It's the holiday season

well, technically it is between Christmas and New Years! Our mini vacation was wonderful!! We did relax and I did get some knitting done.

In fact I finished a project. Unfortunately, it isn't the socks that I wanted to get done. However, my special little girl's baby has a blanket. I mean shouldn't all baby dolls have blankets?I did an interesting pattern on it. I actually knit it in a few different sections then knit them together. It was a quick (did I really make something quick in knitting?!) little knit that I hope she enjoys!

I did get the heel flaps done on the socks, I made three rings for Christmas presents and a necklace. We have finally finished celebrating with everyone, so here are the homemade presents:
I made one for my Mother, Grandmother and Sister. They each matched an article of clothing that they were given for Christmas.

I also made up a necklace for my GF. This necklace matched a bracelet and earring set she received earlier this past year. I wanted her to have a complete set. I also received some wonderful items. I got a laptop bag, which has been renamed to current knitting project bag. It is a perfect size, one side holds my book and sock blockers, the other side holds my yarn, while the pocket in the front holds the little things (chibi, crochet hook, stitch markers etc.).I also received a ball winder, of which I've already put to good use! Also, the Last Minute Knitting Gifts and Mason-Dixon Knitting books!! Now I really need to get these socks done, so I can start on some of the great projects in these books!

I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

December 19

Are you sure that is what today's date is? I'm in total denial that Christmas is right around the corner.

DH and I are heading to Maine on Friday morning for a mini vacation. Our dear friends have allowed us to use their 'beach house' through Christmas. I'm so looking forward to this, as we are spending the entire weekend just relaxing. Read into that statement that the following words/noises/items are off limits: work, insurance, alarm clocks, telephone, commute, traffic etc.

I plan to knit, read and catch up on some movies I've had for a while now that I just haven't had the time to do any of. I also can't wait to drive around the area and check out Christmas decorations!

In the meantime, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and that Santa treats you well!

Let it snow, let it snow...

Well now that I'm home it can snow all it wants. We've registered over 12 inches in just over 6 hours of snowfall. Yikes!

Off to go unwind with a good book and my mp3 player.

A rose by any other name...

My very dear friend gave me a special present on Friday night. Isn't it absolutely beautiful?The rose was part of a relaxation package that included 4 books that I hadn't read yet. Which, if you have seen my excel file (yes I keep track of my books in an excel file!) is utterly impressive! I put it centrally located, so I can see it from where I sit now and it makes me smile when I look at it.

Thank you very much BE! :-)

I also picked up my sock blockers from the post office. WOW are they big. I never realized in seeing these blockers in other peoples blog how truly big they are. No wonder why my first pair of socks are too short for my liking. So, more knitting is necessary for the socks I'm currently working on.

The other good news is that Dave the contractor started on our shed on Saturday! WOO HOO!! He is hoping to finish it this week. Double WOO HOO!!

We also took Bianca to the vet. She had to have her blood drawn for a recheck of her levels. We are hoping that they stayed the same or went down. While we were waiting for the vet to come in the room we let her out on the floor and it didn't take her very long to start doing laps around the entire room. She was such a good bunny during the visit! Once she was home she was back to being 'Ms. Lounge-Bun':

Still have not gone to PO

I don't know why it is taking me so long to head to the post office to pick up my Loopy Ewe order that includes my sock blockers. You'd think I'd be thrilled that they are just waiting for me so close by and actually want to get them ASAP to try my socks in progress on the blockers. Yet, every morning I'm rushing out to get to work, on time, so I do not get there.

Now, granted the PO is in a different direction than the way to work, so technically it is out of the way, and that the temperature is like 15 degrees when I leave for work, who wants to get back out into the cold...it is bad enough I don't have a remote starter nor a garage and sit and shiver in the car for an hour (ok. minutes, but it feels like longer) before leaving. The PO also closes before I even leave work at nights, so that is out. I may have to either make the effort tomorrow morning or wait until Saturday.

I haven't been doing much knitting since the last knitting photo. I've been spending more time on Ravelry.

I really need to enter an online addict 12 step program. That site is so addictive. You can oooooh and ahhhh over all these beautiful knitting projects that I could do, maybe not today but someday. You can hang up in the group section and listen to people posting what they are working on. In fact the other day I found a group on Knitters who love African Violets. I found out I need to move my plants to a better side of the house for more blooms...who knew!? :-)

Off to check Ravelry...it has been about 10 minutes since I was there last and well I'm starting to have the shakes! I'll leave you with Ms. B.:

December what?

I can't believe it is already December 2. I feel like November passed by when I wasn't even looking.

I bought myself an early Christmas present this week. I've been wanting sock blockers for a while now and Sheri at The Loopy Ewe finally had these back in stock. Since DH is an enabler, he said go for it as it was only $19.00. I chose the red plastic ones, figuring I can use them to wash them as well.

They should be at our post office on Monday. So now the question is to get up early to pick them up prior to work in the nasty weather we are going to be having...or can I wait a couple of days.

I put knitting on hold for my socks, as I want to try them on the sock blockers before I start the heel flap.

I noticed that I haven't posted a Bianca picture in a while. Here is where we found her doing the other night:
Apparently she didn't like that I placed a tree leaf shredder in that spot. As she promptly chewed through it so it was no longer hanging. She is so picky about decorating!

No more colds

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.

We are finally back on our feet after battling colds for the past three weeks, hence the absence from the blog. The house is also now back in order. Ahhhhh. :-)

We had a nice low key day today. I talked my DH into helping me construct and decorate a Gingerbread house. It was about 2 hours of fun...and I can't say how much sugar we ate, it was alot! I mean we had to taste test it. ;-) Here is the final result:I also have a pair of socks to show you the progress on.I really haven't worked on them in a bit, something about when you are sick all you want to do is chill and do something mindless. Knitting for me is not mindless.

We've also hired a contractor to work on our shed. He is going to get it weather tight for us. DH and I came to that conclusion that being outside working in 30 degree weather was not helping us stay healthy. I wish that we had started the shed earlier but that wasn't in the cards. It is disappointing that we can not call it 100% built by us. We will also be penny pinching through the end of the year to pay this contractor.

Off to get some knitting done as these socks need to be done by Christmas!!!

DH is sick

So, the shed still looks like it did all last week. Part of me is jumping for joy...it was really cold this weekend, the other part of me is freaking out because as the end of the year gets closer it gets even colder.

I ordered some flannel lined jeans today. Hopefully they will be here by the end of the week to save me from getting hives this weekend.

Anyone know of a contractor willing to put a roof on a 14'x16' shed? Homeowners willing to pay cash in exchange for labor. I figure it would take someone who knows what they are doing one day.

I'll leave you with a nice sky picture to bring on a smile. The rainbow was much brighter in person.

Faded Jeans

Here are what my socks look like moments ago:
I love the way the color is coming out and the pattern. I've been using K2P2 alternating each round.

I said that I wanted to be done with these before Christmas...well then I looked back at how long it took me to knit my first pair of socks and it was two months. If I finished these prior to Christmas that will be 3 months...so each pair is now taking longer than the prior ones? This just isn't right! I need to spend more time knitting.

This shed project is putting a damper in my knitting time. Actually I could blame my job as well. Since we are building the shed by ourselves (and not having the weather cooperating all the time), we'll need at least another month on it and since my job pays for the bills...can't give that up either. Bummer.

Check out this sky we had one night this week. The colors were so vivid.

I did it...

signed up for:I figured that I'll try it out for one year and see how I like it. I'm kinda of excited about it! I love getting presents and this will be one every other month in 2008.

My weekend did not go as planned. I expected to have the entire day on Saturday for craft projects. Well...I had just a few hours, I can thank the coastal storm - Noel. It brought downpours, which made DH's plans shortened and brought him home much earlier than expected.

So, I ended up reading more than knitting and surfing on site called Ravelry. You may have heard about it!? ;-)

I know you are waiting patiently to see the sock progress and well, I'm such a tease and you'll just have to wait a little longer.

As for the shed, it is going along sooo slowly. This 40 degree weather is really hard to work in. Besides the fact we found and had to resolve a major flaw in the blueprints. They had the beam over a foot lower than it should have been and it wasn't matching up to the roof joists...so we had to call on an engineering friend to help redesign. Thank you Zoot!!

Well that went well, I think

It appears, I stress the word APPEARS that the notification about my promotion went over okay. Also, for those who are keeping track...I wore dress pants and a sweater. Even though it was Halloween I still skipped the Halloween socks.

36 hours to a day just for me! WOO HOO!! I've been working on my socks every night this week. So I can't wait to show you how far they have come...but I think I'm going to keep you in suspense until this weekend.

I also have a dilemma. Do I sign up for the 2008 Socks that Rock Sock Club? I would like to try it out for at least a year but it is costly then again I just got a raise, but do I want to spend it on this? Then again, it is for 6 skeins of hand dyed yarn, bunch of fun stuff, coupons and patterns. I can't use the excuse of spending that kind of money before Christmas, as they take it out in January. I guess I'll think about it and make my mind up tomorrow.

I'm spending way too much time on Ravelry. Pretty soon I'm going to need a 12 step program for it.

How about another warm weather photo to leave you with? This one is from a month ago. Imagine that, October 1 and I still had Morning Glories in full bloom!

Weather/Whether

Ok, why is it like 60 degrees outside on a weekday, when on the weekends it is in the 40's? Doesn't Mother Nature realize that we are trying in earnest to finish this shed and would greatly appreciate the 60 degree weather on the weekend?

Tomorrow is the official announcement at work about my promotion. They are also announcing the moving of my boss to another department and the splitting of the team. This should be interesting at best. I'm debating on what to wear...a nice suit (come off as I mean business), pants/sweater (=trying to fit in somewhere between those that work underneath me and those that work above me) or casual pants/shirt (=not taking this too seriously or coming off as a bit threat). Hmmmm...decisions, decisions, maybe I should call my fashion buyer/consultant, BE! :-)

As the DH has reminded me, I haven't posted my vacation pics from Daytona Beach. You can find them on my Flickr account here: Enjoy!

It is October what....

28th! Where did October go?

I haven't had any time to spare. Work days are very long and I come home exhausted, and then our weekends are filled with shed building. Mark my words: I will never complain about an interior house project. It is flipping cold and breezy out there! My face is now bright red with wind/sun burn.

I'm fortunate to have an older winter jacket and a winter hat that is washable. I'm also glad that the gloves fit inside my leather work gloves.

I nearly gave up on the shed a couple of hours ago though. There is a beam that is made out of 2 2x10's that span 14 feet, in the middle of those two boards is a piece of plywood and on top is a 2x4. In other words a DANG HEAVY beam. I just could not lift it over 8 feet in the air. It just wasn't happening and no one was around to call for help. We finagled a way to get it close on a pile of left over boards...just hoping that the wind wouldn't pick up until it was securely nailed. It got pretty hairy there for a time. However, it is all up now and we are breathing a big sigh of relief.

I'm really looking forward to this coming Saturday. My DH is off on his 'guys weekend' and I plan on knitting and cutting/sewing up lounge pants I'm making for him. It sure beats paying $15.00 for a pair and I think I'm going to enjoy this easy project.

Here is where I wish I was (Bermuda):

Day one

Of new official job, job title and new job pay...with the same company. Interesting. I was given a "promotion" and a new job title at work. It doesn't feel like I was asked, it was more of a realignment of the company and we need you to step in here. I wonder where I'd be if I said no...

Like quite a few people have mentioned to me, I'm already doing the work I might as well have the pay and title to go along with it. I guess.

I was required to be in an upper management meeting this afternoon to pick those individuals who remain on the team and those that we need to find places for in the company. As this is the one task I need to complete ASAP. Nothing like the feeling of totally changing the course of someones life. I realize that it is a part of business, but do I have to sign off on it!?

Then, there is the issue of who is doing my work while I am at all these meetings. Keep your fingers crossed we find someone to help my department ASAP! I arrived at work about an hour late, had a doctors appt. (got a really nice sore arm from blood draws and a shot), then had a meeting, back to desk for conference call which brought me to lunch time (of which I was feeling so lightheaded - really needed food!), came back to my desk then another meeting then it was time to go home.

Time at work: 7 hours
Time at work in meetings: 3 1/2 hours
Time at work on lunch: 1 hour
Time remaining to do my 8 hour job: 2 1/2 hours
Headache achieved by all the above: Priceless.

As for knitting...what is that?!

Even longer time

It isn't like I haven't been around. I've been here and there but mostly spending my internet hours on Ravelry. That site is way too addictive! It plays into my being organized streak. Where else can you catalog all your yarn by photo, type of yarn and be able to down an excel list to take with you!?

I also was a winner from eebeads.com I received an eebeads t-shirt and a $50 gift certificate back over the summer. I finally had some time to spend the gift certificate. I believe a new bracelet is in my immediate future!

The shed is progressing, a little slow but the overnight rains we've been having are not helping...by the time you give it a few hours in the morning to dry out.

I've had some time this past week to knit. I took Friday off to work on the shed, and well it poured. So, I continued on my Panda Cotton socks that I started in Florida 3 weeks ago. Here is what they looked like on Friday morning:

Long time...

Ok short time, lots of things going on. It is really hard to believe that a mere 15 days ago I was on vacation in another part of the country.

Well, as you know we arrived back safe and sound. Since then we have been building a shed. Not just any 'shed' but a 14x14 MONSTROSITY! Yes, we are doing it all ourselves. Yes, I have more bruises than I care to talk about. We started building the week we came back from vacation, when the weather was 80 degrees. Yesterday and today it was about 53 degrees. Ugh!

Needless to say the knitting has been non-existent. The last time I picked up my needles was in another state. I'm sure in another week or two I'll be back picking up where I left off...but for now we are under the crunch to finish the shed before the snow flies.

I promise pictures next time, as the camera is on the other end of the house and I'm being lazy.

Back from Vacation

Now this is what I call a perfect view on vacation:

There is something about waking up to the ocean from your room. The above picture was taken from our hotel room.

Daytona was great! I highly recommend staying at the Hilton in Daytona Beach. Seeing the actual racetrack was fun...well all except the 2 minutes the skies opened up and was pouring rain.

There is so much to tell I'm going to have to spread out the photos and stories.

However, let us just sum it up tonight (cause I'm really tired from my first day back at work) by saying it was great fun and I enjoyed spending quality time with my DH and SIL!

Vacation

So long, farewell...we are off on vacation. Daytona Beach here we come!

I'll be back next week.

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me! What a fine day it was! It started with this trinket from the DH...

It ended up with these from dear friends...

It is hard to believe that in 3 days I will be in Florida...that would be Daytona Beach to be precise!! YAHOO! I can't wait, I really need a vacation.

Of which reminds me I need to cast on some socks. I checked out the TSA.gov website and it appears that I can bring on needles, so I was thinking socks would be a good choice. They are small and portable.

Party is done.

The big party is over. Yahoo! It got so stressful these past few days. In fact I was still running on energy from who-the-heck-knows-where until 3AM! I just could not sleep. I was way too wound up.

All in all I've heard from a few people and they said they had a good time and the food was good.

I was up after 5 hours of sleep to clean the house like the mad woman. Like I said I'm just relieved it is over.

Now we have 5 days to get ready to use up DH's gift from me. We are going to Daytona Beach, FL. He is a big Nascar fan and I put together a weekend to head to DaytonaUSA. So now that I can talk about it, I should be less stressed about it.

There is still nothing happening on the knitting front. This party and subsequent surprise vacation planning has taken over my life.

I do have some sock yarn and was going to check out the TSA website to see about going on the plane with needles.

Stitch Marker Exchange

The stitch markers are in the mail (or will be tomorrow) to my partners.

I hope you enjoy them! For a sneak peek here is a photo:

Off to do the final preparations for the big party tomorrow. DH has a big"zero-ending" birthday and his wife is throwing him a party!

Ravelry

Oh sure, I'm stressed to the hilt with my TO-DO lists for the party on Saturday and what comes in the email box today? My Ravelry invite.

Well guess what I've been doing for the past hour instead of cleaning?

I need to find a club about blog addicts? OH OH maybe I should check that out on Ravelry....

Busy

Things in my life are insanely busy. I am putting on a party for the DH this Saturday for about 20 people in my house.
I've already started freaking out about it. There is so much to do in so little time.
Not necessarily for the party, but the preparing of the house prior...oh how I'd love to shut/lock some interior doors to certain rooms in my house and let it go.

Know the feeling?

Boat Drinks

Well, this weekend flew by. We went to the Jimmy Buffett concert on Saturday night. That was a fun time!!! He really knows how to put on a concert!

In getting there in time for plenty of tailgating, we saw some really funny sights:

• a pickup truck with it's own porta-potty on it, actual stairs w/hand rails leading up to it
• a guy trying to put together a keg style bbq grill - right out of the box. Took him about an hour, then he flipped burgers by using a paper plate?! Actually it was more than just one plate, about 4-6 as they kept burning.
• same couple trying to figure out how to plug the blender in. HELLO?!
• one guy dropped his entire beer on his shoe/foot and blamed it on the beer, quite loudly
• another guy was dancing by stomping, it looked more like a kill that bug, kill that bug...can you visualize it?! LOL
• there were tiki bars, generators (dude above should have thought of that), more straw skirts I've seen in years, and the ages went from high school to collecting SSI (and I am curious on what population was actually smoking the grass)

I could go on and on...I just get so much enjoyment out of watching other and making fun of them.

I didn't get much knitting in. Although as for house improvements, we finally have all the baseboard molding done in the bathroom. It looks so nice! It is amazing what we've been able to accomplish in a few weeks.

I blame Amy who blames Rachel

for the following purchase:I mean, as a HUGE bunny lover how could I not buy these? It was a "I have to have these." Maybe I can call it an early birthday present to myself!? No?! I mean wouldn't they look stunning with hand knit socks?!

As for the shawl, it is coming along. I got another inch or so done today. I had dropped two stitches, so it was a bit of a challenge to pick up the two stitches without my crochet hook, but I finally got it.

Tomorrow is the Jimmy Buffett concert. It is finally here! Let us keep our fingers crossed for the rain to hold until the final song.

I also received my Stitch Marker Partners today. Actually Robyn got them out at 3 AM!! I can't wait to spend the time reading their blogs this weekend to get some ideas for designs.

Must match

Big thanks to DH, did you see the new logo he designed? I love it!!

The beads were actually taken from my bead "stash"! Yes, you can, like in knitting, have a bead stash! DH created a light under a piece of glass with paper on it to take the snapshot that filled in the word BEAD. I took full opportunity of the set up to get a couple of my recently made jewelry photographed:
This is the first piece I've made that doesn't have a design to it...just beads picked up as needed on the wire. It probably took me 30 minutes from start to finish - thank goodness for that, as I wanted to wear it with the shirt I was wearing at the time and we had to leave!

DH and I have been quite busy today. We painted one wall of our bedroom. We used the Ralph Lauren, River Rock paint. It has sand in it, so it creates a nice texture. I wanted an accent wall and well we now have it! We also took down the molding around the front and back doors and put up the new molding that matches the rest of the doors.

Now it is movie time as we are ready to relax.

Close to Home

Did you see the cartoon, Close to Home yesterday? :

Flower

I am a Daffodil What Flower Are You?

..at least it is a flower that I like!

Shawl Progress

Well, I finally got around to take an updated photo on my shawl. Want to see it?

I did measure it as well...I'm up to a whopping 33 inches. I'm thinking I'm going to be gaining a little bit when I block it. My shawl will now wrap around my shoulders and meet up at the ends, however, I want to be able to have it overlap a ways...so off a knitting we go.

I'm hoping to have more knitting time now, as I've decided to stop working so much over time. I'm done. In fact working my scheduled hours of 8:30 to 5 with a full hour for lunch is looking great!

I was able to catch up with my friend and mentor last night. It was so nice to be able to chat with her, like old times! She had just come back from a cruise and who was a few cabins down from her? (ready to hear a blast from the past?!) Marvelous Marvin Hagler! Too funny!!

An anniversary

Hard to imagine 14 years ago today I said "I do..."

Happy Anniversary my DH!

The shawl is still in the same place it has been. I've been dealing with some wrist pain, so it has sidelined my knitting. I blame work. My computer died last week and I've received a new one with a new mouse...and well I've been adjusting the speed and various mouse pads and nothing is working. My wrist is having to move way too much.

I ordered a few items this past week. I was bad but Knit Picks was still having their sale of 40% off books! I picked up the Stephanie Pearl-McPhee books "Casts off" and "Knitting Rules". I've found her blog to be a great read, so I couldn't go wrong with enjoying her books.

I also picked up this one:

I love the one on the cover. It will be a nice intermediate design to grow into once I complete the one I'm working on.

Meez and Emily comes home one last time

I'm debating if I like this one or the one on the right better. Decisions, decisions...

We got Emily back tonight. We got a call yesterday to say she was back and we could either pick her up, or have her mailed. Mailed?! I do not think so. So, DH picked her up on the way home.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but Em is in a nice oak box that came with an engravable tag. We were thinking about getting a weeping birch tree to have her buried at the base, but now I'm not sure - since this box looks nice.

Bianca is adjusting well to her new friend. We call the friend "Baby". You can see her kissing Baby in this photo:

This one is my favorite, the two of them laying together:

Only Tuesday

So, you ask what have I been up to you ask? I'm still working on my shawl. It was exciting a few days ago when I tried it on and both ends touched as I wrapped it around me! YAHOO! I still have another foot to go or so...I'll get there.

I've been eating up a storm. Call it stress eating. First my dear friend dropped off a care package on the loss of our Emily. In the package was tissues, Russell Stover chocolates, bottle of wine, and a few other things. Well these chocolates are hitting the spot!

I was then out on the road visiting a client and stopped at a local homemade candy store. Can you say $29.75 later?

I've also managed to eat and entire package of Twizzlers in the past 3 day! Yes, that is a full 16oz of a "makes mouths happy"candy!

We also received the final bill for Emily-bun. It was tough to have to pay that, as expensive as it has been. It hit a bit hard today, know that she is gone and I just want her home. I called the accounting department first thing this morning to pay the final balance. The call ended with this:
Me: I wanted to make sure the bill was paid in full, so when her ashes come back we can get her home right away.
Tufts: Oh they will call you right away when she arrives. We take deliveries on Wednesday and they are running 2-3 weeks out.
Me: So, I could look at being called tomorrow or next Wednesday?
Tufts: Yes. You will be called and at that time you can let the person know if you will be picking her up or if you want her mailed.
Me: Mailed? What?!
Tufts: Oh yes, we can mail her to you, if you prefer. There is no additional charge for this.
Me: Huh? You mail through the USPS? (insert a surprised chuckle here)
Tufts: Yes, we do have people request we mail their pets to them.
Me: (laughing fully now) Ummm,...no mailing will be needed. We will pick Emily up. Thank you.

How odd is that? Let us just say you are not mailing to me.

Flowers

We have been fielding many calls, emails and visits with sympathetic tones over our loss of Emily. We really appreciate it. They say time heals and I know we will get through this. My DH put a memorial on their website. You can find it here. The picture was taken in the last few days they were together. I do have to smile when I see Bianca snuggling right up to Emily.

In the meantime, we were concerned about Bianca being lonely, we purchased a stuffed animal (the vet recommended it as it may allow Bianca to grieve and/or cuddle with 'someone'). A cute moment captured this weekend was Bianca kissing the stuffed rabbit. I'll post a picture as soon as I find the computer cable.

I spent a few hours weeding the front garden. DH was a big help too! I think it was nice to get out and do some manual labor (after spending too many nights lately just sitting). I'll leave you with one of my favorite photos from when my flower pot was in full bloom.

Ode to Emily

It is a very sad day here. We lost our Emily-bun.

She would be the one in the photo on the right. See the little mohawk? That would be Em.

We knew that when we adopted her & her sister, back over 4 years ago, that we would make a better life for the two of them. They became the children we never could have. Holidays and birthdays were always filled up with paper wrapped yogurt drops or a new cardboard house. Nights were spent on the floor to enjoy endless pets or kisses.

We certainly have so many memories to remember her with. We know she is in a much better place and no longer suffering.

We love you Em! Sweet dreams always!!

No Sheep Swap Package #2

During this tough week, it did have a bright spot. I received my 2ND No Sheep Swap Package from none other than ... "stitchaywoman".

It was a great package, as so was the first. I got the following:

The dark chocolate drink is long gone! Yummy! The card reads"I have a secret pal but it's not really a secret...I know who she is!"

Did you see what is on the top left? NEEDLES!! Lantern Moon, Destiny Circular ones!!! YAHOO!! I do not own a pair of circulars and I'm itching to try my second shawl on them (but I have to finish my first shawl...can't have too many UFO's!) :-)

There is also samples from other non-wool yarns. This is such a great idea to send in a swap. I can't want to try some of them.

Thank you Stitch-ay Woman!! You've made my first ever swap a great experience!!

**As for how Emily is doing (she is the one on the right of the picture with the mohawk!)...she is enjoying her cheerios. She is taking her medications however, there isn't any change. She did give me quite a startle last night when I arrived home and didn't see her. She had managed to crawl over the towel/rod (that keep her on the rug for traction) into a tube (the cardboard kind you use when you are making a concrete footing) and was hiding!

We gave her a bath last night and she looks pretty clean. She just had her first visitors (our wonderful neighbors) who feed her yogurt drops. So...we will just be taking one day at a time.

Pet ER Day 2

Well the good news is we have Emily at home. She is back with her sister.

The not so good news is we really don't have an exact idea of what is going on. She could have e. cuniculi, pasturella, neoplasia, or something else. Many of the tests for those items will be back in 1-2 weeks.

She is not in any pain. So, we are treating her for infections that she may have.

We have rearranged the dining room to accommodate where she goes. We put in a nice plush feeling carpet, moved the water/food bowls to a lower sided bowls for ease.

I guess we are now just going to take it a day at a time. These meds may improve her back leg, they may keep it the same or it could get worse. We don't know.

Pet ER

Well I've had my first day in a vet ER. Our rabbit, Emily is spending the night in the ICU.

We came home and found her with her legs going one direction, her front paws going another and it seemed that she had loss the use of her back legs. Our vet took x-rays and ruled out a dislocated joint and suggested we go to a specialist.

Fortunately, we live very close to a vet teaching hospital (Tufts in Grafton, MA). So, off we go...

The exotics vet was very calming. She did a radiogram, while Emily was under anesthetic. Also, blood work and some other items. She didn't find any breaks (back, leg etc.) which was a relief, however we could be looking at a neurological issue or something hereditary. We should know more tomorrow when all the tests results are back (well except for one test which will take a week).

So...we will see how things look tomorrow. For now, I exhausted and off for some shut eye.

Shawl Progress

Well it is coming along...just over 2 feet! I should be spending much more time on it than I do, but I get so hung up in reading blogs (well over that 65% in an online quiz...see below).

I've had a busy week at work since my friend/mentor left. In fact today I was in NH, presenting to a group, and stopped for lunch at this Panera. It was the best sandwich! Definitely recommend them!!

On a sad note:

One of our bunnies is a bit under the weather today. So, please send good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Calling in

OK I called in 'sick' today. Well it is more of a mental health day. When I called my boss this morning, at a time I knew she wouldn't be there, I did mention that I was not feeling well as I had been up half the night.

Which is technically true...I was awake every time I rolled over. I just couldn't bring myself into going in today. Plain and simple.

A few posts back I mentioned that a pivotal individual has left the organization, and as I expected, the environment is going downhill. Upper management doesn't seem to get it and guess who is now doing that job without the title, pay or recognition? MOI.

To top it all off, I could have a job where she left to go to, if I just say the word. Which is leading me to a major headache....hence the sleepless night.

I've been thinking about it, in fact a few years back I was thinking about going to that company when I received a call from the big big boss where I work now asking me back. So, instead of trying something new, I went back to familiar. In the past few years that I've been back, I've had many things promised, yet nothing transpires. Leaving me to feel that I've reached my ceiling level here.

So the question is, to stay where I am or move on?

Books

Another fine package of a special book arrived in the post office on Saturday:



You could order it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble...but for a little while you can order it through KnitPicks for 40% off!!!

Also, you'll want to sign up for for the KAL for No Sheep.

As for how the shawl is going...one word, SLOW! We have had quite a heat wave around here and knitting in 90 degree weather with high humidity, isn't fun.

Who knew...

You Are an Afternoon Person

You can find energy any time of the day ... or night! You prefer to be out and about when most other people are. Very early mornings or very late nights aren't really your thing. You're practically solar powered, and the afternoon is when do best.

Are You a Morning Person or Night Person?

Blog

Somehow I don't think my DH would agree with this. I'm sure he thinks it should be much higher.

65%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Online Dating

Ode to a mentor

I received news on Friday that has made me quite sad. One of the higher-up females in the company I work for is leaving. She has been a mentor for me for quite a number of years as we work very close on a day-to-day basis. The opportunity she has been offered is fabulous and I am happy for her. However...I'm still sad for the rest of us. She has been quite an ally in many items we have had to deal with and I will miss her terribly.

Our VP is going to announce it on Monday morning...I already feel like calling in sick.

On to a better front before I start losing it again, knitting! I was able to have a couple of hours of knitting time today and got quite a lot accomplished. Although I haven't taken a picture of it to post yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy July 4th!

Wow, it has been a while since I've been here. Things have been busy. We entertained friends last weekend. I worked the long hours last week, in preparation for taking this week off! YAHOO!

The DH was so kind to bring my to WEBS. Yes, "WEBS...America's Yarn Store". What a store! I had saved a few bucks to go and I went over my limit by $17. not that bad! I returned the 14" needles that I had ordered from them. I just couldn't get comfortable with a needle that long.

I picked up Lantern Moon needles. WOW! SO lightweight and much better than the cheaper bamboo ones. So I splurged. I figured I was going to trade off the current needles from my wrap to these. Then, the DH surprised me with another pair later in the shopping trip. I now have two pairs, 4.5mm and 5mm.

I also purchased Rowan Summer Tweed. This is going to make a really nice shrug for myself. I also picked up some ribbon. I'm also going to make a ruffle scarf.

DH was such a good sport (and for the record I was only in WEBS for exactly one hour). He sat in the chair the entire time and became the offload-of-the-arms site. I took him to the Northampton Brewery as a thank you. He enjoyed his 4 self-selected beer choices, pulled pork and key lime pie! So, I think we are even.

I heard from my downstream swap pal. She emailed me last night that she received the package and loved it. Yipee! I guess I can now show you what I mailed out to her: The picture doesn't show the fireline beading thread that I included as well. The Panda Cotton sock yarn is in 'Dreamy'.

So...are you wondering how my shawl is coming along? With the new Lantern Moon needles I got about 20 rows done in the past two days. The needles are 10" in length, so I'm just about at 12 1/2".

No Sheep Swap Package

Have I mentioned yet that I love receiving presents? I do also like giving things and matching a present to them...but nothing beats going to the post office and seeing a yellow slip. A yellow slip means there is something bigger behind the counter. OH OH OH what could it be? In the short walk from our box to the counter your mind races, oh could it be what I ordered for myself, or ordered for someone else....but NO it is something even better, a surprise gift for me. I participated in the No Sheep Secret Pal Swap, where you pick two skeins and mail one out to your downstream pal in June then again in July. With my allergies I do not have to worry about receiving something that I'm allergic to, so I was all game for this swap.

So, without further ado...

Two words: Schaefer Yarns! This one is named Sandra. It is such a pretty combination of colors, my blues/greens are covered with a very fitting brown/black. It is definitely a yarn that I would have picked out myself. I can't wait to find a pattern to use this up! I love it!

Also - the little bags are different types of yarn, clearly labeled with name and kind for future yarn purchases. I mentioned to my DH when I found these in the box that is was a wonderful idea! I wished I had thought of it.

The card you see is from the state of Washington, with a note from the sender (aka "-me") who says she has been to Mt. Rainer. The photo was taken by Lee Mann. This one is going in a frame...(to my secret pal - I frame cards that I really like and have them throughout the house).

Also I received some Washington State honey! Yumm...this is going to be going in the next loaf of bread I make.

Finally, I know she sent so much, where handmade stitch markers. They go with the yarn and my OCD/anal retentive side loves them - as they match the yarn!

WAY TO GO secret pal! This was a great package to start my weekend!!!

The Shawl (10 days in)

Not bad?! The pattern is really starting to take shape and I like it! You'll have to go back a few posts (June 13) to see the prior picture for comparison.

Any bets on when I'm going to finish this one?

Kudos to those of you on Weight Watchers

...but I'm finding it isn't for me. I could use to lose a few pounds, but I just really need to 'tone' what I have. How is that for an excuse? I mean I really need to stop my snacking but I don't think WW is for me.

Here is what has been happening since Wednesday:

My entire work team (okay just the ones that sit the closest to me) is on WW. My manager, two coworkers and 2 who technically work under me. They started the whole point thing. Well someone got the great idea to see how many points I eat in a given day. It went something like this: 10 points for all the crackers you eat during your morning, 2 points for every glass of kool-aid, my lunch was practically 10 points and well let us just say my afternoon snacks were double that. Well over the double the points I should have had during the course of one day.

So, the next day I try again, I stuck with only 10 crackers (2 points), kool-aid (4 points). Then, for lunch I looked up the points on chicken tenders and 6 bite size ones were 5 points. So, I thought going to Arby's with a friend and just having 3 chicken tenders I was good at the 5 points. I get back to the office and I was informed by another book (the fast food one) that it was 10....WHAT?!?! I had a water and was still starving. I skipped the afternoon candy bar (for fear of being pounced on) and made it til about 6:30 when I had to have two Oreo cookies. I then ate the chicken marsala, potato that the DH made for supper. I figured by then I was already well over my 17 points alloted for the day...I then had about 7 peppermints.

I mean I was already over my points by then, what the heck. Right?! The next day was a little easier, but not by much.

This leads to the weekend...DH is thinking this is a good idea for him to lose a little weight. Well, I get 17 points, guess, just guess how many he gets!? 34!!! That is like double!!

I went grocery shopping and got tons of fruit...and buying the ingredients for some of the recipes. By 3 PM yesterday DH still had 15 points to use, me, well let us just say I was over by 5.

So, this morning with our refrigerator stocked I offer to make up the 5 point smoothie. We add the ingredients, and try it, not bad. In fact I was willing to have half a glass. Now, this was about Noon, so I ask where is lunch. He replies this is lunch. I'm like nooooo, I want some food. He replies this is yogurt, fruit, wheat germ etc. in it and it is a meal all itself.

Bottom line...I don't think this for me. I proceed to have a waffle and yes with syrup on it! (it was a low-fat whole wheat waffle, does that count for something?!)

Best wishes to all you out there on WW. I can now understand how hard it is. Major kudos to those of you that stick with it and get to your goal! :-)

There will be knitting on the next post. Stay tuned.

What Kind of Finger Are You?

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb http://www.blogthings.com/whatfingerareyouquiz/ *I am not sure about the weird part! LOL

The shawl knitting has begun

Well actually the knitting was started this weekend. It just took this long to get the photo [and an awful one at that] out of the camera. This is after 4 rows.

This is going to be a long process. I'm trying to get through 4 rows a night, but with working so many long days lately it is going to be a challenge. I may have to up my 4 rows on Saturday to 20...just to catch up!

I'm working on my No Sheep Swap box to get it ready for mailing. I'm going off a theme, between the colors of what I'm sending. So, it should be interesting. I have one more store to hit this weekend and hopefully that will be it. I'll post photos and actual description when it is all together.

I did sign up for Knitting Daily. Have you? Sandi just closed a Sock Survey. I thought her results were interesting:

According to the Sock Survey, your perfect sock pattern would be:
Worked from the cuff down (70% of the votes);
For a woman (46%);
Designed in a textured (but not cabled) stitch pattern (22%);
Worked on 5 dpns (37%); and
Suitable for a variegated or handpainted yarn (36%).

[taken from Knitting Daily email from 6/13/07, see what you are missing?]

The rest of the mail...

Well now that Ms. Dottie has had the top of the blog for a couple of days now, I can show you what else came in the mail on Saturday.

I received the longer needles I needed to start my shawl. I thought I had ordered bamboo, but I messed up...one of those things where the cart you saved wasn't the cart you ended up cashing out with. My mistake, I get it.

So, I have size 4, 4.5 and 5 aluminum needles. It became quite clear to me once I started knitting my gauge square that knitting Sea Silk with these was going to be a challenge. Can you say slippery?

I'm taking it slow. Yes, I have dropped a number of stitches, almost each row. However, I've been able to recognize it right away and able to get them back no problem, just the frustration factor.

The DH was gone for quite a bit on Sunday, so I was able to get 12 rows done. Not bad. I'm not happy with the way the photos came out, so you'll just have to come back to see them.

Ms. Dottie Comes Home

Yahoo! I had an appointment this morning and thought I may miss the going to get the mail at the post office, during the few hours they are open on a Saturday. However, the DH comes to the rescue once again.

I come home to a package sitting on a small rocker chair that my Grandpa made me. My DH informed him that he checked the package to make sure Ms. Dottie was sitting upright! He is one great guy!

Isn't she the cutiest?

If you are lucky enough you can catch Julie and her wonderful creations here: http://www.littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/


I think Ms. Dottie deserves a post all to herself, so more later on what else arrived in the mail.

The Posse

Well, our neighbors have a pair of pink flamingos. Yes, they are the plastic kind. However we haven't helped their love of flamingos much...it seeems whenever we go over vacation we bring them back something with a flamingo on it for them....let us see, there was the year that we bought them a flamingo ornament for the tree, the wire flamingo sculpture from Key West, the flamingo dog leash...etc.

However, it is always tasteful. Well this year, as you know, they are moving away. :-(

Recently, the flamingos have appeared in my butterfly bush garden area while we were away. Our neighbor said they were keeping an eye on the house for us.

Our neighbors then went away and well I got creative...I made each of them a bandana out of scraps of fabric. We called them 'The Bandana Posse'

You get the picture....it is a back and forth game now.

Well, today we get home from work to this...(I think the picture says it all [fyi our neighbor had borrowed our lawn mover]) he named it the "The Bandana Posse' Ode to JD" (John Deere)

I'm really going to miss them when they leave.

Dear Mailperson,

Could you please hurry up and deliver my bamboo single point needles this week? Please?!

Well, I wound up the ball of sea silk (see previous post) and gathered the ball, the pattern from the magazine, my index cards with each line of the pattern on them, my single point needles and sat in my 'knitting chair'. All set to go. I had everything I needed... well not so fast... in checking my gauge my current set of needles didn't work.

The 6mm needles I was using was making the yarn over holes in the pattern a bit too big for what I would like.

So, off to skipping another lunch to pay for and order new needles. Now, I'm patiently (yeah right) waiting for them.

Here is an updated photo on my little maple tree...

Seaweed?

What a week this was. There was way too much working and not enough time for crafts.

I was able to spend just a little money this week and order some Handmaiden Sea Silk. I've been wanting to try it out since I'd learned about it from the No Sheep KAL.

So...guess what came in the mail on Saturday? Yes, Handmaiden Sea Silk in the color Ocean. It is beautiful and this pictures does not do it justice! I purchased it from the Knitting Hutch. I was leary at first, having never heard of this website, but she came through and it was packaged very well.

Then, the DH and I spent the next hour working it into a ball. Yes, you guessed it...I do not own a ball winder. Let us just say it was a very long hour! Thankfully, now it is in a ball.

I also purchased something else, but that is currently a secret.

In following Amy Singer, I found out that she had a scarf in the latest edition of Interweave Knits made with the very Sea Silk I-had-to-have. I fell in love with the photo on the website, so I skipped lunch one day and went to the local book store and bought it.

So, now that I finally have some time this weekend I'm working on a 'trial' of the pattern to create myself a shawl. Yes, I'm making myself a shawl. :-) I figure I can handle scarves, knit the first pair of socks...so I should be able to handle this. I want a simple shawl..something more of a rectangle shape that I will use for those nights we are on the screened in deck area during these breezy/cool summer nights.

Now, the goal is to complete this while we still have those breezy/cool summer nights!

I'll leave you with this morning's photo of my front flowers.