Who Am I to Argue?

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!








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Though that doesn't look much like me, I'm quite flattered at that outcome from the list of questions. I was expecting something more along the lines of "obsessed Knitter" with recommendations for cutting up of credit cards and small fiber-less rooms. This is much better.

HI!!
I've missed you, of course. I find that not writing regularly does make me feel that something pretty significant is missing. That feeling has only lasted for nanoseconds at a time though because as soon as the blogging space opened up in my Daily Craze I call a life, 14 other things slide right in to fill the void. The job hunt is looking up, up, up - literally. I was in VA for a face-to-face on Friday, and I'm heading to NJ in 2 days to do Le Song and Le Dance for another company. I won't bore you (or myself) with the details of each, but suffice to say that I feel ultra blessed to even have more than 1 person considering rescuing me from unemployment. Shame they'll have to compete with the fact that I'd actually rather spend all the time I'm not with the girls in a yarn store. Hmph...Next life maybe.
Many, many thanks to those of you who have sent me good luck wishes and prayers and just thoughts of general concern, I'm so grateful.

What have you been up to? I'm doing my best to make the blog rounds. I'm sure I'm missing some probably great news and new things and wonderful happenings. But even if I am, may they continue and even double until I get around to sending a "Woo hoo!" your way.

MWAH - more as time allows! This weekend is my birthday and my best friend's wedding - what greater gift could I request? Pictures soon I promise.

Ta ta!

Pause

Hello darlings!
It's been a while, and I'm posting now to say...it's going to be a while!

I found out late Friday night that my "real" job is closing our division and my services (and that of several others) are no longer needed. Now...I'm in no way freaked out by this (yet), and I have been through this a time or two before, so I consider this just another detour on the journey, with new things to see and do on the next route.

I do have to minimize some of my online activities though, mostly because hours of job searching can just suck the fun out of being in front of the computer. Also, since my time will be split between job hunting and working part time at my local yarn store (yes, you read that right), I won't be blogging regularly for the next few weeks.
I have projects on the needles to tend to though, and a wedding coming up...so I should have some nice photos to share when this little hiatus is over.

I'm thinking of you, and I'll be visiting with you in the cybersphere and otherwise whenever I can. But in the mean time - BE WELL!!

My Best Friend's Wedding (Part 1)

(Because I'm sure to be writing about this again when it actually happens)

I hosted and attended my best friend Neicey's Bridal Tea this past weekend. Such a great afternoon at a lovely Tea Room called Tea at Lily's, complete with antique decor, country charm, and a sweet British proprietor who treated us like the group of sophisticated and cultured women we are (mostly). Fine china, finger sandwiches and rich desserts, we had it all! And most importantly, we made many a toast and tribute to my dearest friend.

On November 18th, she will be marrying Mark...a person I have quickly grown to love; at first his appeal came mostly from the fact that he makes Neicey SO happy, but then he stepped up to become part of our family in his own right. He and hubby get along really well too, and you know that always helps when us girls want to sneak away and talk about the really juicy stuff - like...um them, for example.

The highlight of an already amazing afternoon was to see so many other people honoring someone I already admire so much. A very close second though was her reaction to my gift. Typical Neicey, she was browsing in Marshalls and found something she thought I would like and immediately bought it for me. It's the book Hollywood Style Knits by Suss Cousins. Ultra hip, and not to complex patterns in there. Neicey pointed out the Funky Purse pattern as something she really like. I just giggled to myself - visions of a gauge swatch already dancing in my head. I knit the purse and lined it with some Chinese Silk fabric and added a flower and some bamboo handles. I added the Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (I really *heart* that book), and WAHLA! She opened it and gasped, and I even heard someone say she was getting teary-eyed, but I can't confirm that. Suffice it to say that I was SO pleased that she liked it, and that for once I was able to keep something a secret until just the right moment. Her appreciation made every loving stitch (and every needle prick) worth it.



Love you Neicey! Can't wait to get my dancing shoes on and stand next to you on W Day!

Vacation Photos

I have the pictures back from our trip!

I have included them here as a Flickr Slideshow so you can browse them at your leisure. Thanks to everyone who already left comments. You guys make me blush (though it may be hard to tell..hee hee).

Our trip highlights included a trip to Hershey, PA to be surrounded by all things chocolate (even the ketchup, I kid you not); cool nights on the patio with the Tylers and TOO good wine; watching the cutie pies get along like they've always been friends with Rayna; climbing around the rock outcrop in Central Park; strolling through Hershey Gardens; the crunch of colorful leaves underfoot; and of course - the joy of being right there with my little ones during the take off of their first flight!


Have a great week everyone! I have an afghan to work on, so my posting may be limited (I need to be mostly done with it in less than 1 month - don't you just love my delusional knit schedules???).

MWAH!

MY NEW BUTTON (and some bonus beats)

Good morning fine people!!

I have the pleasure this morning of featuring the talents of one of my very very good friends, lovingly knows as Mr. 'Sheed(a dapper young man, but if you'd ever met him, you would know that the "Mr" is well-deserved). I have seen some of his graphics work over the years and he continues to blow me away (he writes poetry too ladies *swoon*). He's a fellow Rattler and just a generally great person. I was thrilled when he agreed to create a button for my blog. Now...I wish I still had the original email request I sent him to do this for me because it would really show you how he took my very random instructions and made them into art. It went something like this ..."Ahhhh...I want it to include some color, and...um, maybe it should combine the things that I'm into, mostly knitting and yoga..and...errr... it should be small, you know...button size?" Sheesh. Well, he's a natural, so he came up with this

Don't you love it??

It's yours for the taking darlings! (just save to your own server please). Post it, share it, use it at will. If you or someone you know is in the market for some outstanding graphics work...let me know, and I'll be sure that you and Mr. Mustakeem get in touch! He promises he'll have his own blog up soon!

AND

Because we can all use a little rythmic distraction now and then, check out this little ditty. (Thanks to my also ultra talented friend Gia who first shared this with me...you ought to see what SHE can do with some drums...more on that another time.)

Vacation Mathematics

Hello All!
I'm sending just a quick update about our vacation for now...More details soon.
We arrived in New Jersey Tuesday evening, then drove over to Hershey, PA on Wednesday (yes, that Hershey...I can't even begin to tell you). We're traveling with my co-worker and his family, and he and I had actual work to do on Thursday and Friday, while hubby and the kiddies did some touring.

There are schools of thought that believe math is the basis of all things, so I thought I'd use that theme to share some vacation math with you. ..


Principle #1
The number of Fritos remaining in the bag is inversely proportional to the width of the upper thigh in inches (it also has a direct relationship to the number of completed knitted rows...knit, purl, crumb, knit, purl...)

Principle #2
The amount of joy a toddler experiences at taking their first flight is multiplied exponentially by the number of toddlers included in the equation (double your fun!)
Click here to see a video

Principle #3
The cuteness factor is also multiplied exponentially by the number of toddlers included in the equation.





Principle #4
When on vacation, the number of parents must always exceed the number of chilren under 4 feet tall by at least 1; an exception applies if the adult is "high" on crisp autumn air and lulled into taking on any challenge.




Principle #5
There is a common theory that increased absence increases the fondness of the heart, however, nearness also has it's place.






Many more photos to come (my other camera is an SLR, you know the deal)

The Year of the Blog

It's official - Happy Blogiversary to me!

Yep, approximately 365 days since I timidly started this blogging thingy. Funny how it all started, I was chatting with my friend Nancy about how to get her crafty creations out to the masses via cyberspace. Resourceful as always, she found information on these free web posting things called blogs, emailed me info on how to start one and away we went!

So...although I have no staggering news to share or prizes to give away, and no cool contests here, but reflection does have its place. Here are a few things I've really enjoyed about having a blog:

• Complete strangers have read what I have written in an exhaustive stupor and then respond with such positivity that I can't help but to grin all over myself
• Waiting in airports is not nearly as tedious when I can write about something, read comments about that thing, and then link to other very interesting (although sometimes completely unrelated) posts written by someone else...the distraction factor of blogging is paramount.
• Gone are my fears of the "blind-meetup"; the people I have met in person because of blog comraderie and following site links from my blog have just re-affirmed my faith in genuine human coolness.
• Though not everyone who visits my blog shouts out in the comments, I know somehow that they come by every now and then because they care about what's happening on my side of the planet (and to see the photos of yarn). Warm & fuzzy feelings abound.
• This blog has been a much needed creative outlet. I get excited when the itch to post hits me...and when Blogger is cooperating and I can actually load words and pictures of My Life As It Happens, I get a rush from that that my techy job doesn't always provide.
• There is a certain accountability to writing about doing something (fasting, knitting, increasing my gratitude), then knowing that once people read it, the burden is now on me to actually do it - I crave that...and I'm thankful that I've received the rewards of those things by sharing them with you!

Thanks to each of you that has been a part of this year of babbling I call a blog!

For my blog sibs out there, peeking into your worlds through your words and pictures has been a great pleasure for me - thank you for sharing! For my blogless buddies who still make time to come out here and look, thank you for your time! And to those of you that visit here consistently and inspire me with your feedback, thank you for your love and your light.

Ok, On Three........Awwwwww

As promised, Rayna's mommy and daddy sent me photos of her modeling the Girlfriend Swing Coat I made for her (thank you Tylers!!). These photos don't need much preamble, so....

I think little Rayna likes it too



I was so grateful to have the chance to knit this. It challenged me, and I came out of it alright; happy to know that someone I really like is wearing something I really made! Loverly.

One day I'll be better about writing up project stats, but for now, if you want to know anything about how this was knit, pattern, yarn, etc, nudge me in the comments and I'll gladly send you the info!

Back in Milwaukee today and tomorrow! Missing you much, but I'll be home soon - MWAH!

From The Mouth of Babes

Two really good ones this week

The Setup: Hubby has started his homeschooling efforts full scale this month. From what we've read, everyting is a learning experienc, and you must be prepared and patient to answer your little one's questions.

[I overheard this exchange in the kitchen while working in my home office]

Adachi: Daddy, why is it called a GRAND mother?

Dad: .....

Adachi (5yo): Why is it GRAND in front of the mother part?

Dad: Well...It has to do with their wisdom. They have so much wisdom that they are GRAND mothers

Mizan (3yo): NOOOOOO Dadeeeee...that's not right!!

Adachi: Let's ask mommy. She'll know. She's the smartest one in the house!

*sigh* So young and brilliant. (snicker)


The Setup: Pre-teeth brushing exchange between the girls and I (we always have some doozies standing around the sink)

Adachi: Mommy...I think that if everyone in the world was just like me, this world would be -

Mizan: Perfect!!

Adachi: Um, no Meezee. Um..Mommy, if all the people in the world were like me, they would be -

Mizan: Onterrugent (Intelligent)!

By this point Adachi and I have collapsed in happy giggle fits at the adoration of a little sister.

Goodness me! They do just make it all worth it, don't they!

Can I Get a Hoo Rah!

The Girlfriend Swing Coat is off the needles. I'm slightly off my 10-day deadline, but factor in a sudden cold virus, and, well, life, and I'd say it's none too shabby.

This is Tahki Cotton Classic Color Yarn (if you'd like more details, sing out in the comments). I took a chance and added some ruffling to the sleeves. This minor pattern modification nearly did me in though because I finished the crochet edging on the front panels with about 2 1/2 inches of yarn to spare (sheesh).



Still needs some darling buttons (and a few hours to dry a'course).
Up next, some mittens for the cutest little boys you'd ever want to meet!

Thanks to those of you who cheered me on and sent me super knit vibes! MWAH! I'm thinking of all you, dearest readers and willing that your week will be a fantastic one. And if it is, tell me about it; I do love a good story ;)

Giant Girl Doll - A Must See

I found this when blog hopping today. Don't some people just have the most fascinating professions?

Travel Tales

(A recurring feature)

Last week's work trip included a brief stop in the northern 'burbs of Illinois for a visit to HQ. Much of it went something like this - "Hello there! Yep! I still work here! Good to see you again too...uh...ummm...you hard worker you!!"

From IL, I drove up and over to a client visit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now I must admit, I'm rather taken with the (not so) mythical Midwest charm. Even the NON-knitters up in the Midwest are Just. Plain. Nice. And don't get me started on the knitters - oy!

So of course, I expected sweetness and light from all those I would come across in the section of Wisconsin I went to visit. However, I must share with you some of the, um, UNexpected things I ran into during my travel to The Cheese (and Badger) State:

Heading north on I-94, I stopped at a HUGE Wal-Mart-esque grocery megastore called Woodman's Markets. Aisle after aisle of all you'd expect in a grocery store, and friendly looking shoppers to boot! All the modern conveniences you'd expect too of course, with one teeny tiny little exception. Woodman's does NOT accept credit cards. Not at all. Cash or Debit or leave. Can you imagine?! Now, I'm not sure I was surprised by this because of where I was exactly, but moreso that this major establishment, a chain I assume, could subsist on cash transactions only! Hats off to you Woodman's. Hellfire for us "pay ya later" fancy pants business types who can't function if the money's not coming from the expense account credit card. As a fine consolation to having to use my personal debit card though, I did manage to find fresh baked oatmeal raisin cookies. :urp: Who said that??!

Some other noteworthy sites along the route:

• The Bong Recreation Area seemed like it was worth a stop. I'll have to plug that into the itinerary some how on my next trip up that way.
• If you can't hit the Bong (Area, hee hee), travel just a couple more miles and rest a while at Mars Cheese Planet. Considering the inevitable allergy-induced coma I would have suffered, I decided to forgo this one too. I also tried to google "cheese + Wisconsin" to give you a link for this one, but I'll let you guess how that turned out.
• Downtown Milwaukee River Walk - no jokes here, this was FABulous for strolling & viewing at night time. I took myself out for a little walk/jog to enjoy the view, and was only a little thrown by the fact that there are points along the way where you're encouraged to run THROUGH the outdoor dining area of some nice looking eateries. I stopped shy of picking up a random water glass for refreshment, and apologized for any sweat flinging into salads, etc. You know, I'm not a complete heathen.

Great city that Milwaukee. Much more of a happening spot than I would have imagined too. I look forward to a trip back there, and I'll let you know what else I uncover.

Monogamy & Mojo

Tee Hee - that's a good one for any web search hits, eh?

Just a quick progress post. Apparently when I decide to work on just ONE project at a time, and I ask my darlings to send knitting vibes (and they do) mamamarce can git 'er done!

Here's the progress on Girlfriend Swing Coat as of today...

Needs sleeves and the big collar. I'm planning to do a ruffled or ribbed edge on the sleeves to give it a little flare...we'll see. Deadline stands at Thursday because next week starts crunch time for any holiday hand knits.

Besides, since I learned that (a) I actually can knit faster with my left hand, (b) my wee ones can sit through a entire 2-hour movie in a theater, (c) the lighting in said theater is just enough to knit by, and (d) I have a super human delusion that just won't quit...I think I'll actually complete all the things on my To Be Knit List. Now of course I've completely jinxed any dim hope of that by even typing such farce.

Ah well.

Thanks for your good wishes!! I'm home again for the week, and loving it! Catch you 'round the blogsphere darlings.

Close Encounters

If you've been keeping up with our adventures for the last several weeks, you know that I've started meeting other fiber fanatics in person to knit and talk and just enjoy the fact that there are wonderfully normal, nice, talented people out there. And though you didn't know each other before that split second of "Oh! There you are!", you can still spend hours together bonding over your latest work in progress and throwing in some life chat to boot.

Last Friday, I met with Jennifer and Zoe. Jennifer found me through the Meetup group I started online, and then she started visiting my blog. Soon after that we started an email conversation (thanks to her reaching out to me) and found out that we have ALOT in common, including daughters that we're just plain crazy about! Zoe is Jen's oldest daughter, a doctor now living in Boston. Zoe was visiting south Florida to celebrate her little sister Chelsea's birthday (now 21 - Happy Birthday Chelsea!). Mom and daughters have all been knitting just a short time, but they are already hooked!

We spent some time in Barnes & Noble at City Place in downtown West Palm Beach. What I really loved was how open and warm they were to the girls. Now trust me when I tell you that taking 2 toddlers to a book store and asking them to sit quietly and play nice while mommy and her new friends knit and chat is quite the risky endeavor; but Adachi and Mizan were so taken with Jen and Zoe that they behaved remarkably well! They sat at the table with us like mini grown ups, they chatted us up and kept us laughing.

Zoe didn't pull out a knitting project at the table, but she made up for that by starting a log cabin blanket from the Mason-Dixon book that very weekend - a courageous undertaking for her, but she is well on her way!

Here's a shot of Zoe & Jen together - smiles and sunshine darlings, smiles and sunshine!

My sincere thanks to both of you for affirming my faith in the beauty of a coincidental connection.

Adachi & Mizan had a ball too, I took this shot of them on the way back to our car:

Off the needles this week...the commissioned knit is DONE! I finished the Renee sweater (a Berrocco pattern) and hubby shipped it off while I was on a plane to Chicago. I hope to have pictures of it modeled by the recipient to share with you soon.



Up next on the Knit List...The Girlfriend Swing Coat from Knit & Tonic. This one is for sweet little Raina and is WAY overdue. Don't get me started...

Click here for a close up of the yarn

Here's my progress so far



I have imposed my own 10 day deadline on this one so send me super stitch vibes!

Off to Milwaukee! MWAH!

Look After Them for Me, Will You?

This week's work jaunt takes me back up to Chicago and then to Milwaukee. Promises to be a great time of knitting (yes with another KH'er - the honorable Ms. Kelly K!), working with some people I actually do like quite a bit, and of course missing those 3 up there.

Send me some good travel vibes please and thank you. And, just by smiling at that photo of my 3 darlings, you'll be sharing some of your own love and light, which will undoubtedly help to keep them safe 'til I get home, so thanks!

MWAH!

I Fancy Myself a Writer

Warning to KH'ers who've read my blog over there - nothing new to see here, but so glad you came by anyway!

My dear and faithful readers, I thought you might want to know that someone else actually took the time to read and appreciate something that I wrote. Now, this post is in no way humble, so you'll have to forgive me this moment of immodesty.

I have recently started listening to a podcast called Cast-On, created by and starring Brenda Dayne. Fabulous ear candy, whether you knit or not. It's a great way to pass an hour. I want a podcast! Anyway....she's a former US resident now living in Wales and she podcasts every Friday about all manner of things. I have learned quite a bit about a variety of things; the wool industry in the UK, historical fashions, and natural fiber dyes made with common plants like onion skins to name just a few! Brenda also showcases eclectic music and features her listeners in their own audio editorials and comments.

A few weeks ago during a production glitch, she asked her listeners to create a caption for a photo posted on her show notes site. Here is that photo and my caption:

"And with that, Hector left the rest of the herd to pursue his dream to become the world's first hooved pastry chef. "

I actually thought that a photo of a sheep barreling down a lonesome highway was hilarious all by itself, but I decided to enter the contest anyway, and I wrote the first thing that came to me. (This photo is linked to the comments page, my caption is 20 up from the bottom)

Well in Episode 34 Brenda announced that I had won the caption contest! I was so blown away, and I found out completely by surprise! Babydill and FiberGirl over at the KH Forum wrote congrats on my blog over there. What a thrill!!! But get this...the prize? FREE! YARN!

...which arrived today and inspired this post. Here is a picture of my loot the yarn from Briar Rose Fibers. Four hundred yards of lovely possibilities in the colorway called Grandma's Blessing.

So for the first time ever, I won something for just writing a sentence. Not too shabby, eh?

People Were Still Buying Perms & Cabbage

Just a quick update for those of you that were following Hurricane Tropical Storm Tropical Depression Sun Shower Ernesto and sending your thoughts of concern and hopes for the best.

We're fine!! It's raining, but the internet..err...electricity is on and working. I'm very grateful that we didn't spend more time putting up hurricane shutters and that we focused more on the important things like increasing the calorie content of the pantry.

My friend Opal made a very poignant comment yesterday to assure me that Ernesto had indeed punked out, and that we had no reason to worry. As she put it:

"Sonny's [BBQ] was jumpin, they were hanging over the rail at Bone Fish Grill, and people were moseying thru WalMart buying perms and cabbage..."

She really knows just how to put me at ease.

MWAH!

I Am Still Knitting

I think I'll reuse this post heading repeatedly...

Just to catch you up, I was able to finish the Wrist Warmers from Last minute Knitted Gifts for Kamau's birthday gift (and when I say finished, I mean that the 2nd one was bound off and wrapped about 10 minutes before he came downstairs for breakfast). Here are a few pictures, unmodeled, modeled by Mau and modeled by me mid-progress.

The neatest thing was that everyone totally humored me and complimented them. Hopefully he finds good use for them on a brisk Georgia day or on his next ski trip! (Plus, his mom is a knitter and I LOVED the opportunity to make another small connection with her - she's ultra cool).

I liked the ease of this pattern, and it gave me great experience knitting a tube on 2 circulars...much faster than the DPN method I found. I wasn't too sure about the thumb opening instructions though. I ignored them on the left hand warmer and the ribbing is great, then I forced myself to follow them on the right side, and as you see in the photo, the ribbing is off a stitch. Knit and learn darlings...knit and learn. The patterns, they can be wrong.

More pictures to share later - this time, there will be yarn.

Y'all Know Me and Lists

I've been tagged for the first time! Yippeee! And the subject is BOOKS - wicked!
Thanks Del for including me in the list of tagees!

1. One book that changed your life: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver & I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (I could put a bunch more here)

2. One book that you've read more than once: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

3. One book you'd want on a desert island: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (I'd act out each of the charactres to keep me from going insane)

4. One book that made you laugh: Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

5. One book that made you cry: The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance (picture a 14 year old under a blanket with a flashlight on the top bunk - bawling)

6. One book that you wish had been written: The Secret to Finding the 25th Hour in Your Day

7. One book you wish had never been written: haven't come across it yet (knock wood)

8. One book you're currently reading: Eat Right 4 Your Type by Peter J. D'Adamo

9. One book you've been meaning to read: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (started and need to finish this one)

10. Tag 6 people: Mau, Kelli, Nancy, Julie, Cindy, Sara Jayne

Oh!

For those of you that came looking for knitting content, I'll post some yarn porn and my latest project on the needles berry, berry soon!

Take a Look At This

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An Important Piece

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This film was made by Kiri Davis, 16, Urban Academy

Let's talk about it...

Unplugged

Hello darlings!!
Been a while hasn't it? I do so miss our chats...but ironically I'm writing to say that I'll be "offline" for the next week or so.

As you know, I've just returned from 2 weeks of being away from home. Well now I have sweet talked my way into 5 days vacation from work. Woo hoo!! Vacation - As in, no phone calls, no IM's at ridiculous (outside of business) hours, and no travel. I almost don't know what to do with myself. Luckily, the 3 other people that live here are SO good at making a schedule of fun and laughter for me that I won't be idle for any time at all, I'm sure of it.

I had a fantastic time at so many different points in my trip. Even though it was hard to only talk with the girls every day and not actually squeeze and smooch them, I met up with old friends and brand new ones who made me feel loved and welcome. Here's a short, but I hope complete, list of those who made 14 days away such a treat.

A HUGE thanks to Cindy, my first out of town hostess who made me love NY for a whole new reason.
To all the KH Mod Squad Crew (Kelly, Hilde, Julie, Andrea, and Angelia) + Vicky for your company and open arms (and also of course, your expert yarn shopping enablement). Mercy my bags returned heavy!

To Susan and Nora and their friends, thanks for showing me that urban living really does have great perks!

Sean, my fab knit boyfriend, and Gmail companion, you are the best!! Thanks to you I had new yarn, a new pattern, new tea and aromatherapy by candle...In a HOTEL room! Can you even fathom it people??! That's goodness.

Smooches also for my Kelli, who swells my heart each time she shows her unconditional kindness. When all the airport security madness was swarming around me, it was Kel who called to check on me and chat me up until I passed through my first of 5 security checks for the trip.

Felicia, beloved wife of Mau (now 30 but still FABulous)- she throws a mean party, and her gratitude just makes you want to do anything she asks! Kiesha - I don't have to wish we were sisters for real...we're as close as it gets. It's always a better party when you're there.

Whew!! We had a blast in the A-T-L ya'll...it made me feel young again (almost - ha!).
And a big LOVE YOU to the rest of my Section 2 family (Rattlers 'till we die baby). Each of you was a highlight in your own right, and you made my last weekend away pass with joy. There are only a few things that come close in comparison to time spent with my blood family, and you are at the top of that list.

Hub, I know you never ever read this blog, but anyone else reading will know that I said NOTHING I do is possible without you. Knowing you were watching over our girls all day, every day, through all the sometimes fun -but often unsexy - details of parenthood made each day away easier to take. You're it!

So while I'm away, I won't be writing in here, but I will be reading as much as I can about what the rest of you are up to. Keep me posted and watch for me in your comments. In the mean time I've given you plenty of links in here with wonderful reading (trust me).

MWAH! Until...

Adventures in the Big Apple

A follow up to yesterday's post...Cindy and I had a blast!

I'm just going to sum up the events in one word - WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

I was just so happy to meet such a great person. We talked non-stop for hours about knitting and everything else in between. Cindy is sweet and truly talented and gives the title "crafter" a whole new meaning!

And now I'll point you over to Cindy's blog for more of the pictures and goodie goodie details! (Check out her Shop too!)

THANKS CINDY FOR CAPTURING OUR ADVENTURE SO PERFECTLY!!

Miss you much my dearest readers! The way my luck is running, I may be in a city near YOU very soon looking for an excuse to snag more great yarn and cyber knitting buddies!

Another Techno Treat!!

Hello my darlings!!

This is just a quick note because I'm too excited not to share.
Later today, if all the planets will align and the universe will grant me this small treasure, I will get to meet my second KH buddy in person! CindyH lives here in NY where I am attending this year's SpeechTek conference, so we've planned a yarn crawl and din-din! YIPEEE!! One must wonder how I keep it all straight in my brain??! Now was I supposed to be doing a k2, p2 rib as part of that solution implementation for tomorrow's conference call at the yarn store? LOL. Crazy.

We're also going to attend a taping of TRL. Yep, I'm PBS girl in an MTV world, but who can pass up a chance to see what all the hoopla is really about, know what I'm sayin'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday) TO MY BEST BUD KELLERS!!! MWAH!! LOVE YOU DOLL.

Wish you were all here too!!

Project Spectrum - August

August's Project Spectrum colors are neutrals, black & white. This is a very timely opportunity to finish and post my Kata Blessing Scarf. I found this easy lace pattern in the book Mindful Knitting by Tara Jon Manning, and really enjoyed reading about how to use knitting to focus and stay in the present. Breathing and repetitive stitches can really help to calm you and allow your thoughts to flow uninterrupted.


Yarn Stats:
The yarn is Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in the shade #121 - Brindle (85% wool/ 10% silk/ 5% cashmere; 104 yds per 50g ball). I bought it online at Patternworks, and it was knit with US size 8's.

In my dream knit life I will make a pair of Fetching gloves to match.

Please don't remind me how ridiculously hot it is for scarves right now. The Knit Must Go On!

I Am Still Knitting

Actually, the needles have been busier than ever over here.

I'm working on gifts, a few things for me, finishing up some projects that have been languishing, and a Super Secret Project too (more on that in coming posts).

My latest finished project is this pair of "Fetching" fingerless gloves from the summer issue of Knitty. I used some Mandalay 100% silk yarn I found in a wonderful shop in Vermont called Knits & Bolts. Although the yarn is made of silk, this Indigo Tweed is the color and scrumptious texture of well-worn denim.

What have you been chipping away at lately? I'd love to hear from you!

Travel Tales

This week's scenic stop on The Airplane Ride That Is My Life finds me in Colorado.
Now believe me, I've heard ALL the horror stories about how the business travel life can get to you after a time, and it certainly is taxing emotionally (you've seen my girls and hub...you know.) But mostly I make the best of it, and enjoy some of the "me" time while I have it. I also marvel at the sheer adultness of making my own travel arrangements and reserving transportation, and heck, finding food for myself in strange cities...I still get a kick out of that! Sad, yes. But we tell it like it is here chez moi.

BUT, I am finding out that it's not really the typical bothers of business travel that get under my skin or make me feel haggard as a Road (Air?) Warrior. Middle seats and cramped spaces? Hey, the sooner I get there, the sooner I can high tail it home. Delayed flights? Knitting time. One client dinner after another? Um. Free food. I fail to see the issue.

But these things....these things are the things that sometimes make me want to pack it all in and go stack books at my local library instead of peddling computer widgets:

• Have you ever tried to find a non-dairy, low sugar, meat-free, low calorie, caffeine free breakfast option at a regional airport at 5:20am before your flight boards? Yeah. Exactly.
• Is it just me, or do 19 people on an airport shuttle or train wearing the same sports jacket and slacks, or pants suit and pointy shoes ensemble in 1 of 3 colors just make you want to wretch and catch a cab to a pub instead of getting in your rental and heading to a meeting (where inevitably you'll meet the same army of suited wonders in the lobby/office/conference room of your destination)?
• Do cab drivers really, really care where you're from? Seriously.
• I'm guessing that the proprietors of certain modern hotels feel that if they make you stay tethered to the office desk by making the internet access "wired" (please use the blue or red cord you'll find clothespinned to the dry cleaning bag in your closet), then you'll actually be more productive and work more, and consequently marvel at what a great service they provide for the business traveler. As opposed to say....I dunno...wireless surfing on knitting sites from your bed while eating the fried and salted selection from the evening's In Room Dining menu, and accomplishing exactly zippo?? Hmmm?
• Don't eat "fresh" fish in airports. Don't eat fish of any kind if you can help it. Just don't do it. Moving on!
• I'm finding that I'd really rather that the First Officer NOT go into any great technical detail about the mechanical error that's causing our delay, but is also being fixed (patched up) very quickly, just in time for us to take off (or deplane, which is more often the case).
• I think that I'm highly tolerant, but for some reason, there are time when someone asks me "They let you bring those knitting needles on the plane??!!" that I just want to stare back at them blankly and say, "Clearly."

Whether you travel a lot or a little, I'm guessing you have your own set of pet peeves that might not make any sense to anyone else. And you know what? That's ok. You can tell mama all about it, cuz trust me darlings...I feel ya. SMOOCHES!

Well Who Could Resist, Really

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink – not yet!
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it - several times a week, thank God
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights - Oh Canadaaaaaa!
15. Gone to a huge sports game - Rattler ' Til I die Baby (hey! that counts!); also hockey
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight - scarred, for life.
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly could - funny story...
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day LOL - does patois count?
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced - do unto others...
42. Had amazing friends - still do! MWAH!!
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach - one of the reasons I'm married to hub now
50. Gone sky diving - not yet!
51. Visited Ireland - I hear the wool supply is low...have to move it down on the list
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero - ahhh...I still remember my terry cloth cape
58. Sung karaoke - why do they humor these so-called friends?!
59. Lounged around in bed all day - oh good grief I miss that
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites - the "ancient ruins" of Cozumel baby
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party - bachelor party at that, apparently you're not allowed to touch the entertainment
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days - 14 days is my record
77. Made cookies from scratch - Martha look out!
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Gone white water rafting
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason - see #49
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand - Do. Not. Ask.
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone - well, there was that gas price hike in JA that time
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship - Cruise Crew '05 BayBeh!! Who got next?!
94. Spoken more than one language fluently - oui oui!
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children. - WIP
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country - the other great thing to do in Amsterdam
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over - well, just to start really (after college)
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking - I actually get more animated with an audience
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived - careened across a 4 lane highway during rush hour
105. Wrote articles for a large publication - ecology articles, the stuff of dreams (ha!)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse - Cruise Crew '05 Baybeh!
119. Had major surgery - the baby factory has been shut down, all workers have been fired.
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi - I'd have some more right now.
128. Had your picture in the newspaper - and not with my coat tail over my face either!
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about - ...and now they are the love of our lives
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read - I still think some classical critics were pretty lenient
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions - a shame, really.
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

Well whaddya know, I'm livin' and still have hope to do more! How about you?

Reading is Fun & Mental

I don't have much to blab about today, but I wanted to share some interesting articles that I have been sent / come across recently. Enjoy!!

Ladies - Stand up and ask for what you deserve (or "Make that Money Honey")
A woman's guide to salary negotiotions

Cyber Accountability (if you're nice I'll tell you my 10 things)
What are your 43 things?

LifeHacker - It Gets In You
(warning: if someone is paying you or expecting you to be productive for several consecutive hours, do not click this link)
Try this example for planning a group trip

Wool - who knew?
The Fiber fundamentals

The Stitches that Bind

I have posted before about my quest for an attitude of gratitude, and for a better appreciation of the present and all the good things it holds. With recent world news of another tsunami and the news of a great friend in my Creative Memories family with lung cancer, I'm calling on the powers of our cyber connection and reminding you that giving is so critical. Even though we're in the internet age with email and wireless EVERYthing, we can still be/feel so disconnected. Yet I have seen on this very screen the proof that total strangers will reach out to each other or to others they don't know and give heartily and without restraint. If you haven't done that lately and would like to, just hop on Google, or ask a friend, there is much out there to be done (and many that are doing it and would love your help!). For those of you that spend much of your time giving to others with your hours, your craft, your prayers, your kind words without a thank you - THANK YOU! We all benefit from the positive energy you're putting back into the balance of the universe.

I'm going to start planning a comfort gift for my friend to use while she's in treatment, and if you'd like to contribute to someone who could use your kindness, the ladies from the Orlando Knitting Group I attended would love your help for a friend of theirs (info below).

Love openly and give much my darlings - it comes back to you!
-------------------
Dear Fellow Knitters,
As members of the Orlando Area Knitters and Spinners (OAKS), we have started a fundraiser for our very sick friend and fellow member, Dale Jarrett, who is undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

Please visit our blog at http://chip-n--for-dale.blogspot.com/ as well as Dale's Journal at http://www.jarrett.ws/dale. Please post and/or distribute the letter below to the members of your guild. Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

-Jackie and Janette

You Know You've Found the Right Hobby When

The mailman brings you this from a person you've never met:

Now I know how the girls feel at birthday and Christmas time. No idea what's inside, but once you get it open, you automatically LOVE IT! These is my 2nd of 2 packages from Carolina Red, my Yarn Swap buddy over at the Knitting Help Forum. I can't say enough great things about the community of knitters and other fiber lovers over there. Check it out for yourself, you won't be sorry!

In other crafty news, I finally have a picture of my most recent project as an amateur seamstress

A size 5 skirt for Adachi with some plain rick rack trim and an elastic waist. This was great practice for pattern reading and adding elastic, etc. And the fact that it's already stained tells me that it will definitely get it's worth in wear.

More project progress pics (say that 5 times fast) coming soon!

First Fruits & False Starts

Another quickie (didn't think you'd mind). I'm only hours back from my last work trip, which was preceded by a completely terrific week of auntying in Orlando. Tomorrow I feed another one of my hobby needs with an all day scrapbooking workshop, followed by a slumber party with my girls at grandma's house. Loving life!

Let's start with some shame-free bragging on hubby. Or as I like to call him, Sir Plants-A-Lot. Direct from our yard, I give you this...

That's pineapple #1 out of the 30 in our yard and mmmmmmmm MMMM! It was TOO good. Wish I could send you just a slice! Next year we'll have to sell these since they seem to grow so easily and come out oh so sweet (organic too!)

As the universe craves balance, with the joys of first fruits comes the blahs of knitting foibles. Now, granted...I was pretty happy with this sweater when I first knit it because I had not made a full size knit garment for myself before, and it was really quite an experience. It's the Easy V-Neck Pullover from Glampyre, an ultra clever pattern. Trouble is...I forced this Cascade 220 yarn to be something it did NOT want to be. And with all my instincts nagging me to quit, I still pressed on...even stubbornly added stripes that will be a pain when I unravel this.

A yarn close-up:

I knit this for the Knitting World Cup, but no me gusta! I am seriously considering unraveling it and making it into something else. I would love any feedback from my knitting buddies on this. Have you done it before? Was the agony of frogging worth it? *Sigh*. Help.

At least there are more pineapples to look forward to, and much more yarn to mess with.

Support Local Artists III

I just had to post some photos of one of the best handmade gifts I've received recently. I also wanted to share them here to promote my friend Nancy's skills at sewing artistry.

Here are some shots of a roll up Needle Case and a Knitting/Sewing Tote Nancy made for me from some fabric I picked out:

Exteriors

Interiors (click for larger images)








Want one of your own? Yes. I thought you might.

Check out Nancy's totes, baby slings and other fine fabric originals at Emerald Lane Creations, or shop online at her Etsy shop.

Snapshots

I'm in Orlando with my sister and my nephew The Right Adorable Joshua Morgan.
And what better way to say "sorry for my radio silence" than to post some baby pictures!

Forgive me? Yes. I thought you might.

And lest you think the crafty chicks have been at rest, fear not...we've been busy!

Handmade hats, journals and jewelry, compliments of my little ones.









Life is good. I have even braved sewing recently(2 pillows and a skirt so far). I have truly caught the bug I tell you. As my work gets more technical, my spirit yearns for more creative outlets. Here's a shot of the machine I'm learning on (circa 1949).



What's new with you? Let me know if you've done some crafting lately using things around the house, or parts of your stash. I'm always open to new ideas, and you see what can be done with paper, yarn, and leftover Easter baskets?? Dream big! If you're not the crafting sort, tell me how YOU break away from the everyday humdrum of this techno-crazy world we live in.

Smooches!!