A Day in my Knitting Life

Death to ARWEN!!!!!

2008-01-27T01:03:00.000-05:00

OK, I am finally admitting to the fact that I am either a complete idiot (that's a rhetoric comment for those of you in the Peanut Gallery), or I have been defeated by the Right side of the Arwen Cardigan. I say the right side as the left side is, and has been finished and sitting waiting for the other side for quite some time. Well, I tried several, several, several (I won't go on) times, and OK, I am finally admitting to the fact that I am either a complete idiot (that's a rhetoric comment for those of you in the Peanut Gallery), or I have been defeated by the Right side of the Arwen frogged on every occasion due to "issues" with the cabling and or the stitch definition, so I thought it best to put it down for a while and when the time was right it would call my name. Well, last week I didn't hear a soft margaret, I hear MARGARET!!!!! and I knew it was time. Little did I know that it was actually time for me to be committed, not pick up the stupid right side.

Well, I picked up the wonderfully soft pink Malabrigo a frogged the little that was there to start fresh, little did I know that I would be doing that exact same thing constantly, with increasing tension in my arms and head, and each time a "NEW" thing to be picky about that it has now become "INHUMANE" for any normal (Again nothing from the Peanut Gallery) person to continue with alone. I shall seek help from my fellow Arwen Elves on Ravelry, and will slowly slither into my LYS to seek the much needed help.

I do believe that Hamlet has come to life this evening as I sit here saying "Out Damn Arwen, Out!" Close enough for Government work. Still love you Kate.

Now the question becomes WHAT DO I PICK UP NOW????? I have NOTHING!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!!!!

2008-01-01T01:17:00.000-05:00

New Years Resolutions:

Return harmony back to my day-to-day life - Family & Friends are more important
Take care of "ME" and my health so that I will be there for DH
Make my house a "Home" for DH and I
Be forgiving and understanding
I'd put something here about yarn and/or projects, but that would be a breaker, so why list it?

If you have resolutions, I'd love to have you share them!

Ravelry....I'm Up and Running

2007-08-19T23:55:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited, I finally got my invite to Ravelry, and I have been adding my stash, I might have a little more than I thought, and I haven't even touched the mother load. DH thinks he knows where all my Stash "spots" are....LMAO is about all I can say. Men, they have no clue about anything, they think they do, but I guess our job is to continue letting them think that.

Well, Ravelry is so cool. You search for patterns by yarns, or search for yarns, and then possible pattern suggestions for it, and you can see what other people are working on using the same thing, and the other colors that are out there. It's awesome, I'm loving it. My one problem is that I just don't have the time with everything going on right now, but I'm trying. Also, there are groups to join so that you can be involved with people who have the same likes as you like Malabrigo, or PINK. AWESOME!!!!

Why I hate the DENTIST

2007-08-04T01:31:00.000-04:00

So, I started having some pain in one of my teeth back at the end of June. Well, I went to the dentist and he told me it was infected and that I was going to have to have a root canal. My regular dentist started it, but couldn't get the entire procedure finished, that I would have to go to a specialist. Well, the specialist, as they all seem, didn't have hours outside of work, so I kept postponing it since it wasn't really, really bothering me, and it was partially done. Well, I postponed it one too many times. Last weekend I was woken up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in my tooth area, but obviously couldn't do anything about it until Monday. Well, Monday came and they day went on and the pain became insufferable. I had been able to get an appt. for Tuesday morn., but by 1pm I knew I couldn't wait that long. I called again, and they were able to get me in at 3pm. Well, it turns out that I had an infection in my tooth so severe that he talked hospital stay. Oy, what had I done to myself? His first recommendation was to extract te tooth immediately, but I was adamant about keeping it. Well, they let it "drain" over night, and Tuesday morning I went back in to have it looked at. They scheduled me for the following week for the root canal. Tuesday was a not so good day, but Wednesday wasn't too bad. Well, Thursday came and once again I was woken up in the middle of the night in agony.

After long and careful thought and discussion with other people, I decided that it would be best to "extract" the tooth, and that's exactly what the Oral Surgeon did yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. My mouth is swollen, the area where the tooth WAS hurts, and I feel uncomfortable. I just hope that this is the end of all of my issues. This is the last thing I need while just starting a new job. One is usually trying to show off, but all I seem to do is show off how problematic I can be, but I'm usually not and I don't know what to do. I can just hope that my boss sees it for what it is, and nothing more. I really am trying my best not to let any of this interfere with work, and unfortunately it has. The one thing though I must give credit to myself for is my commitment to my job. I will do whatever it takes to get the job done, and make sure that everything my boss needs is taken care of. I happened to luck out with this tooth problem as he was out of the country, and my counterpart was able to cover his phones for me while I was out. Although it doesn't help much with all the guilt I feel for letting myself get to this point.

I have to tell myself to leave the all the questions at the door because I am doing the best I can, and I try to give everything 150%, and I don't think anyone could ask for more.

So, from now on just call me Blue like the guy from "Old School".

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.......

2007-07-07T19:59:00.000-04:00

........................................................................ : (

Finished WIP...for Baby "F"

2007-07-04T09:21:00.000-04:00

So I had started a hat a while back from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and when our little Baby "F" came early I just knew I had to finish it and finish it quickly. Well, I did the very thing I can't seem to do lately, not only did I finish it, I cast on and am almost done with the Kimono from One Skein. I have not yet had a chance to meet my new little darling, who my nieces are completely enamored with, and couldn't stand the thought of her being in the hospital without them. Well now she's home, and today I will be bringing her the hat I made (which is going to be too big for her now) that Baby is modeling in this photo.

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-26T22:29:00.001-04:00

Again.....I am now the proud aunt to not just two, but now THREE wonderful, beautiful, fantabulously splendid girls. Our third arrived a little earlier then planned, but still a bitty bundle of joy.

Mama and baby are doing well. She came in the same angelic state as her sisters before, 4lbs. 1oz. What else can be said except her sisters can't wait till she's home.

House Hunting

2007-06-20T23:43:00.000-04:00

So, DH and I have been house hunting for the last 6 weeks or more. I really liked one of the first houses we saw, it was move-in condition, and lots of possibilities. DH wanted to continue to look. So lots of duds (my opinion, DH really liked 1 I thought was tiny) later we finally see one that we both LOVE. As soon as I walked in I said quietly to my husband "I love it!". What I loved about it compared to any of the others was the flow, the way the living room and dining room were so open as you walked in. As you walked in the front door directly to your right there was a little sitting area/library. There was a room that had been turned into a den, and a small room across from the "master" bedroom that would have been the perfect knitting room. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. We just saw the house on Sunday, and we found out later in the day at the open house they were having, that a bid had already been placed. We got confirmation on Monday and had to make a quick decision, and we both said go for it.

Well, long story short, the 1st bid fell through, but another one came in higher than ours, but they wanted a 60 day closing, owners cam back to us and asked for us to meet them in the middle with a 30 day closing, we said YES. The owners lawyer said the realtor would notify us in the morning. Well, morning came, we called and were told that we would get our answer by the afternoon. At this point I'm realizing that their realtor is playing us, but DH says our realtor had said that this was "realty", and especially Clifton, NJ realty, and this happens. I was on my way home, extremely pissed that we hadn't heard anything when my realtor called and broke to me that 4 NEW bids came in. I knew it, I just knew that this was what they were hoping by holding out on giving us an answer.

What do we do now? I'm done with looking, but I can't stay here ANY LONGER! I also don't want to just settle because of my urgency to move out. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. This Sucks!

The Picture....

2007-06-12T20:40:00.001-04:00

L&V Secret Swap - My Angel

2007-06-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

I was paired up with an Angel by the hostesses of the L&V swap. I was paired up with Ellen who sent me the most fabulous package, which of course I just ripped right into without taking pics. But I did take a pic of all the little goodies she sent inside (see below). She sent me four hanks of this wonderful wool called "purple haze" it looks just like it sounds, smokey black with purple-glittery coloring. She sent me some gorgeous roving (instructions with it to make a silk scarf), which I will actually do for the first time ever (why not, I've been given a door, and I shall open it), besides, it gives me something new to try and also to purchase which is not on the DO NOT PURCHASE list mandated by DH (which I was given a little leeway with since sale yarn doesn't count...thanks honey!). There was also a hank of Socks that Rock in "Cotton Candy", it is totally my colorway. There was also a knitting journal that is based on Elizabeth Zimmerman. She also included some yummy chocolates, which I am going to savor until I loose a few more pounds, which I am doing now that I am gainfully employed. YEAH!

I am so very grateful to Ellen, and my hostesses at L&V PrOn Exchange.

THANK YOU!!!!!

I've Been Tagged....AGAIN!

2007-06-11T22:33:00.000-04:00

by Sue , Luciana , and just today Covered in Yarn. Now I have to write 7 random facts about me, and then tag another 7 people (suckers, how do I find them though?). I will ponder on whom I shall tag since most people I know have been tagged. Check out random fact #7.

1) I think it best that I start this off with the first step, admitting that I have a problem. I am addicted to the video Evolution of Dance, on youtube. Now what are the next steps you ask? The next steps are not in my control since I have now gotten my nieces and their father into it. With ourWII, we can actually all watch it on the TV together. My nieces get into it so much that I can't control myself from letting them watch it. The guy who came up with that dance is so amazing, he hits all the music over the last several decades, and not just got the music or the dance, but if their is a video, he got the move from that down too.

2) DH and I have been married for almost 3 years, and we have yet to do our professional photo albums yet. That being said, we have this one photo of us that everyone in our family thinks is the best photo of the two of us, and it's not a professional photo, the picture was taken by our Uncle Mike. The photo is of the two of us after the ceremony in front of the limo, just having had taken a sip of the champagne that was supplied to us by the limo company, and the picture was snapped as both of us had this twisted look on our faces as we spit it back into the glasses. It's so perfect because we both have the same expression and are looking directly into each other's eyes without realizing what the other was doing.

3) I have a couple of phobias (doesn't everybody?) I hate anything that crawls, creeps or has more than 4 legs. I have been so bad with spiders that I have been rendered incapable of movement or speech when confronted by a particularly nasty one. I am afraid of elevators, not just a few floors, but were talking Empire State tall. I just have this fear that it's going to just fall and well, you know that tragic end. I have such this fear of high elevators that I even dream of falling in them, which just enforces my daytime fear.

4) I have about 10 movies in my repertoire that I switch between, but I watch them over and over and over again. I have now gotten to "that point" where DH wants to kill me when we watch things together because I say the words before the actor does. I think it's funny. ;)

5) I have a very nasty temper, yes, sweet lil' ol' me. My temper is very slow to burn, and usually burns for injuries, insults or injustices to my friends or family etc. rather than myself, but when it burns; watch out. When I'm angry I can be the queen of put downs, and my tongue is definitely my best (or worst) weapon. I can give a thrashing that would put "Mommy Dearest" to shame (and like her, NO METAL HANGERS).

6) I LOVE music, not just your regular ol' love, but LOVE. I don't just listen, but I feel the music going through me. I enjoy music so much that it can help change my mood. When I'm depressed I listen to certain songs and I get that "vibe", that feeling that things can feel better.

7) OK. Random? Yes. Has it just become severely obvious? Ummmm YES. I apparently am not good at things like this. I received this quite awhile ago, but just now am getting around it after having been tagged by so many people. Maybe my overall goal is to "BE" thetaggee by 7 people, and not be the tagger. Random facts I'm not very good at unless I give a lot of thought, and these days all thought revolve around my NEW J-O-B, yes, I wrote that correctly. I am gainfully employed.

OK, on to tagging people, if I can. BTW, I am currently listening to my "WII" mix which is currently playing Come on Eillen by Dexie's Midnight Runners (did I just truly age myself?).

Side 1 Finished!!!!!!

2007-06-03T21:50:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it, side 1 of the Arwen Cardigan is actually OFF THE NEEDLES (this post is 5 almost 6 days in the making). I finished the left side of the cardigan last Sunday, I couldn't believe it, I was so excited I almost couldn't wait until the Sopranos was over to yell down to DH, who I apparently freaked out when I did. Who knew he was so edgy.

I thought I had a picture with me at work to post, but unfortunately I sent myself the wrong thing. I will post 1 later. Also, I have already cast on for the left side, and have unfortunately come across my first rip or two.

Wish me luck!!!! ;)

Die Moth Die!!!!!!!

2007-06-02T14:12:00.001-04:00

OMG, OMG!!!!!! Last night I went into the den, and there was a freakin' moth. I started freaking out and screaming and yelling as I tried to swat it to death. I took my SP's yarn which was in there, even though it's cotton, I stuck it i the freezer, and will take it out on Monday. You can never be overly cautious with something like that. I didn't get it, so after putting the yarn in the freezer, which I told my MIL to just disregard as my idiosyncrasy. She was like whatever, and laughed. But, getting back to the point, I waited for the thing to come out again, and chased it down into the closet that is there, and started swatting this magazine around, and finally I got the little bugger. But to be on the safe side, I had some cedar spray in the den, I need to spray my hangers for my wool coat, but i sprayed the entire closet repeating the statement "Die buggers Die!!!"

I am one of those people who is so freakin' overly cautious, I have cedar blocks and these lavender scented moth replant pouches all over my room to keep the nasty creatures out. Once DH and I get our house, I am going to get cedar chests, and maybe even a nice cedar closet in the basement of wherever we may roam. Wish me luck!

My Summer Knit List

2007-05-27T19:14:00.000-04:00

Below is a list of goals some of which I need to finish and some I would like to finish this summer. This is for the contest being run on skeins her way blog, but also is a nice way of letting me know what my goals and objects are vis-a-vis knitting this summer.

Finish Monkey Socks
Finish Baby blanket for soon to be niece
Finish Baby blanket for soon to be cousin
Jaywalkers
Baby raglan
Finish "A Cardigan for Arwen"

I do have some other items on the needles, and if I can tackle any of those too it will just be extra. I am also putting in writing that I will not (except for my socks, as there are two of those) cast-on for any new projects this summer. No matter how difficult this last task may be, I must stick to it, this is also the most important thing for me to do (or not to do) this summer.

If you get to this contest through my link, please let her know that it was from my blog (www.forgetfulstitcher9.blogspot.com), so that I too can get some extra credit. I got to this contest from Knit and Purl Mama

Good Luck All!!!

Second SP Gift

2007-05-25T20:55:00.000-04:00

I got home this evening to find a package from my SP waiting for me. As this has been a tough week for me, I couldn't wait to get upstairs and open it. As I cut open the box, I was filled with excitement to see what was inside. There was a note inside from her that was very sweet, the package was so nice, there were 5 little wrapped gifts inside (sorry, I didn't take pics). As I unwrapped everything, I got more and more excited. The first thing I opened was a box to hold my DPN's in, then I opened a nice travel candle Apple Strudel scented, then I opened some wonderful pink Karabella Gossamer (2 balls), so awesome, it's enough, if not more than enough to make a wonderful shawl out of. Then I opened some gorgeous pink stone stitch markers, then she also sent me this really cute pink striped ring that I can't wait to wear out.

Thank you Soooo much SP, I can't wait to know who you are to thank you even better.

Short Hiatus

2007-05-24T15:39:00.000-04:00

On Sunday evening I posted that I was never going to blog again, but as it turns out, it was just a short hiatus, and not a finale. So, I'M BACK!!!

Why.........

2007-05-20T22:32:00.000-04:00

I am currently contemplating why I Blog, and why I knit. I knit, and don't get anywhere because I have a very, very severe case of "Startitis". Sometimes I see something I want and I just start to cast on and then fi8gure out the pattern, or get to the point in the pattern where I go "WTF!!!!!". I am the slowest knitter EVER. Even if I just had one project going at a time (which is ABSOLUTELY impossible) I knit so slow that it becomes so unrewarding to me, I get angry and upset because I can't do what everyone else can. I can put two needles together, knit and purl, and a lot of other stitched too, but nothing, nadda! There are so many things that I would like to do, and I just get so frustrated that I can't do it, I mean I can, but MAYBE things like my Arwen will be done by next fall, that means fall "08"

Everything I knit I do it with passion and feeling, but why?

Why do I blog????? I seem to blog for myself. I think that there are maybe 5 people who read my blog, and one of them is DH. I seem to have failed, at blogging and knitting. If I stopped both, I don't think anyone would notice or care. It's not like there's anything here that would interest anyone.

After writing the above, it has become clear to me that this is going to be my LAST and FINAL entry. To the 3 people that do read this, and to my SP10 Pal...........I'm sorry, and my blog should be removed from your blog roll.

Ciao, and Farewell!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Terrific ....

2007-05-10T13:19:00.000-04:00

Christina was going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this past weekend, and I loaned her my Ez-Pass, as I know what it's like to make that trip without one. She offered to pick me up something while she was there, and I told her that she didn't need to that, but when I saw her this past Tuesday, she had brought me back the most beautiful Koigu. She definitely put some thought into it because it is absolutely stunning, and my colorway. I was in awe of how generous she was, especially when I told her that she didn't need to bring anything back. Awwwww!

I already have the perfect sock pattern picked out. It's from Interweave Knits Spring 2007 "Staff Projects", the Seduction Socks by Ann Budd.

Projects Done, to be done, never to be done....

2007-05-07T09:37:00.000-04:00

Mark with bold the things you have ever knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest as is.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars
Knitting with someone else's handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks (with Kathy and Carol's help, that is after I don the fair isle sweater first)
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously (trying but not having success)
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener
BOPurses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern (currently in process...with Christina's help)
Gloves (the only thing DH says he'd wear if I knitted it, Ummmm I don't think so)
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers (OK, so Flannery's second is still a WIP)
Pillows (and....so is Sarah's, but at least the first is done on both)
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair

Got this from callingonkahlo who got this from elanknits

New Edition to the Family....

2007-05-06T11:39:00.000-04:00

So, Baby has a sister. We haven't yet named her, but would love some names from the Peanut Gallery. I am going to run a week long contest and after all submissions are in I will choose a winner, and that will be her name. Whoever comes up with the winning name will receive a nice prize. If I don't have a decent amount of submissions by drawing time next Sunday, May 13, I might extended, but most likely not. Be unique, original, but think sweet and feminine.

Here is a lovely picture of her along with her brother Baby, by the way, he's wearing his new collar that my nieces made for him at Montclair Beadworks.

E.T.

2007-05-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I have issues, who doesn't. I was looking for a movie today for my nieces, and came upon E.T., you know the movie that inspired a nation to go eat Reese Pieces by the bag full. Well, I just got to the scene that, I must say inspired me as a child, and I'm pretty sure that I was not alone with this one. Elliott takes a heating pad and places it on his face to make his face feel warm, no problem there...it works, but then he takes the thermometer and holds it up to the light so that it heats up and reads a temperature. Well, if you also notice, he's holding it up to a fairly strong light, one that would produce a lot of heat. He never once afterwards checks the temperature gauge (they were filled with mercury back in the day) to see what it reads, now if he had then he would have seen that it had probably soared to a wonderful 106 or even higher. I know this from my own personal experience. I tried it, but at the age of 11 I wasn't in the "know" about how to read a thermometer correctly, so when I brought it to my step-mother, who happened to be a Dr., her response was "Ummmm did you read the thermometer? I mean this is pretty serious you know. If this is REALLY your temperature, I mean really, then I think you are right that you SHOULD stay home from school. Now are you positive that this is YOUR temperature?" I thought long and hard, not only about what she was saying, but the way she was saying it...I fessed up....."Yeah, I didn't think that you had a fever of 107, because I think you would be dead. Now, how do we feel now, are we going to school in the morning?" I learned my lesson, and I sure as shit learned how to read a thermometer right after that.

So I really have issues with Elliott being younger than I was at the time being able to "pass one over" on his mom. Anyone else think they got the raw end of that stick errr. thermometer? I know, it's just a movie, but still a little reality would help somewhere....

My First SP10 Package...A little late

2007-04-30T09:40:00.000-04:00

I got my first SP10 package from my Secret Pal on Thursday, and I'm just now getting around to taking the pictures and posting. SORRY, SORRY, SORRY, I'm a bad spoilee. Now onto the good stuff.

She sent me some wonderful pink (yes my fave color) Bamboo yarn, she says she knows someone who knit a sweater out of it and it was gorgeous, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but there's definitely enough for something good. She also sent me some really cute sticky notes (love the stickies), and with it she had the most AWESOME (I know not proper English, but what the heck I did grow up in the 80's) card, it is a picture of Noro Kureyon all put together in a bunch and the colors look fabulous. I just want to take it all and do the same thing, it's just the vibrant way it should be shown in any good LYS.

Thanks so much SP, you're awesome!!!

Full Public Disclosure and Commitment

2007-04-29T17:54:00.000-04:00

This post is for all to know, and recognize my strength of restraint regarding DH's pillows. I am also publicly declaring for all to know and hear (and if I fail for DH to have a record of this for the lawyers for when he goes on trial for murder) that I Margaret (aka: forgetfulstitcher9) will in no way attempt to experiment with spinning while under the DH imposed yarn "respite". As his pillows are compiled of PURE Italian Sheep's wool, I ummmmmm will in no way steal, borrow, replace (hmmmm) or deplete his pillows, for which he has listed as the one thing that was/is his property to bring into the marriage, and to bring out. This was our only form of a prenuptial, and he wasn't even aware of my soon to be LOVE of knitting.

Loving you always GC!!!!
xoxoxox0

PROGNOSIS.........

2007-04-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

BAD.......So, the Dr. (DH) has had the patient (my laptop) in his care for the past going on 3 days now. Apparently the patient will definitely have to be reloaded, and possibly will need it's "brain" replaced (hopefully it's under warranty). My baby (not the stuffed dog) has been with me solidly now for several months, and I am very lonely without....errr....her/him/it....I will be back on soon...HOPEFULLLLLLY........

Rain, Rain, Go Away.....

2007-04-15T14:04:00.000-04:00

It's raining so hard outside, even though DH and I got up showered and were ready to go to brunch (and I had packed everything to go knitting afterwards), we went downstairs opened the garage door and I stopped dead in my tracks. DH looks at me and says, "What's wrong, what are you thinking???", my response,"I'm thinking I can make you some nice cinnamon raisin french toast right here...". Lets just say there were no arguments on his side as we both dropped our umbrellas on the floor and headed back inside. When the weatherman said 3" of rain and teeming, boy was he serious, N'or Easter is what they predicted, and N'or Easter is what we are getting. He's going to watch his guy shows, and I'm going to knit and listen to some Podcasts.

***There were supposed to be pictures along with this post, but I am currently experiencing "technical difficulties" with my laptop. DH is furiously trying to back up all of the hard drive or I think I might have to jump off the nearest bridge.

Homage de' Flamingo

2007-04-12T22:56:00.000-04:00

So my father, usually a very normal kind of guy, always keeps up his lawn (maybe a little too diligently, but none the less it always looks good). One day, he's retired now, I am up visiting him in MA where he now resides, and there are 2 Pink Flamingos on his front lawn. I figure, no way, what the hell are those. I figured his wife, who loves gardening, and putting stuff out for the birds, and keeping her garden pretty had gotten them. But no, my father found them cute and interesting, and reminded him of living in FL (which he and his wife did for 4 months one winter), and that he liked them. Well, the rest of the family have thought him to be quite insane since only weird and old people (and people from FL) put those damn flamingos on their lawn. Instead of discouraging him though, we "fed" his little sickness, and he has gathered quite the little collection, some of which I put together on Easter. BTW, his wife doesn't help either, she went and made the darn things Santa caps to where around Christmas, and he puts lights and decorations on them all year round.

Too Many......

2007-04-12T22:52:00.000-04:00

I have too many of those "Special Places", i.e. those plaes you put things beause you'll remember you put it there. I bought something seial for my SP, and like a lot of go figure, small objets, I put it in a special place because I would remember it there beause of what ever reason I used at the time. I have to ome up with a new method, and I can't come up with something, and DH doesn't have an answer either. Any ideas would be greatly appreiated.

Arwen is on a roll - Thx Christina!!!!

2007-03-29T23:27:00.000-04:00

My "A Cardigan for Arwen" is back on track and rolling along ...Shhhhhhhh......smoothly thanks to Christina at MY. Every time I go in she asks me about it, and I reluctantly pull out the same portion as last time, but this time with a new error, just one row ahead, and every time, she has put me back on the track, but this time it's for good. THANK YOU!!!!

BTW......I am much further along now than when this picture was taken yesterday morning.

Favorite Knitting Accessory/s

2007-03-29T22:53:00.000-04:00

My SP10 Host is running a contest for everyone in our group to post what their favorite knitting accessory is. I have one problem with this, I don't just have 1 specific favorite knitting accessory, I would have to say that I have 2. Both of them have my favorite color involved, and that is PINK.

First, I would list my Coach Tape measure that I happened to get by luck one evening while waiting on the corner by the Coach store for my DH to come and pick me up. So there I was with a little free time on my hands, and the Soho Coach store leering over my shoulder, calling my name, taunting me to come in, how could I resist it's pleas. So I enter the store, and am drawn to the back where they have in a glass case 2 small square objects, one blue, the other pink, I asked the woman who worked there what those cute little squares were, and she looked up at me and smiled, "Oh those, they're tape measures, aren't they just too cute." My reply was very simple and to the point, with Amex in hand I said "I'll take the pink please, and does that come in a cute little coach box too?" A few moments later, brown coach bag in hand I walked out the door, and got into the car where I sat with my new little present on my lap, and trying to explain to DH that it's not just a stupid tape measure, that it was a PINK COACH tape measure, and that now it was MINE.

The next thing I would list as my favorite accessory, would HAVE to be my Denise needles. Not only are they extremely versatile, but they allow me to have several WIPs going at the same time (I am in no way admitting to having a WIP issue.......GC, SHUT-UP, and Monica, stop laughing). The great thing about the pink set is that a portion of the proceeds go to a completely 100% privately/government grant funded lab dedicated to cancer research located in Vermont.

A Day for Blogging and Bragging

2007-03-15T13:08:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile since I've posted any really good pics of things, so today is the day for lots of blogging. I currently have "several" WIP's, and I am posting a picture of the cabled cardigan - by Debbie Bliss (baby cashmerino) that I am making for my soon-to-be niece. I still have a few more inches to go on the back before I began the arm decreasing. I can't believe how slow it is going, but the cables are done every three rows, so that takes a little bit of time.

And here is a picture of my beautiful twin niece's who are so patiently waiting for their little sister to come out of "mommy's belly". They are soooo very excited, it's hard for them, they keep talking about the baby, and what she's going to do, and how she's going to miss their b-day, and how she can't touch this or that, but that she can do this or that. It's just too funny to listen to them. Sometimes they say things so serious or do something so bad, and you know that you shouldn't laugh, but sometimes I just can't contain myself from "spitting out" my laughter, literally. Kids are just too cute.

This is them getting ready to play WII, the one on the left is going to be the next Maria Sharapova , and the one on the right is definitely going to take down Laila Ali one day. They definitely both have the looks to be either one. LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!

Roza's Socks

2007-03-15T12:24:00.000-04:00

I am currently working on Roza's Socks from Interweave Knit's Spring/Summer Issue, they, like the Odessa Hat are by Grumperina. I was a little further along then in the below picture, but I found a dropped stitch several rows back, and I had to rip to get it. UGGHHHHH. I hate FROGS.

I am "Young Padawan"

2007-03-15T12:06:00.000-04:00

And DH is the all knowing Yoda, so I have got to finally post a picture of DH. The resemblance is quite....interesting and dead on. As AhHa said in back in the 80's "Take me on....". I WILL beat you again, and shall be the "Dark Lord"!

FINALLY - A Finished Project (The Odessa Hat)

2007-03-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

I can finally post another finished project to my blog, along with a pic of the finished project as proof. See ------ >

Not so bad, I had a few errors and dropped stitches and had to rip a few times, but all together a very quick and simple project (once you know what you are doing). Thank you Grumperina for the pattern which is also in the Mag Knits Archives. I'm so excited that I'm finished it's giving me a little push to get other projects done.....although I do still have the Big Bad Baby Blanket to finish for DH's cousin (baby was born early, last Friday...Welcome to the world Gabriella Rose!!!). I've got to start knitting.

SP10 Questionnaire

2007-03-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

Here are my responses to the SP10 questionnaire. I have just recently posted something very similar for the Lime & Violet Swap, so the answers may overlap, sorry for that.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love knitting with Malabrigo, it's like butter, although I'm finding a lot more yarns I like to knit with as well. I don't particularly care to knit with acrylic (self confessed YARN SNOB here!)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I just got this fabulous Della Q for my circulars, but I am currently still keeping my straights in a paper bag (not good).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I would consider myself an intermediate knitter, I'm DEFINITELY NOT advanced. No Faire Isle in my future. I leave that up to Cathy and Carol, a mother daughter team that comes to my S&B on Thursday's.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I'm working on it, I will post as soon as I have something that I haven't purchased off it yet.

5. What's your favorite scent? This really depends on what's going on in my life. I LOVE Hyacinths, they smell wonderful no matter what (I used to love using my nose spray because of the smell - they took the scent away : ( ) I am also a big fan of Betsey Johnson, and some of the new Victoria's Secret scents, and they ever lasting fall backs of Pear glace, Cucumber and Melon, Sweet Pea, and some of the more popular Bath and Body products. I love to bake, so any kind of candles that have that aroma is fabulous.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Not really, I don't have your usual sweet tooth. I crave ice cream once in awhile, but as far as candy goes, I'm VERY partial to Cadbury milk chocolate ONLY from England. The Cadbury you find in the states was made here, not imported so the rich creaminess is so very different.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do stamped cross stitch, I gave counting a try, and it didn't work out all too well, and I have currently put my cross stitch needle down for a while. I'm a baker though, that's a craft, isn't it? Other than that I'm not all to artistic.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My music is very eclectic, from 1960's to current (don't like rap).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am currently married to the all star WII tennis champ GC (slowly sneaking up on him), I do not have any pets, and unfortunately am allergic to most. I will however start getting my allergy shots once again when we have a house of our own so that my DH can get the dog he wants. (not a big one)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear them all, I am not really a hat person because I HATE messing my hair, but I am in a had making frenzy (just about to finish up the Odessa hat), so I am sucking it up. I would love to have a poncho, I think they are soooo cool.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I have to say that I love knitting sweaters, but I HATE, let me repeat myself HATE seaming. I just feel a sense of oneness with my project when I am able to wear it, like hats.

13. What are you knitting right now? The question should be posed, at least for me anyways, what aren't you knitting, and I would have to say anything that I need to knit and am under a deadline for. Is there something wrong with me?????

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Why not, handmade gifts can sometimes be the best gifts because not only did it take time, but there was thought about the person as well.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circulars to straights, but sometimes straights are better for certain projects. I like the Addi Turbos, and I've recently started to grow fond of the Addi Natura's. I two sets of Denises, but have had some trouble with them lately, an the company has yet to reply to my complaint (not a good sign).

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both as a matter of fact, and I love them, good stress reliever.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Do we need to revisit the pink sweater again?????

18. What is your favorite holiday? This may sound superficial on my part, but I would have to say that my favorite holiday is any holiday where I would receive a gift (BTW, my half b-day is March 23 - my BF's b-day)

19. Is there anything that you collect? Does yarn count as a collection? I collect tea sets, although right now I am on hiatus from buying any new one's due to my current living situation, but once that changes, watch out DH.....

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any magazine subscriptions as of yet, but I want to subscribe to Interweave Knits and Knit Simple I know how cheesy you say, but I like the fun ideas...and that's where the....ummmmm....pink sweater came from). I can't say that I have any specific patterns in mind, except maybe the new Nancy Bush pattern from Lace Style.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not that I am aware of. In the future I might want to move on to color techniques, but right now I think I'm pretty bogged down with truly getting a handle on the techniques I currently use (I'm really into cabling).

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm just starting to knit socks, I haven't yet had a chance to fully make a sock, but I'm on my way. Hopefully I'll get to the turning of the sock and complete it

23. When is your birthday? September 23...... It also happens to be the same as Bruce Springsteen.

I AM NOW A PRO!!!!

2007-03-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

So, it started last night when I, Margaret/Peggy F. beat "Master Yoda" a.k.a. DH in WII Tennis. Needless to say, I took it very well, no gloating, but DH took the remote and threw it on the couch and stormed off (my little Pete Sampras/Andre Agassi). Today, I took on the WII and my oponents were pro's ranked 1200, and me at a mere 967, and I won 3 straight sets. YES, YES, YES!!!!!! Everyone, please keep your fingers and toes crossed that I can win my next match so that I can stay at pro level.

Dedicated to Joanne L.

2007-03-08T13:11:00.000-05:00

Socks - The best project for travelling. I met Joanne, a friend of my aunt's back on July 4th. I was at my Aunt Mary's, and my Aunt Donna came over a brought one of her dearest friends, Joanne L. from Maine who was visiting for the weekend. Well, I was sitting with the fam. out back by the pool, and of course I had several projects with me when I was introduced to Joanne a long time knitter. She had brought with her a pair of socks talking them up as great projects for travelling. My projects don't always tend to be tiny unless they are hats. I have recently taken a sock class, and gotten some wonderful sock yarn since from Cherry Tree Hill. I just got the current issue of Interweave Knits, and inside was Roza's Socks by Grumperina, and was completely inspired to pick up the needles and cast on for them. I am looking forward to the outcome.

Here is the beginning of the ribbing....

I HATE WII Tennis

2007-03-05T11:44:00.000-05:00

OK, so I am getting very depressed, which is absolutely ridiculously insane since it's over a damn video game. I am pretty decent on the real court, but I am suddenly not doing so well on the video court, I had been almost at the pro level, and now I think my 5 1/2yr old niece might be able to beat me. For some reason my stuid little MII is not able to return service, I just end up waving my racket at the air. I am good when I serve, or I can return serve, but come on, a game is kicking my ass.

Here is my MII all dressed and ready to get on the court for another big ass whipping.

OK, So I'm a Geek!!!

2007-03-03T19:15:00.000-05:00

I am at home (willingly, DH is out on the town doing well the Irish thing) watching for the possibly 4th time (or at least this one secific scene) Gone in Sixty Seconds. It's just the perfect sit-n-Knit kind of a movie. You know exactly when you want or NEED to watch, and the rest is just being stored into the movie trivia portion of your brain.

I have also gone on a yarn diet, and just realized that I actually have yarn to knit something that I don't know if I can really knit, and it is so from the bottom of my stash it is part of my original yarn purchase. Is that not just unbelievable!!! Bye Bye i-pod cases, hello lacey shawl.

Lime and Violet Swap Answers

2007-03-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

1. What kind of fibers do you prefer? I have to say I like most natural fibers, I'm not a fan of working with acrylic, although some yarns do contain it I try to stay away from them unless it's a good superwash for a baby.
2. What kind of weight do you prefer (sock, worsted, bulky)? I can't say that I prefer any specific weight, altough I tend to knit more with the worsted to bulky's only because they go so much quicker, and I'm a slow knit. I am starting with socks and lace (I'm a big Nancy Bush fan).
3. Do you spin? Nope, Sorry. I just can't think of adding something else to my repitore that might tak away from my knitting.
4. Do you crochet? I'm trying to get back into it, but it's been over 20yrs, and I'm just not getting the hang of it.
5. Are there any books, patterns, magazines would you like to own that you don't? I do want the new Lace Style book as well as Inspired Cable Knits, I'm thinking of looking into getting Knit Simple Magazine and also Interweave Knitting.
6. Are you participating in any themed a-longs like the Project Spectrum? Actually, after reading this I checked out Project Spectrum and thought it was such a unique idea that I joined up instantly. Best thing is, the first month is to knit with Pink or Red, and Pink just hapens to be my FAVORITE color, go figure. I am definitely going to have some fun with this, doing color themed projects is very enriching (no pun intended).
7. Do you have a wishlist on Amazon.com or Half.com? (provide a link) I am working on one for Amazon, but I keep buying the books off of it, so I don't know how it's going to work.
8. Any Etsy stores that you would love to get something from?
9. What other crafty things are you involved in (quilting, drawing, painting)? I bake, if you call that crafty, and when I get in the mood I do stamped cross stitch. I was really into it for a while, then I lost interest, which I sometimes tend to do, but it really lowered my blood pressure when I first learned.
10. What is your favorite sort of scent? I am really liking the new Victoria's Secret scents like Endless Love and Romantic Wish, they are new, and smell FABULOUS!
11. Do you have a sweet tooth and what kind of sweets do you like best? I do and I don't. I like ice cream (which I need to stay away from), and I like candy, but HAVE to be in the mood otherwise candy turns me off. Odd though. I used to LOVE candy, any kind any day.
12. What kind of music do you like? I have an eclectic taste, but tend to stay towards the soft popular. I also love the 80's.
13. What do you like to knit? And for whom? I like to knit just about anything I can, and I'm not too particular on whom I knit for. I am always knitting 10 projects for someone at any given time. (BTW, 10 is probably low-balling it) I learned cables back in September, and am just loving them.
14. What sort of things do you like to collect? Well, lately my collection has been very well...shall I say knitting related, i.e. YARN. I'm also a collector of All things Disney. I know very odd, but I want to get the collection of Disney movies for when I have kids.
15. Do you want needles? And what kind do you prefer? I am always looking for needles, I have two sets of Denise's (which I have been having trouble with lately), but I love my Addi Turbo's. I would love some of those in 24" sized between 6-9. Preferrably 7 & 8's.

I-Tunes Survey - Get to Know me through my Music

2007-02-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

iTunes Survey - Wow, some of these nail it right on the head, it's kind of scary.

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense.

Will it be ok?
10,000 miles – Mary Chapin Carpenter

How are you feeling today?
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne

How do your friends see you?
Going Back to Cali – LL Cool Jay

Will you get married?
Name – Goo Goo Dolls
(it’s GC though)

What is your best friend's theme song?
Nothing – From Chrous Line Soundtrack (original)

What is the story of your life?
Love Fool – The Cardigans

What is high school like?
Love and Affecttion - Nelsons

How can you get ahead in life?
Don’t Tread on Me - Metallica

What is the best thing about your friends?
I Want to Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler

What is tonight going to be like?
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

What is in store for the remainder of this weekend?
It feels Good – Tony Toni Tone

What song describes you?
Come on Eillen – Frosh
(I used to dance and sing this at the top of my lungs back in the day)

To describe your grandparents?
Blurry – Puddle of Mudd
(Very apropos as I didn’t really know them)

How is your life going?
With a Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
(WOW!!!!)

What song will they play at your funeral?
I say a Little Prayer for You – Sung By Rupert Everett and Cast of “My Best Friend’s Wedding)(Can I sing along too???)

How does the world see you?
Hit Em’ Upstyle – Blu Cantrell

Will you have a happy life?
Don’t Rock the Jukebox – Alan Jackson
(sounds good to me!!!)

What do your friends really think of you?
Pretty Fly for a White Guy - Off Spring

Do people secretly lust after you?
Baby Likes to Rock – The Tractors

How can I make myself happy?
Time Warp – Rocky Horror Picture Show
(OK, I’m Doing it and smiling)

What should you do with your life?
Arms Wide Open - Creed

Will you ever have children?
The Morning After – The Prodigals
(Interesting)

What will be played at your wedding?
Still the One – Shania Twain
(and he always will be)

What will life after death be like?
Connected – Stereo MC’s

Getting to Know me - MEME

2007-02-26T15:42:00.000-05:00

I borrowed this from someone's post on Lime & Violet's index.

Location: New Jewrsey
Astrological Sign: Virgo-Libra Cusp (boy did I get screwed)
Pets: None to speak of
When I play monopoly I am always the: Car

Five things always in my purse/backpack:
1. wallet
2. Knitting project
3. Lip Balm
4. PDA
5. Junk!!!!

Five things always in my Fridge:
1. Ketchup
2. String Cheese
3. Propel
4. Crystal Light Iced Tea
5. condiments (dressings, mustard…etc.)

Five things always in my closet:
1. Sweats
2. Yarn
3. Junk
4. T-shirts
5. Purses

Five things on my desk:
1. hand sanitizer
2. oversized coffee cup
3. red swingline stapler (I could set the building on fire...)
4. Picture of me and DH on wedding day
5. Post-it Pop-up notes

Five movies I could watch over and over:
1. Guarding Tess
2. Gone in Sixty Seconds
3. Lake House
4. Office Space
5. Con Air

Five places I have traveled and love:
1. Tahiti
2. St. Martin
3. Madrid (with DH)
4. San Francisco
5. Chicago

Five Secret Addictions:
1. Yarn (well, that’s not really a secret)
2. text messages
3. NCIS
4. Bed Bath and Beyond
5. Purses

Five Annoyances:
1. SPAM
2. Bad Customer Service
3. Nasty bosses
4. Slow Drivers
5. Tom Cruise

Five Fears:
1. Spiders
2. Jason (Friday 13th) & Michael Meyers (Halloween)
3. Being Fat (again)
4. The dark
5. Loneliness

Five Facts About You:
1. Happily Married
2. My family was very 2007 in 1980
3. I got mono in kindergarten
4. I have the lowest pain threshold on the face of the planet
5. When I get into something I enjoy, I don’t do it half-assed, I do it and give it everything I have….like knitting

Guarding Tess......

2007-02-24T23:08:00.000-05:00

Is it just me, or is Guarding Tess just one of the best movies ever made.? Shirely MacLaine and Nicholas Cage just play so well off of each other. Although I do have to say I usually am up for a good Nick Cage film, he's just very good at what he does. When he takes on a character, he not only gives it personality he runs with it and makes it unique. I'm also a big City of Angels and GONE IN 60 SECONDS fan (obviously a big fan of the later). If you're with me, chime in here!

Oh wait, lets not forget Con Air, in which he stars along side of my husband to be John Cusack!!!! Oh to have been a fly on those walls.....hmmmmmm.....

SORRY GC!!

Nintendo WII

2007-02-19T19:11:00.000-05:00

OMG!!!!! DH and I got WII, and have been furiously been playing tennis either against the machine, or against each other. Well, we are now both realizing how OUT OF SHAPE we are. A video game is actually making us ache in places we didn't know were possible. We are no both doing major stretching before we play so that we do not really injure ourselves. If that last line isn't the funniest, I don't know what is then. This is the wave of the gaming future. Get off the couch and kick some Nintendo ass!

A Chorus Line!!!!! Happy Valentines Day!!!

2007-02-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

SO, February 14th finally came, and here it was teeming ice and snow. How were we ever going to make it into the city to see "A Chorus Line"? I was going to go come hell or high water, and my wonderful DH (who BTW got the tickets within a week of me telling him I wanted to go and that it was back on Broadway) knew that nothing but an emergency room visit for me, and maybe not even that wouldn't stop me. I was going to go see my favorite of favorite musicals once again. The first time I saw it, my parents (my mother and my step-mother at that time, no longer) took me as a surprise for my 12th birthday. When I say surprise, no one told me, when we got into the cab to the theater, I had to wait outside until they gave the driver the destination, and they blindfolded me!!! OH MY. I was in the 1st or 2nd row orchestra, right up front where I could see every movement and almost feel the sweat. They finally took the blind fold off after waiting a few minutes, in the seat, and then they asked if I knew where we were and what we were seeing, and I had no clue, but was hoping. When the music started, I knew every word to every song, and sang along silently, happily. I was so entranced with everything that was going on in front of my face it was as if I was in another world.

My husband told me two weeks ago that he had gotten the tickets for the show when I was having a moment of pure sadness, and this gave me the joy of a child. I couldn't believe that not only was he listening to what I had said about going, but he too wanted it to be a special event for me, to make my last viewing become a new beginning for us to share together. I have been so excited since e told me, I told everyone I met, and then couldn't remember who I had told, so most likely told several people over and over again. The night he told me I immediately went down to the computer and downloaded the original soundtrack to my i-pod, and listened to it everyday all day long, every word of every song came flowing back into my mind like a long lost friend. I do have my favorites, although I love all of it. I love "At the Ballet" and "Nothing" they are so moving and full of words and feelings that are so real to me, and I've been thinking that maybe that is why I had such an attachment to that musical like I've never felt for any music since. I used to go to sleep listening to it every night, and dance to it every day. I also love the song "I Can Do That", what a feeling it must be to just know that you have what it takes to do something that you've just watched and envied from a-far.

We got to the theater with plenty of time, and DH had gotten 3rd row center Orchestra seats (OMG, OMG!!!!). I was like that little girl who saw it last on September 23, 1984, and now again on February 14, 2007 with the one I love to make new experiences and hope that he too could get the feelings and joy that I had from it. The lights dimmed, the cast came on, and just like that 12yr old girl back in 1984, I silently sung along to every song wanting to scream out the words to the songs I loved. Holding DH's hand, and bobbing my head and tapping his hand along with the music, he knew I was happy, and that he was able to bring this kind of joy back into my life again. When he started to laugh at one of the scenes, I knew he too was drawn into the musical, as much as me, I doubt it, but the little girl who was next to me with her father was feeling the same thing as me, and knew all the words, and knew when something was to fast or too slow. She was 1o and had already seen it 3x (including last night), and when I asked her what her favorite songs were, she said the same ones as mine. It was wonderful! Last night was such a dream. The movement, the music, and the company I was with made it that way.

I THANK MY DH WITH ALL OF MY HEART, BRINGING BACK THAT FEELING OF JOY ONCE AGAIN, AND BRINGING BACK MY CHILDHOOD LOST LONG AGO.

It's a girl

2007-02-13T15:10:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law found out yesterday that she's having a girl. Yeah me, there's so much more to knit for a girl. But poor nieces, they so wanted a boy, but I think they will take whatever they get and be very happy. My nieces comes here after school on Monday's, and one of them (I have to say the blabber mouth of the two) comes running upstairs, and haws and hums in front of my bed and says with this sheepish grin on her face, "Do you know what were having, it's a..." I stop her at that point and say hold on let me call mommy first. I called my SIL and asked if she wanted to tell me or if it was OK for Gemma to tell me, and she said well, it's a girl, but let her tell you, and I said, "Ok, what are you having, and Gem says, "IT"S A GIRL!!!!!". She was so excited, she could wait to help me pick out a pattern for the baby blanket. She points t this scarf that I made, the Irish Hiking Scarf and says, "I want the blanket to have these in it.", pointing to the cables. I'm like OMG, but say, "OK". What am I going to do. I don't want to do one like I did for my cousin, I want a new challenge, but something cool with cables, and definitely plushly, lusciously, delectable. I am actually going to run out to s-n-s and go through it all with Sheila, so I must run.

Ene's Scarf

2007-02-13T15:05:00.000-05:00

I will blog more soon, I've been a little depressed lately. A lot of family issues, and a lot of freakin' frogging of this pattern I saw in Scarf Style "Ene's Scarf" by Nancy Bush. When I first saw it I was in pure AWE, and said maybe one day I will get up to doing something like that, and suddenly last week I realized I had 500yds of Brooks Farm Yarns Duet, which was the perfect gauge, and said what the hell. Well, what the hell wasn't as easy as I thought. It calls for a cast on of 375, I didn't read that it was a knitted cast on, but I found out it really doesn't make a difference, but so far I have cast on for it oh lets just roughly say 8 times. I kept getting to the end and having either too many stitches left over, or not enough, and the mistake was so far back it was not worth ripping stitch by stitch, just the whole thing. Finally the other night I DID IT, I finished the first row accurately. Yeah me. I started the second row, and low and behold I screwed up, but I was able to fix it without riping the whole thing out. (I have taken measures to never make that mistake again), but while finishing the row, my damn Denise's fell apart, I swear the connector just popped, and off came the damn stitches. Well, no turning back from ripping the whole damn thing. So I recast yesterday 2x, and got to the end and no freakin go. Well, I recast on last night, and started fresh this morning, and voila I now have two finished rows. Yeah me. Here I cam lacey shawl!!! Beware I will stop at nothing, nothing to finish you at some point in my life.

At What Point Does Leagality Get Thrown out the Window

2007-02-13T14:51:00.000-05:00

Apparently if you are a cop who pulls over a stripper then ejaculates all over them. Apparently the cop in this case in Orange County California WAS considered above the law by the 12 people, mostly men who sat on the jury in this case. If you believe that this is a crime, and he should have been punished for it please place this info on your blog so that others can read it, and it can be read by a nation that will hopefully be dumbstruck at how stupid and irreverant a jury can sometimes be. This man is a predator and will most likey do it again. He should have been punished for the heanous crime he committed against a female victim, and she is a vitim, no matter WHAT her job is. One's job should not make some, the person makes them.

I got the above information from Warm with Love's Blog. I started reading her Blogs yes that is a plural) after listening to the latest Lime & Violet Podcast on i-tunes.

Lot's of Stuff Going On

2007-02-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

I'm back......well, sort of. I don't really have a lot to say, or specifically write, but I wanted to place a few updates. I am currently in the midst of final getting to know who I am, and not who people have been telling me who I am, or was. I'm learning a lot of things, and my DH is standing right there by my side, it couldn't get any better than that. I'm doing a lot of knitting, it keeps me busy, when I'm not running errands, and doing the important things in life, like taking care of myself. My commitments for this week are very real and important to both DH and me, I am going to (slowly, but efficiently) clean our room and make it not only comfortably livable for both of us, but a place where I can feel comfortable having people in it. It's something that is LONG over due, but what else in life is there to truly enjoy procrastinating over but cleaning?

I've finished a few projects, I'm getting very close to fulfilling some of my New Year's resolutions. I finished my aunts Malagaitor, I finished my cousins baby blanket (he's being delivered this afternoon by my favorite Dr. in the world, so I know my cousin is in good hands), I finished my tie one on, and I have also finished the Irish Hiking Scarf (that was the only item I felt absolutely NO accomplishment on, but I guess it's because of the original intended recipient no longer wanting to be a part of my life, but instead I am going to donate it to charity which will make it much more meaningful anyway). I am finishing the heel of my sock, I know slow, but it's coming.

I've sent out all of the packages to my family to start knitting for my cousins baby blanket (I'm on color two of 7, so I've got to get working). I also need to finish the baby blanket for Daniella, my DH's cousins wife whom I love, she's expecting a girl in March. I also have to finish the blanket for Jen, one of my DH's closest friends wife who is also due soon. The fall was a very busy season for a few friends as you can tell, and that makes this a very busy season for me.

Well, back to the ol' sweatshop (as DH calls it), but I love it. I'll try to take some pics of things to post. Everyone be WELL.

SP9 Final gift

2007-02-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

I got my final package from my secret pal (who won't reveal herself), but thank you to whom ever you are. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of everything, but I can tell you everything that was in the package. I got the package the other day, I was feeling a bit down, as I have been a lot lately (but that's how things go), and I was excited to open it up, when I turned it slightly to cut the tape all of these glittery little hearts came streaming out all over my bedroom floor, I was a little shocked, but moved the box over the garbage to continue opening things. The first thing I came upon was hand made socks in my favorite colorway, blue with a little teal and green (I have them on right now), then I got to the pink mug she got me, and a tea sampler to go with it, (and yes I do like tea) the new Josh Groban CD (looking forward to playing that), some red sock yarn that she hand rolled into workable balls (she read that I had stared to do the sock thing), there were two tea candles (pink of course with a lovely scent (I've already used them) I used them in conjunction with the relaxation bath salts that she sent, but have not yet tried the hand cream (which I am addicted to, constantly putting it on). So to who ever you might be, thank you very much for your wonderful gift, I am very appreciative of the thought and time that you put into the last package. I just LOVE pink.

Sock 102....SOS

2007-01-17T18:11:00.000-05:00

OK, so tomorrow is the big day, my second sock class. I am suposed to have 7" knitted by tomorrow so that we can learn how to do the heel, which Sunday keeps talking about like it's a second language and one of the most difficult things to do. (OMG what have I done to myself???) Ok, so progression has been somewhat on the slow side. I started out ok, but over the weekend, I realized had dropped a stitch in my ribbing, and when I tried to fix it all went to hell in a hand basket. I couldn't get help until Tuesday. Does that make anyone else a little leary as to what my progression is like at this point since, if you are a regular reader of this blog you know that not only am I slow, I am a major procrastinator (ok, major might not be strong enough of a word, but this is a public website and those words just don't get throen around too easily). Here is a pic of where I was at last night

Now here is the progression as of 6pm tonight, after being at s-n-s most of the day, but I would like to say that Ben did come in for a cup of coffee, so he took up some of my time, my mind couldn't fully focus on doing both things, you know what that's like. So, I think it might be an all nighter for me....OY VEY!!!

Off to Phoenix, AZ

2007-01-15T10:59:00.000-05:00

After some deliberation on my part, and on my DH's, we have decided that it be best to take my unexpected "time off" doing a little soul searching. To do this, I am going to take some time and go to visit my Aunt (Godmother) in Arizona for a couple of days, don't let me also forget my cousins that live there as well. This Aunt is my mother's only sister, and is very imortant to her, and to me. No matter how long we go without talking to eachother, she always tells my mom how special I am, and that I am the best there is. How could you go wrong with that. So I leave Friday morning on the 6:45 flight to AZ, and return on Wednesday on the 5:05 flight, that will give me enough time to spend time with my entire AZ family, whom I miss very much.

While I'm there I will have a lot of time to think about my future, and what I want to do, and in which direction I want to take my career. I will also be able to get a lot of knitting in, and I am looking forward to that.

I'm Learning to Make SOCKS

2007-01-11T15:31:00.000-05:00

After my SP gave me some sock yarn for being such a great al to her, I decided that I was going to take a sock knitting class here at s-n-s with Sunday. Since I haven't really slept since Friday, trying to look at the tiny stitches and tiny DPN's it was very difficult. But, I can definitely tell you it seems interesting. I took a picture of the yarn, but no connection for my camera to my computer, so I will upload it later.

I HAVE, MUST decrease the amount of bags that I take with me to knitting or anywhere. I am a "Bag Lady" to the umpteenth degree, and I don't know what to do. Sheila loves me, but I think there will be a time where she just says get the F' out with all of those bags. NO MORE. I just get so......anxious when I think about having only one or two things to work on, so I have to bring 10, plus afew more to start, and now my laptop to boot.

Oh well knitting is calling my name.....

I MET MY SP

2007-01-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

Sooooo, yesterday was a very busy day for me. My DH ended up letting me sleep in, I haven't been sleeping well the last few nights (I received some very disturbing and hurtful news on Friday), it will be a while before I will have a very good nights sleep. On to bigger and better I say, so I got up, had some D&D iced coffee and the tops to my muffin, and what turned out to be DH's muffin as well, then I showered and was off to Ridgefield where I had plans to meet up with and introduce myself to my SP (Laura). She was so nice, and even brought ME a GIFT, she said fo rbeing such a good SP. She gave me some sock yarn, which is very funny since I had just been thinking the day befor ethat I might like to start to learn how to make socks. The colors were so cool. Well, we sat in Starbucks and knit and chatted for a while (of course me more than her since I'm such a talker). She really loved the last gift I gave her (well, one more to come, I am in the process of finishing the Irish Walking Hat in a blueish/purple Mabrigo for her). One of the things I gave her I was hoping that she would dislike, adn want to give back, but no go, she liked it (some Tili Thomas silk yarn in these georgous bluiesh, yellowish, pinkish tones) OMG it was soooo georgous, if I do say so myself. I also gave her the Pirate Dictionary since she said her favorite holiday was "National Talk Like a Pirate Day".

All in all, it was a good day. I enjoyed meeting my SP, and I'm going to really enjoy learning a new knitting skill.

16 Candles

2007-01-07T00:44:00.000-05:00

......And yes, I am referring to the movie. It is 12:45 on Saturday night, and I am trying to finish the Irish Walking Hat for my SP (whom by the way I am going to meet tomorrow - hat won't be ready, but pretty darn close for starting last night) and I am watching 16 Candles, saying everything word for word along with the movie and still LOVING it even with it now being like my billionth time seeing it. It's just at the end when the are at the church prepping for the wedding, almost to my favorite part. The scene "Sam walking out of the church with her sisters vail, and realizing everyone has left her behind, then looking up to see JAKE RYAN"!!! What female my age wasn't in love with JAKE RYAN???? JAKE RYAN!!!!!

No movie will ever top this as being the all time best movie, nor beat as being the ultimate 80's Icon film. Ok, back to knitting..

My WEBS Haul

2007-01-02T18:03:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of my haul from WEBS. I got some Rowan Tweed, Rowan Biggy Print, and some Rown Biggy, I also picked up some Lambs Pride Cotton (going directly yo my cousins baby blanket), lambs pride wool for the Besotted Scarf (from Hello Yarn), I also got some Elisabeth Lavold Silky Tweed to make a sweater out of the "Cables Untangled" book I got for Christmas.

New Years Resolutions - some knitting related

2006-12-31T01:02:00.001-05:00

I am borrowing this from Kelly, who had some posted on her brand new BLOG.

1. Finish 5 projects before ANY new yarn is purchased (just finished 1, a Malagaiter for my Aunt)

2. MUST completely finish my ummmm 2 UFO's from last winter, and wear them

3. Will try to wake up to my alarm clock (not the feet of DH in my back)

4. Will find and make a HOME for DH and I (wherever that may be)

5. Will make OFFICIAL list of ALL projects currently working on, and that I have yarn for in the hopper (stash - not all stash is ear marked)

6. Will try to limit myself to (forget I even thought of this one!!)

7. Will try to be more patient and understanding (will enforce this with DH to me and my knitting.......hab....no...hob....no....addic...no...ENTHUSIASM.....wait, yes that's it......PASSION)

8. TO BE CONT.

OMG, OMG, OMG!!! WEBS

2006-12-30T19:50:00.000-05:00

OMG!!!!! I am currently up visiting my dad for the holidays, and his wife took me on a little outing today at my request. I went to WEBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course I didn't get as much time there as I wanted, or truly needed, but it was AMAZING!!!!

Must go eat, being beckoned for.....will blog more later and will include picture of my haul along with the 1 lone picture I took while in the store.

A New Idea

2006-12-27T00:42:00.000-05:00

I have discovered that there are really 13 days of Christmas, not 12, with the 13th being the day after. Want to know what my true love brings to me on the 13th day? "On the 13th day of Cristmas my true love brang to me a tow truck from the NYPD.......and Lets not forget about the $115 dollar ticket on the windshield." I may be a New Yorker by Heart, but I didn't vote Bloomberg. Although there was that bout when I first moved back to NYC to live with my mom and my car got towed 3 days in a row (ok, so I'm a little slow too). This time it was the DH, he said he read all the signs.

Funny thing is, one of our friends girlfriends (she didn't know what our car looked like) apparently saw it all happen as we were exiting the restaurant.

THANK YOU SECRET PAL

2006-12-27T00:25:00.000-05:00

So, I got an early Christmas present, my SP sent me a little holiday cheer, and just when I needed it too. I left SNB on Thursday evening, and I had just had one of the worst days, and was looking at anaother one coming up. I get into the car and start yapping to my DH (who always so loving listens "I THINK HE JUST BLOCKS ME OUT" to every word I say) and he drops this yellow package with Christmas stickers all over it into my lap, and I got all excited, I was like "is it??", and he said "I thought it might interest you, that's why I brought it." and it was, my gift from my SP.

When I got home, I quickly opened it, I know, I can't believe I waited either, but it was a really crappy day, and I just didn't have the strength to do it (although you can see in this pic where I at least gave it a try without scissors). Well, when I got home everything was neatly wrapped individually, which gave me more gratification opening each item: snowman cards, snowman soap, snowman gift bag, snowman stitch markers (SO CUTE), and even a little snowman ornament with my name on it. Thank you sooooo much SP! I appreciate it.

UGGGhhhhhh

2006-12-19T23:49:00.000-05:00

This Blog should be a lot longer, and about a lot of different things, but my fingers and wrists ache (OY VEY!) and I am starting to feel Yucky. I have lots to say, starting with

My Spoilee..... who bounced a question back to me, now "I" have to make a decision, and I HATE making decisions, so I have decided to go both freakin' ways. Oy! I can't say more because I don't want her figuring me out. All I can say is that I just got her some realllllllly nice freakin' yarn, and I'm thinking about keeping it ALL TO MYSELF! Oh it's just yummy, soft, and gorgeous. I'm jealous over a gift that I haven't even given, so I don't have to, do I?

My horrible experience.... which was now last week, but I still have yet to fully put in writing my VENT about that horrible LYS in Greenwhich, CT Knitting Niche (THEY ARE MEAN, NASTY, and ACTED ATROCIOUS TOWARDS ME) will go more in depth in next blog.

My stupidity... I knowingly (and admittedly) added more stress and more knitting to my already filled, if not over filled knitting calendar. I have 2 baby blankets waiting to be knit 1 baby due in Feb., the other in April, and I found out another one is on the way, so I am already putting together a knitting group to knit one so it is more familial. I was also FINISHED with making ANY CHRISTMAS gifts, but unwittingly agreed with myself that the Malagaiter (I was using rose colored Malabrigo) making for myself in the Brioche pattern was coming out so nicely that I could whip (don't forget I'm a slow knitter) one up for my aunt (using the pennant pleating version - using emerald green), and while I was at it, why not add another one into the mix for her sister. Oh wait don't forget the hat I'm making for a complete stranger that I started yesterday, which is really what got me into this predicament in the first place because it WAS going so quickly that I figured "WHY NOT????)

So, what do I do? I ache, have to go to work tomorrow, must get some sleep, and must rest my appendages. At what point can/does a knitter have too much yarn? Should I put it all together and scare the hell out of my entire family, let alone my DH whom I hope doesn't read this let alone find ALL my stash. I'm such a "dead man walking". I blame Christina for selling me more yarn, my SP for making me decide, and my family for being so needy. Am I leaving anyone out????

Pictures to come......

HOW COULD I FORGET

2006-12-06T22:39:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here on my bed in my newly aquired Betsey Johnson Dress from the SAMPLE SALE that is going on today (which is over) through Friday. What fabulous things they had had wonderful prices. I didn't mean, nor want to go since I've heard too many stories about sample sales, and the horros that take place there, but being as my DH is their IT Geek (I mean Director) and he had my set of keys to the car (my only way home) I had to go there and meet him. So I go into the warehouse (where the sale is being held) and saw my DH, who was on the phone handling some IT issue. Well, I was just standing/lurking in the doorway (with ALL my bags I must add), and saw all the dresses and more dresses, and skirts and more dresses that were hanging up all over, and the very handy dandy coat check room to my left. So I figured "HEY! What the hell, why not have a quick look around". A bit of a bummer for me, especially since I Offically or technically don't fit into their clothes anymore. Well, I figured Flannery (my sister - who's a disgusting size 4 at best) would love some of this stuff, since a lot of it was very vintage-y. I was also getting very overwhlemed with the whole scene, my senses were going crazy. I took a quick parusial (even at the sipke heeled shoes) in the back, and eventually (veryr quickly I might add) came up with 3 things for her, I had to really hold back. So I went to the register and had my DH decide on 1 of the 2 dresses I had choosen, and he picked the one I really liked too, and I got her this really cute pair of pleated shorts, daisy dukes, pleated all the way around. She will look FAB!!!!! I would post pics, but just in case she checks this blog out (which I highly doubt she or for that matter anyone else in my family) I don't want to ruin her Christmas present.

Well, after paying he introduced me to someone who yelled at him for charging me, and insisted I go back and get something else for FREE (I tried to say NO, really I did) but I obligingly returned to the floor in hunt for something that MIGHT possibly fit my fat ass. I saw soooo many thing I liked, but of course sizes 2, 4, or 6 at best, so no go. I did find a knit skirt with a flower border on it I thought I might like, it was a toss up between that and another dress (I didn't want to seem greedy so I didn't want to go up and ask for my husbands opinion, because the guy would probably tell me to take both.

So, after finding this skirt, I ran into 2 women who work with my husband directly (I recognized them from his Haloween party pictures) and introduced myself, well, between the two of them they kept trying to push more clothes off on me, and I honestly felt bad because I don't ever want people thinking that I am trying to take advantage of something or someone, especially in a case like this. My parents raised me right, and me thankful and respectful, but don't be greedy (even though deep inside I was feeling a little oooh and ahhhing). Well, Donna had a couple of things to show me, and then Daisy pulled out this gorgeous maroon colored dress that has green butterflies on it. She said "this will fit you" I'm like no way, what size is it? She says size , but it's cut wide. I know BJ dresses, and they are not usually cut wide, but she did have point, it did seem wide. Well, she told me it WOULD fit, and to take it home and try it on......

What do you think? It's a little hard to tellas I had to take the picture myself, which meant no flash, and the obvious distance thing, but if you click the picture it will enlarge so you can see all my fatty detail (oh yes and definite bustiness)... Oh what a day, now I'm off to slumberland, a little knit first, but then slumberland, perchance to dream....

Quote of the Day

2006-12-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them!
How I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.
Arnold Lobel

I just love this quote, it's so me. I have sooo many books, and sooo many more that I want to read. I just might pick up that new James Patterson tonight and begin.

Knitting Without Cable Needle - YEAH!

2006-12-05T10:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Kathy aka Grumperina, I have learned to do cables without the use of a cable needle, and it does, just like she says, make things much quicker and easier. I've only done it a few time so far on my Irish Hiking Scarf, but it's working like a champ. I had a minor blimp in the beginning, because I wasn't sure which way my cable was going, i.e. Left or Right Twist, my pattern calls for C6F, which I learned by trial and error that C6F is a Left Twist Cable. I'll post a picture later when I get home.

I'll also be posting my vacation pics and posts later too, I only have those pics onmy home computer.

The Beginning, or not so Beginning of my Trip

2006-12-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006

Ok, so this was to be the first day of our vacation, we were scheduled to leave on a 3:30 flight for Orlando where we were going to meet up with DH’s sister’s family who had left on the 6:30am flight down. We were to spend two days there, and then off to Ft. Lauderdale where the cruise was to start. Well, I had had a very difficult LONG week at work, wasn’t getting home until 9:30 at night, so there was really NO time for packing, and to top it all of, I’m not a good packer either, I usually panic a little, and then pack everything. Well, I didn’t get home Friday until 9:30, got out of work late, and then spent 1hr on the floor at the Port Authority waiting for my VERY delayed bus. I was in no mood to pack when I got home. But, I did what I could before I passed out.

I got up very early on Saturday to finish packing so that we were ready for our 1pm pick up for the airport. Well, let’s say the morning didn’t go so well. I had a nervoud break-down, DH got so flustered and angry with me he broke the laundry basket (we’re still looking for a replica to replace it, it was breaking anyway), he’s not usually like this, but I can get pretty bad in my packing panic mode. Let’s just say I can become a child at this point and sit and cry and scream in the corner. Ummmmm not the highlight of my life, nor one we shall dig too deep into. As if it couldn’t get any worse…I start dry heaving (no food in stomach), not your minor dry heave either. I was praying to die, praying! DH postponed our flight to the later flight figuring we’d be packed, and I’d be all better, he figured the dry heaves were from my hysteria, which I agreed with. Well, when it was time to go for the next flight I had my head in the toilet crying hysterically that I would get on the plane no matter what. DH postponed the flight once again, and we were scheduled (I did) on the Sunday morning flight at 6:30am (was I on crack when I did that?).

Sunday….DH and I are packed and ready to go to the airport, we decided to drive ourselves and park in the cheapy-peepy off-site parking lot (normally I would have no issues) DH was driving, and we’ll just get to the short and sweet of it, we had a full out argument, I almost killed him with my bare hands, and we ended up missing out flight. Thankfully there was another one 45mins later that had room for us still in first class. Well, alls well that ends well is what I say. Everything went off without a hitch after that. We got to Orlando, and got our rental car, we got a nice little Jeep Liberty, looked like someone had gone off-roading with it, and every time we put the drivers window down (tolls) there was such a high squealed noise I thought my teeth would crack. We really couldn’t do anything but laugh at this point.

We got to the hotel, and checked in, we tried to be near his sister, but that was not to be the case. The hotel was more like time shares, so they were set up in several buildings on a 2-3 acre property (Baby at the Hotel), we were on one side, and they were on the other. We got into the room spoke with his sister and met them at the pool. Or twin nieces were so cute when we got there just yelling for us, and couldn’t wit to hug us and go into the pool. They had to leave a little early as the girls had appointments to get their hair done like princesses in Downtown Disney. We met them later in the day for dinner, and an evening on the town Disney style.

When we met up with them the girls looked just gorgeous, how they sat still to get their hair done is just shocking. We had dinner and then we hurried along to the Disney hotel, The Wilderness Lodge, where they do a movie and a campfire every night. Not what I was

expecting, but quite interesting none the less. The girls loved it, and so did all the adults, we got to roast marshmallows and eat smores!! DH and I left them after that and headed back to the hotel, and let’s just say I wasn’t fully over whatever I had had the day before, and the Smores put me over the edge. OY!!!

Monday we got up nice and early, and had a pleasant drive to the airport with our squeaky window. We got there nice and early, just like we both like (we were made for each other), got on the check-in line and we both thought (we are never going to get our bags through without paying the extra fee for overweight bags), but the guy we had was REALLY nice. We were flying Spirit airlines, which (I know I’m a snob) I would normally never fly, but we got a GREAT deal $60 per person from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale (and it turns out we were in 1st class - see Baby had his own seat too!), so two out of our three bags were overweight as we knew from the flight down to Orlando (but I’m a Continental Elite member, so they don’t care), but the guy said oh just move something to another bag, and since you are premium customers, it’s no big deal. WOW, and I thought we were going to get stuck with a $50 charge for our luggage, I’m trying to pack lighter, it’s just not working.

Interim Blog

2006-11-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

This is just a quick blog to say hello to everyone!!! I am back from my wonderful cruise with my DH. We had a little bad weather (read between the lines), but other than that I really enjoyed myself. I have some wonderful pictures that I want to share with everyone, and some wonderful stories as well, but I am trying VERY hard to put it all into words (that I am happy with), and I'm doing it day by day because I'm being very anal about my blog lately. I want to make it look better because I am SOOOOO jealous of everyone else's blog that I read. Also, for those of you in the know, or whomever wants to go back and read previous posts, I will be posting a picture of Baby that I took of him at every port we were in, and his days at sea as well as him sitting in his own first class seat on the way down. Ok, so I'm a little crazy, but then again aren't we all a little obsessed with SOMETHING, ahem Yarn for most.

So please keep an eye out for my updated cruise posts. Oh, and yes today is the 30th, so I want to give a shout out to my SP, but I will also send an e-mail to her, as well as my personal SP.

Hope This is in English.....

2006-11-24T16:53:00.000-05:00

I am currently on day 5 of my 7 day cruise, and I have 30mins to use the internet, so I figured I´d blog real quick. This is only a small one, my day to day will be coming up next week.

So, I´m in Costa Maya Mexico, and I just did an ATV beach tour. My DH had a blast, and I had fun as well. I´m looking forward to getting home, but I´m also having a wonderful time alone with my DH. I´m getting some knitting in, not as much as I thought I would, but no biggie, I´m still having fun. I don´t know what mor eto write about because then it would make my every day posts when I can do that boring. But I´ll give you a little teaser....

DH and I have finally given up on vacationing in the carribean any time during the month of November. I´m not even sure if we should ever try it again, but hey, who know´s. I am on land, but I swear I think I might be moving, or maybe it´s the screen. OY VEY! Anyone out there here of the Noro Virus, so far...safe.

OK, well I´m off back to the boat. Eeryone cross your fingers for sun tomorrow, or maybe Sunday, Sunday could be good too. Oh well...

Ciao to all my readers, or should I say aidios.

A Quickie!!!

2006-11-18T02:25:00.000-05:00

OK, it's 2:30am on Friday/Saturday, November 17/18, and I am still awake. What have I accomplished tonight for my tri that I am leaving for tomorrow? HHHMmmmmm, let's see..ummm, no, ummmm, nope, ummmmm, nope not that either, HHHHHmmmmmmmm, what have I accomplished towards my packing which as always was left for the last freakin' minute. I'm going to go with ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, BTW, DH is out cold on the bed with exactly what I have accomplished waiting for him upon his waking, whenever that may be. As for me, I've taken a sleeping pill and plan on being up at the BUTT CRACK of dawn to finish packing. Oops spoke too soon, DH just rolled over and told me to go get laundry out of the dryer to fold.

Off I go...................

Oddity for today......Wednesday

2006-11-15T23:57:00.000-05:00

I have decided that I am going to post an oddity of the day as often as I possibly can, I think it might be interesting for people to get to know me, and how utterly WEIRD I am. Sooooo, with no further a-do, my "Oddity of the day is........." I am a closet Niel Diamond fan. My DH got me hooked on that Saving Silverman movie,which was an absolute riot, well after at least the 50th time my DH had me watch it. But, I just love the song "BROTHER LOVE'S TRAVELING SALVATION SHOW". I just love it so much, I used to do karaoke IM with my DH and friends, and of course on the drunk bus home from a night out in the city I'm blaring it on the i-Pod singing aloud (very loud). I am urrelty listening to him to destress, it was a hard day today

Oh, 1 more thing

2006-11-15T01:37:00.000-05:00

I just bought another 5 pair last night, just special for my cruise next week.

Ummmmm....... Odditiy of the Day

2006-11-15T01:13:00.000-05:00

My DH would be very angry if he knew I was airing my dirty......well actually clean just recently by my DH) laundry in public like this. I have this, I'd have to call it "affliction" that causes me to ummm how would you put it? Not do laundry. Well, for 8 LONG years, I lived in an apartment that had no laundry facility, therefore I had to go to the laundromat to do my laundry. Well, during these LONG years (oh and I lived in a 3rd floor walk-up), I came to realize that doing laundry at the laundromat really sucked because it took at least 2hrs from start to finish. Well, on to the dirty..ummm clean little secret that I usually hide from all....I own enough underwear that I don't have to do laundry, if I wanted for well over 1 month. You see, the Gap always has this deal for my favorite pair, 5 for $20, how can ONE go WRONG???? In my opinion I have beat the system. My DH just thinks I'm crazy!!! And your opinion is????????

This is only a portion of my collection....... (from the "Light" collection)

My SP9

2006-11-12T14:49:00.000-05:00

I can't say too much just in case my SP comes accross this Blog and reads it, but that would be highly unlikely since I don't think anyone really reads my blog. BUT...I sent her a questionnaire so that I could get to know her a little better, and one of the questions she answered made my teeth shatter when they hit the floor. Apparently, she is a GEEK like I am, I thought I was the only person in the world that liked this one thing, and her answer to the question I posed just made me totally freak out. I started yelling into my DH who was shaving at the time, "Honey, HONEY, you will never GUESS, my SP and I like both like XXXX (don't want to give any hints, ust in case she reads me). His response, "ohhh cool....". Men and their diinterest in our knitting until it come to paying the bills, and then they are all over us.

I am heading on vacation next week, and needed to stop by the mall tonight to pick up some things from the Gap, and wanted to pick up something from Sephora or Bath and Body Shop. When I told my DH that I technically didn't have to go to Sephora, that I ad enough lotion to ge tme through, that my real intention was to buy for my SP, he was lik, " you have to buy gifts???", and I said, "YEAH, that's what SP os all about, I explained that to yo over and over. DUH!! Again, Men!! I decided to go back with her list so I am exactly sure of the scents and things she likes. I want to be a good SP, that's just my nature, I love spoiling people.

Think this is the GIG for me?

Ok, on to new posts!

Hats, Hats, and more Hats

2006-11-11T16:23:00.000-05:00

I am currently in the process of knitting 2 cable hats simultaneously, and have several more planned to do prior to Christmas. I am quickly knitting a BLUE one for a friend, but no names listed as I don't want people to know there gifts before receiving them. I am knitting my Irish walking hat that will match my scarf, and then I have hats planned for the following people:

Ruthie (my 3yr old step-sis) being made out of Pink Pure Merino (she loves Pink)
Lili (my other 3yr old step-sis - twins) being made out of Purple Pure Merino (she love Purple)
My FIL (I was suposed to do this last yr - Oops, so this is actually my oldest WIP, but technically not since I never started it to begin with) a blueish black tweed cascade 220
I can't think of anyone else, but I'm sure someone else will get a hat too.

Below is a pic of one of the hats in progress. I'm a bit further along than in this picture, I'm actaully close to switching to the DPN's to finish it off. Yeah!!

Addicted Knitter

2006-11-11T16:15:00.000-05:00

I have recently introduced my 5yr old niece to knitting, and she is now absolutely addicted to it. She doesn't really get it, nor will she accept my instruction as she's very persistent that she knows how to do it herself. She is always asking to knit, and won't listen to my advice. It's too funny. She asks every time she comes over, and wants her own needles and yarn to do it, then she asks for the "book" Stitch 'N Bitch, as she puts it "I need it because I don't know exactly how to knit yet". So I give her a set of needles, yarn and the "book", and let her sit and play. I just love her. Her twin sister isn't as into it as she is, it gets boring to her. How cute are they, unbelievably adorable!

Another KAL

2006-11-11T14:45:00.000-05:00

Hey! I've joined another knit along, go figure this one with cables. I have so gotten into them, everyone I know, except for DH is getting something knitted with cables. The only reason he's not, is that he doesn't want me to knit him anything, he doesn't wear things like scarves so there. Ok, back to knitting, plus acking, cleaning, work, and preparing for a lot of other things. Will post more later, including tons of pictures

My SP9 Wacky Fact

2006-11-04T23:13:00.000-05:00

Kerry, my SP9 Host has asked us to post a "random wacky fact" about myself, something that nobody would ever guess about me. As she puts it "The wackier the better." So here goes.

My random wacky fact that no one really knows, nor understands, especially my family members is.......I'm not JUST afraid of the dark, my fear of the dark is more truthfully related to being in a secluded area either outdoors or indoors in a place that has any kind of windows, such as the window in front of most people's kitchen sink. My fear, OK, this is real, but my fear at -- of an age is......I can't believe I'm actually telling people this, but I'm afraid of Michael Meyers from "Haloween", and Jason from "Friday the 13th". Now this is a real and I would have to agree with all of you and say non-sensical, but to me somehow I have made them REAL in my head. I grew up living in NYC, and would go out at 1:00am at 12yrs old, and not be afraid. I would go up to my grandparents in CT, who just happen to live in the middle of the woods in a very open house with lots of glass doors and lots of windows, more than your average home. We would go up there most weekends, and I couldn't sleep, and I didn't have a tv in my room there, which was upstairs (very long windy stairs, nothing you could get u with prowess), so I would stay up late to watch SNL (when it was good). I would sit in the den, my mother would have to promise me that all the doors were locked, and that no one was going to get in no matter what, then she would draw the blinds in the den over the sliding glass door (UGGHHHH!!!!), and then she would place (OMG) a magical blanket over my head so as not to be seen by anyone. OK, even then I new the thing wasn't magical, but I was covered. I would slouch as low as I could in the chair, and watch tv until the fear become too much for me, and I would turn the tv off, and run for my life u the stair and into my bedroom (which also had a sliding glass door). Once in my room, I would get into bed, and cover my head with the blanket and pray that THEY "Michael and Jason" wouldn't be able to detect my presence if they got in.

Ok, how freakin' embarrasing is that story? Well, it doesn't get any better.....When I have to go down into the basement to do laundry, all of the lights are on pull chains, and sometimes it's so dark when I'm going to grab the one by the laundry, and I have to wave my hand in front of me to find it, I always fear that I will actually hit one of them with my hand, or when the light goes on, they will be there. One time just recently my MIL turned the lights off on me in the basement, and I didn't realize it until I turned the laundry switch off, well I started screaming at the top of my lungs for my DH to come and save me. Needless to say, he had to give me tranquilizers to calm me down after that. I couldn't breathe, the fear was sooooo strong. I can tell you right now, I am going to end up having nightmares tonight about this, just thinking about it. OY VEY!

If I can get my hands on one, I'll post a picture of my grandparents house, as well as our house up on the Cape, which again is very open with lots of glass, and you'll see what fear is like.
OK, enough of this. But hey, that's one wacky fact you would never guess.

My Knitting Bag - LOVE IT

2006-11-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

I've had this for awhile, but finally remembered to take pics and post them.

My knitting Nook

2006-11-04T21:42:00.000-05:00

Don't worry, this is not ALL of my stash, I haven't been able to move it all yet, besides some of what I'm hiding from DH

Although I haven't been using it recently, I've been knitting a lot sitting in bed, kinda like tonight, but blogging.

My Malabrigo

2006-11-04T21:41:00.000-05:00

Irish Walking Hat in Progress

2006-11-04T21:38:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE how the cables are SO defined. And I'm doing it!

My favorite Measuring Tapes - GEEK ALERT

2006-11-04T21:29:00.000-05:00

So I'm taking pictures up the yin-yang today, but I've finally decided I've got to do my Blogging, especially since it was on my To Do list from yesterday (Check), and I had to post pictures since I haven't in like forever. But here are my two sheep, I had to get both, I didn't want to seem prejudiced and get only the white one, besides I'm the black sheep in my family, why not have one of my own. LOL!

OK, my favorites, BUT I MUST get more. My 2 sheep, and my all famous Coach edition, which it seems they don't sell anymore, unless it's an in store only item. I got mine in the Soho store. Aren't I such a brat!

My Knitting Marsupial Pouch

2006-11-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

This is my IWH in it's little pouch that I knit from, you have to love it!

This is me wearing my jacket that has the pouch, isn't that just AWESOME, or am I a geek?

A little late - 1 of my B-day presents

2006-11-04T20:07:00.000-05:00

I should have posted this along time ago, but never did. My wonderful friend Monica got me for my birthday. Her DH Ben picked out the mug, isn't that just awesome! Everything she got me was/is awesome. I am sitting here blogging and watching the Elizabeth Zimmerman DVD. She also got me so stitch markers you can't really see, they spell ot KNIT, and she also got me some really cool glass buttons, and some kitschy things as well, Wash Away your Sins Breath Spray, and It's not PMS, it's you gum. LOL. Oh, let me not forget the Lantern Moon project bag in a gold with a pink hue to it. LOVE the pink!

THANKS MON!!!!!

Pictures Pictures and more Pictures

2006-11-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

This is the first cable project I ever did. I made this hat for my friend Diane. It's a modified version of the basic cables hat in Stitch N' Bitch Nation. It's not as drastic as I like cable wise, but it's more than she was expecting, and I think better loking than what she was expecting. I think she'll be very proud to wear this, she's such a good friend, she said that she would wear a hat exactly like on that I made ans SOOOOOOO messed up. God friends are so nice to have. Love all you guys!! Thanks for everything.

My FIRST cabled project

2006-11-03T22:45:00.000-05:00

I finally, only a few boo-boo's (I corrected on my own!!!!!!), finished my first, well second really, cabled project. I knit a wonderful hat for my friend Diane. I say second only because I had started a different hat at my B-Day party, but it was with a bumpy (not sure of exact terminology) silk that was hard to cable with, and wasn't showing them very drastically. Well, I changed (I'm going to frog it and do another hat), and I love it. So soft.

OK, picture to come, I'm on the laptop, and DH is on the computer with the camera cord connected, on top of needing to take the picture. OK, I'm off to take pictures since I have a lot to post.

Irish Hiking Scarf

2006-11-03T22:32:00.000-05:00

OK, so I'm a little disappointed, I've finally joined a KAL, but cannot actually post to the site or be official since I (like a moron) switched my account over to Blogger Beta. What was I thinking? I'm always yelling at DH for doing things like that, and the first chance I got, what do I do???...Switch. And on top of that, I don't think I am getting anything out of it either. UGGHHHH!!! Although, I must say, unlike DH, I wasn't downloading "non-approved" software to my brand new cell phone. Yes, you read that right, he wanted to install MS software on his phone that was still undergoing trials with Verizon, but had made it to all the Geek sites before release. Of course he read that OTHER people had done it successfully, so it should be fine. I said, "Don't do it, you'll be sorry." I was right, down went his phone, and that was right before he remembered that he hadn't backed it up, so there went all is info too. MEN, you've gotta love them. He's always talking about things like this, and I obviously bring this back up, and he now reconsiders, YES! But, it's the fact the he even thinks about doing these types of things again. LMAO!

OK, this post was to be about me and my IHS. So, I have decided to go with a wonderful Grayish-pink Malabrigo. Must post picture next (well, take picture first). I've actually started, and am almost finished with the matching hat, the Irish Walking Hat. I'm so excited about how it's turning out, (again must post picture).

DATELINE: Update

2006-11-01T14:11:00.000-05:00

Do to the very sincere threat from DH that he would CRASH my Blog if I posted his Haloween Pics., there will be no pics of "Three Men in a Tub" except for this link: Three men in a Tub.

DATELINE NEW YORK: Haloween 2006

2006-11-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

October 31, 2006: This just in........ IT Geek from Betsey Johnson wins Best Overall Costume in Employee Costume Contest. This years theme, Mother Goose.

That's right folks, my DH won best costume, at the same time losing some friends, while winning the company's costume contest. He was dressed as the Baker from "3 Men in a Tub". He wore a bakers outfit, had a ducky tub around his waist, and put photos of the Candlestick Maker, and the Butcher beside him, held up with cardboard. I'm so proud of him, it's great. His prize? 1 vacation day and a Godiva Chocolate Cat.

keep looking, photos to come.....

Answers for my Secret Pal - Hope these help

2006-10-30T12:55:00.000-05:00

What is your occupation? I am currently an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a gourmet food chain.

Do you have any hobbies outside of fiber arts, or even hobbies you'd like to try someday, such as scrapbooking, beading, etc? Not really, I do love baking, I went to culinary school for that, so I should. I also do, or used to do, until I picked the needles back up, stamped cross stitch. I don't forsee picking up any more hobbies in the near future as I don't have enough time as it is to get everything I want to get done done. I've thought about scrap booking, but all the goodies would put me over some line that I should never cross, if you get my drift.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Such a toughie........I would love to go to Bora Bora, although I have been to Tahiti, it's just not the same. I would also kill to go to the Maldieves, and also to the Greek Islands. I just love blue, blue water and sand. (although I hate sand on me. Yuck!

Favorite......

Movies: There was a time when I would only say 16 Candles, but there have been so many stellar movies since that time that this becomes a hard question. I love the happily ever after type movies, a good romance, or a great mystery. I'm a big Bridget Jones fan. I'm also a big fan of almost anythign Vince Vaughn does or Will Ferrell.

bands/singers: I don't really have a favorite band, I do really like the Corrs, but I should, I'm Irish. I'm very eclectic when it come s to my music, I really enjoy most things from classical to rock. Although I have to say that I'm really not into heavy rap or punk type music. I'm a big fan of Jack.Fm (my local is CBS FM 101.1), they are all over in most markets now, and play such a variety of music that it's great for me, I don't get bored too quickly.

TV shows: I LOVE "NCIS", and also love watching "The Unit", "Derek", "Numbers", "Stargate SG-1", and of course watch some of the stupid shows on MTV and VH1 when I get bored although "Pimp my Ride" is always a good one, although I don't like the new cast they have although Mike is at the new place, and he's funny.

Color (not just for yarn!): There is no doubt about it, you can ask anyone that I know, my favorite color is PINK. I don't just love to knit it, I love it in, on, or however, wherever it may show. I do have issues with it when people who shouldn't be wearing it wear it, it's a tough color to pull off, and I can't always pull it off. I stay away from the bright pinks for clothing. Green, however is MY color because my eyes are hazel, and when I wear something green my eyes just POP. I have some DB that I got at stix-n-stitches anniversary sale just waiting for me to cast it on for the DB Cashmere Cabled sweater. Can't wait!!!!

Flower: Calla Lilli, no doubt about that. I carried Purple Calla's down the aisle for my wedding. Comming in second would be Gerbera Daisies, I just love their vibrant colors (they have some great pink ones, two-toned too) and how long they last.

Authors: I read James Patterson, Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones), Sophie Kinsella (the author of the Shopaholic Series), Meg/Meggin Cabot (she wrote some very cute books as well). I love a good mystery, and a cute romance.

Animal: I'm not a big animal lover, I'm allergic to most of them, although I do love kittens. I think when DH and I buy a house I might start getting my allergy shots again so that we can get a dog, he really wants a dog.

Ice cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip (Breyer's to be exact) but will never eat it again for fear of gaining weight. I do still however eat ice cream, but just not that.

Saying/quote: You know, I can't remember right now, but I'll keep thinking because I know that I do have a favorite quote and saying. So look for updates to this one soon.

Sunday, Oct. 29 - Turn your clocks back 1Hr.

2006-10-29T21:17:00.000-05:00

So it's been awhile since I have blogged, so I figured I'd start with the easy stuff. I got to turn my clock back an hour last night, which means I will have an extra hour of sleep for the next couple of months, or at least that's how I view it. I look at the clock and say wow, it's only 9:20, it could really be 10:20 or even better, in the morning when I turn over and it's 5:00am, I can now say YEAH! one more hour of sleep to go instead of having to get up. I know what you are thinking, not very rational. Well, when it comes to my sleep and time, I've never been very rational. So this is how I think, and it helps me pass the day away. Oh well.

Sooooo......It Finally Happened....

2006-10-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

I was quite tired last night when I got into bed, but of course, I couldn't get into bed without one of my many knitting projects. Well......I woke up in the middle of the night, and it felt like I was all tangled up in something, but I somehow wrote it off to just being half awake/sleep. Well, when I woke up this morning, as sure as S#*t I was wrapped up in my knitting! Thank Goodness for two things, 1. I was working with Angora, what a wonderful thing to have wrapped around you, and 2. It turned out that I dind't pull out too much, it was just about 6 stitches that I had to re-do, no biggie. Although, I just found out on my way to work is that several rows back, I somehow dropped a stitch, not in the middle of a row which you can sort of pull through, I did a beginners mistake and dropped it at the first stitch of the row. I see frogging in my future!

Loving the Cables Too

2006-10-17T09:53:00.000-04:00

I have been working on my cabled hat that Deborah at s-n-s taught me. I switched momentarily from my original hat that I started working on at my birthday since the yarn I used is a little to slippery to practice with, besides I promised my friend Diane a red hat a long time ago. My next project using cables will be a cabled shawl from Knittingbag.com. They also have a store in Darien, CT, which I have not yet been too, but since that is my old stomping ground, I plan on heading up there one of these days to meet Marcia who is the owner, and so far has been absolutely fabulous to me, in person.

I've worked with the Blue Sky Alpca's Bulky before, and just loved it. It knitted up sooo quick, and I'm a slow knitter, I was just so surprised at how quick the sweater I made came along. Now I just need to finish it off, you know, seam it up and block it. But that's ok, I finished pretty much at the end of the winter last year, and it will be perfect for this year. Maybe I'll do that tonight...hmmmmm....I've heard that somewhere before.

Marcia has been so good, she even sent me a little sample of the pattern since I haven't really worked with cables much before so that I can familiarize myself with it, and I just happen to have 1 skein of the Blu Sky left from my sweater to work with. But I can't wait to order the whole thing and begin it, I'm in such a quandary because I just know that DH will kill me when he sees the bill....hmmmmm.....how to avoid death? Something to ponder this evening while I'm swatching for the shawl (just LOVE it), and finishing my sweater. Oh no!!!!! Tonight is NCIS and the Unit, what shall I do? I can;t do anything during NCIS, all my concentration is on the show and all the hotties! hehe! Oh well, I'll figure something out!

SP9 Questionnaire

2006-10-08T01:47:00.000-04:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
What yarns are my favorite???? Hmmmmm……That’s a tough one, I really love Debbie Bliss, almost any of her yarns, although I’m not a big fan of her Tweeds that just came out. I love working with almost anything, although pure cotton is a bit difficult for me right now since it has no give, the owner of my LYS thinks that working with the Sugar-n-Cream may have caused some of the pain I have been experiencing in my wrists (aggravated in other words my carpal tunnel). I don’t mind acrylic, but I did a sweater with it, and…..Well, I never fully finished it, not because of the material just because I’m not much into finishing (I have one side to go). I love knitting with big/think yarns; they go much quicker, and being a slow knit, it makes it much more satisfying. I own a few size 15, 17, and 19 needles. I also like knitting with yarn from Schoeller & Stahl, one is called Palma the other is Big Ball. He first one is what I use for my i-pod socks, but need to come up with something else to knit with it because they have the most fabulous colors this year, and the other I use to make baby blankets out of. The baby blankets are a quick knit for me, and actually so are the i-Pod socks since I’ve knitted so many. I like the Malabrigo, I think that is what I am going to use next. I promised an old co-worker of mine that I would knit her a red hat, and so I think I might do it out of the Malabrigo, I’m stealing that idea from Monica (callingonkahlo.blogspot.com). Enough with my yarn like and dislikes, this has become a short story, sorry about that.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
At the moment I don’t have anything in particular to store my needles, but I am always on the look out. I did find something last Christmas at my LYS and had it on my “Wish List”, but DH never got a chance to get in to pick it up before the color I wanted was gone.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been a devout knitter for the past year, but have been knitting off and on since I was a child. I have my mother to thank for my knitting, but many others to thank for my skills to be where there are today (Barbara, Sunday, Deborah, and Sheila of course). As for my skills, I would have to say I’m in the beginner to intermediate stages of knitting. I have knitted a few sweaters, and some scarves, and some felted bags. Of course, I have yet to complete something without having to “frog” it. I am just about to learn cables for the first time, and hopefully I too like Monica (callingonkahlo), fall in love with it too as I have some Debbie Bliss waiting to be knit into a wonderful cabled sweater for me. (Debbie herself said that it was such an easy cable pattern that I would be able to do it with no problem) Let’s cross our fingers Debbie!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not really, but I’m working on a few to get everyone ready for Christmas. I’ll keep the site posted as to where I do my wish lists. Right now, I have a small one on Amazon, and then another one on morethanyarn.com.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I love the scent “Love Spell” from Victoria’s Secret, and also really like “Pear Glace”. I like a lot of the scents from Bath and Body Works, but I really like the “Creamy Coconut”, as that is the closest I can get to coconut do to my food allergy of it. As for candles, I like a lot of different scents, I’m not into things that smell very musky or anything like that, but I like things that have strong scents. I was just recently in White Barn Candles, and they had some great scents that were so strong I loved them. As far as bath items go, I’m allergic to some of the oils and bubbles, so if you’re a pal who’s thinking along those lines, stay away from the bath products.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a sweet tooth, unfortunately, but nothing specific comes to mind, although I do love chocolate and caramel together. No coconut or almonds please.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
No, I am not a spinner, and I think my husband is very grateful as knitting takes up enough of my time. Every once in a while I pick up my cross stitch, but I’m still on the “stamped” cross stitch stuff, and that’s just fine with me, who needs to do all of the counting and math to figure out the other stuff? Not me.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I don’t have a favorite genre of music, I’m a big fan of “Jack FM”, if anyone out there knows that station. It is a national station, so I know that it is in more than just my listening range. It’s considered the i-Pod station, because it plays such a wide variety of music from the 60’s all the way up to today. My computer does play MP3’s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I would definitely have to say the color pink is usually in my colorways. I’m also a big fan of purples, and blues, and well green’s. I try to stay away from yellow and orange, just because they don’t look to good on me, but I guess that wouldn’t really stop me from knitting with those colors for other people as I did for my sister with her i-Pod cozy, and other i-Pod cozies I made.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married to a wonderful, wonderful man, he’s very kind, generous, and sweet hearted. He’s definitely a one of a kind. We definitely have our moments, don’t get me wrong, but for now he’s all of the above. Give me a few days, and they may all turn around, you never know with me. Our living situation isn’t the best at the moment, but we are working through it, and looking to buy a house SOON! We do not have any pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I would have to say I wear all of the above. Although I am not a big fan of mittens as the technical terms, I much more prefer gloves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I can’t really say that I have a favorite item to knit yet, I’ve worked on so many different projects, although I am up to my third Tie-One-On.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Ok, more importantly what am I not knitting right now.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Who doesn’t like to receive handmade gifts? They are unique and fun, and more important; they were made from the heart just for that special someone. I would have to sat that some of the handmade sweaters I’ve seen come out of my LYS are of much better quality than one’s bout in stores.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I use both, but I must say that I definitely do prefer the circulars to the straights, it all depends on the project I’m knitting, but even then I try to go for the circulars. I just love my Denise needles. I prefer bamboo needles over the other options, but I really like the Addi Turbo’s. Although I have heard that the Addi Bamboo are “Terrific”.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I own a ball winder and swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Just about 9mos, since I finished off my mom’s shawl last year when I picked knitting back up, that I started knitting for her 4-5 years ago for her Christmas present. I had to take it back, she didn’t think it was big enough, it needed to wrap around almost double for it to be big enough (OH MY!!).

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I would definitely have to say Christmas, but I do Thanksgiving, it’s the one holiday I spend with my father, and we make a wonderful chestnut stuffing together. It’s become tradition. But this year I will be spending it on a wonderful (first time) cruise with my DH. Let’s not get in to why it’s only the DH, but just makes it much better, since it falls just around our 2yr anniversary.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I can’t say that I’m a big collectables type of person, I actually called my DH to ask him, and his answer was “YARN!”. LOL. Then he mentioned the Disney teapot collection I have, and now that I think about it, I do have quite a few of those collectible editions Barbie’s. However, I am starting a collection of measuring tapes, I have 1 white sheep, I have the all supreme “Coach” measuring tape, and I have just recently added the black sheep of the family the “Black Sheep”. I keep eyeing up new one’s, as the Yarn Harlot say’s, you can never have too many.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don’t have any subscriptions to knitting magazines, I have thought about it though, but for some reason or another just have held off on it.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I had been wanting to learn how to cable, and I just learned for the first time last night, although I think I still have a long way to go until I feel comfortable casting on my DB cabled sweater.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am NOT a sock knitter, and no offense to those of you who are, but “ya’ll must be on something” to be playing with that tiny yarn and all of those tiny DPN’s. Although I have heard from some non-sock knitter’s who have jumped ship, or switched “team’s” as they say on Seinfeld, that it is truly wonderful to do. As for foot measurement’s, does it help by me saying that I wear a size 9 sock from the Gap?

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
Actually, my birthday just passed, it’s September 23……We won’t post the year, that’s a secret for all us ladies to keep to ourselves. Actually, if you read one of my previous posts, you’ll see I threw myself a birthday party this year, it was a knitting party. I invited everyone over to the house for some food and drink, and then all of the ladies went to the yarn shop (Modern Yarn in Montclair, NJ for their knitting lesson) I had to drag others into my world, and what was a better way then to sneakily do it by disguising it as a birthday party. Hehe! All I have to say is that almost everyone has finished their project from that night except for little ol’ slow knitter herself ME!

Peg's Stichin' Birthday

2006-10-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

So, every year, as it happens with everyone, I had my birthday. Every year though I get very depressed around my birthday for who knows what reasons, but I do. Some of it having to do with high expectations on my part and not knowing what they are so obviously they can't be met, but this year I was going to be dammed if I was going to let this happen again, so....I threw myself a birthday party. What kind you ask? Well, obviously there was only one choice for me, it was to be a knitting birthday party, and I was going to invite my closest friends and family. I must give you a little backround to this though, the whole party idea came from my 2 little nieces who are absolutely obsessed with my little stuffed animal Baby (read previous posts for where int he world is Baby), and I had told them I was going to knit Baby a sweater, but it never came to fruition. Well, they were so intrigued by me knitting every time I saw them it was "AUNT PEGGY!!!!! can we knit now too". Well, being the novice that I amI was in no position to help them, especially since one of my nieces felt she could do it on her own and needed no help from me. SO I let her have at it with a ball of Sugar and Cream and some needles. (needless to say we got a big ball of mess from that yarn).

Now back to the Party. I invited quite a few people, some who had to travel a far distance to come. And, they all came to celebrate with me and learn my favorite past time. I held a small luncheon at our house catered primarily of course by my employer (Balducci's), and we had absolutely wonderful sandwiches and salads. We also had (there was no doubt it was to be had at my party) cheesecake from Baby Watson/D'Aiuto's, a little shop on 8th Avenue in NYC (the absolute BEST). We also had fruit salad made by the in-laws and some pastries I had added to the end of the order without DH knowing. (hehe) but they were awesome (the lemon bars are out of this worls, no wonder I'm putting on weight working at this place (UhOh!). Ok, now onto the party once again. There were people at the house that would not be joining us for the real party (the knitting that I had arranged at Modern Yarn) with the wonderful Christina and Paige. They were so fab/patient) with my guests, including my two 5 year old nieces and my 1 year old cousin.

Everyone had a blast, thank goodness Monica had her camera, my pics came out horrible, so check out her blog for more on my party and some pics. I had gone into the evening with the thoughts of everyonelearning how to make a hat in some fasion, as I had read in the Yarn Harlots (Knitting Rules) that a hat is the best first project since you can learn all the aspects of knitting, and it's a quick knit as well. Well, everyone had their own thoughts, and some decided to make a scarf, some blankets, and one person (an experienced nitter a bolero). everyone choose some wonderful yarns, and had a blast learning/honeing their skills. My nieces loved soooo much, and my SIL picked it up so well that she had knit two scarves by the end of the week. (she was also knitting for the kids, and using Rowan Biggy Print with size 15 or 18 needles). I'm trying to make myself feel better by posting that last little bit.

Well, I started a hat that evening too, like Monica I was to learn the cable, but being the slow knitter that I am, and also having had this knitting block for so long, I just got to the first round for the cables last night and wonderful Deborah at sns taught me, and then the wonderful Patty was so happy to pull out what I had done since as soon as Deborah walked away I messed the entire row up. Oops! Oh well, that's what "frogging" is for.

Ok, I'm done with this post, onto finishing my questionannaire for Secret Pal 9!!!!

I'm BLOGGING again!!!!!!

2006-10-04T14:21:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, it's been a long time since I've put my fingers to the keyboard for some good blogging, but you must understand, I've also had a little bit of a knitters block to go along with that. Hopefully with a little help from Sunday at s-n-s (I couldn't finish the Debbie Bliss Bolero I was working on), I will be right back into the swing of things, and knitting up a frenzy. Or as much of a frenzy as this slow knitter can knit.

So there is so much to post about, I don't know where to begin. As you see above, I have been working a a DB bolero ( I picked the yarn up while she was here visiting s-n-s in June) which I was knitting up so quickly, but then just fel I couldn't handle anymore. But hopefully now I'm back! I tried picking up a few dishcloths here and there, but nothing was giving me inspiration. I was still going to the regular Thursday sit-n-knit at Stix, to keep up with everyone thinking I would become inspired, but felt more inspired to watch them do there amazing works of art.

Well, I think I am going to do a seperate post to talk about my superb b-day party that was pulled off with the help of a few friends....keep reading to find out who, or you've already read, and now you've gotten to this! Who knows!

Tie One On - NOT

2006-05-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I started my Tie One On from Knitty.com over the weekend, and I got really far. Problem was I dropped a stitch, and it is very, very lacey. What happens when you have 120 stitches on a very very lacey shawl and you are not too far along and you have a dropped stitch you can't pull up to anywhere? Frog it! That's right folks, I frogged it. I then started anew, and ended up having to do it all over again last night, with Deborah's help drom s-n-s . This time instead of having just one dropped stitch, I had several. What a bad knitter I am. Oh well, we decided anyway that it was too lacey, and that I needed to add another yarn to it. I am adding some Maggi's Linen in purple. Won't that just look fab?

The Duck Tour

2006-05-22T16:31:00.000-04:00

On Saturday DH and I (that's us together) drove up to my father's house, well DH drove, and I knit and slept. We arrived around 12:30 to find my dad's wife home alone, my dad was off lookinga t an airplane he is thinking of buying, and I'm the one with the expensive hobby. Well, while we waited for my dad to check out his partner sitting in the plane (???) we hung around a spoke with his wife. I spoke about how dorky my dad is, and she defended, no biggie. I get the final say here, my DAD IS A DORK! To prove this I will explain the rest of the day, and our wonderful DUCK tour.

We had lunch and then headed into Boston to meet my brother and SIL. We were to meet outside Copley Square where the tour picks up, so we arrived early (apparently for me to buy a dress, no recolection of this - I just wanted to look or buy if we had extra time). When we arrived at the mall, my DH a little mini-breakdown over what we were doing there, and what were we going to do while there. Shop we all said, or look around said the others (Dad, and wife). He finally calmed down. Well, then he started up again when he realized I was there to SHOP, just a little. I needed a dress from "Loft" for an event, and he was well aware of that. Ok, enough of this....sort of. So Copley Square is huge, and we walked within the malls, as there are 2 seperate sections. One is the Prudential Center, and the other is Copley Place. Well, my dad was all hyped about getting our parking ticket validate, so he made me buy something htat was more than $5, turns out we parked at Copley and bought something at Pru. Oh well. Then, later on he went to buy a coffee, but they couldn't validate his parking so he didn't want any coffee (DORK), we got coffee anyways. So then, he got my SIL to buy candy (for my brother - we all mowed down on it for dessert), the woman validated it, but we couldn't use it because we were over our time limit. Go figure!!

Now on to the Duck Tour. It's a 1 1/2hr land/sea excursion around Boston. It was interesting, we looked up some of the history the guy gave us while on the tour and some of it was inaccurate, but we did find out that we were lucky that these boats weren't built in 1944, as DUCK is an abbreviation, and D stnads for the year the vessel was built, and two years later would have changed it to an "F". Oops! Would have been funny though. All in all, the tour was fun. I enjoyed being with the fam.

After the tour we went to Fugakyu in Brookline for dinner. This happens to be my brother all time favorite restaurant, and also Japanese, if you couldn't tell from the name. I think my brother keeps them in business with the quantity he eats, and also the amount of time he goes there. It's a fun place.

Me Knitting My Waist Band

2006-05-22T16:26:00.000-04:00

That's me Friday night knitting instead of packing. Of course my DH was no better, he was on the computer when he took this pic. of me.

Hehe!

I'm Skimping, I'm Skimping

2006-05-19T02:14:00.000-04:00

The Yarn Harlot goes on and on about gauging in her book, and that you MUST (notice the word "Rules" in her title) do a proper swatch of 4x4. Well, I can't wait. Although I think I'm going to have to because I need to get part of the pattern from Monica. I just e-mailed, so hopefully I'll get that this weekend, and can "knit on" like a champ.

I CAST ON.......

2006-05-19T01:48:00.000-04:00

I started the swatch, I couldn't help myself. When shall I sleep? I know, in the car tomorrow (today) while DH drives using his new little toy, his Magellan GPS. Isn't he the little gadget man? Now he can officially go Geocaching with my father and his wife. Oh lucky him, he gets to go find a toy under a rock somewhere in MA, USA.

I Wil Not Cast On, I Will Not Cast On.........

2006-05-19T00:42:00.000-04:00

Oh what shall I do???? I just purchased the most beautiful yarn from sns tonight while at SNK to make both the "Clap" and the Tie One On from Knitty.com. I am leaving for Boston to see the "fam" this weekend, and I have yet to pack, and apparently do my husbands laundry. DH is out cold, but deservingly so. Isn't this going to make a beautiful Tie One on??? I think so.

I also purchasd some Classic Silk for the Clapotis in oatmeal. There is a gauge swatch calling my name for this one.