Egeolaneaphobia and COYPS

Back when I was photographing my stash for Ravelry, I've discovered that I have a problem. I seem to buy more yarn than I need. The patterns all tell me how much yarn I will need, but I still buy too much. Some yarns I bought thinking I could knit something for Haley, too. But seriously, who wants to make two projects with the same yarn. Boring. Of course I was still a little new to the craft then. Others I bought online and was afraid that if I did run out and wouldn't be able to get the same dye lot; so I bought too much. I even have two balls of TuFuties for one pair of socks, those balls are designed to be enough for a pair of socks. The good news is that I haven't been knitting long enough have way too much yarn hanging around my house. My intervention was when the LYS owner was trying to talk me out of buying too much yarn for a project. The LYS owner!!!

I don't know what my problem is called, so I made up a name for it. It's a phobia that causes me to have a condition as a side effect. Think of it as a person with Agoraphobia (fear of public or open spaces) has a drink to relieve their anxiety and turns into an Alcoholic.

I have Egeolaneaphobia. The fear of needing more wool. So, to relieve my anxiety I buy too much, which is turning into COYPS- Compulsive Over Yardage Purchasing Syndrome.

A person with Egeolaneaphobia is obsessed with the thought that they can't make it through a project without running out of yarn. Then they would have to use a different dye lot, the yarn could be sold out/discontinued, or any other number of mishaps. Scary. To make themselves feel better, the person buys too much yarn.

COYPS develops with the symptoms of delusion, denial, and a smaller pocketbook. They believe that they could make something else out of the left over yarn, give it away as a gift or contest prize, or worst, that they might actually use all of it. They often try to hide their yarn purchases, using cash or storing the stash in the garage or other spot the spouse will never look. In advanced cases, the person becomes paranoid and distrust online buying or that you only need 480 yards like the pattern says. It could result in a panic attack at their LYS.

Primary treatment is patient education and behavior therapy. They need to learn that the designer of the pattern knew what they were doing when the say "takes 2 skeins." Also, that this usually allows for there to be left over yarn. It is often helpful for there to be a sponsor to supervise that purchases are pattern appropriate. Once treatment is going well, subjects are encourage to buy too little yarn so that they can learn that it is okay to run out. You can always get more yarn. In very few cases is medication needed, despite what my husband says.

And with all that being said, I just ran out of Frog Tree Sport Alpaca half way through the second mitten. Now I have to wait for my LYS to open again January 2nd. Sucks.

Big Huge Update

Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Between the Christmas parties, traveling for the parties, shopping and all the other goings on that come with this time of year, I haven't had much computer time. Now you get to enjoy a really long post instead of the the little ones that weren't written. That being said, first...

As promised, here are the better pictures of the Henley Perfected being worn.

Pattern: Henley Perfected by Connie Chang Chinchio
Source: Interweave Knits Winter 2007
Yarn: DK 50/50 Silk/Merino by Twist Yarns - Unscoured

I love this sweater. It has already had one mishaps, ketchup on the sleeve at Disneyland. It's okay now and you will have to complain several times about me wearing it all the time before I am willing to take it off this Holiday Season.

That brings me to my Koolhaas...that has been taken over by Haley. It really does look cuter on her and she has a jacket that matches. It was a fun pattern once you got used to all the cables. I am ready to make another one for myself this time, with a matching scarf or wrist warmers, or both!

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jarod Flood

Source: Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in White

I have decided that I need to make more matching items. We've got a ton of winter wear between the store-bought and the handmades, but none of it matches. I've decided that if I am going to make stuff, I need to look cute and coordinated, too. The only thing is that I am not allowed to cast on anything new. I have too many WIPs laying around and have got to get them off my conscience. My motivation for not casting on, a $20 gift certificate to Twist that I received. I am not allowed to use it until the following project have either been finished or reached the predetermined amount of work.

#1-Haley's Pre-K Set. I've only finished the hat and there are mittens and a scarf to follow. These are considered one project (no "casting on") because I have it listed on Ravelry as a set. So, this must be completely done and wearable.

#2- The Prairie Tank. I'm actually am almost done with this. I just need to spend a couple of days and finish the darn thing. Then I don't have to look at it sitting in a basket on top of my dresser taunting me everyday.

#3- At least one of the Spiral Socks. Maybe if I finish one I will be motivated to finish the other. I started them forever ago in hopes of wearing them under my boots to the office party, but alas I went completely knit free. It was truly sad.

#4- The Top Dog. Seriously, another almost done project. I'm not even knitting on this anymore. I have gotten more of the sewing done recently. This dog needs to be stuffed and done by bedtime on Friday or I'm gonna cry. Then I can go shopping for a cute red collar on Saturday. Yea, shopping.

#5 and last the Lace-Edged Blanket. This project does not need to be finished. The squares that are finished do need to be sewn together. Then I can decide if I want to make the squares 4x4 or just 3x3. There is the need for some progress on the project. Plus, the recipient is off of her birth control pills.

In other news, I got to teach someone to knit. There is nothing like that, especially when halfway through the scarf they are thinking about their next project. My brother-in-law wanted to make something special for his someone special and called me. We shopped online for the perfect yarn, picked out a pattern and waited for the family get together last weekend. At about 4:30pm on Saturday, I cast on and knit three rows. Then he did the rest. At 5:15pm Monday was calling me to announce that he was done.In between, the whole family went to Disneyland. I was so jealous. Everyone was interested and praising him. "Oh wow, it's your first time knitting," "I love your yarn," "That's so cool, you're knitting at Disneyland." I did get a little fix in and knit about five minutes worth in the Pirates line. My BIL is already a pro and can't wait to learn to cast on. I didn't teach him because of the time limit on the gift.

Well, I imagine you are tired of me. So next time, I've self diagnosis myself with a knitting disease. Okay, I made up a knitting disease so that I could self-diagnosis myself. More to come.

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Knit

or blog for that matter. However, if you would like to crochet some wine glass markers, that would be totally cool.

I'm so buzzed on a Tuesday night and I am loving it.

Okay, you are right. You need a back story.

As a dear sweet just turned 21 year old, I had never had 1, no wait 2 gulps of alcohol in my life. But, finally being allow in the bars and hanging out with the "right" type of friends, I started drinking and learned what I didn't like. No tequila, gin, whiskey, but all the vodka and dancing I can take is totally cool. Then one day my Uncle introduced me to something new. A bottle of Merlot, bad Merlot. It was a cruel joke, but it scarred me for years. I wouldn't touch a glass of wine, a wine cooler, or anything else wine related.
I have spent years trying to think of what to drink while going out with friends or family. Does a Midori Sour go with the steak dinner I'm having with my parents? What should I drink while out clubbing with my friends? Vodka and Sprite was always a safe bet, but so boring.

Then I went to Hawaii with the dear hubby. I wanted to seem cool and grown-up, being 29 and all. Plus we were at a really expensive and nice restaurant. I felt as if the normal bar drinks would not do. I told him I would share a bottle of wine.

OMG this stuff is so good!!! I shared the story with my neighbor once I was home and now once a month we giggle over a bottle of wine while our kids play.

So, here I am on a Tuesday night, feeling good, watching Bones and my 4yr old asks me what heroin is. Great....I'm buzzed and having my first "drugs are bad" talk. Stupid Bones victim being a heroin dealer.

At least I am staying away from the Koolhaas.

NaKniSweMo Failure

I have failed at knitting my sweater by the time limit for NaKniSweMo. Though I have not failed by much. All I had left were about 20 rows of the decreasing of the last sleeve. Not enough work to excuse not finishing. That doesn't mean that I won't give you a million excuses why I didn't finish it on time:
My yarn came in late though ordered on time.
That doesn't matter cause I changed project when I gauged and the pattern came in the mail on the 6th, same day as the yarn.
I played the Nintendo DS way too much this month.
I had to frog 5 inches on the first sleeve.
I frogged 3 inches on the second; twice.
I created way more work for myself by not passing 2nd grade reading requirements.
I had to work a fundraiser during the last cramming hours and I was there longer than expected.
I bashed my leg at the fundraiser bruising my shin and tweaking my knee,I then decided I was to tired and went to bed instead.
None of this changes the fact that I didn't finish on time.
I am a little depressed about not meeting the deadline. But here is the Henley Perfected finished; December 1st, 11:50pm. Yeah. Here's a pic taken in the middle of the night, inside/flash all that. Better pictures to come after blocking and the buttons are sewn on.

The cool thing is, other than Connie's original Henley, I was the first one to finish on Ravelry!!! (I'm a very competitive person and will use any of you to motivate myself.)

Giving Thanks

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the workings of a four year old's mind. In an attempt to get out of bedtime on Monday, my Little Miss asked if she could draw me a picture first on the Nintendo DS. About 15 minutes later she came up with this.Other than her name, it's the first time that she has ever spelled a word with out asking how first. I had to hold back the tears and she was allowed to stay up a little while.

Tuesday night, I asked her how to spell Mommy. "M-M-M-O." What about M-O-M-M-Y? "That's how Tucker's mom spells her name, but you spell yours special."

So gosh darn cute.

Blah Ha Ha -- Sweet Revenge

I love getting my car work on about as much as the next.

Last Friday I went and got my oil changed. I like to take it to the dealership cause they look over everything else, wash the car, you know, whatever. So, they tell me I REALLY need new brakes. Of course, I'm not going to have them change my brakes. They are way too expensive. So, I made an appointment at Pep Boys. Dropped my car off before work and waited for their call.

So, Pep Boys calls me and tells me I need new rear brakes.

Me: "Yeah, that's why I dropped it off."

PBguy: "Well, the mechanic check it over an recommends that you get [this, this, and that] done, too."

Me: "No, I just want the the brakes and the brake system flushed."

PBguy: "Well, he also said that you should get an oil change and your tires rotated."

Me: "What?! I just had my oil changed five days ago and those tires are four weeks old."

Stupidheads. If it weren't for the fact that it's the day before Thanksgiving and I really want new brakes before I get up in the morning and drive in L.A. Holiday traffic... It's like they didn't even look at the sticker that said I still have 2994 miles before my next oil change. Also, due to my flat and mileage, I just got four new tires. Even the guy at Chevy commented on the fact that my tires are new, cause they had a deal for a free rotation with oil change, so they didn't need to do that.

PBguy was retarded, but I got back at Pep Boys, or at least my ego did.

I called them up in my lunch break and they said that my car will be really in 15-20 minutes. I get there 25 minutes later. Joe Mechanic is leaning against my car with two of his buddies and the engine is running. I decided today, I'm going to be "that" lady. I walked up behind him and lean up against my car.

JoeM turns around.

Me: "You comfortable?"

JoeM: "Ummm, yes mame."

Me: "Yeah"

I went inside and told the service manager that they need to turn my engine off if they were just gonna sit out there leaning on my car. I think that they couldn't get rid of me fast enough. They were standing around with keys in hand waiting for me to pay and leave. Funny thing is, I ran into a patient, so I stood around and chit chatted for ten minutes.

I felt so good when I left.

Henley Perfected

I've been working ever so hard on my NaKniSweMo. I'm making the Henley Perfected from the IK Winter 2007. I love this pattern. I'm also quite happy with my progress. Being that I didn't get my yarn until the sixth and today is the twelvth, I'm very proud of myself. I've finished the back and gotten three inches into the front. Then, I took Sunday off to see Suessical and hang out with the in-laws. Really, I had to rest up my arm. Regardless of all that, knitting this has turned into a little of an obsession. I haven't ever knitted something at the same time as everyone else. In an online survey, the Henley was the most popular pattern from the Winter 2007 and it is not on stands until tomorrow. (Natalie subscribes so she it it early). There are seven other Ravelers working on the Henley Perfected. One of them is the designer, so she doesn't count. Then there are 272 queued. I'm bound and determined to be the first one to finish the sweater. I just wish that the three that casted on before me would post their progress. They had all better be at 5% still.

Something Very Bad Has Happened

I mean REALLY bad. I've been sitting here for almost an hour sipping my coffee and I barely found my way off the group boards. Group boards??? you ask? The Ravelry group boards is what I am talking about. I've never been one to share my opinion with complete strangers via the Internet. I think it is the caffeine getting to me.

Maybe I should start from the beginning....

My house is a mess. So, yesterday I decided I was going to make good use out of my day. Normally I am at work, but the hygienist is sick and the Dr.'s patients were so few that the office is taking a day off. Since I would normally be working, I decided to make my house my "job." How am I going to find the energy for this??? With a few a cups of coffee. See, I don't drink caffeine too often and when I do, I have more energy then a 4 year old on a bag of Starburst. I'm talking the Costco pack.

So, I dropped the kiddo off at school and had dreams of cleaning bathrooms and the refrigerator. But what, I have to turn on the computer to run the mp3s through our stereo system. The next thing I know I've been sucked into a completely new world.

I have to comment on all sorts of things. What I think the Henley Perfected would look like in all lace, if LOST will air this season due to the strike, about being a late starter on my NaKniSweMo. Never mind all the ones I only read. Then I go to message Natalie and see all my neighbors. Well, I just gotta check them out and let bighillgirl know that I like her garter wrap sweater so much more than mine and what yarn did she use?

I think I am sick. Really, really addicted to this stuff. The only cure may be locking myself in the bathroom with a bottle of white vinegar and a roll of paper towels. I have got to get this house clean so that I don't feel guilty about spending the rest of the weekend knitting.

I gotta go

P.S. damn it the new Britney Spears album just ended... where's my Bon Jovi mp3??? Oh never mind, I just found System of a Down....CAFFEINE HIGH!!!!!!

mmmm...Silk Merino

It is finally here. My beautiful 50/50 Silk Merino. It feels so nice and smells just yummy.
So, my plan is to make the Caftan Pullover for NaKniSweMo. I started gauging, and the yarn was just saying something else to me. Pretty much that it wanted to be something else. Okay, so I am worried about the sweater not being perfect, perfect. The Caftan needs to be perfect. Also, there is another pattern that has been on my brain for the last couple of weeks. The Henley Perfected. Seriously, if you know me, you know I love my Henleys. This is a beautiful henley and the yarn was screaming to be stockinette stitch and full of lace. So, I have casted on and gotten about three inches done. I am so excited to finally cast something on. I've been holding it in for a while.

More FOs

I've stopped by my LYS to check on the Silk/Merino. Turns out that the supplier goofed and didn't ship out my yarn. They apologized and I should have my yarn by Wednesday or Thursday. I lose a week off the KAL, but as long as I have the sweater done by Christmas Card picture time, I'll be cool.In the meantime, I've finished another project. The hat from Haley's Winter Set. I've started on the mittens, but I broke one of my double points in half sitting on it, so I've decided to spend the rest of today adding EVERYTHING to my Ravelry. That was going well until they decided to update the website. Now I am blogging. Next, I will take pictures of everything I own and get them onto Flickr. Maybe sometime I will clean house, make dinner, play with the kid...

NaKniSweMo

It is now November 1st and the official start of NaKniSweMo. Its a good thing that I received my invite to Ravelry.com so that I can be in the actual knit-a-long. I am so excited about this because I thought I could die if I had to wait any longer to start on my Caftan Pullover. The only thing is, I don't have any yarn.

I ordered some beautiful 50% Silk, 50% Merino unscoured yarn from my LYS. The thing is, they haven't received it yet. Which makes me bummed. As a result, I've started finishing projects that I had planned to push aside for a month. Can you believe that, driven to actually finish my UFO's. Its a horrible thing to do to a person.

On the lighter side. I was already planning to make the sweater and hoping to have it done before the family pictures this year so I could wear my masterpiece on the Christmas card. I only found out about the NaKniSweMo last week. So, it is not like I've been waiting for this day and now my life is over. I just thought it would be a good motivator to actual finish the sweater on time.

So, here is the finished project. I saw someone wearing a scarf and tried to copy it. I don't think that they look anything a like. Natalie inspired the name, she said it looked like "Grover, you know the blue monster, but not Cookie Monster". So, I give you Super Grover Scarf. It is knit for Kelly with Yarn that she bought to have knit into a scarf. Pattern: Super Grover Scarf
Random Knit Together Designed by Me
Yarn: Moda Dea KickX in Karma

And don't forget to check out my page in progress for those of you that Ravel. Is that right? I Ravel on Ravelry???

What was in the box?

It was a Baby Surprise Jacket!!!My sister asked me to make a little something for her bun in the oven. It was pretty fun to make. Pretty confusing. I believe that if I had tried to make this project two years ago, I would of given up knitting baby sweaters. I'm just glad I have figured out how to read a pattern between then and now. Never mind trying to imagine what the piece was going to look like.

I picked out some great Bamboo yarn and was ready to go. It just took so long to post because my sister moved and I didn't have her new address. I mean, it's a "surprise jacket." I couldn't post it before she got the open the box.

Either way the gift was a huge success.

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket
The Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Crystal Palace Bamboozle in Fruit Salad

Hat
Pattern: I made it up along the way
Yarn: Crystal Palace Bamboozle in Fruit Salad and
Crystal Palace Splash in Straw Into Gold

"Deal With It"

All I have to say is that if you are not watching Kid Nation, you are missing out on the best new reality TV show of the season. If not at least the best reality season since the third season of Survivor. Now, I know I don't follow the Bachelor or Big Brother. I never watch the new stuff like Dancing with the Stars or Biggest Loser. Really, I haven't cared that much for Reality TV since Clay lost to Rubin.

I kinda accidentally watched the first two episodes of Kid Nation (comes on after The Simpsons) and I am completely hooked. I love watching how the 8-15 year old kids deal with situations that you and I would hated to of seen ourselves in when we were that age. Nevermind being in as an adult. They compete for their wages and the workload they have for the next three days. They really are trying to "built" a little town out in the middle of nowhere. You've got everything from the snobby beauty queen to the poor kid just trying to get through life.

Tonight was election night, and let me tell you, I think us adults could learn a lesson or two from these kids. They could see what need to be done in the yellow group and they voted accordingly. Then there were the two good canidates for the red group and one just had to lose. This kid took it with such grace and style, it would of made his parents proud.

Plus, Greg finally got a star!!! I was again impressed with this kid's pure graditude in receiving something that would change his life. Something that he worked so hard for cause he knew it would change his life. Something that he put all his bullying aside for cause he knew if he was going to win the star, he would have to change for the better. I mean really, if you are going to succeed in life, you have to work for more than just yourself.

I think that so many people could take a lesson in social development from some of these kids.

Brown Paper with String or Paint

About a year ago I tried to mail a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. I have done this in the past (8years ago or so), but with the new Post Office machines, they no longer allow string. So, I've tried to think of a new cool way to send packages. Thank goodness I have a kid and washable paint.The only thing the Post Office did was add tape indicating Priority Mail. So, someone expecting mail from me -and I know they read my blog- is going to have a wonderful surprise. I'm thinking Monday, since I mailed it off on Thursday.

For the rest of you, I have to wait to show you the lovely knitted gift that is inside for after the gift is received. The cool thing is, the box matches the gift. -I'm going to have to stock up on more washable paints!!!-

As for the box, my four year painted it all by herself and I'm so impressed with her creativity. The box is completely painted. Don't mind the dent in the side, it is a used box from the office. Oh, if you think this is a cool idea to copy, I recommend taping the box up before painting. Everything is just easier that way.

Crazy Hair

Have you ever felt like your hair has a mind of it's own?

Apparently my hair is resentful that I decided it would be too difficult to pursued a career in Japanimation. So, it has decided to shoot it's own headshot and leave me to wallow in my non-stardom. Personally, I think that my hair needs to hire a new creative designer.

No, really!!! It's a donation to Lock Of Love. I decided about a year and a half ago that I would grow it for one more year and then donate my hair. Then I decided to wait until after my vacation. I couldn't wait to cut all it off. Sixteen inches worth actually. Of course, the bottom three are not really usable. Now I have a really cute little hair cut. And bangs!!!

Here's the old hairdo in a side shot so you can tell how long it was exactly.

Here's the after. Not really too short. I love it. It's not the greatest picture with the big light glare on my face and all. But, it's a relatively new haircut and there are few pictures floating around the place.

Big Glass of Lemonade

You know the old saying, when Life gives you lemons, make lemonade? This afternoon I've had a little too much lemonade. The sad thing is it all started as I was getting off work.

Everyone was happy and cheerful. It was the end of the week and we were ready for something a little more exciting then the work week had been. I had everything planned out from running errands to hitting up the local fair. I was ready for the weekend. I was the last one out of the parking lot, I took my time checking my voice mail, and hopped in my car ready to go. Turns out, I wasn't going anywhere. What could hold me back from catching up on all my TiVo tonight before my list of stuff began tomorrow?...A big ol' huge flat tire. I'd have to say that I have been lucky enough that this is my first, but but you still gotta think "oh, man." I was so proud of myself, I got to taking off the tire before my husband showed up to help.
Then as I helped put the new tire on, he bumped his hand and dropped the tire, my finger got caught somewhere??? and sliced off all the skin on the tip. OUCH!!!! It's cool, I changed a tire and got hurt, all without crying.
The spare was put on and I made it safely home. There go all my errand running tomorrow cause I'm going to be getting new tires. Oh, but wait...the neighbor's dishwasher has backup my sink--I love sharing plumbing. I cleaned the sink, but couldn't get the water to drain. So that means, before I get new tires, I have to wait for the plumber, joy! It's cool, I'm still stoked about showing off my super girly strength by changing a tire (mostly by myself) and not crying.

So, I make my way to the back of the building to drain the sink from the "drain thing" that is back there in case the upstairs people don't realize they are blocking up my plumbing and keep running water. I turn the corner and a hissing, dirty and quite scary cat charges me. All I can do is scream and run away. That's it, no more lemonade. I'm going to go watch Grey's Anatomy and no, I don't know what is for dinner, dear. I'm not working any more. Between 4:30 and 6:00pm, I had too many lemons.

Still have my MoJo

I've always considered myself to have hanging around in a emergency situation. I suppose that I have all my training from various jobs (and I've read all the Worst-Case Scenario books), but I feel like I've always been able to handle myself well in crazy situations. I've handled witnessing a nasty car accident which thankful no one was seriously injured to being a camp counselor and had a girl sliced her leg open on a barbed fence (gotta thank the Girl Scout book for that one).

I spent a few years as a manager at the local grocery store. Besides the taking the employees to the emergency room and dealing with fake "slip and falls," I got some good experience in actual medical emergencies with the customers. There was a lady that I swear had a seizure every other month. But I was really upset when I came to work and heard that the chicken fryer had caught on fire. Can you imagine how cool that would of been to be all bustin out the fire extinguisher? I was seriously bummed cause if it happened 10 hours later, I would of been all over that.

So today, I actually got to take the coveted extinguisher off the wall, and not for cleaning purposes. We had a short in an outlet at work that actually caught on fire. My first reaction, run for the extinguisher. MoJo!!! I am glad that the fire was easily put out with a towel. It would of sucked if the office caught on fire.

Chicken fryers fires have got to be way cooler. I am such a closet pyromaniac.
"yes, yes. fire, fire, fire. huh-huh"

Don't Mix Hawaii and Sock Knitting...

---Warning: Extemely Picture Heavy Post of Vacation Shots---

...the result is a very bored ball of yarn. At least my TuFutsies had a nice view from the room. The book was bragging cause it got more action. Only because it is beach portable and has a due date from the library. It's an interesting story considering that the character set up takes a long time being that there are so many characters. But hey, who doesn't love a WWII love story that crosses enemy lines. Plus, it's set in Wales and stories are hardly ever set there. So, I'm not only learning Hawaiian, but Welsh, too!

The ball of yarn and the book spent most of the time laying out on the lanai. That means balcony. I think that the funniest thing on this trip is my trying to pronounce everything. Then I go out and buy a book for my daughter with every animal in the sea using their Hawaiian names. That is real comedy. I'll just read it to her when there is no one else in the room. As for knitting on the trip, I did manage to get quite a few inches done on my calf-high Spiral Socks from IK Summer 2007 at LAX and the five hours it takes to get to Honolulu. I really hate it when I am the only knitter in the airport though. Makes me feel so...alone.

Anyways. The nice thing about going to Hawaii is that you can start your week as a white chick. As in, not only am I caucasian... I am WHITE.... ...and I get to leave super tan!!! Like how I was as a kid that lived in my swimming pool on the Texas/Mexico border and the only why you could tell I was caucasion was that I have really blue eyes. My sister hated me...she's a red head. Other nice things about Hawaii, you can wear a swim suit everywhere. Okay, the beautiful views, super blue ocean, and total lack of air pollution are nice, too. Not to mention the food and these... They should call it Mai Tai Land. And it should be illegal to not drink at least one a day while on vacation. I did find a good use for mai tais on the vacation. To go snorkeling. I know, don't drink and snorkel, but I officially don't like snorkeling. The first place we went was murky and there was little clearance between the coral and the water level. I finally had a panic attack and had to get out of the water. I did however give it a second chance. We found a bay with lots of sand and more important elbow room around the coral. I however found something even more fun. Jumping off rocks into the ocean. Right, float in the water looking at fish or jump 2 1/2 stories off a rock...I'll take the rock.There was a trip to Kualoa Ranch to check out the LOST film sites. I can't help travel so far and not hope to get a glance of Matthew Fox or Josh Halloway. Alas, all I got was a view of Hurley's Golf Course. We did check out a ton of other sites. One of the most memorable and moving was the USS Arizona. I really don't know what to say outside of that. Definitely humbling, doesn't help with the WWII book I'm reading.The rest of these are a few of my favorite shots that I took early in the morning. One of the beautiful tropical flowers outside our condo. Also, a view of the sunrise from Turtle Bay.And finally our last sunset in Hawaii. Skye took this one. All in all, it was a great trip and I have a ton of knitting to catch up on.

Fabulous Fiber Weekend

I haven't kept up on my knitting successes very well lately. I finished my IK Lace Nightie. It's more like a lace vest, but since I was always planning to wear it as regular clothing, I love it. It is so comfortable I kept forgetting that I was wearing it. Then someone at the knit store would say something and I was all "oh,yeah." You only get to see the back side. All photo were taken by a 4yr. old, so I'm not down with the under the chin pictures.I've also made me way to the Fabulous Fiber Fest in Santa Monica followed by a trip to Wild Fiber. It's only Friday and I've got some serious knitting to get started on if I am ever going to make a dent in all the sock yarn I picked up. They consist of Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock, Lisa Souza Hand Dyed, and Fly Dyed Monarch. Then some Rowan Summer Tweed; there are actually two of these, but the other is already on the needles. I have made a toy dog skin rug. Okay, it's just the first piece of a toy that I have been putting on the side lines. The pattern called for yarn that none of my LYS carry. So when I saw it in a color that is just perfect for the scottie looking puppy toy, I had to buy and cast on.

Esther's Sweater

I have finally gotten the blue ribbon for Esther's sweater. Now I can give it to the little unborn cutie. Don't you love the gift bag I found?

Pattern: Ribbon Tied Vest
Source: Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in "204 Light Blue"

Are you a Needle?

I found this at work while I was supposed to be working. Sometimes my job is a little too fun; but not as fun as this quiz. What kind of Knitting Needles are YOU? I just had to know. What type of needle am I?

You are interchangeable. Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every eventuality covered and every opportunity just has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and every day is a new beginning. You are good at so many things, it's amazing, but you can easily lose your place and forget to show up. They have row counters for people like you!

Well, that kinda sounds like me. At least I know a few people that would agree. Especially about the needing row counters. hehe. Well, that was fun. Now back to the blog surfing.

Knitting Catch Up

I've been so bad about keeping up with my knitting. But I swear it wasn't my fault. "It was the one arm man!" Never mind that the one arm man is me. I pulled a muscle in my arm. It kinda hurt to knit as much as I had tried to. The stinky thing is I had ordered a bunch of yarn online before hurting myself and it arrived after the fact. It so hard to look at so much yummy yarn and not be able to knit.

I am finally off of my yarn restriction and am now making progress on a lovely Prairie Tunic from the IK Spring 2006. I'm so excited. I've got a couple of inches left on the back before staring the razorback shaping. I have a feeling that it will go quickly. I love the lace on this pattern. I've had to modify it a bit because my YO, P2tog were to tight to show the gap in the lace. Introducing the SSK2tog, YO. So happy with my bumpy lace.Having not knit for a couple of weeks, I find that I have to get used to knitting again. I still can't knit as much as I would love to. I'm got 100 pages left on a book due in two days and a big test to study for. I really would have to take the test twice to pass, so many nights will be spent studying. Stinky poo.

I figured the least I could do is keep you up to date on what my current project is.

So Not Cool

I had another experience today. Right when I was feeling comfortable about hanging out in the back of the office again. My previous spider experience was quite horrible. I thought that I was doing so well and I stopped checking the ceiling every time that I went back into the lab. I finally felt like I wouldn't come across anymore scary spiders.

So, here I am, as happy as a clam and I walk out into the hall and find on the floor another spider. So what do I do, I yelp again. Then I hear Natalie call from the front office, "Is there another spider?" At least this time it was early enough that we didn't have any patients, yet.

After my scream, I promptly grabbed a cup and trapped the little bugger in the hallway. It is kinda funny seeing a cup just sitting upside down in the hallway. Natalie grabbed a magazine and we let it outside to run free. I did however manage to take a picture this time.I don't know how long I am going to be able to handle having this bugger on the blog, but at least I know for sure that it is a spider this time. I don't know if I am going to handle this summer if this keeps happening.

Solvang/Pismo Trip

This weekend the family and the M-in-Law all packed up in our car and went to Pismo for a weekend in the sun. Do you like the sand crab I made? It looks a lot smaller on camera. I made a sandcastle also, but the kids thought that a game of "Giant Destroys the Castle" was more fun.

Of course, you can't go to Pismo without a stop in Solvang for some cookies. I imagine one day long ago, Solvang was a cute little Dutch town hidden away in the hills of California. It is however, now a tourist trap. Like a big strip mall with semi cool architecture. I loved the cookies though.


Upon driving into town I spotted three quilting shops. Darn me for not having a sewing machine. I did make my way into the nearest quilt shop to ask directions to the nearest yarn shop. Loved the yarn shop, Village Spinning and Weaving. Upon walking, you practically trip over the weaving for beginners. I was able to ask what would be the best for my 4 year old. I was then able to pick the peg loom that I liked and then I was rushed out of the store. While I only hungered for some sock yarn, everyone else was hungry for lunch. I'm so mad. I barely had time to make my purchase. So, if you are ever in Solvang, the first five feet of the spinning store is really cool. Haley on the other hand is very excited to have her very own "netting" project. Can't quite say knitting as much as a try to teach her. On the good side, I may never have to wonder what to do with my leftover yarn again.So get this, Dutch town, we went to Bit O' Denmark for lunch and I had the club sandwich with fruit salad. So tourist trap. After lunch I found Rosmussen's Needlework, Yarn and Yardage. It's like a really small deptpartmet of Michael's that carries the cheap stuff. I got to spend all the time that I wanted in there though. I was not impressed and kinda bummed that I couldn't go back to the spinning shop. Time to get on the road again.

The remainder of the trip was great and I got some charity squares of scrap yarn done. The rest of the time was devoted to having fun. We checked out a barn that was more like a privately own farmers market. They had sheep, goats and llamas though. I wanted to take this little guy home with me.Here is a cool Saturday Sky to wrap it all up. It's down on the beach in Pismo at 9 o'clock at night actually. Skye had somehow been able to get enough light in the exposure that it looks like day time. So, that is Man in the Moon you're checking out. Good job, Skye.

Dude. You should try some of this Starbucks.

I cannot figure out what is going on with my flowers?

These are my hydrangeas. They have gone from a cute pink to green. I wonder if they are going to turn blue or not. You can see in the background that the old ball is still pink. The petals have a brown ting to them. I don't feel so bad about the hydrangeas though. I saw one of my neighbors hydrangeas and they looked like the odd ball, so maybe it is not just me. Still, I feel tempted to go to IKEA and get some more pots. That way I can have the same breed of hydrangeas all together and move the odd ball to his own spot.The rest of my flowers I am too ashamed to show you a picture of the way that they were looking. I accidentally came across a blogger that uses coffee grounds in her garden and has lovely results. I decided to give it a try and I got a bloom. I feel like those kids that hung out at the back of the high school trying to sell drugs. Giving my flowers a caffeine addiction. I hardly ever drink coffee and there is a reason...you don't want to see my after a cup of coffee. I kicked the habit a few years ago and the relapses are crazy hyperness and I talk way too fast.
I got quite a few blooms actually. My pink Impatients have not given me a new blossom since the day that I bought them. Suddenly there is a little flower peeking out to say hello. The thing that I don't get is that my orange Impatients have been the model citizen of all the flowers. The only thing that could be better is the orchid that I lost in a corner of my house. It got put behind a large picture frame and I found a month later. It had grown twice it's size. Some flowers just don't want my love I guess.

Creepy Crawly Scary Thing

It turns out that although I think that I am doing well with my arachnophobia, I'm really not. I mean, if I walk in on a spider just chillin' there, I'm okay. I've even been known to let them free in the yard if I know it's not poisonous.

I've actually have had interesting experiences with spiders. Like the Fourth of July when we accidentally caught a tarantula on fire. Very funny story, we were out on the West Texas Airport runaway shooting off fire works on the runway. Apparently, one of the spinning bumble bees that fly all over the place 2 inches off the ground hit a tarantula. It had somehow gotten caught on one of it's legs. I don't remember too much about it since I was a kid, but I did learn that tarantulas can scream. I also remember spending my summer out their with my Mom's friends alone. The wife was pregnant and the husband traveled. I stayed with her in case of an emergency. All I ever did was crawl under their mobile home and fetch their kittens. I learned real fast the difference between fuzzy cats and big hairy spiders. Tarantulas don't really scare me anymore.

But today, that was not the situation.

I was scrubbing away at the sink at work. Happy as a clam and so proud of myself for getting this little task off my to do list. I had been cleaning away for some 10 minutes and my focus was primarily on my task. When out of nowhere some big scary crawly thing fell right in front of me landing just in front of my hands. It was about quarter size, including legs, tan with a red butt and very spider looking.

I yelped. It wasn't really a scream, more like that sound a dog makes when you step in it. I was kinda proud of myself for not running down the hall screaming like a mad man. Apparently, I was a lot louder than I thought. I scared some of the patients. I was then reminded that when working in a dental office; screams, yelps and other loud noises are bad things to do. I scared the guy in the waiting room.

I am now completely paranoid of the lab and had to have the doctor kill it. He thinks that it was a beetle. I have my doubts. I went back and counted legs, I'm pretty sure there were eight. I've had the heebie jeebies since. I've come to the conclusion that it must of crawled out of the air vent on the ceiling, over my head and just fell before me. Only after it was dead did I remember that I have my camera with me. I would of loved to had your thoughts on what it actually was.

I Am Spartagus

I have finally finished my Roza's Socks. I had put them aside for a little while, but now that I am done, I am ready to have another month long sock project. I think that I have even picked out my next yarn. As for the socks, my right foot is finally happy to have a companion to snuggle up to while watching TV. Out of all of the television that was watched, they have decided that their favorite show is Spartacus. It also happens to be what I was watching when I finished. This is the scene when the slave army has lost the battle and they now face crucifition if the don't reveal the identity of Spartacus. Spartacus being the good guy he is was about to announce himself when all the other slaves stood up and declared, "I am Spartacus." It was so touching Kurt Douglas shed a tear.

Pattern: Roza's Socks from Interweave Knits Spring 2007

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Blues/Greens

My Trip to the DMV

I hate the DMV. It's because it is something you have to deal with even if it is as annoying as heck to mess with. And my once a year task that is annoying me now, my registration.

It would be a lot easier if they mailed everything to the correct address. Mind, I did actually go to the DMV last spring and filled out all the paperwork to change all my addresses. Last year I had this problem and I thought that I had resolved it. After all, I was able to renew my driver's license through the mail last summer. This time I watched the guy correct the address in the computer instead of filling out more paperwork.

So, my story started over the weekend in San Diego when I suddenly realized that my tags were going to expire in 5 days and it was only the start of a long weekend. They had actually expired the day before, but the cops don't know that until it is June and my tags still say May 2007.

So, I waited until our short day on Wednesday and zipped on over to the DMV after work. My luck however, there was a ton of construction and two freeway entrances on the 5.76 miles between me and the DMV. That translated to 23 minutes of hopeful thinking that I would get there before 4:50pm when they stop allowing people in.

The good news is once I was there I only had enough time to knit 1/2 inch on the Roza's sock. Plus, I got the new guy, so he was really nice.

Wrap Sweater

Here is the Garter Wrap Sweater from Simple Knits for Little Cherubs by Erika Knight. I made it forever ago for another little baby who ended up being almost 9lbs. I shouldn't of gone with the newborn size considering Mom is 5'10". Having my knitters fear that the child only able to wear the sweater once, I quickly came up with another gift for her. I saved this for the next really small mother-to-be.

Then came Surena. I think that she is the tinnie tinyest person I know and I was so excited to hear that she is having a girl. Her and I are definately Girl Baby people. So Baby Danielle should be coming soon and I can't wait to see her.

Funny thing...Danielle's due date is Haley's birthday. Haley is so excited about this. She calls Danielle her birthday baby.

Sock Break

Today, I had a great IM with an old friend of mine while I was waiting for our dinner to cook. She is pregnant and had an ultrasound yesterday and learned the sex of her baby. A little boy. I was prepared with both blue and purple cashmerino, so I decided to give the sock a break. I circled the date in my calender and got to work.Now you can't call me a slacker. I've already finished the right sock to include sewing in all of the ends. I've finished the cuff of the left sock and am currently in the "knit in pattern for 8 inches" segment. I'm gonna have to wash these puppies seperatly if I'm going to be able to keep telling the right sock from the left sock.

Of course, two inches into my gauge, my oven timer went off. Baked chicken with rice and peas. So yummy. When I was finished, I was still hungry but didn't want to get seconds, so I went for the ice cream. Then two bites into the Vanilla Bean, I remembered I have whip cream and strawberry topping. Oh well for not getting that overeating feeling.

Well, now it's back to my two skeins of my blue cashmerino and the pattern I've picked out. It's the Ribbon Tied Vest that Natalie made and hers was absolutly darling.

Oh, before I forget. I completely forgot to show off the poncho twins. On the day I finished Haley's, she went to play with Sarah. She then insisted that I make another so that they could match. As you can see, Sarah is thrilled...she had a stuffy nose that day.

Green Thumbelina

Today, I planted flowers. I'd like to say that I waited until the weather decided to finally stay warm, but that would be a big lie; I got my pots out two months ago. Then I would like to say that it just took me to long to find the flowers I wanted. We have a lot of shade, so most plants can't grow under our patio, but that would just be an excuse. It finally was time to just head to the nursery and actually get flowers. Okay, really it's cause my parents want to come to my house this weekend and I just want to impress them with my homemaking skills. So, how do you like my oddball hydrangea? I don't know what I was thinking getting one that didn't match. Actually, I was thinking that once it gets bigger, it'll match the others. Like it's a runt pig and I am hoping it will befriend a spider that will spin fancy, slogan-filled webs that will cause all who see it to think that they really like that they don't all match. Of course, thinking of pig, that is the last time I flower shop before eating lunch.