Knits, Prrrs, and Voofs

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2006-11-26T19:43:00.000-05:00

This whole blog thing has gone by the wayside a little bit. Mostly it is because there is really nothing new or interesting going on in my life! I promise I will start to try harder. I mean it - I PROMISE!!!
Thanksgiving went well. We had my family here - 12 people including us.
Instead of shopping on Black Friday - ick...crowds - Bruce and I did some Christmas decorating.

And made this with a few corks and glue-

By the way, there has been a LOT of knitting going on. I just don't have any photos to show you today. I am working on a sweater that I designed myself, thank you very much. I learned a lot from a class at Stitches East by Melissa Leapman on sweater design. If you ever attend any of those events, please take her class. This was the second class I took from her and she is so much fun!

Well, I must go, but here is the obligatory pet photo - today it's the ever elusive Zephyr

******By the way, if you cross stitch, I'm selling the rest of my stash on ebay. Take a look if you want.

Five Weird Things or Habits About Me

2006-08-16T19:34:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged by Sue

Five Weird Things or Habits About Me:

1. I hate tomoatoes. (Unless they are processed and shoved in a ketchup bottle or can.)

2. I love watching birds.

3. I used to bite my fingernails.

4. When knitting, I always sit indian style.

5. Most of my high school life was spent twirling a rifle for marching band.

Problem is...

2006-04-29T03:43:00.001-04:00

You know how every knit blogger wants every knitter to read their blog? Yeah, well that is me. Problem is that I don't blog that often. I mean, I have good intentions. I read everyone else's and get a bit miffed if they don't post as often as would be desired. I knit a lot, but can't seem to take enough photos. I knit, knit, knit.
So, enough is enough. Here is a pair of socks that I was working on at the time, but have since completed:

Ewww...see that fugly toe?

The yarn is Dancing from Knit Picks. I lurve them. Already wore them to work with the purple scrubs. They are pretty darn cool.

Speaking of work, what a complete and total BITCH it has been the last 2 weeks. Busier than all get out .

It's time for beddy-bye, so here is a parting shot for all you dog lovers:

Ribbit Ribbit Ribbit

2006-04-09T12:44:00.000-04:00

There was an old sleeveless sweater hanging in the closet for about the past 3 years. I think it may have been worn 2 times. Can't say that I ever did like it.

Hmmm....I wonder what I can do with the thing...

It's so ugly it's killing me...

So I grabbed me some scissors and frogged the bitch.

Now a day later, the yarn is still drying in the shower.

Hey - take a look at Redneck - He put a new fan in the bathroom yesterday and was cleaning up his mess. Guess he was worried that his head would get cold or something. I love it when he wears hand-knitted items!

Easter Joke

2006-03-24T03:31:00.000-05:00

It seems that a LOT of you have been googling "My Butt Hurts...What?" lately and coming to this blog. Guess a lot of people are looking for this. You are all SICK individuals.
Redneck and I are on a few billboards in our area and on one of the local credit union websites for an advertisement for mortgages...take a look at the pic .

I'll tell you more about the photo another time.

It's beginning to look a lot like Springtime

2006-03-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was BEAUTIFUL here in Cumberland, Maryland. Redneck and I had some errands to do, so we put the convertible top down and enjoyed the beautiful day.

Baxter was hanging out at the family room window letting the sun shine down on him. There is a tree right outside the window where he and Fenner sit. See, all the birdies come to the tree and then the cats can talk to them. Ah, a cat's life. I'm envious.

So, there has been a lot of knitting going on here the past month. Recneck went to Breckenridge, Colorado on a ski trip last week. He asked for a few hats to match his ski jacket. His jacket has bright green, and I remembered seeing some bright green Lamb's Pride at the LYS. Redneck must have really wanted the hats because he even went to the LYS to get the yarn himself. Here is the end result:

Also, remember that yarn that was dyed with Kool Aid? Here is the end product -

Pattern: Razor Shell Socks designed by Miriam Felton

Yarn: Knit Picks Dye Your Own fingering weight dyed with Kool Aid

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars - Size 1 24 inch

What do you get when you have...

2006-02-15T06:01:00.000-05:00

Some dyeable wool fingering weight from Knitpicks. Some Kool-Aid. Some red food coloring. Some water. Some vinegar. A Calphalon stock pot. Some canning jars. Some tongs. A few extra hours on Super Bowl Sunday a few weeks ago.

You get some hand dyed yarn!

This is my third attempt at dyeing, and this time I really like it. Also, I made it into a really long skein so it will be self striping for some socks.

Procrastination is the name of the game

2006-02-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

You know how you plan on doing something and then something else comes up? Or maybe your favorite t.v. show is on and you just NEED to watch it. And then the 2nd favorite show, and then the 3rd favorite show, and then - well you get the point. Or how about when you have to go to that nasty little place called work and you put it off some more. And then you must figure in knitting time. Oh, yeah - and phone calls to people or phone calls received or telemarketers to hang up on. Or kids - I don't have or want any, but I know a lot of you out there do.
Well that is exactly what happened to this post. Believe it or not I started typing last Saturday. Then it was put on hold because I needed to snap a few more pictures with the digital camera, but didn't quite know what shot I wanted. Then I figured that I may as well hold off on taking the pics because that yarn that I snagged a few days ago should be delivered Monday.
It came Monday alright, but I worked, then watched favorite t.v. show #something, then knit, then talked to grandma for an hour and a half on the phone. Time for bed. So the post waited.
Tuesday came and so did favorite t.v. show #something else, knitting, pain in back from knitting, so no post. Same thing Wednesday.

So lastnight came and I took the pictures, uploaded them, resized them, knitted, typed up the blog entry, clicked "Publish Post" and waited for blogger to tell me that they were doing scheduled maintenance at that time. I lost the post. Damned Blogger. Damned Me.
So here we are 7:15 a.m. and the post is getting written before favorite t.v. show #something comes on, before knitting, before cleaning the house, before massage appointment this afternoon, before ANYTHING else happens.
You see that awesome birthday cake up there? Redneck got that for me. My birthday was last Friday. He also got me a gift certificate for the LYS which you know was already used, and then some! And he also got that beautiful necklace up there. Love it! Love Redneck! LOVE Birthdays!
Oh, and the Vesper Sock Yarn? That's right baby. Not one, but two skeins. Julia's yarn is more beautiful in person than any photo possible.

Sock Yarn!!!

2006-02-01T18:18:00.000-05:00

I just scored me some fantastic sock yarn. Can anyone take a guess what it may be? It's to be shipped Friday...

What have YOU been up to?

2006-01-29T10:02:00.000-05:00

So, the other day when I had received this wonderful little package from this great place, I couldn't wait to post the pics to the blog, but blogger would not allow it. No way, no how. Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky and Size 17 Addi's.

I intended on showing you the progress as Bobbi Bear was being made for a friend who just had a baby.

I intended on showing you the finished Bobbi Bear, but am too lazy to take a picture and include it with this post. Maybe next time. He sure turned out a LOT bigger than I thought he would. I think the pattern said he'd be around 20" tall. I must have completely underestimated what 20" is.

Oh yeah, and this goofball red thing on my head? That is a brand new, completely felted kitty pi. This is about the 4th one that I've made. Thought it could be worn a some funkadelic hat though. Hmmm...maybe I'll have to make another one.

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy

2006-01-26T23:50:00.000-05:00

Shame on you James Frey...It's never good to piss off Oprah.

Damned Blogger

2006-01-24T22:57:00.000-05:00

So I have been trying for the last several days to post pics to this website, but blooger....well blogger has been causing a little bit of problems. I have been wanting to show some yarn I received from http://knithappens.net , but to no avail. I have been knitting up a storm lately. I have bagged Leo for something else. Redneck will be so happy once I finish his new sweater. He keeps asking me when the new sweater will be fini. HMMM...by the looks of things, not any time soon.
Things in Maryland are going well, but I'm beginning to miss Eastern Pennsylvania sometimes. There is just so much more to offer there. Guess that is the price you pay my friend, the price you pay.
An old friend of mine just had a baby yesterday. Yes, she had a boy. Guess I shouldn't be surprised as the last 3 friends of mine had boys. And I was so hoping to knit a sweater for a girl!!
Ay, ye ye.
So it goes.
I will post pics as soon as blogger allows.

Some stuff

2006-01-05T21:26:00.000-05:00

TEN random things you might not know about me-
1. I used to bite my fingernails
2. I met Redneck in when I was in 8th grade and he was in 11th grade
3. I like name brand clothing because I think it holds up better than the cheap shit
4. My first car was a 4 door Ford Tempo
5. I hate visiting my hometown
6. I have been reading more books lately
7. My grandma didn't attend our wedding because I didn't ask my dad to walk me down the aisle
8. I LOVE brussel sprouts and spinach
9. I would give things up to provide for our pets
10. I'm not afraid to die

NINE places I've been-
1. Aruba
2. Mexico
3. Belize
4. Honduras
5. Texas
6. Florida
7. Canada
8. Pennsylvania - :)
9. Maryland - ;)

EIGHT ways to win my heart-
1. Be nice to me
2. Be nice to your mother
3. Have a crazy sense of humor
4. Tell me I look nice
5. Make chicken soup for me when I'm sick
6. Help around the house
7. Wash my car
8. When I ask if my butt looks big in this, always say no

SEVEN things I want to do before I die-
1. Go to Colorado with Redneck
2. Design and knit a sweater all by myself
3. Go to California
4. Spend Christmas in New York with Redneck
5. Open a yarn shop
6. Learn how to spin yarn
7. Win the lottery

SIX things I’m afraid of -
1. Bugs
2. Icy roads
3. Redneck passing away before I do
4. People that are intimidating
5. Snakes
6. The dark

FIVE things I don't like -
1. Weakness
2. Stupidity/Being Airheaded
3. Snow
4. Cold weather
5. Mean people

FOUR ways to turn me off -
1. Wear dirty shoes
2. Act like you are better than others
3. Talk about yourself all of the time
4. Be obnoxious

THREE Things I do everyday -
1. Tell Redneck that I love him
2. Knit
3. Play with the dogs/pet the cats

TWO things that make me happy -
1: Redneck
2: Our family of animals

ONE thing on my mind right now -
1: I can't wait until it is summer!

And she knits...

2006-01-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

You know how it is...you knit lots of stuff but never post it due to daily life, etc. etc. Yeah, yeah, yeah - excuses excuses.

Well here is what is currently on the needles. To the far right
is Leo for Redneck. That green/tan thing is Essential Stripe and if you look closely under Essential Stripe is the beginning of a sock from an Interweave Knits magazine using some Lorna's Laces that I won on eBay a while back.
So much to do, so much to do. I have also finished 2 pairs of socks for mom...one using sock yarn from Cherry Tree Hill and another pair using worsted wool that is machine washable.

And these blue socks...they were made for Redneck. That man won't quit wearing them. He wears them whether is shirt is green, orange, black, red or blue! Glad to see that he appreciates the craft! I stopped at the LYS on Friday to pick up a pair of #7, 32 inch Addi's. Redneck came along, but didn't go into the store. When we got back in the car, I started knitting with the new needles. He said, "I always knit with Addi Turbos (he has never knitted one stitch in his entire life). I like the #7, 32 inch Addi Turbos." I said, "Get the hell out of here! How did you know that is what I bought?" What a lucky guess. I can assure you he didn't see the packaging the needles came in. How did he know? Hmmm...

And a parting picture...the obligatory pet photo...

Like a breath of fresh air

2005-12-23T21:52:00.000-05:00

We have new doggies!

Guinness is in front, and Zephyr is in back. We brought them home 3 days ago and they are adjusting quite well.

So - the names...well Redneck named Guinness after one of his favorite beers, and I named Zephyr which means (according to dictionary.com) a gentle breeze. I thought coming to our house would give the dogs a breath of fresh air - a gentle breeze. So there you go.
Anywho, the dogs are adjusting very well and are doing well in their new homes. They get along well with the cats which is a nice surprise.
Redneck took them to the vet today and they had a good report. Dr. Malec said they look good, and all is well.
O.K. I know this is a knitting blog so I will post knitting pics soon. Just wanted to update everyone on the new additions.

New Doggies!!! New Doggies!!!

2005-12-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

So, Redneck and I decided to go to our hometown (Somerset, PA) today to look at dogs. We saw a collie/golden retriever mix on the Somerset Humane Society website. As it turned out, the poor girl didn't get along with other dogs except her sister. Then 2 crates down on the opposite side, this little black and white collie mix sat in her crate shaking and looking at me with the biggest, saddest puppy dog eyes that I have ever seen. Bending down in front of her I said, "Hi there pretty girl!" Her expression did not change.
"Hey Redneck, look at Belle. Do you want to take her outside for a walk?"
"Yeah, o.k."
The volunteer attached a leash and off we went outside. Belle was shy but warmed up in a few minutes. We discussed it and decided we would add her to our family.
Inside, the another volunteer said, "She's not able to leave the shelter yet. She and her brother were left abandoned in a garage. It is under investigation by the State Police. Are you sure you don't want her brother too? I'm not sure if the manager (or whoever it was that she said) will let them be adopted separately."
"No, we really only wanted one dog."
"O.K. Leave us your name and phone number and I can call you next week to let you know what the manager decides."

Well, let me tell you. We asked to just look at her brother. Bruce and I discussed it for a few minutes and I asked, "Do you want to take them both out?"
"O.K. Sure."
They tried to get the male out, Tinker. He wouldn't go ANYWHERE. So, they brought Belle out and as soon as Tinker saw her, out of the crate he went!
We walked them around outside for a good while and we knew right away that these 2 dogs could not be separated. You can see the love in their eyes. They are both very shy, and heck you would be too if someone left you stranded in a garage.
The volunteers were happy we decided on both dogs, and we are picking them up next Saturday. Talk about a wonderful Christmas gift!

Now, here is what I'm asking of you readers of this blog...Do you have any ideas of names for these adorable pooches? (The shelter just gives them a name when they are brought in and they said we could rename them.) They are both 4 years old. They are a longish black hair with a white bib. The female is about 35 pounds, and the male is about 50 pounds.

***Please no Oreo or Hydrox suggestions...we had hamsters named that!!!***

Oh yeah, the Diner at the beginning of the post? That is in Somerset. We ate there today for lunch. That place has been around of AGES. If you are ever in the Western PA area, do yourself a favor and get off the Somerset exit of the Turnpike. You will not regret it! May I suggest a vanilla milkshake, and hot roast beef gravy with french fries. Yummy!

2005-12-11T17:09:00.000-05:00

Us on Thanksgiving

Sometimes I Wonder...

2005-12-10T22:20:00.000-05:00

.......if I'm merely here in blogging world having a conversation with myself. Look, I can SEE who visits the blog and I have to say, it's not a whole lot. But, you keep on keeping on I suppose. Maybe that is why there hasn't been a post in 2 weeks? Hmmm... So what do I post about in this semi sober, potato chip eating, fake cosmopositan drinking, sitting next to the fire evening?
Yeah, so I had a whole picture taken to add to this post, but somehow lost it. Guess it's time to hang it up for the evening.

BTW...yes, I do still knit. Just finished 2 pairs of socks for mom and have started on another pair for one of the girls I work with.

Thanksgiving

2005-11-26T23:50:00.000-05:00

So we were were supposed to get 3-5 inches of snow for Thanksgiving. And I was really hoping to spend some quiet time alone with Redneck and the zoo. The day before a lady I work with and I were doing a little Indian snow dance. Yeah, that worked well. You see, it's not that I mind spending some quality time alone with my family, but it is the dried out turkey, cranberry sauce in a jar, Mrs. Smith's frozen pumpkin pie and Stove Top stuffing that really does me and Redneck in. That is not Gobble Gobble Day to us. As it turns out, we didn't get as much snow as expected. The 1 hour drive there wasn't as horrible as expected. We did get some white outs and snow drifts, but nothing like I had experienced 15 years ago. In fact, I pointed out to Redneck the exact place where I had hit a snow bank with the 4 door family unit 10 years ago on that same road. Anywho, (yes, anyWHO instead of anyHOW) it turns out Gobble Gobble Day wasn't as bad as either of us had inticipated. The turkey wasn't all that dried out, the cranberry sauce was homemade, the pie was partially homemade and the stuffing was, well, Stove Top - - - not only made in a saucepan, but baked. So, the stuffing wasn't all that great, but everything else was really good. It was really nice to get together with my family, and we had a great snowy day.

Yeah, Redneck and I were yukking it up a little bit. The next day we were at our friend's house. We cut up 2 hogs and got some good bacon, sausage, roasts and bratwurst out of it. Good times, my friend - Good times. There is a lot to be thankful for.

Nails, Carpet and Dells

2005-11-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, I have joined the local craze - I got my nails done. Seems like everyone around here is doing it. They all have these long, acrylic, dramatically painted nails. They look like they could poke your eye out with one swift swipe of a claw.

I have done this whole nail thing before, but never really kept them long. My nails have been breaking, so thought we'd give this a try until they grow out. I promise, I will not have cat claws like the others.

The knitting in the background? That would be the p.j. bottoms from the one Interweave Knits magazine. I think it was the Spring issue. Don't have the copy in front of me. Anywho - this is being knit with Pakachu Organic Cotton from Elann. Love It, Love It, Love It!

On the home front, we are getting new carpet installed in the 1st floor of the house. I'm digging it so far. It is a shade of beige that Redneck picked out.

We have 2 new Dell's coming our way in a few days. It is about damn time. The dinosaurs we currently have are both in a bad way. Can you say slow?

Ordering computers must be very tiring. Yes, very tiring indeed.

I Love Oprah

2005-10-30T01:52:00.000-05:00

So I was watching Oprah the other day and couldn't help but be riveted by her guest James Frey. His story seems amazing. I jumped on the Oprah's Book Club bandwagon and bought his book, "A Million Little Pieces".

Of course while visiting amazon.com, I had to pick up a CD as well. Redneck and I saw her in concert with Bon Jovi the other summer and she is amazing.

Picked up some Supersock from Cherry Tree Hill at the LYS today. I let my mom pick out the color as the yarn will be made up into some socks for her. Her feet FREEZE in the winter!

Aye yi yi - we get an extra hour of sleep tonight. Happy snoozing to all.

Houston, we no longer have a problem

2005-10-27T21:58:00.000-04:00

Yes, we have finally found the cable so pics are back! This is the earflap hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts knit with Manos del Uruguay. If you have never knit with this before, do yourself a favor and get a hank just to make this hat. The yarn is fantabulous and the hat can be completed in one night. Gotta love that.

I didn't really get any more knitting pics taken, but did get some cat/dog/Redneck photos. Redneck is on 3rd shift this week so he doesn't quite know when to sleep. Here he is on the sofa tonight with a little bit of company...

Oh, yeah - and one more pet photo before the end of the night -

Ahhh---brothers nuzzle. Oh, boy. I just realized I have become one of those crazy animal lovers that people talk about.

It's LOST!!!

2005-10-23T20:51:00.000-04:00

Where oh where has the little digital camera cable thingy gone? Oh where, oh where can it be? That is right - - - it is still unable to be found. That is part of the reason why I haven't been posting lately. How much fun is posting when you can't include photos? And let me tell you, I have been knitting up a storm lately. I have finished a Captain America outfit for my boss' dog to wear for Halloween, a pair of Opal socks w/my own pattern (which will eventually be posted), a winter hat with ear flaps made from Manos del Uruguay, a shrug with yarn from Knit Picks, another pair of socks from Knit Picks yarn. The list goes on and on. Maybe someday VERY soon they can be posted!

Life in po-dunk is going well. Redneck and I went to a Japanese Hibachi restaurant to celebrate the sale of our other house (only one mortgage now, yea!!!) and it was kind of a riot. You see all these trucker hat/flannel wearing hicks eating Japanese food. I know that may not be nice to say, but it was kind of humorous. Hey, give me a break, I lived in yuppyville for 5 years - things are a little different here.

Oh, yeah - I quit working at the yarn shop as I am now working full time at the dental office. That is fine with me as the "benefits" at the shop weren't all that great. There sure is a nice selection there, and I was able to stock up on some Addi Turbo needles with my store credit!

Life Goes On

2005-09-30T00:37:00.000-04:00

I'm waiting for Redneck to hook up the digital camera cable so that I can post some pics. Redneck's socks are fini and I would like to post them. He gets busy, you know, after working 10 hours a day plus 8 hours on Saturdays. Then tonight he did some "errands" like going to get some tips for his bow as bow season comes in Saturday, and then going to the local fruit/veggie store, then to the market (or grocery store as M calls it), and then to pick up some beer. All of this after he got his hair cut after work today - busy man, I tell ya.
ANYHOW - I started working at a LYS Wednesday (besides my other job in a dental office) and I think I like it! Mel, the owner, has a Grand Re-Opening sale this weekend. I go for day 2 tomorrow. It is rather fun rummaging through the yarn.
Today I took measurements on Frank's dog Studio (my boss from the dental office) as he wants me to make a Captain America outfit for Studio. Hmmm...not yet quite sure how that will work out. Will keep you posted.

Oh, Shit - Literally

2005-09-11T20:59:00.000-04:00

I'm beginning to wonder if moving was the best decision for us. It started Tuesday. First of all, let me explain - I am a certified TV junkie. Oh yes, I am. Dish Network came out Tuesday and informed me that because of the trees behind the house, they could not install a satellite on the roof. Ok, fine. Now what? Well apparently he thinks that burying a 4x4 piece of wood in the front yard and then placing the satellite on top of the 4x4 would be the answer. Look, I know we live close to West Virginia and all, but there is no way in hell I am doing that and look like friggin' white trash! So, I went down to the cable company which is a RIP OFF and am paying the same amount per month and getting less channels. I really don't care at this point, just give me some flippin' TV!!! It's bad enough that I missed the finale for Rescue Me, heaven knows I cannot miss any more of the soap Passions!!! Then, last Thursday I called the trucking company to see when they were going to deliver the truck that day. Seems that we were supposed to call them to tell them what day we wanted it delivered. Redneck even called the trucking company last week and they said it was being delivered Thursday. OK, whatever. So we don't get our stuff til Friday. Then Saturday we literally woke up to SHIT, oh yes, SHIT in our laundry room and garage. Redneck bought some magic drain stuff and it seemed to work - FOR A DAY. I was ready to call the plumbers no matter what the cost. But Redneck wanted to be frugal for once. So we waited until 6:00 tonight when there was more SHIT in our garage. So he went to Lowe's and bought something and needed help so he called some friends and the spent the last 3 hours cleaning out the pipes. So now it is done and the whole house smells like SHIT and I start work tomorrow. Somebody please remind me again why we made this move?

My butt hurts...What?

2005-09-01T22:49:00.000-04:00

So at first I thought I'd attempt to change the background color of this blog to pink - which it has been the last few weeks. Now I am thinking that just a regular 'ole Blogger template may work better. Yep, I'm not so good at that whole color matching thing.
I spent all friggin' day packing boxes from the kitchen, pantry and closet. Think it ended up being about 30 boxes. This move REALLY can't come soon enough.
Once again, I have not had time to knit, so no knitting pics today. Wouldn't matter anyway as Redneck has the digital camera with him anyway!

I will leave you with something I came across today that was saved on the computer. Received it around Easter - - Still cracks me the hell up!!

moving on up - ok, not really

2005-08-31T21:43:00.000-04:00

No real knitting news today. Still working on Redneck's other sock. Sure has been busy though. Redneck and I had settlement on our new house yesterday. We are packing up the old house Saturday and then moving to Maryland. I will try to post more once this move is over.
P.S. - - - If anyone is interested in a house in Eastern PA, mine is for sale!!! ;0)

Keep your mouth shut you judgemental prick

2005-08-25T23:50:00.000-04:00

Redneck's first sock is el completo. The second sock however, is not. That one is fresh on the needles tonight with only 6 rows of k2 p2 rib done. I was really hoping to surprise him tomorrow with them. He is coming home tomorrow night! WOO HOO!
My last day of work is tomorrow. Went to lunch with my boss and 2 coworkers today. What a time that was. Why is it that some people try to impose their value system on others? I like to think I live a pretty decent and normal life - that I'm nice to others and am generally a good person. Still, my soon to be ex boss found the need to express his feelings on his life and everyone else's in the office (which are all pretty similar). He came across as judgemental, and thought he was doing the "right" thing. Instead, he was offensive.
I was telling my neighbors (L & M) about what happened, and M said, "I would have **expletive** gotten out of my chair and gotten the **expletive #2** out of there." Tell me how ya really feel M!
So now I have to deal with these people tomorrow. Cripes. Hope the day goes by fast.
Because I have no knitting pictures, here is one situation that you don't see very often - Tucker and Bax. Together. In the same room. On the same bed. Inches away from each other.

Fat Ankles

2005-08-21T23:52:00.000-04:00

I had an uncle that used to tell me I had fat ankles. Oh, yes - he was quite blatant about it. Not only did he flat out tell me, but I was also a teenager at the time. Nothing like self-esteem! I thought he was quite the asshole. I'll never forget the time when I was finally able to tell him (during an argument my parents were having with him in our driveway) that I didn't appreciate that he described my ankles in such a rude way. I don't remember his response, but recall being quite proud of myself that I was finally able to tell him how I felt. (BTW - I don't normally speak ill of the deceased, but at his viewing - in the funeral home that he owned and operated - people were wondering where he ended up. Does that tell you the kind of person he was?)
So after I took the picture of the sock, I couldn't help but think about my uncle. My ankles look really fat! Maybe I was wrong about him this entire time.
ANYHOW - the socks are for Redneck. They are from the new Knitpicks shipment received the other day. The goal is to have them completed by the time he comes home Friday. That is if I can keep all the animals off of me.

Oh, Really?

2005-08-20T15:23:00.000-04:00

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.You are through those knitting growing pains and
feeling more adventurous. You can follow a
standard pattern if it's not too complicated
and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've
started to experiment with different fibers and
you might be eyeing a book with a cool
technique you've never tried. Perhaps you
prefer to stick to other people's patterns but
you are trying to challenge yourself more.
Regardless of your preference, you are
continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as
well you should since your non-knitting friends
are probably dropping some serious hints, these
days.http://marniemaclean.com/

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

So apparently I am a Knitting Adventurer. Geez, I really didn't know that about myself! You learn something new everyday.

Redneck got on the road this afternoon. He starts his new job in Maryland on Monday. He had the Durango loaded (and I do mean loaded) down with "stuff". So here I am alone this week. That will seem rather odd. Just me, the dog, and three cats - woo hoo - party on.

On the knitting front, the Kool Aid dyed socks are fini.

Oh, and by the way, I LOVE knitting with Knit Picks' Andean Treasure. It is Leo for Redneck.

Arrr, Mateys

2005-08-18T18:32:00.000-04:00

What knitter doesn't love their mailman/mailwoman? Today I came home to see she delivered this

And no, Fenner was not deliverd with the package. He does look quite disinterested in it though, no? Ahh...don't let the 'Roo fool you because 2 seconds later he was doing this

So I opened the box and took out my pirate loot

33 skeins/hanks of luh - huh - uvely yarn! Woo Hoo! I hit the jackpot, baby!
To break it down -
First is the Alpaca Cloud yarn in sunlight and peppermint to make 2 of the Airy Scarves from Last Minute Knitted gifts. The pink one is for Grandma, and I might just have to keep the other one.

Then we have 8 hanks of Sierra yarn in cranberry to make that ultra chic sweater in the Fall 2005 issue of Vogue Knitting

Next up is 15 skeins of Andean Treasure in Granite to make this for the Redneck.
And last but not least, 8 skeins of sock yarn.
Whew! I have got some knitting to do!

(By the way, I didn't mean to cheat you out of photos of the last 2, but apparently blogger will not let me upload them - eh, cripes)

Redneck

2005-08-17T21:59:00.000-04:00

Progress on the Kool Aid dyed sock is going well. I think they should be completed tonight if I can keep the cats off my lap! Baxter has a habit of kneading when I knit or when I used to cross stitch. However, he will only jump up when I have that lovely pancake flat pillow on my lap. He is a good cat though - he is even the star of the family.
I can't wait to move! We are moving to Cumberland, MD. I used to live there and we have friends that live there as well. Anyhow, there is a GREAT yarn shop located downtown. Even DH (who will now be known as the Ralph Lauren/J.Crew Redneck) doesn't mind going in! In fact, he went in there for me a few weeks ago and picked up yarn for a friend of mine and this for me. Gotta love a husband who will do that!

No gym = Boxy?

2005-08-16T22:46:00.000-04:00

Have you ever met someone that you consider a friend (o.k. maybe not a friend, but an acquaintance) that you like but there is just SOMETHING that you don't like about them? Maybe it's their holier than thou attitude or their ability to say something to you that cuts you like a knife when they really don't mean anything by it or just the way they "hold" themselves (as my mom always said).

I feel that way about a lot of things that I have been knitting lately. Maybe it is just something that goes with the sleeveless sweater, but I HATE and I mean HATE every sleeveless sweater as of late. They make me look boxy. Mind you, I haven't worked out in a while but I still don't think I look horrible. (I know that sounds vain, but you will find out that I am the complete opposite.)

Take Klaralund for example - - -

What is a knit girl to do? I guess I really should try to tailor the knits to my dimensions but don't feel that I am an adequate knitter to be able to do so. Or I could just make other items that don't require any kind of tailoring like scarves or hats or more scarves or more scarves.

So lastnight I went to dinner with a few girls from work for a "Goodbye to You Since You are Moving" type of dinner and I got this really pretty bag -

With an even prettier bag -

Isn't it cute? Now the question is what to use it for - Can it be a purse or a knitting bag or a bag to put all of those awful sleeveless sweaters in and bury them in the back of the closet?

Tucker the knitting dog

2005-08-15T20:43:00.000-04:00

So I wonder how clever and witty I will need to be for this whole blog thing. Thing is, I don't consider myself to be witty like Wendy. I kind of wonder how interesting this whole thing will be and whether people will actually read it. That being said, here is what I'm currently working on -

Can you tell that is a posed picture or what. Tucker is usually pretty good about sitting and laying down but this is his first time with yarn. It is yarn I dyed with Kool Aid. There is a sock already finished -

That is the current project - it is coming along slowly but surely. I also ordered a little bit of yarn from KnitPicks today. 5-14 days for delivery. I can't wait!

We don't need no stinkin' move

2005-08-14T23:02:00.000-04:00

So I have decided to finally try to get this blog going. Hey, it doesn't really matter that DH and I are in the middle of moving, packing, and generally trying to keep the darn house cleaned up so that people can come look at our house in hopes of buying it! What is more important? You got it - knitting and blogging. So, hopefully tomorrow I will try for some pics.

I'm just getting warmed up

2005-07-14T01:01:00.000-04:00

Testing, testing... is anyone out there? Geez - even Baxter is half asleep.