Interesting Architecture

This is the building that Staci and I saw at the top of the hill in Winfield, Kansas.
It is a very solid and striking building that overlooks the highway. As it turns out, it is a mausoleum at a cemetery. The detailing is stunning.
Just look at these beautiful copper doors.
As strange as it sounds, it was very peaceful and beautiful. Staci and I walked among the headstones reading them. It occurred to me that in reality, all of these markers were once people who existed much like us.

We all have a finite amount of time on this Earth. It is up to us to make it matter and to leave this place better than when we were here.
This is a view from the front of the front of the building. Unfortunately the camera could not capture how truly beautiful it was and the fact that it is overlooking the highway which is a couple hundred feet down a hill and across a river.

While we were there, we saw several headstones that just had a soldier's name, a state name, and their rank. No other info such as when the men were born or died. I was telling another friend about this and she said these were soldiers that died there and all the information they had about them was what was on the headstone. Most of them were from other states if this is correct. My thoughts were that these men's families never knew what became of them after they left. That makes me a little sad. They were all from the 1800's. I said a prayer for them. Can you imagine how hard that would be?

And the Gauge God laughs....

The alternate title to today's blogs was going to be " Who ME? I don't need no stinking gauge check....." but you can see how well that worked out. When you laugh in the face of the gauge gods, prepare to eat egg.... This was a pattern off Ravelry's "mitten a month along" group that I've joined. It was supposed to fit a woman's medium hand at 5 stitches to the inch. I am a tight knitter anyway and my hand is nowhere near a medium woman's, but I figured I could bluff it.

NOT!

It came out to be 6 stitches to the inch (and possibly 7 in places where I was thinking of my son and his girlfriend not getting along right now Iowa...). It looks more like a woman's small or a child's large. I will be a trooper and finish the pair anyway since this is the first pair I have ever knit and then knit the next pair on a needle size up (or even 2) with bulky weight or heavy worsted weight yarn (this is worsted Cascade--it was suggested as an alternative to the yarn in the pattern) to make it fit my hand. These will be completed then given to charity. I didn't do the color stripes like the original pattern because I decided I am going to need a little more practice carrying yarns. The orange and black is for the Oklahoma State Cowboys! Go Pokes!! I grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma --home of Oklahoma State University. Hubby did too, and his degree is from OSU. both of us graduated from the high school there and that's actually where we first met....My parents and siblings live there too.

And yes, my stitch holder is too honkin' big for this project...

I got my Ravelry invite a couple days ago. After logging in, I was simply amazed!!! Talk about seeing the light! There are communities for everything; knit alongs, patterns for any kind of project you can imagine (free and for sale) and that is just the start. It is like coming out of the cave!! I LOVE RAVELRY!!! AMAZING!! I am still figuring it out though because it looks like there are many layers and things you can do. Hopefully I will be able to figure out Flicker and get my pictures loaded of projects. There is even a spinning community on it and I'm loving it!

L-O-V-E it!!!

A friend and I did a little road trip to Arkansas City and Winfield, Kansas this weekend. It was great to get out of town. Staci and I always have a good time when we go anywhere--mainly because both of us like to take detours if we see something strange. I will show you the classic case in point in my post later tonight. We saw a really neat building high on a hill overlooking the highway and instead of just saying "Wow-that looks cool" we took the side road off the highway to investigate....you'll see later. Just a little tease to keep you coming back!

Best Laid Plans...

I am SUPPOSED to be in Tulsa (Oklahoma) Thursday for an informal workshop with Louisa Harding at Loops.

However, my car has decided that tie rods are optional and did not consult the wheel base. I could just cry. I was REALLY looking forward to going! I had a reserved spot a long time ago. Renting a car was an option, but an expensive one, so I just finished calling Loops and leaving a message that I can't be there. They have a waiting list, so hopefully they can slide someone in and it doesn't cause a problem. I was really looking forward to seeing Louisa and shopping at Loops.

On the plus side, I worked off some of that frustration (not all of it mind you) by getting more stuff organized around the house. I am hoping that the house will be organized, decorated and ready for guests by the end of February.

To ease the disappointment, I will probably go stalk (oops--I mean VISIT) Shelly at Twist and Mary at Heritage Hut on Thursday. I'll have hubby's car so I'm sticking to local haunts...We may seriously have to consider getting a new car for traveling this summer! Our current cars are great for in town and short trips, but they have well over 150,000 miles on each of them. However, the Plymouth Voyager hubby drives didn't have to have it's engine replaced until it went well over 400,000 miles. The mechanic could not believe. It isn't pretty, but it is a well built van. My newer van has had a couple issues, but not anything that was factory related so I can't complain. I would love to have a hybrid or at least one that leaves a lighter footprint on the gas situation.

On the budget side, I almost ordered one of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books at Amazon.com since I have been really wanting to see what all the buzz is about (I know, I am a late bloomer). I got as far as the checkout and thought about our public library. Guess what? They have not only one, but two copies of this book. Tomorrow I am going to head over there and pick it up so I can look at it and decide if I want to play with it. I am so glad I checked there first! One more budget stretcher. I have actually been pleasantly surprised at the books our library has. I found Crazy Aunt Purl's book last week and absolutely love it! She is hilarious. And the patterns she includes in the book are great too. I actually got her magic scarf pattern from her website and have used it as my "little black dress" scarf pattern. It's easy and chic and everyone loves the way it looks. Plus it can utilize any yarn you little heart desires.

And on the same subject of budget, I love the Internet! I have two skeins of Brown Sheep Company's Wildfoote sock yarn and wanted a pattern that specifically used that yarn. Brown Sheep has a pattern specifically for it on their website. It features a diagonal rib, so this will be a perfect pattern for me after I finish the sock I'm working on. My goal this month is to knit 2 pairs of socks. I may have to knock that down to one pair and then set a higher goal for February.

I am contemplating taking a hand quilting class in February at one of our local quilt shops. I had put my quilt stuff in the guest bedroom and haven't had a chance to really get anything done, but I am going to make myself do at least one quilt related piece at least once a week. I took a hand applique class this summer and really enjoyed it. At one time I knew how to hand quilt, but it has been so long that I need to take a refresher. Hand quilting and hand applique are a lot like knitting and spinning--they are relaxing and you can easily lose track of time. They are great stress relievers.

Well, I probably ought to get thing ready for tomorrow. Hubby has to leave the house before 7:00 a.m which means I am dropping the kids off at school. I don't do mornings, remember? And it is supposed to snow. I'm going to be really pushing it to be human!

Well, have a great night and try to stay warm wherever you are.

New Projects

Ok--I have to fess up. The Kool Aid dyed sock has been frogged. I've taken on a new love...I got about 7" into the Kool Aid dyed sock and realized I had ladders running up the sides. That is the first time I've done that so at first I thought I could just ignore it and continue on. I couldn't. I frogged it and then decided I wanted something a bit spicier. So, not being one who lacks for sock yarn, I pulled the Jitterbug out of the closet. I had been holding off on using it because it was just soooo fun to look at and hold. (I will know who has read this post by the wary stare I will now receive from you). I LOVE the Jitterbug! It is so wonderful to work with and the color is incredible!!!

My newest project is to strip and refinish this wheel given to me by Dawn. She was in the process of painting it green but decided she didn't have the space for one more wheel, so graciously gave it to me. I am going to strip it down to the wood and just stain and seal it. Dawn did say she was having problems keeping it running so if Hubby can't work his magic, it will at least be a pretty decorative piece.

I am trying to behave this year and pay special attention to our finances and actually building some kind of savings. We, like many Americans, are a little behind when it comes to having funds for an emergency. Why? A little spending here and there...and here...and there. With me no longer working I thought the budget would take a big hit, but I have been please to find that we are actually running a little ahead of where we normally are. Why? I am making myself write down everything I really think we have to have and then make myself look to see if we have anything in the house that could work instead. Case in point: Our entryway needed a table. I had looked at several tall tables that could work, but was not feeling the love for parting with $100+ that all of them cost. That's a lot of sock yarn we're talking about ( a girl has to have her priorities you know) ! After looking around the house, I remembered we have a sewing machine table (sans the machine) that would work perfectly. It does. I have a mirror to put above it and things to put on it--I might have to spring for an small area rug--but you can be I will be scanning the sales. I am trying to make more meals at home and actually use up leftovers. I am horrid about not using meat and stuff in the fridge that could make perfectly good meals. So I end up tossing them in the long run--money down the drain. On days we have leftovers, I add a great dessert or some homemade cookies to add a little splash....We have saved quite a

bit of money since I have quit by simply not eating out as much as we did when both of us were coming home from work and too tired to cook.

Now if I can just stay off Amazon.com!

What do you do to extend the budget?

Saturday Morning, Coffee and Yarn. GOOD STUFF!

I actually made it to Saturday knitting again this week. And here's the proof for those of you who know me and are saying "Rhonda up before noon?! NO WAY!" I was up, but I can tell you I had a hard time communicating. Just ask the ladies who were there! I will name everyone and link to their blogs later.



And the thought for the day: Find a friend and give them a big hug! (Disclaimer: It helps if you actually know or have introduced yourself to the person you intend to hug. "Stranger hugs" tend to catch people off guard, and you might just discover by accident who screams for police when alarmed...)

Great friends and good coffee to you and yours!!

See, Humans are good for something!

Cocoa forgets from time to time that she is no longer a lap puppy--since at least 50 pounds ago...

And this is Speckles trying to act like it REALLY wasn't her making the tree ornaments bang together. Yes, it is January 10th and we still have our tree up. Hubby nixed my idea of keeping it up and just changing the ornaments. I guess a leprechaun tree would be kind of creepy...

Tough life......

The life of the dogs in our house is constant drudgery. Can you imagine having to lay around all day and watch someone spin?! Hard work, I tell ya! Just look, Buddy is so exhausted from supervising the wildness that it was all he could do to drag his aching, overworked body to the patio window to soak up that good ol' sunlight. Did I mention this is pretty much what he does everyday? Supervising the humans around here is just plain hard.....
Meanwhile, the human played. Lookie, Lookie--I made cookies! Yum!
And for those of you nutritionally minded folks, I even managed to sneak some fiber into my diet!

I want one of these...Do you think hubby would believe it was a "sheepdog"?


I probably shouldn't be left alone during the day, I know....

Things to do today!

I have actually made a pretty good dent in the box population in our master bedroom. However it does escape me how boxes clearly marked "Laundry room" ended up in our bedroom....I'm sure that would explain how boxes clearly marked "Mom's Room" ended up in the farthest corner buried in the garage...ARGGGGGGG!

I am getting ready to run upstairs to actually make the dough for Hershey Kiss cookies. I will get the dough made and actually have the boys scoop and bake the dough when they get home. This will be a good thing for us to do together. I was thinking about how quickly they have grown and realized there really is not a lot of time before they are in high school and will have busy lives of their own, so I'd better grab all the time with them I can--while it is still OK to hang out with parents! I was also ruminating on the fact that I am exactly the same age as my parents were when I was the boys age and thought "Holy Smokes! That's OLD!" Made me laugh...every time the boys tease me about my grey hair, all I can say is "I've worked darn hard to get to this age, I've earned every strand--it's staying!"

Ideally I will go to the public library sometime today, but that may get put aside until tomorrow. I try to bundle all my trips so I am not wasting gas. I will make the loop to my old office for lunch with a coworker, the yarn store and the downtown library tomorrow. In an effort to keep me on track and focused I have a daily list of things that need to be done around the house. Tomorrow is supposed to be laundry day, so I will get it done tonight instead so I am at least keeping on track. I tend to get sidetracked, so having a list helps keep me focused and on track.

So what are you doing today?

Power failure

Apparently there was an energy crisis at my house that totally wiped out the power sources of 4 dogs and a teenager today.
Mark came in the front door and sat down on the landing to talk to Sugar. That's as far as he got!
I looked over and he was out like a light and both dogs were asleep next to him...Sugar woke up when I tried to take the picture--figures....but it was really cute!
From the top of the landing it almost looked like a scene from my college days....but we won't go there....However my sick sense of humor almost pushed me to draw a chalk line around him to see what he would say when he woke up. These poor kids...

Good Morning!

This morning I glanced out the kitchen window and the sunrise took my breath away. It was a gorgeous swirling, layered confection of pinks, oranges, purples and blues. I sat there drinking my coffee and contemplating how much I love this house! I am very thankful that we had the opportunity to buy it and the owner accepted our bid (there was another couple we recently met that said they tried to put an offer on it too). We really have been blessed. We spent a larger part of Sunday cleaning the family room so now I am going to be looking for furniture. When we moved from the small house, I realized what seemed like an overflow of furniture in the little house, looks like nothing in the new house. ARGGG.
And this is another part of what I accomplished the weekend. See how wonderfully the wheel spins! I can get yarn as fine as thread or as thick as I desired. What you are seeing right now is destined to be plied with a thicker colored yarn. I will pull out my roving and dyes and decide on colors as the mood strikes me. I am also considering the possibility of plying with another thin for some sock yarn....I love being able to spin! Hubby did his magic and fixed my Ashford Traditional this weekend also. I had ordered the repair kit and got it Friday. Thankfully my cute man can just look at something and know what to do (but the instruction in the Ashford kit are pretty clear also). My Ashford is a double drive and he was discussing the mechanics of it with me...it amused me. He gets really into that stuff--I just want it to work when I sit down to use it..I'm really lucky to have him!
She is still not finished , and will remain that way for the cold months since I discovered you have to be outside to vanish or apply tung oil---good thing I read the instructions...I know, DUH!

I haven't named her yet, she'll get that at her coronation (when she is finished and sealed) . I'm considering Greta, but am open to suggestions, so feel free to leave a comment on what you think she should be named... On the bobbin is the mystery roving I got from Wool2Dye4. Sheila has narrowed it down to being Shetland, and it absolutely spins like a dream! I am soooooo glad I ordered it! And in the larger quantity (7 lbs....should keep me busy, do you think?!)

THE WHEEL WORKS !!!!

With suggestions from the seller, hubby got out his handy dandy Dremel tool and sanded down the mouth of the wheel where the flyer/bobbin assembly rests. IT WORKED !!!! The drag on the orifice assembly against the opening was preventing it from turning. After a bit of smoothing and sanding the hole down to open it up a little more, the flyer turned and took up the lead yarn perfectly!

I am soooooo excited! It spins perfectly!!! I am going to get some tung oil to seal and finish the wheel and am going to spins myself silly this week!!

Motto for 2008

I LOVE this sign---- This is my daily affirmation for 2008!!

For fair crediting purposes, you can buy it here....Love it! L-O-V-E it!!

New Sock on the needles!

I love Kool Aid dyeing yarn! I also love dyeing with acid dyes, but Kool Aid is one of those projects that is perfect for the beginner to get started, you can do it with kids around and there is no funky warning on the label about not "breathing in" any of the powder. However, if you feel inclined to breathe in/snort/ otherwise ingest Kool Aid, be my guest...just don't email and tell me about it.... My new sock is using Kool Aid dyed yarn from Knit Picks. I dyed this yarn last year and then wasn't sure what to do with it since I hadn't figured out socks yet. Since I have the basic sock pattern under control, I dug out this yarn and figure I should have a set of girlie socks by the middle of January--if not sooner. I say girlie yarn because this yarn has pastel pinks in it and other softer colors. Where I sprinkled on dry powder, there are little bursts of vivid colors in small dots. And another good thing about this yarn is there is NO WAY to match the patterns, so no stripe matching...it's all good!
This is probably how I am going to break in the new year--quietly and immersed in yarn. I have been thinking about whether I want to make any resolutions--even though I hate that word...But goals for the year by any other name is still a New Year's resolution. What are yours?

Saturday--Part II

This is the diary of a first sock....Thanks to Jackie and Lia's excellent class at Twist, I got past the heel turning thing, figured out gussets.. and
finished a sock....
Then another...and LOOK (!!!!) , my first completed pair of socks! YEAH!! I will work a little harder next time to make sure the striping and colors line up, but for now, this is sooooooo cool!
After going to the KIP, I hit a couple stores and found the books above at such outrageously low prices they had to come home with me. The baby hat and booties book had a REALLY clear explanation of the Kitchener stitch, so that alone was worth the $7 I paid for the book. I used it to close the toe of the second sock. I plan to try some of the baby booties patterns too-They look like small projects that would travel well. Border's had their calendars for 50% off, so I picked up the Stitch and Bitch 2008 calendar too....It was a great day!

Proof I can finally get to the KIP at 8 a.m (ish)!!

I am so shocked I actually made it (FINALLY made it!) to the Saturday morning Knit in Public at Panera's!! I always have the best intentions, but the alarm goes off and I hit snooze...actually I hit the OFF button, but saying I hit the snooze makes me less of a slouch...
Lia, Jackie, Lanora, Rebecca (sorry if I misspelled any names)
Sally and Diana
And the newbie, Cindy! Cindy is the primary reason I actually made it to the KIP this morning. I was telling her about the group and she wanted to come play....Cindy has been knitting for less than a week and is flying through another scarf. I taught her the knit stitch and will be teaching her the purl stitch next. At the rate she devours projects, I'm sure she will be knitting sweaters in no time! I taught her the fine art of stash enhancement and she caught on very quickly!
And this is our soon to be departing Lia! We are going to miss her....who wants to organize a multi-state yarn shop crawl to the west coast? Just a thought...I wish I'd gotten pictures of Jackie showing the versatile knitted thing on the table...Hey Jackie, if you add string on either end, it could even be a thong....I'll stop now before I'm forever banned from KIP...

Posting to catch up!

Pictures from Christmas--they were only half excited I was taking pictures. Originally they were in their skivvies (not what you are seeing in this picture, thankfully) and only agreed to get into appropriate attire when reminded that their pictures were probably going to be posted on my blog for all to see. They went to their room and got long pants and shirts on...And no, that is not dirt above their lips--they are 14 and both have the starting of moustaches....yikes.

And as you can see, Buddy the beagle was there to supervise....

I wonder if that blackmail would work if I threatened to take pictures of their room and post it..Nah, wishful thinking...) They had already opened their presents at this point and were dividing up a box of Pirate playing cards they got. It is a really neat card deck where the kids can build little models from each deck. They loved that surprise.

This was our downstairs patio the day before Christmas. We got 7" of snow. I love snow! However, the wind really blew and we had snowdrifts that were REALLY deep! Like the depth that you can completely lose a dachshund in if they try to go down the stairs that are in front of the chairs you see in the above picture (not the stairs leading to the upstairs). If you look really close, you'll see there are SUPPOSED to be stairs leading to the yard, which are completely snowed in..Sugar stepped of the edge and completely sank to the bottom. We retrieved her, but considering this dog thinks water will make her melt, she was completely freaked out for the rest of the day! Small dogs and big snow..not good. Funny as hell, but not good.
Today I came home from bargain hunting today (and teaching a friend to knit) and this was here---my spinning wheel came! Hubby put it together and I am going to get some tung oil to seal it tomorrow. I did have to email the seller with a couple questions. The instructions say the flyer is supposed to turn. The bobbin turns but the flyer does not. Originally I thought there was something different in the way it operates, but the seller told me the flyer should be turning, so I am going to have to play with it to make it work--keep your fingers crossed for me. I REALLY want this wheel to work! It really is pretty! We will oil the bearing tomorrow since it does have a really loud squeak--so hopefully I will be spinning by this weekend. And this is how we ended the day Christmas. Candles lit and good food on the table.

Saturday we go to Stillwater (Oklahoma) to my parent's house and have dinner with my nieces and nephews, brother and his fiance and my parents. I am looking forward to going home for the day. It amazes me every time I go home that things are changing so much--especially around the university (GO COWBOYS) ! It looks nothing like it did when I was growing up there and attended college. Some of it is good, some of it is not. Oh well, the only thing constant is change...

Great friends and Good coffee to you and yours!

Baby, it's Cold outside!

This is the ride to breakfast today. Earlier this morning we were having a rain and thunderstorm, which then turned to this before hubby got out of the shower. So we scrapped plans to go Christmas shopping and did this instead....We HAD to have breakfast at the diner ---why? Hubby was determined to get breakfast out this morning. So here is what we had to slog through. I had originally planned to do a little shopping in downtown Newton today, where they have a really cute downtown complete with a yarn/bead store and a coffee shop. But considering I literally couldn't see 2 feet in front of me, we stayed in Haysville and ate at a local diner. By the time we were done, it had cleared a bit but we decided to just hang out at home for the rest of the afternoon and try to avoid the craziness in combination with the crowds trying to shop and not doing a great job of driving...I may try to get out later this evening if the snow stops blowing. However, I adore snow, so I'm not going to gripe.
The depth on the railing is a little less than the depth on the ground, but you get the idea of how much we are getting...Is this great or what?! Love it!!!
L--O--V--E !!!!!!
Smokey and Socks say we should all cuddle up with someone warm and stay inside.


And no, Smokey was not being antagonized, he yawned every time I took a picture, so I just gave up and he is stuck with this picture being a representation of his likeness! This will be his equivalent to the dorky driver's license photo we all know so well.

I think this is a good day to make cookies and bread, what do you think?

What a morning

I had a huge honkin' post (for those of you that don't speak Okie, it means a large post) and hit the publish button, feeling quite smug that I got a large post done this morning...and then realized I had posted it to the knitters coffee swap blog. Not good. With much muttering (Okie speak for "cussing like an ever loving sailor"), I deleted all that I could and have now decided to just post a blurb here and make up for it later.

But come to think of it, my brother in law is a sailor and I don't think I've ever heard him cuss, so I guess I'd better retract the sailor comment..oopsie....

But look !! A sock!!! Yeah! I am now 3" into it's partner, although I am hoping that blocking the sock will lessen the mutant club foot look it currently has. I know I'm on the right track though because I had a teenager clowning around and pretending to be a foot model--once he put it on, he just completely stopped and said "Hey, these are WARM!" The teenage seal of approval is much harder to get than the Good Housekeeping Seal!

The kids get out of school tomorrow for Christmas break. I am going to get them busy with helping me make cookies to give out to neighbors. I was so busy and overwhelmed last year that I really didn't get any baking or candy making accomplished. I am going to have to make different candy from my usual since the family cookbook is still packed away somewhere--in a boxed labeled KITCHEN. That completely explains why it is in the garage....somewhere...I am setting a goal of having my house completely in order and decorated by Spring (that includes buying the needed furniture in case you are wondering why the deadline is so far out) . I want to have a big Easter family get together at our house. We finally have a place where tables can be set up so everyone can eat together. I was looking at Marta's blog (which I LOVE --I want to be part of HER family, but Alas, I'm not Cuban...) and it reminded me of how my family used to have big get-togethers. Somehow that got lost in the business of everyday life.......My goal in 2008 is to renew that.

Well, I'd better get going for the day! Let's see, I have to go by the spice merchant and pick up more coffee, the jewelry supply shop downtown for a planishing hammer to I can get some wire work jewelry done (I'll post pictures later) and by the farm supply store. We don't have a farm, but I find some of the coolest things there, plus I get pet supplies there at pretty good prices...where are you going today?

Good coffee and great friends to you and yours!

Okay People.....

Smokey the cat says here is the stupid story for the day. Actually he was probably saying "Put the damn camera away, stupid human!" But he can't type, so I am in control here.

Click here and be prepared to say WHY ?!

After reading the story, consider this:

Do you suppose that a bunch of scientists were sitting around the lab, bored with injecting furry creatures with enzymes that make legs grow out of their foreheads and said " HEY! I'm bored, wanna mess with that cage of mice over there? I have an hour before lunch and I haven't mutilated mother nature today...let's see if we can figure out a way to keep that government grant money rollin' in! Lab X just got a billion dollars to study the ancestral mating habits of the rare suburban housefly !" And the other scientists (having been bred with the same gene that makes lemming follow each other off cliffs) nod their heads in furious agreement. For those of you that don't know what this looks like, take a teenager to see the newest electronic device--you'll get the idea....

Maybe there will eventually be a lab that breeds the dumbass out of scientists....


DISCLAIMER, PLEASE READ AND AGREE BEFORE PROCEEDING : The opinions, theories, hypothesis contained hereafter are not the views of the general inhabitants of this house, just the rambling thoughts of a female with too much coffee and easy access to a WORLDWIDE communication device...the opinion and theories set forth are in no way meant to substitute for fact, honest truth, OR COMMON SENSE...

SOOOO--- if you breed mice that aren't afraid of cats, here are just two possible scenarios:


1: Suicidal mice that render themselves extinct and thereby reduce the number of small furry creatures scientist have at their disposal, thereby rendering scientists obsolete. Since mice will no longer be afraid of cats, we will have a whole generation of cats that are on mood inducing drugs because they feel they are no longer cat enough to induce fear in a little rodent, and then they have to go on long pilgrimages to search for their inner cat and their spiritual purpose....If they don't find that inner peace, there will be a string of cat rehab centers for cats that are self medicating on the cat nip (in human context, think late 1960's...) I know, technically that was two scenarios, it's not my day to stick to the rules.

2. Given that original intent of any experiment has a really strong potential to come back and bite us in the arse ( think Castro and Bin Laden for history buffs, bell bottoms and hip huggers for the rest of us..), please consider this scenario:

Bud the jacked up lab mouse, feeling 10 foot tall and bulletproof (usually witnessed in humans when mixing alcohol and testosterone) decides the cage is too small and he is getting out. So, out he goes, hey-what's there to fear out there? After a night of pillaging and harassing Tom the cat and all his friends at the animal shelter, Bud spies this ravishing female rat (Bud has a thing for well endowed larger women, none of that bony mouse tail for him...no siree...). The next morning Bud scoots out the door, unaware he is a Daddy. Yep, I know, rats and human males sometimes share disturbingly similar traits...I digress...This would be all great and fine except that half his offspring inherit his fearless gene and breed with wharf rats. Ever see a wharf rat? Ever see the rat in teenage mutant ninja turtles? You get the idea...In these wharf rats, this fearless gene mutates and produces Volkswagon sized rats that aren't afraid of people....

When I get held up at gunpoint by a cheese crazed wharf rat with no fear, I'm going to hunt down those scientists and kick their boneheaded arses..

And that's all I have to say about that! Now off for more coffee.....

Picture of my future wheel--

After the last post, I decided I would play around and try to figure out how to capture and download the picture from Ebay of the wheel that I bought. It worked, I figured out one more thing on my blog! YAY!

As you can see, it is really modern --- quite a change from my Ashford Traditional wheel, but something about it really spoke to me. Very clean lines, and I like the integrated lazy kate. I think it is unfinished, which I will probably just seal and keep the light colors. Darker stain doesn't seem to be what this needs. We'll see when she gets here....I was originally looking for a double treadle wheel, but I think this one is going to be good because it has a place to rest my foot off the ground.

Staying close to home because.....

OK--I can handle snow, but ICE is getting old. Luckily we did not get the stuff my friends in Oklahoma got and it all melted. School was cancelled for the kids Tuesday because we were supposed to get 2 inches of ice. Luckily it warmed up and turned into a full day of rain. However, it did freeze in spots, so we stayed home (except for hubby who went to work). My in laws have been electricity deprived for several days now. They got their hands on a generator so they now have heat and some lights. A wood burning fireplace would be a great thing to have....

Here are the contents of the box I received MUCH earlier from Donna--lace maker extraordinaire! It has taken a while to figure out how to get my pictures posted--sorry!

You have to click on her name and be mesmerized at her knitting skills! The coffee is to die for and everything else is over the top wonderful! Thanks Donna!!

NOTE TO SELF: Stay the heck out of the small electrical kitchen gadget department!!!

After going through a box from the garage, I have come to the conclusion that I have a compulsion for electrical kitchen gadgets...I'd forgotten that I bought and really needed (at the time) the electric waffle cone iron (WHY?!) and the electric pizzelle maker (OK, that one I will use) and 2 waffle makers, a foreman style grill....Is there a self help group for me?! I officially have more little plug in appliances than I will ever have plugs to accommodate them in the whole upstairs....uggg.........

However, I did get the box unpacked and made a couple good decisions about some things that I'd been holding on to because I didn't want to offend the people that bought them for me...I am really going to work at getting decluttered this year--and next..

Another great thing about staying inside when it is rear freezing cold is that I am almost finished with a sock. I am soooooo happy I took the sock class at Twist that Jackie and Lia taught. I came out of it with a firm understanding of turning the heel and doing a gusset. I know turning a heel is supposed to be one of the coolest things about making socks, but I love doing the gusset. It amazes me to see it all blend! I am completely addicted to this simple sock pattern I am working on. The original pattern called for 2-3" of K1P1 ribbing and then 7" of stockinette. I did about 5" of stockinette and wasn't feeling the love for it so I frogged it and did 7" of K2 P2 ribbing. Good stuff. I did go up a needle size since I tend to knit tight, but next time I will do a pair in the needle size suggested and see what a difference it makes. I completely love the project bag I got at Michael's craft store. I was really surprised to see them and just bought one to try it out. I am in love! It is perfect for toting a SIP (sock in progress) and yarn! LOVE !!! I'll post a picture tomorrow of it and the progress on the sock.

I found a really cool spinning wheel on Ebay and won the bid this weekend. It is a pretty modern looking wheel and it is coming from the Netherlands, so I will have to wait a little before I get it, but I am psyched. The seller said there used to be several wheel manufacturers in that area in the 70's and 80's, Louet was one and the only one that survived. I'll keep you posted. Cute man (hubby) is going to work his magic on my Ashford traditional and get it back in working order since there is nobody who apparently works on wheels in this area. There used to be one in Oklahoma City, but no longer...figures. I will no longer be loaning my wheel out to any high school for a prop in a play....lesson learned.

And now for the weather...

Look what we awoke to this morning....urgggg...But then it is DECEMBER and KANSAS, so I really shouldn't be acting like this is a huge honkin' surprise....

That shine is not the result of my meticulous cleaning abilities, it's ice.

This is the time of year that I switch from liking wool to contemplating wearing the whole sheep live! I know, PETA would be all over me like, well, a sheep on hay! BAAAAAHHHDD! And since I have now pissed off PETA and all English teachers (bad ethics and grammar all in one shot. My college professors would be soooooo proud).

So instead of running my errands and getting my grocery shopping done, I am staying at the house and coming up with plan B for dinner. Thankfully we have eggs, Bisquick mix (we buy the college dorm size at Sam's) and milk. Can you say "Breakfast for Dinner tonight"? My boys are at that jaded age where that isn't such a big treat anymore, so I won't even try to fake enthusiasm on their part.

My original plan was to hit Sam's at 7:30 this morning and get my shopping done before they open the doors to everyone else (I love my business membership!) and be home early to make meatballs and meatloaf for later meals, then go shopping with a friend. Two snags in that plan:

1: ICE

2: I had forgotten how FREAKING COLD it is at 7:30 in the morning.

I HAVE to get out tomorrow to get things accomplished! Luckily this weekend is completely free with the exception of a spinning class, so I will be home cooking some meals to freeze for later dinners and making a huge batch of chili.

Questions for the day:

What is the weather like in your corner of the globe?

When it is snowy and icy, do you play outside or hibernate inside with projects? What are your favorite cold bound activities?

Leave me a comment!

I love snow, HATE ice! However, great freinds and good coffee to you and yours!

And a Good Time was had by all....

Since I finally figured out how to download the software for the new camera, here are some pictures from Thanksgiving. The Amish Biker looking guy is my brother in law Ed. As you can tell, Ed love jokes, which makes him a favorite with the kids.

And then you get a shot of Mr. Navy himself, my other bro in law, Jon Robert...I couldn't figure out whether he was encouraging me or discouraging me to take the picture-then I remembered I'm the one with the camera............ Booze and knitting....It's a Good Thing....(sorry Martha...)

Ok--Day 2

I had a big list of things I was going to do this morning but it just seemed like a good idea to stay home instead. I tend to be an impulse buyer so it is sometimes better to just hang out at home instead of getting tempted if I know I may have problems sticking to my list. However, I will go foraging in the early morning tomorrow and pick up some meat for the week. I am going to make a honkin' big pot of chili tomorrow. It just sounds good now that the days are getting colder. Have any of you received snow yet? We had a little snow around Thanksgiving but it melted by days end and we haven't had any more since. I wish I had some wool blankets to sandwich between the sheets....I'll get right on that...not.

Am I the only one who isn't particularly crazy about Noro Kuyreon...I love the changing colors, but it is really scratchy. Has anyone else worked with this and does it soften up after washing? It was suggested to me that you need to use hair conditioner on it--ever heard of that? I am discovering it is a pain to frog! It catches on itself almost as bad as mohair.

The dogs are not used to having me at home and right now are testing my patience by trying to play musical doors. Parents of children know this game well. If the kid is on the outside, he feels lonely and wants to come in. If he is on the inside, he feels stifled and wants to go out. And the cycle continues...Right now one of the dogs is sitting at the patio door crying to get in...He can just plant his happy butt in that spot for at least another hour, darn it! Ever notice that kids and dogs come finely trained to dance on that ONE exposed nerve? Yep, at least with dogs you can put them outside for the day and not have to worry about social services coming....but then at least with kids, they don't have accidents on your carpet. Or at least I hope...

I have decided that I am in the market for a spinning wheel. I am surprised at myself, but I am leaning strongly towards getting a Louet wheel. For some reason, I am finding that I actually like the modern look of a Louet. However, I would really love to find one used since I don't think a new one is in the budget. So if you know of anyone wanting to sell their Louet wheel, email me.

I am anticipating a shipment of mystery roving from Wool2Dye4. I love this company for large quantities of natural yarns that I dye, so I was happy to see such an awesome price on roving. They are sure it is not merino but are unsure of exactly what it is. Once I get it, I'll make a decision on whether it is soft enough for sock yarn or whether I will blend it with merino to add some softness. Now I just have to become best friends with an alpaca farmer.....hmmm. I guess I will have to check out (stalk)the livestock arena at the state fair next year. I didn't get to the livestock this year, but the year before that I fell in love with some of the llamas at the fair. They were really soft. As soft as any alpaca I've played with, so I'm going to see about getting some of that to spin too. I got to pet a couple llamas and talk to the breeders. I was surprised at how docile they were. I was expecting them to spit. The breeder explained that llamas that are not stressed are usually docile...Hubby nixed my idea of getting one for the backyard with just one glance. You ladies know that look. I didn't even bother to give him my "Fine, I'll come back without you later and pick up a dozen" look...I imagine a llama would be hard to house train. However, if you know of anyone that has, please do tell.

Well, I guess I will get something accomplished today...please don't hold me to that though. It may take me a week to get in the mode...right now I am still trying to figure out how to structure a day where I have to write the agenda...

First Day Home From Work

As of today my resignation became official and I am home. It really feels weird. I had a ton of plans for things I fully intended to do and found that I have this nagging feeling that I am not doing something that needs to be done. I'm sure this feeling will pass and I can't see anything on my calendar, so I am attributing it to being the first day home.

Let's see, plans for today:

1. Finally get around to making the batch of 7 layer bars I've been promising the kids.

2. Get my bathroom scrubbed.

3. Get dinner on the table before 7pm! That alone is worth it's weight in gold.

4. Calculate the yarn I'm going to need to get my wrap coat started and actually make some progress on my sock I'm working on.

It may sound boring, but believe me--just the fact I am going to have time to do any of the above is exciting....I am making the animals nervous. I think the cats had a party planned by the way they keep coming into the room to see if I'm still here. Once it is established there is one of those disgusting humans still in their house, they stomp off (a cat "stomping" off is more of an attitude--those who own cats know what I'm talking about. Those who don't have cats will just have to take my word for it).

More posting later---
Great friends and good coffee to you and yours!

Things I SHOULD be doing...

As in making cookies and getting the guest bedroom ready for my son and his girlfriend. Hubby is flying to Tipton as I type to pick the kids up. It is Sona's first time to fly and she is afraid of heights--hopefully she does well. I told hubby NO STEEP TURNS and he is planning to bring air sickness bags just in case. I think she'll do well, but flying for the first time in a small plane can be a little scary---however it is still safer than driving....or so I am told.

I got the new camera and have been playing with it to figure out the new features, so I will post something later.

Yesterday I took a spinning class from one of the ladies in our Knit In Public group. It was so relaxing, and it did come back to me which surprised me since it has been 8 years or more since
I've spun. I did use a castle style wheel (everything is upright in a line) and found it very comfortable. I am eyeing getting one next year if the budget permits. I was able to spin surprisingly thin yarn that will make wonderful sock yarn once plied. I'm hooked!!!! I left the yarn on the bobbin so I can continue in 2 weeks at the next class. since I figured out the camera, I will have pictures of the next class. It is really fun!!

I went from the spinning class to a bead shop with a friend and made a really neat necklace and bracelet. It was an excellent afternoon for creativity and it was capped of by going to Michael's craft store on the East side of town where I found a really good book on wire working--and since I had a 50% off coupon, I got it at a steal. Which left me money to splurge on a REALLY cool thing I found to carry my sock yarn in---I'll tease you for now and post pictures later..It was an excellent and relaxing day!