Goodbye 2008

The one thing I love about New Year's Eve is that it's the last day of the year. Time to reset, refresh, renew. Of course, every evening is like that, too. I always set new goals for the new day but this is a little different. For one thing, I get to use a new planner:

From Drop Box

I have two because, um, I have split personalities and each prefers one charity over the other. And they're both so pretty and Borders had a sale and . . .

Anyways, it's been a huge year for me.

- I went to Texas to take the most intense exam I have EVER taken in my life. I mean, who goes out of state just to take an exam? I do!

- I went to California for the first time to see a friend. No, going when I was 4 does not count because I do not remember it.

- I moved to Utah and am closer with my friends, even though they don't knit (though one of them makes the most awesome comic called Bishie Hotline and the other makes the most amazing jewelry and Invader Zim things and so on over here at The Thorn And Rose and there are several others who might not make things but are still awesome in their own special way). I'm also closer with family and none of THEM knit either. Oh well, I'm sure they're special in their own way. Somehow. Nooo, don't hit me at the reunion!

- I wrote another novel, this one 75,000 words, which translates into 199 pages and I hated it at the end but I finished anyways and I may never publish because the market really really REALLY doesn't need another vampire book, as ironic and tongue-in-cheek as this one is.

- I lost 12 pounds this year.

And that's about the biggest things I can really think of. As for this coming year, I have a few plans.

- I'd like to pass that exam once and for all.
- I'd like to reach my weight goal.
- I'd like to run a 5k (dream big).
- I'd like to hang-glide, as long as it doesn't cost too much.
- I'd like to knit myself TWO sweaters.
- And I'd like to start learning how to get along better with myself and others.

Oh yes, 2009 is going to be monumental. And I'm putting the 'mental' in it.

P.S. Before I knit anything, maybe I should fix this:

From Drop Box

P.S.S. And not to be an ungrateful wretch, I did get a present from my Rubberswapper friend, ElizabethSABLE:

From Drop Box

See the ad for the Sow's Ear above the yarn? Knitting Cafe. I think I might start one out here. ;) Utah could use more places to knit and spill drinks. XD

I keep trying for these things.

I've tried out for a Berroco gift basket. Cirilia's is the one I really have my eye on (so hands off!). Heh, just kidding. Anyways, I don't normally win these sort of things but hey, if I didn't try, I'd DEFINITELY never win anything! :D

And, of course, to keep you up to date as to what my un-idle hands have been doing, check this out:



The scarf and hat are made of Malabrigo Chunky, color Jacinto. The pattern is the Rib Scarf, same as the other one I made before because it's simple, it's versatile, and it's interesting. It really blocked well, too. Anyways, the friend is a sweet kid who has been with me since I broke up with a very close friend. She has a LOT of medical problems, least of which are both retinas 99% detached (she\ can still see well enough to play WoW at least), frequent recurring migraines, and Trigeminal Neuralgia. This girl could USE some Malabrigo in the worst way, don't you think?

Anyways, I think that's about it for my Christmas knitting. Maybe I'm fickle but I just don't know very many people who would go nuts for something I might make. So I keep it in the family of me, myself, and I.

Ah well, here's a little something on my playlist for all of you:



Enjoy!

Christmas Meme

It's been a while since I updated. News: I have unpacked about 90% of the stuff for my room, plus put up a bunch of IKEA bookshelves. I'm still missing a good deal, like my alarm clock and the cable to attach my printer to an outlet (not that I really want to keep the printer, bleh. So big and the scanner SUCKS). But I'm feeling more at home here. I had friends over the other night for games and tv-watching and it felt rather natural. It's hard to leave behind the old but I'm embracing the new.

So, my friend disillusioned has a fun meme, I thought I'd copy and do it, too:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I'm not good at wrapping but gift bags are expensive so I'm going with option C, aluminum foil. Crimp it and you're done!

2.Real tree or artificial? Bonsai trees. Cute, compact, and so little space under the tree that you don't have to spend hardly any money for presents. Or, you can go the other way around and say that the only presents that fit is expensive jewelry, ah ha!

3.When do you put up the tree? If you never take it down, you never have to put it up! Saves time and it feels festive year round.

4.When do you take the tree down? Why take it down when you can keep it up? Classy, economical, environmentally friendly!

5.Do you like Eggnog? Those who don't have no souls. I look forward to Eggnog every year, though I have to sip at it carefully because it's not so great for the waistline.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My sister's PlaySkool Kitchen.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Myself. I have some very expensive taste and I demand only the best. But I am always so grateful for what I get so it's all worth it.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My friends. They're grateful just to have me around, I don't have to get them anything, I just show up for presents!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Speaking of, I saw an outdoor one where there were five stars over the fond plastic couple with their acrylic child. I wonder how the shepherds ever found their way.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? I'm a terrible slacker and yet somehow I buy cards every year. Why? I don't get myself sometimes.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't recall any, really. I'm sure I've given some pretty crappy gifts, even though I do tend to put thought into them. But really, sometimes I don't know the people I shop for very well.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? It's not a Christmas movie but I love watching it during Christmas and that's Little Women.

13.When do you start shopping for Christmas? Um, Christmas Eve? Battling elbow-to-elbow with all the other bachelor uncles and aunts for the last Hillshire Farms Sausage thinger.

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I might have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? German Lebkuchen. The best stuff in the WORLD.

16. Lights on the tree? There sure are!

17 .Favorite Christmas song? Anything on Loreena McKennitt's To Drive The Cold Winter Away album.

18 .Travel at Christmas or stay home? I don't really need to travel anymore, do I? Ahh, laziness.

19.Can you name all Santa's reindeer? I could cheat but that would mean that I care.

20. Angel on the tree top or Star? A rather tipsy angel that won't light. It's like she's been in the eggnog but not enough to really be lit.

21.Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? It's always teaser present on Christmas Eve and then mass chaos in the morning.

22.Most annoying thing about this time of year? From the people kvetching about how no one has the ba--spine to say "Merry Christmas" anymore to the broken-record songs about reindeer, Santa, Frosty, and winter playing non-stop over the speakers at every store (I want to hack in and get the stores to play Handel's Messiah and see how many people wet themselves over the lack of PC-ness of it all) to the repetitive claymation movies and the whole attempt to sell Santa as the replacement Christ, there's a lot of stuff that reeeeally gets under my skin. But I figure *I* can tell people Merry Christmas, I can wear my iPod to the store, I can choose to change the channel, I don't *have* to be annoyed.

23. Favorite ornament? The silver glass one with the nativity scene on it. I loved it ever since I was a girl because of the donkey on it. It has such a sweet face.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? If it could be my choice? It'd be mom's Black Bean stew or Swedish Meatballs. But the spiral-cut ham is also fantastic. Mm. With stuffing, a veggie tray, maybe even cranberry sauce even though that's kind of a Thanksgiving thing. But I welcome cranberries to my table at ANY time. :d

25. Favorite Christmas drink? I still have some decaf chai, that's perfect for Christmas. Hot chocolate is also just the thing. Mmm.

26.What do you want for Christmas this year? I'm tapping into What I Will Never Get But Always Sort Of Wanted - Lasix eye surgery, my car - but totally fixed of every last issue (even the rusty paint) so that it'll run for another 13 years, a gym pass + personal trainer, a wardrobe/face/hair makeover ala What Not To Wear, and a job at Charm City Cakes.

27.What don't you want for Christmas this year? Tears and drama. Oh, and extra pounds. You can keep those, I don't want them.

28. What is something you have never done that you want to do for Christmas? Go ice skating outdoors!

How about you?

Happy Gratitude Day!

I'm typing with gloves on to help with the outrageous rash on my hands so please forgive my typoes. They wouldn't normally be there, it's the vinyl and steroid cream.

But we all know that this is the time to be thankful and I got a list. I have so many things to be grateful for so I will keep it short. Ish. Maybe.

I am thankful for:

1. living in Utah where I have all these friends and have already made more.
2. National Novel Writing Month where there was bad book bashing, good book praising, Brandon Sanderson guest-speaking (ever read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan? He's writing the last one at the request of the widow since Mr. Jordan passed on) and I made new friends, one of whom lives a block away.
3. Mystery Science Theater 3000 streaming on WinAmp. <3
4. My new home where my room is almost twice as big as it once was and with a walk-in closet, too.
5. living close to temples! I don't have to drive 4 hours anymore.
6. My little brother who is smart, eager to please, and funny as hell.
7. my little sister who is such a clever and loving mom and has the patience of Job. 3 kids and 4 on the way, that's crazy awesome, lass.
8. smart doctors who are willing to go out on a limb to help me fix this rash I have on my hands, legs, and neck (it's chapped and overly dry skin, I'm pretty sure of it).
9. living close enough to an IKEA that I can get an awesome bookcase for all the books I want to collect.
10. being blessed with kidney problems that have helped me to grow and learn. I would not wish it on anyone, I can sympathize with people with AIDS because my own immune system is in the crapper thanks to the pills I take to keep my transplanted kidney with me, but I have also grown as a person in ways that I would not wish back ever.
11. Malabrigo. Mmm. I have never knit with it before but I am now and I think I have found a favorite yarn.
12. friends who are more than happy to put up with my strange ways. They are good to me and I love them.
13. the ability to laugh.
14. the discoveries I make about myself every day.
15. professionals who sacrifice their times to help others.
16. my mother who sacrificed so much for me and who has become one of my very best friends as I have grown into adulthood.
17. my father who is still terribly but charmingly protective of me.
18. art.
19. science.
20. the resilience of humankind.

And I am thankful for all of you who read this. This is a day of love and joy. Remember why it is you smile and give thanks silently and verbally because when you give thanks, it comes back to help you grow.

she who dares to stand where I stood

I heard this on the radio tonight and it made me so happy. I got to see Missy Higgins in concert with one of my close friends, the one who introduced me to her and it was incredible. Even though I was footsore already and still reeling from side effects of narsty flu shots, Missy made me forget for a moment. And as Emily used me as a prop and the two of us swayed, she serenaded us from a piano that I couldn't see and I listened to Emily sing along.



I just thought I'd share.

Sure, I've been knitting.

When I packed, I brought a lot of yarn, thinking Sure! I'll have so much time that I'll probably be able to make a ton of socks! I'll just bring these ten skeins of yarn...

Yeah, I didn't knit much. I'm sure you could have predicted that, Kit the Knitter from the land of Slow. But I did recently complete a project, if you can believe that.

From Cere-knitty

It's in progress but you can see the true colors here.

From Cere-knitty

And here's she is finished. Not very long but it's a nice enough scarf for the oncoming cold.

From Cere-knitty

And snow.

From Cere-knitty

Now I'm making mom one because she wasn't too keen on something as opened and hole-y as the Clap. *snort*

Now leave me alone while I drool over the latest Twist Collective patterns.

Not busy, just distracted.

National Novel Writing Month is upon us again. Some of the more knitterly of you may know it as NaKniSweMo or NaBloWriMo or whatever else. I'm not knitting, I'm not blogging, I'm writing. And I'm aiming for 75,000 words as opposed to the "official" 50,000 words. Already I'm at 25,000 and oh yeah, did I mention that I'm writing a vampire book? Well, sort of, it's my take on vampires. It's dumb, full of flash backs and side tracks but if you're interested, I may make it available to read. There's a vampire sheep, that might keep your interest. But yes, being in the valley of Twilight fever, I thought I'd make the worst of it and compound the problem, harr harr.

Today is the official day that we close on our house out in SF (no, not San Francisco or SciFi--though that might not be far off). When everything is said and done, I'll be out of here by Friday and into my new home. I'll be living in the basement because that's where all the bedrooms that are not the master bedroom are. Oh, I know the whole stigma of being my age and still living with parents and in their basement. Whatever. No one's bothered me about it and I'm not bothered about it either. And I've already picked a lovely shade of sage green to paint the walls. I'm tired of looking at white walls and if I can have my way, they'll also sport dragons. Ha!

But man, am I ever glad that the elections are over. Maybe I'll be able to talk to a few of my friends again. Or rather, maybe they'll talk to *me* again. Talk about a bunch of stuffed shirts who need to unclench to remove rods from uncomfortable anatomical regions on EITHER side of the fence. I should have worn a sign that said "GET OVER IT" the entire time. In fact, I still *do* need to wear that sign in some areas. Really. But I won't get into it. There are enough people who are saying what I would merely echo and as Florence Nightingale put it: You ask me why I do not write something.... I think one's feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results. Isn't that a lovely quote? I find that despite the fact that I just realized that I don't like nurses, I think she's a wonderful inspiration.

As for knitting, well, I do have pictures of it but they're on my camera and I can never get up the energy to upload them. Besides, who wants to see pictures of knitting? Especially when I could show you my little brother's Halloween outfit:

From Misc

He dressed up as Doctor Steel who is very similar to Dr. Horrible to the point that some say that Dr. Horrible is a rip off of Doctor Steel. I can see it but I find them both marvelous and can't complain.

And yes, he shaved his head to do it.

Anyways, I'm going back to my clapotis (shut up, you know I had to make one SOME time) and writing about vampires and their sheep.

Why I don't watch the news.

This is an article that was published by Orson Scott Card (loved his Ender's Game, not a huge fan of much else but the man clearly has a good head on his shoulders). I thought I'd post this with a very loud and resounding "HELL YES AMEN" and hope a few of you might think the same.

Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?

And now I'm going back to watching Ace of Cakes. No bull there.

Same people, new scenery

Well, I've been in Utah with my parents for over a week. We got in the Sunday before last and we took off looking for houses the very next day. Mom and I looked at about six a day and it was an eye-opener. Many of the people would have messy homes, which really put me off. Also, many people refused to leave the house while we looked through and when you have a buyer look through your home, you really don't want to hear them comment on how small the bathrooms are or how dark the basement. And they don't want to have to tip-toe around you.

By Thursday, we finally decided on 4 houses to show Dad, who is gone all day at work and couldn't come with us. On Friday, he came with us and we all decided that the house we liked best was the one that had never been lived in before:



It's still under construction and when it's done, it'll have grass in front and back, sprinkler systems and two trees as sanctioned by the city.

It has a study just off the entrance:


And a powder room:


The basement, where I'll be living, is immense. I could upgrade from a twin to a full or even queen-sized bed with plenty of room left over. Not that I will, I am used to my twin. Every room has a walk-in closet, so nice. The master bath even has a separate closet for the toilet, keeping the rest of the bathroom hygienic. This made me so happy, I don't understand or approve why people have to put a toilet beside the bathtub. Ew.

Anyways, there is clearly a lot of work to be done but we've been promised that the home will be finished within 2 weeks. In the meantime, we're all living in a La Quinta Inn, which is nice and has a tremendous view of Utah Lake but just isn't home, even WITH the free breakfast (waffles every morning if I want, not that I really want, but the option is there). But I share my Daisy's sentiment, I just want to go 'home'. *sigh*

In the meantime, I have been having the best time hanging out with my siblings and seeing my niece and nephews. My sister still looks lovely and slender from the back but she's got a lovely baby bump in front. And my brother and I have been having an awesome time just hanging out, talking, and even going to Borders and the mall today. I forgot how much I missed my siblings, I love them so much.

And then there's my friends. I went to Thanksgiving Point with a bunch of them to wander aimlessly through a corn "maize" (hurrhurrwhatever) dressed in a kimono that I borrowed from my friend Melanie and cheap long-haired black wig, sort of like the girl from The Ring except she wasn't wearing a kimono, but whatever. It got the effect I was looking for. It was fun for the first half hour, but when the 'clues' led us nowhere and the rough terrain was hurting us all, we started looking for a way out in earnest and within another half hour or so, we got out. There were cookies and hot chocolate awaiting us. Ahh, so nice and really, so much fun. My friends here are very down-to-earth, goofy, single people who are comfortable with who they are. They make me feel grounded and strong. I love them and I look forward to making more friends. :)

I still miss Lawrence, though.

learn about me

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

No time for many words, just pictures.

Christina, remember this?



er, and then Picasa broke. Dangit. Oh well, eating badly, living out of a suitcase, trying to keep the dog from barking at things no one can help in the middle of the night, and knitting socks. That's my life, baby! :D We're on the road tomorrow, hopefully there's internet wherever we stop. Later!

I've been doing stuff, really!

I was totally productive on Friday:

With a burst of productivity, I vacuumed the car. Now, this doesn't seem like a big deal until you realize that I have a pup that is a lot German Shepherd and if there's one thing you must know about GSes is that they explode fur. There was a thick, embedded layer of dog fur in the back seat of my Honda Civic. It was also on the floor, in between the front seats, everywhere. So I took my dad's shop vac and scratched and scrubbed at the hair until it finally went away.

From Misc

Eeeww. Left side is clean, right side is covered in dog. Stupid Daisy.

So I worked really hard on that, cleaned the windows, scrubbed at the plasticky bits using the Armor-All cloths and sprayed some Bounce perfume stuff on the back seats so they don't smell so musty.

And then late that night, mom and I took Daisy and headed out to pick Dad up from the airport so we have his help in moving and getting the vehicles headed out West. Daisy was the most exuberant of the bunch:



There is seriously no better welcome than a dog so happy, she can't even gain traction on the floor. I love my dog.

And walk away. Just walk away.

Ever had one of those projects where just thinking about it made you wish it was already over or even never begun? That the knitting of it is not a pleasure but a pain and gives you anxiety? What do you do about it?

It was the Belle Cardigan (Ravelry link) knit on size 17 and 19 US needles and for someone who hasn't knitted on anything bigger than a size 4 needle for a while, it was BIG. Broomsticks and rope, my friends. That's what it felt like. So I finally put it away. Just stuck it in one of my under-the-bed containers and shoved it out of sight. What a relief! It's gone!

I also put away my lace. Sorry, no Mystery Stole this year, I can't stand it. Maybe later.

Then I needed something to keep my little fingers busy.





It's the Viking Socks and if you're a Danish speaker, it's even better but she does have them in English if you want them. I call them my Money socks because they are nice and green and may bring me to my next job.

Oh! So today I hung out with my fellow Rubbernecker, CeliaAnne! She is a real doll and I wish I had gotten to know her sooner. It just figures, right? Anyways, she gave me a going-away present of an African Butterfly clip. Now, I used to have thick, coarse hair that went all the way to my hips and lower and I just left it because there was never much to DO with it. And now that I'm off cyclosporine, my hair has gotten silky and pretty thin and I still don't know what to do with it. Alligator clips are awkward and ponytails are old. But I have never seen or worked with an African Butterfly clip before and seriously, it's amazing. My hair doesn't slip out (well, other than the hair that frames the face because it's ornery like that), it doesn't go anywhere, it *stays*! I kept poking at it and then grinning and going "This is sooo neat!". You're right, Celia. I *will* be poking you for more (and paying, of course). It's the best thing ever!

And that's it for today, y'all. Ha, I went to Applebees and our waiter must have just learned how to say "y'all" because he kept using it. Interesting note: "y'all" is meant to be singular or refer to particular people within a group. "All y'all" refers to the entire group. Personally, I don't use 'y'all' too much, I was raised a bit too European to be intimately comfortable with it. Maybe if I'm lazy typing. Which I'm clearly not today.

One last picture:



That's right, it's official now. Sorry to all my midwest friends. :/ I'll miss you.

Mein Hut, er hat kein Ecken

So, I do have a few things that just flew off the needles. Nothing easier in the world than...HATS! I love a good hat. Un fortunately, I frequently do not look good in hats. Like berets. I couldn't figure out how to look good in a beret but I bet my weight loss makes it work a little better now. Check this out:



A hat for my friend, disillusioned made out Handpaintedyarn.com. It was fun to take a pattern and kind of make my own based off it.

And then I made one of my own out of some KnitPicks Alpaca Silk in Lettuce:


Cute, huh? And nice and warm, too. And just in time because it's about to cool off around here.

There's only ten days left here. Today Daisy and I startled a group of Canadian Geese and they flew off, automatically getting into formation as they cleared the trees to go to another spot to rest and I realized that I don't think Utah has Canadian Geese. Ahh well, they don't have Canadian Geese poop all over the road either. Heh.

What's changing where you're at?

I forbid you maidens all to wear gold in your hair

There is no argument that I need to update this blog a lot more frequently, despite the fact that I lose readers when I do. Aw well, who cares, people need to know what's going on! I love the rest of you. :D

So, here's where I am with knitting. I want to knit but it's kind of a vague, half-heated desire. I've created a few things but there's no passion. I think I might need to use up my sock yarn but yeah, like I need more socks right? I could use a scarf, some mittens, another sweater but socks? Pssht. Well, okay, some of my socks are in a sad state and could use replacing. Hmm. Do I *feel* like socks? No, not really.

You know, though--I think this lack of wanting to knit anything is related to the fact that I've been without a job for a while. I quit Hy-Vee when my skin started tearing itself up (and no, it hasn't gotten better) and I haven't been employed since because that was right when I was going to Utah and LA and when I got back, I felt that I should distinctly not find one again. There was the whole move looming overhead and it was a good decision, but one that has left me feeling a little despondent. And if I did what I knew was good for me, I wouldn't be left feeling like this. But sometimes I give myself very good advice that I never take.

So. Moving to Utah. This means I'll be applying for my nursing license out there and then getting a job. More than likely, I'll go back to working part time for the USH mental hospital. We don't call it a "mental hospital" but dang it, that's what it is. You don't go there for busted limbs, you go there for busted minds and please don't call me on being politically incorrect. Sometimes I am. And sometimes, the sky is blue, sometimes a dog's poop stinks.

For now, I'm waiting.

Think it before you speak it

This one goes out to a good friend of mine.



Sometimes even I say the "R" word. I don't say it to be hurtful but it still is and I've gotten a lot more careful.

Grown-up words do not always mean the four-letter words that we should not say. Grown-up words are the ones we use to be mature, reasonable, respectful people.

beauty

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am shedding Kansas for Utah. Yes, shedding. I've been here for so long, all wrapped up in memories both good and bad and yes, even ugly that I feel like I am ready to leave it all behind. In fact, I felt like that once before and it was good to leave, to start over elsewhere. I made friends and I discovered new facets to myself that I knew I had but didn't dare explore. I grew up a little. But then I came back. And it was right that I did, because my mother needed me and I needed to be here one last time. But now we're all going and if we look back, it's not with regret but with fondness.

In the meantime, Kansas has been giving us something to remember her by:

From Misc

I apologize for the quality, the light wasn't fantastic and it's REALLY hard to photograph a rainbow. But yes, it was that gold pink outside with shades of turquoise, like a Turkish bath house. And that rainbow had two echoes of itself that you can't quite see.

Mom and I have been trying to take daily long evening strolls. We go through the Fall Creek neighborhood, a very posh and upscale area where the houses are fantastic:

From Misc

From Misc

and the hills provide a proper workout (phew!):

From Misc

From Misc

I'll miss Kansas. I'll miss the crazy storms where the sky and air turns pea-soup green and the lightning and thunder recreate wars in the heavens. I'll miss the Renaissance Festival every fall. I'll miss the winter storms that cover everything in ice, turning the world into an intricate crystal wonderland that no sculptor could ever recreate. I'll miss the sunsets. I'll miss my friends. I'll miss seeing hawks and bald eagles while walking out in the fields. I'll miss downtown Lawrence and the nonchalance everyone there possesses. I'll miss KU campus.

But I have those memories neatly packed away, freely accessible and now I'm off to make new memories. Thank you, Kansas. It's been good, it's been awful, it's been a growing experience. I won't forget.

From Misc

No, not ever.

P.S. This one's for you, Abby!

From Misc

EMMETT I KNOW IT WAS YOU. I CAN READ MINDS OKAY??? I HATE TO QUESTION YOUR INTELLIGENCE, BUT I MUST.

Copied flagrantly from Cookie, WITHOUT HER PERMISSION! Ohnoes&shi~nola.

1. My uncle once gave me his copies of the best sci-fi radio show ever, Searcher and Stallion. <3

2. Never in my life have I impressed people when I tried. I've given up and life is so much better.

3. When I was five, I got a third kidney.

4. High school was a hazy dream. Let's keep it that way.

5. I will never feel comfortable among people talking politics.

6. Once I met my knitting and blogging friends, I was happy to find that they're just as extraordinary as me.

7. There’s this boy I know but not in the Biblical sense.

8. Once, at a bar, I had German food and listened to German drunks singing German songs. It was awesome.

9. By noon, I have exercised, had breakfast, showered, and walked the dog. Don't judge me.

10. Last night, I wound the lace yarn for Mystery Stole 4.

11. If only I had the courage to stop people from abusing me and taking me for granted.

12. Next time I go to church I'll be fasting for a fast sell and a smooth move.

13. What worries me most are things I can't do anything about anyways.

14. When I turn my head left I see the future, hazy and impenetrable.

15. When I turn my head right I see the past, a guideline for the future but a hazard if one stares too long.

16. You know I’m lying when I use my sarcastic voice.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties was living in Germany and being a crazy kid who didn't worry about make-up or what people thought about me.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be Beatrice.

19. By this time next year, I might have passed my CPNE. Positive thinking, go!

20. A better name for me would be spoken in awe by the people on the ground as I fly by in spandex.

21. I have a hard time understanding why people buy the phony 'sweetness' act. I don't.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll get my Bachelors in Nursing, I guess.

23. You know I like you if I engage in an actually conversation with you.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: me. I worked darn hard for that award, I deserve a little accolade for myself.

25. Take my advice: don't bother asking me, go see a dang doctor already.

26. My ideal breakfast is flavored instant oatmeal. Sorry, Alton Brown, but I love it.

27. A song I love but do not have is: hard to find. *coff*

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you lose yourself downtown for a week.

29. Why won’t people shut their yaps for a moment and actually comprehensively listen? Take a few moments, consider what the person is trying to actually say, THEN respond.

30. If you spend a night at my house, bring your own coffee.

31. I’d stop my wedding for an act of God, like a tornado or lightning in the sky spelling Surrender Dorothy "DON'T DO IT".

32. The world could do without chiggers, lousy pestilences of the Universe with no real reason to exist.

33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than take up smoking.

34. My favorite blondie is canine (I love Goldies).

35. Paper clips are more useful than a horde of handsome men holding papers together in bundles, but not as attractive!

36. If I do anything well, it's obviously due to me being fabulous.

37. I can’t help but cry when I'm angry. Ugh.

38. I usually cry when I'm PMSing.

39. My advice to my nephew/niece: be true to who you really are inside. Follow the herd only if they're going your way.

40. And by the way, my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. ;)

A wiener is me!

Well now, what with the advent of the Olympics ending (don't spoil it for me, I'm going to watch it while running tomorrow!), I am going to show off what I finished knitting last night:

It's the BONSAI TUNIC OF RAVELYMPIC GLORY, YAAAAAY!



It took two weeks and I made the second size up (38.5" bust one). It's a little snug but I believe I'll still lose more weight and I'll eventually fit it better. To celebrate 2008 and the Olympic Spirit, I ordered a Bobicus Maximus pin.


Bewbies. U kno u liek thems.

And thus I finish the Ravelympics with a new top and a sense of style. Yaaay!



Now onto the next project. ;3

Ravelympics - Days 1 & 2. Subtitle: Gauge swatching can kiss my ---

You would never know it, but this Cotolino hates me. Let me share my woes.

Day before yesterday: knitted a few gauge swatches. It was knitting up to about 22 stitches over 4 inches and the pattern I wanted required 24st/4". Fine. I went down a few needle sizes.

Yesterday: began the Josephine top (under "Projects", 5th one down on the gaunt model that it doesn't really fit). I knitted and knitted and watched LOST and knitted and watched the Opening of the Olympics and knitted some more until I had 4 inches of knitted garment where it said I was to measure and decrease. Dimensions were supposed to be 21.75" wide. My piece of smirking smugness? More along 30". Let's just say that I was not thinking charitable thoughts on the lying piece of lying crap!

So, last night, I began knitting swatches again. I dug out all my smaller circulars and began swatching on 3s. 22 st/ 4". WHAT. Fine. 2s. 23 st/4". This was ridiculous. Okay, let's see what the US#1s could do! ...

23 st/4".

ARRRGH!

Fine. This morning I decided to suck it up and started knitting all over on the 2s, working on the smaller pattern for people with chestes to the tune of 36.5" (in my dreams). I stopped after the first full working of the lace chart and measured. What was supposed to be 19 was...25". An improvement. What would fit an elephant before would now comfortably fit a horse instead. Niiice.

I woefully reported to Team Rubberneck that I was out of the Olympics before I even really started until several people told me that people with Dr. Horrible Ravatars were not allowed to throw in the towel and to pick something else out. I had already done that since I figured that the Josephine Top would just have to wait (and I wanted to throttle those who did make one with Cotolino because they must have done it while dancing naked around a bonfire during the rising of a blood moon while sucking down the tears of a prom queen virgin using those nifty beer-can-holding-hats...I want one--for water, of course).

I had gone through my Ravelry queue and after dismissing sweater pattern after sweater pattern (wrong gauge, wrong yarn, not enough, would look like a McD*n*lds paper sack after a month of blowing around on I-70), I settled on the Bonsai Tunic (second verse same as the first). It fit my gauge, it also used a plant fiber (I don't know how much cotton/linen differs from bamboo but they're both flammable and made from stuff that eats poo and turns green, why not?). But that was not the end of this Cotolino's tricks!

Because though it fit the gauge, it would not behave. After a full 2" in, I decided to measure. It was supposed to be 19" wide. It was 23". It took incredible self-control as well as the consideration of how long it took chemically burning my wrists in hot dishwater and factory soap to earn enough to buy the friggin' yarn to keep me from tossing it all in a pile and lighting it.

I took a deep breath. I went down a needle size. I watched some anime. I measured. It is behaving itself. For now.

Judge

I got a hair up my --- and it won't let me stay quiet.

You know, I may have been really naive for a lot longer than most kids but I didn't realize that people judged me by my differences until 6th grade. Yup, that's when it really struck me. I mean, I made friends with the kids no one else would sit with, not realizing that then others would associate me with the outcast rather than bringing the outcast in. But I think it's time I set the record straight.

I'm not blind. I can see when people make up their minds about me within 5 minutes of getting to know me. Or that they stick me in a slot that doesn't fit me because they know members of my family or friends or rumors. So I think I need to open some eyes here.

- I'm short, but that does not make me cute or young or willing to put up with your patronizing behavior.

- I'm blond but that does not make me a ditz, a moron, or a sheep following the bottle-blond herd.

- I've got blue eyes too. See above.

- I'm overweight. This does not make me lazy, greedy, or selfish.

- Sometimes I wear my hair curly. This does not make me silly.

- Sometimes I wear my hair straight. This does not make me sophisticated.

- I love anime, Renaissance Festivals, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and fantasy. This does not make me a dork or a geek.

- I'm a nurse but that doesn't mean I am going to diagnose the rash on your ---. Or anything else. See a doctor.

- I'm still single. That doesn't mean I want or need or deserve your pity, advice, or yenta-ism.

- I'm still a virgin. Do I seem naive, ignorant, prudish, or lonely to you?

- I have learned to want what I have and budget to afford what I don't have yet. Does that make me a rich snob?

- I'm LDS/Mormon. This does not mean I want a lot of children, that I never swear or drink caffeine, or will share my husband with other women.

Basically, I really don't fit your mold. Don't expect me to, I never will. No one ever really expects what I eventually reveal. I've surprised people with my appreciation of rock music, books thicker than my wrist, and knitting. Sometimes I don't mind, but sometimes I get so dang tired of the same old bias.

Break down your walls. Get to really know people around you. And get the hell off my lawn!

Hey, how about a Catching-Up post? We all love those.

1. HomesteadMom is still hoping to hit her $5k goal for her 3-Day Breast Cancer March. Click to donate and leave identifying info in case you win...a Wii Fit! I'd love a Wii Fit but her raffle tickets are 1 for $20 and 3 for $50 and I don't have that kind of money. Heh.

2.

There was spinning! I finished it all up and here is a little collage so you can see the process and the product:


I even made a funny, though it didn't really wind up being all that funny:

Click to Embiggen.

It was a real challenge and I have to admit that at the end, I was overwhelmingly sick of fiber and spinning and fleece. But now that I'm not spinning constantly, I'm thinking, "Gee, that was a nice respite from knitting!" but it's back into the fray becaaause--

3.
I joined Ravelympics! I'm in Team Rubberneckers because, well, I could. I'm planning on making the Johanna Top from the Interweave Knits Summer 2007 issue, a cap-sleeved sort of top made of DK weight cotton of which I have scads in a deep deep blue. I decided on it when I looked at the Ravelry Projects page and saw how it looked when appropriately filled out by actual people with breasts and curves. The model in the magazine does not do the poor top justice.

In the meantime, the lace design I'm making is coming slowly. It should look awesome but I'm not a fast knitter and now it's going to have to wait stoically again as I race through top-knitting. Fortunately, it's not going to be all that long, I only have so much cotton. ;)

Save The Tatas!

Okay, I'm not doing anything too interesting so I'm going to highlight someone who is. Over on Ravelry Rubberneckers, our very own blogless HomesteadMom is off to walk for 3 days at the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-day (go ahead, click it, it's harmless!). And if you're a yarnophile, you can even get signed up for some marvelous prizes and I'm just going to copy and paste from the Ravelry page:

The deadline for entering my Bewby Raffle is July 31st, only eight days away! If you have not yet had a chance to do so, please visit my 3-Day page to read about what my mom and I are doing this October, and to make a donation.

Again, here are the terms: For every $5 you donate, your name will be entered one time. So if you donate $25, you will be entered 5 times. $50, ten times. Etc. One prize per person.

And here are the prizes:

PRIZE 1


KnottyLa, aka La of the JenLa duo has donated a skein of her hand-dyed sock yarn. As her store’s not due to open until later this year, the winner will own exclusive Dizzy Blonde Studios yarn before the rest of the world can. And if that’s not exclusive enough…

The colorway is “Mae”, and it’s a one-off colorway, meaning that it will not be repeated. Only 4 more skeins remain, and then it’s gone forever.

The Dizzy Blonde Studios store is scheduled to open 08/08/08

PRIZE 2



This skein of Rock Creek Yarn’s Simply Sock Yarn was generously donated by threeteens. The yarn is 100% superwash merino wool, fingering weight, approx. 400 yards. Colorway is Cherry Blossom Just gorgeous!

PRIZES 3,4, & 5



Those of you who have tried to find Yarntini recently know that this yarn is very hard to come by. I am offering these three skeins from my private stash. From top to bottom: Pomtini, Ice Blue, and Twistini. Yarn is 100% superwash merino wool, sport weight, approx. 260 yards per skein. (One skein makes a pair of socks.)

PRIZE 6



Three skeins of Malabrigo lace weight, color tuareg. This is a very pretty blue, and so soft and silky! 100% baby merino wool, approx, 470 yards/skein.

PRIZE 7



Last but not least, I am offering a BRAND NEW Ravelry Logo Tote. Great for toting and storing knitting projects! You can read more about this bag at the Ravelry Mini Mart.

So, there's the fun and the good times. I'll be over here. Plying. And chewing all skin and possibly flesh off my lips in concentration.

Tour de Fleece

First off, apologies for having two blog posts so close together. I know I lose more readers that way but, well, get over it. I have.



I have actually really gotten into my spinning as you saw in my previous post. But drop spindling takes a good long time, so it's not like you can see whole skeins just falling from some imaginary wheel that I do not have like I've seen on the Ravelry boards (jealous much? Oh yes, yes I am). But I still can't say that I regret the time spent in quiet enjoyment, making a thing spin and creating yarn from fluff. It makes me look at clouds in a whole new light. Mmhmm. But I realize that I need to document this a little better. So here we go, playing catch up.

Day 5
I had already had to empty the spindle once as it got overloaded and there is about 120-some yards on my niddy noddy. And then I got all this spun up:



Day 6
There was a good deal more spinning yesterday and before retiring to bed, this is what I had on the spindle:




It's been a lot of fun. I found Heroes Season 2 to watch while I spin and that really makes it enjoyable.

You know, I needed something to do while summer made things hot and sticky and knitting, even if it was lace, just didn't seem to be the thing. But this has been a lot of fun and I look forward to finishing up all that fiber by the end of the Tour. And maybe as a reward, I'll buy some of Tracy Bunker's hand-dyed fiber to spin up for the NEXT Tour de Fleece.

And finally, I have some exciting news! I'm moving back to Utah, this time with my parents and Daisy. Dad got a job in Dugway and this will be a good opportunity for me to get back to Utah, conquer my CPNE fears, finish my RN and start my career where I had always wanted to in the first place. I look forward to it. In fact, when mom told me, I burst into tears. :D Now, I know some people aren't really down with Utah (not just you, Mary, there are lots of people who don't like it) but I gotta say, the place is what you make it. I love Kansas. I'll miss the green and the indie shops and dressing like a hippie and the Honk For Hemp guy along with the friends I've made here. But I look forward to Utah and my friends with their anime/MST3K nights and that when I sweat, it actually *evaporates* and I feel cool in a breeze, instead of just slightly less miserable. And people smile in Utah. Not that they don't smile in Kansas, it's just that when I'm walking and make eye-contact with a person in Kansas, the eyes do the slide-away and there's no acknowledgment that you even exist where people *do* smile when they see you in Utah.

But that's just me. :)

Boom de ya da

I didn't exercise today. I walked for 10 minutes when I took the dog for her morning toileting but otherwise, I stayed where it was shady and cool. I even slept in, though doing so caused me to dream strange dreams. Ah well, that's the price paid for doing so.

I have a routine, though. I write it up on my whiteboard before I go to bed and then as I do those things on the list, I erase them with a finger. It works well that way. But I find I can't alternate writing with spinning. I end up getting distracted by the spinning and don't get my wordcount in with my writing. And it's not like the story is boring, though I want to get to a part I haven't rewritten five different times before, that would be nice.

Mom's home from Corpus Christi tomorrow and Auntie Flo is beating me with her energy sapping stick. I try to defy her but every time, she lays me out flat so let's see how much I can get cooked/cleaned up before mom gets home before I pass out or cry.

Oh yes, and check out yesterday's fog:

If it's so humid that you can't see down the street, it's way too humid to run. And it was 70 degrees. I was already feeling damp as soon as I stepped outside. No thank you. XP

Also, if you want to check out what I'm spinning:
This is what I intend to have all spun up for Tour de Fleece. I'm sure it's a tencel merino but it must not have come with a label because I wouldn't have just tossed something like that. Or would I? Sometimes I'm a real moron. But I got it from the Renaissance Festival.


And this is an artsy photo what I had to unload off my full spindle:


It's not very even, I'm still such a n00b at spinning but I like it and I find that park'n'draft works a lot better for me than just letting it drop. Ah well.

Yes, I shamelessly copied and pasted from my LJ.

Un-lighted States

I can't say much about the Fourth Of July. I mean, go us, we were awesome 232 years ago. We thumbed our nose at British oppression, decided we'd make a stand, told them we didn't need their stinkin' tea or their stinkin' religion and they couldn't say anything about it.

And now, we're robbing ourselves of everything we'd fought for so long ago. Think about it.

Anyways, I've been quiet on *this* blog. Heh, what can I say? Most of my life-stuff gets posted over on LJ. But other than running and seeing the scorched imprint of a foot on the ground (yeah, THAT was a quick trip to the ER, I betcha) and nearly getting bit by the same dang dog that bit me 7 years ago (and I was ready to release some Tae Kwon Do whoop-bottom on that hound, let me tell you and nevermind the bleeding heart who'd be ticked that I kicked their stinking dog into a coma - DO NOT MESS WITH ME), there's little going on. So I shall share some photos instead. :)

I made dinner the other night (English Muffin pizzas, yummy and only 3 points or so for 3 halves) and for dessert, Tad's Sno Cones! Mom got the Sunrise and she was very happy about it.


And as I was walking to Hy-Vee for said pizzas, I saw a fellow knitter and her truck!


The night before I attended a boozeless booze party for a person who was turning 21. We were playing poker and I had far too many Jello Shots.


Fourth of July was pretty cool, they brought out a horse, who wasn't too impressed by the skeet shooting (this was out in the country, y'all). I took a picture of its eye. So artsy.


And we done blowed stuff up:


I hope everyone else made Big Boom in a safe environment where no scorched imprints of your stupidity are left on the concrete for a good three months.

Now I need to get a picture of *that*.