?
Knit.
Road my bike with Spencer.
Played a stupid computer game.
Some would say I'm not ready for inspection (like me, for instance).
I don't really care. The place is clean and I'll shift the clutter around into the stacks where it should go and will end up anyway. It's mostly in boxes right now, so it'll be easier than it sounds.
A few signs saying "Donate" and "Back to storage" on each of the respective stacks and I'm done.
Although the "Back to storage" is really "still need to go through" as I do not intend to put anything back into storage.
But the inspectors don't need to know that right now.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
That's how we roll in The Chaos
OK, so my friend Antonella gave me these awesome covertible fleece gloves last Christmas in a most fetching green. Fingerless gloves with the tops off, put the tops on and you've got warm mittens. They even have zippers on the top to hold money, an ID, your bus pass, or a key or two.
I wore them every day when I got them until the weather changed and I didn't need them anymore. They were set aside and that was that til the next winter.
Well the next winter is here. The temps dropped last week and there I was going through all my winter accessories and lo and behold, NO GREEN GLOVES.
I look night after night. Sound familiar? Yeah, I was also looking for my knitting needles.
So The Chaos was torn apart, put back together and torn apart again.
The needles were found, but not the gloves...until last night.
Also found with them were a few other items (from top to bottom as they were pulled out of where they were):
Oh, and Donna, where DID you happen to FIND all these items?
Ummm...wellll....
They were in a small tote bag sitting innocently next to a shelving unit in my bedroom. I ummm never bothered to look in it because I thought the whole thing was full of the face towels that were the top layer.
I just so happened to accidentally knock it over as I moved the shelving cabinet to see if my gloves had fallen down behind it.
When BAZINGA all those diverse little goodies spilled onto the floor.
Of all the things I manage to lose in my apartment, I really do miss my sanity the most.
I wore them every day when I got them until the weather changed and I didn't need them anymore. They were set aside and that was that til the next winter.
Well the next winter is here. The temps dropped last week and there I was going through all my winter accessories and lo and behold, NO GREEN GLOVES.
I look night after night. Sound familiar? Yeah, I was also looking for my knitting needles.
So The Chaos was torn apart, put back together and torn apart again.
The needles were found, but not the gloves...until last night.
Also found with them were a few other items (from top to bottom as they were pulled out of where they were):
- two organic face towels that have been earmarked for a special project
- a large freezer ziplock bag (empty)
- Ms Cow's knitted sleeping bag (I was wondering where that was too)
- the gloves
- a small ziplock bag containing the leftover yarn from Ms Cow knitted sleeping bag and two sets of dpn's (which I noticed were missing from the ones I found the other day)
- a small silk pouch with my best set of zils
- my favorite veil (used mostly in dance class)
Oh, and Donna, where DID you happen to FIND all these items?
Ummm...wellll....
They were in a small tote bag sitting innocently next to a shelving unit in my bedroom. I ummm never bothered to look in it because I thought the whole thing was full of the face towels that were the top layer.
I just so happened to accidentally knock it over as I moved the shelving cabinet to see if my gloves had fallen down behind it.
When BAZINGA all those diverse little goodies spilled onto the floor.
Of all the things I manage to lose in my apartment, I really do miss my sanity the most.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
...and she still tries...
OK, so how's the secret knitting going?
Ummmmm....
Ummmmm....
It was going along quite well. Until.
Until the temperature dropped down into the 30's at night and my hands got so stiff and achy that not even knitting could help. I have tried to knit in fingerless gloves, but that's not working with dpn's.
Neither is sitting on the train bundled up in every outer garment I possess and trying to knit. I only have 20 minutes on the train, so disrobing in order to knit is not an option. By the time I do that, pull out the latest secret knitting project and get started, it's time to pack up, get dressed and run off.
Besides, everyone else on the train is bundled up in every single outer garment they possess, so there is not much elbow room. The other day, I actually had to lean out in the aisle and knit. That did not go well, as I was on a cabling row.
I don't want to talk about it.
And now we are having a City Inspector come out and do their yearly apartment inspection next Monday.
While I appreciate that my little town takes care of its renters, I don't appreciate them waiting until the Holidays when my apartment is a disaster while I downsize, shift things around and have boxes of Xmas decorations everywhere to come and do an inspection.
I'm supposed to be Knitting Secret Things, not cleaning up.
Jeez.
Ummmmm....
Ummmmm....
It was going along quite well. Until.
Until the temperature dropped down into the 30's at night and my hands got so stiff and achy that not even knitting could help. I have tried to knit in fingerless gloves, but that's not working with dpn's.
Neither is sitting on the train bundled up in every outer garment I possess and trying to knit. I only have 20 minutes on the train, so disrobing in order to knit is not an option. By the time I do that, pull out the latest secret knitting project and get started, it's time to pack up, get dressed and run off.
Besides, everyone else on the train is bundled up in every single outer garment they possess, so there is not much elbow room. The other day, I actually had to lean out in the aisle and knit. That did not go well, as I was on a cabling row.
I don't want to talk about it.
And now we are having a City Inspector come out and do their yearly apartment inspection next Monday.
While I appreciate that my little town takes care of its renters, I don't appreciate them waiting until the Holidays when my apartment is a disaster while I downsize, shift things around and have boxes of Xmas decorations everywhere to come and do an inspection.
I'm supposed to be Knitting Secret Things, not cleaning up.
Jeez.
Friday, December 02, 2011
...and the secret knitting begins...
...but not after two whole nights spent tearing The Chaos apart to locate my stash of knitting needles. I had even went so far as to hit Michael's during lunch yesterday to buy the needles I needed - knowing full well that a minimum of TWO SETS of the damn things were at home.
Somewhere.
Luckily for my wallet and my sanity, Michael's didn't have ANYTHING I needed.
And I found ALL my needles last night.
PHEW!!!!
So now this sweater languishes once again in the bottom of my project bag sitting next to the couch, buried under the new projects ready and waiting to go once the one on my needles is done.
Every night this week that wasn't spent searching desperately for needles was spent going through a shitload of knitting patterns, my boxes of yarn, and my gift list and seeing who gets what and in what yarn, and wondering CAN I POSSIBLY KNIT IT ALL BEFORE XMAS?!?
You know, typical knitter crap. You KNOW you are or already HAVE gone through all this, don't deny it my knitting friends.
For the non-knitters, welcome to the insanity that is Xmas gift knitting.
Usually it starts earlier for me, in October or so, but I haven't picked up the needles on anything since Mom's birthday Damask shawl in June. After the shawl, the weather got really HOT and I lost my mojo. And it has stayed too warm-ish to knit until the last few weeks.
It came SCREAMING back Sunday night-along with high winds and colder temps. Just in time to (hopefully) knock out a few small gift projects. Now that I have all my damn needles, I think I'll be OK.
Here's an important tip...organizing all your knitting stuff into one general area only works if you ACTUALLY PUT IT ALL IN THE SAME DAMN SPOT.
So now after I finish off this post, I'm going to go back to watching Bocelli live from Central Park on PBS and pick up the needles and continue on with the first project on my list.
The only thing missing from this whole setup tonight is my faithful knitting companion Kitty. I do so miss her company on these solo nights at home. :(
Somewhere.
Luckily for my wallet and my sanity, Michael's didn't have ANYTHING I needed.
And I found ALL my needles last night.
PHEW!!!!
So now this sweater languishes once again in the bottom of my project bag sitting next to the couch, buried under the new projects ready and waiting to go once the one on my needles is done.
Every night this week that wasn't spent searching desperately for needles was spent going through a shitload of knitting patterns, my boxes of yarn, and my gift list and seeing who gets what and in what yarn, and wondering CAN I POSSIBLY KNIT IT ALL BEFORE XMAS?!?
You know, typical knitter crap. You KNOW you are or already HAVE gone through all this, don't deny it my knitting friends.
For the non-knitters, welcome to the insanity that is Xmas gift knitting.
Usually it starts earlier for me, in October or so, but I haven't picked up the needles on anything since Mom's birthday Damask shawl in June. After the shawl, the weather got really HOT and I lost my mojo. And it has stayed too warm-ish to knit until the last few weeks.
It came SCREAMING back Sunday night-along with high winds and colder temps. Just in time to (hopefully) knock out a few small gift projects. Now that I have all my damn needles, I think I'll be OK.
Here's an important tip...organizing all your knitting stuff into one general area only works if you ACTUALLY PUT IT ALL IN THE SAME DAMN SPOT.
So now after I finish off this post, I'm going to go back to watching Bocelli live from Central Park on PBS and pick up the needles and continue on with the first project on my list.
The only thing missing from this whole setup tonight is my faithful knitting companion Kitty. I do so miss her company on these solo nights at home. :(
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