WIP - the Quick as a Flash Blanket for Spencer

Thought I'd fill you all in on my hookin' progress...




It's going so fast, Kitty almost got whiplash!!!!

It's going so fast that since I took this photo, just on Tuesday night I think...it's grown about a foot. Or so. And I'm almost out of yarn.

So you know what that means. A trip to Jo-Ann's is in order very soon - I predict the day after payday. hahaha

Anyway, I'm almost done with the first two balls of the Jo-Ann's Sensations Rainbow Boucle that I am using. I haven't decided on how much more I'm going to get. I'll either get just one more and work double stranded from both ends of the ball - which is the knitting version of burning one candle at both ends - a surefire way to get totally tangled! Or, I'll get two more giant balls and pull from center on both. At the same time. Cos that what you do when you hold two strands together.

Quizz later.

I guess I'll figure that all out once I've come to the end of what I've got now - see where I am with the length.

There is no pattern for this blanket. I'm holding two strands together and using a very large crochet hook. I made a base chain until it was as wide as my double bed and now I'm just single crocheting every row (with a double crochet row thrown in here and there) until I think it's big enough. :)

What I do know is that it's very soft and squishy and warm. :)


Oh, and I've cast on for Honey's socks. Again.

FO - Uncle Argyle Scarf

From Son of Stitch 'N Bitch

TAAAAADAAAAAAAA!!! Photos of Spencer modeling at the bus stop on the way home.






Details on Ravelry - yes, I've actually updated Ravelry with a project! Wonders never cease...I'll be adding more as I find photos and notes of other projects already completed. I'm going to try and keep up with adding things as I start them - it's not as time consuming or hard as I thought it would be...

For those not on Ravelry, here's the quick and dirty.

Yarn used was Knit Picks Swish DK in Cinnamon (brown) and Skyborne (blue) colors. Three balls of each. Size 5 bamboo straights.

This sucker is 6" wide x 84" inches long.

Let me tell you...that's a shitload of double knit!!!!

As much as I loved working this pattern, I really don't think I'll ever do it again. It was a bit too much - it was tough going thru the middle, but once I got over that, I cranked on it 'til it was done. I will do double knit again, just in something smaller. A lot smaller! :)

The pattern was easy to follow once I got the hang of reading the chart (first time using a chart!) and switching colors back and forth.

Spence loves it - it's warm and the 100% Merino is very soft on his skin - we are both wool sensitives, but we can handle Merino wool.

Ze Scarf, she is done...oooh la la

I am happy to report that I finished Spencer's Argyle scarf last night...well...technically this morning as it was 2am before I finally sent myself off to bed (I actually finished just before 1:30am, but by the time I finally stopped admiring it and went off to bed, well...).

I just couldn't NOT finish it last night, I was sooooo close.

So I just sucked it up and stayed up until it was done.

Not like that was all that difficult as I am quite the night owl - my usual bedtime is midnight.

I am so proud of what I have done. First time attempting double knitting! First time attempting an argyle pattern! First scarf made out of wool for Spencer!

I did it!!! No pictures just yet as I will not present it to him until tomorrow afternoon. I promise photographic evidence of the scarf tomorrow night with Spencer modeling!

He is so excited to get it.

Major Mom points earned. MAJOR.

He's even texted me: "I LUV YOU MOM - THANKS FOR MAKING THE SCARF"

It was worth all the late nights and working thru all those firsts to make it (the going got rough there in the middle). He def loves it and hasn't even seen the finished product yet. That is all a knitter can hope for...that their handmade gift and the work it took to make it is appreciated.

Sniff.

Sammie Sunday and the Unhappy Hooker

These were taken last night about 1am-ish, so yeah, technically it was Sunday!

Here we have Ms Sammie "helping" again...but hey, you're not supposed to sit inside the project bag!!!



Yeah, this is what made the "Hooker" unhappy. I was trying to crochet and there she is INSIDE my project bag, with her bad, white, fluffy self daring me to pull out more yarn.



Well, we all know how this ended...she was banished from the bag so I could work more on a blanket project. It's a double-stranded (two yarns held together, nothing fancy) and crocheted using a GINORMOUS hook. That thing is mondo gigantic. I love it. The blanket is as wide as my double-sized bed and already about 7 or 8 inches along. Love giant hooks, love giant stitches, love how quickly this blanket is going.

Another thing to make the "Hooker" unhappy...I've frogged the Random Acts of Acrylic blanket. I'm just not doing something correctly along the left edge. The right edge is perfect, but the left edge is just totally W-R-O-N-G! Have to take another look at the how-to's and then try again. This time on something smaller as that blanket would have taken FOREVER to finish. I still want to make a blanket though with all that acrylic and I still want to do the Tunisian crochet. I'm thinking squares of it put together...like a Granny Square blanket. Maybe strips. Dunno. We'll see.

In the meantime, I've started on the giant stitch crochet blanket, and the few acrylic balls I was using for the Tunisian crochet project are sitting at the bottom of my argyle scarf project bag, thinking about what they want to be.

Oh, and the scarf?

28 pattern repeats my friends. YAY ME!!! Depending on how you look at it...I could have either 4 or 6 left. Four would get me to the estimated 32 I needed for "perfect length". Six will get me (or should get me) to the end of this current set of yarn balls (2 more repeats or 28 more rows, that's nuttin', right?). Right now, I'm so excited about actually working on such a cool pattern again (and it is despite my recent whining), that I just might work it til the ends of the balls. I hope to have it finished by the time Spencer comes back from spending time at his Dad's - Wednesday. I can do it!!!!

My Straight A Boy needs his warm scarf - especially since we've got a cold front or two headed our way!

Calgon...take me away...Seriously! Please, take me away...

To say that I am very happy it's Friday is an understatement.

This week has been rough.

I've had the sinus issues from hell, headaches included...oh the aching head...Sigh.

Work has been hard to do and just plain hard...just can't get all that excited when you've got one foot out the door, know what I mean? Especially when you'll be working your fingers to the bone until the other foot makes it out the door. Sigh.

My favorite hair stylist has fallen off the face of the earth. Short version, I have been very bad and haven't been for a haircut since last March. Decided I should get my hair done all nice for the impending interviews. No salon, no Chris, no forwarding info left on the window. All long gone. Sigh.

Another friend got laid off today. And more friends fearing the worst. Sigh.

Every mainenance worker that ever lived, has been right outside my apartment window today. It's usually quite noisy round these parts during the day. But today has taken the cake. We've had tree dudes here this week with chainsaws trimming the big pines scattered throughout the complex. Today they have been right outside my window. All day.




I have been listening to saws and the chipper thing. All. Day. Long. SIGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH.

Not to mention, the carpet cleaners with their noisy van. Oh and the complex is having the pool resurfaced. Yeah, that truck makes a shitload of noise too. Sigh.

Oh, and the ever present Leaf Blower Dudes. Rain or shine those asses are here with their stupid leaf blowers. Haven't you blown everything away... YET?!??!?!?!

SIGH.

OH...AND HAVEN'T ANY OF YOU NOTICED IT'S FREAKIN' RAINING?!?!?!?!?! HELLO! RAINING!!!!!!

Yes, the headache is getting worse. And I can't even go lay down and relax cos I'm on the corner and one side is the pool and carpet trucks, the other is the chipper, saws, and blowers.

So yeah, Calgon...come take me away from the madness!!!

Oh and the cat slept thru it all! The NERVE!!!!

Gah.

Knitting on the argyle scarf continues...still...23 of 30 or so repeats done. Remember when I first started and said I needed to do 16 repeats? Yeah, Donna and her brilliant Maths strike again.

Shouldn't be allowed to play with pointy sticks. Really, I shouldn't.

I'm trying to see the bright side here...more than half way done. Not working. Sigh. and GAH.

Distracted

Your Moon is in Taurus (from MSN Astrology)

On the day you were born, the Moon was in Taurus. A sensuous nature, a calm temperament, and a mellow spirit are some of the wonderful gifts that the Moon in earthy Taurus bestows upon you. Emotionally, you are very serene, and your feelings don't fluctuate like a roller coaster ride. You bring a steady influence to your relationships, and your friends and lovers know they can count on your loyalty.

Sammie Sunday, Superbowl Edition

Not.

Sammie doesn't like football.

But it seems that she may indeed like my latest project.

Here she is giving it a preliminary inspection.



I call it "Random Acts of Acrylic"




I picked up a Tunisian Crochet hook at the January Sock Club gathering/shopping meet-up and am using random balls of all the acrylic I've managed to find so far stashed in boxes all over the apartment.

This Tunisian Crochet technique uses 3 different colors at once. You can read more about it here.


Anyway, I've got about 50 billion or so random balls of acrylic in a big bag (showed you all only 45 of them on my birthday this past summer, remember?). Once I run out of a color, I pick one out of the Big Bag. So far so good, as this is turning out a lot better than I expected. It's very colorful, and well, Random! I should have enough acrylic balls to make either one humongous blanket or several small ones. Not sure which just yet. All I know is, it's easy and definitely mindless - very good to work on after I've been working on my harder project (the Argyle Scarf).

Right now, this one seems to be about a lap size blankie (I just made a base chain and kept going until I got tired of making one - don't know how many stitches cos I didn't count). Can always pick up stitches along one (or both) side(s) once I get it to length if I'm not happy with the width. And like the tutorial says, it does curl a lot, so I'll be crocheting some sort of edging round the whole shebang once I get it to where I want it.

I don't expect this one to be completed until next winter as I plan to work on it whenever I feel the spirit move me...very randomly...hee hee hee...

Some sort of nesting going on....

...or should I say hoarding...

Anyway, I've been busy this week.

Emotionally, it's been a roller coaster.

Wow, this is my chance to switch careers. OMG, PANIC! What in the hell am I going to do if I don't do software? Everything is going to be OK, relax, you have until May 15th. Do I REALLY have until May 15th? OMG, PANIC! Seriously, I'm OK with this...it's time to move on.

Etc etc etc.

Getting very tired of it.

Any moment now, I suspect my head will start spinning and I'll be spewing tonight's dinner (tortellini with garlic marinara sauce by the way - was yum on the way down).

Everything else-wise...I've had a friend's car for the week while he and his wife were out of town (you know who you are - THANKS!!!) All I had to do was drop them off at the airport and pick them up when they got back - and make sure to fill up the tank, of course. :)

Boy, am I glad I really don't have a car. On the one hand, it was wonderfully convenient. On the other, I've become a lazy-ass shop-a-holic. And that was just the first two damn days. Good grief. Was teasing my friend via text that his car was costing me a fortune!!!! ha ha ha ha ha

I did manage to get some long overdue errands done that I've been putting off for the longest time and Spencer, Antonella and I went to shops and restaurants that we wouldn't normally go to on bus or bike. We used the car wisely...hee hee. And as much as I'm calling myself a lazy ass, I really didn't use it as much as I could have...Just the weekend and a few nights out for dinner.

As for the hoarding, well, since I did have a car, I hit the stores and stocked up on toiletries, cleaning stuff, cat litter, etc. The biggest containers I could get my hands on too. Several of each. Why not.

It cost me a big chunk of change, but one part of me said, "You got the car, take advantage of it, you are running out of everything." The other part of me said, "Stock up now while you still got the chunks of change. That way you won't have to worry about it later."

Then I got it all home and said "Where the hell am I going to put it?!?"

Worked that out.

Been reading again.

And doing a bit of organizing. Thinking of dusting off the Job Basket again. Yes, I've been ignoring it since the Holidays. Well, DUH. Is anyone really all that surprised I slacked off. Chaos. Hello.

Been ignoring my bike...she is feeling very neglected. Maybe Spencer will be successful in getting me out on her this weekend. We're going to continue with the clear weather/sunshine, need to take advantage of it!

Been knitting as much as I can on Spencer's argyle scarf that no matter how long it gets, it's still not long enough. Been knitting on that damned thing since November (ACK) and it's STILL not done. This is the last time I'm using such a complicated technique on such a looooooong project.

Feel free to remind me I just said that when I announce I've decided to make a double knitted argyle queen sized afghan - cos you know I'll forget all about the argyle scarf from hell and decide to do something completely and utterly stupid like that...sigh.

It stopped being "fun" and "cool" about 6 pattern repeats ago. I'm currently at 20. I've estimated that I need to do 33.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

You know, I thought when I first signed in that I've got nothing to say, why am I even here...and then stuff just started spewing forth.

Guess we're all just really lucky it's not the tortellini with marinara sauce, eh?

Herrrrrrrrreeeee Kitty Kitty....

...check out the KitKat Clock on the side...

Best thing? I have one just like it in my kitchen. hee hee hee

Sammie Sunday...Dinner Edition...

Don't bother me woman...I'm eating!

Fighting the urge to dive into a pint of Ben and Jerry's

Why? I'm being "tranisitioned out" of my company. My last day is May 15th.

Last Friday, one of five in my group was laid off. Today, myself and another team member were transitioned. He leaves the end of February.

Our boss is no longer a boss, he is back coding.

There are two folks left for the long run - we think. We still haven't heard from them.

We all got suspicious after the Holidays when our boss asked for a "Skills Set/Experience" thing.

In software, it means only one thing. Downsizing and you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth.

With no cavities, you'd think my teeth would be a lot stronger.

Anyway, after watching things like this happen to everyone else for the last 9 years I've been in this software company (and all past lives thereof), it was only a matter of time before it happened to me. Sooner or later your luck runs out.

Guess who's not going to the Casino this weekend.

What to do now. For now, I continue on...start getting myself and my resume in order and see what's out there.

Maybe now I'll lose some weight...have to so I can fit into my "interview" clothes. :)

Was just joking with Honey. I'll call it the "Transition Diet", write a book and make a fortune.

Maybe I'll reinvent myself and switch careers. What was the name of that book AmpuT?

Commenting on Comments...

...in the comments.

Was trying to comment in blog posts and stuff, but by the time I read the comments, then drag myself into blogger to write up a new post, well, the thought is gone, so I'm going to make comments immediately right then and there...right where you made your original comments.

Seems the easiest thing for me to do and now it won't seem like I'm ignoring anyone. :)

Reality

Today while out and about enjoying the lovely weather, Antonella, Spencer and I came across a very long line.

We were very curious to see what the line was for, so we followed it along.

Further and further we went...people of all types waiting in line. We thought maybe it was to get into a new shop...a book signing maybe? Someone famous?

When we got to the front... it was a line to apply for jobs at the CheeseCake Factory that will be opening soon in downtown Walnut Creek.

Goosebumps covered my body and a chill went down my spine. I really can't explain it, but I felt so strange seeing all these people in line. Like the bad economy was "real". Now, don't get me wrong, I know it's REAL. I've been living my life for so long watching every penny, cutting corners where I could. Living as simply as I could, buying second hand, nothing if it's not on sale or discounted...my lifestyle has not changed because of the bad economy. More and more other folks I know are starting to live as I have lived for a long time. It's second hat to me, so it was nothing "new".

You know how you see on TV, long lines to apply for jobs. The economy is bad, so retirees are going back to work, etc etc etc. It was always surreal, in another world. It's so different to see it in real life.

We looked back along the line. People of all ages, dressed all different ways, from suits to casual, young mothers with babies, teens, people of retirement age. There were so many. All lining up to fill out a form and take their chances to work at a restaurant. So many more people than there were jobs to fill.

(Not sure if I've explained myself here, pardon my brain barf.)

Last minute Sammie Sunday

See that lump? That's Sammie...asleep under my duvet.

Hmmmmm....

....I have decided I need to get out more...

I've just updated my Training Log over at MyFitness.com and it's waaaaaaaay too empty. Not enough little stick man walking icons or stick man cycling icons. And that's with adding all the times Honey and I went out while he was here. He left and the activity ended (get your minds out of the gutter!).

Sigh.

I don't like seeing an empty training calendar...must put more icons on it!!!!!

No more excuses...the bug is gone...out I go!!!! No more lolly-gagging on the couch feeling sorry for myself.

NOTE: I have gone out both yesterday and today, so I have been trying these past few days. Day off tomorrow...I'm out again!!!

Miracles Do Happen...

This is just amazing...

Now, if I could only get rid of this stomach bug that's been hanging on since Monday. Thank God I work at home - 'nuf said.

Some knitting on the Argyle Scarf happening, a new blanket project started. Both of these projects are pretty cool and I enjoy working on them.

No bike riding happening...which is a real damn shame because the weather is just AWESOME!!! Poor Sgt. Puff sits lonely and neglected out on the porch...sigh.

I sit inside at my computer working and wishing I was outside with the wind in my braids...SIGH.

OMG OMG OMG

OH

MY

GOD....


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT to make this.... click thru if you like Dr. Who

New Thing....Sammie on Sunday

Hi Everyone! I've come up with something new....

Sammie on Sunday

Sammie is my 15yr old Cat...my little Princess Kitty and Spencer's big Sis. :)

So now, for every Sunday, I will feature a photo of my kitty doing whatever she is doing on that Sunday.

For this first one, I'll put a few photos I've take over the last week and one I took when I first got my phone. These today are all phone photos, so forgive if they are blurry or whatever.

Everyone, this is Sammie, Sammie - this is everyone.



Here she is snoozing (her fav activity) on my comforter. Camouflage...she's doin' it right.



Here she is helping me knit last night - or was it Friday night? I sit up in bed, turn on the heated blanket and sit and knit while it warms up the bed. Sammie likes to "help".



Here we are Wednesday night - the day Honey left. Sitting on the couch feeling sorry for ourselves and just a bit cranky.

We're the Knitting Mafia - don't mess with us, we're bad ass and have pointy sticks!



Good heavens! We're scary looking...

Up and Out and Getting Back to Life

Well, guess that means I am out of the Self-Pity-Pit. Party's over!

Still sad about Honey being back in the UK - he made it safely BTW. We are chatting a bit online before he zombie walks off to bed. He's trying to stay awake until bedtime (it'll be an early bedtime, but at least the sun will have been set for a few hours).

But...I'm getting back into the swing of things. Have to... no choice. There's a kid to take care of, work to be done, and well, a whole basket full of jobs, and a shitload of knitting to be done, etc etc etc...

This time of year, people make resolutions. I don't. Just more deadlines that I can't keep to...and more unnecessary pressure on myself. I have enough stress with normal life - don't need to add any more.

What do I do? Well nothing about resolutions really. I mean, I do stuff as I get to it - there is no sitting idly in the Chaos, but I don't set expectations for myself. Only sets me up for major disappointment when I don't do what I wanted. Life is always interrupting here in the Chaos - we have learned to "Go with the flow".

I know the things that I want to do in the back of my head. I keep them there, safely filed away. There are personal things, project things, organizing things....life things. If I write them down or say them aloud - life usually steps in and ruins my plans. Sometimes things have to be put out there in the Universe - most of those are personal and they get "put out". The others? I pull them out as I can and take care of things here and there - that's how we roll in the Chaos.

Things get done - sometimes quickly, most of the time not so quickly. But they get done. And when they are done, I will toot my horn and tell you all about it. :)

That's my view on resolutions. At least that's what it started out as....sigh.

Giving in...

....sigh....

Honey left this morning so I'm feeling a bit down...so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wallow down here at the bottom of the Honey-left-this-morning-blues-pit-of-self-pity for a bit. Have been trying to keep myself from sliding down into it all day, but gah - it's too much work - and it won't hurt to wallow a bit today.

Don't worry. I brought knitting. And cinammon pita chips.

And I won't be down here very long. Spencer comes back over to my place tonight - we've got lots to do - I'll have to claw my way up from the pit whether I like it or not.

In the meantime...check out this home made light box while I'm off wallowing. Spencer and I have been wanting to make one for a while and this one I found over at the Craftzine.com blog seems to be the most clever one yet - and cheapest.

Even before it was Xmas, my true love made for me....

....a recycled bike rack for my balcony......

Once Ms Puffy went on her merry way (sniff), we still had 3 bikes to store on the back porch (balcony). My bike can't stand on it's own on the kickstand (it's just too heavy for it now with all the added "armor" as Spencer calls my baskets), the kickstand just doesn't work on Spencer's, and while Honey's bike can stand on it's kickstand, well... there just isn't any room for all of them.

Off we go to Sports stores, Target, Bike Stores. Didn't have anything I could use out on the porch that didn't either suspend the bikes from the ceiling, hang them on the wall or cost an arm and a leg.

Switch to Honey and Me standing out on the porch looking at all the crap that's out there (don't forget to read all Honey's parts with an English accent)...

Me: I really need to get rid of all this crap out here. We need to make some space for the bikes.
Honey: It can wait sweetheart.
Me: We need room for the bikes, it's gotta go. Now.
Honey: Hmmmmmmm...
Me: When Spencer gets home the two of you can take those old drawer things down to the dumpster. I've been wanting to take them down forever, but just never get around to it.

(The drawers were something I got free from the Thrift Store. They were 3 separate drawers, each in their own 'box' thing. I had brought them home, stacked, and screwed them together, then added wheels and Spencer used it as art supply/toy storage when he was little. They were now dismantled and out on the porch, gathering dirt and dust and piled up against the far wall annoying me.)

Honey (grabbing one and standing it on end): I think I can use these to make you a bike rack. Sure you don't want them for anything else?

Me: I was ready to throw them out, do whatever you want.

Honey: Where are your tools sweetheart?

Add tools...


Gratuitous Honey Bum Shot...


Drawers taken out and dismantled, holes cut where wheels can roll in, the whole lot screwed together (conveniently there were 3 drawers for our 3 bikes - it was meant to be).


TAAADAAAAA!!!!


Spencer's bike in the rack...


Close up of the drawer sides screwed on to stabilize the rack...


All the bikes parked and Happy! From the left, Honey's bike, Spencer's bike and Sgt. Puff aka the "Tank "


More bum shots just to make it fair...


Kitty's little bum didn't escape Honey's camera either...


And now, a trip to the hardware store for some "Ooops" paint. I'm going to scrub it clean and paint it nice and purty-like once the weather warms up and dries out.

I LOVE our new bike rack. The bikes fit in perfect and it all just works so wonderfully and Honey made it - custom, just for us.

Making the rack kept Honey busy while I worked, he got to use power tools on his vacation, and the whole thing was made from stuff I had around the apartment - we didn't buy anything to make it - anything! So that makes it free!

Thanks so much HONEY!!!

I think I'll keep you. SMOOOOCH!

Merry Christmas from the Chaos!!!

Our Chaos Tree...decorated while watching my new DVD of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...you know...the Burl Ives narrated, animated one...



"We are Santa's Elves...Filling Santa's Shelves...."
"Lots of toys for good girls and boys..."
"OHHHHH...We are Santa's Elves!!!"

And now I can't get that doggone song out of my head...meanwhile Honey and Spencer are merrily shooting the living daylights out of each other on the Xbox.

And off I go to cook our Xmas dinner while merrily humming that stupid little tune. It was cute last night...

Boobie Tuesday, Special Edition

Have you fondled your boobies today? If not, you might want to... (or have someone else do it for you - hey, it has to be done, why not enjoy it?!?)

Don't forget, most important!!!

• Monthly self-exams
• Yearly Mammograms

Why do I bring this up now?

Funny you should ask.

I'll tell you.

Mid-November I was doing my own self-exam and found a tender lump.

A few days later was my yearly exam/physical. Doc takes a touchie feelie, yep, it's a lump alright. Sends me off with orders for a diagnostic mammogram.

Day before Thanksgiving, I'm getting all squished. Wait here while we check the films.

Step this way for an ultrasound, we need a better look. Wait here while we check the images.

Recommendation: biopsy

Cry on the way home. On the bus. It was raining.

Doc calls me back that afternoon with the name of some breast cancer surgeons.

Make appointment. J - That's where I was coming back from when you saw me going thru Heather Farms. I had just finished my consultation appointment with the surgeon and had found out exactly what I was up against.

Recommendation: Ultrasound guided needle core biopsy. We'll call hospital tomorrow and send over all your films and images. We'll call you when that's done so you can call them and set up an appointment.

December 18th, Honey and I bundled off to the hospital so I could have my procedure. It turned out a bit different than expected and now I have a small metal marker in my boob** - put there just in case they had to go back in for more. Oh, and we'll need to get a mammogram to mark the spot and record you have that in there. Gee. Thanks. You poke big fat needles in my boob and now you're going to squish it. Sigh. OK, you're all set - your surgeon will have the results at the earliest Monday.

Friday: soreness, occasional pain. Waiting.

Saturday: soreness. More waiting.

Sunday: We go out for a bike ride in the rain. The whole time this whole "is it bad or nothing" hanging over my head as I wait.

Monday: More waiting.

Tuesday morning: Results at last. I have good news for you. Nothing to worry about.

Easy for you to say. I wasn't the only one going thru this and my family, Honey, and a few very close friends have been waiting just as impatiently as I have. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a month.

I was in Target when I got the news. I cried tears of relief in the Target bathroom. And then again on the way back to the bus stop.

So Please, everyone. Do the needful and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Make sure everyone has all their yearly exams and tests.

Luckily for me, the news was good. There are so many others where it is not.

I am happy to say that on the 11th 'anniversary' of when my Mother was diagnosed with colon cancer, I was not diagnosed with breast cancer.

We've had full days since Honey arrived. Out on the bikes and going all about and stuff. Now I hope I can FINALLY enjoy things and get into the Holiday spirit. And maybe now I'll be in the mood to decorate for Xmas.

I just haven't wanted to do anything.

** My first reaction was...is it made of plastic? Will it dissolve? Metal?!? Will it set off security alarms at the airport? NO?!?!?!?! wtf. What's the point in having something metal in your boob if it doesn't set off the scanners and embarrass the hell out of the poor soul unlucky enough to wand you. THAT'S NO FUN!!!! At least I got a laugh out of the ladies poking me with needles and stuff.

Now we can enjoy Honey's visit...

Hi All!

Honey made it here in one piece and has been very patient as I work out this week. As of 5pm today, tho, I'm on Xmas Vacation! YAY!

Today we took a long lunch and walked over to our favorite bike shop and purchased a used bike for Honey. We got a great deal. Once Honey heads back home, Spencer will be able to use it to ride around with me on the weekends. It's a very nice bike and the same type of one that was stolen from the BART station, only a newer model.

Honey has been spending his time working on a loaner bike we got from Spencer's Dad. It's a piece of crap bike that needed some chain oil and some brake ajustments. Honey has wonderfully done that and will test it out tomorrow.

Tomorrow is filled with bike testing, taking some stuff for donation, Spencer's soccer game and if there's any energy left - we will put up the Xmas tree and decorate up the apartment.

Sunday morning will hopefully be weather friendly enough for us all to hop on the bikes and hit the trail for a morning pit stop at Peet's and then a stop at Sports Basement to get some more locks and see what other sort of essential bike accessories we just have to have. hee hee

I am just so excited to get us all out and on bikes together. Going to have lots of fun.

Now all we need is Mother Nature to cooperate with some lovely weather.

J: We don't mind the rain. And yes, I was riding thru Heather Farms last Thursday, hope I didn't cut you off or anything. Was my first time riding in the darkness. Yes, my hair is long and I had it in braids. Did you notice my bright coral pink jacket?

PANNNNNNNNIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not really, but I'm am about to start the last minute running about, cleaning, laundry, and general panic that comes before someone visits. Especially before Honey visits. He arrives TOMORROW NIGHT!

Gulp. So much to do still.

Still working on Pay It Forward Gifts. Yes they are late. But they are done, all I have to do is some finishing and I can send them off.

Finally back to knitting on SPencer's argyle double-knit scarf. God, I love this project! Definitely going to have to do some more - probably not projects as big as a scarf, but I just gotta do more! Four pattern repeats done, about 12 more to go...sigh.

Rode the bike a few times, then the rain started. I'm going to still ride in the cold tho. I'm still deciding on the rain. Oh, speaking of keeping warm on the bike, I found a club on Ravelry for bike riders. Lots of helpful advice and awesome ideas and patterns I'm definitely going to try.

It's been hard getting myself to do anything, but I think I'm getting back into stride.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some online donations to get to...

A wonderfully pleasant surprise...

You know, I really thought this weekend was going to suck.

There was lots of stuff planned...most of it planned not by me...as in if I had a choice, I wouldn't have done it.

All potentially wearing me out (more like burning me out) before MY only choice for the weekend happened.

SURPRISE!!! I enjoyed everything. And I even got in an unplanned shopping event!!!

I'm a bit worn out now...but I sure had a wonderful weekend.

And, good heavens, I really needed it.

Weekend started Friday night with me totally cranking that the weekend was going to suck. I don't normally do stuff like that because, well, attitude is everything, right?

Saturday, up bright and early after sleeping like crap. Kitty makes noise, I yell at Kitty to shut her pie hole, kid takes that as sign Mom is up for the day. No...it's before 8am on a Saturday for criminy's sake. go away....both of you. Take this as a sign that the weekend is TOTALLY going to SUCK, moan, roll over and try to go back to sleep.

Epic Fail...get up 20 min later.

Once I have breakfast in me, feel much better, chat with Honey online, lunch comes round, time to head out.

Xmas party first, then Soccer game with Spencer.

Take early bus after hearing bestest friend complain about her bus never showing up...dudes...it never. showed. up. She waited over an hour until one finally came.

Thinking again...gah...today is totally going to SUCK.

Early bus on time, BART train on time, get to designated ride meetup time early. Emerge from Downtown Oakland BART station to the music of several marching bands.

WTF?

hahahahahahahahahaha....Oakland's Holiday Parade!!!! hahahahahahahahaha

Quickly dial ride and say we have to meet on other non-blocked- off street around here, where you at? Craziness ensues, we meet ride, all is well. Much laughter follows.

Xmas party is a lot better than I thought - I knew more people this year, have good time chatting...and I even had a beer.

Head off to soccer game....beer wears off as we wait, and wait and wait for game to start.

Game starts, boys win 6-4. Happy kids, happy parents. Have accepted that we've missed last bus home from BART station...head off home.

Is cold out, but we only have to walk a short way to taxi stand, get lucky and get a nice driver. (Some of the drivers there can be c-r-e-e-p-y or just plain standoffish)

Get home snack, change, relax, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Up and at 'em early next morning...7am on Sunday people... It's time for SF Sock Club. YAY! And Spencer is coming with...hee hee.

We both really had second thoughts about going...we had to get up early after all, but we go anyway. Both of us have a total blast. AmpuT brought her son, another knitter brought her boyfriend, so the 3 "non-knitters" bonded over hot cocoa, pastries and video game discussion. (please note, that the boyfriend does indeed knit - just not yesterday - and had his eye on my Precious the whole time and is planning on making one - and you know I had my eye on him and the Precious!)

Spencer discovers Bike Shop across the street from the cafe, the boys head over to check it out.

Sock Club ends, we make a yarn run to ImagiKnit and head out home. Thanks for the ride home AmpuT and MyFK!!!! So glad to finally get the boys together...even if it was at a knitting club! How funny, cool, awesome, weird is that!!!

Both of us in an awesome mood...get home, Spence heads for the Xbox...he has a standing play time with a friend of ours from England. Some LIVE action shoot 'em up playtime. I chat with honey, Spencer gets his butt kicked and does some butt kicking as well.

Lunch is had, plans are made to meet Antonella for the afternoon.

Shopping ensues, awesome food eaten, Spencer gets some free goodies from the waitress, we walk to BART station and then taxi home.

Low and behold...it's the same driver from Saturday night! And he remembered us!!!

Hey you two!!! Same place as last night?

Yes please!

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

Back home now, tea is made, layers put on, homework completed, Tornado shows watched (hey AmpuT, we watched those same shows!!!), not much knitting went on, but it was good to relax on the couch all snuggled up with the kid and the cat and a cup of tea and a big, warm, handknitted blankie.

Satisfied sigh emitted.

Needed some more fluff...

Teddy Bears in SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE part deux

Movin' groovin' jammin' singin' Gummi Bear...

Don't ask...needed some distraction today and I found it. It's cute and perky and happy and all that crap.

Enjoy.




Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go bouncing round my apt singing the Gummi Bear Song.

Job Basket? What Job Basket. Maybe this weekend. ;)

Warm and Fuzzy....

So, I'm at the local Trader Joe's and I text the kid.

Me: Where's Waldo?

Him: Waiting for the bus home. It's cold. Brrrr.

Me: I'm at the store, you want anything?

Him: Big chocolate chip cookies

(TJ's sells these totally yummy big choco chip cookies that totally rock)

Me: OK, anything else?

Him: Just wanna get home. Bus is late and it's cold out here.

Me: OK sweetie see you soon. :)

So I gather up what I was going to get, throw in some Big Oatmeal Raisin cookies - no more choco chip - they are totally popular and go fast. And on the way up to check out I remember that we don't have any more Hot Cocoa Powder mix. So I decide to get more and find...

The best sounding hot cocoa mix ever.

Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa hot cocoa mix.

Oh. My. God. Made with Vanilla Extract and Peppermint oil. OOOOOOoooooooooooooooh...now THAT sounds good. Just what Spencer could use after waiting outside for a late bus.

Pop back to dairy and grab some whip cream for an extra treat.

texting the kid again....

Me: Are you on the bus yet?

Him: yes, just came.

Me: Let me know when you pass the high school and I'll put in some milk for hot cocoa.

Him: OOOh...that sounds great Mom. I could use something warm.

Me: See you soon.

Him: OK

Even if I can't finish his scarf like, yesterday, I can keep him warm in other ways. :o)

Now we're both sitting around with our mint hot cocoa with a squirt of whip cream on top. YUMMMMMMM!!!!

Well, I was cold too!

Ooh...Honey, can't wait to make you some! If the weather keeps up as it is, we'll be having some every night after dinner.

Speaking of dinner, time to go heat up some leftovers. Now that we're warmed up, we can eat in peace.

And I just might have to make another cup after dinner as I knit on his scarf. We keep the temp chilly in the Chaos - saving on the heating bill and all you know. That's what hand knit blankies and warm, fluffy kitties and all that are for...

How's this for distracting you from current crafty projects?

Teddy Bears In Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace....

Shouldn't M.A.T. have a helmet tho?!?

OMG!!!! WAAAAAAAAAANT

If only...

...I could just jet off to England like RIGHT NOW...

...Had lots of money to blow....

I would soooo go here!

A costume house selling off old costumes and jewelry. Sigh. Thanks Dress A Day for pointing me here...too bad I can't go!!! Love, love, love, love vintage clothing and jewelry. And love costumes...love making them and seeing them...and wearing them. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!

I would so recruit several people, give each one the £50 to do the largest bag and tell 'em all to GO FOR IT!!!!

Imagine, costumes, vintage clothing, uniforms...and OMG! The jewelry. Don't care if it's broken - would so love to get my hands on some of that. I could make so much cool stuff out of it.

Cos of course, I'd have money to burn, and all the time in the world cos, you know, I just picked up and jetted off to England on a whim.

Oooh...this is soooo much better than having sewage back up into my tub and shower (in two diff bathrooms).

And it doesn't smell as much either...

And mmm mmmm mmmm mmmmm....love the smell going thru the apartment right now...dusted off the bread machine...making a fresh loaf for tonight's spaghetti and meatballs.

YUMMMMMMY

A lesson in Balls...

OK, so J asked in last post's comments...Doesn't yarn already come in a ball?

Welllll.....sometimes...and it depends on how you define a ball. And there are Hanks and also Skeins of yarn as well.

These two little beauties are called Skeins (rhymes with reins), some people call them Hanks...I tend to call them...um Skanks. But that's just me. I read it somewhere and I liked the sound of it and well, there you go.



Most sock yarn tends to come in Skanks, which when un-twisted, open up to a big hoop of yarn which is then put on a swift and wound into a center pull ball by hand (as Cherry did) or with a yarn winder like my Hugo.




I have the ball winder, but no swift. Hence the huge balls of snot, I mean knots, when I try to ball up a Skank. Sigh.

There are also these types of balls, which can also be called as Skeins, but I don't call them Skanks. I only call the long thingies Skanks. They usually come center pull already - which is very handy I must admit. Although I will go ahead and wind them on Hugo, cos well, I like playing with Hugo and making balls. I will definitely wind them up when using acrylic from the local craft store because it comes in very large skeins and it's easier to handle several small balls than one huge center pull skein.




See the little round thing at the top of the paper sack? Well, that's another type of ball. I'm not sure if they come center pull straight from the store or not, well, cos I never give 'em a chance... Straight to Hugo with every bit of yarn that enters the Chaos!!!! I grab the first free end and start cranking.



Then there's the good 'ol standby the pure and simple ball. All rolled up, nice and purty and waiting for a Kitty to come play. Nothing wrong with a good 'ol fashioned ball, but they do tend to roll around a lot and get pounced on by Kitties, cos well, if it's rolling around and it's on the floor, it's fair game!




I prefer to wind up all my Skanks, balls and whatnots on Hugo into center pull "yarn cakes" (you can see an orange one in the photo of Hugo above). They sit nice and flat on the bottom of your project bag and just stay calm and non-rollie and then poof! they're all used up.

I hoped this answered your question J.

And now finally, off to bed. This was a wonderful distraction (thanks J!) and my decaf Yorkshire tea is all gone. Time for beddy-bye and sweet dreams.

balling vs bawling...

Well....technically, I was "balling" as I was winding up the sock yarn from my new project bag...but I didn't say that, did I...

As the program went on...it was hard to tell whether I was bawling cos of Pavarotti, or if I was bawling cos the balling of the sock yarn was becoming such an epic chore.

Ended up with a ginormous ball of a knot.

We all know the Chaos likes to have balls laying about, but not these kind dammit.

I was up until about 1am un-balling the knot and making a nice yarn ball out of it.

Tamed at last...

Really do need to wait until someone else is here to hold the skein for me...

Oh, and it is gorgeous yarn - a lovely, deep red with colored flecks...it goes awesomely with my olive denim jacket and my denim denim jacket...and my brown winter coat. I wonder if I could find a hat or lacey scarf pattern than uses sock yarn....off to Ravelry for some research!!!

What I'm doing now...

Watching a PBS special about Pavarotti...and totally balling my eyes out...his voice brings me to tears and gives me goose bumps...

Knitting, in this condition, is not going very well. hee hee

Show and Tell Saturday

OK, so now that I've come out of hibernating for a bit, I think it's time to show off a few things that I've been promising to show off all week.

First we have "My Precious"....a Pay It Forward gift from AmpuT. The link will take you directly to her blog post about all the 'making it' details and what she put into it... go there first before you continue here...I'll wait...

And now for my photos....and what I think of the bag...

OK, so I'm calling it "My Precious" - does that give you a clue of how I feel?

I absolutely adore this bag.

It's a bag (and we all know how I love bags, purses, totes...anything that holds other things).

It's all made by hand.

It's Olive green.

It's filled with many wonderful goodies.

It's a handmade BAG!




Look at all the cool and awesome things inside. I was feeling a bit down at the beginning of the week, but then the Postman arrived with this...and well, I almost started crying - my hands were shaking at the thought of such a lovely, thoughtful gift coming to me. Seriously, just ask Spencer. My mood lifted and well, I was just so excited, I put it on my wrist and carried it around awhile calling it My Precious.




Today, I will attempt to ball up the sock yarn (Gone with The Wind "Tara" colorway - how awesome is that). The little tin of notions (LOVE the "crap" and "oops" markers!) have a permanent home in the Precious as does the crochet hook and the purple hair band. I think I will use the crochet hook and some sock yarn I inherited from AmpuT a while back and crochet myself a scrunchie.

And now for a little added something...it kept calling to me...as well as a few of my favorite single beads I had no idea what to do with....




I hope you don't mind AmpuT...I added some of my favorite beads that I've had for ages to the ends of the ties. I never knew what to do with them as they are singles and they were just begging to be put on the bag.



So I listened. And it's even more Precious to me. A wonderful handmade gift filled with goodies and now the new home to some cherished beads.

Right now, it's holding my PIF projects. I'm definitely behind on mine, but I'll be finished very shortly.

And once those are done, it will be carrying this special project for Spencer - until it gets too long that is...

As promised, the double knit Argle Scarf - shown on the cover of Son of Stitch and Bitch

Yes, Folks, I am knitting that scarf! And I am TOTALLY FREAKIN' LOVING IT!




I'm knitting it in KnitPicks Swish DK in brown and blue to match a hoodless hoodie that Spencer just loves to wear...like ALL the time.



It took me 5 or 6 frakking times (I totally stopped counting after 4) to get this darn thing started and to understand the damn chart and all, but it was definitely worth it!!!



Yes!! That's double knitted Argyle. On MY needles!!!


Comments Comment: yes AmpuT, the pockets on that dress are a bit much. They would be way too much for my shortness and wideness, so I'd totally either just make a blouse or would switch out the skirt to be something less pockety. Oooh, a sheath with a belt perhaps....I'm with you tho, it's the collar and all that that hooked me.

OMG...if only...

...I had the figure

...I had the skills

...and I wore dresses...


I would SOOOOOOOOOOOOO make this dress.

It's modern, it's retro, it's awesome.

NOTE:
Oh, and I've corrected my spelling of gnat...knew it didn't look right, but I was too lazy to look it up. Thanks J for spelling it correctly and jarring my brain.

Scary Saturday continued with...

...Gnat II, Revenge of the Gnats

So I go out Saturday afternoon for a bike ride, figuring it will be a short one since I've had a slight fever the last few days, but I haven't been out of the apartment for 2 days now and I'm going crazy and if I don't get out soon I'll explode.

You know how it goes.

So I get into my gear, get outside, think to myself...hmmmm....maybe I'll go a bit longer cos the fresh air feels great and I think I can manage a nice leisurely ride for a bit.

Get going down the path and OMG!!!! Attack of the killer swarms of GNATS.

Check for bugs. I hate bugs - Cairo Prison Warden, The Mummy (movie)

DAY-UM...Huge, ginormous swarms ALL OVER THE FREAKIN' PATH!!!!

I swear, I almost wrecked several times just trying to make it thru - and I kept going thinking, there MUST be an end to this torture soon, they can't go for that long, can they?

Um, yes, they can - but with no place to turn around quickly on the path, I kept going right thru.

Only problem with that was that I had to come back thru.

Since I'm sitting here typing, I must have made it...

...to forge on ahead today with a 10mile round trip on Sgt Puff to meet Antonella for an afternoon of shopping and an early dinner while Spencer and his friend were at the house playing xbox.

I got the cutest ankle boots and a small olive leather Liz Claibourne purse ($9 - can't go wrong) and shared an awesome sample platter off BBQ with Antonella.

Honey, we'll be going there when you come, you will like it better than the usual place. Yes, you will.

Was going to post a picture of the only crafting project I can show for now, but I'm not far enough yet. Trust me tho when I say - it's AWESOME!!!!! Two new knitting techniques for me, but I seem to be catching on most awesomely. Argyle and double knitting.

Spencer says I rock.

As far as this project is concerned? Yeah, I do. Yay!

Scary Saturday

Like Cherry says...I better sleep with the lights on...especially if my Kitty ever figures out how to turn on the heated mattress pad on her own...

Almost can't type, I'm laughing so hard...

So, AntiM puts up this thing about guessing the gender of who writes a blog...

and I get this...

Results
We guess http://donnazchaos.blogspot.com is written by a man (53%), however it's quite gender neutral.

Guess there's too much talk about balls? Maybe not enough? Whatever.

So I take the little poll off to the side - was the Analyzer Correct? Um, no. Last time I checked, I was a woman. Just had my yearly exam last Friday, so my doctor thinks so too.

And I get this...

Votes
Yes 53 % 6603
No 47 % 5807

Guess the analyzer doesn't do too well with the guessing bit.

Anyway, Honey suggests I put in http://icanhascheezburger.com/

and I get this...

An error occurred
Sorry, we can only classify web pages written in english

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....omg. Guess dey don'ts understands kitteh speaks.

Oh, and to even make my blog even more butch - there will be more ball talk soon.

Cooool....

First off, thanks Cherry and J for your comments. J, if you want the name of the bike shop Spence and I use, shoot me an email and I'll tell you... Maybe you just need a new seat or something less expensive than getting a whole new bike. Never know.

Good point too J. I learned not to overdo my activities a long time and many injuries ago. A little bit of effort can go a long way in building up to something bigger. We don't always have to be faster, stronger, go further "right now".

OK, now for the cool part...I have some rocks and I have some wire. Spence and I used to collect rocks, both polished from tourist traps and right off the beach or street. This has given me some awesome ideas with what I can do with them - at least the polished ones anyway. My rocks are all small and stuff, so I'm thinking bracelets, earrings and using multiples for some napkin rings - only mine will have the rocks going all the way around. Would be really cool if I could sell them for the $140 (set of 4) that this dude is asking. Booyah.

OOOOH...we have sea shells too!

If I ever get around to making anything, it'll all go in my currently neglected Etsy Shop.

I'm getting so many ideas now and finding all sorts of cools things as I work thru the Job Basket. If I actually sat down and made stuff with all this Stuff, I could really fill up my little shop.

Really going to have to schedule out my "free" time. Between general crafting, knitting, the Job Basket, etc...I can easily see myself getting overwhelmed. Again.

Hardly working after all, it seems...

...had a revelation today during my bike ride.

See, TV is educational...I learned something important from Biggest Loser last night.

While out and about this morning I was cruising along wondering how well I was working my body.

Then I actually concentrated on what I was doing.

Hardly making any effort and I was moving right along. I mean, I was still peddling and stuff, but it really wasn't hard at all. It was mostly forward momentum down a bit of a slope. No effort required.

Then something Jillian said last night popped into my head.

Something along the lines of how much do you want to reach your goal? You can't get to it if you don't work for it. The more you want it, the harder you will work. Etc Etc Etc

Bottom line, get your ass in gear, cos that's the only way you will get in shape and lose weight, yada yada yada

So next thing you know...the gear thingy when up a few notches and I kicked it.

And I felt so good after my ride. So tomorrow, I ride harder and go more and more each day.

Today, I was about at the end of my ride when I got this revelation, so I didn't work as hard as I should have. Not that I went all out either.

"Working harder" and "going all out" for me is most likey a leisurely ride for everyone else. I do have to be careful as I don't want to hurt myself - cos how can I work hard if I can't get up on the bike? Add to that a bad knee, and well, I do what I can. Get my heart rate up and get myself almost out of breath...then go a bit harder through it. Then take it down.

It's a start. Oh, and I'm coming for ya grandpa!!!

OK, So I'm back watching Biggest Loser

Especially now that the editors have seen fit to let us see that others on the "Ranch" have realized what a "game player" Vicky really is...

I was angry last week, well actually the last few weeks, cos she was being all manipulative and the rest were just letting her and her husband roll all over them.

And I do realize that the editor powers-that-be will edit to their hearts content in order to show drama, and all that crap, just to get you to watch. All it did was piss me off.

This week tho, we're on to yes, Vicky is a 'game player', but also, everyone knows it and yes, there is tension, but it doesn't take over the show any more.

We're back to seeing all these people work hard to make their goals, and yes, I cried, and yes, it's inspiring, and yes, it helps me get the motivation back to ride as much as I can.

Was really sad I might have to give up one of the only shows I still watch, but now I don't have to worry.

My favorite part is seeing the before / afters at the end of the show. Seeing that is proof that yes, even tho they are not 24/7 with fitness, etc on the "Ranch" anymore, they can still do it at home. Which only proves that with a bit of hard work, I can too.

And I'm off for a ride at 11am today. Need to fill up that calendar with little icons again. hee hee

Gnat-ure Strikes Again...

Ptoooi...ptoooi...blech blech....ptooi...gah

OK, now that I've got all the Gnats out from various facial places, from behind glasses and out from under my helmet...

Jeez...well, not that bad but DAYUM!!! Day of the Gnats today on the bike trail. A big swarm of them stretching across the trail about every 50 ft or so. Stupid knats.

It's been more than a week I think since I've been out on Sgt. Puff. Doesn't take much for me to talk myself out of going and to get out of shape because I'm such a slacker...and doesn't take long on Sgt. Puff to drive that point home.

Have been in a bit of a bike funk I guess since Spencer doesn't have one anymore (yet, but I'm working on it), and really missed going out this weekend with him. It was the perfect weekend to do it too! Wah.

No excuse though, why I can't go out at lunch time on my own - during the week - when he's in school.

Oh, I've got PLENTY of excuses, but you know what I mean... heh heh heh...

Today, I went out on Sgt. Puff to run some errands. A total of 35 minutes or so on the bike with two stops. Now I sit here after a few minutes back still catching my breath. Pa-the-tic. Sigh.

Definitely no slacking off now. Going to make myself go out for a ride at every lunch time. Spencer is off at his Dad's this weekend, so I'm hoping to get out again then as well.

And maybe, just maybe, someday soon, I can catch up to that old grandpa that zoomed past me on the trail today.

Sigh.

Still hanging my head in embarrassment...

Head down, working...working...and yeah...

Work for work's sake and to pay the bills, continues to be, well, work.

Job Basket fun and frolic has slowed down a bit. I've been picking out jobs that are taking more than one or two sessions to complete, and between Work Work, the kid, crafting, and life, well, those sessions are down to one or two a day.

Crafting continues at a frenzied pace and panic has set in as deadlines loom...

Bank issues with new cards being sent out and old ones being cancelled adds to the chaos.

Now having to change all my stuff, well, that just pisses me off.

Good stuff:

Spencer got a great grade report! We have our first family/teacher conference some time this week if only we can all agree on a time. (Not my fault, I blame the Ex. See AmpuT? You're not alone.)

Honey is coming to visit for the Xmas/New Year/His B-day Holidays. You can't tell, but I'm very excited. He'll be here 3 weeks. PANIC!

I can now officially enjoy my new glasses. Both pairs. I have this awesome tricked out pair for computer/reading work that I wear at (where else) the computer while I'm working. Most. Awesome. Things. Ever. Now I can officially say, I have my distance glasses as well. Got them, couldn't see shit, had to get tested again, got them updated and picked them up today. They work and I can see!!! Just taken me over a month to say, "I can see again". Sigh.

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

The official countdown has started: Honey says it's 29 days. I'll take his word for it as I'm too freaked out and panicked to count.

Speaking of panic...The Job Basket still looks full! Need to get moving a bit faster and get going on completing more jobs!!!

The Meme Post

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and put the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 weird or random facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link to their blog.
4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a note on their blog.

AntiM was kind enough to tag me.

OK, here we go with the weird or random facts. Although it'll probably all be random cos I was just telling Honey yesterday, I'm not weird.

1. I like when things are organized and in their place, but you couldn't tell that by looking at my place - all disorganized with things all over the place.

2. I can't comfortably knit with other knitters. I've been a lone knitter for so long now, it's hard to be a social one, but I am trying.

3. I don't wear makeup and quite honestly, don't know how to put it on without feeling like a circus clown or a whore. I have been known to put on some lipstick or lip gloss, but that's about it.

4. I have a thing for office supplies. Especially things to write with...

5. I can sleep any time, any where, just not at night - in my bed - when I really should be sleeping.

6. I like music and like to sing along and dance - to the point where I'll just start bopping and singing in a store along to the Muzac, totally oblivious to anyone else around. It can be very embarrassing - especially when someone joins in...

7. I don't own my own computer. If it wasn't for work, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this on a cool laptop.

OK, here's the even harder part than coming up with lame facts about myself. Finding 7 people I actually know enough to tag and think that maybe they'll participate - oh and have a blog in the first place. Oooh...time to hit all the bloggers I know that are doing the daily posting thing!!! This will give them something to write about.

AmpuT, Cherry Extract, Autumn's Mom, Thinking About... , No-Blog-Rachel .... and that's all I got. I would tag one other, but she's quite busy right now, she's got some important stuff going on - like a new job and a Mister going in for surgery soon.

Hope my laptop won't explode or anything since I can't come up with 7 people to tag... hah!

ACK! I've been tagged...

...for a meme by AntiM.

Gah. Now I have to think and write clever things about myself and then tag other people so they can suffer, I mean, participate too.

If I know you and you have a blog, consider yourself warned.

Heh Heh Heh

Sheez...this is gonna take me a while. Thinking is hard you know!

Another Jaw-sie night

Last night's Basket Job - the shredding - is going to have to be continued tonight.

I had quite a bit to shred (really should keep up with it better), and the poor shredder started to get a bit warm, so I shut it off after a bit to let it rest and cool down. Not much left, so I will continue that Basket Job tonight.

If I feel up to it, I will pull out another Job Paper from the Basket. Most likely not though as Spencer and I are working on our special project tonight.

Oh, and the tray is not and never will "be". That little project failed in an epic way. Sigh.

The whole point was to take bits and pieces I got on the cheap and make a cool tray.

All I got out of it was some more stuff for the trash dumpster (not going to spend any more money on it) and a wee hole through the tip of my finger.

Don't ask.

PS. The finger is fine, just a bit sore.

DunDun...DunDun...DunDunDunDun...

...in case you can't tell, that the music from JAWS, the movie.

Tonight's Basket Job is to shred stuff. And that means I get to play with our resident shredder, Jaws. Heh Heh.

But first, it's dinner, then after shredding, out comes the power drill!!! Yay tools!!!

And now for something completely different. Found this quiz over at Cherry Extract, and since we are having pizza for dinner...well, I couldn't resist. Think I will do what she did and list out the questions and my answers...


How many slices of pizza do you normally eat? 2
What kind of crust do you prefer? Pan
What kind of sauce do you prefer? Red Sauce
What kind of cheese do you prefer? Extra Mozzarella
What vegetable topping do you like the best? Mushrooms
What meat topping do you like the best? Sausage

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig. You consider pizza to be bread... very good bread. You fit in best in the Midwest part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You are cultured and intellectual. You should consider traveling to Vienna. The stereotype that best fits you is guy or girl next door. Hey, there's nothing wrong with being average.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Heh Heh, this is pretty good. I was born and raised in Chicago, home of the best deep dish pizza ever.

And guess what kind of pizza is almost ready to come out of the oven... thick crust (quasi pan) sausage and extra cheese pizza. MMMMM...sure does smell goooooooooooooooooood!!!!

Still working hard...

...not just hardly working...as the saying sometimes goes...

Tonight I drew "go thru 2 boxes under Spencer's bed".

Yes (hanging head in shame), I even stashed some storage boxes under my kid's bed.

Took me a lot longer than just 15 minutes...to tell the truth, I didn't even set the timer. I forgot. But, as all I was doing was sitting in front of the TV watching PBS and then Biggest Loser (this season is so pissing me off I don't think I'll watch it again until the finale), I had nothing to do but "work".

So I pull out two small boxes (as there are only smaller boxes under his bed) - the first box was quick, a bunch of stuff shoved in a box to "clean" for company, and the second took a lot longer, a box of photos. I looked at some, but finally had to cover it up and put it aside as "going thru photos and organizing them" is a humongous job for a future Job Basket. And what do I find in the first box, but 5 rolls of packing tape and my drawer handles!!! Among lots of other cool things. I've just been looking for that damn packing tape for, oh, 6 months now!!!! And you all know that since I discovered the cabinet door, I've been looking for the drawer pulls.

They are still cool, and I can't wait to put them on the door tomorrow night. I did all the measuring and have the doors marked for the holes I'll be drilling. Unlike my neighbors, I managed to restrain myself from making obnoxious noises past 9pm tonight - even tho, OMG, it was killing me.

I have the before photo all ready to go with the after I'll be taking tomorrow.

Speaking of photos, I had to get online to check out an email Spencer sent, and while I was on here, decided to post and to work on uploading all the photos from my laptop to my online photo album. It's going to take a while, but I figure I can set a few folders to upload during the day while I'm working and before you know it, they'll all be 'safe'. I can't tell you how many photos I've lost from work laptops. Since I don't have my own personal computer and I'm very bad at backing up my personal files anyway, I've been through some painful photo losing times. Sigh. But, I've finally decided to get this done. Long overdue, but worth every second of watching the progress tick off 1% complete at a time.

Now we're talkin'...

...or should I say working...

I'm finally getting some 'tougher' jobs out of the basket.

Last night I worked on one of our storage closests.

Tonight I get to tackle some boxes from the storage unit that are in the living area. Specifically two boxes. And I've freed up enough space in that storage closet to add in anything from those boxes that needs to stay. Can't wait!

Can't believe I'm typing that...about to go and check if I have a fever or something.

Now you see why I need to make another set of Jobs for the Basket once this set is done. Everything that I'm putting back into the closests will need a permanent home. And those permanent homes are yet to be determined.

Yeah, this is gonna take some time.

Holiday and Pay It Forward crafting continues...

Now what did I do with that thermometer...

Rules posted to the side over there --->

OK, I figured out how to get them all listed over to the right there. I've switched a few things around and changed the "additional rules" to "things to remember".

Think it's time to go pick out a Job. I'm bored, I'm hungry, and I haven't done one yet today. And I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to find those damn drawer handles so I can make my tray. Argh!

Rolling with my Basket...

...I'm on a roll.

First, there was the Job on Friday night.

Then on Saturday, I was busy most all day and tired by the time I got home.

So I eat dinner and decide, OK, Rule #1: Must pick a Job every day.

So I picked one, and did it in about 5 minutes. OK, so it seems like I've got the opposite problem from making jobs so hard it takes me a few times to complete them. Argh...

So I pick another since I was already up and doing something and I hadn't felt that I had worked hard enough.

Seems I got "in the mood" cos I picked a total of 5 Jobs last night. Yes folks FIVE. Took me all of 30 minutes to complete them all. I KNOW there are jobs in there that take more effort than what I've put in so far. I tried to get a good mix of hard and easy...seems like I'm picking all the easy ones out right away though...

Anyway, one of the things I did was go shopping with Antonella, where I managed to pick up a few containers to help with the organizing. BOTH containers were used last night. One to organize all of our new xBox stuff. It was the original reason why I bought the container thing in the first place and the first job I drew? Organize the xBox stuff. Now that it's organized and we've got places for everything xBox-y, Spencer should be able to keep things in order instead of all over the living room floor.

One would hope.

The second was a good size canvas zip-up style "box". What I've done with that is taken out all the clothes in my closet that don't fit right now, folded them up all nice-like and put them in there and then put the whole lot on top of the set of drawers in my closet. Not only have I actually done part of one of my 'future' jobs, but I've also made it possible to actually SEE what I've got to wear. I have lots of clothes of all sizes, which can get very confusing to somone who is having some weight struggles.

How can you tell what you can actually wear if you can't see it? What a waste of time to dig thru it all and keep saying, doesn't fit, doesn't fit, doesn't fit, etc. It's also very, very depressing. Sigh.

So, in the interest of sanity, and curiousity to know just how bad the clothing situation is, I got the canvas box thing. Sigh.

Folded up some very nice clothes. 32 pieces total. A lot of it was bought about a year ago for my first trip over to England to visit Honey. Never ended up in any of it cos I bloated out and gained a bunch of weight right before I went. Almost all of it still had the tags on...and most of it was on Clearance too...(major SCORE)... But damn if I won't have one ROCKIN' wardrobe when I finally do fit into it all. All sorts of coordinating pieces that will really look nice. Someday.

And, I have figured out that I actually do have quite a bit that I can still wear as I'm on this latest losing weight journey - it was just buried in the midst of all the stuff I can't wear - yet.

Anywho, in doing the last Job last night, I discovered a few cool things.

First, a cabinet door I got at the IKEA scratch n' dent area for $1 - a long time ago. It had a really cool, balanced look to it and I remember seeing something somewhere that someone had made a tray out of a cabinet door by adding a few drawer handles. I know I found some really awesome handles at the hardware store on sale a few weeks after that, but can't find them. Sigh. I will tho, and when I do, I'll be sure and show you guys.

Second, I have to go back and update the rules. Need to add two more:

If you get the muchies and it's not time to eat, pick a Job.

-and-

If you get bored, pick a Job.

Think I'm going to try and figure out how to add "The Basket Rules" to the side of the blog. If you don't see anything over there, you know I wasn't successful.

This Job Basket seems to be having an effect on quite a few aspects of my life.

And that's just fine with me.

Jumping into the Basket...

...did my first "job" last night. Took all of 10 minutes. YAY!

Fifteen minutes every so often I can do...spending an entire weekend starting/stopping/starting/procrastinating and ending up doing practically nothing....I don't want to do any longer.

Cherry, I've used a 10 minute timer with Spencer and his room, and it's worked wonderfully. Don't know why I haven't done this for myself sooner. Oh well, I'm doing it now, and it felt great to actually accomplish something and see IMMEDIATE results.

For this project, I've broken down various tasks. For example, going thru my closet. It's rather wide and filled to the brim, so that could be a rather daunting project. It has two upper shelves that run the length of it and then the hanging area that goes all the way across. So I've broken it down into 4 "jobs" left and right hanging areas, and left and right portion of the upper shelves. When done this way, it's not so scary to do the closet.

The reason I've finally broken down and done the Basket is because when Honey and everyone left after graduation in June, I used the last day of having the rental car to empty out my storage unit - to save money. The Chaos Annex is no more, and everything that was in there is now here and there all over my apartment - again. And I've done NOTHING since then to go through it or get rid of it, NOTHING!!!

Finally just got tired of looking at it all and decided something needed to be done. Thought for about a week over what I've done in the past that's worked. Not much, but the 10 minute timer for Spencer has worked, and I've done the 10 minute timer for chores as well. Why not make it 15 minutes and attack all the "Stuff".

Excellent.

But where do I start? Started going through my apartment doing an inventory of everything I needed to address. The list was long and depressing. There are quite a few jobs on it that I don't look forward to doing at all. I didn't want to do them first, and I knew for sure I would skip over them and leave them for last - and then they wouldn't get done. So I decided, the job choice would have to be random.

And there you have it, the Job Basket was born.

Oh, and to keep myself on track...if you guys haven't heard anything about the Job Basket in a few days, feel free to call me out. Hopefully, I'll just have forgotten to post and I won't be slacking off about doing my jobs!

Basket Case

Whatever...I was up way too early today and it's been nothing but crap all day. I had a very clever title for this last night, but it's slipped my mind. Along with just about everything else today. Sigh.

Anyway.

Welcome to the New Improved Chaos Organizing Project of Fall 2008!

You know, this blog actually started out as an "organizing" blog but it's been covering so many other things - I am a master procrastinator. heh heh

I've tried just about everything else and nothing has stuck - it's worked for a bit, but I've never stuck with it - so why not try this....

Introducing the 15-minute Job Basket!

I took some old address book refill pages from a book I'm not using any longer (hey look! I'm recycling!!!), cut them up...




Broke down everything I want to do around my apartment into 15 minute "jobs", wrote them on the little bits of paper....this does not include chores. Chores are done on a daily basis or as needed. This Job Basket is just for my organizing or clearing out of things.

Folded them up and tossed them in a basket!



Rules of the "Job Basket":

1. One job paper must be drawn every day.
2. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
3. Do the job.
4. If you get hungry and it's not time to eat, pick a job paper.
5. If you get bored, pick a job paper.
6. If the job is completed in less than 15 minutes, pat myself on the back and put my feet up for the remaining time.
7. If the job is not completed in the 15 minutes allowed, work on it again for the next 15 minute "Job Basket" time, and so on until it is. This should not happen that often though, unless I really sucked at estimating how long it's going to take me to do something.
8. Repeat the above until the "Job Basket" is empty.

Going to have to make periodic runs to the thrift store to donate all the stuff I decide I don't need, going to separate my recyclables and dispose of chemicals, batteries, and electronics, and everything else properly. OOOH...and shred documents with personal info on them.

Very IMPORTANT Rules in case I wanna try and get around the REAL rules:

1. The job written on the paper must be performed - no switching, no whining, no slacking off!
2. Don't beat myself up if I miss a day or don't finish a job.
3. If I miss a day, I'll just start over the next day.
4. If I totally drop the ball on a job, toss the paper back into the basket - it may not get done today, but it will eventually.
5. It's OK to do more than one job a day. In fact, it's totally awesome to do more than one.
6. I didn't chaos the hell out of my life in a week or two, so I can't expect to get this done in just a few days or so. Have to be realistic and give myself some time. This is very hard work, especially since I'm pretty attached to my stuff.
7. Figure out an awesome reward to give myself when it's all done. Or, maybe when I've done 10 jobs or whatever. Need to decide. I do need some new furniture...

Stay tuned to see how this all plays out. I'll try and post a weekly update on what "Basket Jobs" I've accomplished and how things are looking around here and how I'm feeling about it all. And if I'm REALLY BRAVE, I'll post before/after photos - don't hold your breath though, cos I am pretty much a chickenshit.

Oh, and when the Job Basket is finally empty...I get to fill it up again with organizing my stuff. This first round of Job Basket thingies are only getting me to the point to where I can settle in and organize everything I have left. Yeah, I know.

This is a huge undertaking for me.

This could be the most totally awesomest thing in the world...

...or just some dillusional waking whacked out dream I'm having.

At the very least, it'll keep you guys entertained...and distracted from all the gift projects I'm working on right now. I can only keep pointing out my cute little map with dots on it for so long.

Voter #325

Lonely and cold in the dark night...

Spencer came home from school feeling sick, looking terrible, and quickly warming up (as in fever). He was deligated to the couch with tea and dinner.

I'm not feeling all that well myself, so bundled up and headed out in the chilly darkness to vote, hoping that I could hold off anything germ-wise until I was done.

12 minute walk there, 10 minutes voting, 14 minute walk back.

Knitting never made it out of the bag as there was NO line.

So much for the voting entourage and our Family Tradition. Sigh.

And I sure as heck hope that more than 325 people in my precinct have voted. Maybe that's the 2nd or 3rd machine they've had today. I have no idea how it works, and I really wanted to get back home so didn't stick around to find out. And definitely didn't want to talk to anyone more than I had to so that I wouldn't pass on anything germ-ish.

Sigh.

Still.... Civic Duty Performed?




Check!

PS Oh, and Cherry, they finally shut down about half past midnight on Saturday. And the reason we're feeling icky? One of them had the sneezes while he was here. Gee. Thanks.

Wherein the new raincoat...

...has seen more rain in the last few days than it did on our entire trip to England/Wales in August.

And what do ya know...it really is a raincoat. Repelling water and everything!!! Hey, I got it for a steal at Marshall's, no tags...could have just been a short trench coat waterproof jacket impersonator.

But, I am happy to report, it is indeed, the Real Thing.

Last time I saw the weather...about 6am-ish this morning, there were no predictions of rain for Election Day tomorrow. So maybe my short little trench will get a well deserved rest.

There will however, be quite the entourage going off to the local polling place.

First off, the son. Spencer has come with me to vote in every election since we moved to California - which was very soon after he was born. So after 13 or so years of voting (yeah, he's over 14, but had to qualify as a resident first), guess you can call it a "family tradition".

Next, the snackage and beverages. No telling how long we'll be in line and gosh darn it, voting is so exciting, we'll probably get the munchies.

And finally, the knitting. Just in case there is a long line or something. The needles will also come in handy if someone tries to cut the line or starts up any trouble. POKE!!!

Whuh...Just sayin'.

We're all excited to go.

Next time I go for a Presidential Election, Spencer will be coming along as a VOTER!!!! OMG... where has the time gone?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Don't forget to vote!!

Glad you are here Rain....

...but...enough is enough already, K?

Perfect day for 3 teens to stay inside playing video games. Which is exactly what Spencer and two of his friends are doing and have been doing. All. Day. Seriously, all day. Only stopping momentarily for bathroom breaks and food consumption.

I've been doing a little bit of organizing here and there, staying well away from the 3 of them in the living room. It's been wonderful. They have just been amusing themselves and at this age, don't need that much supervision at all. Except for the occasional... "Why don't you guys take a break?" Every now and then.

Spencer spent the night at the one kid's house after the 3 of them went Trick or Treating with a few more friends around his neighborhood. Then they made their merry way over to our place and managed to get caught in the rain while walking home from the train station. Yes, they walked...they had just missed the bus and they only run every hour or so on the weekend, so they decided to walk instead. It's a 30 or 40 minute walk from there to here. And it started raining on them when they were about 10 minutes away.

And it rained and rained and rained until about 1ish...when we decided to make a run to the deli for lunch and then for some groceries for dinner and breakfast - yes, they are spending the night.

$80 later, and it's POURING again. We were all soaked just walking back across the street. Anyway, there was so much standing water, the puddles were HUMONGOUS - there was no way we were going to make it home and not be wet. We survived though and the kids have snacked and played their way thru the day.

I'm going to go help Spencer set things up in his room for the kids, then Kitty and I are going to go to bed. Think some quiet knitting or reading away from the shooting and mutants is in order for this tired Mom. They will tire themselves out about 11ish and then head off to bed. If not, time for me to go start unplugging things.

And yes, I have done that before, so they know if I say it, there's a good chance I will do it if they don't start shutting down.

Heh Heh Heh...