New acquisitions...

Strange creature, we have you surrounded...



Step away with your cuteness...EXTERMINATE!!



blink...blink-blink... blink...you can not resist our cuteness strange creature...



Must. Resist. Cuteness...



We Looove you Strange Creature... You cannot EXTERMINATE cuteness...



Could. Not. Resist. Cuteness...WE ARE FRIENDS...





Note: This cute little trio of Kitty photo holders was just given to me by Spencer...a little something he brought back from his trip to L.A. with his Dad over the holidays. They are just adorable... Can't really blame Marvin for failing to resist... They are pretty darn cute!

PS...oooh Stephieface...girl...you know it...and if Gerard Butler just happens to be over there at the same time and just happens to be stuffed into my suitcase...not my fault.

You comment, I comment...

Darci - I got them at Wal~Mart about 5 years ago...my first ever pair of reading glasses.

Stephie - great idea with the finger knitting...

Ready...Set...

...GO!!!! Well not officially until this Friday....you don't think airport security would mind if I went now and just camped out at the gate for a few days, do you? Don't want to be late for my flight...


All I really need for the trip....passport, e-ticket receipt, yarn etc, and knitting glasses (knittin' in style, what can I say)...the Knitpicks goodies just came today. Yay!




And when I get back...this will be waiting...





The colors are gorgeous...absolutely gorgeous. Don't know about the rest of us, but Marvin sure is excited.

WIP it, WIP it good*

No, we haven't moved from Threesomes to S&M...we're just talking Works In Progress...and other yarny stuff... jeez.

And now with the help of Marvin, the D4S (Dalek for Scale), I present...

3 balls Karabella Vintage Cotton colorway 311 (sent in the sweetest care package last Spring from No-Blog-Rachel)and some Patons cotton colorway unknown (but it's an awesome blue color - thrift store find). Have no idea what I'm going to do with it all yet, but I'm definitely going to combine the two colors. Somehow. On something. Will take a while for the cotton to 'talk' to me. OK, OK...I just have no clue what the hell I'm gonna do with it...




The Mystery Blue Thing for my Sis...backside once again...about half way along...the fabric is hard to maneuver at this point...getting harder to work on...I shall prevail... Am debating whether I should take this on the trip...it's getting quite bulky...probably not.



The beginnings of my fingerless mitts...Rowan Tapestry color 177...pattern Paris Roubaix set from Anne Hanson...Love. It. Absolutely love working with the yarn, and the pattern is fabulous. Hope to have the hat and mitts complete by the trip...and will be making this instead of the scarf - and I'll be using the same stitch pattern as the Paris-Roubaix set so it matches. Need something around my neck, but not a long scarf...too much bulk under the new 3 in 1 jacket. I'll probably knit that on the way over.



SWTC Bamboo in the Serendipity colorway (also from No-Blog-Rachel)...pattern Holey Moley...for me... Might take this along...it's an easy knit and very portable.




Caron's Cotton Terry...10 skeins...another thrift store find. Going to be a shitload of face washcloths for me and Spencer... I plan on taking some of this on the trip...washcloths are quick, easy, instant gratification...and a great way to practice new stitches.




Made out of some old acrylic dk weight from my stash and a ton o' green and clear glass beads...Celestine...the beads really make this star...I have 3 points left to make. This will be an awesome addition to our Xmas decoration collection...and I will be making more out of different yarn, beads, etc etc etc...love this pattern. Not taking this...too many needles sticking out of everywhere...could cause a security meltdown...wouldn't want that now would we?!?




So that's what I've got on the needles...there are so many more projects running around in my head...for many things, just not knitting. They'll probably stay there for awhile...

*adapted from Devo, Whip it, 1980

P. S. ...

Yes, Stephiface, Spencer does have one black shoelace and one white shoelace. It's "cool".

Warming up from the inside out...

Having this new stove has inspired me to cook more and more...this time, with Da Pot.

Veggies...



+ Meat...





+ Da Pot...




= YUM! *



Our bellies were full...and warm...until we walked across to the store and bought ice cream for dessert...



*This scrumptious delight, Pirate Stew, comes from Fix It and Forget It Cookbook. ooooh...and they have a Low-Fat version...

Not saying I ever won't....

...but I just got this new button from Grumperina (who just got married btw - congrats!).

I've made 3 sweaters in my knitting adventures, but I enjoy the smaller projects so much more...and the occassional uberly large projects (queen-ish size afghan anyone?!?) as well.

Two of the sweaters were pretty much disasters and one sweater was, well, so warm and toasty I couldn't wear it. If I ever find a photo of any of them, I promise I'll post. I'm sure you'll all enjoy it too...they were all made in the '80's...heh heh heh...

In the meantime, we have this...check the new button over there to the right -->

Enter...Panic Mode...and Other stuff again...

There are only 9 days remaining until Antonella whisks me off to the airport at some ungodly hour in morning. But, The Honey is at the other end of the journey, so it's worth it for sure.

PANIC!!!! OK..just had to get that out of my system. My to-do list of things to-do before I go just seems to be getting longer and longer even though I'm crossing things off that I've to-done.

Yes, I'm babbling. Leave me alone.

I've been unable to knit...which means Big Sis's secret belated b-day present will not be done before I leave. Most likely not done. Seeing that I've not been able to knit and all.

Yes, I'm babbling again. Leave me alone...again.

OK...pulling it together for just a moment, I present Spencer and his most favoritest Xmas present ever...from Grandma and Auntie of course, since Mom's don't ever get their kids cool stuff like Grandmas and Aunties do...

First we take a gander at my baby's feet. The little baby feet on the right would be mine. The ginormous battle cruisers on the left would be my baby's...and my feet aren't really that small...women's 8.5 is not a small, petite foot...unless you put it next to Spencer's size 10 battle cruisers. Which are now pretty much officially size 10.5 battle cruisers...yes folks, it's a winter growth spurt.




And here we have Mom (um, that would be me) trying to get up on the wave board. I decided this would be the most acceptable (to me) photo to post. The others, if they existed, would be of me just about killing myself on this funky contraption...and since they don't exist, that means I don't have to bother erasing all trace of them, and therefore they cannot be published for all the internets to see.




Yes, I'm babbling again...get over it.

And here we have proof that this funky contraption does indeed work, the kid enjoys riding around on it, and yes, Grandma, he does use saftey equipment...ummmm...at least while I was filming him and he was just learning...








OOOh...and since Stephieface likes threesomes so much, we'll give her another one tonight... Let's see Panic Attack, that's One...Grandma and Auntie get major cool points with the Wave Board, that's Two...and a Finished Object, that's Three...yep...another threesome.

And now on to the Finished Birthday Object for The Honey...Happy Belated Birthday Honey!!! (it was Jan 3rd - right in the middle of my "I don't feel like blogging" stint so I was bad and didn't post on his B-day)...




This is a photo of the scarf in progress, as I was so excited to have it done on time to ship off, I was at the Post Office with it all packed up before I realized I had no official FO picture. Not only is it a cabled scarf, but it's a reversible cabled scarf...cabled mostly without a cable needle. Even after all those bazillion and one cables, I still love cables. Oh, and I loved the yarn so much (Rowan Tapestry) that I bought more for myself to make some warm wooly accessories for my trip to the UK.

Maybe I'll remember to get an official FO photo of the scarf while I'm visiting...

OH GAH!!!! I'm leaving in 9 days...excuse me while I go off and panic again...

A woman renewed....and other stuff...

That's right folks...no. more. grey. hair. 'nuf said.

On to the other stuff...

Time for the killing of two birds with one blog post...in other words...it's a twofer! I'm finally getting off my lazy, bloggy ass and posting some stuff. Don't get used to it.

First off...remember this?!?



"That 70's Stove" in it's final moments...sniff sniff...I shall miss you...NOT!

and introducing...



The New Stove. I love it so much I almost want to name it. OK, so I won't go that far, but we do loves it lots! Really changes the look of the kitchen, oh I don't know...by about 30 years or so?!?

And now for a trip back in time to ummm, let's see...June '07...the time of the first visit from The Honey....weee ooooo....weeee...oooooo.....weeeee...ooooo...when he gifted me with this...




...or should I say "Him"... Just over 5" of RC Dalek fun and frolic...

Everyone, meet Marvin...Marvin, please don't Exterminate! everyone...




Isn't he just adorable! My very own RC Dalek!!!! Honey earned major points with this one...him and the sneaky Antonella...but I love it and am glad to add him to my little family of named objects. See? I named him...means I love him! (oooh and bonus points to Honey for bringing batteries)

Yes folks, I am a big Dr Who fan...grew up with him, still watch him...did you know Netflix has the first two "new" seasons on DVD?!? Hoo Hah! (Spencer's new phrase...replaces Booyah)

You folks will be seeing lots of Marvin in the future. I have decided he will be my "Dalek for Scale"...cos every now and then you need a little perspective. Besides, Marvin needs to have something to do once he's done exterminating the remaining plants in the house...




OOOOH....I lied! It's not a twofer, it's a threefer! Who doesn't like a threesome every now and then...

Time for a finished object. Not too many details since it is just about midnight and the blogging magic wears off at midnight...at which time i turn back into a lazy ass blogger...

Meet Sidney...




Just over 12" of cushy, knitted Dalek Exterminating Fun...Now in possession of The Honey. It was his Xmas gift...made from the left over yarn from his Leeds United Scarf. 56 bobbles later...



...and lots and lots of knitting around and around and around and I had a Dalek for Honey. Isn't he adorable? And Marvin isn't in the least bit intimidated because he knows size doesn't matter...It's how you use your ray gun that's important.

OK...so it's past midnight and I'll leave you all contemplating ray guns, size, threesomes and stuff. Any second now, I'll lose all ability to.....damn.

ARGH

OK...nevermind about the sock yarn...my fav color is sold out...it was awesome, trust me.

Guess I'll just get something fabulous while I'm in the UK...that's if I ever even want to see another sock by the time I get there...

Oooooooooh....

I'm sure that no more grey hair and some of this will definitely improve my mood. Just sayin'...

So I'm not a sock knitter...give me about a month. I'm going to learn on the way over to see The Honey. If I do manage to figure out sock knitting, that yarn is M-I-N-E when I get back. It'll be a nice treat....'cause you know going over to see The Honey isn't a big enough one already...

hahaha...I really need to get to bed...

sigh....

Still trying to get my self together and dive in to a post-a-rama here at the Chaos.

Just haven't had it in me to do it yet. I'll get there...eventually.

Today was encouraging and setting back all at once...you know...the ol' one step forward, two steps back routine...

One step forwards....one day closer to my Honey Trip...finished off some stuff with work that has been giving me grief and causing it's fair share of sleepless nights...progress on my sister's birthday + 5 gift (that's actual date of b-day + x amount of days overdue)...back to the treadmill routine regularly (that would mean daily)...have the use of a car for the week...

Two steps backs...more blog fodder keeps popping up, yet I don't get around to blogging about it...about half of all clothes purchased recently for the trip do not fit (that would be the bottom half)...High School application craziness...hair still grey...our Xmas tree is still up (and the little guy is still alive and kicking too)...

Tonight Spencer and I went out for a bit of shopping and looking around. I ended up in the Fitting Room (hell on earth) with some pants. The pants I originally bought at the after-Xmas-sales don't fit...they are too tight. A temporary setback I keep hearing. Yeah, whatever. I know I will get back down, blah, blah, blah...but it still didn't help me feel better tonight as I tried on pair after pair of size 18 jeans and slacks. Just 2 short weeks ago, during my shopping spree at the sales, I was wearing a size 14....and during my brief stint in the size 12's, I promised myself that I would never, ever, ever be a size 18 again. Yet there they hang on the door, my new size 18 jeans. It's all I could bring myself to purchase tonight. They were the last pair of pants I tried on, and the only ones I bought. If I still need size 18's by the time the trip rolls around, I will go and buy the others. Tonight I was too tired, and too emo to fork over the cash. And while I took off the new jeans and folded them up, I had a little sit down and sniffle session. Yes folks, I cried in the fitting room at Wal-Mart. A nice short little wah-wah-wah. Yes Antonella, I gave in to the urge...just couldn't stop it. Once that was done, I picked myself up, and walked off to purchase my new jeans. They fit well, were just the perfect length and were on sale. What more could you ask for...don't say it.

And now I sit here stressed and down...wanting so much to have me a bit of vanilla ice cream. Which I will not because it's almost midnight, I'm hitting the sack after I publish, and it's not a good thing to do anyways. I have in the past turned to food when stressed (both emotionally and physically) and I don't need to get back on that nasty wagon. Don't need to be eating myself into size 20's either...oh HELL no...

Really don't know what mental shape (or if I'll be clothed for that matter) I'll be in come time for the Honey Trip. Screw it all, I'm going anyway. I have a few skirts that fit...and one pair of jeans...and if I still can't sleep, there's always the flights over for a nice long nap or two.

In the meantime, I look forward to the day where I don't feel like a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Balloon anymore, my hair is no longer grey, and I get a good night's sleep.

Well, at least I can do the no longer grey thing...Looks like that's happening before the week is out. I need a mood boost.

A day late and a gift short...

And for something I didn't get a chance to do yesterday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG SIS!!!! Hope you had a good day yesterday!!!

Here's a hint to your gift...yes I'm knitting it...and yes, it's taking me a while...and yes, it's two shades of blue...oh, but this is the back of it. I've been working on it for almost a month now, but the color work is slowing me down. I've never done color work, so it's a learning process. I am getting better at and am beginning to cruise, so you should see this before I leave to see The Honey.




And now for something that has always bugged me about my Sis...she is older than I am (for the interest of family togetherness we shall not mention by how much or in fact any numbers whatsoever) but she has very few of these...




...grey hairs... You can count the number of grey hairs on her head on one hand. Really really ticks me off. I, on the other hand, am not so genetically blessed...neither is Mom... Dad was...didn't show too much grey for the longest time. Lucky.

Mom however, has not been grey for a long time (wink wink), and I'm usually not either (more wink wink). But, I got tired of doing it myself, then figured I would treat myself to a salon cut/color before I went to see The Honey, then life happened.

The Money Pit, aka Spencer's school, has come up with yet another scheme to relieve me of my hard earned ca$h. So...I am back to coloring my own hair and will visit Chris (the god of scissors) for only a cut in a few weeks. Sigh.

In the meantime, I look in the mirror every morning...counting down the days to when I can color it again and it'll stay colored all through my trip...and curse my grey hair genes...and my sister for not having them!

Take a good look Honey...you'll most likely not ever see this much grey on my head again!!

Should I be insulted or run with it?

Go read this article about the new rules for Drivers Licenses that we'll be coming up against soon. Go ahead...I'll be here when you get back...

While I'm ecstatic that I fall in the 'born before the date that shall go unmentioned but you obviously know now' and won't have to deal with it all until much later, I can't help but almost feel insulted that by the time this goes into effect, I will most likely not be a threat to national security.

"The over-50 exemption was created to give states more time to get everyone new licenses, and officials say the risk of someone in that age group being a terrorist, illegal immigrant or con artist is much less. " **

Hah! Tell that to the airlines and courtrooms of America. I like to knit, therefore I am a threat. They must not have gotten the memo...oh, and if you're a 'grannie that knits'...rock on grannies! You can take over the world now and no one will suspect you because you are over 50 and not a security risk.


So this all gets me to thinking then...why on earth does my 70-something year old Mom get frisked every single friggin' time she flies? She's over 50, so she's in the 'low risk of being a naughty person' category and she's not even packin' needles...asswipes.

Anyhoo, when my over 50 time comes, I've got my knitchucks...I'm in...




** Oh grrrr...since I've written this, they've changed the article that I'm linking to, but trust me, that paragraph in quotes is from the original...

Here's some clever...along with a public service announcement...

...actually some lazy...just some copy and pasting of links... but still you will learn and get public serviced in one entry...

Originally linked from Claudia...knitting your food...


...and what do my wandering eyes spot when this is over?


Such a catchy little tune....

Knock knock...

......uhhhhhhhhhh....I'm here?!?

Promise I'll post soon...have lots of fodder, but have been in a very non-bloggy mood. Said fodder includes: Finished objects! Pictures of Spencer getting his latest Karate level! Video of Spencer on his new wave board! Our new stove! Our Christmas tree! Our non-burned all the way cooked Christmas dinner! Works in progress!!!

Told ya there was lots.

OH, and I'll try to be clever and interesting too.

24 days...yes my friends...the countdown has begun. I have e-tickets and passport in hand. The trip to see The Honey is ON! And, yes, I could already be packed, but I decided living out of a suitcase for a month was a little too much, so I will wait until my departure time gets closer...

New Stove! Pictures soon...

Lots happening here in the chaos...

New stove delivered this morning...check...last photos of old one taken...check...photos of new one taken...check...

Package from Grandma delivered today as promised by UPS...check...don't open until Xmas...duly noted and check...dammit...

Researching latest rules and regulations about traveling overseas since I haven't done that in 15 years...check...rules have definitely changed...duly noted and check...dammit! No problems knitting on the way there, but can't have knitting on UK to Chicago flight when I return. Argh. They must have heard about my threats to the local justice system here in California. Since "No sharp objects whatsoever - no exceptions - and that means YOU" are allowed on flights leaving the UK, looks like I break out the crochet - didn't say anything about hooks. Can't needlepoint, cross stitch, sew/quilt, knit...crafters must be overly agressive and just plain unruly on transatlantic flights. Honey is hoping I don't get myself in trouble on the way home...or lose any precious crafting supplies.

ACK. All I want to do is keep myself busily occupied and not in anyone's hair. And if I'm busily occupied, no one will get in my hair...which is of course more important in this situation.

Lots of work piling up...check...and ACK!!!! Will be working late the next few days to get it all done.

Lots of pictures piling up in the digi camera...will eventually post.

Knitting Content:
Honey's Dalek is coming along well. 85% complete as of last night. Spencer's Surefire hat was sneakily confiscated Saturday night after soccer, properly blocked, and lined with lightweight fleece last night. Looks awesome. So proud of myself on both projects. Yay!

Some day, I will get all this into Ravelry. I should be thankful I haven't gotten really sucked into it yet, altho I did discover that they also have crochet stuff! Guess where I'll be looking for ideas for the trip home.......let the sucking begin...

In order to distract those who come here for knitting content...

...or any coherent content for that matter....

First a knitty update...still haven't properly finished off Spencer's Surefire hat. He takes it off to sleep or shower and that's it...and quite honestly, I haven't had the energy this week to argue with him or wrestle him to the ground to take it off him...he is a bit bigger than me now you know...

Next update...the Dalek for Honey is coming along quite nicely...but will not be ready in time for Xmas...maybe his birthday in January?

Had a few other projects on the needles that just aren't working out, so those will be re-thought and most likely switched out for others objects d'knitting. Definitely not going to make it for Xmas either...

Damn those knitting muses...I have a few successes and bammmm! Total blockage...gah...need a brain plunger!

Work has been busy, lots of stuff happening with school and Spencer left and right...

ooooh! Have some tickets on Hold for my visit to go see Honey as of this afternoon. Have until Dec 24th to either buy them or find something better. I'm so excited I can't stand it.

OOOH! Getting a new stove/vent-a-hood combo on Monday. Sure will miss my avocado green "That 70's Stove"...well, not really.

Ok here's something for the WTF file...saw it on someone else's blog, but can't remember who...and then shut it all down before I decided to post it here, so had to go digging for it...wasn't hard to find tho...




Kept hoping one of them would fall off the catwalk or run into another model...can you just imagine what the models were thinking under those?!?

Desperate Knitters...

...take desperate measures...

Well, not really that dramatic, but we got tired of waiting for the last color of Lamb's Pride to come in so we could start the infamous hat for Spencer...

Into the stash we dove...and came out with some leftovers from Honey's Leeds United scarf. Namely the white and yellow. Combined that with the dark brown and turquoise we had ordered just for the hat and viola!






One finished Surefire hat! Welllll....one not-really-finished-quite-yet Surefire hat because Spencer put it on to test the size and never gave it back.

It still needs to be blocked and I think we are going to line it with some lightweight flannel. But first it had to go to school today and over to Dad's house for the weekend. It will be back on Sunday night at which time I will confiscate it so I can finish it off properly!

Once the other yarn does actually arrive, I will make him another. This time I think I'll use a size smaller needles so it'll be a bit more fitted.

Can't believe I finished the knitting up part that quickly. I started Wednesday night and finished weaving in the last ends and doing the crochet edge last night. Wow. Have never finished knitting anything so quickly in my life.

Then and Now...where has the time gone?!?

Good grief...time sure flies....where's the tissue box....sniff sniff sniff...



Baby photo courtesy of the hospital where Spencer was born, school photo from this year's photographer - whoever it was this year...

Knit happenings...

Hi everyone,
I was a little out of this weekend...if it's not one thing, it's another! But...I did manage to get some knitting in...

Started this...and it's been cool so far...altho...ask me again after I've finished making all 58 bobbles....

Would really like to start this...so far I have the dark brown and the blue that we ordered, still waiting on the cream color. Our version will not look like that tho...we are going for something along the lines of this...but without the pompom. We are trading in stripes for snowflakes... We were going to go with Swell, but we didn't like how things were starting to look. Earflaps just weren't right...and I couldn't get the damn thing to stop being so curly. Next!

Spencer and I are excited to get going on this...He graphed out the snowflake pattern from the American Eagle hat and now I've got to do some math to get it to work on the Surefire Hat. Now all I need for him to do is graph out the little wave pattern at the top for me and I'm in business. And...if the wool is too itchy, she has instructions on how to line the hat! How cool is that?!? It was intended to make the hat warmer, but stopping itchies will be it's mission here in the house of Chaos and Wool Sensitivities.

Been surfing and reading lots of magazines and books and blogs and websites lately...so many wonderful patterns out there! Waaaannnnnt to make so many. Realistically tho, some are way out of my league, some I'd get bored with and would never finish, and then there are some that I could totally do! And those I will do...eventually. In-between life.

Lamb's Pride, Lamb's Pride...where for art thou Lamb's Pride?!?

Hurry up and get here dammit!

Oooh...If anyone out there has any recommendations of anything knitty that's English, I'd appreciate it. Going to ask Honey's Mum (the only English knitter I know), but thought I'd put the question out there into blogland as well. Honey (bless his heart) has agreed to take me yarn shopping. I told him we needed to wait until my visit was almost over because I didn't want to blow all my spending money on yarn on the first day...poor dear has no idea what he's getting into...but now he does wink wink...wonder if he'll get too embarrassed if my eyes roll up into my head and I just dive into the yarn? Sensitivities be damned!!!

Ooooh...and when I mentioned I wanted to learn how to spin, he mentioned that Wales is famous for it's spinning wheels. Oh my...how will I get this all home?!? hee hee

You know, I'll probably be so overwhelmed, I'll come home with nothing (nothing but blotchy, itchy skin anyway)...but I promise I will at least take pictures...

PIF is happening...and an FO!

Wow, I have two people signed up so far...my friend Cherry...and someone I don't know - Suz - from all the way over in Scotland!

How exciting! I'm already thinking of stuff to make...I'll be reading Suz's blog to find out more about her and will be asking both a few questions to help me make them something not only crafty, but that they will enjoy. Once the gift knitting is done, and the Holidaze are over, I'm going to get going on this. Whee!

Now need only one more person! Hello - knock's on screen - anybody else out there wanna play?

And now for bed...just getting over the head cold and I've been blind-sided by some sort of stomach bug. Gah!!!! Didn't make it to the treadmill today...headed to bed for a short nap instead and then went back to work.

This weekend will most likely be filled with many hours in bed being taken care of by my 13 yr old. About time, don't you think?!?

Ooooh...FO ALERT! The cable project is done...needs the ends woven in and a good blocking. Still waiting on the rest of the yarn for Spencer's hat. In the meantime, I have started the Honey's Dalek. I'm making it out of the leftover yarn from his Leeds United scarf. Going good so far as I've been managing to keep count despite my current state. Also going to start on a few other gifts 'cause I like to have a few projects in varying degrees of difficulty on the needles to switch around to if I get bored or tired of counting.

OH, and we've switched up the plan for Spencer's hat...it will be loosely based on Swell now and we're adding a third color. Once I get all the yarn, I'll show you the colors he picked out. He's found a different graphic pattern that he likes, and I'll be making the earflaps a bit differently, and there will be a color work pattern at the top of the hat as well, and , and, and... Once I'm feeling better, I've got a lot of numbers to crunch to make sure the new design and extra design work in with the amount of stitches I've got to work with...gah...so many numbers, so few coherent brain cells...

Honey visit update...Looks like it's been pushed back to Feb...Spencer is in the school play and they've finally set the date for January 27th. We've been working on his lines for a few weeks now, and there's no way I'd miss his stage debut. But you better believe I'll be jumping on a plane soon afterwards...

Keeping pace...

Really enjoying the treadmill experience these past two days. Going to stick with it for about a week or so longer before I start switching off to other machines. My body is definitely adjusting to this whole alien exercising thing. There are some aches and soreness and all, but it's all ok...the knee is doing well.

And yes AmpuT...it's in my jeans...and so is about 14 years of pie, bread and butter, and other yummy things. hee hee...

Lots of knitting and drawing and sneezing (yep still have the cold) and tea drinking going on in the chaos lately. Finishing up projects left and right...really needing to post this stuff up on Ravelry...cos there won't be like posting up on here cos they're all like gifts...and recipients aren't like up on Ravelry...hee hee...

OOOOOH...so forgot to mention...I've learned how to cable without a cable needle. It's like the coolest thing ever...seriously...kept reading knit blogs about how people are cabling without an extra needle...and decided to check it out...for me cabling is cumbersome...can't handle the extra needle very gracefully and needles slipping out of stitches and all that and of course my almost finished project is just covered in cables...don't have to worry about that anymore... Try it, you'll like it...just Google 'cable knitting without a cable needle'...lots of tutorials and even some YouTube videos will come up...practice and enjoy your new-found liberation.

Now...what else knitty can I learn today?!?

My 70-something year old Mom is in better shape than I am...

...I should be ashamed of myself...and I am.

One hour and 9 minutes to workout time.

And yes, she walks a few miles every morning, eats right and takes very good care of herself.

Hanging my head in shame and signing in to work now...

There is no try, there is only "Do"

...ok, so anyone who's been reading this blog for the last year or so knows I struggle with weight loss. I have done well, I have done not so well, but I continue on.

Just updated the ticker up top with the latest info...up 4 more pounds. Oh well. What's a girl to do?

Well for starters, she can get off her ass and exercise more. Watching what I eat is not enough. I've been doing well enough watching what I eat though: paying attention to calories, fat, salt, and sugar content and so on. Some days I'm better than others, but I'm getting back on track and want to stay there for a while. My problem is with exercising. I just don't want to do it.

Things have changed though. I have the encouragement of loved ones once again and a very hunky workout partner to help things along, so I'm getting back into it.

Today, after living in this complex for over 8 years, I entered the "Exercise Facility" over in the main clubhouse/manager's office building. It's basically a room with a mirror on one wall, a wall of windows overlooking the pond area, a universal gym, a stair stepper, 2 treadmills, an elliptical, a scale, and a TV suspended in the corner. I nice place for a complex as old as this one.

It's open from 9am to 10pm. Every day. I've never gone. 8 years people. And I've never taken advantage of 'free' equipment. Sigh...8 years...

Went today at 9am. Hopped on the elliptical for 30 minutes. Just about died. Pretty much crawled back to my apartment. Will soon take Ibuprofen and put up my feet...oh, and don't forget the ice pack for the knee. I hurt. Everywhere. And I did the lowest level workout.

Pitiful.

But I'm doing something about it. The weight must come off, no if's and's or but's about it. My health (and let's face it, my doc) demand it. So it shall be.

It's going to take a lot of work...and oh my GOD does it hurt...damn...I'm getting old, aren't I...but I will perservere. I must.

Tomorrow? I dread tomorrow. Oh the aches when I wake. Even with all the stretching I did before and after and continue to do...I will ache. That's what happens when you carry almost 200 pounds on a 5ft 2.5in frame. It wasn't meant for that...and it's been reminding me a lot lately...and it hurts.

Am I going to go again tomorrow? Yes, I said I would. So I will. Elliptical again? No...not just no, but HELL NO. I will move over to the treadmill for a while and get myself used to moving again. Lots more knee friendly over there. Walking I can do... I am walker hear me roar. Just need to be nice and level for a bit before I go all incline and high resistance on myself. Knee needs healing time, but I must continue to move. As long as I keep it level and consistant, knee will be just fine...and in a few weeks, I will climb back aboard that damn elliptical and show it who's boss.

And next month, the weight loss ticker will show progress. If I keep up the 30 minutes of daily exercise (and I mean daily), there will definitely be weight loss. Which is good because my jeans are tight and there's this really cute little black dress that's two sizes too small hanging on my door that I will wear soon. I don't care if it's just to go check the mail. I will fit into it damn it and I'll look fabulous...cos that's just the kind of dress it is...

PIF

Not pffft, but PIF as in Pay It Forward...

Saw this on No-Blog-Rachel's blog and then today on Amputeehee's blog. Decided to think about it and well...I'm in...so here goes...

First we have the pledge:

Here's the deal:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days. That is my promise. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.


And then we have the...omg what have I done?

Well, for starters, I'm going to get something handmade by non other than the Amputee. She's a wonderfully creative lady and can't wait to see what she comes up with...met her in person last year and she's just as lovely in real life as on her blog.

Next, I get to make something for 3 different people that I most likely have not made something for before...at least I hope it'll be 3 people...do 3 people actually read my blog?!? hee hee

Something different and definitely fun...oh, and please realize, I do all sorts of crafting, so it may or may not be knitted, but it will definitely be made by my own two little hands. Once someone signs on and pledges, I might ask you a few questions to help me decide what I should make and send to you.

OK? s'alright...let the crafting begin...oh and the 365 day time limit? No problem.

what the?!?

Hey everyone,
Yeah, I'm still here. Seems I'm right in the middle of a cold and something else decides to join in as well. WTF I say, WTF! Lovely way to spend a 4 day weekend, isn't it?!?

Anyways, I've been getting some knitting done, some online chatting with the Honey (of course) and some texting in with the kid while he's in Vegas living it up. Told him not to come back unless he won 6 figures on the slots. heh heh...

Have one color of the yarn I need to make Swell for Spencer. He picked out a dark brown and an oatmeal color of Lamb's Pride Worsted. Yes folks, I continue to knit with wool. I still have a bit of a reaction to it, but I'm definitely getting better with it. Still can't wear it myself, but I'm not having any issues knitting with it! Yay!

And that's good news because when I go soon to visit the Honey in England, I intend to pick up some knitterly goods...wool included of course!

Yes, that's right. I'm going to visit the Honey in England. We're shooting for Jan/Feb, but judging from the prices I've been coming up against, looks more like Feb. Now to convince the bossman he doesn't need me for 3 weeks (yes 3).

But Donna...won't it be cold?!? Well duh, of course! But now I'll get to wear all the winter clothes that I can never wear here because it just doesn't get cold enough!

I am so excited I can't stand myself. I haven't been to England in soooo long. This is going to be great!

OK...back to reality, my chilly apartment, some nice, hot, freshly brewed, mint tea, and Viggo II. Time to chill in front of the boob tube and knit out the rest of the night.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful day with family, friends, and turkey.

Spencer is off in Vegas with his Dad, and I've spent most of the day chatting online with the Honey (best. day. ever.), and called Mom and Sis in the morning...could almost smell the turkey and dressing. mmmmmm...let me tell you Mom makes the. most. bestest. dressing. Ever.

Did this all from bed. Yep...woke up with a cold. weeee. Not a bad one, so not so bad. Propped myself up with lots of pillows and enjoyed life on the innernets almost all day.

Kept myself full of tea, juice, and pizza. An unorthodox Thanksgiving yes, but a well deserved rest as well. And there will be much knitting tonight as I watch movies on TV...or whatever I can find on TV to amuse myself while I knit.

Rest well all you Day-After-Thanksgiving-Shoppers. You guys are crazy, but more power to you. Happy bargain hunting and may you get everything you set out for...

Psychotic Knitting lives...

Whoops, I've frogged it again...

I was um working on a gift thing and like I um didn't like how it was turning out and like I am so frogging it...it's still going to like be the same like thing, but you know, like it's going to be a different stitch pattern, like ok? I've already started the new thing and like it's totally awesome. Cool!

You'll have to excuse me. Spencer's friend HWFT (he who floods toilets) is here for the weekend. They are like saying the word like, like every other word. Dude. It's annoying and I'm like finding myself like saying it too. GAH!!!

The cat is totally traumatized. She hissed, and growled, and spit at the boys the second they walked into the apartment. She has hidden herself in my room and probably won't come out until HWFT leaves on Sunday afternoon. Don't blame her, last time HWFT came to stay with us, not only did he flood the toilet, but the two of them teased her so much. Poor baby kitty girl.

Quite a few baby booties coming off the needles lately. I really have to post pix of those and update my Ravelry...

Ooooh...beep beep beep...laundry is ready to come out of the dryer. Yay. I just like totally like doing laundry. Like NOT!

Dude.

Post #301

Wow...can't believe I missed making a big deal out of post 300...

Oooh...Look!!!! A quiz...

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

ummm...commune? Don't think so...

Vow of silence? As if...Once I get comfortable with you...you can't shut me up.

Night owl? You betcha. Hoot Hoot!

Lookie what I did!

OOOh...she lives! Yes, I've been uber lazy about the blog lately. Lots of things piling up to post about...and a few finished objects as well. We won't even go into how much I've been ignoring Ravelry...

Anyhoo....

Last month, I participated in Claudia's Stricken Sie Deutsch swatch contest thing. And I have yet to post about it.

Well, now I am. First off, for the entire month of October, Claudia put up a German Knitting Word every day. At the beginning of November, she put up a pattern for a swatch. Anyone who wanted, could knit up the swatch, post a picture of it somewhere on the internets and comment on Claudia's blog.

I can't tell you how much fun I had doing this...my German is very rusty, so having her 'dictionary' of words was very helpful. One night last week, think it was Thursday, I finally sat myself down and knitted it up. After a few bad starts - somehow last week, I lost all abilities to count - I did it!

Hmmmmm....vat have ve hier....vas ist das? Wolle? Mmmmm....yum...





Ya...es ist eine deutsche Maschenprobe (a German Swatch)...ya ya...(can I eat it now? huh can I? Can I?)




Die deutsche Maschenprobe...post inspection...pre snackage...




She actually didn't eat it, but did lick it a few times.

Materials used: frogged swatch from the Honey Scarf, size 8 bamboo circular needle from WalMart.

YAY! and another YAY!

First of all, Spencer passed his latest Karate test at the Dojo last night. He now has two blue stripes on his purple belt. Next test? Full blue belt. The kid is movin' on up... Will add photos this weekend.

Next YAY! - no jury duty. Off the hook for another year. 'Nuf said.

Courthouse Knitting Update

OK, so I've decided to not try and think of something 'clever' to use as knitting needles when I maybe go next week. It hurt too much. Instead, I'm going to take actual needles. This past week, Antonella and I headed out to In N Out for some yummy burgers and then went on down the highway to Wal~Mart.

While at WM, I found a 16" size 8 bamboo circular needle. It cost me $2.44. This lovely, possibly disposable needle will accompany me to the courthouse. Along with some stitch holders. Just in case "they" decide that these wee, little needles are the most dangerous things ever and they get confiscated. I'll be upset, but not as upset as if they were some of my vintage needles, or the ones my Mom bought me in Alaska, or some of my other precious needles (that were my grandma's).

Only time will tell. I get to phone the courthouse the night my son is testing for his next stripe in Karate to see if I have to go in...I'd better hear "Group 8 does not need to report. All members of Group 8 have been excused." Otherwise, I will be one cranky Mother.

Who's your Mummy?

Happy Hallowe'en everyone!!!!

As usual, we are celebrating here in the Chaos by getting all dressed up and such. Not me this year, as I am passing on the whole Trick or Treat thing...not cool to have your Mom walking around with you ya know.... and dressing up for work is well...boring since it would just be me and all...

Anyways, the 8th graders had a bake sale on Monday, and in the spirit of the impending Holiday, we made a few dozen of these....




Ooooh, spooky, scary....eeek! Oh, and Spencer made some lemon bars...which ended up being quite popular.

And now for some dressing up fun...may I present "Mountain Man"...

Here we see Mr. M. Man chillin' at home watchin' some of that there TV...





Mr. M. Man also likes to keep in shape...and quite a shape he has....




"Ugh...Can't touch my toes...."

C'mon Mr. M Man, give us a pose...





Check him out ladies!

And here's what the cat thinks of the whole thang...




"You're just as bad as the damn squirrel, therefore, we are still not amused..."

Edited to add: He kinda looks like a squirrel from the neck up too...don't he?

Shake it shake it shake it baby...

Yep...more earthquakes. All is well here in the Chaos though. A bit shaken, but doing OK. Poor Kitty cat is still freaked out - the news says there have been several (as in over a dozen) aftershocks from this last quake and I'm sure she can feel them. I can't though...which right now, is a very good thing.

OK, here's the nitty gritty:

Felt this one at 12:55 pm...pretty sure this is on the same fault line as this one I just felt tonight at 8:04 pm. First, a 3.0 er....then a 5.6 er. Rumble. rumble. rumble. Definitely shook me up. If you check out the recent quakes map on either of these links, you'll notice several smaller quakes all down towards the big one...in a nice purdy kind of row...has to be the same fault line.

Finally finished checking around with my boy and friends and all...everyone is safe, no damage or injuries. News says there was some minor damage near the epicenter and we should all prepare for aftershocks...some of which could be large. Lovely. Just checked the emergency supplies. I'm doing pretty good. Just need some more batteries for our flashlight and need to restock some of our first aid supplies. Guess a trip to Target tomorrow morning is in order. Have plenty of canned goods for us and kitty is well stocked with food and treats (very important those treats) and a new bag of catnip (also very important).

I was at home working and chatting with my Honey during the first one. We talked about it for a while and I sent him all the links and stuff and we looked at it together on the Google Earth map that the USGS is using now. Way cool. Told him a little about the area. It was actually centered across the highway from Black Diamond Games. Going to have to check in with Gary over the weekend and see how they're doing over there...and check on my friends at the ARF Mart Thrift Store (I used to volunteer there, it's two doors down from BDG).

During the second, I was at the JoAnn Superstore (in the same area as the epicenter of the first quake) waiting in the checkout line. Shelves and wall displays shook for a few seconds. I was wondering if I was just imaging things when a woman at the checkout kept telling her friend "I know I felt something. Didn't you feel it?" When she looked over at me I shook my head "Yes, you felt it cos I did too!" Other people were "Felt what? I didn't feel anything!"

Right after, my phone buzzed with a missed call from Spencer. I tried calling him back, but the mobile network was busy "PLease try again later." Got a bit scared at this point since that only happens when something big happens...so knew right away it was a big one and was hoping to God it wasn't centered in San Francisco where Spencer was with his Dad...after several tries and 20 minutes later, he finally got through. "OH MY GOD MOM! Did you feel that? That was SOOOO COOOOOL!" Right. Guess I worried for nothin'... He filled me in on all the details and said they were all OK and there was no damage.

Well it's off to bed to cozy up with my freaked out cat to read my new knitting magazines and hope to God I can fall asleep soon.

When Ex's get along...

Life is good. Cooperation is good.

The high school madness has officially begun. Yes, when ex's get along, it's a good thing. Especially when you're going to be spending lots of insane hours together trying to decide the next step in the future of your spawn.

Friday morning was our first High School tour. After the tour, Spencer's dad (the ex of course) let me keep his car for the night. (sweeet) Early this morning, we needed to be in the City for a Public School Fair. We were able to sleep in and drove into the City with ummmm....just a slight getting lost bit on my part...but with the help of Spencer's mad map reading skills, we made it on time.

To be greeted by utter chaos. Public schools grades K-12. Gah. Families everywhere. Gah. Our family, such as it is, dove in... It was worth it though, because we talked to Principals and students of all the schools we were all interested in and got a shitload of info about it all. Along with dates for yet more craziness. More tours, shadowing...ack.

November is going to be totally. Insane. I mean...totally. insane. The first two weeks are already full, the last few are filling up quickly. Did I say insane? Thought I did. Yes. Insane.

So to celebrate the insanity and take advantage of the fact that we had a car for the night, we made the rounds... Off to Spencer's fav game store Black Diamond Games. The owner, Gary, has moved the store to a new spot. Great for him, not so great for us...he's further away and we're not driving anymore. Hence, first destination, check out the new digs. Awesome, simply awesome. If you are local, and a gamer, check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Second destination...Yokoso Sushi. Why this sushi? We like it there, and it was next to Kohl's of course and Spencer needed some shoes and jeans. I swear, I will go broke keeping this kid clothed. Oh, and fed. Can't forget how much he eats....

Anyway, after a very yummy dinner, we walked across the parking lot to cruise the jean and shoe racks. Last night's Kohl's haul? Van's skater shoes $34.99 on sale. Polo jeans $17.99 on sale from $42. And some Urban Pipeline jeans $16.99 on sale from $32. Spencer actually bought one pair of the jeans using part of his gift card from Grandma M....which made me very happy.

Next up, back to Ross Dress for Less. Needed to return some shoes. Did that, used that money plus the remaining gift card I had left to buy some flat sheets. Going to sew them up to make duvet covers for our new quilts from Ikea. Going to add some cool buttons as closures, because of course, as a crafter, I have a stash of those...and they are mostly vintage. And if I ever get around to the sewing, I shall post pictures. Somehow I think that's not going to happen until after November is over. Just sayin'.

Our last stop of the night was getting two cases, two very heavy cases, of bottled water. We brought up one case last night. Left the other for this morning. Of course, we forgot about it, and now the Ex has not only a topped off tank of gas for so generously let us tool about in his new car for the night, he also has a case of bottled water.

Today...on the way home after the Fair, we got off the train in Downtown Oakland and visited End Game who was celebrating 6 years of gaming fun. Met up with Spencer's good buddy ...he who floods toilets...and the boys spent some time gaming. I sat in a comfy chair knitting and chatting with a gaming widow. Her hubby is a book author...gaming manuals or whatever for role playing games.

Got home, took nap...but am still exhausted, so it's off to bed now for me.

Tomorrow, we bake for a bake sale at Spencer's school on Monday. The kids are raising money for a Washington DC trip in the Spring. There will also be laundry, a walk across the street for groceries, ummm...and I'm sure something else that I'm totally forgetting about.

And the most important of all, calling Grandma M and Auntie L. And some prime chat time with the Honey. Looking forward to both.

Cat vs. Squirrel

Ahhh...the sounds of nature. My 'boyfriend' the crow, wakes me every morning with his CAWWW CAWWW CAWWWWWWW...and taunts me throughout the day. The dog in the adjacent neighborhood howling...the birds in the trees singing. The squirrels running about gathering up nuts for the winter...

Ever since I've been here all day with the working from home thing, there has been a daily confrontation between my cat and a local squirrel. Also known around here as the "Evil Squirrel". My Kitty is not bothered by the other squirrels running about preparing for winter...just the one. Because this one insists on climbing up into the tree just outside my bedroom window and doing this all day (you might need to turn up your volume a bit to catch all the chattering):

Usually, my precious little Angel is in the window, muttering at him, making delicate cat noises which I'm sure can be translated as: "I'm going to get you Evil Squirrel." Just now, he did this for at least 15 minutes before the leaf blower dude came round the corner and scared him off.

Today, she decided to hell with him, this bed cover is oooohhhhh, so comfy, so piss off Evil Squirrel, you do not amuse me today (leave the volume up):

Isn't she just so "We are not amused." Ha Ha Love it.

Calgon...get the heck over here and drag my ass to somewhere else but here...

Ugh...just feeling a bit like my brain will explode lately. Lots of information is making it's way in via phone calls, emails, texts, instant messages, snail mail, internet....ack.

Just what is all this info for? Spencer. Spencer is going to high school next year. And if the fact that my 'baby' is growing up (and you all know exactly how I feel about that...) wasn't enough to make the ol' gray matter want to scatter about the room...well...let's throw in researching high schools. Don't go thinking it's just me doing all the work either. Spencer, his Dad, and I are going through the madness as together as we can get these days.

This Friday is our first school tour. Saturday, there is a high school fair in San Francisco. There is also a gathering for 8th grade families on Saturday afternoon. And this is just the beginning of what is sure to be a few months of scheduling hell.

The 8th grade families are always wanting to get together...to commiserate having teens, to share high school information, to talk to others going thru the same shit. To just reinforce every so often that they're not the only ones going thru it. To try and get some sanity back.

And this is just the research phase.

Next up we have more tours, standardized testing, and then the forms start...Oh the glorious friggin' forms. I hate forms. Hate them with a passion. Unfortunately, you can't do anything in this world without pushing a bit o' paper around.

I just want to run screaming sometimes when all the info comes flooding in...'cause you know it would be just way too convenient for all us parents if the universe could just spread it out just a wee little bit. So we get slammed every few days. With loads of crap from every direction. I need to remember to NOT check my email before bedtime until this is all over with... Gah.

Oh...and the Superior Court system here has decided to reject my excuse to get out of my jury summons. Fools! I'll show them. I'll get knitting needles in that court house somehow, stand up in court and yell "I have needles and I know how to use them!" and then demurely add "would you like to see what I've done so far on this lace shawl your honor?"

Oh, and I've already warned the Honey that he might get a message from Antonella saying I'm in jail for contempt of court...'cause I'm going in packing needles and an attitude. I soooo do not want to do this...I've got too much brain clean-up to do.

bwahahaha...just had a fabulous idea...I have some very very very thin mechanical pencils...they would be perfect to use to make some fabulous baby booties and maybe a dishcloth or two while I'm waiting. Can't wait to see what happens when "they" search my backpack. Nothing but yarn and a few mechanical pencils...what could I possibly do with that?

Geez...maybe I should have had that glass of wine after all...

Edited to add: First of all, damn, I REALLY need to go to bed. Second, OK so the mechanical pencil thing didn't work out...very very very thin wasn't as thin as I thought it was...equivalent to US size 11 needles actually. That won't do, won't do at all. Enter plan B: I have an absolutely lovely pair of fancy pants chopsticks (US size 7) - ready and waiting to go to court. Encased in a lovely chopstick holder thingy so they are obviously chopsticks and not weapons of mass destruction. I'm having waaay to much fun with this...or is it obsessing now...ok ok...going off to bed now.

More Art and a Biiiig Project

Hi Everyone,
Finally posting the pictures of Spencer's latest art pieces that I've been teasing about for a week...


City Park:






The Bridge:






And now for the Biiiig Project. He's hoping to use this as his independent art project for school this year. And when that's all done, we're going to hang it along the very long, very empty wall in the living room.

First...the plan....draw a picture of a tree in six panels...six panels will become six canvases...

The drawing:





And now the canvases...with the drawing lightly penciled in...don't know if you'll be able to see it all that well...





He is still deciding on colors and all that. He'll probably start the actual painting next weekend when he's back over at my place. The canvases are 16x20 inches each, so that'll be quite a big piece of art when it's done. I can't wait to see it. I'll post pictures of progress if he'll let me. But you know I'll definitely post the finished artwork!

Links and Buttons and Blogs, Oh My!!!

Ok folks, time for some clean up on the ol' blog here...going to delete some old buttons (knit from your stash anyone?), add some new ones, put some more links up there, yada, yada, yada...

First off links and buttons.

Was going to delete the "Knit from Your Stash" button, but seems I already have...wonder when I did that?

Anywhoo...adding one for Ravelry, of course, but don't click on that one unless you're a beta person, 'cause otherwise you can't get in and that would just be cruel. They hope to open it up soon, but I'm not sure when. They are still taking sign-ups for their waiting list to get an invite into the Ravelry Beta - just in case any of you knitters/crocheters out there don't know. Once they are done with Beta and it gets opened up, I'll let you all know.

Adding other buttons/links for books written by bloggers whose blogs I regularly read. They are the Yarn Harlot, Crazy Aunt Purl, and My Boyfriend is a Twat.

The Yarn Harlot writes humorous knitting books, of which I have read two, and I even saw her in person last year and got one of them signed.

Next up is Crazy Aunt Purl. Her book is about getting divorced, and moving on, and learning to knit, and living with 4 cats. Haven't read it yet, but if it's anything like her blog, it'll be good.

And then there is Zoe, from My Boyfriend is A Twat. (Honey told me about this one - she's a Brit living in Belgium.) Her book is how to recognize, deal with, and live with an utter Twat and has nothing whatsoever to do with knitting. But I want to read it anyway. Again, because if it's anything like the blog...

Anyway, check them out, read their blogs, buy their books. I'll eventually get them all myself. When I do finally read them all, I'll try and post reviews.

Oh, and I'll eventually put up a list of blogs I read...have been meaning to do that for a while now...

I really shouldn't be online right now...

'Cause I'm tempted to sign on to instant messenger and see if Honey is around...Hi Honey!

Anyway, lots to do today. Ms. Puffy needs a little work. Her handlebar keeps coming loose, so I'm taking her over to the bike shop down the road. Plus there will be a stop at the Ace Hardware and Walgreen's stores while I'm over there. Lot's of plans for the blog here, but that will have to wait until later. Have some pictures to post and some buttons to add on the sidebar, so stay tuned for that...also need to go post on Ravelry about my FO Honey Scarf and my current WIPs. One is a gift project which is safe to post on Ravelry, since not one of my gift recipients will be on Ravelry. hee hee The other is my first pair of baby booties for Charity Knitting.

OK, well it's off to get myself clean and decent and then I'm off on my adventure for today.

Still plugging away at work...

Last few days have been hectic. Today is much more mellow, but still busy. Fedex finally delivered my color ink cartridge, so I can get back to making CD labels and all that...and get on with shipping out the new release.

Been having fun with shipping, toilets, bikes, late buses, meetings at school, printers running out of ink and no one around here having what you need in stock...seems like the list is endless.

Spent over an hour on the phone with Fedex fixing my account, called the apartment manager, fixed the bike, finally caught the bus, went to the meeting, rec'd a box today.

Now I can ship, flush, ride, ride, send my child to High School and print. All is right in this part of my little world. Well, as good as it can be for right now seeing that I've got lots of stuff to ship...I am just grateful that it's not coming out of my pocket to get it shipped...

Got a lot of knitting in yesterday as I spent lots of time on public transit getting to and from Spencer's school for the meeting. Yay. It felt good to sit back, relax and get a few pattern repeats done.

It's chilly out and cloudy and rainy. Would love to curl up on the couch with a warm blankie, the kitty, my knitting and a movie. Must work instead...but the couch is calling...nope, customers waaaaannnntttt, so must deliver. Guess I'll save that other stuff for the weekend. Plus more high school research and updating the blog with some photos of artwork. Spencer is on a roll.

Jury Duty

OK, so have decided I'm going to try and get out of Jury Duty. The courthouse is a good 30 minutes drive and further than the recommended trip length for the car in it's current condition. So, technically, I don't have reliable transportation - which means I'm busing it to the court house if I get called in...according to the Jury Summons, if you don't have a reasonable means of transport and/or it takes more than 90 minutes to get to the court house, you can be excused from duty. Since I don't know if I'll have another car by then, we'll all just say I won't. (Works better for the whole getting out of it scenario you know.)

Thanks to http://www.511.org/, I now have two print outs saying it takes 83 minutes to get to the court house and 97 minutes back if I take public transit. They requested this as proof of trip as well as print outs of the bus schedules. And since we all know public transit will most likely be late, even a few minutes will get me over the 90 minutes on the way there...and I have more than enough on the way back home. Hope it works. I really don't want to go.

Why not? Don't you want to fulfill your civic duty Donna?

Reasons:

1. It's voting day, and I forgot to send in my absentee registration again, so I have to go in person and vote. (So lame this one, I'm sure the Court would allow me to do this, no?)
2. They don't allow knitting needles in the court house. Not only can I not knit while I'm waiting, I can't knit on the bus there since they won't let me bring the needles into the building...even if I promise not to try and take over the world with my size 7 bamboo circulars.
3. OK...I really really don't want to go. I get summoned all the time, it's someone else's turn...someone who has a functioning car and doesn't knit. One can only read so much before they get bored out of their minds.

'Cause you know all us knitters are dangerous when we've got needles in our hands...you could take someone's eye out with those!

And now if you'll excuse me, resident artiste Spencer should be biking in any minute from the train station...hope it's soon! There are some nasty looking rainclouds out there! We're going to walk across the street for a nice Italian dinner at my new favorite restaurant - Evana's Italian Kitchen. We haven't done anything special together in a long time, so why not.

Still around...

Hey everyone,
Still here, just coming off two of the worst work weeks in a long time. Crashed hardware, nasty deadlines, stupid mistakes, sneaky co-workers...all combined and everything else that could go wrong pretty much did. But, we managed to somehow make our deadline and now I can breathe a bit and enjoy life again.

Got a walk in, a bike ride (just the one last week unfortunately), some belly dancing this past Tuesday (just in the living room here), and a lot of knitting.

Not touching the old projects yet...I know, I'm bad. But I'm going to frog them anyways...shush.

One new gift project on the needles in the new yarn that arrived the day before Honey did. I'm quite impressed with the yarn and the pattern...and patting myself on the back (cast on and knitted - haven't restarted - at all)...it looks great so far. It's a wool/soy blend that I got on sale and it's oooooh sooooo verrrrry sooooofffffttttt. Love it. Hope I have enough left over, I will make myself some fingerless gloves out of it. Yum.

Speaking of Honey, today he helped me look over and pick out some patterns so I can start on my Charity Knitting projects. Can't wait to dive into the acrylic stash and get going. Got some cute bootie patterns off the net. Hope to show those off soon. Found the pattern I was using for baby hats when I did the preemie hat knitting a while back. OOOh, also went through some of my pattern booklets. Found some great baby/kid sweater patterns in my vintage books. I have books from 1950, 1956, 1960, 1970...and one from 1947! Got them at the thrift store for 10 cents each. Total. Steal. These booklets are priceless to me.

Anyways, the 1970's book is hilarious. Good grief some of those patterns are just awful. So I will be scanning/posting photos just to prove it. I know you'll all get a kick out of them too. Don't think I'll ever knit any up, so this pattern booklet is strictly for entertainment purposes. And it delivers.

In other news, Spencer is gathering up stuff for his Halloween Costume. He looks awesome so far and I'll post a photo when he finishes getting everything together. He's still biking to the BART station and tonight went to his first school dance of the season. Sniff. Sniff. And he's just about 2 inches taller than me now. Stop growing up already...I can't take it. Sniff. Sniff.

It's been raining this past week...and today we had quite the downpour. So I knit. Went to Antonella's for pizza and some TV watching, and I knit some more. It's getting chilly out, so I'm all about the knitting. Been having some aches and such with the arthritis in the hands, so knitting with the yummy soft yarn and wooden needles really helps them feel better. Just need to use size 7's for everything now. It's the 'just right' size for my hands. Not too big, not too small. Keeps them moving, keeps 'em warm, chases away the aches, and doesn't cause pain. Perfect.

Oh, and I just received a Superior Court Jury Summons the other day. You gotta know I'll be knitting. If I can't get out of it, I'll be taking along a whole backpack full of yarn...last time I did this, I waited. A lot. Took knitting and books and it still wasn't enough. Finished the project and the books and still had time left over to balance my checkbook. Three days of waiting people. Three. Friggin. Days. Gah.

OK, it's ridiculously late and I'm finally getting sleepy, so I'm off to bed.

Tootles.

Finished Object and Some Culture...

And now, for the finished object...

I present the "Honey Scarf"...




tadaaaa...yes folks, I still knit on occassion...in case anyone is wondering about my choice of colors, they are the colors of Honey's fav soccer team (or football as they say over there), Leed's United. He was in on choosing the colors of course, as I don't make a habit of choosing colors for men's gifts...or males of any age for that matter - unless the male is a baby. They also get to approve the object or pick out one. So much easier that way. I get final say on the stitches and/or the pattern tho...hee hee. Gotta leave something as a surprise...

Anywho...specifics high level...ummm....3 skeins of New England Highland Wool from The Yarn and Fiber Company, one each of colors White, Marigold, and Royal. Size 9 needles, cast on 24 stitches and knit seed st until you're cross eyed... Switching colors every so often to make purty stripes... oh, and don't forget to add a four-strand fringe when you are done...and don't forget to weave in all the ends...oh the ends...gah. Oh, and I slipped the first stitch of every row to keep the edges all nice and all. And I um, can't remember when exactly, I started it, but if you really want to know how pathetically long it took me to knit it up, you can look back in the blog here...I know I mentioned starting it at some point. For those Ravelry folks out there, I will eventually be adding this as my first project over there...when I get more time.

OK...now on to 'Some Culture'...as in Art.

Spencer had Friday off (and is off today as well) and spent a bit of time in the morning drawing.





May I present now, "Retro Chair":




This is just the beginnings of it, as he has added much more to the composition. It's a "Shades of Grey" drawing of my retro swivel rocker (one of a set of two), which is actually an authentic 1956 chair. Love my chairs, love his drawing. Even makes my half-dead plant look more alive than it actually is...

Gotta love it.

Still hanging round...

Hey everyone, I'm still here. I've finished the Honey Scarf, fringe and all, but I need to show it to my Honey first before I post here. Things I need to post about are piling up, but I've been busy with work.

Really busy.

If I'm not busy at work, I'm being 99% lazy. Work and getting used to my Honey not being here has taken a lot out of me this past week.

Now I'm off to wash some dishes (they've been piling up all week), and then fold the last bits of laundry from last week. Told you I've been lazy...

Might not have any posts of substance this week. Work is still rough, and things are starting now with High School research, tours, and applications for Spencer. Time to get that rolling. ugh. ugh. ugh. ugh.

Check the ticker above. I've lost two pounds. Wee.

Ms. Puffy finally goes for a spin...

...but I was not destined to be her first rider.

That priviledge went to Spencer. Last Tuesday night, we pumped up the tires, adjusted the seat and Wednesday morning he set off to the BART station with my Ms. Puffy and his own set of house keys. I cried.

Seeing as the car was acting up, he pushed to be able to ride the bike to the station on his own. I relented...it was a good idea...and it was time. Oddly enough, he was ok riding the 'girlie' bike, but he will soon have his own 'manly' bike thanks to some very generous friends who have an extra one.

Good thing Honey was here. He held me close while I dealt with Spencer growing up yet a bit more (as in crying like a baby) ...further and further from me. It's inevitable, but I still don't have to like it.

He rode again on Thursday, again with me in my robe at 6:45am walking him down the hallway to the front door and waving (and yes, crying) as he rode off to the station. Don't know if I'll ever get used to seeing him ride away from me. Sniff sniff...

Friday, I took him since he wouldn't be coming back to my house for the weekend - it was Dad's weekend.

Since then, Ms. Puffy has had a nice rest...peeking in through the patio doors...looking sad and lonely...until today.

Yes folks, I finally rode Ms. Puffy.

I rode her to the bank and back - about a 2.5 mile round trip. Had plans to go to one other place, but I couldn't take it. I'll save that ride for tomorrow. My legs are still a bit noodle-ish, and my bum hurts a bit, and damn did I look like a dork (and no, there will be no photos thank you very much), but I will get up on Ms. Puffy tomorrow and take her out again.

If it wasn't for the pain in my legs and bum, and the wheezing and huffing and puffing, I might even say I had fun. Oh yeah, and the heat. Tomorrow I won't go during the hottest part of the day. I'm going before work instead of waiting for lunch. D'oh. I should know better.

Oooh! Did I tell you all I walked across the street to Trader Joe's after work yesterday? I went grocery shopping on foot! Unfortunately, I went while hungry (very bad idea) ...spent way too much...and ended up with two very full, heavy bags. Oh well, I wanted to be more active. It wasn't all that bad, but I need to control myself if I'm going to be doing that more often.

Some day, I hope to work up to biking to Target...that's quite a haul from my place, but eventually, I'll be able to do it. Just not anytime soon...

Getting a good start on being more active. Hopefully I can wipe out those 10 pounds I gained before I go see the doc again...only time will tell.

Well that's all I've got for today...going to go veg on the couch. It's been a loooong day working and it ended on a terrible note, just about 20 minutes ago actually. Decided I just needed to shut it all down. It'll still be there in the morning, and there's not much I can do tonight anyways.

Maybe I'll finish the fringe on the Honey Scarf, maybe I'll do a small Etsy craft project. Maybe I'll just park my butt and grow roots for a few hours...

For all those Moms who swore they'd never say any of this and sound like their own Moms...

...ok NOW I can go back to bed...once I stop the laughter of course...

Watch this...first spotted over at Major Knitter...who has written down the words if you are interested...

Going back to work after vacation...

...totally bites.

But that's what I get to do today. And yeah, I know, it's in the middle of the night and I really should be sleeping. Can't. So zip it and read. At least I'm not working...

Not-so-Quick update:
Honey's visit was awesome. We had a wonderful time together. He survived my cooking, and living with my teen, and the 'evil cat from hell who hates men' has totally accepted him, so he's a keeper. I am very sad that it's done with so soon. Didn't seem like enough time together, but it usually feels that way doesn't it...many plans for the future have been talked about, but not set in stone, so won't reveal anything until it starts to come together.

Have some great photos from this Honey visit, and the last, which I need to share with you all. Guess I should post something about the first visit first, eh? Getting very lazy about doing big story posts...still need to do Mythbusters and Kublacon...and probably a few others as well...gah.

Finished knitting on the Honey Scarf, need to finish adding the fringe. Yes, he saw it, and loves it. With the leftover yarn from the scarf, I'm going to make him one of these...and then one of course for my sister, and myself...all of us big Dr Who fans...EXTERMINATE!

Need to set up a Flickr account and get things going on Ravelry. My first project listing will be the Honey Scarf.

I think I'm going to frog everything I've got on the needles (which quite honestly is only 3 things, so don't think it's a total tragedy) and get things going all over again. I've decided I don't like how the cotton shawl is going and don't really like the yarn, so I'm going to frog it and give the yarn away. Easiest way to reduce your stash actually. Gave lots of other yarn away as well during that last big give away thing before Honey's visit. Really need to be more selective when I buy sweaters to recycle. Thought about selling it, but it's not really usable, so gave it away, someone might be able to do something with it...

The Phoenix rectangle shawl is going to be frogged and reborn as a new shawl (if I can ever find the pattern, it's called something like "Cat's Eye Beaded Shawl"). Still beaded, but different pattern.

I'm still undecided about the mohair shawl I'm working on. I think I might keep that one, I need to find it and see what it looks like first. Maybe I'll do that as a Cat's Eye Beaded Shawl as well. Sure wish I could find that damn pattern...gah.

Oooh...and here's my latest favorite online yarn store The Yarn and Fiber Company...free shipping, great customer service, and good sales/prices. Did I say free shipping? Oh yeah, I did... Did I say no minimum order to qualify for free shipping? Just did. Go check them out. Got my Honey Scarf yarn here and some more yarn for a gift project. Very happy so far, so thought I'd pass along the info.

Have lots of acrylic laying about in the Chaos Stash, so need to get working on some charity knitting. Booties and Baby hats a-go-go in the Chaos here soon...as soon as I find my favorite patterns...think I'm going to work on learning color work on the caps...do some basic stuff to 'cut my teeth' so to speak. Have been wanting to learn color work for a while and seeing the work of Honey's Mum on his sweaters has really made me want to do it. Will do larger caps and scarves as well. Need to check with the Community Charity Knitters over at Stash Yarns and see what they need.

Need to get going on my Etsy Idea List. Lots of crafting to do...most of it for the Holidays which are rapidly approaching, so if I want to even think about selling that sort of stuff, I'd better get my tush in gear...

Lots of catching up at work...and it's about to get very, very busy. Lots of crafting, sewing and knitting to do at home...oh wait...it's the same place for both...oh well, you guys know what I mean...now that I don't have all the boxes laying around getting in my way and stifling my creativity, I think I'll be able to get rocking on everything. All this should keep me busy and out of trouble and not dwelling on the fact that I'm missing the Honey so much. Not going to do too many projects at once tho, that's just asking for burn out. Have decided no knitted gifts this year cause I'm concentrating on the Charity knitting and Etsy stuff for a while. I will do something small that is handmade tho, with lots of gift cards. Easy way out, but that's what's best for this year.

Oh yeah, and then there is school stuff for Spencer. He's in 8th grade now, so we've got to get going on selecting a high school and getting applications and all that wonderful crap....GAH!

Oh yeah, and then there's the transport issue. Car is on the fritz, possibly going to kick the bucket and go toes up on me. Need to decide if I want to fix it, or trade it in...in the meantime, not using it all that often - guess I should get it in the shop for estimates... Spencer and I are well versed in the Art of Using Public Transit and use it whenever we can and we have the most wonderful friends who will assist us with rides if necessary, so it's not that big of an issue right now. Ask me again tho when rainy season starts...hahahaha... Spencer is all transit to school every day, and karate twice a week - I'm so proud of him. If I still worked in San Francisco, I'd be riding my bike to the BART station right along side him. Sniff. But, I'm at home, so his "Cool Factor" isn't threatened by the fact that he rides BART with his Mom...even tho none of his friends would ever see it...teens!

Well, Honey should almost be back home (wah!) and sleeping off his full day plus a bit of travelling. Don't expect to hear from him for a while, and he'll probably read this before we make contact...so...Miss you...hope you rested well...you know what I'm really thinking...

Speaking of sleeping...guess I'm off again to bed...starting to feel tired again...yeah! And this is getting long...and I'm rambling...and most likely boring you all to tears...

Later everyone...