It's All about the Cows today...

Today is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-a... It's a Special Day around here since the Cow in Ms Cow and Cow is from Chick-Fil-a.

Cow came to be with the Honey when the Honey was in the US on business one year (way back when Chick-fil-a first started the whole Cow campaign). Seems a ballpark was tossing cows (don't they know you're supposed to tip them?!?) into the stands and Honey caught Cow.

Honey met me, we found out we both have Cows (only my cow is a delicate crafting flower from JoAnn's Fabrics) and when Honey came to visit, so did Cow and well, the rest is history.

Here is the Happy Couple during their June visit:




When they are not visiting each other, they are plotting ways to get together. Ms Cow has decided to learn how to drive. Here she is checking the systems on the Hybrid Prius we had use of one day:





And getting ready to go...all buckled up:




Visiting the DMV with me last week...I had to renew my license...she wants to get one:




Studying the Rules of the Road book they gave her.






Seems she can qualify for a very special, super secret, driver's assistant license, so she's preparing.

Meanwhile across the Big Pond, Cow is learning how to navigate and tie knots. Seems his big plan is to sail the Atlantic. He'll pull into an Eastern port somewhere and Ms Cow will have driven cross-country to meet him.

Here, Cow practices with Honey's GPS in the car.




And here, he's being fitted for some water proofs for his long trip over the water. They still need some work, but Ms Cow thinks he'll be just so handsome when they are done. Oh, and he needs a spiffy Captain's cap as well.





And now for some photos of them during their visit...lots of sightseeing was done...

In Chinatown




And on the USS Hornet Carrier Museum...


In the pilot's briefing room




In the Captain's Chair!




And sneaking behind the barrier in the Apollo 11 Astronaut's Quarantine Trailer...




...and after it was all done...relaxing at a restaurant





And now for some crafting, this is after all a knit blog...heh heh heh...




She's making a bag for herself...

A knit bag!!!




And now, may I present "Proof Of Tatting"




It's coming along quite nicely, thank you very much.

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think what you will...

...but this post is about Tatting!

I did the flip!!! I haven't quite mastered the damn thing yet, but I'm actually doing it. Thanks to this corny, but VERY VERY VERY helpful video all close up and personal. Thanks Rexenne...whoever/wherever you are...lunch time was very productive, thank you very much. WooHoo!

Hardest little knot to get the hang of and instruction books and online tutorials just weren't helping...Tatting is definitely not easy, but now that I can flip half-ass decently, the rest is, well, not as hard. Right?

Viggo Hangover.....

OK...guess since everyone else has already posted about Saturday, guess I should get my bum in gear and post too!

But first...Friday was spent sleeping in (YAY!), chatting with my Honey and Family (double YAY!) and getting ready for Saturday.

...and...finalizing carpooling plans for Saturday's Knit/Movie fest over at AmpuT's house.

Saturday morning, Rachel swung by my place for a quick pick up and we headed up to Casa de Cute Doggie (AmpuT's place).

This be the cute dogdog Riley... guarding Rachel's Spinning Wheel. Which was totally cool by the way. Saw for the first time, up close and personal, someone spinning. Way COOOOL! (Don't worry wallet, you are safe...wool sensitive, remember?)



And here we have the most wonderful hostess and awesomest cook AmpuT and the Spinning Rachel..with Riley in all his cuteness between:



We had brunch, knitted, spun, played with cute dogdog and the whole time the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Viggo I, II, and III) was playing for our viewing pleasure.

Sigh...Viggo...

Extended versions of all 3 no less...more Viggo!!!! And can I just say OMG at the things that were taken out....I must say, I had a hard time concentrating on anything cos of all the 'new' stuff I hadn't seen. Definitely cut out some important character development stuff and some really important bits!!!

And you read right...ALL 3... Rachel left after the first I think - it's all just a big Viggo blurrrr - she had to get going to go with her hubby to another function (social butterfly that one!).

AmpuT totally twisted my arm and FORCED me to watch ALL 3 movies in ONE DAY!!! Actually it wasn't really all that hard to do...after the first one, I was hooked. Sigh...Viggo, I am SOOOOOOOO easy when it comes to you!!!

What projects were worked on? Rachel spun for a bit - fascinating, then joined us on the couch to knit on a sweater, AmpuT was working on a sweater - and tinking a lot, Viggo can be distracting that way you know - and then a scarf, and I finished up an important piece of my sister's gift, and then took apart my mom's sock and then started up on a blankie for Spencer.

I know, I know, I wasn't going to start another knitting project...but I just couldn't concentrate enough on the gift or the socks while the movie was playing to work on them any further. The blankie for Spencer is 200 or so stitches on big needles, garter stitch. Perfect mindless knitting for Viggo watching. And...it'll be good for a 'something different for a night' break once I finish up the gift and the socks and start on the quilts.

This one will rest in Mr. Stuffles until I need it for zoning out.

Since I didn't get home until 1:30am Sunday morning, I slept in late, and spent almost all day talking with Honey (yay Skype!!!), organizing my electronic pattern files, and trying to figure out why the hell I can't get this tiny little tatting shuttle thingy to work properly! Hee Hee

OK...now it's Monday, and I'm still feeling like I've been up all night (oh yeah, I slept lousy, so I pretty much was), but I still need to work a full day and be productive and all that.

And the guys are ready for me to do my thing...so off I go...

Summary: Great time was had by all! But I still can't Tat. Sigh.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant...

Hey, it's a bag. And we all know I do like my bags...purses....totes....

Castles, Kilts, Cranes, and Ball Sax

HA! Four promises with one post!


A Castle in Wales for Antonella:



A Kilted Street Piper in Leeds for Stephieface:



A Crane in York for AntiM:



Ball Sax for No-Blog-Rachel (2!):

Balls unruly and getting out of hand?



Sack 'em!



Ball Sax courtesy of the produce department at Trader Joe's.

Seriously though...these little plastic netting thingies are awesome. Helps keep those balls in line...and look - the white one is a double ball sack...just like it should be, right?

OK...I really think it's time I get to bed....

Someday, I'll actually explain all this in the context of more photos from my February trip to see Honey. Except the ball sax of course - that one is it's own story.

Heh Heh Heh Heh

from AntiM

Your Slogan Should Be

Donna. Not for Everyone.

The Slogan Generator

Heh heh heh...you can't handle Donna.... snicker.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!! *

14 years ago today, I went thru 20+ hours of labor (no drugs) in the heat (the A/C in the hospital broke, we were in TX and it was 110F outside), only to end up having a C-Section (still no A/C) at the ungodly hour of 5am to deliver my bouncing baby boy. And I walked uphill barefoot the whole way. hahaha

Just kidding about the uphill and barefoot part, but the rest is true.

I think he was worth it**.


Here he is at home the first few days:


In a stroller at the Zoo:


Hamming it up for Mommy's camera at the park:


And most recently at Graduation last week (the only reason we are the same height is that I was wearing high wedge sandals***):


Happy Birthday Spencer, may you live a long, healthy, creative life. And you will if you stop reminding me how short I am!

Love you baby!

*He'll totally KILL me when he reads that....heh heh heh...

**I'll let you know if I still feel the same way in a few years...

***Just thought I'd clarify that Spencer, because I am painfully aware that you are taller than I am...sigh.

What a week...

Don't know how to even start.

Oh, it was the left front tire on my car that was taken, not the right.

Spent the whole week getting things set up to donate the car...first I had to put the spare on, but not until I got more nuts to secure it - cos of course the bastards took those. Sigh. I've got all the paperwork and signatures I need, just need to fill it all out and make one last call to the towing company working with my charity to come pick it up.

Sigh, I'm really going to miss that car. Shoulda, coulda, woulda done something sooner, but I guess I just couldn't let go. More on the whole car situation later.

Took care of some other business and work's been a challenge. Last week was definitely a drain, but I survived. I went to sleep late Friday night and didn't wake up until 10am on Saturday. Definitely needed that!

And now for a crafty report. Need to restart my Mom's socks, and finish up my Sis's present and then I think I'm going to set down the knitting for a bit. It's flippin' hot out and I just can't knit when it's so hot - not even if the A/C is on. So this summer is the Summer of Sewing and Tatting.

I'm about to embark on a family oriented project. I'm going to make memory quilts out of Spencer's baby clothes. Yes, I know the kid is almost 14 and I still have some of his baby stuff. I'm a packrat - and an overly sentimental one at that - what can I say? It's mostly some really cute outfits that my family bought him and that my Mom made for him. There's quite a bit, so I should be able to make some lap quilts (hopefully bigger) for me, my Mom and my Sis. For Spencer, I'm going to use some of his baby clothes, but mostly some of his old t-shirts. It'll take all summer if not more for me to work on this, so knitting will take a second seat once my latest projects are done. I'm thinking of Cathedral Window quilts, but I'm still in the planning stages.

Oh, and as for the tatting... In between working on the quilts, I will be learning how to use the mother-of-pearl tatting shuttle (thanks YouTube!) that I found at a thrift store.

A whole summer of crafting - just with different needles...and both the quilting and the tatting will be portable projects (the quilts up to a point). Good for traveling.

Back and not loving it...

...always hate coming back from vacation....not only does it mean you have to go back to work...

But also:

1. Mom and Sis have gone back home
2. Honey has gone back home
3. Spencer is officially a 'high school kid'
4. the usual 'after-vacation' depression sets in
5. reality slaps you in the face with a big heavy shovel, or something equally painful

Woke up this morning to find the front right tire of my little Corolla gone...car up on a jack still, hubcap leaning on the garage wall.

Seems like things like this are happening lately.

WTF!!! And the thing that gets me, it's probably a neighbor that took my tire. If I find them, I'm letting the air out. The maintenance dudes here are keeping an eye out for similar cars with one tire 'not like the others'. Oh, and that's the air out of all four tires, not just the one they took.

In the mean time, I'm going to start calling around to donate my old Corolla. It deserves a better end than being stripped for parts in a secure parking lot.

Thieving farking bastards!!!!!!

Here's a Boob link for you Boobie fans...

...better than sports in my book...actually, it's just a link to a quiz. But hey.

Your Celebrity Boob Twin:

Anna Nicole Smith

Who's Your Celebrity Boob Twin?

Wonder if they have a Celebrity Balls Twin quiz-like thingy?!? You know, something for the guys to compare themselves to...yeah, cos us women wouldn't have any interest in balls whatsoever, right no-blog-Rachel?

Go here, read this...

We take a break (but just a short one!) from our regularly scheduled PANIC! to bring you:

Celtic Memory Yarns: An Ancient Citadel on May Day

How could I forget about my Kilt Promise?

But despair not kilt fans. I have a picture of a kilt. Just the one, but hey, it's a guy in a kilt. With Pipes.

Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to go panic about my gray hair and stand in front of the closet screaming "I have NOTHING to WEAR!"

Post #366

Hey, I've been blogging for a year!

In reality, it'll actually be two years come August. Boy, I really have been slacking.

So here I am again...days and days after the last post, to tell you...

...I won't be posting much again.

I've tried, really I have, but after sitting all day at the computer, the last thing I want to do is sit all night at it. Sigh.

Just a few quick updates before I go off the radar again.

Knitting is kinda sorta happening. I'm not sure if I'll actually finish my sister's b-day gift before I see her on Sunday night. Oh and I'm working on one for Mom too - her b-day? Yesterday.

Yeah, I'm doing really good here with the whole deadline thing. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what else...

Ooooh...more ideas popping into my head for projects, lots of reading getting done, watched the entire Series 3 of the new Dr Who. David Tennant = Scottish Hottie! Dayum!!!

Organizing, cleaning, laundry...omg the laundry...

Yes, you read it right - O_R_G_A_N_I_Z_I_N_G. Miracles still happen.

Costume made for Spencer's latest play...play attended - twice.

Poetry/Art/Music night prep - that's tomorrow.

let's see, DC done, Kublacon done..what else?

Of course, the ever popular work. Speaking of which, have to get back to it...

Off I go...but before I do, can you say SQUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Honey arrives Saturday night. Mom and Sis arrive Sunday night. Much visiting and meeting and running about ensues, graduation happens Wednesday night. Sigh. A very very very very busy week coming up and I am so excited to see everyone I can't stand it. And they'll all freak when they see Spencer.

Mom and Sis head back home Thursday, Spencer, Honey, and I spend some quality time together, and then Spencer heads over to his Dad's so Honey and I can get some time together before he heads back on Father's Day.

Yeah, it's gonna be busy.

Some day, when the planets align just right, and I can get my crap together, I'll post about stuff, and put up some photos, have a contest for my 2yr anniversary (maybe) and spew philosophical goodness. Well, maybe not that, but there will be pictures of balls. And lots of 'em too! What more can you ask for? Oh, and cranes. Pictures of cranes too, after all, I promised AntiM. Like months ago! OH! and castles, cos I did promise castles to Antonella too (I did send her one from England, but I'm going to put more up here too, so don't judge me too harshly.)

Disappointment Major

Spent all day with the boys at the Con. They had fun despite the fact that the Tournament Moderator never showed up and they had to pick someone out of the group that signed up and then go for it on their own. There were about 20 or so players...Spencer and his friend C definitely being the youngest. Most were mid-20's and up. They played from noon until 7pm.

What was so dissappointing then? The vendor area. Dudes...very few vendors carried models for the game the boys were playing (Warmachine). And the WORST. PART. OF. ALL. The dice people had NO. MINI. DICE.

I was uber bummed. That was going to be the highlight of my Kublacon visit! Sigh.

Once again, I took too much. But that's OK. I carried it all in my rolling cart thing.

We go back tomorrow and I'm definitely paring down what I'm taking. Only one knitting project, one book, no mags or puzzle books, my music, and that's about it. We shouldn't be there as long as we were today. At least I hope not!

Still working on my sister's gift. Even though I knit on it almost all day, I'm still lacking a few more smaller pieces. Too busy people watching!!! hee hee.

Stephiface: No mini dice this year...GAH!

AmpuT: I checked on Ravelry, the Bay Area Knitter's group (I think that's the right one) were meeting up at Bay Con...also taking place this weekend. I'm sure if there were any knitters where I was today, they would have said something. I kept getting up and moving about, so just about everyone at the Con saw me.

OK...off I go...have to weed out the supplies for tomorrow and get a smaller bag. Not taking the rolling cart. It was handy to have, but a pain to trail round with me. Oh well...lesson learned.

Time for the KublaCon*...

Spencer's friend is here now...they are 'practicing' their strategies for *tomorrow and most likely the rest of the weekend.

How does one prepare for sitting at the Con for the whole day or so?!? Very carefully.

This is the 3rd year that we're going. Why do I have to go? The boys are underage, so an adult "chaperone" must accompany them for the entire time they are there.

Crazy says you?

Wonderful says I!

I get to sit around doing 'nothing' all day. No work phone calls, no chores, no distractions. We are set to leave at 8am and if the boys do well in their tournament (it starts at noon), we might be there until 8pm. Hmmmm....

Almost time to go collect the last bit of laundry. Then I pack for tomorrow.

In my bag/cart, there will be knitting, reading, possible jewelry supplies (StephieFace, I'm buying more mini dice!), sewing (pattern making actually), sewing magazine (Burda World of Fashion), Burda knitting magazine, maybe a puzzle book...and whatever else I can think of... Bought a new book (Honey, I found Mort!!!! I finally found Mort!!!), and the zines tonight. It's all I can do to tear into them all RIGHT NOW!!! Must behave though or I'll have less to do tomorrow.

Oh yes, and snacks...lots of snacks. And bottles of water.

And now we have all decided it's time to pack up all our respective bags and prepare all snackage for tomorrow.

I'm ready! Bring it on!!!

Ooooh...and I'm a bit behind on my Sister's gift, but should finish up the rest of the pieces I need in the first few hours at the Con...then I can sew it up!!! Yay!

PS...a new addition to the Kubla Posse this year? Ms. Cow I'd take sock monkey, but he's too much of a trouble maker.

Still waiting on the blogging muses...

Hello everyone,
Yes...I do still exist and haven't yet fallen off the edge of the world. Although it is round, so that actually couldn't happen.

OK...no, I haven't been abducted by aliens...Hey! It could happen!!!

I've been doing nothing and everything...if that makes any sense. Still more of the always busy, nothing is accomplished stuff. At least the sleep is getting better. Except for the few days/nights last week where the temps were over 100F there....gah...don't think I did anything much for 3 days.

And I'm making wild progress on my Sister's b-day gift...now over 4 months overdue. Sigh.

But...it looks AWESOME so far! I'm very excited about how it looks so far and this'll teach me once again..STICK TO THE DAMN PATTERN!!!!

I hope to have all the bits and pieces finished off so I can assemble it during the Kublacon this year. It's already coming up again...this weekend!!! GAH.

Oh and there's making Spencer's costume for Midsummer Night's Dream...He plays Bottom, so I get to make some donkey ears. hee hee OH CRAP...that's just a week from tomorrow!!!

SHIT.

OK...well...guess I'd better get started on those ears...guess what I'm doing for the next few nights?

So it comes to this...

...again...

I'm sitting here at 7ish am...and I'm ready for bed...7AM people, and I'm ready to give up on the day...

I've gotten some work in while Spencer has gotten up and ready for school (we get up at 6am around here), made his lunch, and now...

I'm exhausted. Yet another bad night...I would really really really like to get some good, consistent worthwhile sleep dammit.

So, before I plant my forehead on the keyboard and end up with a nice, cute grid of keys on it, I will go back to bed.

Honey, I will be back, awake, and at work around 9:30am. We can chat then.

Sigh.

At least *someone* is making progress around here...

...too bad it's not me!!!

Spencer has finished his art project. We're off together to school in the morning. He needs an adult with him to run interference on the commuter train...I'm good at that. Yes, I took pictures, yes, I'll eventually post them.

I really wasn't going to admit this, but I just have to...I've totally farked up my sister's birthday present. I realized last night that I'm not going to have enough yarn to finish it - and I'm more than 2/3 of the way thru. Sigh. I started off with 3 very large balls of the main color and 1 medium size ball of the contrast color. Oh NO!!! But wait...as I grab for the 3rd very large ball of main color, I see a problem. This last very large ball of main color, is NOT the same color as the other 2 very large balls of main color. GAH!

Soon after I began a "tearing thru the apartment and everything that could possible hold yarn search". It was fruitless...I came up empty handed. Sigh. Might as well go to bed.

Funny thing was, I wasn't upset - and I still am not upset. Go figure.

Today, for an early lunch, I popped over to the local JoAnn's and bought the yarn I needed. After some design discussion with the Honey (he was very helpful), I cast on again tonight while Spencer finished up the "art project" and we watched Season 3, Disc #1 of the new Doctor Who. I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Doctor Who.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to knit on the once-farked, twice started, very late birthday present for my sister. And nothing else will get knit on until this doggone fark up is done.

I shall prevail.

Yes...I know...I know...

I still haven't posted...anything interesting...nothing but excuses. Pah.

I'm feeling overwhelmed again. Lots of things to do, I'm always busy, but nothing seems to get done. Things fall to the wayside...like chores, blogging, and chores and sleep.

A few things have me down in the mouth lately...chores piling up, sleepless nights, price of airline tickets, Spencer going to DC for a week with his class (leaving on Mother's Day no less), and a shitload of other personal stuff.

I'll snap out of it completely in a bit...I'm already on my way up. I've spent a weekend of doing nothing but being creative, chatting with my Honey and spending time with my BFF and partner in crime, Antonella.

Now to get back on the chore wagon...things are more chaotic around here than ever. Spencer has an art project due on Thursday and I've been 'creating'. Both of us have made quite the mess. His is bigger than mine though. Laundry is piled high, dirty dishes are begging to be washed...and the place really needs a good dust and vacuum.

Oh, and I've been 'organizing'. Actually, it's the first step...pulling it all out and seeing what you've got...I'm working on my "office" and our school/office supplies. Gawd, what a freakin' chaotic mess and a half. Add all that to what's already laying about and well, it's a ginormously chaotic mess and a half. GAH!

Maybe it would help if I made a list or schedule or something to follow while I do this instead of haphazardly attacking whatever I feel like and whenever the spirit moves me (um...with a name like Chaos, you know it seldom moves me). One thing at a time I've always heard and read.

hahahahaha...that's a good one Donna....

I sure do crack myself up...

Good Grief...

...it's been a while hasn't it?!?!?!?

Well, I said I was obsessing about certain projects, and I did and I have some stuff to show....

...like my first pair of socks ever...at a baseball game...on a furry pillow (prrrrrr...sexy!)...and on the feet of the recipient (they were a birthday present)...who is very happy to have them I am proud to say.

...there are also the beading projects...and the next pair of socks already started and to the heel of the first one...

...oooh...hey, Sis...maybe you should just send me your feet measurements...I'll knit you socks for your birthday...seems i can do a pair of socks in a few days, but your other gift...welll....I'm still working on it...really, I am!!! Just ask your nephew...."Aren't you done with that yet Mom?"

...add (hahaha...typed ass at first) in work, personal life, life with a teen about to enter high school, who is eating you out of house and home...and well...I'm exhausted...

I've got lots to catch up on and it's late. I'll catch up tomorrow.

Or maybe the next day.

Maybe.

Oh and there are pictures...

Holy Cow!

Go to this post at Lime & Violet and watch...and be amazed. Like...OMG!!! (say it in your best Valley Girl voice.)

I think in the time it takes her to knit a zillion stitches...I knit one...maybe two - if my hands are warmed up.

This will have to keep you occupied for a while as I'm working on some projects right now that have me totally obsessed...and totally avoiding housework and assorted chores...

So...as soon as they are done, I've got lots of work to catch up on and then I'll share.

How to Tell Spring has Sprung in the Chaos...

Shave....



...and a Polish (toes of course)....





...Short Skirt!




Well, not really short...I am short, so the skirt is just about knee length...which is actually perfect for me. Notice the cute new sandals....have another pair in black.

Hope to post more soon...April is a month of anniversaries. Some sad (miss you Dad and Kitty Banshee). Some very happy (Honey and I are together one year!!! Love you Honey...). Some birthdays - Happy Birthday Kitty Sammie (today)...and Happy Birthday Antonella, next week.

I don't quite know what I'm going to post about it all...I've got a few ideas...just need to get my head round them all and decide how I'm going to approach it...Plus I owe you guys some more posts about the trip. GAH...at this rate I don't know if I'll ever catch up!

There has been knitting...I've cast on my first real size sock! Yay me!!! I've restarted the Holey Moley poncho...don't ask. Work still continues on my sister's B-day present...yes, I know, it was in January. Zip it. And I still have to show the sweater Honey's Mom knit for me, and some finished objects that have been finished for a while now.

I'm a slacker....I know. But I did my taxes WAAAY before the deadline...did you?

Oh...and there will be a SQUEEEEEEEE delay as I try to come down from the latest Honey news. He bought his tickets today to come visit in June! Woot! Honey will be in town for Spencer's graduation...as will my Mom and Sis. Honey's turn to meet my family! YAY!

Ooohh...or should I say OUCH!!! Kitty Sammie has just given me a present on her birthday. A 4 inch long double scratch on the top of my thigh...she likes to sit on my lap when I'm at the computer...and she was startled...and I'm wearing shorts...oh...gah...OUCH! Time to go wipe off the blood, clean the scratches and get some antibiotic gel on it. Sigh.

Good thing that skirt goes to the knee.......

No words

Just watch...found on Etsy, via Craftzine.com

Quick! Send a Swift! STAT!

This is the last we shall mention of the ginormously obnoxious knarly-arse knot that can be created from a 180 yd hank of sock yarn whilst trying to wind it on Hugo. Twice...cos I've got two hanks of it don't ya know.

GAH.

Something is missing....

I've removed the "I'm not a sweater knitter" badge. Because I am...and I will do it again... I am no longer afraid to knit a sweater. I've learned a lot about fitting and sizing and all sorts of things from reading and knitting and sewing over the last few years or so.

I have some yarn in the stash, enough for a few sweaters.

It is time....

It's the Wee Tiny Sock Post!!!!

First, there came the yarn and needles...not exactly sock yarn, but it's the thinnest I had (that I could use for practice) - it's homespun I think...part of a "Bag o' Yarn". I got this paper grocery sack of wonderful yarn (single balls of some pretty awesome stuff) for $10 from a local reuse/recycle place.



One hour after casting on, I was turning a wee tiny heel...



50 minutes from cast on, I tied off the wee tiny toe.



The next day, I made a second wee tiny sock from the sock yarn I bought for the trip. I figured I could spare some for the wee tiny sock - it doesn't take much at all.

Here's Ms Cow in her first Modeling Session, posing with Marvin DSF. One sock on each hoof.



Me: Time for "The Pose" Ms. Cow

Ms. Cow: You've got to be friggin' kidding. I'm NOT doing the pose.

Me: But Ms. Cow...you have to do it. It's the "Official Chaos Sock Pose".



Ms. Cow: Don't wanna...you're insane.

Me: Puhleeeeeeese?

Ms. Cow: Ok, OK!!! Just stop with the begging already!!!!

Without further ado...Donna's Chaos presents:

The Official Chaos Sock Pose...

The "Balls to the Wall" Sock Pose.



What else could it be called?!? We like the word "balls" here at the Chaos and haven't mentioned "balls" in a long time...

Ms. Cow: I have hooves for criminy's sake. There are no balls on hooves.



Ms. Cow: What-ever!

Of course, Sock Monkey came out to see what the commotion was...



SM: I should be posing with the Wee Tiny Socks. I'm a Sock Monkey for goodness sake! And I have balls.

Me: Not those kind of balls Monkey! And the socks are ummmm...tooo wee for you to wear. Ms. Cow was the only choice. Doesn't she look awesome?

SM: ...I'll hold them then...like how they cover my....?

Me: Sock Monkey!!!!!



After this, the Green Wee Tiny Sock was sent off to Emily in PA - it's new home. The orangey sock stays here. It's the first sock I ever made...and it's kind of wonky...I could never part with it.

And now, we here at the Chaos take a slight break while we wait for a Wee Tiny sock to arrive...

Look! A new tote bag has found it's way to the Chaos. Isn't it cute? Got it at the grocery store. It's my new knitting bag. Goes with me on longish bus and train rides and to various appointments where waiting could be involved. It's sturdy and colorful and spacious and I love it. Holds a book, reading/knitting glasses, and a knitting project and the occasional stow-a-way (that would be Ms. Cow).



OOOh...what's this? Friday's post brings us a surprise!!!! Look at the pretty envelope - it came all the way from Susan in MD.



What an adorable Wee Tiny Sock!



Ms. Cow couldn't wait to put it on and model. Marvin decides to use First Sock Ever as a blaster cozy...



It's such an awesome wee sock!



Me: OK....time for "The Pose" again.

Ms. Cow: Gah.



Ms. Cow: This is the most ridiculous thing you've ever asked me to do...



I just loved participating in the Wee Tiny Sock Swap '08. This is just what I needed to get me started on sock knitting. I found the entire process quite easy and understood all the steps. It was easy, and cool...now to get started on some "me" size socks. I have two colors of sock yarn. OOOh...that reminds me...I need to show you guys some new yarn!

Next time.

Ms Cow Has an Adventure

A few Wednesdays back, I rented a car. It was Red.




It was a very red car.



Ms Cow thought it was cool.



She buckled up and came for a ride.




On the ride home (we're on the bus), she dreams of learning how to drive.



If she can drive, maybe she can drive to England to see her man, Cow - she misses him so...




I haven't had the heart to tell her that she'll only get to the East Coast...

This just in...

Wee tiny sock arrived this afternoon!

Next post up...proof of wee tiny sock knitted and recieved...

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Blasts from the Past

...and my 350th post...

First blast group....Finished Objects!!!!

From the 1980's ... one of my knitting/crocheting times...I learned how to knit, crochet, and sew when I was 6, but haven't actually been knitting/crocheting the whole time. The only thing I've kept up consistently is the sewing.

First, we have a Crocheted Baby Blanket



Yes, I have crocheted, and I still occasionally crochet. Don't do it regularly anymore though, as it hurts my wrist. I can handle the odd crocheted border and smallish projects...just nothing big.

Next...we have the First Sweater I Ever Made



Notice the longish sleeves, and oddishly wide, short body. Trust me, they were exactly that. Made it for Spencer's Dad before we were married (we've been divorced for 10 yrs - and no, I don't believe in the 'boyfriend curse', nor do I blame it). It never fit him...he's um pretty skinny and tallish. I wore it for a long time. Sleeves were extremely long, but the rest fit me OK...I'm short and chunky. I loved it.

And now...the Second Sweater I Ever Made



Paid a bit more attention to the gauge and measurements this time. This one I made for me. Too bad I discovered I don't like turtlenecks. I wore it once or twice...just couldn't take the turtleneck.

If you can't tell yet, I have a problem matching sweaters to intended wearers. Sigh.


And finally, the Last Sweater I Ever Made



I splurged on the yarn. 80% wool, 20% acrylic...and lots of money ( I made all these sweaters while I was in college). Had to give up some necessaries to afford it, but it was worth it. Couldn't ever wear it without something in between it and my skin (this is where i first found out about the wool sensitivities) and also...it was such a dense fabric, and I lived in Texas, and I don't think it ever got cold enough for me to ever wear it in Texas - even though we lived in Dallas. And dudes...it does get very cold in Dallas.

Close up detail of the Cables



I'm very proud of this sweater. My first attempt at cables....Look how purdy they are! All nice and even and stuff.

And...I've actually worn it, and see? It does fit.



I was in Chicago at the time - during Winter. And Dudes, it did get cold enough to wear this sweater there...still, I only lasted all of about 15 minutes in it. Nice feathered wings (circa 1986 ish).

Why bring these out now?!? Well, I was looking through my photo boxes for other photos, and I found them. I knew I had taken them way back when...just didn't know where they were...

From looking at these, I realize...yeah, I can knit sweaters. The first two sweaters left a bit to be desired...OK, maybe a lot - they pretty much sucked. But the last sweater I made was pretty darn good. It fit me perfectly, the seams actually looked good, and it looked half ass good on.

Which makes me very sad now, since I no longer have it. At least I don't think so. Haven't seen it for years. I probably gave it away when I finally gave up the first two - probably 'cause it was too thick for me to wear. Wish I would have kept it anyway. Could have pulled it out every now and then whenever my knitting confidence faultered.

At least I have the photos left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for the second blast... Cute kids!!!!



Spencer and Autumn circa 1997. It was Autumn's b-day party. Look Autumn's Mom...I found them!!!!

Here's Spencer, Autumn and G (another close friend's son - all the Moms hung out and caused trouble...so did the kids...)



Click over here to see what Autumn looks like now...

And here's what Spencer looks like as-of-this-very-moment-'cause-I-just-took-the-picture (my handsome young man):



Teens....Lord help us...

Now taking donations for sanity...anybody got any extra? I'm gonna need some really soon...

J gave me this link in the comments...

...go read it now....lovely words about knitting...from a knitter in Alaska.

Still waiting on my Wee Tiny Sock to arrive...can't wait to see it! Haven't heard yet from Emily if she's gotten the one I sent her yet.

Been dealing with some kind of bug here lately. It's hit hard...making me all weak and stuff at the most inopportune times of the day...like when I'm swamped at work and should be working my bum off. Gah.

Comments to comments:

Thanks for all the lovely notes about my new 'do...I just LOVE. IT.

I think I'll just not say anything about the whole "how much you're worth in bed". If I say anything, I'll just get myself in trouble...none of you will believe me if I say I'm just 'normal' anyway.

Because I saw it* and couldn't resist...

Congratulations, you're worth MORE in bed than the average ($225.19774479592) person taking this quiz!
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I'm in the wrong profession? hahaha

*I saw it here and just had to do it.

I've been busy...

Hey everyone,

I have been thinking about posting more trip stuff and more other stuff that's been going on (honestly)...can you say there has been knitting in the house? Booyah. Unfortunately, I have only had time to think of it. Just plain Booo! Going to make an effort this weekend though.

I still have lots of stuff still trapped in the camera to show you...

And Thursday, I snuck out for an hour to do this...




That's about 6 inches off my friends, and I absolutely love my new 'do! Still all curly and wavy and stuff, but a lot less of the bulk.

Perfect for Spring.

Next up? Why painted toes of course! It's sandal wearing time out here in California!!!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee...

..or should I say Weeeeeeeeeeeee....

The swap begins folks! I'm so excited too.

My swap pal is Emily from PA. She has a blog and an Etsy shop.

Hi Emily...I hope you like the sock I'll make you. It's my first. It'll probably take me alllll weekend, in-between life of course, but I will get it done.

Think I'll make a pair, so I can have one here as well...they will be, after all, my first!

Time to get those needles clicking!!!!

Hurry! Only one day left!!!!

There she goes with the !!!!!!!s again. !!!!

As seen on Lime and Violet's Daily Chum, sign up's for the Wee Tiny Sock Swap end tomorrow....go HERE, sign up...you know you want to...

I'm knitting a Wee Tiny Sock this weekend!!

Finally popping the cherry on my sock knitting...it won't hurt, right? I'm starting out small - you know...just in case... (oh, i just had to...you know I did...haven't had any double-meaning/dirty knitted terms in forever)

Just wait until you hear the name of my sock pose. No-Blog-Rachel, you're going to love it.

Gah...

Well, I sure as hell ain't doing very well with this here posting more often thing, am I...sigh...

Actually, I have been quite busy...more like running all around and being so tired, I just don't feel like doing anything but going to bed once the sun goes down...

Anyway...The Honey has reminded me that I forgot to tell about Immigration once I got off the plane in England.

Not really much to tell, but sure as hell wish I had a photo of the guys face when I answered the infamous "Are you here on business or pleasure Miss?" with "I'm here on vacation!"

In England.

In February.

And...it's snowing.

Yes, I got quite "A Look".

An "Are you completely and utterly MAD, as in INSANE?" kind of look.

He was actually speechless there for a few seconds. I think I was only one of about a dozen or so US citizens from the plane. Everyone else were Brits returning home. The other US folks were there on business, or visiting family - there was even one family going to a funeral (really hated hearing that...).

But I was on VACATION!!!

After the usual grilling about where I was staying and all that, he finally let me pass. "Welcome to the UK Miss, urmmm...Enjoy your stay?"

Oh, and Stephieface....in answer to your comment about why I couldn't knit on the way home. Yes, they do knit in England. BUT, obviously, English Knitters are subversive folk hell bent on taking over the world - in an even worse way than I am. No sharp objects whatsoever, in any shape or form, are allowed on any flights leaving the UK. Knitting needles are first on the list.

How not to travel light....

In the interest of posting more...and the fact that I've been at this work thing since 6am...and the lawn dudes are making an enormous racket outside my window...and it's time for lunch...

Here I am.

Thought I'd fill you in on what part of the Chaos I took with me to England. Thankfully, there are no photos.

One look inside my suitcase and you'd think...wow, this chick is organized. I had just the right amount of clothes...taking into account the fact that The Honey has laundry facilities, I packed light. And it was all packed - just so. Can't keep my apartment clear of clutter, but I sure as hell can pack!!!

If I was just taking over my clothes, I could have gotten away with one of those rolling carry-on thingies. Instead, I had a pretty big suitcase - which ended up weighing in at just 3lbs. under the allowable weight. What else did I bring?

Glad you asked...

Packed inside the suitcase were some goodies to spoil my Honey:

1. Five shirts I'd found at all the sales that Spencer and I had been hitting over the Holidays. (blue and gray of course, to set off his blue eyes - sappy, I know...)
2. One pound of Honey's fav coffee beans.
3. One 3lb container of just-add-water pancake mix.
4. Four small bottles of Vitamin Water in Honey's fav flavors. Originally had more, but those suckers really added to the weight factor, so had to leave half of them here.

Also packed inside were some things to give to my friend:

1. Chili Spices Kit (she's from Texas...loves her Chili)
2. Spanish rice mix
3. Taco seasoning packet
4. Sloppy Joe's seasoning packet
5. And a few more seasoning packets I can't really remember

The Honey just cracked up when I started unpacking - pulling out item after item after item... "Did you actually bring any clothes?"

And the last bit of stuff in the suitcase was my extra duffle bag (in case extra packing room was needed on the way home, for umm - YARN?), toiletry overflow (anything larger than 3oz), my small messenger bag (great for doing the touristy thing), and stuff for the return flights.

In the backpack (yes, it's pretty big):

1. Small baggie of toiletries (nothing over 3oz of course)
2. Change of undies, shirt, and socks.
3. Camera
4. Various and sundry chargers and converters
5. Cell Phone
6. Wallet, passport, tix, and all that sort of stuff
7. 3 word search puzzle magazines
8. Notebook and pens
9. Yarn, needles and pattern for fingerless mitts
10. Yarn, needles and book about socks
11. 1 very thick novel
12. 1 small stained glass cable car hanging thing for the Honey's parents
13. 2 small boxes of See's Assorted Candies (bought at the SF Airport - just couldn't pass them by and knew my friend and my Honey would enjoy them - OK OK...I WANTED them! Happy now?!?)
14. 1 bottle of water that would need to be consumed before going thru security (no problem, drank it on the way to the airport)
15. 1 adventurous Sock Monkey
16. 1 shy and frightened Ms. Cow
17. 1 light purple Pashmina shawl (wrap yourself in one of these suckers on the plane...mmmm...much better than those crap blankets they give you)

For the trip back and packed in my suitcase:

1. The first 3 Terry Pratchett Discworld Novels
2. 3 more word search puzzle magazines
3. Various and sundry British gossip magazines and tabloids (these were bought while I was there, obviously, so ignore them for now)
4. Plus most of everything else from before, minus the knitting of course (not allowed on flights leaving the UK)

What did I actually do on the way there? I did, after all, have two long flights and a layover...

1. Did one word search puzzle in the SF airport.
2. Roamed around the SF airport (yes, I was nervous and restless).
3. Took a few photos on the flight to Chicago. Couldn't really move, so couldn't really do anything. (Good thing I'm not claustrophobic.)
4. Roamed around the Chicago airport playing with the toilets and watching it snow and watching people (at this point I was VERY nervous and restless).
5. Cast on for the fingerless mitts before getting on the flight to England.
6. Knit, slept, screwed up knitting, slept some more...didn't watch the movies.
7. Carried around a big ass backpack that weighed a freakin' ton!!!!
8. Thought how ridiculous I felt carrying around a big ass backpack full of stuff I wasn't using.
9. Thought that with all the stuff I wasn't doing, I could have packed what I needed in my Trader Joe's reusable grocery bag...sigh...

I'll fill you in later about the trip home...