Saturday, March 31, 2007

Saturday Blogging!

Can't remember the last time I blogged on a Saturday...its kind of nice not having to worry about hurrying up and getting in the shower to go to work. I really enjoy the leisureliness of my Saturday and Sunday mornings, only problem when I look up at the clock and see it is 7pm and I still haven't gotten out of my jammies. Oh well, we all need a break some times.

Five things to be grateful for:

1. Today is my last Passion Party...I have been doing the parties for almost four years, and it used to be a lot of fun. Lately though, not so much. I just don't enjoy doing them, and I haven't been doing as many or making as much money doing them as I used to. My credit card processing fees went WAY UP, so I decided to just stop the whole darn thing. Plus side is, since I decided to stop doing the parties, I have gotten two new massage clients through no real effort of my own. Close a window, open a door.

2. Realizing I don't have to be so busy all the time...There was a time, about four months ago, where I took great pleasure in being able to say I had five (5!) jobs...a) Office job b)Restaurant job c) massage business d) Passion Party business e) writing and trying to publish the book...and stupid me, I thought all of this was a good thing! Well, I have since gotten rid of b and after today, d will be done. I need a to pay the bills, and c and e make me so happy that they are things I do for myself. I'm still busy, but I don't feel that I have to fill my life up with things that are no longer congruous with what I want or who I want to be.

3. New shoes...specifically new running shoes. Please see #58...I have decided to start training to meet that goal today, first stop, new shoes! I found this great training schedule that seems totally do-able for me. My friend Gillian has suggested I "bump up" the goal to do this, and the training schedule would put me at the 5k mark at the correct time, we'll see. Can you knit and run at the same time, that might get me motivated to get out there and just do it.

4. Stash...odd thing to be grateful for, but, seeing as the parents are coming!!! the parents are coming!!!, I have been cleaning and organizing the whole apartment, and I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of stash I have. Not too much, but enough that I can cast on for many different projects with many different needles when the creative bug bites me on the arse. And, as of right now, it can all be contained in the "craft closet," notice I said "can," not "is." Don't look at me in that tone of voice, I like to see my pretty yarn. All. Over. The. Apartment. Keeps me motivated!

5. Waking up in the sunlight...I took the curtains off the bedroom window that faces my bed, and it is so nice waking up with the sun in my face. Better that than a dog's arse on my head or the alarm going off while it is still dark outside. That's one of my favorite things about Saturday!

Well, I'm off to go get new running shoes, some ink for my printer (So I can do my taxes this weekend - I mean it this time!) and a paper shredder. Odd combo I know, but hey!

Friday, March 30, 2007

Insert Your Own Title Here

Can't think of a good title for this blog today, so feel free to sing out i the comments if you can think of one. I'll do a random drawing from the millions of entries I am sure to get, and give you some sort of free knitted goodness if I select your title. You have until 8am on Monday April 2, 2007 to get them into me. Winners announced Monday.

Now onto the gratefulness...

1. Bunnies...I saw a client last night, and while walking into my office, I saw a bunny munching on some early spring greens right in front of the door. Very apropos for this time of year, and it put me in such a wonderful mood for my session.

2. Aloe vera juice...it's like natural PeptoBismal, only instead of "binding you up" as my grandmother would say, it relieves the belly discomforts while keeping the system running smoothly, no pun intended. That's it for the poopy talk today. Promise.

3.Checking the toilet paper...I said it was the end of poopy talk, not potty talk - there is a difference. I have had some problems as of late with the management company who owns my apartment building. I asked them to switch the light bulbs in the bathroom light because based on where the light is mounted and the way my counter comes out, I couldn't do it myself. Instead of switching the bulbs, they switched the whole light fixture, and in doing so, they removed my only outlet in the bathroom. Fast forward a week of having no outlet in the bathroom, I come home, find the dog had been let out of his bedroom prison, and started to wonder if someone was in the apartment ready to kill me because I hadn't been told they were coming over to work on anything that day. But I saw the pink work slip on the kitchen table and then felt a little safer. I took the dog out, came back in so I could tinkle myself, and fortunately, I look at the toilet paper before I use it, because they had in fact replaced my light switch in the bathroom to now include an outlet. Problem is that the outlet is right over my TP holder, and there were bits and pieces and giant chunks of plaster all over the cottony soft goodness of my premium TP. Good thing I checked before using, huh? Big chunks of plaster, not such a good thing on TP.

4. People liking hand knit stuff...one of the ladies at the new job retired yesterday, so I knit her a warshrag and filled it with some Burt's Bees samples that I have. Quick, simple, easy and cheap, and she loved it. Kind of goes without saying that if what you knit is not hideous or overwhelmingly scratchy, the people you make it for will like it. They may not appreciate all the work you put into the tiny stitches, but they will like it, and that counts for a lot!

5. Peaches 'n Cream cotton yarn...please see #4. I am seriously grateful for this yarn and intend to buy large quantities of it in the near future. Spell it with me kids, S-T-A-S-H!!!

Camera news update...sorry for the lack of pictures and knitting content. The camera situation should be resolved this weekend, keep your eyes peeled for a picture heavy post sometime in the next few days!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

1-5 in Under 9

Think I can blog 5 things I am grateful for in les than 9 minutes?

Here goes:

1. My car - I totally love my car in all its Toyota goodness. Sometimes I wish she were a hybrid, but then again, if need be, I can fold down my back seat and sleep comfortably. That has to count for a lot.

2. The birds are back in the trees outside my bedroom window. In the early morning now, it sounds like I am in the middle of a woodland forest, and I love it!!!

3. Going to the eye doctor's today to get new glasses! Super excited for this one (and grateful) because I now have decent vision insurance, and I am probably going to be saving close to $300.

4. Being healthy. Cheesy, I know, but it wasn't that long ago that I had a lot of problems with my tummy and my digestive health. I went for acupuncture this weekend, and had a mild return of my old symptoms ( I think it was just the old energy finally moving out of my system), and it has made me SOOOO grateful that I don't feel like that everyday anymore.

5. Libraries. Need I say more? There is just something wonderful about a place where you take things, learn from them and/or are able to be entertained by them, and then you bring them back...and its totally free! So much knowledge, just waiting on the shelves to be checked out.

Whew... I did it! Doesn't matter, I'll still probably be late to work ; )

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

I Don't Want to Be Late!

Ok, this is a quick post to say that I don't have time to do a full post, BUT I wanted to get something up here before I left for work. Today's WWWdotWEDNESDAYdotCOM is actually a very entertaining article that I found, thought you may enjoy it, I know I did! It doesn't say for certain they are knitting, but even if it is the dreaded crochet that they are doing, still pretty frickin' cool!

Five things I am Grateful For, Day #2

1. The new boy I met on Sunday wished me "sweet dreams," the other night while we were instant messaging...that is one of the needy chick things that I have done in the past which, I am certain, has led to the breakdown of a future possible relationship. I am so happy he did it first! And, c'mon, how sweet is that??!!!

2. The Shield...I watched the first four episodes of The Shield season five last night, and let me tell you, Kenny Johnson was breaking my heart (in a good way). If it wasn't for the fact that he was born the same day (and year) as my mother, I may have to fall completely in love with him, but seeing as he is technically old enough to be my father, he kinda falls into the category of people who are older than my mother who I am not allowed to date. Plus I think he is already married. And he's famous. He may also live in California. Doesn't mean I can't fall in love, lol! Seriously, fantastic acting with a very moving story line - god I love the Shieldy goodness!!

3. I ordered the software to do my taxes with. Lets find the gratitude in being able to afford the software, and having the opportunity to spend all weekend engaged in doing math and using a calculator. Can you knit and add at the same time? I'll let you know Monday! And I just decided, if the refund is more than $500, I am buying a ball winder - YEAH!

4. My apartment is relatively clean, and with having the windows open, the winter funk is really starting to get out of here. Finally, it is really starting to feel like Spring!

5. I am doing my last Passion Party on Saturday. I will post more on why this is a good thing at a later date, but suffice it to say, I am grateful for the opportunity to wrap that business up and focus on this one.

Hey wow, it turned into a full post! Once I get on a roll, I just can't stop...well, I am off to the showers, the post office, possible the library, and work. Peace out, it's going to be a grateful day!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Gratitude

So, I decided that I am going to change/add #35 to the list...

35. I will do at least one thing to get myself towards one of my 101 goals every day.

This could be knitting a row on a mitten, or writing a page in the new novel. Could be reading a page in one of the many books I have on my To Read List, or it could be staying up all night tonight watching The Shield season 5 DVDs which will be delivered today. Mmmm, Vic Mackey goodness....

I have also decided to give a run at #94, Keeping a Gratitude journal for two weeks. I figure by writing it down in a book, it would force me to go buy a new journal at Borders, and why spend the money on a new journal when I can do it for free on here, and plus, its good blog fodder. So, I will be back for two full weeks you lucky readers.

In no particular order, here are five things I am grateful for right now:

1. The ducks are back in the pond next to my building.

2. It is warm enough so that I can leave the windows open and hear the ducks outside. Also, how nice is it to open the house up in the spring and air it out??

3. My heat is off. (Duh, I have the windows open, did you think I was trying to heat the whole outside?)

4. I have lost track of how many knitting projects I have on the needles. I love having enough yarn, needles, and inspiration to be able to say that.

5. Organic dry beans. Seriously, I made a pot of kick-ass organic lentil soup with barley and carrots...whole pot of soup, probably cost me less than $4. How can you not love that? Healthy, filling and cheap!

Well, I do have more things to be grateful for, but I also have another thirteen days to go, so I have to save some things for later, right? Happy knitting kids, see you on the Kniternet!

PS - Please don't notice the lack of pictures, sorry...working on it!

Monday, March 26, 2007

Hip Hip Hooray for Mondays!

Yeah, not really in the mood for today, so I am faking it. The alarm went off at 6am (hey, I am trying to be more productive), so I of course woke up and hit the snooze for another 30 minutes. Not that it mattered because El perro malo decided that it was time for him to get up, go in and out and in and out of the covers and try to sit on my head.

Yeah....

So I woke up, and discovered that my chin is trying to grow another head for me. I have the largest, most painful pimple-y thing. One of those blind ones that really hurts and makes me just want to stay in the house and hide all day with my knitting. But, I am already leaving work early to go the eye doctor's this week, and I can't really afford another sick day, especially one for a pimple, so...Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its Off To Work I Go.

But, I am bringing new yarn to cast on for a new project, the Felted Messenger bag from Knitting for Peace (NOT Peace Knits as I am so apt to call it). Simple garter and stockinette in the round, moron knitting perfect for work. I have a hard time with the sock knitting at work because the DPNs get caught in my fingerless mitts of alpaca joy and then they don't work too good, so I need larger needles, preferably circulars, to avoid the problem.

Well, I gots to go get ready for work. There is no need to do my hair today gentle readers, because I have date hair left over from yesterday. Yes, you read that correctly: I had a date yesterday with a boy who was attractive, tall, smart and not at all weird, and the kick in the arse is that I had a good time! Keep your fingers (and your needles) crossed, this could lead to my first second date in over a year! Damn, this might REALLY cut into the knitting time...maybe we could go to the yarn shop for our second date, think he'd like that??

PS - My restraint overwhelms me. I neither ordered cable, nor purchased a new digital camera, even though it is apparent that I NEED them both. Aren't you proud, I know I am!

Friday, March 23, 2007

What's Missing?

First of all, big shout outs to my anonymous lawyer friend for her comment yesterday - of course I will let you help me with my will, what else are friends with a law degree good for?

Secondly, you may have noticed that there are no better pictures of any better knitting, and it not for a lack of better knitting. Think it is safe to say my camera has taken it's last focussed picture. I need to play with it this weekend to make sure, but I am sad because I can ill afford a new camera now, but I do have a lot of available credit...I intend to use pictures in a new writing project I am working on, so if I end up selling said writing project, I would be able to claim it as a tax deduction.

Speaking of which, I still need to do my taxes. Let us speak of it no more, but if you see me out and about in the world, feel free to hit me and give me a dirty look to prompt me into action.

And then speaking of action, season five of The Shield will be coming to me from Netfilx sometime next week. Dear lawd I can't wait, even though I know the major plot twist of the season is going to make me very sad and want to cry and stuff. I won't tell you what it is because I feel like I would like to be able to go into the season not already knowing what will happen, but my impatience led me to YouTube, and well, I clicked my way to finding out the ending. I deliberately did not link to YouTube so that you can hopefully avoid my mistakes.

I am actually considering getting cable again so that I can watch The Shield when the new season starts April 3rd.

Seriously considering it.

I may be calling Time Warner this weekend just to see how long it will take them to get it installed and if there is a fee (I think because I already have basic cable, all they have to do is flip a switch someplace outside, but I could be wrong). Of course, for the price of having cable for the four months that the show will be on for, I will probably be able to buy the entire DVD set of the series when the show is all done.

But like I said, I have available credit and a 12 year old school girl crush on Vic Mackey, so whats stopping me?

Thursday, March 22, 2007

If Warshrags are Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right

Wanna see what I did at work the other day???



I was able to accomplish the casting on, pattern design, knitting and casting off of an entire washcloth while filling idle time at work on Monday - God sometimes I loves me job!

The picture is terrible, and I apologize, I have the very bad feeling my camera may have pooed the bed so to speak. She is an old camera and has taken many fine pictures, but she is wide and heavy and cumbersome, and now with her lack of clear picture taking ability, it may be time to donate her to my little brother to destroy. Alas, we shall see what type of shape she is in before next month's planned excursion to NYC.

Speaking on NYC, this week's WWWdot WEDNESDAYdotCOM (brought to you a day late because I HAVE NO FREAKIN' IDEA WHAT DAY IT IS) is going to seem a little silly in an obvious way to those of you who are knitters, but for those of you who are my friends and have not wandered over to the Blogs I Am Reading toolbar to click on some knit-blog wonderfullness.... I present to you The Harlot. She makes me proud to be a Canadian-American and a knitter and a woman. She is in NYC for the launch of her newest book, and it is set to be a rockin' good time in Gotham today. I am sorry only that I did not plan my life better and kidnap a friendly knitter or two to drive down there with to represent.

See, this is where having the job is bad, because if I was still at the restaurant, I could just get the night off, reschedule my clients and drive on down. But I couldn't knit while working at the restaurant, so I guess things all work out in the end, huh?

More better pictures of more better knitting if the camera permits. Go see the Harlot (seriously, if you Google "Harlot," she is the first thing that comes up - no joke!) and marvel at the number of comments she gets...kind of makes a knit blogger think that she should get some comments, sniff, sniff, sob, sob!! I know you guys are reading, so come on, show me the love...or buy me some yarn, whichever, I'm flexible!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Happy Spring!


And that's all I have to say about that!


Thanks to Gillian for the picture of her b-e-a-u-tiful orchid. You can see more pretty pictures of them here.

Monday, March 19, 2007

And Then There Were None

For a very brief time yesterday, I had no cast on knitting... I finally finished all of the things I had cast on when the 101 in 1001 started, and yesterday at about 5:45 pm while the screenwriter commentary track was playing on the Little Miss Sunshine DVD, I grafted the toe on the last Sockotta Sock.

Twas a glorious feeling.

I promptly cast on three new projects and added yarn to my work bag so I could cast on a warshrag for an upcoming baby tomorrow while at work.

What? Don't read me like that. This is one thing off the list that made me look at who I am and decide I don't want to change. I like having options of things to knit and yarn to work with.

Fickleness, thy name is Kniternet.

PS - Pictures tomorrow, I promise!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Guess What Day It Is???!!!

Your weekly post of another post is here, Happy Wednesday.

This is one of the blogs I really wait for, Crazy Aunt Pearl, totally one of my favorites, and her post for today is really what I think knitting (and family) should be about. Check it out, you'll be happy you did.

And on my own home front, I got word today the fam is coming for a visit, so you may want to make sure that the earth hasn't stopped spinning. Wish me luck as I begin the month long cleaning process. This is really gong to cut into the knitting time, dammit, but it will be nice to see them, and not have to drive four hours each way to do it. Happy knitting kiddies, see you on the kniternet!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Muggles

So, ya'll have seen my delicious green wrist warmers, and you know how much I love them and that they are not only a fashion statement, but I NEED them to keep my wrists warm and my carpal tunnels loosey goosey, right???

Well, I had a meeting at work with my manager a little while back, and he looked at me with complete sincerity in his eyes, and asked if I was cold. Of course, my first thought was if the headlights were on (if you know what I mean) because, frankly, I have worked in restaurants for ten years, and that question is normally followed by a downwards glance towards the nippage area. But no, I am in the corporate world which is free from sexual harassment and innuendos...my manager thought I was cold because I always had my wrist warmers on, and couldn't think of any reason to wear them other than because I was cold. Ever hear of fashion, ever hear of being "hip"? Actually, my boss is a pretty cool guy, so I gots to cut him some slack, maybe he just needs to be around more knitters, but then again who couldn't benefit from being around more knitters???

On a super positive note, I am down to only two projects on the needles - Sockotta socks and the green shawl - one for work, one for home. I went to the yarn store yesterday, and purchased yarn for the Peace Knits felted messenger tote and also some black Pima cotton/silk blend for a beanie type hat. My goal is to have both current projects off the needles by the end of this week, and I want to make sure I have proper encouragement to get on with it.

Also in the positive column, I have finally learned enough at work that I can actually knit while I am on the phone, listening to the elderly drone on about their medical problems and how "you people" screwed this, that or the other up...a couple of rows really takes the edge off sometimes, 'ya know?

Well kids, it is 7:30, time to hop to it and get my arse in the shower. Peace out, happy knitting, and may all of the yarn you really, really want be on sale.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

WWWdotWEDNESDAYdotCOM x 2

Today's post brought late to you by my lack of early morning motivation, and the delivery of some Shieldy goodness this evening...God I heart that show...

Any way, since I skipped last week, I bring you one fan-frickin'tastic blog and one uber-website that you may or may not have come across.

The first is www.whipup.net, all over entertaining crafty ideas and fun good times. Lots of great links within that site as well.

And, in case you have been living under a rock, or are a non-knitter, the Spring Issue over at www.knitty.com has come out, and if Knitty can't convince you that you want to knit, I don't know what will.

And, with that note, I leave you so that I may peruse the new Knitty and listen to some The Shield commentaries. Peace out kiddies, happy knitting and long live Vic Mackey..mmm,mmm, I love the Shieldy Goodness!!!!

Monday, March 5, 2007

Looky looky loo!


Look what I did!!!!

Slight modifications/mistakes made to the pattern include adding extra stitches and waist shaping to the back, making it a keyhole instead of a V-neck, and I also didn't crochet the edges - I did a mattress stitch around the arm holes and left the neck plain; size 10 needles with ???? "mill ends" acrylic yarn from AC Moore (even though it is acrylic, I still really like this yarn).

How cute am I??? That isn't a rhetorical question people - comment damn you!! (And for those of you who don't know me, I do have another side of my body [duh, without another side how could I knit??!!], I do not, however, have the patience to try and take a good picture of myself. I promise the sweater looks the same on the other side too.)

Love,

The knitter who finally made something she can wear and only has two things left to finish knitting before she can cast on for a **NEW** project!

Friday, March 2, 2007

Malo Perro Walks on (Frozen) Water

I just took The Dog out for his morning walk, and there is about 1/2 an inch of ice on top of the foot or so of snow that is left over from Valentine's Day. The poor dog has had to content himself with walking along the shoveled pathways and around the fire hydrant where they had to shovel out the snow (yes, I know how cliche it is for a dog to tinkle on a fire hydrant).


Well, today, in a fit of blinding dare-devilness, my little baby climbed up on top of the snow, walked about five feet into the yard, tinkled, and then came running back at me like his tail was on fire. Just as he was about to get to the shovelled sidewalk, he fell through the snow and then skidded on the sidewalk, landing up against the snowbank on the other side of the sidewalk. Poor little baby...

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Maye two weeks DOESN'T make a habit...

Yeah, I have been a bad, bad blogger. Actually, it is more correct to say that working this 9-5 job just has my schedule all screwed up and is driving me nuts. I can't get up early enough in the morning to accomplish much of anything, by the time I get home at night, it's all I can do to fix myself dinner and not fall asleep in the knitting chair at 7:30pm. And the weekends, don't even get me started on the weekends. All I want to do is snuggle on the couch and knit. Now with the added benefit of Netflix occasionally delivering me episodes of yummy Vic Mackey goodness, I am helpless to actually perform meaningful tasks.

On the upside though, I bring you pictures and explanations.

Picture #1 - Living Room Afghan - DONE!!




Picture #2 - Green Sweater (Front only - DONE!!)




What I had planned to do with this:








...just wasn't working so I frogged and began anew - so far, I am VERY pleased with the results. Since this is considered the "green sweater" for list purposes, I do not consider the fact that I technically cast on for a new project as interfering with the list. I must tell you though, casting on for something else was a joyous occasion - when its time for the second Sockotta sock, I promise you no danger of 2nd Sock Syndrome.



3. Mod Podge Goodness, Part Uno (the Desk) **more on this at a later date





Yes, I realize it is practically on the floor - there is a method to my madness which you are not privy to at the moment. All will be clear in time my sweets.


And last, but not least, Mod Podge Goodness Version 1.0 (The Necklace)


This was made by printing out a copy of The List on several different pages of co-ordinating scrap book paper. I then cut out the individual goals into 1/4 - 1/2" strips, covered them in Mod Podge, rolled them around a 1.5mm DPN and left them to dry. They came out lovely, and I was getting ready to string them up on a necklace, when I noticed there were only 99 beads. I checked the list, and was surprised to find out that I never included a #35 or #41.

So, I have been waiting to decide what to do about the two missing goals before I finish up the necklace. Any suggestions??

Other than all of that, not much is new around la Casa del perro malo, I have a massage client today, so I am super excited, might get together for an impromptu S&B tomorrow night with my friends J and K...who knows what will happen. Most likely though, I will probably spend my weekend cuddled on the couch with my poorly socialized and ill behaved dog, knit and watch The Shield. And I wonder why I am still single...