SP 8 - First Package

I received a package from my SP yesterday. The package included a wonderful pattern for a beautiful scarf. Also, I received three skeins of KnitPicks Shadow Yarn in Lost Lake, Vineyard and Jewels colorways. They are gorgeous and yummy. She also included two skeins of yarn she spun herself. The first one is Border Leicaster (in gray . . . about 2 oz.) and the second is Colonial (in wine . . . about 4 oz.)

I have to admit that I don't want to do anything with this beautiful stuff right now . . . I just want to feel it!

Thanks so much!

More stuff and such

Last Thursday was Zachariah's SIXTH birthday. Amazing. He was such a little peep when we got him . . . actually he is still a little peep . . . I think he finally hit and held 35 pounds!! Anyway, we celebrated his birthday the Sunday before with my family. My sister Jacquie, her DH, Mike, son Michael (and his son John) and their daughter Mary came up from Kentucky to help celebrate. My brother Eddie and his daughters Caitlin and Jenny came. His wife was on her way to Maine to drop their middle daughter back off at college. He had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed showing John and Mary his train layout. It is taking up about half of the family room. On his actual birthday he took cupcakes for his classmates. I had "held back" two presents from those he received on Sunday so that he would have something to open on his birthday. Friends of ours from Albuquerque (soon to be returning to Cleveland) bought him a present at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens when we were there in late December. My boss and his wife (we have a strange relationship . . . my daughters were in his daughter's wedding) bought Zachariah a wonderful gift -- the five senses box and he has been having a blast with it.

This past Saturday, Lindsey participated in a Power of the Pen competition. Her team placed second for all the eighth graders and, individually, she placed 7th, the best in her school. There were 19 schools represented with each school having teams of six. She did very well and her writing was excellent. When I arrived home from school, she had just gotten home from the competition. I don't think her feet have gotten back to the ground yet. She and two of her classmates will go on to the next level of the state competition which occurs the day after her 13th birthday. We also have an interview this week (she and I) at her high school of choice, St. Joseph Academy. It is where my Mom and Sarah attended and is her school of choice over the other local all girls school.

Sarah has switched her major. She suffered through the nursing classes last semester. Late in the semester, and finally, after an entire evening of angst, admitted that she really didn't like nursing. She loved being with the patients. She hated the classes, the teachers and, probably the responsibility that goes along with it. She had a terrible semester. Arghh. I wouldn't be 20 again for love or money. Anyway, she has switched her major and has to take several more "core" classes (one is physics for healthcare and the other is technical math . . . I hope she doesn't ask me for help). Hopefully, by this time next year, she will be back on track for a degree.

Dave is just rolling along with his students. His principal has announced that she is retiring at the end of the school year and several of his fellow teachers are pushing him to apply for her job. While he doesn't have his administrator's certification, he could get them in short order . . . plus the requirements for private schools is different than public. Besides I'll be finished with my degree by July 1.

I have classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings (two of them - 6:30 to 7:45 and 8:00 to 9:15) and all day Saturday (8 to 5). The Monday and Wednesday evenings will be for 15 weeks. The Saturday is only for ten weeks and then I will only have classes on Saturday in the afternoon. The reading this semester is hideous. So, I will spend the rest of this lunch hour doing some . . . or maybe I'll do some more knitting?

Knit Mitt Kit Swap

This is what I got from Sarah (http://sarahsthreads.com/journal) for my Knit Mitt Kit Swap. While the picture only has one skein of the Rowan felted tweed, I got two skeins of this beautiful yarn. The book with the pattern is Vogue Knitting Mittens & Gloves. There was also two KING SIZE Heath bars (my absolute favorites). Best of all, however, is the bag, the super duper fabulous felted bag. Sarah not only felted the bag but did some great needle felting. The bag also has an inside pocket.

It was really great and I so look forward to making my mittens. Thanks, Sarah.

Beyond Bullet Points by Cliff Atkinson

The Page 123 Meme
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, look down to the 5th sentence.
3. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog.
4. Include the title and the author's name.
5. Tag 3 People.

In most photo databases like the Microsoft site, search results for a particular photograph will include related keyword search terms that can inspire you to search using other terms you hadn't yet considered. When you find a style of photography you like, you might also be able to search for photographs that have related styles.

Knit Mitt Kit Swap

I finished my bag for my Knit Mitt Kit Swap. While my downstream likes chocolate, I'm not comfortable sending it especially with yarn, so she got some Werther's. Kiki also was interested in Lorna's Laces as she cannot get it in Germany. There are also some bamboo needles in the bag.

The bag was made with Plymouth Yarn's Boku yarn. It is 95% wool 5% silk. It was okay to knit but had a tendency to pull apart.

Anyway, here is a pic of the bag

and a pic of what was sent to Kiki. I really liked the colors of the Lorna's Lace . . . and loved the striping in the bag.

the view

We have an incredible view from our office. These pictures were taken from my boss' office. His office faces Lake Erie which is the backdrop of these photos. This is the Browns Stadium, Great Lakes Science Center and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Actually, this is a better pic of the the GLSC and R&R HOF:

Of course, when I am sitting at my desk and look towards the Lake, this is what I see:

The stack of books next to the tissue box are all knitting related. And, to be really honest, right now that area is an even bigger mess as we transfer files from 2006 to 2007 . . . plus it is the most favorite place for my boss to dump stuff from his desk to mine!

Resolutions

2007 Resolutions

Jane from Whoduknit suggested that our group post our resolutions. Plus, everything that I've read states that the best way to keep a resolution is to write them down and share them Given that, I have to keep them attainable and reasonable:

1) Not buy anymore yarn until I have all my WIP done and if I cannot finish them (some are just hideous), admit it and get it off the needles, frogged and rewound. If necessary, give away the yarn.

2) Finish my MBA (LOL . . . I am actually scheduled to graduate in May . . . so hopefully this will happen!).

3) Lose 52 pounds (1 pound a week . . . totally attainable and will get me well on my way to my goal weight).

4) Walk more. Sit less.

5) Play with my kids more (losing weight will help with this one).

There are also things I would like to do and will hopefully buzz around and be annoying enough to be doable too in 2007:

a) Get better organized (home and work)
b) Get a grip on our finances
c) File taxes early (see b) above).
d) Relax more (see 2) above . . . once the MBA is done, I'll have a life . . . it will be six years in the making but it will be a done deal!!).

Christmas Photos

The traditional Christmas Eve reading of "Hurry Santa" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Caitlin and Nicki. Caitlin turned 16 on 12/26 and Nicki turned 21 on 12/21. Nicki is a Junior at Unity College in Maine. She likes to entertain us with some of the non-traditional activities that happen at the college. One of the things she has to take back to school this semester is her cross-bow!

Jenny is in her second year of law school at CWRU. She graduated from NYU in 2005. She is Zachariah's godmother. Here she is thoroughly enjoying reading a Klutz book that Santa brought Zachariah. Jenny, Nicki and Caitlin are my younger brother's daughters.

Erich and Ryan. Erich is in the Marines and is based currently in North Carolina. Ryan has enlisted in the Air Force but doesn't start basic training until February. They are my younger sister's youngest sons. Her oldest son, Tommy, is in the Navy and is currently cruising somewhere . . . he does cryptology . . . very hush-hush.

Sarah and Caitlin did a great job at winning at Texas Hold'm. The guys were in shock!!

Zeke, Mary, MacKenzie and Sarah. Sarah and Mary are my younger sister, Jacquie's youngest children. Sarah is married to Zeke and MacKenzie is their daughter.
Hayden. Hayden was born on December 1. Sarah and Zeke are his parents. He is beautiful. He is being held by my sister, Jacquie. He is her youngest grandchild. Mary (the cute little blonde in the pics just above and below) is his aunt. She will be give in April.

And of course then there is Mary, Lindsey and Zachariah. My younger sister Jacquie and I (and, of course, our husbands), adopted siblings. Lindsey joined us when she was 22 months old. Zachariah joined us when he was four months old. Mary joined Jacquie and her family when she was six weeks old.


Lindsey does know the relationship between the three of them. When Jacquie and Mike adopted Mary, she was thrilled because she not only got another cousin but a sister too! When Zachariah and Mary are old enough to understand, we will share the entire relationship and circumstances with them.

It isn't the best of photos, but here is a pic of my sore thumb. I decided that I would try to work on Lindsey's scarf. It became a real challenge. The whole tip across the top is numb which makes it very difficult to much of anything but I figured it couldn't possibly make that much of a difference! HA! I finally put a rubberized thimble over the thumb which works okay and I thought was protecting the thumb. Until I pealed the thimble off and part of the scab came with it. Hmmmm. So it is back to the drawing board. I have two projects that absolutely have to get done sooner than later . . . a bag for the Knit Mitt swap and Zachariah's sweater. His birthday is January 18. I do need to get his sweater done. Someday, he will grow.

Timing is everything, I guess

About two months ago or so, a co-worker asked me about Weight Watchers @ Work. Our previous administrator would never allow us to do it but she retired last year. I told my co-worker that I was going to check with the new administrator but, as part of our United Way program, we were doing a weight loss challenge which ends at the end of November. I thought we should wait until it was over and maybe start with the new year.

A couple of things here. I like this woman. A couple of my other co-workers said that she is ummmm sneaky and backstabbing. I never saw it and had worked with her on a couple of other projects. Keeping all this in mind, I was nevertheless surprised when she informed me that she had contacted the administrator who: a) was very excited about it, b) gave her permission and c) congratulated my co-worker on taking the initiative . . . and she told me this and then asked me to send out an email to those I knew who were interested. WTF.

So, we have had three meetings. You cannot imagine my suprise at my weight. I've known that something was going on but my clothes fit, I was just incredibly uncomfortable . . . all the time. I missed last week's meeting because of a funeral. I attended yesterday and have lost 10.4 pounds. Now, I know that part of the weight loss is water and that the more you have to lose the faster the stuff comes off in the BEGINNING. I also know that I have been religious about staying on top of this, journalling, drinking water and staying right on target with my points.

Getting back to my crabbing, my co-worker who has organized this emailed me yesterday morning to find out if I would collect the leader in reception because "she had other plans" and would just stop in towards the end of the meeting. Because we want to be sure to get the "meat" of the meeting in, we have decided to do the "celebrations" at the end. So after our leader ended the meeting, she asked if anyone had anything to celebrate. I did. I did indeed. So I announced that I had lost 10.4 pounds. Later I get an email from my coworker telling me that there are a couple of people who are "uncomfortable" with the celebrations at the meeting, oh, and she wanted to know if I could book the conference rooms in my boss' name so that we can get a better room with less chance of getting bounced.

I told her that I would continue to celebrate. Whether it is losing 1 pound or only gaining 1 or 2 pounds over the holidays as opposed to my usual 10 to 15! I also booked all the conference rooms for future meetings.

I know this is minor things. On the other hand, being the B%$CH that I am, her weird attitude is enough to keep me on track . . . if nothing else just to have something to celebrate each week!

What kind of reader am I?

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

http://www.gotoquiz.com/results/what_kind_of_reader_are_you

I knew it! Do you suppose this is why the librarians at our local public library know me by my first name??

Almost there, seriously

I cannot count it the holidays until I have finished my final, final for the Fall semester. We have a finance final and international business (IB or Idiot Broad) final on Saturday, December 16!!!!



Have I mentioned how much I despise my IB teacher. She makes me crazed. We have to prepare three case studies over the course. This is a 10 week course. Three case studies, a mid-term and final is a tad excessive. Worse yet is that IB complains about how BUSY SHE IS. Hello???? You teach TWO classes. Two identical classes. Do not complain because you find reading 63 various versions of the same papers boring, especially when you have to do this three times because you ASSIGNED them. Dolt!



But the best was that she returned our latest paper. I got a big old smiley face on mine. Oh, joy. So, when I got it home, I put it on the fridge.

The problem is that this class is such a waste of time. She has given us assigned seats by first name because she was going to give us credit for participation . . . oh, that is too hard so she is not doing that either.


Finance on the other hand is super fabulous!! Go ahead, ask me about NPV!!! This prof gives us a test every week . . . one or two problems. Of course, one of the problems this past Saturday took two pieces of paper. But I know NPV (in case you are wondering the NPV of an annuity is PMT[1-1/(1+r)n/r] . . . yeah and I didn't even look in the book for it . . . of course, I'm dreaming this stuff. It is so sad.

On the upside of things, it is all coming to an end. I've am getting to the finals . . . and not just the tests. This was the FINAL Fall semester I will register for. This will be the FINAL Christmas that I spend Sundays studying instead of making Christmas cookies.

It is amazing. After 32 years (with a major break), I am down to the final FINALS.

Two weeks before Christmas & Miscellaneous other stuff

I've changed the look of my blog and have yet to decide whether I like it. The pic of the Grand Canyon, Lindsey took at sunrise this past summer. We spent three days camping at the North Rim and the last morning, Dave woke the girls at 5:00 a.m. so they could capture some early morning rays! She has a great eye for color and depth. She took eight pics within a very short period of time. I'm going to make a collage of the photos for her for Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While I don't recommend it, there is a definite advantage of slicing off a chunk of thumb. It creates the perfect excuse to not have to finish anything for Christmas.

I have officially decided that I am overwhelmed. Four masters classes (two finals on December 16). One involves essay questions, and, as you can guess, I can do well with essay questions. The other, however, is financial . . . formulas, formulas, formulas . . . and specific steps for doing things.

Again, while cutting a chunk out of my thumb did take the pressure off of my knitting for Christmas, the drugs for pain are not educational and memory enhancing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A co-worker and I were planning our floor's "whatever the reason for the season" gathering. There are 34 lawyers and 27 staff on the floor. Three lawyers responded and seven staff. We needed to order the food yesterday. It is a lot of work, including buying all the paper stuff, decorating the conference room, getting the food, setting up and cleaning up. Due to the lack of response, we cancelled it. One lawyer asked me if my intention was to create a "firestorm." Jerk. The invitation was sent via email. The response would take seconds: "yes, count me in" or "bugger off." Either one. I was told that we didn't send enough reminders (these are adults after all). I was called Scrooge. And, when one person asked that we do it anyway, and I suggested that they do it, I was told "no way, that's too much work and I don't have enough time." To the lawyer that suggested that I was starting a firestorm, I did reply that "I was too busy for anyone to tell me that they were too busy to reply to an email."

A couple of us are going to lunch on Wednesday. It will be a lovely thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have had several lake effect storms this week. The weather people anticipated that we were going to have another one last night/early this morning. My husband's school cancelled classes in anticipation and the fact that the principal and three of the teachers were going to be out at a workshop. I told my husband that if it was "bad" in the morning . . . and given my sense of exhaustion, a dusting of snow would be classified as "bad" . . . I was not going to work and just climbing back into bed. You cannot imagine my disappointment when I woke to discover that not only was there not a dusting . . . there wasn't any snow. Bah humbug!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, yeah, and just because I have absolutely nothing else to do and am so thoroughly overwhelmed, I have joined Weight Watchers. Yes, it is two weeks before Christmas. On the other hand, we have a new Weight Watchers @ Work and, as they say, timing is everything. Now, I know it isn't a friggin surprise that I'm fat, but to be totally honest, I was shocked at how truly FAT I am.

Duh, and I forgot to title this one!

I received my package from Leslie my Whoduknit Holiday Swap Secret Pal. As the Whoduknit group is a group of knitters that enjoy mysteries (or is that mystery readers who enjoy knitting?), the holiday swap was to include a mystery, something knitty, a postcard from your city or area.

My Holiday Swap Secret Pal was Leslie (aka hockeymom). She sent me a Dan Brown book (I love Dan Brown . . . and look forward to reading this one). The pics don't show it too well, but I also received a large zippered bag. It will be perfect for my knitting projects. I also received more stitch markers . . . I'm always losing them . . . it is indeed a mystery!

Since I had mentioned that I wanted to learn entrelac, Leslie also sent me directions on how to do entrelac. I think it is something that I need to tackle when I'm home alone, without any music on and no interruptions! Leslie's city doesn't sell postcards, she also sent me information about Troy, Michigan! Thanks so much Leslie. This was fun and you gifted me with useful items that I know I will put to good use!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took Friday off from work. I have 1-1/2 days of vacation that I was going to have to use by year end or lose. Let me tell you, there is no way that I am going to lose vacation days!

So on Friday, my oldest daughter and I went shopping and then picked up a friend for lunch. We found a wonderful new bakery which is only two doors down from my most favorite LYS. I bought a loaf of bread (we had wonderful French Toast on Sunday), chocolate toffee sauce and pepper mango jelly . . . both items to be used for Christmas. I also managed to wander around the LYS without buying ANYTHING!!! We then went to lunch at a Victorian Inn. It was wonderful and very relaxing.

Friday evening was my son's Christmas concert at school. It was wonderful. They did the absolute best 12 days of Christmas I have ever heard. Frankly, I hate the song. It just goes on and on and on and on. This production had an individual student from 1st through 12th grade "presenting" the gifts and the rest of the students singing the introductions. The individual students were fantastic. The first grader was as cute as a bug. The 5th grader that did five golden rings though brought down the house. She has the confidence of Barbra Streisand and every single time just wowed us all. The next song was "O Holy Night" sung by an 8th grader. She was fabulous. The largest logistical error was having O Holy Night following the 12 days of Christmas. Anyway, it is amazing the talent in the school. Nevertheless, the parents need to be told to behave. The entire program lasted 30 minutes and there were parents showing up at 7:15 for a program that started at 7:00! Many parents (grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings) were rude during the performance in that they kept talking and chatting. I told Dave that what the director should have done was stop the performance and tell them to be quiet or leave. It might have had sufficient effect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our furnace started misbehaving on Saturday. The furnace repairman came out Monday and we decided that after 30+ years, it was time to replace it. A new furnace is being installed today. We could not have a higher energy efficient furnace installed without moving the location of the furnace (it is currently in the middle of the house). There wasn't anyway they could vent the higher efficiency model. Nevertheless, the salesman insists that we will notice a difference in the heat delivery and lower gas bills. While he was there on Monday evening, I was making pork chops and slicing potatoes for scalloped potatoes. Zachariah wanted to help but I told him that the slicing blade was "way to sharp" and he wasn't allowed to touch. He kept insisting that he could and would be careful. Not to be outdone and to make my point (accidentally of course), I proceeded to slice off a chunk of my left thumb.

Since we were unable to find the chunk of thumb (and seriously, it was a chunk) and they couldn't stitch it (again, the chunk issue), the cauterized (sp?) it, bandaged it and told me not to get it wet. I ended up going to a salon yesterday afternoon to have my hair washed and blown dry. I figured I could afford the luxury. I wonder if I can make a claim on my insurance?

I did try knitting on Lindsey's long suffering scarf last evening. I did one row and decided that that wasn't going to work. I think once I have the bulky bandage off tomorrow, I should be able to do some knitting but the biggest problem is that it throbs. On the other hand, I never realized that I rarely use my left thumb for typing!

Yarn, lots of yarn

I have yarn, lots and lots of yarn . . . now, to be fair, it is not all for me and my projects.

I have yarn that I received from swaps.

I have yarn that I have purchased for swaps.

I have a wonderful neighbor who goes garage sale-ing, and buys me yarn. She says that it is only fair since I took her to my most favorite LYS.

I have yarn that I just had to have because . . . . ummmmm . . . the stars were correctly aligned and in conjunction with some such thing and the yarn was good price and, to be honest, I wanted it.

The biggest problem that I have is TIME. I just don't have time to do all I want to do. I know I have to organize it into projects and such and I did. Once. Not too long ago. But that was just the stash that I had at home. It doesn't include the "work" stash. The "work" stash consists of stuff that I have delivered to the office . . . swaps, knitpicks, online purchases . . . I don't have packages delivered to the house because usually there isn't anyone home to accept delivery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phew, I am so glad that I unburdened myself regarding my stash.

On Thanksgiving, my older sister was talking about her spinning. I looked over at my husband at one point and he was just shaking his head. Well, he was until she mentioned alpaca's and fleece and yarn . . .

I'm itching to remodel the bathroom

We remodeled our house in 2004. We knocked out the back wall on the first level (38 feet) and added 8 feet of room and then added an additional 8 feet of roofed porch. Here are some pics of the process:

ugly old kitchen . . . looking from family room through dining room to kitchen: Looking from part of the new kitchen, through the new area of the dining room into the new area of the family room (with the fireplace at the end)

And finally, the kitchen . . . which is what the whole thing was about . . . we were only doing the kitchen, except that the entire kitchen and dining room would have to be rewired and taken down to the studs. So, if we were going to that expense, why not do what we really really wanted to do:

this is the breakfast bar side:

Finished back porch Summer 2006 The porch has a roof and is 38 feet long and eight feet deep. We have three double rockers on it and can put picnic tables on it if needed. We have two sets of sliding doors and it is a lovely place to read, eat, knit, do homework, write letters, reflect and just hang out.

Anyway, last evening, I mentioned to my darling, incredibly patient husband that I thought we should redo the downstairs bathroom. He said, "wallpaper or paint?" I said, "ummmm, take the tub out and put in a large shower, replace the floor (and ceiling . . . . we had a leak from upstairs many years ago and their is an access panel that looks hideous) and, oh yeah, paint with a border print." Our 20 year old daughter started laughing and then I looked at my husband's face. You could just see the visions of what started out as a simple kitchen remodel reflected in the stark terror of his face!

48 Things You Could Care Less About

48 Things You Could Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Mary Lynn
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Last week when I read a letter that my sister sent a year after our Mom died. It was lovely and kind.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, but I tend to do a combo script/print thing.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? salami
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Definitely. I can be fun and loyal
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Does a blog count as a journal?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Absolutely not.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Wheat Chex.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? My personality is but I'm not physically strong.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Butter Pecan with hot fudge.
14. SHOE SIZE? 7-1/2 to 8 Wide
5. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm fat. It is overwhelming my life
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My parents
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, not really.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black pants/black t-shirt, brown/black tweedy jacket, black
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Corned Beef hash (gee is it any reason that I'm fat?).
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? WMJI - Cleveland, Ohio
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Clean, lotioned babies
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Definitely.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Rhine wine
28. FAVORITE SPORT? is knitting a sport?
29. EYE COLOR? greenish-greyish-blueish-hazel (depending on my mood)
30. HAT SIZE? large
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza with a pan crust, lots of cheese and just about any topping.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Apple Pie.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? This is an irrelevant question, as I'm not sending it to anyone.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? See above.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Hounds of the Baskervilles, Echo Park, You - the Handbook (highly recommend this one).
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? I don't use a mouse pad.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Didn't turn it on.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My five year old running to me and screeching "Mommy's home"
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Rolling Stone
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I'm a great organizer.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Cleveland, Ohio
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Copied and pasted from Sundara's blog http://purlywhites.typepad.com/ .

October Birthday Swap

I participated in the October birthday swap. My birthday is October 9 and Dorothy (from Wyoming; blog spindledreams.com/serendipity). She told me up front that she wouldn't be able to get me my present by my birthday.

It was well worth the wait. The picture does not do it justice. I received a felted bag, a small change purse that had cat stitch markers, Wyoming rocks (chocolate covered fun), two skeins of Boku Plymouth Yarn (95% wool; 5% silk), a calendar, a couple of Wyoming postcards and then just yesterday, received a hand made row counter from Fiber & Designs.

Thank you Dorothy. It was great fun having my birthday last a month

I made the mistake of deleting this picture from an earlier post and wanted to put it back . . .

Even if I do say so myself, he is the cutest kid. 95% of the time he is incredibly happy and kind . . . and then, of course, his sisters get in his face and he is not happy (and sometimes not even kind . . . but he learned it from them).

I actually have been working on this sweater. Both sleeves are done. I am about six inches into the body and then you go back down and add the pouch. I hate the pouch. First of all, I frogged the whole body . . . well at least to the ribbing. Stupid thing to do. Then I re-knit the six inches and started the pouch again. Did I say that I hate the pouch??? I hate the pouch. I've played with it, tried to do it. It says to make sure that the first stitches on each end are "tight" plus you have those extra needles just hanging around being a pain in the butt and getting in the way. But, of course, that is what Zachariah loves about the sweater. So, we shall see. I am determined to get this baby done . . . before he turns 12.

Knit Mitt Kit Swap

I am participating in the Knit Mitt Kit SWAP (http://www.ksks.scoutj.com/) . . . . and here is "The Questionnaire":

What are your favorite colors? Green
Are you a new mitt knitter? Yes
How long have you been knitting mittens? Never. Socks yes, mittens, no
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Either or tweedy would be good
What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? Wool . . . probably superwash
Where do you usually knit mittens? in my head
How do you usually carry/store small projects? zip lock bags
What are your favorite mitten patterns? I download bunches but have never done any
What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? watching someone else do one
What new techniques would you like to try? fingerless
What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? N/A
What are some of your favorite yarns? wool, silk
What yarn do you totally covet? Koigu Kersti
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? nope
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I have options set; use it a lot; often use bamboo dpns for many things; generally prefer circs as I can use magic loop for just about anything.
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Malabrigo Grueso Lettuce or Olive colors
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Heath bars
What’s your favorite animal? my hubby
Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts? fingerless
If you were a color what color would you be? Malabrigo Grueso's Lettuce or Olive colors
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? Fall Leaves or the first heavy snow fall that sticks to the tree branches -- well until they start cracking and pulling down electric lines
Do you have a wishlist? nope
Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I really and truly loath acrylics and will give them away . . . I love natural fibers.