The mystical legacy socks

I was feeling bad when I realized I constantly whine about the infamous legacy socks and yet no visual proof exists as of recently....so here! See--they are real. Today was Jeremy's piano recital so not a lot of time to actually work on these...but I did think about them. Does that count? Oh well. Here are pictures of both the recital and the socks in progress. Yes, I am working on the pair at the same time instead of doing one, then the other. My reasoning was that would keep me from getting the dreaded second sock syndrome, but I think the correct terminology should be "completed pair syndrome"....

Random Ramblings!

We are in the process of trying to pack to move in June--it suddenly seems like the more we pack, the more there is? It feels like we have had a possessions zip file and as we get things in boxes, the rest of the things DECOMPRESS! I am starting to ask hard questions about how much we want to take over to the new house--even if it is twice the space! I am sooooo looking forward to the move--it is more than a month off and it feels like eternity. I am starting to feel how really small this house is! How did we cram 5 people in this small of a space for 12 years. Granted, the twins were little and so was everyone for that matter (!), but HOLY SMOKES! I am really looking forward to having the extra space to have people over and to entertain. I can finally take advantage of the cookbooks I collect!!!!Good things all over! The only thing we are waiting on is the inspection of the house. That happens Wednesday. Hopefully all is well. The deck is the only thing that looks like it might need replacing, so we will see...It leads off the top floor from the kitchen(the house is a bi-level), so it is pretty impotant to the design of the house....

On the flip side, I am seriously thinking about taking a summer class at the local junior college this summer. I have college algebra and speech left to complete my degree and I have been putting it off for quite some time. I had collapsed my hours at work a while back with the intention of going back to school but then took on extra hours in a department that is my main love, so that got put aside. My hours in mediation have collapsed, so now I have time to do a couple classes. I think just one class would be done easily in the summer--especially speech, since the class would be smaller. While I have no problems presenting speeches to groups, for some odd reason, the thought of a formal speech class has always terrified me. Time to get it done!

Jeremy has a piano recital today. Hopefully I will have pictures -if my camera cooperates. I am seriously considering getting a different camera this month. This one is nice, but it takes quite a while for the shutter to snap the picture--resulting in blurred pictures often. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

On the knitting side--I completed an extra round on the legacy socks today. I HAVE to turn the heel or my son is going to end up with a pair of thigh highs--and we all know how cute that won't be on a teenage boy!!! They would have to be presented with a side order of psychotherapy!

We Bought a ........

HOUSE!

We have been renting for almost 12 years at this same spot but last month the landlord announced he wanted to sell. The price he is asking is a bit too high for this amount of footage, so we decided to bump up our price range when we saw two houses one block over for the same price. One has 1,800+ square feet and the other had 1965 sq. feet. The smaller one had a FIREPLACE, which was a big plus, but my hubby loved the huge walk-in closets of the other, so we put a contract on it. Move in day is June 2 (the other party doesn't close on their new house until then). Now begins the task of purging.....do you know how much junk accumulates in 12 years?! I am purging a ton of yarn so I don't have to move it to the other house (reality: I can rebuild my stash...the other just sounds better.)

Yikes....we bought a house......

ARGGGGGGGGG!

Remember the legacy socks I have been whining about finishing? Well tonight after perusing so many knitting websites and seeing the spectacular handknitted socks, I was sooooo hyped and ready to GET 'EM DONE! So I putter over to the bag I so carefully packed the project in ( I even put them in a zip lock so no buggies can get in after reading a really scary story about wool moths--but I digress....anyway, I pull out the project and remember exactly why I completely adore this yarn (Baby Star by Laines Du Nord). Out comes the project, the extra yarn that I am so OCD about getting (so I never run out mid project), the tape measure, stitch markers, and pattern. Wait---where is the #$#$% pattern? Certainly I packed the pattern with the project....NOT! What was I thinking? Maybe if I could figure that out, I would know where I put the darn project!!! ARRRRRRRGGGGGGG! So, needless to say, I will have to go to my LYS to pick up another copy of the pattern. Luckily it is a giveaway pattern, but it sits right next to this yarn that is my weakness! Did I mention Baby Star comes in RED? This is going to be an expensive pattern. Not that the yarn is expensive ($7.00 for 1.79 oz--50 grams for you metric people) but I can't go into the store and not fondle this yarn, which then means I have to buy it. It's the yarn store version of "you break, you buy", which happens because I drool on the yarn.
Darn. However, tomorrow I will go to the store and set a goal to at least get to the heel. Turning the heel is intimidating me, but I guess I will learn to frog....I would have pictures, but it appears my camera is MIA somewhere in the house (I hope)...

Oh yeah, I also inquired about buying a Columbine spinning wheel today.....Maybe that will offset any yarn considerations...luckily hubby does not read my blog--as far as I know. If he does, I'll know it....Hi HONEY!

Spring has sprung

What a gorgeous day it was today! Hubby and I went to a friend's house where she and I dumped him to watch multiple "24" episodes (we don't have cable internet and can't get on the website to watch the complete episodes without our computer completely locking up) while she and I shopped. It is so rare that I actually go shopping, it actually was fun. I desperately needed shoes for work and shoes for play. I scored big at Shoe Carnival with my favorite brand (Ryka)--I found a pair for 25.00 and they were having a buy one get one 50% off---so I bought two pairs of the SAME Ryka shoe. Considering I have seen this pair for 70.00, I was soooooooo happy with myself. I love this brand, so I grab them when I can afford them. There were other good deals, but those were my best steal....

Starting next week, I promise more knitting content! I realized I had taken a little detour from knitting and really need to get back on board. I will be working out of the One Skein Wonders book -- it really has some great patterns!!If you haven't seen this book, run to Border's or Amazon and oogle it...you won't be disappointed. I really want to work on some fingerless mitts, but I'm having problems getting in the mood when it is warm out.....

On the home front, we are considering whether to buy the house we've been renting for 11 years or to try to find something else with a little more space. We have looked at a couple houses that were real duds, but friends tell me to just keep on going...isn't that the "kiss a lot of frogs" theory?!! We are so living it!! However, there are some houses we are looking at that have fireplaces, which is on my wish list of a "perfect home" I can SO see myself sitting in front of a fireplace knitting in the winter...I guess time will tell. I really dread packing and moving though....not to mention I love our neighbors.

Within the next couple weeks, I have to catch up with my travel goals of exploring and knitting in little towns around Kansas. I got snowed under at the beginning of the year and was unable to do any road trips. I did get a book of towns in Kansas with some really interesting places, so I will be sharing them with you soon.

Better run, it's time for bed. Last week was a really bad week for sleep, so I need to make myself try to catch up. Good dreams to you!

Morning Post

Technically I should be getting ready for work....instead of sitting here with a cup of coffee posting a blurb....the time change has really been hard for me to adjust to! Especially since every morning since Monday has been enveloped in a really thick blanket of fog. This morning is not quite as foggy, but it still has a little fog involved. I am looking forward to this weekend when things slow down a little. I think a three day weekend would be great right now, but we don't have any of those coming up for a while....

While cleaning the basement, I realized that my yarn stash is REALLY big--I have yarn stashed that I : a) Have forgotten about b) SHOULD have forgotten about and c) would like to forget about! So, the ones in the last two categories are going to be packaged together in lots of 6 skeins and given to members in my knitting group that are teaching others to knit. A large amount of it is acrylic Red Heart or Simply Soft, which I still like for certain projects (project that will see lots of use or are going to households that do not understand that wool felts)---but I really need to clear space if we are going to have to move or have the house appraised so we can buy it.
So far this year I have not kept up on my knitting resolutions, but I have pulled out the legacy socks and am going to figure out exactly how to finish them. I am looking at toe up socks next time. My son that likes hand knit socks (go figure, he's 13 and actually appreciates the work involved) has really large feet. If he ever grows into those, he will tower over me!

I guess it is time to get to work. Great coffee and soft yarn to you and yours!

The legacy socks

In the process of cleaning out, I pulled out the ever present LEGACY SOCKS. Remember these? These are the socks I started--my first socks-my only sock attempt--and then stopped after the cuffs got done.......Well, I made the mental commitment that I am going to sit down and get them done in the next couple months. I adore hand knitted socks--really, I do! But it seems I got to the part just under the cuff and froze...So I am going to go down to my LYS and have her sit with me while I get over the learning curve. I even have a video in my knitting DVD collection that features socks, so REALLY---I have no excuses. And the fact that I really found the k2p2 cuffs very relaxing to knit....
I woke up to really thick fog this morning. I like fog, however it makes driving downtown a challenge. There is a category of drivers that I run into (hopefully not literally) that I call Peek-A-Boo drivers. If they can't see the light from a mile a way, it doesn't exist, right?

Have a great day! Knit a row for me!

And a Happy Tuesday to you!

I am looking forward to the end of the week---this has been one of those whirlwind weeks where I've gotten too little sleep and have too much to do!

I have been stressing out because the landlord told us he wants to sell the house SOON. We have been here almost 11 years...I know, money wasted. However, it was right for us to rent. We'll have a good lump of money to put down on a house, but I am wanting to look at what is available in our little town. The landlord is going to ask an awful lot for the square footage of this house as opposed to the tax appraised value. We have an appointment with a realtor to look at other properties on Friday. I do dread the whole moving business though. Hubby is holding out hope he can talk him down on the price, but LL seems to be pretty firm that paint and new carpet is going to net him $15,000 above the tax appraised price. Did I mention there are quite a few newer homes on the market for only a little more than what he is considering? Yep, this is stress....oh well, so is life.

On the work front, I added 15 hours to my work week-up to 35 hours for the time being. They were needing extra hands and I have extra time, so I put my name in the hat. Hubby is pretty adamant he does not want me working 40 hrs a week since it gets so busy around our house, but 35 is manageable. I get off work at 4:00. I may shift it around so that I get off at 3:30, but for now this is the schedule. I plan to use this extra money for new furniture, which we really need. Our current furniture has seen lots of animal paws and human traffic. If we move, I plan to take very little of our current furniture with us (as little as it is already) and the new furniture will be a little more contemporary.

I guess I'd better scuttle off to work...Have a great Tuesday!

Remember Me?

I kept waiting for a really cool picture of a current project to post, but as you can see, I've hit an unproductive patch! And the bad part is there are two great project right at my fingertips! The cupcake hat and the baby Albert coat call to me, but I haven't had time to pick them up! I've got to learn to prioritize,I know. It should be KNIT,eat, sleep,work....I know it's all part of the cycle of life in general. but it doesn't make it any easier to look at my yarn stash and know I have the making for several projects if I just get started!!! I may just have to go to my LYS for a fresh round of inspiration....Luckily my destashing resolution did not say anything about pattern buying---so I've managed to stay pretty close to keeping it...notice I said PRETTY CLOSE...we all can't be perfect!

Seed catalogs are starting to come in with increased frequency---I can't wait to plant a garden this year. I haven't in about 3 years, and I really miss it. I am going to dig up the flower beds in the front of the house this weekend if it is warm, so I have plenty of time to amend the soil if needed. I used to grow tons of zinnias when we lived in Oklahoma --they grew with such ease! I have planted zinnias several times here with no good luck. I think it is my soil. Zinnias make wonderful splashes of color set in a vase in any room. Although one year I learned not to cup the flower with my hand after a rainstorm. Did you know bumblebees take shelter from the storm by pressing themselves to the underside of a really big zinnia? I found that out the hard way!!!!
I have bought a ton of veggie seeds this year. I want to can a lot more than I did last year--which will be easy since I DIDN'T CAN ANYTHING last season...How's that for setting the standard? Hell, if I can get one jar of jam canned, I've met the goal...snicker...

I guess I'd better start getting ready for work. Have a great day and knit a little for me (hey, just because I'm slouching doesn't mean everyone should follow my example!)...Pictures to come eventually (how's that for non-committal)...

Sunshine

After weeks of grey and windy days, today is sunny and windy. Wind can be a pain, but at least it is warmer. I don't have to work because of President's Day...not sure what makes this day special, but hey-it's a paid holiday so I'm not asking!I guess it's like Mother's Day, but for someone you may not like that much...

Sue (my friend and cohort in trouble and mischief) and I have a quilting class today, which will be great fun after our weekend cutting and sewing marathon. I went to her house at 3pm on Friday and left at midnight. We were pretty sick of cutting by Saturday morning so we took the day off and went from noon til midnight last night. Thankfully I had brought both my machines, so we each had a machine and it made the work go faster. We are going at a breakneck pace because it is part of a class--next quilt, we are going to work on it together and spread out the work. We'll do one for her together, then one for me....and so on. I'm sure her husband would love to have his kitchen and dining room back! With all the sewing, I neglected my knitting bag. I am going to disappear to a coffee shop this weekend and do some much needed knitting. Pictures later (although no promise of how much later the way my week has been going!)..

Have a warm and sunshine filled day, even if it is not in your neck of the woods!

Cool Hat!

Check the link for a really neat hat from Now Norma Knits..it is her pattern for a Dulaan Cupcake hat....http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/now_norma_knits_2/2007/02/cupcake_hat_for.html
I am soooooo casting on one of these this weekend! This looks like it will be a quick gratification project while I am working on the Baby Albert coat. I have some Lamb's Pride Bulky in my stash....actually I have a LOT of Lamb's Pride bulky in my stash....I really wish I knew how to do fair isle knitting--the top would look so cool with fancy designs. Actually, I may order some bulky yarn from Knit Picks (the destashing resolution just came crashing down) and dyeing it myself so it self-patterns, or has color variations (I'm thinking something glaringly festive like purples, blues and red/oranges thrown in for contrast....much like the colors I chose for the quilt I'm working one...oh, and some bright yellow highlights thrown in to add some dash...I know, it'll look like Mardi Gra threw up in wool...). I see so many neat things to knit lately, but there is not enough time for me to do them all, so I am learning to not bite off more than I can chew. I may need dentures by the time this is over.....

Warm wishes and cool yarn to you and yours!!!

Almost Perfect

I had the most perfect pictures of Sue and I quilting (or at least cutting fabric, sewing angles, ripping out the thread, cursing and re-sewing said block) ever. However after taking tons of pictures to share with you, I got home, went to the computer and proceeded to take the photocard out of the camera.......and that's where things tanked. I had left the photocard at home.....DARN IT!!!! They would have been good pictures. So instead I will leave you with pictures from this morning. The first one is of our little orphan. He has become quite comfortable, as witnessed by his REALLY loud snoring this morning, which did not endear him to the princess in the following picture. Witnessed by the look on her face as she stared at him and then looked at me with utter disgust that not only was he still here, but HE SNORES....

On the weather front--it is unbearably cold (as if I have a choice) and I want to hibernate. The kids didn't have school today and do not have it again tomorrow because of parent-teacher meetings, so I didn't have to worry about getting everyone motivated this morning. Hubby and son are in class this evening, so the boys and I hit the video store. They got PlayStation games to tide them over tomorrow and I got the movie "Sherrybaby". It looks like it will be really good and it has my favorite actress as lead character, but I just can't seem to get into it right now....It's due tomorrow, so I will have to find time for it before midnight....

Island Dreams...

It is 8 degrees outside.That would be OK if there were no wind,but this is Kansas...obviously staying inside and not braving the cold seems like a better option, however I am going to have to prepare myself to brave the elements and get out the door in just a little bit....I guess I shouldn't gripe too loud since they are getting FEET of snow in New York and other parts of the country. I get no sympathy from my relatives in Maryland..They figure if you can still see the top of your car, it's still a light snow..However, a fireplace sounds like such a good idea! Can you imagine that--I would never get out the door in the winter!
Didn't get to post pictures of my quilt color choices yesterday because I discovered that putting the recharging cable in your knitting bags is great IF YOU TAKE THE CORRECT KNITTING BAG TO WORK WITH YOU...I probably should consider not having more than one project bag going at a time, but that would make life so predictable.....tonight I will post pictures...(fingers crossed...)

More to come later--stay warm and drink good coffee!

Interesting days these are....

Today promises to be an interesting day--possibly stressful, possibly not.

First up: Last night, my oldest son mentions that he is going to call his friend in Pennsylvania. Since I was not sure what our long distance plan is, I told him to wait and check with Dad. To which he gets flip and tells me Dad already told him we had unlimited, and the only people he has been calling have been in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Canada....WTH!!! CANADA?!!!!!!!!
After recovering my heart rate---I ask him to clarify that he has been calling C-A-N-A-D-A----as in NOT IN THE UNITED STATES... As in INTERNATIONAL RATES....That would have only been half bad if he hadn't taken an attitude and said Canada is NOT LONG DISTANCE...Maybe I had the wrong textbook when I took geography in Oklahoma, or maybe Bush has done something I didn't see recently to extend our Northern borders, but last time I checked CANADA WAS NOT IN THE UNITED STATES....Long story short, hubby is going to call to see what the damage is so we don't have the heart attack when we get the bill since Brandon estimates he talked with he a total of 5-7 HOURS so far--as FAR AS HE CAN REMEMBER....we won't even go into where he thought long distance covered....I can assure you it does not go to Saskatchewan (I love spell check!) CANADA...

And Saturday we received a note from the middle school about grief counselors being on campus to help the kids talk about the student that passed away Thursday night--as we probably heard on the news and radio...again WTH? We are a small town, and the kids had off from school Friday, but none of the parents I knew could figure out what they were talking about. So I worried all weekend.

I have a quilting class today -- which I am REALLY looking forward to, but I am really stressed. I am going to make oldest get a job. I figure when he was little and I was a single parent, I went to school full time AND worked full time in addition to parenting responsibilities, so by golly he can work at least part time while going to school full time! And I may make him take a GEOGRAPHY class to boot....

I know....breathe.........

Slow Sundays

It is a pretty grey day around here, so I will spare you any shots of outside. However, it is a great day to get some much neglected knitting done. Hubby is out flying (his passion)....I have a pot of good coffee from Paradise Roasters http://www.paradiseroasters.com/ (they have an unbelievable Mexican coffee), a load of clothes in the washer, and Sarah McLachlan's Afterglow CD playing on the cd player, so I feel entitled to sit and knit on the long overdue scarf for my coworker. I fully intend to get it completed this evening so I can weave in the ends (my least favorite part of the process) and give it to her in the morning. That will allow me to focus on casting on the Baby Albert coat. I started it, and then frogged it in favor of waiting until the scarf was completed so I'm not halfway between two projects....

I have a quilting class tomorrow at the County Extension Center with a friend. Who knew they taught knitting and quilting?!! And at a really good price! I am pretty hyped since it has been a long time since I have done any quilting and it will be fun to take the class with Sue. As usual my color choices are on the "bright side" --according to Sue. I know she was trying to diplomatic....Nothing mellow and subdued here! I will have pictures posted tomorrow of my fat quarters (the fabric, not MINE! There aren't enough attorneys in the world that can defend me on the aftermath if I did that...) and the scarf. I am hoping the recipient will model it for all to see.

Have a warm and fuzzy day filled with good coffee and great yarn!

I Wanna Llama

Ok---so I'm thinking, if I tell everyone it is a Peruvian Mountain dog, do you think I could get away with keeping a llama in my backyard? Didn't think so.....but just think of all that fiber..yummmmm. I would say an alpaca 'cause they're smaller, but they also cost almost as much as we will be paying to put one of my kids through college....and while the toss up on that is tempting, having an alpaca in the backyard means we will never be empty nesters.....Just a thought for the day....

Buddy

Here is our orphan--he comes to the name Buddy, so that is what we will call him. He's a real charmer, however he was not real sure about the silver box in front of my face, so he would not pose. However, he wasn't really fond of the FedEx guy today, so he does have the ability to be protective.Ever hear a beagle bark? Holy Smokes! It's loud.And he's not real crazy about cats (great-we have 5).....I still can't believe someone didn't want him!!! One of the guys at work thought that maybe he was stolen by the lame-brains in the mini pickup in hopes of claiming a reward. When none was offered, they dumped him. Or that possibly he was the pet of the lame-brains relative that died and LB did not want to deal with him....but COME ON!!! Dumping him in a strange place in the winter?!...He has been well care for--and he's neutered, so I can't imagine someone would take care of him only to dump him on a country road. Ok--I'll shut up....

To The Coward That Abandoned The Beagle

Yes, I know the chances of the coward in the maroon mini pickup who abandoned the beagle (on Ridge Road) reading this is slim, since people who abandon animals in the country are too white trash to own any technology, but I am going to vent anyway!

This evening on my way home from a friend's house, I took a country road that I occasionally take home when I want to take the long way....As I was driving, I saw a mini pickup pull off the road, open it's passenger door and then close it and back up. As they drove off, they left a beagle. I drove past and the dog just stared at me.....As I wrestled with whether hubby would be really angry if another animal appeared, I notice the dog in the road in my rear view mirror. The long and short of it--2 miles down the road I turned around.

As I approached the dog, it was sitting in the road with cars coming towards it. Thankfully they slowed down as I flashed my lights and went around the dog, who by this time was running from side to side in confusion. Obviously this dog was not sure of where it was! He came right to me and jumped in my car. I could see he had been wearing a collar because the hair was pressed down, but the cowards had removed it.

The kicker is that this beagle is the best behaved, docile dog I have encountered in a long time. He sits when told, stays when told, and is completely oblivious to the neighbor's dogs that are trying to attack it through the fence. My only concern is that it does not try to defend itself at all when Cocoa (our German short hair/black and tan mix) went after him. AND HE IS ALREADY NEUTERED.

HOW CAN SOMEONE JUST DROP AN ANIMAL OFF IN THE COUNTRY! IN THE WINTER!!! It is horrid to do that anytime, but WINTER?!!

My hope is that the coward in the mini pickup gets a dose of Karma and loses his home and everything he is familiar with!!!

There, I've vented...but darn, I wish I could have gotten a tag number on that truck!
We are going to see if possibly the coward had stolen the dog from someone and dumped him when they realized it was a responsibility, but other than that we are hoping to find him a good home with someone we know. This way we can keep tabs on him. The Humane Society in Wichita is not a No-Kill facility, so I am not going to take it there! He will stay with us until we find a suitable home. Surprisingly, Hubby did not get really mad. Actually he didn't get made at all. Possibly because the dog is at least neutered. And thankfully the guy down the street is dating a vet's assistant who looked and told me how to tell the dog was neutered...Hey, how was I to know? I've never had boy dogs!! But now I know it is pretty obvious if they aren't...we just won't go there on this blog....

I will post a picture of him tomorrow so you can see what a cute boy he is.

Happy Saturday

The day before the Super Bowl is NOT the time to do casual shopping at Wal-Mart! Hubby, a friend, and I were out playing today and I made the mistake of "popping" into Wal-Mart....along with the entire east side of Wichita! We had gone to Super Target earlier and it was sooo much more civilized. I am on a search for a perfect set of wine glasses. I found perfect ones at Target, but at $39 for a set of 4, I was left contemplating the fact that my other wine glasses have "disappeared" one by one...it would hurt a lot more if they cost $10 each.They were crystal and made by a famous maker( I think the spelling is Reidel, but don't quote me on that), but still....I picked up a cheap set at Wal-Mart, but will probably hit Target for one of their "less expensive" sets. Hubby and I like wine, and it seems a bit odd to drink decent wine out of jelly jars and mismatched glasses......We're not wine snobs (we love a local winery called Smoky Hill http://kansaswine.com/ ) but it would be nice to have decent glassware to serve it in! On the knitting front, I have cast on the Baby Albert coat in addition to the friend's scarf. I usually have a couple projects going at one time. They are usually scarf projects, so I'm hoping I am not biting off more that I can chew! Once I complete the first baby coat, I am going to do a couple more---at least one for charity, possibly more. My goal for 2007 is to get several charity projects done. I firmly believe in giving back in graditude for my many blessings!

View from a Room -- take two

Ok-- I am still figuring out this blogging business--my first post turned out kinda wonky after I put in the pictures, so this is attempt #2.

This is the view from my window at work. I like the city skyline, so it is a good thing.

The last picture is a shot of my next project, the Albert Coat from The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch. It is a little version of the adult Einstein coat, which I really like. I figure I can perfect my technique while doing a couple of the baby coats and then move on to the large version. And since I have friends that are expecting AND will be knitting with yarn from my stash---IT'S ALL GOOD!

Babble, Babble, Toil and Drabbles.....

I was supposed to go to my pottery class tonight but oldest son is in class (either biology I or history I, not sure ) and hubby is sitting in his master's level nonparametric statistics class (I have NO CLUE as to what this is!) , so I am at home with the 13 yrs olds. I didn't feel right leaving them --- sometimes I do if I know "grandma" (our adopted neighbor) is next door or the older males are going to be home within the hour, but tonight was one of those off nights. And right now they are outside hurling snowballs at mind numbing speeds towards each other as I sit here hoping the next dull thud that hits the door is a snowball, not a kid. You can never tell on these things. And since the boys are being so wild with me HERE, I dare not leave them alone. They are at that age.....

I stumped the instructors at the cosmetology school I go to get my hair cut at...Usually I go in for a color and a partial weave (lighter highlights) and they do a great job. Since I have decided to grow out my hair and let it go grey (I am completely grey at 42 years old), I asked them to do something to make the STRIPE of increasing grey a little less harsh.....they apparently have never had someone ask that....the instructor kept confirming that I INTEND to go grey...After much discussion, my student hairdresser came up with doing a slight weave of the normal colors. Slightly enough so that there is some color running through it...It looks pretty good...I figure if I don't like the grey, I can always color it. Isn't it funny how women fret over such things? My hubby could care less what color my hair is, which is nice, but one of my friends is mortified that I am going to let my hair go grey....And hey, I have already started eyeing a beautiful clear royal blue yarn for a hat/scarf that would look perfect with grey hair....after I destash my yarn--of course...

Silver lining (no pun) --- with the money I saved on not doing a complete color/weave, I am having a facial!!! I haven't wanted to spend the money to get one before but I figure, now is a good time to try it. It's the little splurges that make life good....I'm not a frou-frou girl, so this is one of the few frou frou posts you'll have to endure.

Have a great night and an even better morning!

It's All Good....

I am a little slow going this morning---same with the kids, but I got them to school on time. That has been a little bit of a problem for me this month. It seems like I get the kids up, they have breakfast and before you know it, it is 7:25. That wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that at 7:25 we should be in a warmed up, windshield scraped van sitting in a long line waiting to turn into the parking lot of the school. That has not happened this week. Pretty lame....But some mornings getting kids focused and to school on time is like HERDING GERBILS!

I am at the tail end of the scarf I'm making for a mediator at my office and already eyeing another one. The yarn I am using is a synthetic, but it feels like butter! I love knitting with it. Plus it is bulky and textured with eyelash style yarns, so plain garter stitch is sufficient.

Yesterday was a good mail day. I got Barefoot Contessa's new cookbook in the mail--it really is a good one and the recipes are ones I can see myself making. I have all of her other ones--except for the French one. That one didn't fit my style, although most of her books have easy recipes. The only quirk is that she tends to use extra large eggs--so I have to buy them. A lot of times I get my eggs from a lady down the road that has chickens. The first time I had fresh eggs, it was amazing. They are completely different from store bought. I can't describe it, take my word. I still buy store bought eggs (I sometimes don't have time to "run to the egg lady") but I really do enjoy going. Plus, I get to see the chickens---which I am totally in love with! If we end up buying this house, I am soooo getting a couple hens for eggs and amusement. We can have them in my little town, but no roosters for the obvious reasons.

I am posting a picture of the snowman created by our neighbors. It just makes me smile. It is more "ample" than any of the others!

Things I am thankful for today:

1.Spellcheck on my computer.

2. Coffee

3. Warm houses

4. Rock salt

5. Having the ability to knit. Both physical and mental. I think we all tend to take this for granted, but I was contemplating about how much pleasure it brings me and how I would miss it if I could not do it.

Have a GREAT morning!

Picture as promised

Here is preteen in his hat ---made by me. He likes it, it is warm and not "dorky", so I guess I did well. I guess I should scrap the little ducky hat, huh?

Holy Smokes It's Cold!

I know, WAHHHHH. I have decided I am not a cold weather person! I like snow and having real seasons, but darn it, I would like to be able to stay inside and watch it from the warmth of my window with yarn in hand....

I had an AH HA moment this morning. As one of the twins went out the door wearing the first hat I've ever knit, suddenly I got a feeling of real satisfaction and realized,THIS is why we knit. There is something really satisfying about seeing someone you love wearing something you knit. And liking it. The pattern is one that I got in class a couple months ago and it is simple enough to be a first "not scarf" project for those ready to move on. The hat picture will be posted this evening (I finally found the charger cable to the camera). It is a really simple pattern done in Lion Brand (I needed to make sure it was washable) --- I am pretty happy with it and it knits up in a day or less. Very simple. However. I am doing the next one in some of my kool-aid dyed wool. If you have never Kool-aid dyed, you MUST try it! Along with being pretty darned easy, it is a good project for kids to help with.

Hubby was so sweet this morning. He took kids to school so I could get ready for work at my own pace, then called to wish me a Happy B-day. I'm 42 today. It doesn't feel like it. However, I like being the age I am and would not want to go backwards.

Have a GREAT and warm morning! I'll have pictures this afternoon of the hat and maybe some extras----now that I FOUND the cable!!! Cable....sounds like an idea for my next project.......

Just sitting here nursing breakfast until I get motivated to get off to work. It is sooooo hard to get motivated when inside the house is warm and toasty and outside is cold and frosty....so I sit here with a warm bowl of oatmeal w/ dried cranberries and contemplate my day. I am trying to make it a habit to eat a bowl of oatmeal at least 3 mornings a week. However, I have discovered the amount they give for the "heart healthy" recipe makes a huge portion, so I end up stuffed and sleepy some mornings (like today). I would like to work up to at least 4 days, but most mornings I am lucky to leave the house with clothes on, let alone having breakfast!!Now if I could just make myself consume 8 glasses of water a day....

Cute man is still gone--he comes home tomorrow evening in time for his class. He is taking nonparametric statistics FOR FUN! YUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!! He was sweet enough to call the house again this morning to make sure I was up. Pretty sad, I know, but I am not a morning person and that snooze alarm is just too easy for me to push. Repeatedly.Until the clock breaks. Or the hammer pulverizes it. I am SOOO sleeping in this weekend! Jeremy has pottery at 1:00, so I guess I have to get out of bed at some point, but darn it! Hibernation is a good concept. Just think how nice the world would be if politicians were required to take a nap before signing legislation or statutes that cause strife!

At some point this week, I have to make it to the DMV to renew my license. Here you have to take a small written test to renew. It isn't so bad because they mail you the test and the booklet, you complete the test and bring it to the DMV. I guess I need to do it quickly. I'm ashamed to say it took me 5 years to get my license change from Oklahoma to Kansas. I think my hubby thought I was going to bolt back to Oklahoma...I was pretty homesick when we moved here, but Kansas does have some really good things going for it. Once I finally got it switched from Oklahoma to Kansas, my husband was relieved.

Our little episode where the power was out made me realize how my blessings are often shuffled aside. The ability to have heat and light are definitely things we take for granted. So I end this post with a prayer of thanks for the little things.

And a Happy Good Morning to You!

Remember me being glib about having power? Well, last night the reality fairy came to visit....Apparently about 3:45. My oldest woke me up to let me know we had no power.HMMMMM-wake Mom up from a sound sleep to let her know the power is off...oh yeah, and the computer is off (like I can wave a magic wand and make the computer function without juice?!)Which means no heat. Gas furnaces are great except for the fact the ignition is electric....Luckily we were only without for an hour or three--I'm not completely sure since I went back to sleep. Hubby is out of town on a business trip but was sweet enough to call at 7:00 to make sure I was up and the kids were ready for school. Good thing since our alarm clock is guess what.....ELECTRIC.I just wanted to hibernate this morning...However we are definitely happy we have the convenience of heat, electricity and all that goes with it. The roads are clear, which is another blessing. Although it does have me seriously thinking that if we end up buying this house, we are definitely putting in either a wood burning stove or a soapstone fireplace.For the heat of course--not the idea of knitting in front of a fire...OK, maybe a little of that idea...

On the knitting front, I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday AND DID NOT BUY ANY YARN!!!!For me, that is the equivalent of going into a Godiva Chocolate shop and just looking!And they had some really fun novelty yarn at an awesome price!! But I behaved. I am really trying to knit from my stash. On the needles right now is a dark green scarf for one of the mediators at the office. When I finish, I have a royal blue scarf planned for someone who needs something special!I did buy yarn for this project, but even Hubby agreed this person needs fresh yarn and in a really beautiful color. Some people may not like novelty yarns, but I am completely addicted to the Hobby Lobby (YARN BEE BRAND) yarn. I did eye some wool/soy yarn from Paton's while at Michael's craft store yesterday, but stuck with the de-stashing goal and put it on my "someday" list.

I guess it is time to head to work. Have a great day!

It's raining,it's snowing, this old lady's nose is glowing...

We have been having quite the fun weather since Friday! I got to work at 9:15 and my boss called and said GO HOME...at that point it was just sleeting and lightly snowing in alternate cycles. Luckily I had gone to the grocery store Thursday after pottery class. It was 10:30p.m. and I had missed the apparently wild and crazy rush to stock up. The cashier said it was a total madhouse all afternoon and most of the evening. At 10:30, I was one of half a dozen shoppers, so it was good. Luckily they had everything I needed. On Friday I stopped and got a ton of meat since our small town store was having an outrageous meat sale....so we are stocked and don't have to go out in this crazy weather. Luckily the weather is not bad enough to make the power go off, but if it does, we'll just unpack the freezer and put it all in the cooler outside, which is probably colder than the freezer!!!It is nice but the kids are getting stir crazy...what did parents do before PlayStation?! I guess we had plenty of books and I used to paint and draw when we were stuck inside....but I am putting a lot of inches on a scarf I am knitting for someone at the office, so it is all good.....it would be cozy to have a fireplace though!!

Speaking of painting and drawing, I decided that this year I am going to make a bigger effort to honor my talents. I love to watercolor paint and have gotten lots of compliments on the ones I have completed, but it seems as though I stop after someone compliments and I have my art laying all around where it is not being protected....I am going to start keeping my art in a portfolio case and I am going to set aside time each day to paint--even if for 30 minutes. I bought a book called Art Escapes by Dori Kanter several months ago and have been meaning to start the exercises, but never got to it. Yesterday, I went online and ordered the sketchpads and three tubes of watercolors to start the exercises in the book. I will order the other colors as I get to them. I like this book--it will help me work on my color wheel sense and give me projects to shake up my routine. I will post paintings as I complete them...

I am craving sushi! However, I am not craving it to the point of driving in this crazy weather to go get some! The closest sushi place is 30 minutes away- on a good day....I signed my hubby and I up for a sushi and Japanese cooking class in April. It is a hands on class by a well known chef/caterer here in town, so I am looking forward to it. Then we can keep the supplies in the freezer/pantry and make sushi when we get the urge. Jeremy, one of our twins, will eat sushi like crazy--eel is his favorite (it is too heavy tasting for me) so he is looking forward to us teaching him after we take the class, but our 20 year old son and the other twin will not touch the stuff. Luckily this class also teaches teriyaki--which both love...something for everyone.

Stay warm and stay cozy!

Yada,Yada,Yada

I will be glad when I get over this respiratory junk that is going around!!! I stayed home from work yesterday because I felt like someone had a wild trashing party in my body and forgot to invite me....Luckily I had caught up everything I needed to do at work on Monday, so I didn't leave any loose ends hanging. I went in on Monday but was trying to stay away from anyone---I really don't want to share this! My oldest caught it, so I know it is contagious, but he was done with it after spending 2 days in bed....I guess that's the problem with getting older. I have been nailed by this for 2 weeks....I am going to work this morning--I still feel like I'm draggin' but it's only 4 hours and then I'll come home and crash. It is easy to go in to work though--I really do love the people I work with and that makes it smoother when I am feeling like I do today...I am nursing a cup of hot cocoa (recipe posted in earlier entry) right now, then I will head off to work. ...for the most part I slept until noon yesterday--however Hobby Lobby had a sale on the yarn that I needed to complete a scarf I'm working on, so at 4:00 I got moving and ran some pressing errands and stopped by Hobby Lobby.
Originally my 2007 goals included only using yarn from my stash and not buying more. Unfortunately, I was one skein short from finishing this scarf AND Hobby Lobby was having a sale on the exact yarn I needed for half the price. Was that not a sign from above or what? So I picked up more and got another couple skein of a yarn I am completely addicted to called "Italia". It is normally almost $7 a skein but was on sale for $1.99 !!! Is that not too good to pass up or what?!!! It is a frou-frou novelty yarn (it is the Hobby Lobby brand) but it is sooooooooo nice to work with---I picked up 8 skeins....
No pictures this morning--maybe later...I guess I'd better get off to work. Have a great day!

YUMMMM

I am going on a high fiber diet this year. Just look at the confection that I got from Amazon yesterday. Actually this is one of three knitting books, I will show the others in future posts as I work from them. I had put this book in my cart for at least a month--I wasn't sure if I wanted it since a couple reviews were mediocre. This book is a prime example of why you can't totally rely on reviews and you really have to investigate yourself. THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!I hope I'm not violating any copyright laws by showing photos from the book--but I am just so excited about so many that I had to show just a few. There are sooo many more really good ones in it and it covers all skill levels such as a reversible cable scarf, fingerless mitts (pictured), a wonderful simple cuddly sweater (pictured) and an unbelievably beautiful Celtic plait sweater for more advanced (pictured in white) that gives me inspiration to aspire to. I'm not at that level yet, but I really am motivated!!There are several baby, kid and male patterns too.

Can we start the year over?

Since right before the New Year, I had been feeling a little yucky--as of the New Year, full blown yuck has descended into my chest....can I have a do-over? But being the optimist (fool?) that I am, I am resisting going to the doctor unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I will probably have to call out a second day from work--I REALLY would not like to give this to anyone and it is impossible for me to not interact if I am at the office....and I have realized I left my purple alpaca scarf at the office, so nothing repetitive to soothe me....I am going to have to look in my stash and start another scarf. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to knit from my stash. I really have too much yarn hanging around with no plans for it. In the very least, I should knit up scarves to take to the women's shelters or children's homes. That will give me a good feeling and serve the additional benefit of clearing space in my house....Hopefully I have red in my stash for the red scarf project (see the link in my lists). Foster kids are near and dear to my heart, and so are the ones who have "aged out" of the system.
Have a great day!

Frustrations!

I am getting frustrated about an error message I am getting while trying to install the HTML code on Blogger---I keep getting an Internal Server Error 500--which I have since found out is a general catch-all "you have a problem but we aren't sure what" message! All I want to do is upload the code for a ring I am REALLY wanting to join....figures! I have email everyone and their cousins for assistance!!!I'm pretty sure it isn't the ring HTML or others would be having issues. Time like these I would love to be able to speak Computerese!!

On another note, I usually don't make resolutions, but this year I broke that tradition. My New Years Knitting Resolutions are:

1: Learn to knit a sweater. I ordered Knitting From the Top Down by Barbara Walker to assist me with this. My LYS owner will be in shock--this is the one thing I told her I had no aspirations of ever doing.

2. Finish my son's legacy socks. Named legacy because at the rate I'm going they may arrive just in time for my grandchildren fit into them---and my son is not even dating anyone...

3. Visit a different small town each month in Kansas and Oklahoma and knit in each one. Details about the town will be posted on my site along with knitting pictures. These will be LITTLE towns that you pass on your way to somewhere else and never even stop to consider.....

And on the non-knitting side:

4. Get my college algebra and public speaking done so I can finish my degree! How is it that I can make straight A's in probate law, family law, criminal law, abnormal psychology etc but HAVE A MATH ISSUE!!! Okay, so I made a B in Legal research and writing, but darn it...I need to get over this math issue.

Oh yeah--and lose weight (I know,CLICHE big time)


No pictures today--just good wishes that you have a great New Years. I know, a day late....

Look...

...what we woke up to this morning....unexpected in a way, but it is Kansas and December...however by 3p.m. it had started to melt. So now we have snow and sludge---just right for my light colored carpet (which, by the way, is SOOOOOO gone if we buy this house!).

I've been in bed all day with a really nasty bug. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have made good progress on the purple alpaca scarf, so I guess that's the upside.

Breakfast of Champions

Oh My Gosh! This is what I made today from the current issue of Tea Time magazine. The only changes that I made were that the glazed one in the front are simply cinnamon scones with a powdered sugar glaze--my boys won't eat pecans. I doubled the recipe and put pecans in one batch for hubby and I. The recipe makes 8, but if you are counting, yes, three had been immediately consumed by kids and hubby. The honey cream recipe that goes on the pecan scones is really good. My only change was that I made it up the night before and put it in the fridge to give the flavors more time to blend....Since I used the whole grain white flour, they are at least better for you than doughnuts and they fill you up. Couple this with a cup of coffee by a local roaster in Wichita (Corsair) and it was a good start to the day. Except that my camera may have bit the dust after I took this picture...

Knitting pics

Here is yet another work in progress. It is knit with Alpaca yarn from Knit Pics. Even though it is technically a "bulky" weight yarn, any more than a size 9 needle would be too large. I take it everywhere at this point,especially since I put it on shorter needles--the pattern is sooooo easy that I got several inches done this Christmas before we hit the Oklahoma border. I plan to take it with me to Stillwater, Oklahoma (my hometown) and bang out several more inches at Aspen coffee company--a local coffee shop and coffee roaster in Stillwater. Good coffee and outrageously good treats! I have to take my mother to the cardiologist in Tulsa again, so it will be coming. I tried knitting while my mother was driving recently and was treated to stories of people being impaled by their needles in an accident.....and it took every bit of my resolve not to say "So would that also include not writing while driving or carrying pens anywhere near your body?---but I am slowly learning that just invited more "details"--I think I ought to send this one in to "MythBusters"....and you wonder how Urban Legends start.......

Good Friday!

My cute hubby still has off from work so this afternoon he came by the office so we could go to lunch. We ate at an Indian restaurant (TOTAL YUM) and then blew some serious money on chocolate at Cocoa Dolce. If you have a chance to visit Wichita or if you already live in the area---GO! While deciding, the girl at the counter let me sample a full piece of the eggnog cream filled candy---it almost made my eyes roll back in my head....we went in with the intention of getting one piece each (they are a little pricey) but ended up buying a sample box of 9 pieces. Even though it was $15 for a box that is maybe 3x3", it is MORE than worth the price!!!!! One little piece is soooooo rich that it immediately satisfied me--and I am a chocolate addict....Yes, I AM drooling!!! At any rate, I have decided that in 2007, I am going to focus on the quality of what I consume. This experience proves that a little of something of excellent quality goes much farther that lots of lower quality...

On it's way to me from Amazon is a copy of Bob Greene's new book "The Best Life Diet"--I am looking forward to starting this book. I looked at it while at Barne's and Nobles and thought it was a very sensible approach..I really like that he explains metabolism and basics of body functioning when dieting! That will be my goal for 2007---changing my attitudes and behaviors so that I can change my eating/exercise...Tomorrow I will fix cinnamon pecan scones--but will use whole wheat white flour instead and just have one piece with a cup of really good coffee...Little indulges, done at least a little healthier...that will be the focus instead of deprivation.

You know it's going to be a bumpy week when....

Thankfully one of my friends from another department at work has my home number......For SOME reason I had it in my mind that we had until Thursday off for Christmas break. Don't ask me how I came up with that theory, but it was a firm belief of mine. So much that when my friend called me at 10:16 a.m. to ask why I wasn't at work, I thought she was messing with me......Imagine my surprise....in short, technically I was supposed to be at work by 9:00 a.m. at the latest....Thankfully nothing was going on and I can make it up. Yep---GONNA BE A LONG WEEK....
No pictures, I'm afraid to touch anything mechanical or involving even a minimum of brain power.....

More Pictures from Christmas...

And above, you see my father giving me a "Don't take my picture" look...and then he remembers that the Obedience Fairy missed this daughter! I'm thinking my new year's resolution is going to involve some exercise---I'm looking a little fluffy in the picture above...I'd like to think our camera malfunctioned and added 50 pounds, but the only thing wrong with it (realistically) is the clarity of the pictures...and that may be operator error since I can't seem to slog through the owner's manual.....for the camera either...

I'm thinking my son in the green flight jacket needs a sheering---too bad you can't spin kid hair..at least human kid...but that is a little weird, I guess. You know you have a knitting addiction when anything is measured for possible fiber content....

This is at my parent's home. The bright red walls at my Mom and Dad's actually look really good in photos. They used to be plain wood paneling that made everything look like a cave, but the red really livens it up....

Humor courtesy of In-Laws

We went to see in law and my parents today. I had to post this sign, it really made me laugh and completely sums up my Dad-in-law's humor. I had not noticed it before, but hubby said it has been there for quite some time.......

Countdown!

Well, cute man and I got up at 7:30 this morning and braced ourselves to join the throngs of last minute shoppers and general mayhem at the mall....only there wasn't any. We parked almost in front and had no wait at the registers in any store... HMMMM....Maybe it was too early and it will be different this afternoon. Actually we hit Sam's first to get some baking supplies such as chocolate chips (they sell the yummy Ghiradelli Bittersweet chips), lemons, flour (they had whole grain white--score!), and other things. Luckily I had taken inventory before I went since I am notorious for overbuying...I practiced restraint and didn't get things to make EVERYTHING in my cookbook, like I have in the past...I am working on restraint and knowing when enough is enough...it is really hard! So, while hubby is checking on a friend's animals and braving Wal-Mart, I am working on the following goodies:

Cream cheese citrus pound cake
Lemon Bars
Giant Ginger Cookies
Mississippi Mud Cake
Fudge

And later the kids can help me package up some Hot Cocoa Mix in quart jars, and then we will dip pretzels in white chocolate coating. The recipe for the cocoa is really easy. I multiply it by 4 and make enough for jars of various sizes. Here is the recipe:

4 cups powdered milk
1 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
dash salt
1 cup non-dairy creamer

Mix it all together and put in jars of desired sizes. Add card to jar with the following instructions:

Mix 1/4 cup cocoa mix in a mug with 1 cup water. Enjoy!

We finally have the kids gifts taken care of---now we just need to wrap them. I practiced restraint in that areana too and let the kids know they will only be getting a few gifts since each one asked for a high dollar item. Usually I go on a buying binge at Christmas and the kids end up with stuff they really don't use too much...I came from a family where my mother went overboard every year, my husband came from the exact opposite, so we have been working towards a happy medium. It still makes me feel a little anxious to not underneath the tree completedly filled in......

Reading list....

Got the newest Knit Simple---actually bought both within a week of each other. The holiday issue has some really neat scarves---and you know what a scarf freak I am!There is a bamboo stitch scarf that is soooo cute on page 80--but that is just the start. The Winter 06/07 has a rockin' article on socks! And the One Skein book-----I can't even start to gush over this one!It is packed with winderful patterns!!!

Baby, It's cold outside!

It's Friday morning, I am cranky and I want to hibernate....given that Friday always follows Thursday, it IS WINTER and I am not a bear (no matter what my husband says), this should leave me no room to gripe....so I will leave you with a picture of unbearable cuteness. Pay no attention to the basket of laundry and the ugly pink chair--concentrate on the adorable mound of blonde dachsund cuteness that is Sugar Baby........

Testing 1-2-3

Yep--today is post heavy, but I am tweaking my blog ---this time I am trying to get the time set correctly....so I will use this entry to post 5 things I am thankful for: 1: My kids 2: My husband and the fact he lets me be cranky whenever I darn well please. Also that he cooks and cleans equally with me...actually he probably does more.... 3:Good coffee 4: Friends 5:My job.

More Pictures

I haven't figured out how to post multiple pictures yet. I am just happy it decided to post one picture--multiple pictures may be pushing it...

Another purse on the needles

I figured I'd post some pictures of my projects --- the first is a red and white purse from the same pattern as the other. This is still on the needles, so not ready to felt. Other pictures are of a white scarf done in farrow stitch and using Lamb's Pride Bulky (my favorite). The other is a purple scarf on the needles using Knit Picks alpaca....I'm finally on a knitting binge...and I found Lamb's Pride BURLY SPUN at my LYS!!! She just started carrying it! TEARS OF JOY!!!!

I'm not sure how, but I got pictures to post. Hopefully this will continue since I really do think blogs with pictures are much more interesting than ones without!

I am sitting here nursing my morning cup of coffee and contemplating the fact I need to be getting out the door to go to work. I was home yesterday since I was supposed to drive my mom to Tulsa, but she ended up cancelling due to the fact we were supposed to have bad weather and she didn't want me driving from Kansas to Oklahoma and back if the roads were going to be yucky. So instead I snagged a friend and we went Christmas shopping, which I had not done yet. This is how the whole day looked ---rainy and overcast---but I love the rain and actually like overcast days, so it was good. I snagged the last 2GB PSP memory stick at Best Buy---good since that is the primary thing Brandon wanted. I told the boys that this year there will be less gifts since what they want is so expensive....it still feels weird not filling up the bottom of the tree...

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO! PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did it Work?

I am really close to giving up and just getting out crayons and paper!

Okay-maybe not

It appears the new version of Blogger is not as user friendly as I thought......maybe pictures later----if the Blogger fairy gets off her electronic arse!!!

Pictures, Finally!

Here is a picture of the purse I made from the classs in Lawrence, before it was felted. I love this pattern! You can do one in a couple marathon knitting session or over a week of relaxed knitting. Ideally I would have done on for all the women in my family for Christmas, but that is not going to happen this year considering the date......maybe winter soltice presents?

I am eyeing an electric fireplace at Wal-Mart...I know, but if you don't have the possibility of knocking a hole in the wall (we rent) and putting in a fireplace, this is a viable option.....I have ths image of sitting in front of a fire (even if it is man-made), in an comfy chair and knitting....now I just have to figure out how to clean up my room so I can fit one in....and that would entail housework......

It's Monday

This weekend went WAY too fast. Hubbie and I had a party for my work on Saturday so the better part of the day was spent doing a little Christmas shopping then braving the crowds at Sam's Club for a cheese tray. I thought I could get away with one for $15, but the cheapest they had was $26, so I decided to just get some summer sausage and cheeses and arrange my own. It turned out darn good if I do say so myself! And I finally got to use the silver serving platter I found at DAV for $2.48. Hubby was impressed, which made it sweeter--especially since he questioned why I even bought the thing.......I will recreate the tray again for Christmas with my side of the family.

Speaking of Christmas with my side, it looks like this is going to be another one of those traveling Christmas'. We have to go to my in-laws on the 23rd and then my family on the 24th. Both trips are 3 hours each way......It would be sooooo nice to have Christmas season with no travel......We spent Thanksgiving at my in laws, which is nice since they are in the country and the boys get to go shooting (which they love), but Hubby forgot to include me in on the discussion to go there for Christmas too. My goal for the coming year is to have my house cleaned up so I can have someone house-sit and keep an eye on all the animals so we can go away for a day or more. As I said---goal for 2007.......

Holidays can be a rough time when you are in the middle of a life transition---I am trying to figure out how to plan a "New Chapter" party for a friend of ours that is getting a divorce. All of the websites that have "divorce party" plans sound more like drunken male bashing fiascos, and since her support system is going to include a lot of guys that are close friends, it doesn't seem appropriate. So I am trying to plan a dignified party for her....

Monday did not come gently to my house....the boys were really cranky this morning --which I knew was going to be the case since we had to tell them to quit talking at 11:30! Some days I just focus on GETTING THEM OUT THE DOOR!!!!!This was one of them!

On the knitting note, I started another felted purse. This is the same pattern, but in red and white. I am going to put pockets in this one since it is driving me nuts trying to find my cell phone at the bottom of the bag! I am still working on an alpaca scarf in a very simple farrow stitch pattern that is soooo relaxing to knit. It is my standard pattern and I have done several in several kinds of yarns. multiple of 4, plus one at the end. 3 knit, 1 purl, ending with a knit. Turn, then do it again. I'll post a picture of where I got the pattern (it is a deck/box called "The Little Box of Scarves" by Melissa Matthay and Sheryl Thies-----I HIGHLY recommend getting it!). I have the second box in the series, but haven't played too much with the card patterns in it because time has been so short lately.....However, I will have plenty of knitting time Wednesday since I have to take my mother back to Tulsa for the day. This round of test will last the whole day, so I will bring plenty of yarn....

I guess I'd better shoot off to work, I will post pictures tonight. I have finally found my cable to the camera...Actually they all look alike, so we'll see if I am right...

Total for the Haul

It is only 10:30 a.m and I am up surfing other blogs. Funny how hooked you get keeping up with other bloggers!
Total count for the needle box: 84 matched pairs of straight needles, 25 unmatched variety sized/length needles (I'll use these when I knit scarfs that use different sized needles on each row..) and 12 afghan hooks (I have to give my mom in law credit for telling me what those were). Holy smokes, did I get my 5 bucks worth or what?! I will use most of them to teach people how to knit---I can give them a set of started needles, which is always a good thing. And teaching the basics (which is all I can handle) is pretty easy. One of the girls at work wants to knit really bad, so she will be my first victim--oops, I mean student! Always give back to others when you have the chance! I taught a friend to do granny squares (crochet) and we are going to work on some afghans, caps and other things for charities.

Two of my boys spent the night with a friend, so last night it was just my husband, oldest son and I. Hubbie and I went out to dinner with another couple and then to a graduation party for a friend. She is getting her second master's degree. And then she take the qualifying exams for her Ph. D in a week........and I haven't even finished my bachelor's.....but then said friend has no kids, so I guess I'm not slacking that bad....I am going to sign up in the Spring to start working through my math classes to complete college algebra. I have to start at pre algebra and work upwards (or downward since I feel algebra is the slippery slope to hell....but that's a different rant and I told the guys that untied my jacket I would play nice today....). Yep, gonna start the year off with a bang (or a slew of unmentionable words)...I'm married to an engineer---can't I just CLEP out of algebra on that basis?!

Good Trip-Great Haul!

Holy Smokes!Sometimes it IS good to shoot an offhand comment into the air!While trying to sort through a box of knitting needles at a flea market shop yesterday, the owner expressed the same frustration I was feeling at trying to sort through the box to match needles. In a moment of frustration, I said "This is going to take forever! How much for the whole box!!!" to which she shot back "You can take the whole box for $5".....mind you, this was a good sized box of needles and she was selling them for 50 cents a pair. Yep, I bought the box! This morning I have found well over 35 pairs of matched longs and shorts....there are several really old pairs still in the sleeves and several pairs that are not familiar names to me. Pictures to follow once I get them all straighten out. I have also found several unmatched--which I will put in pretty jars or containers in my office for decoration or use when I am working on scarves that would look good with different needle sizes. I will post pictures of the old ones later in hopes someone out there will know about the brand and help me identify them....more later.

Off to Oklahoma I go...

It is bitter cold, hubbie took the kids to school and was sweet enough to gas the car up, so now I am preparing for a 1 1/2 hour ride to Stillwater (Home of the OSU Cowboys--YEAH TEAM!) -- so that I can turn right around and drive to Tulsa (another 1 1/2 hours) to take my mom to the doctor. And then do the whole trip in reverse.....Why am I driving. you ask? Well, my mother is one of those endearing older ladies that does a complete stop on a merge out......needless to say, we get to know the temperament of the drivers behind us if I let her drive in a city (which does not happen often). So weighing the possibility that I will have to drive to Tulsa to pick her up, I decided just to give up......One bright spot is that I may get to go thrift store shopping while there if we have time....I love thrift stores! On the knitting front, I am casting on for Buttonhole Bag #3. I love this pattern! It is sooooooo easy and works up really fast. Somewhere in this house I have a pattern for the Lucy bag, but I put it "in a safe spot"--in other words, somewhere where I knew I wouldn't forget....which I did......And at WHAT age do we become our mothers?!!!

Blogging in bursts!

I have been soooo busy that I have severely neglected to post....that, and the fact that I was waiting to find my camera cable so I could finally post pictures....Needless to say, when you are looking for a specific cable, you find every other one except the one you are looking for. I even found cable for items we no longer own---but no camera cable...UGGGGGGGG!


Speaking of cables, I took a class in Lawrence at the Yarn Barn and learned how to do basic cables! I am so psyched! I saw an Irish hiking scarf on Janette's website www.jbknits.blogspot.com/ and fell in love with her scarf. Luckily she was gracious enough to provide a link to the pattern. I know this one has been going around for a while, but I'm a late bloomer. At any rate, now I know how to cable, so I will be casting on this week. I am needing to get into high gear so I can get some gifts for family members done. As usual, the finances crashed this week (even though I had a buffer built in!), so I will be stash surfing! SEE?! This is why yarn "artists" stash yarn...Kind of like squirrels hide nuts (DO NOT draw a line from yarn artists to nuts!)!You never know when you are going to need it!

I am getting ready to run to work--the kids got off to school without a hitch but I am glad they won't have school tomorrow or for the next couple days. I won't have to worry about herding...Eh, GENTLY GUIDING them to their needed destinations on time!We go to Agra, Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, but Friday I am SLEEPING IN!!! We may hit Stillwater (Home of Oklahoma State University), where my husband and I grew up and he graduated from college--to see my side of the family, but it depends on how Mark is feeling. He gets carsick easily, so we usually limit trips of longer than 3 hours.

At some point this weekend, I am hoping to be given a burst of divine intervention in the energy department--enough to enable me and motivate me to get my house cleaned. It is getting beyond ridiculous! I have a load that needs to be taken to the Goodwill distribution center, but I never seem to have the time to get there!I finally got my husband to put together a DVD cabinet that I had bought 4 months ago, so some things will finally have a home. Isn't it amazing how things can get so out of hand so quickly when you have a small house and lots of people in it? I am going to look at getting more bookshelves for my room--I have quite a knitting library but can never find the right book when I'm looking for it because they are scattered everywhere and under things!

Oops! I has better head out the door! Have a great morning!

Super knitting weekend

Fast entry before going to work -- where I HOPE I didn't forget and leave my candle burning overnight...I woke up last night in a cold sweat and couldn't remember whether I blew the darn thing out! However, a couple weeks ago, one of my coworkers forgot to extinguish her candle and it burned all weekend.....Hopefully mine is out...I have to figure out a "leaving ritual" that includes putting out the candles...

This weekend was utterly fantastic. My husband and I drove to Lawrence, Kansas --which is about three hours away--so that I could take a buttonhole bag class at the YARN BARN. Unfortunately I brought my camera but forgot to get pictures of their fantastic downtown and the beautiful college campus. The last class is this Sunday, so I will get pictures to post. I love that town!!! Unfortunately the class was from 1pm until 4pm -- the exact hours the store was open, so no time to shop. However we are supposedly not going to need the full 3 hours this week, so I might have time to shop a little. The bag class was wonderful. This is only my second attempt at anything that is not a scarf, the first one being the socks that shall remain unfinished and not spoken about at this time....I learned a ton of new techniques and the bag is astonishingly forgiving if you forget to do a second M1 on the other side of your marker....I figured it out and compensated and it really won't affect the overall look of the bag (other than extending the base body a couple rows to get the needed 76 ending stitches before the knit rows)...I am soooooo in love with this pattern that I am going to start another bag this week while waiting for the last class. I will get to the point she told us to stop, which is where we do the buttonhole opening for the handle and she has modified the handle with an I-cord bind off, which is French to me---but she assures us we will catch on quickly....HMMMMM...
I will post pictures on this upcoming Saturday. My dear husband got tired of me exclaiming how much I love that town I'm sure. I adore the downtown. There are tons of college students and every other person has their dog. There are places to tie your dog up outside of all the stores....very dog friendly...I could spend the entire day just talking to people about their dogs!

Ya know it going to be one of those mornings when...

You wake up and trudge down the hall only to be greeted by a honking wet spot on the carpet....and all three dogs are acting guilty! It's not like they didn't go out at midnight....so here I am at 8:30 on the morning shampooing a carpet....the alternate title to this entry was going to be something singing my extreme love for my carpet shampooer, but that smacks heavily of a mental health diagnosis that I probably wouldn't be able to pronounce....at any rate, I had to shoot the spot with Spray and Wash (my other love) and take the kids to school---who by the way apparently did not have their time telling abilities turned on ---- so here I am shampooing this damn thing before I head to work....Thank God for my job! There is plenty of flex time built in!
And how was your morning?!

And here we are again!

I feel as though I have blog whiplash! I post several times, then come to a screeching halt.....I have given up and ordered a weblog for dummies book from Amazon.com......I have so many shortcomings in the blog sphere that maybe this will enlighten me and move me along the path!

The weather has been so strange here for October! Last week we had 95 degree weather and now it has fallen to 60's and drizzly..This is definitely soup weather!I am going to have to fix a big pot of chili this weekend!

I am teaching a friend how to crochet--she is learning and I am refreshing my skills--it's been a long time since I have done this---we are working on granny squares for afghans. On the knitting front, I'm working on a prayer shawl out of Homespun. I haven't worked with synthetic yarns in a while, but this stuff knits up nicely and is really soft. I think it is good for charity project when easy care yarn is needed.
I really like the k3 p3 pattern---it is very soothing and easy to keep up with. Pictures to follow.....