Choices / Advice needed! (Edit)

So the Arctic is a no-go. And I'm okay with that.

We're looking into getting a second dachshund - going to the same place from where we got Jackson today to look at his half-brother (a long hair) and his father (!) (a smooth black / tan). The long hair is ours! Coming home on Friday! He is just under a year old, and his name is Chi (rhymes with high or sky)!!

Dan's cousin is getting married this summer. Yesterday while going in to order a bridesmaid dress, Betsy & I found the perfect dress! It's a Marilyn Monroe style dress (like this one, but it doesn't tie at the neck and a little more gathered across the middle - it's black with green stems / two shades of blue flowers all over it.
Poor cell phone photos - the dress is by Luly K (which I can't find any website for)


I want to make a shawl / wrap as the back and shoulders are bare / open and I know we'll be in church and a long car ride so I want something to cover me if I get a chill. However, the wedding is in August, Long Island. Any ideas? These are some I already like:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
and with further poking about, I find that I'm really into Kiri (pdf file link) or MagKnits Trellis Wrap or this Candis wrap thing

Opinions?

April 22 - Vacation is almost over!

Anytime I think of something being over and done with, I think of the old HBO show "Baingames" - I tried googling and didn't find much on it - it was around 1984. Ending with "Braingames is now... Over!" anyway.

I am having difficulty with it being so grey and overcast today. Yuck. Hee - I just asked Dan about Brain Games and that set us off a nostalgia whirlwind. Did you watch "SquareOne? (ooh, I found clips!) and "Cloak & Dagger" has been on our local cable stations lately - I caught a few minutes of it, but I remember watching this at my Gram's house with my cousin and something about it really freaked me out. I should watch it again...)

I finished a dishcloth - it's from Mason-Dixon Knitting - I used Sugar'n Cream in a lime and orange color. The colors are best shown in the kitchen photo - it is like looking at peas and carrots. Jackson is there for a length reference.


I really enjoyed this - quick and satisfying. And perhaps most importantly, successful!

I finished reading prep by Curtis Sittenfeld - really liked it alot. I also saw "Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit>" - cute! I want a little rabbit from that movie.

Onward to attempt a set of pedicure socks for a friend's mom who has set me and other friends up several times with manicures and pedicures. OR, I could work with the splurge that I bought myself - some Cherry Tree Hill Suri Alpaca for the Trellis Scarf in the Spring IK.

I think I'll be making some banana bread today / tomorrow....

April 17 - vacation!

Happy Easter!

I used those easter chickies in my placecard settings at Easter dinner which I hosted - see, like this:

I love those little chicks. Bitter with Baggage is highly amusing. I would love to see a series with these little chicks and knitting... (it may not top this though)

Easter dinner was a huge success. I'm lucky that my family and in-laws bring just about everything. We clean house / provided the space, no biggie.

My other springy / Easter craft projects included felting the daffodils:
and my wee bunny


Very much in keeping with Project Spectrum unintentionally.

School's out this week. Yay! At the bookstore in town I bought Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider - I mentioned how much my 6th graders liked the book. I noticed a poster for the Spider book and commented on how cute it was. Now, here's a moment when New Englanders are just the best ever. The lady gave me the poster, a teacher discount (15%) and tax exemption (even though I didn't have the tax id number!) Wow. I'll shop there again and drop a mention of my students. Something positive in light of all the negative press that has been in the paper lately.

Pictures!

First off, Project Colorswap - April:

Marji was such an amazing swap partner! This box was heavy! She sent along "The Life of Pi" which I have been wanting to read for a while now. There are orange sherbet jelly beans and yellow / buttered popcorn jellybeans! There are orange milk chocaltes! There are items to encourage and help my sewing - a pin cushion / spool holder / tape measure / fabric / pattern!! (Yes Marji - I will try to make the pattern that you sent - can't wait for the tutorial!). There's a lantern moon bee tape measure! There are two skeins of creamy homespun yarn! There are 4 skeins of Classic Elite Flash in a yellow / orange! There's a homemade apron! WOW! I don't know that I can thank you enough - I love everything in there and I look forward to reading more of your blog!

Now for some photos, because I'm now on vacation and they are funny.
Jackson - in his Old Navy polo (it has a pocket) / new Easter duds.


Jackson, as a drunk frat boy


It's a Double Dog Dare (other Old Navy shirt)


Easter is coming...


No really, I can feel it creeping up on me...


Ack! It's a chickie!

Orange-Yellow

A HUGE box arrived on Tuesday, and it was perfect timing. It was a long day to begin with and my evening commute which maybe takes 30 minutes took 75!! The box came from FiberArts Afloat (Marji) for Project Colorswap - so much orange and yellow goodies, that I cannot start to do it justice without the photo to accompany the posting. Thank you thank you thank you - I love everything in there and expect to be gushing about the items for a while :)

Life is crazy. School is crazy. The state of Connecticut is crazy for requiring video footage (on VHS mind you. Old School New England. The most difficult way possible.) for the next level of teaching license.

Tomorrow is a half-day. Then I'm on vacation for a week! I expect I'll catch up on blogging and knitting and reading.

Speaking of which last night I finished "The Time Traveler's Wife" - so compelling, confusing but only if you let it... I had to stay up while the hubster went to sleep. I enjoyed it alot! Next up I think I'll either read "Teacher Man" or "Prep"

Stay tuned for drunken frat photos of Jackson.

My new favorite phrase

If you don't already read Crazy Aunt Pearl you should. I am now adopting "Funky Shui" to describe all areas of my life. It will be my new phrase. Consider this my copyright tribute / acknowledgement.

Phrases that I am done with:
"Describe the lesson's main objectives, including elaboration the expected scientific concepts and processes. Describe the main learning objectives and the use of resources to support students' learning. Describe how you monitored students' learning and what you found out about their understanding of the lesson's main concepts. Describe the instructional adjustments you made in response to your findings about students learning needs during the lesson."

1 week and 1 day until vacation.

Get the kleenex

Oh how awesome is this?
Put your pictures in a Kodak commercial - the link was found through ljcfyi - I was nearly in tears from my own, but in a good way - makes me want to dig up older photos and scan them, then cover the walls in my house floor to ceiling with photos. I have enough. I bet I could. Please leave a comment or email me if you make your own commercial!

Sigh.
It's been a stinky day.

April 2

I almost can't believe that it's April already. Sheesh. As much as the days may drag, all of a sudden they're gone!

Last weekend I went to New York City with Betsy and stayed with our friend VIK. Pictures will be added later.

We went to The Stoned Crow which was very very cool. In fact we stayed there all night!

On Saturday we ventured to South Street Seaport hoping to maybe check out the Bodies but the line was HUGE. We went shopping and bought shoes (Shocking!) We found Seaport Yarn - excellent place! I behaved very well and only bought a pair of needles and some stitch markers. As we ventured on into the city, we went to the Flatiron Lounge for some girly drinks to toast our good friend Jenny who is getting married!. We were quite pleased with ourselves - not being terribly girly-girl gals, we were quite successful in exercising both X chromosomes :) We went to chinatown for dinner at Joe's Shanghai - holy chickens, it was delish!

As if Saturday was not busy enough, our Sunday was quite full too. We met up with another friend Mike, and saw a fellow high school friend perform a very touching tribute in RiddleLikeLove (with a side of ketchup) - so so good! Elizabeth championed some goodcauses while she was alive.

I also discovered Kinokuniya - it took a little hunting, but I found the craft section (thank goodness for origami - it was my clue that I was close!) So many books had dachshunds in them - I didn't buy any knitting or crochet books. Instead, I picked up two bag books (ISBN4-391-62127-4 & ISBN4-8347-2377-1) and a quilt book(ISBN4-89396-868-8). I also grabbed two very cute Totoro notebooks and a book of postcards.
(In looking for links to the books online, I found this site - how cute are those labels? and I never thought to check out clover's website!)

Knitwise, I'm in the midst of several projects that need fixing, so they all bug me right now.

"March"ing On

Life has quickly gotten the better of me. In short (pictures to follow tonight I hope):
I applied for a trip to the Arctic.

I received a final package from my Knitty Mellow Pal - I have some gorgeous blue-green mohair yarn and 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, "Simple Knits with a Twist", and fabric - an awesome pal!

I received the "Yarn Aboard box from Jessica which had some of Claudia Hand Painted Yarn in the most gorgeous shades of blue / green and a lantern moon bag (so spring like) - my box is currently waiting in the car to go to the post office.





My dog was the cutest little German-American posing as an Irish-dog on St. Patrick's Day.


My internet has been up and down. I have to replace the router.

I've been working on Daffodils and Tulips and bunnies.

I'm going into New York City this weekend - hopefully I'll find the Japanese book store for crafty things. The empire state building is on the list. Not sure what else.

I think this is a great idea
1. A blog which you think people have not yet discovered.
Life in Purple, and for crafty (not strictly knitting) mylittlemochi, ohsewpretty, wee wonderfuls, SewingStars

2. A blog whose author lives close to you physically.
Heide!

3. An unusual or weird animal picture.
My dog puts up with a lot of me trying to pose him. Not that he's not naturally photogenic mind you!

4. An entry that made you laugh and got you strange looks from your family or co-workers.
GoFugYourself &

5. An idea you wish you thought of.
Project Colorswap - but I am proud to be a part of it!

6. Something you'd like to knit.
Odessa, GuppySweater, Bulky Cabled Sweater, Kepler - the list keeps growing...

7. A picture of something you consider beautiful.
the banner on knittingbyeye's site

8. A blog whose author you'd like to one day meet in person.
Dani, Christine, Lolly, ThreeOliveMartini

9. A blog of someone you have already met in person.
Betsy!

Mail Catch Up

It's a surprise snow day - well, not a complete surprise - I thought we would get an early dismissal, not the full day off! Excellent. I've been meaning to post to say thank you to Amanda - she sent chocolates and heart soap (in my new favorite scent - Body Shop strawberry) - I have signed up for Yarn Aboard!) and she needed to swap the person to whom I am sending the box, no sweat - but she sent the goodies anyway!! How sweet!

Over the weekend I got a package from Gail (that's her blog, her knitting blog is here - so cool!) - my Fiber Godmother - ooooh! I am so excited! There's Rowan Recycled Chunky and Biggie (I've been dying to try!), sweets, soaps, candles, and sheep stitch markers! This has been a really fun swap, and my "Godmother" was above and beyond!


I recently finished "reading" Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes Rodrigues - quick, enjoyable.

I finished the booga bag felting-wise, but need to finish the straps part - and today I finished a daffodil - (pattern here) - how cute is that! And easy too! I'll be doing lots of these I think. Gotta find some ribbon to toss it into the wash.

FO! Scarf #2 and projects

I cast off last night and wove the ends in this morning on this:

It's Li's Reversible Herringbone Rib Scarf - it was a quick knit, once I figured out the pattern and kept it straight in my head. I used 2 balls of Berroco Foliage - love the colors - the red is truly flaming, it almost overshadows the other great colors - yellow, green, purple. It's very spring like, I like it alot.

I went to Yarns Down Under to spend my gift certificate - I finished getting the yarn that I need to do the Flower blanket, the yarn (and beads!) to do odessa, the yarn to do the Wobbly Tote KAL, and the yarn to do Spork, a felted courier bag. I also picked up One Skein - can't resist the baby bibs, hat, bolero, bags and the cupcakes!!!

I had the brilliant brainstorm today too that i could do the knitted felted hearts from the Knitting-Pattern-a-Day calendar in green and sew 3 or 4 together to make clovers for St. Patricks Day.

I think I'll also use some of the Berroco Pleasure that I now have so much of to make the Hourglass Sweater from LMKG (she did, it looks so good!)

I now have more than enough to work on for the rest of the year~!

D is for / Catch-Up

D is for Dachshund of course!

Jackson loves coffee. At least, he thinks he does. We don't actually pour him a cup of java in the mornings. I love this little mug - it has a cartoon on the front by Gary Larson that says "While their owners sleep, nervous little dogs prepare for their day". Perfect.

D is also for dishes - I picked up these little rice bowls at the local health food place - so cute inside and out!


In knitting, my jaywalkers are a bust -

I love love love this yarn (Sockotta, a new stripes colorway), but I can't get the sock up over my heel. I went up a needle size and knit with the smaller cast on # and it's just not right. Groan. I think it's back to the books for now and work back up to it. In the meantime, I'm holding off on socks for a while.

My booga bag needs to be felted:

Hopefully after I'm done posting this.

February vacation is this week, and boy is it needed! I'm hoping to knit (and sew!) and knit and knit. And shop. Dan got me a gift certificate to Yarns Down Under for Valentine's Day - how awesome is that? And I'm looking into taking a class at sit-n-knit, along with attending the CT Flower Show - this week is going to fly by!

Mellow SP Thank You!

I'm belated in this thank you post - on saturday I got a package from Sweden!! - first off, it's covered in stamps - I am such a geek - I had a huge collection when I was younger. I especially noticed the stamps of forest animals because we were watching Grizzly Man (pretty good by the way). Inside this package were two skeins of yarn - a cobalty-blue-purple and a royal blue - they are so pretty!! The website on the label is here - cute site, I love the little hedgehog! The colors are stunning and they are so soft - but, mellow pal - help me out - what's the guage? yardage? could I use it to make the odessa hat in magknits? There was also a beautiful little crochet decoration too - you're very talented!! Thank you again! I look forward to using this yarn!

Random Bits

My parents are off to Africa - Kilimanjaro (Take two) - and so far, no one has gotten sick or died like last year, so already it is a plus. They're out and about until Feb. 20. Nearly unbelievable - so I sit here, do my thing, knit a bit and think good thoughts.

I've been working on jaywalkers with Sockotta (#621 - blue / green / gold-ish / black-ish stripes) - so far so good.

I found the new Magknits today - holy cow, it's great! I love love love Odessa, and the sushi, and the ziggy scarf...

I also joined Sew? I Knit! because it seems like the right motivator to get me learning / using the sewing machine. How hard can a skirt be really? (Famous last words I'm sure...)

We watched the 40 Year Old Virgin lasst night - funny, cute.

I was able to finish 95% of my lesson plans this week while at school - that opens up lots of knitting / crafty time this weekend!

She-dir, She-done (aka C is for Chemo Cap?)

I have really been busting it out on this one - I finished on Saturday morning maybe 1.5 hours before I had to leave to go visit my Nana and family for Grampa's memorial mass (can't believe it's been a year - it was not easy, but wow.) I ended up turning the pattern upside down, working from left to right, and V-e-r-y-s-l-o-w-l-y working my way through each row and holding the cable needle in front if it said in back and in back if it said in front. Enough explanation, here it is - in it's hard to photograph self:


I used 1 ball (and inches, it may have been one or two yards) of a 2nd ball of Rowan Calmer in 469 Amour.
My Nana seemed to like it very much - her hair is starting to grow back in so that's good and she's moving this week. We have big heads in our family and I was pleased that it fit me (with hair) and her (with little to none).

Last night I didn't knit. I read through several very different magazines - yay! I am deciding though what to work on next - a return to the Jaywalkers I presume. Although I have Li'spattern for a Herringbone Rib scarf - I have Manos already halfway worked up into a scarf, I'm thinking I might try with some Foliage

I went to the mall to pick up some origin's soap (yummy cocoa therapy) and then I went to The Body Shop where the saleslady very kindly sold me some of the new strawberry line (lotion, scrub, gel) - even though it's not officially available until Feb. 1 - excellent.

Thank you to my fiber godmother

My Fiber Godmother sent me a really cute card this week "One More Row" - so sweet and then yesterday a box arrived from Amazon - The Time Traveler's Wife - how cool is that? I have been looking for a good book to read and now, I've gor one!

Today at the local toy store I saw this kid's craft kit, a pooch poncho crochet kit - it looks like a dachshund!

I also saw dog leashes / harnesses / key chains by Douglas Paquette - his website shows flip flops - I love the walk the dog design:


I have a pair of Reefs that are the best things ever- I have always been a fan of the jcrew styles too - it may be too soon to think about flipflop weather though...

Early - C is for Ceilings / Thank You Godmother!

This week we were having our upstairs bathroom shower stall re-done with one of those "bath-fitter" type things. It looks really good and was mostly done on Tuesday, with final touch ups to be done on Wednesday. Wednesday morning, I took my shower and then came downstairs to eat before work. When we came downstairs, there was quite a flood coming in from the ceiling!! Apparently the bath fitter did not sauter something properly. Now, there is a lovely hole in the ceiling and you can see beams and pipes. Interesting, but not pretty. And then on Friday, it was leaking AGAIN!!! Groan. Next week our ceiling is being replaced courtesy of the bath people.

In knitting news I have picked up Shedir again. I have the chart upside down and instead of holding the cable in back, I hold in Front and vice versa. Kinda a lot of effort, but I think I'm starting to see the pattern.

We went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and I picked up one of these:

It is for ribbon / tape storage but I'm thinking that I will use it for sock yarn / needles! And it was on clearance, $2.99 - Score! (By the way, Snapware makes Yarn-tainers)

The mail arrived just as I typed this - my Fiber Fairy Godmother just sent me the coolest present! The White Tea Sampler from Adagio.com - White peach, tangerine, blueberry and tropics! Excellent!! Thank you thank you thank you!!

Jackson is absolutely enthralled with the pig's ear we gave him today - his first ever - he seems to really like it! They are not pretty to look at, that is for sure!

B is for / The yay's have it

Basking in the Sun:




My favorite is the second one. I'm thinking about possibly submitting some photos to the local country fairs this year - I think it would be kindof neat - some of my photos are really good!

I've just about cast-off for bobblicious I need slightly more yarn to cast off the remaining 5 stitches or so, then tomorrow I guess I'll seam. Yay.

Not yay: I was working on my Jaywalker socks last night and decided to try them on, and they are just too snug - there's no way if I keep going they will fit. I've got maybe 3 inches on the zigzag pattern, so it's not the end of the world. I really want to use the yarn (Dani's, so pretty) so I guess I'll go up a needle size or two? Advice? I would also prefer to do these on two circulars, rather than the dpn - I'm going to poke my eye out I know it.

Yay: To Gillian - she hosted a lovely Golden Globes party last night for our local snb group - it was a lot of fun to watch with ladies and talk trash about celebs

Yay: I heard from my Fiber Fairy Godmother and my Mellow SP - excellent - I'm looking forward to this! I've got an order coming from KnitHappens which sadly does not contain anything for me - it is all being sent out to the Pals!

Lazy Day

It's Sunday of a 3 day weekend, and today feels like a Saturday.

In my mailbox yesterday was a cute card Ina, my SP5, sent me some White Tea Teabags to try before I buy - Ina is the best! She was a super SP and has stayed in touch through comments and now RAOK - I hope I can be as good of a SP as she is! Thank you thank you thank you!

It's freezing outside so tonight for dinner we're having something very warm - beef stew. Specifically, Kraft's Food & Family Magazine Stew - I don't even like stew, yet I was drawn to that recipie - the magazine came on Friday! Hubby keeps commenting on how good it smells in here (our family room / kitchen are wide open spaces) - so I guess that is good :)

Long Weekend Linkage / Edit

I have been meaning to post since Thursday, but time somehow slipped by. Firstly, I won Sharon's Contest - excellent! My entry was that I have earned my masters in chemistry (and will never ever do that again!) and something I would like to do is get a tattoo. I have been watching shows like Miami Ink and I am just so drawn in (no pun intended). I keep thinking maybe I would get something crafty-related / science related / nature related - like a ball of yarn in the middle of the atom model, or the ball of yarn as the middle of a sunflower / daisy... or I also like the idea of Picasso's Dog - simple enough, but it's a dachshund!!! How cool! We'll see. Maybe. I'm so wishy-washy on it.

I have grown to love the comic strip Mutts - Little Pink Socks!! Just adorable. I never really paid it much attention before, so I don't know if it is because I am a dog owner now or what, but it is very very sweet, check it out!
I also really like Pearls Before Swine - it's snarky.

There's a new cast-on (podcast) - yay!

I started a pair of Jaywalker Socks with some of Dani's Sunshine Yarns, so far so good.

Edited to say: Not so good. I was working on the socks, and have finished with the rib, started the zigzag pattern, realized I was making a mistake (I wasn't k-f/b, f-f/b) so my stitches were off. I started to back-track and undo my mistake when SNAP! one of the brittany needles I just got from elann.com broke! Bummer. I have contacted them about a replacement, but in the meantime it looks like I'll be using my susan bates...

Reminders to Self

I would love to attend the Maryland Sheep & Wool event this May, but I don't know if it is really do-able... Maybe. Probably something decided more along the last minute, but that's okay. I found there's a sheep and wool festival closer to home.
ideas here
Anyone been to the ones in New England?

Tea

Coffee is a daily staple to me, but too much gives me noticeable jitters. So, after my initial 2-3 cups in the morning at home and school I swtich over to tea. There is something very soothing about tea, and I feel like I am drinking more water when I do (coffee is "just water dressed in brown" according to Ani) - anyway. I'm trying to be better this year to drink more tea with good health benefits. White Tea is supposed to be good. Even Alton has done a show on tea.

Yesterday I tried Snapple's White Tea: Strawberry tea bags I feel like I'm drinking hot watered down strawberry snapple. Which can be ok in a pinch. I am sensing I need to place an order with Adagio teas for the real deal.

Now I'm a serious knitter

I've been knitting for about 4 years now. I've improved, I've learned, I've tried new things, I've frogged, I've KIP-ed, and I'm quite pleased with my hobby. Tonight, it seems to have taken on a whole new feeling.

I've got myself a swift and ball winder! I wound a skein as soon as I had it out of the box and assembled (the yarn, by the way is Blue Sky Alpaca white / bluesky to make a ruffled scarf from Mac & Me which I bought at a recent trip to the Village Sheep in New Milford) - excellent!

I was so excited bouncing around showing my husband and the dog, that I couldn't find the center pull bit and panicked for a moment that I would have to re-wind the ball!!

I'm one of the cool kids now baby.

Cheating on Resolutions?

Who hasn't? 4 days into the new year too - not too bad. But I don't know if it's cheating or not - help! I want to read more this year. Actual reading may not happen until the summer months. I do listen to books on my iPodMini (from Audible - which, by the way - if anyone is thinking of joining - use me as a reference! I'll be entered to win stuff). So the question is this: Do the books I listen to count as books "read" this year? Currently, I've got Julie & Julia, cute, based on this blog

I wore the rainbow scarf, which Jackson wore in the last photo, to school today - nice comments (including one, "This is handmade. I can tell. My grandmother made me a scarf for Christmas - it looks like tinsel!" Not sure how to take that) and because it's wool it was great for the static electricity experiment.

I'm working on another scarf, "My So Called Scarf" - I like the look, it makes a dense fabric, but I do not really like the stitch pattern - I can not get lost in it - do not get me wrong, it is simple enough to memorize (after knitting a few inches worth)...but it does not flow well for me. oh well, back to it now - it is still relaxing!

Finished!

I was supposed to go back to school today, but - it's a snow day, BONUS!

Last week, Betsy and I took a trip out to the Village Sheep - I got quite a pile, including two skeins of Lang Yarns: Tosca, #663-62 and #663-72, instead of Noro to make the Child's Rainbow Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Jackson, being abruptly woken from a nap was a great model:


Something wonky is going on with the quotations / comma key...

One of the best shows out there, Arrested Development needs your help! Save Our Bluths!

To Life / ABC along (maybe)

There's a new podcast from Cast-on!

Channel surfing, I came across Fiddler on the Roof showing on the local public tv channel. Great show - "Sunrise, Sunset" was my father-daughter dance at my wedding - it was played at my parents wedding too, interestingly enough. I love the opening "Tradition" number, but today, as it is New Year's Day, my favorite parts of "L'Chaim" seemed like the best thing to post .

To life, l'chaim, l'chaim, l'chaim, to life, Life has a way of confusing us, Blessing and bruising us, Drink l'chaim, to life!
....
God would like us to be joyful, even when our hearts lie panting on the floor.
How much more can we be joyful, when there's really something to be joyful for?
...
May all your futures be pleasant ones, Not like our present ones, Drink l'chaim, to life!
...
To us and our good fortune! Be happy, be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes, Here's to whatever comes, Drink l'chaim, to life!
....
Heaven bless you both, to your health and may we live together in peace!
May you both be favored with the future of your choice, May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice!
....


I did join the ABC-Along ~ I was trying to think of something for my first letter,
A (would it be possible to come up with something for the two letter for each day? 14 A's? Maybe...) Anyway, considering Fiddler - it takes place in the town of Anatevka

Goodbye 2005, Hello 2006

Totally stolen from inspired by Crazy Aunt Pearl...
"I am a list maker....I make lists when I am stressed out, tired, lonely, bored, busy, frantic, drinking coffee, watching TV....Sometimes I make lists of things I have already completed just so I can draw a thick line through them and feel very accomplished. I hope you make lists, too, because I truly believe there is nothing a list can't cure. Just the very act of making the list makes you feel better. Like you are ON TOP of this thing! You have it under control! You have... A LIST! "

My 2006 List of TO-DOs and TO-DON'Ts

Money Things:
• No more late fees at the library. I mean, really. That is just sad.
• Stop buying stuff that I don't need.

The Size Of My Ass:
• Eat healthy stuff
• Get active - do yoga or pilates, use the weights, the balance ball...
• Drink more tea (start drinking white, drink more green)
• Drink more water.
• Use less sugar.

Personal Good Stuff & Leaving The House:
• Every day, choose happy over sad, free over constrained, liberated over abandoned, and laugh a lot. Wake up the next day and repeat.
• Plant a successful garden - tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, other flowers from seed!
• Go on a trip. (Crayola Factory with Betsy, Washington DC before Jen leaves)
• Visit my grandma, at least call her often and send her lots of happy mail.
• Stop procrastinating. Just stop it already.
• Moisturize. Constantly. You know you need it (especially when hubby says "I can tell where you lotioned and where you didn't!) And it doesn't matter if you can't reach. Ask for help.
• Floss.
• Make a dentist appointment.
• Get a new girlie doctor
• Get a skin scan? Something to make sure the moles and freckles are ok and not bad.
• Host Easter dinner for the families.


Practical:
• Work hard. Make deadlines a day early.
• Look at all the options.
• Have a positive attitude. Especially at work and with all co-workers. Suit up, show up and act as if....
• Send thank-you notes
• Send mail. Lots of it. Cards, postcards, notes.
• Be on time with mail as needed (holidays, birthdays, etc)
• Make Resolutions List and check it monthly to strike things out.


Knitting & Crafts:

• Make Nana chemo caps (Shedir, Berocco Chincilla, & __________ _
• Make a sweater. Wear the sweater.
• Make the Mac & Me ruffle scarf.
• Make the rainbow scarf from LMKGM
• Make socks. Wear the knitted socks.
• Learn to embroider (You already have the Sublime Stitching Starter Kit, and Stitch-It-Kit)
• Use the sewing machine. Even if it's only to make stuff for Jackson.
• Learn to crochet.
• Get good at crochet to attempt amigurumi.


Finally... The Not-To-Do List:

• Don't say "yes" to things just because someone springs them on me at the last minute. Instead, say "Let me think about it and get back to you."
• Time is sparse, life if short. Don't waste it on useless things, people, memories, obligations.
• Don't worry about stuff I can't change anyway.
• Don't expect other people to live by my values.
• Don't compromise my values for anyone.
• Don't choose the known over the unknown just because it's comfortable.
• Don't waste time on stupid stuff or mean stuff. Frequently ask myself "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"
• Don't minimize success.

To list is to live. To list online is to live out loud!

Fiber Godmother Question / Survey

Fiber Godmother Questionnaire
I really want to get back on the wagon with RAOKs and swaps (craftster or otherwise!)

General Fiber Questions:
What are your fiber-related hobbies? (Knit, Crochet, Spinning, Needlepoint, etc.) - Knitting. But one of my New Year's resolutions is to learn crochet / amigurumi and embroidery
How long? - I taught myself to knit about 4 years ago
Which are you *most* into? - knitting, but I drool over amigurumi and Sublime Stitching!
How would you classify yourself in this craft - beginner, intermediate, advanced? -
intermediate, I guess - I'm comfortable with the needles, but I still have a lot to learn!



What is your current fiber-related obsession? -
tiny things - I made many mini-sweaters, I'm trying to find a great cardigan!
What are your favorite items to make? - I enjoy socks, when they fit! Bags and scarves are fun because guage does not matter as much
What are you making right now? - on the needles I have flower washcloths, knitty's bobblicious, and I'm working on shedir as well



What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? -
I enjoy playing with my sewing machine, looking at fabrics, planning projects



About the fiber:
Your favorite yarn(s) (brand or type)? - I recently discovered how wonderful Rowan yarns are! I adore noro and koigu too. But no favorite favorite.
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? - scratchy
Is there a yarn you've been dying to try? - Manos, Cascade Eco Wool, Blue Sky organics, Trekking sock yarn, LobsterPot yarn
Are you a fiber snob? - I don't think of myself as such, but as I have said before, it's equivalent to buying candy at the drugstore and then going to Dylan's candy bar in New York City. One place is much more fun and expensive! But you can satisfy the sweet tooth with some selections from the 2 for 99 cents section!



About the tools:
Hardwood, Bamboo, Aluminum, Plastic? - anything but susan bates
For knitters: Straight, DPN or Circular needles? - depends on the project
Favorite gadget? - I don't know that I really have any gadgets
Anything you've been wanting to try? - I just ordered myself a swift and winder

About you:
Do you pamper yourself? Or do you generally come last? -
I have been known to splurge on myself, small scale (origins products rock!)
What does an ideal day off/free hour consist of for you? - exactly what I want to watch on tv, catching up on blogs, knitting and my puppy asleep in the sunshine
Are you allergic to anything? - pollen
What is your family situation? (Partner, spouse, kids, etc.) - husband
Are you owned by any pets? - Jackson, my mini dachshund puppy



Your favorite color(s)? - blue-purple-green-grey
Any colors you just can't stand? - I tend to stay away from pinks and orange but that doesn't mean I can't stand them, I guess I haven't seen their beauty yet
What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) - citrus, light floral
Least favorite? (Maybe you're not "allergic," but it makes you want to die) - heavy florals, almond
How do you feel about candy? - Have you read "Candy and Me: A Love Story" - that's my life!
Any dietary restrictions? - nope

Is there anything that you collect? -
I used to, but I am trying to stay away from it now
What is your favorite holiday? -Thanksgiving

Do you have an online wish list (e.g. Amazon, Things I Want)? If so, share the link. If nothing else, it will give your Godmother more ideas about your likes/dislikes. -
There is a link, in my sidebar
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? -oh yes
What kind of music do you like? - Barenaked Ladies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Dave Matthews Band, Tori Amos, Indigo Girls, The Killers
Any special requests in case your Godmother wants to make a CD for you? - I'm open to new things

Favorite movie(s)? - Say Anything, High Fidelity, Singin' in the Rain
Any "fan" stuff? (e.g. Firefly, Wonder Woman, etc.) - Muppets, Hello Kitty

Happy Christmas!

This is a Christmas to remember. Not only is it the first one without Grampa, it will be my first Christmas without seeing my dad. My Nana is down in Florida visiting her daughters - my dad and uncle are flying down today to surprise her! Very cool - so we all met up yesterday - my dad / mom / brothers / uncle - prior to the usual "Christmas Eve" festivities at my Mom's family.

Today the plan was to got to Dan's parents, exchange gifts, then go to Long Island to see Dan's Grandmother and go up to see my mom / brothers when we got back. This morning we arrive at Dan's mom's and she tells us she's sick and not going with us to Long Island. We're waiting / chatting when Dan's brother calls - he's got an emergency plumbing issue. Plumbers are called, and dan's dad goes to check things out - there's sewage and leaky pipes and it's not good.

So our plan has changed to not go to Long Island, and we're going up to my mom's earlier than expected. Holidays are crazy. This is why I like Thanksgiving the best - everyone is just meeting to eat!

I have started my last project of the year - knitty's bobblicious - only one row of bobbles on each end - I dislike my large metal needles - and the yarn (Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky) slides around on them too much!

Hoildaze

It seemed back in August, that we would never make it to the start of Christmas vacation. And yet, here we are. Today is such a blow-off day at school. I should have brought in my knitting - I've got two sweater ornaments to seam up / make sleeves for and a flower washcloth to finish. And also, the snow-mouse for my mom. But otherwise, the only Christmas knitting not done is the hats for my Nana... I will work on them and get them to her when she returns from Florida.

Things I Like

So, I'm avoiding grading and correcting, all while looking really important and busy as the kids are making parachutes! I can not wait for Christmas vacation!!!

I don't watch SNL anymore, this is hysterical (Chronicles of Narnia Rap!)

I'm really enjoying the cast-on podcast Good music too.

Last night, Heide hosted a cookie swap - it was nice to get out and meet some new people - I knew some of the gals from the knitting nights, but I haven't been in what feels like forever! School is just so time intensive. It was fun and the cookies were soooooo good!

I like more things than that, but I guess I don't know them readily...

Last Minute Brilliance

I'm a nut. Truly. Last night before I fell asleep I thought about how wonderful it would be if at Christmas Eve (big party for my mom's side of the family) I made each family a set of those mini-sweaters / egg cozies (see here, here, here or even Last Minute Knitted Gifts) and a garland type one for my grandmother with everyone on it! I have yet to make even ONE, so I doubt it would happen but it would be a nice family tree sort of idea to start in the summer time when it's hot. I think I will do some...

It's Christmas, of course there's a dog in a Santa hat somewhere!

Snow Day - FO!

Thank goodness the weather people got it right today - no school for me! We all slept in and took it easy. Even took care of the Christmas cards :^) Yay! I've got a big list of knitting "to-dos", and now I can cross one of the things off - Flora is done! I think it's a little fidgety to figure out the buttons, but the recipient will like it, I'm pretty sure. I liked this pattern enough to buy more yarn in blues to make one for me!


I've been struggling with Shedir. THere's something funky going on with my cables. I just don't see the pattern emerging. Are there any lefties who have knit this successfully? I want to gift it to my Nana. I'm also going to make her the berocco chinchilla head hugger / chemo cap pattern. But I think the shedir pattern is so pretty!



Jackson has taken to getting himself to very high places. Including tables. And he seems to like wearing his new Land's End sweater.

Happy December!

School seems to be back on the upswing. The parents are nutty (one kid was one point off the honor roll and the 'rents were down my throat!) and the kids are worse, but overall it's been okay. I'm trying to ignore a lot of baloney.

Last weekend for our anniversary, Dan got me tickets to see Barenaked Ladies at Mohegan Sun! What an awesome show! They give such a great performance - always. And this was a great mix of their hits, plus one new one (which was very cool) and Christmas / Hanukkah songs. Check out their Barenaked for the Holidays album!

In knitting news, I picked up a ball of Rowan Calmer to make shedir by girlfromauntie I had been trying it with some leftover Classic Elite Inca Alpaca, which I may finish and keep for me. But I think that for my Nana, the calmer might be better - there are less gaps in it - want to keep her head warm. So far I like the calmer, and I like bamboo, so I feel so far it's going better, but I haven't yet gotten to row 15 yet - that's where I am on the Classic Elite version and I think I messed up.

I think I should join the Naked Stix in 2006 KAL - I'm almost scared to count!