tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272808122024-03-13T14:11:07.195-06:00debsknitsLife with a teenager in a new city. Starting over again. Knitting will be involved, I'm sure of it.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-51235732194311941722008-02-08T12:14:00.000-07:002008-12-09T10:03:46.616-07:00And now, the Sweater!But first, a word from our sponsor - -<br />Here are some progress shots of the Rhiannon socks:<br />The back:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXOcMhnzeFkYCKgHHKMqEtO4uVg0Hx0w1YMk4rsWB-xABC4tPaHuEXFyh_YqkuA2859lXSTKPBv2MfZSxDMXaM3Fc8JmfaBk4fTUZRLEzSOIOVMqMQO2xVeJpKjTjbibNNDgK/s1600-h/rhiannon+prog+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXOcMhnzeFkYCKgHHKMqEtO4uVg0Hx0w1YMk4rsWB-xABC4tPaHuEXFyh_YqkuA2859lXSTKPBv2MfZSxDMXaM3Fc8JmfaBk4fTUZRLEzSOIOVMqMQO2xVeJpKjTjbibNNDgK/s320/rhiannon+prog+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164690452884899298" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The front:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhPtpnZs478e5AntSERlhEuyPLatGMVjsOTS642CFaEBQPwvrkHghyphenhyphenTAIu72DZAByZe4_X2YdbSx89OhEG75O5EIiGTZ6Y7mk-H2digLVR2mTOMzSlxFwWF0Dm0lAUSxxKvOd/s1600-h/rhiannon+prog+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhPtpnZs478e5AntSERlhEuyPLatGMVjsOTS642CFaEBQPwvrkHghyphenhyphenTAIu72DZAByZe4_X2YdbSx89OhEG75O5EIiGTZ6Y7mk-H2digLVR2mTOMzSlxFwWF0Dm0lAUSxxKvOd/s320/rhiannon+prog+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164690714877904370" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And the cuff:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cO3MOHg912hj8ukqFtY4YIy5BiBNASi_rbXReW2Ym929LyhfzLfcFek2O0V8F7gonBF9zBW4vRCqoCvqnXAte2hqRH3wKteZeljgc1_LQhspr-gjZj9YBPhwS7UtcJTdQ-Rh/s1600-h/rhiannon+cuff.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cO3MOHg912hj8ukqFtY4YIy5BiBNASi_rbXReW2Ym929LyhfzLfcFek2O0V8F7gonBF9zBW4vRCqoCvqnXAte2hqRH3wKteZeljgc1_LQhspr-gjZj9YBPhwS7UtcJTdQ-Rh/s320/rhiannon+cuff.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164690942511171074" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Believe it or not, these are all of the same sock, taken with the same camera. I guess that orange is so wildly psychedelic that the camera just couldn't figure out what to do with it.<br /><br />So, on to the sweater - <br />So far, I've used almost 2 skeins of Wool of the Andes, and here's some progress pics to show:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCDp_IUvD9X-f7S0AI0pWqCO1n3j5Jod6G4oVC6r1R-0aRCkJ3l_h7Rk7v-g1VXston3pGthFyhIjRCbzxffdrQ53JtOWsSo6sJIISVYxSZhcLre8InQ-Ro-MIJp7t6sQPzLN/s1600-h/moms+sweater+detail.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCDp_IUvD9X-f7S0AI0pWqCO1n3j5Jod6G4oVC6r1R-0aRCkJ3l_h7Rk7v-g1VXston3pGthFyhIjRCbzxffdrQ53JtOWsSo6sJIISVYxSZhcLre8InQ-Ro-MIJp7t6sQPzLN/s320/moms+sweater+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164702328469472786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBMqlncIE8fSRQESuD7pc2JwPQU_Qz18qiyaOw5guC170ZytWcmAsPk1Obf1OyU2ng50hAxS58FBPCfj2xhR9ez7o5xIC5ZsKQvDAZzEEHMMd-a_HoigmENJleMPgb5zsAsFq/s1600-h/moms+sweater.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBMqlncIE8fSRQESuD7pc2JwPQU_Qz18qiyaOw5guC170ZytWcmAsPk1Obf1OyU2ng50hAxS58FBPCfj2xhR9ez7o5xIC5ZsKQvDAZzEEHMMd-a_HoigmENJleMPgb5zsAsFq/s320/moms+sweater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164702495973197346" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The first picture is a detail of the Mossy Diamonds pattern. The second one is just a general progress picture. The pattern is from Knit Picks, and is <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Knitting_Supplies.aspx?key=mossy%20diamonds%20coat">here.</a><br /><br />I picked Wool of the Andes white. Mom works as one of those "Pink Ladies" in the hospital where she lives, and in the summer time, they crank the air conditioning. The front desk is right under a vent, and Mom spent most of last summer looking for a nice white sweater to wear. Since it was summer, and she lives in the desert, you can imagine what kind of luck she had. I'm hoping to have it done by her birthday (as I've said before), so we'll see. I've been working on this since Tuesday night, and I'm making pretty good progress. Once I get to the waist shaping, I'll know better.<br />And now, my current favorite lolcats:<br /><br /><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/10/22/my-duhpreshun/"><img src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2007/10/128347855057812500.jpg" alt="funny cat pictures & lolcats - My duhpreshun Let me show you it." /></a><br />moar <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com">funny pictures</a>debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-3584741399602491382008-01-30T12:12:00.000-07:002008-01-30T12:15:39.231-07:00About Mom's SweaterI am in the midst of a freak out! Mom's birthday is March 8th. I'm pretty sure we'll be traveling that weekend, my sis wants to have a party in Mom's home town, where all her friends and relatives can attend. Fine. Great. We're even working on a surprise for her with 2 of my cousins. That'll be great fun. BUT. . . . . <br />I have the pattern, but the yarn is somewhere in route. People I have a MONTH!!!!! How the HELL am I going to knit a coat in a freakin' month????? As you can tell, I'm having the meltdown now, cause I won't have time to later, I'll be too busy knitting.<br />YIKES!!!!!!!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-659201828531975972008-01-24T11:07:00.000-07:002008-12-09T10:03:47.349-07:00Avoiding work. . . .So, I thought I'd blog a bit, since I haven't done so in quite some time. <br />Where to start? I'll skip all the boring bits. Jan 6th I came one step closer to 50 - it's now close enough that I can actually see it on the horizon. I'm now 49 - and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 50 always seemed so old, and now that I'm about to be it, . . . . . I'm not sure. I certainly don't <span style="font-style:italic;">feel</span> 50. And I like to think I don't look 50. So. Guess we'll wait another year and see what happens.<br />I got some very nice yarn for Christmas - a gift certificate to my sister's LYS netted me some loverly sock yarn. It's been dutifully added to the stash, and I'm eager to knit up some socks. <br />We moved in November. No gory details here, but we now live in the same city in which I work. We have a nice house, but had to pare down the animals a bit. We now have only one dog and one official cat. The others all found lovely homes. It's a good move for us, the kidlet is enjoying her new school, and the new opportunities that have opened up for her now that she's in the city of her choice. <br />And now for some pictures:<br />current socks are Cookie A's Rhiannon in Trekking XXL 145 colorway:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvxXXhCBA4OknVmezWZxJlxFpW_7UuPSMmJhjDsQH3flJMgakyjtHEtHp-gejMj7mpkX5qm0IPE44fMdcj6oFz3CwpVy9vHuneohPrqizvHIE8yFsCAckUu4LZl1y9GW_Upxv/s1600-h/rhiannon+sock+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvxXXhCBA4OknVmezWZxJlxFpW_7UuPSMmJhjDsQH3flJMgakyjtHEtHp-gejMj7mpkX5qm0IPE44fMdcj6oFz3CwpVy9vHuneohPrqizvHIE8yFsCAckUu4LZl1y9GW_Upxv/s320/rhiannon+sock+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159108129271465378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNmcaWxhiUpG-WM-m4KT0C1q4vkYp_DU8ld1AzBqISYGw4lNccTGUcDZABezcDdDEEpKtpZnmumgEJ5AwkRlNw1z5NYmferzx03hKg1cfrnxQ5yf8A2_XMQn2nHRr8Cjx7Ps6/s1600-h/rhiannon+sock+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNmcaWxhiUpG-WM-m4KT0C1q4vkYp_DU8ld1AzBqISYGw4lNccTGUcDZABezcDdDEEpKtpZnmumgEJ5AwkRlNw1z5NYmferzx03hKg1cfrnxQ5yf8A2_XMQn2nHRr8Cjx7Ps6/s320/rhiannon+sock+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159108408444339634" /></a><br />Pay no attention to the messy desk.<br />This is the "wrong" side of the cuff. I've never worked a purl cable before, so it's kind of interesting doing a cable that you can't see until you flip your work over.<br /><br />I've finished the Monkey socks. These pictures aren't the greatest - but you get some idea of the colors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_7xl-JtIzrV8DpgFU9yxvgzmx-mpwZtZnqIqkvCmswqJQsqR55obF5IAJRqhjk4eU6BSy48F8RRt0sBFcjQ0SxeShIxAc3yYpvA6TLwlKmMziY4lqG3if5qrZEgEfplHUV8R/s1600-h/monkey+socks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_7xl-JtIzrV8DpgFU9yxvgzmx-mpwZtZnqIqkvCmswqJQsqR55obF5IAJRqhjk4eU6BSy48F8RRt0sBFcjQ0SxeShIxAc3yYpvA6TLwlKmMziY4lqG3if5qrZEgEfplHUV8R/s320/monkey+socks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159112862325425602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc9_dD5aSa6lR0JqbK5Slv_dWBTSOJ75n9HE6AZP3xB04CL7VmYFqEwiQp56Gf5RylyPRuku97KkR7A6lFkXKY-UanNrVzIYw_d5wupJqePJnK8o2ynaPv5IKx59R-dox_SKC/s1600-h/monkey+socks+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc9_dD5aSa6lR0JqbK5Slv_dWBTSOJ75n9HE6AZP3xB04CL7VmYFqEwiQp56Gf5RylyPRuku97KkR7A6lFkXKY-UanNrVzIYw_d5wupJqePJnK8o2ynaPv5IKx59R-dox_SKC/s320/monkey+socks+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159113047009019346" /></a><br /><br />I'll get some good sunlight and re-take. I love these socks! If you haven't done this pattern yet - DO IT!!!! They knit up faster than any other socks I've done. I used Opal sock yarn in a new colorway that has orange and purple and green and blue and is just the most amazing yarn. It's soft, and washes like iron. It's all I can do to not wear these socks every single day.<br /> I'm still working on the Strikke-along sweater, although it seems to have lost all its charm. I keep thinking I'll pull it out and work on it, but then I get distracted.<br />I'm also working on a pattern that I want to submit to Knitty, so we'll see how that goes! Who knows, I might become a designer. hahahahahahahahaha!!!<br /><br />In the queue (as they say in Ravelry) I love the sweater KnitPicks highlighted in the last <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Mossy+Diamonds+Coat_PD50613220.html">newsletter</a> my sister bought the pattern and the yarn, and I'm going to knit for mom's birthday - March 8 deadline on that one! She'll be 70, and needs a sweater to wear when she volunteers at the hospital in the summer. They CRANK the airconditioning, and all those "Pink Ladies" freeze to death. She spent most of last summer hunting down a white sweater, and never found one, so I thought this would be nice. I like the length and the fitted waist. I'm going to add pockets, because mom won't wear a sweater without pockets. Next in the queue is a request from my sister. Seems she's jonesing the sweater I took to her house at Christmas. I've still got to find the magazine I knitted it from, but she's buying the yarn. I told her she might get it in time for next fall.<br />OK, that's it for now - knitting (and work) call!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-38523834279143620352007-11-06T16:59:00.001-07:002008-12-09T10:03:47.497-07:00Sometimes I sleepAnd sometimes when I sleep, I dream.<br />And sometimes when I dream I solve problems.<br />Last night I did all 3!!<br />I hadn't slept in 2 nights (up every. single. hour.) and I was so exhausted last night that I barely made it through Heroes (but WOW, what a show!), then went to bed. Those of you who, like me, celebrate insomnia know that being tired doesn't necessarily mean you will sleep. But, last night, I laid my wittow head down, and went to sleep. (OK, there MAY have been some chemical agents involved, but no laws were broken, I swear!)<br />The next thing I know, it's 2:30! AM!! I'd been asleep!! Not only that, I solved a knitting problem that I've been obsessing over for about a week.<br />You see, I want to knit something light-weight that I can warm in the microwave, and either place inside gloves or gauntlets, or just put on my hand and continue knitting while my poor, aching thumbs get some much deserved heat and comfort. (Hate the arthritis, but what a knitter to do???)<br />Last night, I came up with 2, count 'em, TWO!!! Ideas! WOO HOO!!!!! There will be more later, cause I'm still working out the details, but I couldn't wait to get up this morning and get the yarn and needles (I even dreamed which yarn! LOL) and start. One is harder than the other, but much more versatile, and I think will work better. Either way, I think I'm becoming a knitting designer. LOL How freakin funny is that?!?!?!?!?!<br />Bonus cat picture! Since I don't have knitting to post, I'll post Karma instead:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-dJ7d1ZzmPlldIpOdTZk2wP45qlWYJKIwOiPQaG_64NLbRPY14JDay_35aSqYfUDNnRcvbbGpKYD14cYzNe80AXoPTLBLpXRirEc1mKbBXl_pVCH1sn7O6qhv46VXPcBDfPd/s1600-h/karma+relaxing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-dJ7d1ZzmPlldIpOdTZk2wP45qlWYJKIwOiPQaG_64NLbRPY14JDay_35aSqYfUDNnRcvbbGpKYD14cYzNe80AXoPTLBLpXRirEc1mKbBXl_pVCH1sn7O6qhv46VXPcBDfPd/s320/karma+relaxing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129883991928940258" /></a>debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-13848351482452781922007-10-29T13:59:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:47.768-07:00Strikke-Along goodnessYa know, sometimes I just feel like if I could get untangled from stuff long enough, I could do important things, like surf the 'net, post in my blog, visit cyber friends. But these days, that just doesn't seem possible.<br />As you will no doubt recall, I had ordered my yarn for the Strikke-Along in 2 parts, so I could spread out the expense. The final batch of yarn came some time around the 18th or 19th, and I've been knitting on my sweater since then. <br />First picture:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwNR-snufityvwQHTqNH3Z9-0UhoKoxhkPcbazFqVfQj4jneXr-jXgTD-e-Mm8p15XGml0avj-Cf-k3uijLDmMguACh6XCrEGKHdclfpJiBUeaobPavfD-XC8ozscQMWOBcRh/s1600-h/drops+sweater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwNR-snufityvwQHTqNH3Z9-0UhoKoxhkPcbazFqVfQj4jneXr-jXgTD-e-Mm8p15XGml0avj-Cf-k3uijLDmMguACh6XCrEGKHdclfpJiBUeaobPavfD-XC8ozscQMWOBcRh/s320/drops+sweater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126851521679664834" /></a><br /><br />It's got a right nasty pucker that you can't really see in the picture - seems there were some very tense rows there for a bit, but I've decided that since it's right at the part that'll be across my butt, and the rows before and behind are a bit looser, it will all work out in the end. <br />I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done this weekend. Saturday was spent mostly sleeping (note to self: GO TO BED AT NIGHT!!!) Sunday I did this (or had it done, more accurately):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKG4b4TBRmOrjhEDwqrrIAukituE1zAJ8BbWSeJM_h-mgHE-2fmOJwxOke6K4F7VO9BedUpPvehVvkv-eyMtOPd5v_qf-JXS-nzdmH06L2Kg4VXicGbhZGuzqjPhV6VWaINXZ/s1600-h/SUNP0033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKG4b4TBRmOrjhEDwqrrIAukituE1zAJ8BbWSeJM_h-mgHE-2fmOJwxOke6K4F7VO9BedUpPvehVvkv-eyMtOPd5v_qf-JXS-nzdmH06L2Kg4VXicGbhZGuzqjPhV6VWaINXZ/s320/SUNP0033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126852213169399506" /></a><br /><br />I have wanted a tattoo for nearly as long as I can remember, and I finally discovered something that meant enough to me to have it permanently inked onto my body. Guido (yep, his real name) was a wonderful artist - he helped design the tattoo based on my description of what I wanted, and he knew exactly what I meant when I said "shaded". It was 2 hours of pain, and I didn't realize how good I am at meditating, but I have some MAD skills! It feels about like you'd think - like someone sticking needles in your skin, and what they say is true - the shading feels completely different. I am so completely happy with it, and I'm so looking forward to the part where it doesn't hurt any more!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-80721058939673367472007-09-14T15:34:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:47.993-07:00It's FridayAnd it's been a long week, so I'm not stretching for a clever title. Here's a pic of the yarn for the Strikke-Along (so far):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3UzjIQgKt4VU4TNjc3BVQQNXScvwi1I5QiQ17LR6sLRB1mFu-qY8QwFEdH7xw-1ghMY3oxJiJWm5Kpiq9hoOqz1mo6kEcNFUV1U9vvsTZZjpU5f4WxFi6R7psQ9_aI2NHvKV/s1600-h/first+half+yarn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3UzjIQgKt4VU4TNjc3BVQQNXScvwi1I5QiQ17LR6sLRB1mFu-qY8QwFEdH7xw-1ghMY3oxJiJWm5Kpiq9hoOqz1mo6kEcNFUV1U9vvsTZZjpU5f4WxFi6R7psQ9_aI2NHvKV/s320/first+half+yarn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110177202500084610" /></a><br />The soft grey will be the background color, the black, red and yellow, the borders. I will complete the order with a really pretty soft teal color. Also in the pic are the Knit Picks needles I needed for the sweater. I have millions and millions of needles, but never have what I need when I start a new project. It's beyond me. I thought there were only a limited number of needles in the universe, but apparently I was wrong! I'm really excited to be starting this! The prayer shawl is almost complete, I'm hoping to finish it this weekend, then I want to start on the Cookie A socks - Rhiannon. I've been so focused on the Prayer Shawl - totally unlike me to only have one project. I need to finish the Butterfly Argyles (and figure out what to do with all the extra yarn I bought for those!!)<br />I'm in Ravelry as 'debsnm' come find me and add me as your friend - I have so few. I can definitely say that I'm having a great time playing around and exploring Ravelry. Adding my needles became a problem - I have more needles than I know what to do with. Maybe I'll try to do an inventory this weekend and get accurate counts 'n stuff.<br /><a href="http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php">Garnstudio</a> has most of their Fall/Winter 2007 stuff up. If you're interested at all in Nordic knits, or looking for something for <a href="http://www.samuraiknitter.blogspot.com/">Julie's</a> Strikke-Along (button on the side bar), or just want to knit something really warm, check them out. Patterns are free, and seem to be pretty easy to follow. I'll let you know about *that* once I start my Strikke-Along sweater!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-18084591917792763402007-09-06T13:57:00.001-06:002008-12-09T10:03:48.138-07:00Prayer Shawl, part 2Here are the first pics of the prayer shawl: This is how it looks most days sitting by my desk:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84831615@N00/1336940979/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/1336940979_a5d23a2c49_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><br />Here's what it looks like all spread out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1p1AZZhw8HkOtpJXBzfhxLUWjEb3sxBJEyuFLeff0Bus9MQzaojB49a09Amgk3jirEtZuG5SoxW-X6i6AJFw-qriExheOVvBfGCZcktxekT0XhhXpAgQbZypX12qmm-ggcDP/s1600-h/prayer+shawl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1p1AZZhw8HkOtpJXBzfhxLUWjEb3sxBJEyuFLeff0Bus9MQzaojB49a09Amgk3jirEtZuG5SoxW-X6i6AJFw-qriExheOVvBfGCZcktxekT0XhhXpAgQbZypX12qmm-ggcDP/s320/prayer+shawl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107183850474847954" /></a><br />It's either 1/2 done or 2/5 done, I haven't decided yet. This yarn is Lion Brand Homespun, a yarn I was obsessed with for a while. I knitted this really, really strange scarf out of it, and had 5 skeins left over. It's soft, and not heavy (even though it's a bulky yarn) and I'm fascinated with this color. It's called 'Colonial' and I can't decide if it looks more like the deep ocean or the deep forest. Anyway, it's working up really nice, and I hope she'll like it.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-12497545117280019842007-09-05T11:31:00.000-06:002007-09-05T11:48:12.051-06:00I am a KnitterIt's not what I do, it's who I am. If I'm not knitting, I'm thinking about knitting, or shopping for yarn, or blogging about it, or. . . . any one of a hundred things that relate to knitting. For years I've thought about getting a tattoo, but I never have, mostly cause I'm freaking scared of the pain! I always thought I'd get some kind of a butterfly, because I am obsessed with them. But, then. The kidlet came home from work one day and said this woman went through her checkout line and she had this tattoo. Of a ball of yarn and needles. On her forearm. Hmmmmm, now I'm thinking that the pain might not be so bad. Kidlet wants one so bad she can hardly stand it. She can't find anyone willing to do it (not quite 18 yet), but I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe. . . . .<br />So, here I am. My friend has breast cancer and she lives across the freakin' country, and if I was there (or she here) I'm not sure I could do anything any way, so what do I do? I knit. I'm knitting her a prayer shawl, just your basic St st oblong, and I'm thinking. Why? Because I am a Knitter. Its who I am. When my dad was in the hospital dying from the cumulative effects of 30 years of smoking and 20 years working in a copper smelter, I knit. When I have 5 minutes in the Dr's office, I knit. When I'm stuck in traffic I knit. When I'm running reports at work and they take longer than 30 seconds to come back, I knit. So, rather than admit (wrongly) that I have this weird obsession, I've become what I do. And I do what I've become. It's not so bad, really. I could have more expensive or less socially acceptable hobbies.<br />Oh! And by the way? My Ravelry invite came yesterday. I've looked and looked, and so far only found one blogger that I "know" - so where the heck are the rest of you????<br />I'm joining <a href="http://samuraiknitter.blogspot.com/2007/09/strikke-along-signups.html">Samurai Knitter's Strikke-Along</a>, I think it'll be fun & a bit challenging. Go back a few posts to see the sweater I'm doing. I'll post a pic of the yarn, once I have it all.<br />Ok, that's it for now - laters!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-49488169255991406192007-08-23T14:52:00.000-06:002007-08-23T14:53:13.532-06:00Ravelry!!Here's where I am:<br /><br />Found you!<br /><br /> * You signed up on June 25, 2007<br /> * You are #11023 on the list.<br /> * 1187 people are ahead of you in line.<br /> * 16736 people are behind you in line.<br /> * 35% of the list has been invited so far<br /><br />I can hardly wait!!!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-5753626692159287852007-08-21T14:39:00.000-06:002007-08-21T14:54:45.131-06:00Prayer ShawlI'm knitting a prayer shawl. The Butterfly Argyles have been put aside for the time being, and I won't be entering anything in the state fair this year. After much consideration, and waffling, I decided that the Argyles, while perfectly wonderful, are not perfectly wonderful enough to enter. So, that decision made, I need to get this prayer shawl done.<br />I have a friend. I've known him for years, we met in Sunday School (adult Sunday School, we haven't known each other that long! LOL) He's a very nice man, good father, I assume good husband. It's always been very clear that he loves his wife. They moved to the other side of the country (literally) several years ago, and we've kept in touch via email. We have similar senses of humor, we kind of look at the world the same (or close enough). We've had the same "crises of faith" and asked the same questions of each other. Deep discussions, lots of laughs. He's just a good friend.<br />Last week, he sent me an email titled "A short read" with a link to <a href="http://mylovescancer.blogspot.com/">a blog</a>. The blogger talks about the battle for his wife. The absolute struggle to keep cancer from taking her from him. I read about half the entries, and the tone was so familiar. There is no profile, no identifying anything. I replied to his email and asked, simply, Who wrote this, you? and waited for the reply. <br />Words cannot begin to describe how I hurt for this family. I'm stunned, disbelieving, nearly speechless at the horrific thing that has befallen these people. I feel helpless because there's almost 3000 miles between us - I'm not sure what I'd do if I was closer. Help with the kids, surely. Hold his hand? Listen to him weep, scream, yell? Of course. But I'm here, and they're there. So I do what I nearly always do, I knit. <br />The prayer shawl as a concept is not new, nor original. I'm knitting feverishly because, really, I don't know how long I (or she) have. I want something of comfort to send their way, mostly because I can't be there in person to offer whatever small comfort is in my power to offer. I feel useless, and stupid, and helpless - I'm sure in small measure to what they're feeling.<br />So, I knit. I'll send the shawl as soon as it's done, and, God willing, she'll be able to wrap up in it this fall, when it starts getting cold. And she'll remember what a horrible summer she had, and she'll be happy that the cool weather is here, and that she has years ahead to look forward to. That's what I pray as I knit.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-73423518451803969302007-08-10T14:47:00.001-06:002007-08-10T14:48:59.378-06:00My Peculiar Aristocratic Title<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellspacing="8"> <tr><td valign="middle"><img src="http://www.masquerademaskarts.com/memes/minicrest.gif"></td><td valign="middle"> <font color=black> My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:</font> <br> <font size=4 color=black> Her Royal Highness Debbie the Charming of Ofsted in the Bucket </font><br> <small> <a href="http://www.masquerademaskarts.com/memes/peculiartitle.php">Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title</a> </small> </td></tr> </table><br /><br />Or, it could be this one:<br /><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellspacing="8"> <tr><td valign="middle"><img src="http://www.masquerademaskarts.com/memes/minicrest.gif"></td><td valign="middle"> <font color=black> My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:</font> <br> <font size=4 color=black> Empress Debra the Intractable of Buzzing St Helens </font><br> <small> <a href="http://www.masquerademaskarts.com/memes/peculiartitle.php">Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title</a> </small> </td></tr> </table>debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-71620699313500997912007-08-10T14:35:00.001-06:002008-12-09T10:03:48.455-07:00Sockapalooza goodness!!Just LOOK at what I got in the mail yesterday!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdACgeVCA3uW1WpLz_VqgMaFgXAicc3VqYP-UbRyy6zdRWeuC7wb7cYt9emJKTmrpxhtNOlUMKqKCsdz8fGSTh3Q1-9JjDbfdEXNTxLy_NLCNyFzwalNAl1ye57LEQOh909Iu/s1600-h/sockapalooza+socks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdACgeVCA3uW1WpLz_VqgMaFgXAicc3VqYP-UbRyy6zdRWeuC7wb7cYt9emJKTmrpxhtNOlUMKqKCsdz8fGSTh3Q1-9JjDbfdEXNTxLy_NLCNyFzwalNAl1ye57LEQOh909Iu/s320/sockapalooza+socks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097173450713316450" /></a><br />My Sockapalooza 4 socks, hand-knit just for me by the AMAZING <a href="http://www.indianaeponine.blogspot.com/">AMY!!!</a> They are soft, and wonderful, and I didn't knit them! Here's a (kind of) better pic:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_ubOs0y9-mrqXN_wSQaSmd_tS1dD44wmUBjOIqmrGSj__tGioVwP1ibF83mrL9LnlQ6dYM3MG2dSTKZREHSKk5Lf2oBblzS7PR6hkzZX2DfTMLFuPoZC4F5984Mz56-9YxSi/s1600-h/sockapalooza+left.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_ubOs0y9-mrqXN_wSQaSmd_tS1dD44wmUBjOIqmrGSj__tGioVwP1ibF83mrL9LnlQ6dYM3MG2dSTKZREHSKk5Lf2oBblzS7PR6hkzZX2DfTMLFuPoZC4F5984Mz56-9YxSi/s320/sockapalooza+left.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097174855167622258" /></a><br />They fit amazingly, and they're soft, and they're Tofutsies (I've been looking at that yarn, but couldn't decide - now I know!) I know, I know, lots and lots of exclamations, but that's how I feel - getting socks in the mail is amazing and wonderful and so cool! Did I mention they're soft? Oh, yeah!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-34528808469705087172007-08-08T12:16:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:49.131-07:00The Argyles have gone to my headI've done colorwork before - not sure if I mentioned it or not. I have this really old jacked that has kind of a Navajo blanket design on the back. It was a kit I bought from Mary Maxim (I think) at least 15 years ago, maybe more. I knit the thing in 3 days - but it was bulky yarn on 10 1/2 or 11 needles and I was motivated. My first experience was one of those horse-head sweaters. The blocking got out of control, and it went from a man's X-large to a women's small in about 10 seconds flat. I was crushed.<br />Anyway - these Butterfly Argyles have been so quick to knit (at least it seems like it), and I've got this Strikke-Along coming up soon, and I think I've lost my mind.<br />But first, an update! Here's what the first sock looks like now:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLmk0pxi-N_uuKbwRBXbAaVL_rw_Hlc_ihoiwJIJLwb27bux2a3IKhr6sTpZ54AbDLWYNgFXZotKH8zzLsjIUDGzxnSxupgA-yq_cvOENwmVBATBYHt4f5mI99WkPiA0NdgrW/s1600-h/argyle+tube.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLmk0pxi-N_uuKbwRBXbAaVL_rw_Hlc_ihoiwJIJLwb27bux2a3IKhr6sTpZ54AbDLWYNgFXZotKH8zzLsjIUDGzxnSxupgA-yq_cvOENwmVBATBYHt4f5mI99WkPiA0NdgrW/s320/argyle+tube.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096397337238027314" /></a><br />What you can't see in this picture is I did the heel flap, turned the heel, did the gussets, joined everything up, and am almost to the toes. Maybe 1 or 2 more days and this bad boy will be done, waiting on his sister. The funny thing about these socks is since I decided to do an 80-stitch sock (cause I'm lazy and the math was easy) they're freaking HUGE!! But, then again, so are my feet. I tried it on this morning, and the fit is almost perfect.<br /><br />OK, on to <a href="http://www.samuraiknitter.blogspot.com/">Julie's</a> Strikke-along. I found this web site with really GREAT Norwegian (and others) patterns. And they're FREE!!! <a href="http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php">Garnstudio</a> sells yarn, and does the patterns to go with what they sell (I guess). Anyway, I grabbed several that I really liked, and had decided that I'd do a pair of socks - these, actually:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7jMm2Qs9bShcYHfN-1HKWDyxypuLGBbGFZxd0TPZjYcTol9zaHgHz7waF8QEgJn6ha1noVpTBgJpoyL7vHUc3-jn9g10Uu7Q_sdlH2z7DmvoWNyuu96JRaLvA8pOxFloxNXQ/s1600-h/norwegian+socks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7jMm2Qs9bShcYHfN-1HKWDyxypuLGBbGFZxd0TPZjYcTol9zaHgHz7waF8QEgJn6ha1noVpTBgJpoyL7vHUc3-jn9g10Uu7Q_sdlH2z7DmvoWNyuu96JRaLvA8pOxFloxNXQ/s320/norwegian+socks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096399652225399874" /></a><br /><br />But, then today, I was haunting this site yet again (waiting for them to post some AMAZING sock and leg warmer patterns, cause I'm nothing if not obsessive!) and I saw this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9_YwbekZ4c-ih-3Fw268GZhyKeSEm1INa1_jbusEZIKKbr-PZk1Zr2k9AfwqCE9GGgRWKxClaHOz2nFHc1t1-LzjkDlIM6xyGqiXvuHAibT2vTBD6sfDOHK7zhy4AuE_ieVS/s1600-h/heart+sweater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9_YwbekZ4c-ih-3Fw268GZhyKeSEm1INa1_jbusEZIKKbr-PZk1Zr2k9AfwqCE9GGgRWKxClaHOz2nFHc1t1-LzjkDlIM6xyGqiXvuHAibT2vTBD6sfDOHK7zhy4AuE_ieVS/s320/heart+sweater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096400549873564754" /></a><br /><br />I'm pretty sure it's the Argyles fault - I've lost my mind!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-84060819068286638032007-08-03T16:41:00.001-06:002008-12-09T10:03:49.615-07:00Quick Post!!I wanted to post the pics of the Butterfly Argyles!<br />First pic (this is how they look as I knit them):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0-_kuUUTO9jfPvZdAmKXDTz35otGEs3PtFpAzsWKM2VRZD2_-LlFr1TGZ7G8CNH9OkX5u8kV8g5jcLnSVH6VF23sSpkzwQk5S4Dc1fbeN9TpFnP-ZR8QkOxBhQ43rqCtUJzn/s1600-h/argyles+upside+down.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0-_kuUUTO9jfPvZdAmKXDTz35otGEs3PtFpAzsWKM2VRZD2_-LlFr1TGZ7G8CNH9OkX5u8kV8g5jcLnSVH6VF23sSpkzwQk5S4Dc1fbeN9TpFnP-ZR8QkOxBhQ43rqCtUJzn/s320/argyles+upside+down.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094608732467346450" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next, this is how they'll look on:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cxnRSKmkC17oOWg7VEOzSO_rG58Spm7IjzCdrOjSsWE-iZx1c1HexZrSuRjOS_fUQ-uJ8he00mKOhAeyZnEZoC_3NOMJFZYT267LHsVcc-BoPKMGmikMc17WCqnCH63Uj0_0/s1600-h/argyles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cxnRSKmkC17oOWg7VEOzSO_rG58Spm7IjzCdrOjSsWE-iZx1c1HexZrSuRjOS_fUQ-uJ8he00mKOhAeyZnEZoC_3NOMJFZYT267LHsVcc-BoPKMGmikMc17WCqnCH63Uj0_0/s320/argyles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094608423229701122" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And last, the back, or "wrong" side:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGfIT9mJud_sVNyT1NlnF4pXbMZr5vRtMbgNYMY2dt_O6kyMk_Q4lFkkoiEo-iBDKdbqT00MlPguEcOf8lYlovfXJ3P5kcVrBhzvoaIxrUOG8wk46fcD4-T-Vcm6SMGnlJ91/s1600-h/argyles+back.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGfIT9mJud_sVNyT1NlnF4pXbMZr5vRtMbgNYMY2dt_O6kyMk_Q4lFkkoiEo-iBDKdbqT00MlPguEcOf8lYlovfXJ3P5kcVrBhzvoaIxrUOG8wk46fcD4-T-Vcm6SMGnlJ91/s320/argyles+back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094609028820089890" /></a>debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-42525674818683844142007-08-01T16:51:00.000-06:002007-08-01T17:01:16.065-06:00More on the knittingI forgot one project in yesterday's update!! One of the women I work with turned up pregnant - I know, go figure, early-to-mid twenties, married, who knew?? Anyway, we had a baby shower for her yesterday, and in the middle of the sockapalooza thing I decided I'd make her something. I went through my stash and found an old Wally World bag that had not only some really nice cotton yarn in it, but a pattern for the yarn as well! All I needed to add was needles. It was one of those patterns that you can tear off the pad in the yarn section at Wally World, free, if you buy the yarn. So, anyway, here's <a href="http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/BabyChild/LW1397+Summer+Fun.htm">the pattern</a>. As I was blocking it, I realized how cute it really was, although not so practical - 5 buttons up the back, and the crotch is sewn shut. But, I made it for 6-mo, so hopefully she'll be a pro at dressing her boy by then. I had yarn left over, so I knitted 2 little hats, one kind of small, and the other a bit larger. So, hopefully she'll be able to use the hats for a while.<br />I was knitting on the Argyles last night, and realized how easy they were, and that the pattern was really working out well. I'll try to get a pic tonight, so I can show how the reality works vs the chart. I'm really, really happy with the way it's turning out so far. We'll see when we get to the actual 'sock' part (heels, gussetts, etc.) if I still like it as much.<br />OK, off to read more of the Argyle sock tutorial - I'm very curious where I'm going next.<br />Laters!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-41031393151146650822007-07-31T16:10:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:49.759-07:00It's been a long time. . . . . . . .Life often intervenes. If posting to my blog were as easy as I hoped it would be, there'd be an every-day post. However, life and such happens, and I can't always blog at work or get to the library where I have the time to write lengthy <s>missives</s> posts. Since my last post, the following has happened:<br />I started and finished my Sockapalooza 4 socks. They will be sent out to my Secret Sock pal this week - probably tomorrow. I hope she likes them. I'll try to get decent pictures tonight.<br />I got some really beautiful Collinette Jitterbug yarn, colorway <a href="http://www.colinette.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1546afb5955a4da/shopdata/0020_yarns/0007_wools/0005_jitterbug/product_details.shopscript?article=0250_Jitterbug%2B-%2BAlizarine%2B%3D28JIT%2B-%2B119%3D29">Alazarine</a> trust me, this picture doesn't even come close to the beauty of this yarn. I bought 2 skeins, which turned out to be enough to knit a pair of socks and a pair of gauntlets, with just a bit of yarn left over. I'll take pics, but you'll be disappointed. The depth and beauty of this yarn is almost unimaginable. I have loved every second of knitting it, and wearing the socks. I still need one gauntlet, and then I'm going to be stylin'!! I love this yarn beyond all reason, and it's probably good that they only had the 2 skeins, or else I'd be making an entire wardrobe out of this stuff. It's that great, really, I'm not obsessed, it's just that the yarn is so beautiful - ok, you win, I'll stop now (but go get some, it's amazing!!)<br />I've started the State Fair project. I'm calling it Butterfly Argyles. Using <a href="http://scrubberbum.typepad.com/moth_heaven/2006/07/in_the_name_of_.html">Moth Heaven's</a> guidance and suggestions, I created my own Argyle pattern, with butterflies at the intersections. I've never knit argyles before, but I've done lots of color work (or intarsia, whichever is less threatening) and decide this would be perfect for the State Fair. <br />Here they are (at least my chart):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6ukdjjmKrd79Iti43FQIaZl72aweKR8I4NZVF5z9O8gpcpCafKB57jMXsbQ0_D4eGfhvqvN2AbBkWORW-mUg0h2ifiSvSaQn0MVDe9LuE7GgG1Bnzx-DDk1J6c7V6gWx2GC3/s1600-h/butterfly+argyles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6ukdjjmKrd79Iti43FQIaZl72aweKR8I4NZVF5z9O8gpcpCafKB57jMXsbQ0_D4eGfhvqvN2AbBkWORW-mUg0h2ifiSvSaQn0MVDe9LuE7GgG1Bnzx-DDk1J6c7V6gWx2GC3/s320/butterfly+argyles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093493350935411698" /></a><br />Not terribly complicated, and they seem to be going kind of quickly. We'll see. If I can finish the first argyle part this weekend, I might have a chance. It's iffy - I have to have them entered no later than Sept 1st. Wish me luck! I'm half-way through the second set of butterflies (working from the top down, so they won't be upside-down). The colors are really close to what I'm knitting - the pink is a deep crimson, but the purple, teal and white are right. I'm using Knit Pick's <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Palette+_YD5420132.html">Palette yarn</a>, and their <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/6%22+Double+Pointed+Needles+US+Sizes+0+-+3_NDkpdpn.html">dpns, size 3.25</a> - Did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these needles???? They are magical for knitting socks, etc. I'm seriously considering pitching the rest of my dpns and replacing with these. They're just the right weight, the points are perfect, and they knit like a dream. Try them, you won't regret it!<br />OK, time's up - gotta go home. <br />Laters, dudes!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-83550417363573262082007-05-24T17:01:00.000-06:002007-05-24T17:02:09.111-06:00Memorial DayWhen I was a kid, my Gramma used to make me go with her to the cemetary on Memorial Day. We'd visit my dad's grave, her dad's grave, and later, her mom's grave, and those of other relatives. I used to hate it, but was taught to respect my elders, so I always went, and helped her where I could. Pulling weeds, placing those plastic wreaths on the graves, taking off the ones we left last year. You know the drill.<br />The first few Memorial Days that rolled around after Gramma died, I still went, more out of family obligation than any sense of responsibility.<br />Fast-forward to 9/11 - Everyone kinda went crazy with flag t-shirts and flags and what I call "on the sleeve" patriotism. For me, wearing a t-shirt with the flag on it, or even waving a flag in the 4th of July parade is not patriotic. That's something different. For me, patriotism is something much deeper. A patriotic person obeys all laws (including those about speed and stopping at stop signs and red lights). They support (at least publicly) those in power, and if there's disagreement, then the patriotic person works from the inside to make changes.<br />I've had the pleasure over the years of making the acquaintance of many who have fought for this country. Some in Korea, a very few in WWII, and quite a lot who fought in Viet Nam. I was working for the Army National Guard when Desert Storm started, and I lost a few people it was my sincere pleasure to have met at the Pentagon on 9/11.<br />I've been thinking recently about what it takes to decide to go to war for your country. I know it's not a decision most make lightly. It's a service that most of us wouldn't do, and for that, we should be deeply, humbly grateful for those who will.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-29813355187461791642007-05-01T11:24:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:50.271-07:00Meet our newestLast week, as I was leaving the house, I heard this "meow" - now there are lots of cats in the neighborhood, and most speak when they see me, but this one sounded like Peanut, and NONE of my cats are allowed outside. So, I'm standing on the porch, looking around, and I called "kitty, kitty", and this cat came out from under the neighbor's truck, meowing and looking for a way through the fence. She was cute, but I needed to get to work, so I went to the car (outsided the fence), unlocked the door, and got it. She jumped up into my lap! In the car! I petted her, short-haired, kind of dirty, and a little skinny. Then I put her down, closed the door and started the car. She sat there. Staring. Not in the least afraid of the car. I honked the horn. Still she sat. I called the kidlet to come outside and get her, because I can't pull out of the driveway with an unpredictable cat sitting there. So, kidlet came and got cat, we talked a little, and I went to work. The kidlet called me, and said "No, mom, we can't keep her, she's covered in ticks." I said, fine, can't have that in the house. And she went to school. We both spent the day thinking, though, that it would be kinda cool if she was still there. When the kidlet got home from school, no cat. We were both kinda sad, but it was for the best. About an hour later, there was crying at the door, and GUESS who was there??<br />After I got home, we discussed it, and decided that we didn't need another cat. Feeding is no problem, but fixing, healing, all the other stuff we just can't do. So, back outside she went. Then, it started raining. And snowing. And getting really cold. The kidlet opened the door, and the kitty was sitting there, huddled against the cold and rain. We brought her back in, and checked more closely. Found out the "ticks" were more battle scars - little (healing) scabs. So, the kidlet decided to give her a bath, which she accepted with amazing calmness. <br />Long story longer, it's been a week, and Karma has adopted our family. She was incredibly skinny, had sores on all her feet, and her belly had been shaved, like for 'fixing'. We can't get her to lay still long enough to find a scar, but I can't think of any other reason that a cat's belly would be shaved. Even if it was for something else, the vet would have done the fixing while there, right?<br />Anyway, here's Karma, the newest memeber of our menagerie:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtxBKq1yTtPGLKg2vedQhrxVzNtbYdZPhFadkbY15z8PiPgo84WmD-C8UcUNL73fMguCCMm2wEiA05aeb27F0GZojmYxYDVutMVBE4a3R36-KwEbRASCjjuQqEOwYaDQ3s0yX/s1600-h/karma.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtxBKq1yTtPGLKg2vedQhrxVzNtbYdZPhFadkbY15z8PiPgo84WmD-C8UcUNL73fMguCCMm2wEiA05aeb27F0GZojmYxYDVutMVBE4a3R36-KwEbRASCjjuQqEOwYaDQ3s0yX/s320/karma.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059646900709795906" /></a><br /><br /><br />Karma is a white calico, meaning she's mostly white, with calico spots. Short hair, and we found the name by looking on the internet. And we think it's very appropriate, since we didn't really want her, and all the reasons we stated for not keeping her kept being brushed aside. Besides, do you have any idea how much fun yelling "Bad Karma!!" is? The down side is that "Karma Chameleon" is permanently stuck in my brain.<br /><br />Knitting content. I'm almost back to where I was when I frogged Milicent. I've knitted too much, and the carpal tunnel, and arthritis have both flared (DUH!), so knitting is going slowly. What? You thought I'd stop? Who are we kidding? I knit till the fingers go numb, then I rest for a bit, then start again. It's really slow, but it's not stopping. <br />OK, going now - real knitting pics next time.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-74832477343114903792007-04-18T14:47:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:50.598-07:00Yesterday I froggedToday I mourned the loss of an almost-completed knee sock. I had just a bit left before the toe shaping, and it was looking awfully large (even for me), so I tried it on - it was WAY too big. I'd changed up 2 needle sizes because I thought it wouldn't fit, but I was WAY wrong! Put one in the "swatch" column.<br />But, for happier news - Opera Fichu went from this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQQBGMGD83XOOpf8UXcs3LJ4CO4IC2aKlPMUPXRMZfgxVnmhKolHaYqlA6bUnVuyoCTMs02bfiIFLadkfkw_FMMN6k0Vxo3mcNTJXTFAhSwhGX2AUEEj3AABZS9W39PLMQ6a6/s1600-h/fichu+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQQBGMGD83XOOpf8UXcs3LJ4CO4IC2aKlPMUPXRMZfgxVnmhKolHaYqlA6bUnVuyoCTMs02bfiIFLadkfkw_FMMN6k0Vxo3mcNTJXTFAhSwhGX2AUEEj3AABZS9W39PLMQ6a6/s320/fichu+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054873377079403762" /></a><br />To this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p3j_LtyTaCZ1GedOTMIt45UxhLlCwAWVgI43TCmxTO70538RCjzQoCU7x6MKNDyNijw_BvcQ9lzM6uGD7HhR7aoqpDySXSFSYfuR1irELjZHrsHCUT4wa6my9zEhs1rm4d4O/s1600-h/opera+fichu+complete.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p3j_LtyTaCZ1GedOTMIt45UxhLlCwAWVgI43TCmxTO70538RCjzQoCU7x6MKNDyNijw_BvcQ9lzM6uGD7HhR7aoqpDySXSFSYfuR1irELjZHrsHCUT4wa6my9zEhs1rm4d4O/s320/opera+fichu+complete.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054873381374371074" /></a><br />Again, DP can included for scale. It's lovely, and I can't wait to wear it - the weather is going to have to warm up a bit, because the dress I want to wear it with is totally a summer dress, and it's still around 32-35 in the mornings when I leave. <br />Stats:<br />Opera Fichu from Victorian Lace Today<br />size 3, 5 and 1 needles<br />yarn was Omegacrylic - I'm pretty sure this is a Mexican yarn (made in Mexico), fingering weight.<br /> I got it at Hobby Lobby for no other reason that I loved the color. I think I have enough left to make some socks. I'm thinking the feather and fan ones from the Socks book, but I'll let you know.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-76151865364981866342007-04-13T14:24:00.000-06:002007-04-13T14:38:46.324-06:00I LOVE FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!I have been obsessing over <a href="http://www.yarnandfiber.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3799">this yarn</a> ever since Ellen posted a picture of it in <a href="http://www.knitsisters.com/2007/04/02/ghetto/">her blog.</a> I want to make the lovely Rhiannon socks out of this yarn, and I figure that it'll take probably 3 skeins, so I wanted 4, just for good measure. Well, I have looked high and low, on the internets and off, all around my LYS's, and the best I could do was <span style="font-weight:bold;">ONE</span> skein at $8.95 <span style="font-weight:bold;"> with $7.95 shipping!!</span> Then, I had a brain storm!! My mom & sister are in San Antonio for the weekend, could it be possible that a yarn shop there has some of the most elusive yarn? I called Mommy-dear, and asked if she'd mind zipping over to <a href="http://www.yarnbarnsa.com/">the Yarn Barn</a> and seeing if they had it. She called, they did. One problem - Mom doesn't like driving in "Big City" traffic, and my sister didn't want to attempt to find it (even though I'd already gotten the directions, and it was only 6.5 miles from their hotel, but whatever), so, being the ever-so resourceful Mom, she called them back, and they're mailing me their last 2 skeins of wonderful, beautiful, color #145! YAY!!! BUT WAIT!!! It gets better.<br />I'm reading blogs, looking for new knitting blogs, and run into one that got some really pretty yarn from <a href="http://www.carodanfarm.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/sock_yarns_patterns.html">Carodan Farms</a>, a site I'd looked at several times in the last few days, and they didn't have the Trekking XXL 145. But, today, they had (emphasis on the <span style="font-weight:bold;">had</span>) 2 skeins. It's mine now, and NOW I can knit my knee socks (and possibly have enough left over for some wristlets). <br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">I LOVE FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!</span></span>debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-40814763031444150282007-04-13T12:38:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:50.936-07:00Proof!!I actually have knitting and pictures! Only during the most stressful of times (and there was plenty of that this last winter) or when horribly sick (not so far) do I not knit. The kidlet said that it was probably good that I wasn't knitting during all of the car crisis, as it would probably have turned out very tiny and tight. She's a laugh riot!<br /><br />OK, picture #1 is the Opera fichu, without ties (to be done this weekend):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZEvciLvKNFk8w_O5-1T5mWJJ8gWBSQKrX_-x9JkMatxjfM9w0zl3ble4wEl0y2EBDlrc1633Hy9tfxdywZwRk648BsTe8_M6yLbBd9JcMX4bXFKNWlR6hhz82JGcyCc_yZei/s1600-h/fichu+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZEvciLvKNFk8w_O5-1T5mWJJ8gWBSQKrX_-x9JkMatxjfM9w0zl3ble4wEl0y2EBDlrc1633Hy9tfxdywZwRk648BsTe8_M6yLbBd9JcMX4bXFKNWlR6hhz82JGcyCc_yZei/s320/fichu+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052985057379275202" /></a><br />Turns out this bad boy was too long to stretch out and take it's picture, so I kind of folded it in half - DP can included for scale.<br /><br />Next is a lace detail for the Millicent sock:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLOX9oGdxq7Tsk9DabhxRX82rPBgzOgXpF2duHkqJSKP0h3aqQyckKz07UYtJReoQ8h5v04dn1sQgAm9PDjGl_p75OcYCm_rHkTTaqxG1vEb4gd5itbTDHi-xRxmg0YNrQ64R/s1600-h/millicent+lace+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLOX9oGdxq7Tsk9DabhxRX82rPBgzOgXpF2duHkqJSKP0h3aqQyckKz07UYtJReoQ8h5v04dn1sQgAm9PDjGl_p75OcYCm_rHkTTaqxG1vEb4gd5itbTDHi-xRxmg0YNrQ64R/s320/millicent+lace+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052987449676059090" /></a><br /><br />I think I was too close, and it's totally not blocked (cause I'm not done yet) but this is a most magnificent pattern! If you've always wanted to do knee socks, but were afraid, be afraid no more! <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/index.php">CookieA's</a> patterns are awesome! I can't wait to finish <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=7">this sock,</a> and do <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5">the next one</a>!<br />In other, non-knitting news - it's snowing!! I drove to work today through rain, sleet, snow and fog - just another typical spring day in New Mexico. The kidlet sends me text messages every hour or so that say "Still snowing" - I'm <span style="font-weight:bold;">REALLY</span> looking forward to the drive home tonight.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-51451909897040907782007-04-12T12:27:00.000-06:002007-04-12T12:43:34.499-06:00Must. Blog.It's so weird - I wanted a blog so bad in the beginning. I thought I'd never, ever run out of clever knitterly things to say, and then one day, all I could do was bitch. I hate political blogs - they're only invitations to verbal fist-fights, so I didn't want to do one of those. I hate people who can only complain, and yet, that seemed to be all I could do, complain, whine, cry, whatever. So, no blogging until my little pea-brain could think of something funny, or at least nice, to say.<br />So, I'm back, and I think I'm in a better mood. The meds have definitely taken affect, so I'm more umm, not necessarily nice, but at least better able to control the impulse to choke the living shit out of every idiot that walks by.<br />oops<br />See, not completely under control, but working on it, definitely working on it.<br />As for knitting, I've been very busy. I've finished the first part of Oper fichu, need to find the size 1 needles, and cast on for the ties. I thought I'd really screwed up - this bad boy is about 4 feet long! But, I think knitting the ties with size 1's, and there are some pretty dramatic k2tog's, so I'm thinking that it still might turn out to look mostly like the pictures in the book. I'll get pics of it befor I start the ties.<br />I also discovered <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/index.php">CookieA's socks</a>! If you've loved her designs in Knitty, go look at these, they are magnificant! I'm knitting on Millicent now, and loving it. I've been wanting to do knee socks for a long time, but I'm just way too lazy to do the math, and CookieA's done all the work. The lace pattern on Millicent is just beautiful, and if I can managed to keep the counts straight, anyone can!<br />Did I mention that I have a new car? Well, the car-that-thinks-its-a-sail finally bit the big one, and left me walking one time too many. After much wailing and moaning, and consulting and whining, I've bought a <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/hhr/?seo=goo_hhr">2006 Chevy HHR</a> it's been my dream car ever since they introduced the concept car several years ago. It's not the way I wanted to get one, but I have one, and I love it! It's much smaller than the mini-van, but it gets WAY better gas mileage (30 MPG), and does NOT think its a sail when the wind blows! YAY!! The more I drive it, the more I love it. I've been holding my breath and nursing that other car for so long that it's kind of weird to get into a car and not worry if I'm going to make it to my destination or not.<br />So, all things considered, life is looking up - I'll work on the taxes this weekend (it'll make the IRS happy, and God KNOWS I want to make the IRS happy!) and knit some way cool stuff.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-5146673620097801362007-03-30T12:08:00.000-06:002007-03-30T12:39:08.700-06:00Books, books, booksEven though I don't read much any more, I used to read all the time. Now most of my spare time is spent knitting, and once I figure out how to knit and read, I'll be back! So, with nods to <a href="http://bellsknits.blogspot.com/">Bells</a>, here's my version of the book list:<br /><br /><br />1. The DaVinci Code (Dan Brown) never even interested.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) Both of these because I took "Literature" instead of "English" in high school</span> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell) My first "grown-up" book! I loved it, and still do!</span><br />5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)<br />6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)<br />7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)<br />8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery) <br />9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) <br />10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)<br />11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)<br />12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)<br />13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving) I'm almost certain I read this, but I'll be damned if I can tell you what it's about!</span><br />15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)<br />16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)<br />17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> 8. The Stand (Stephen King) OMG!! I can't believe this is the only Stephen King novel on the list! This is probably my favorite, but he wrote TONS more really terrific books!</span><br />19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)<br />20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)<br />21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger) Sneaked this book when I was about 13 - mom said it was "dirty" - guess I was too young to understand, cause it bored me to tears.</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) This book convinced me that reading was fun!</span><br />24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)<br />25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams) Probably the funniest author I've ever read. Loved all 4 books in the trilogy!</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte) I wanted so badly to just smack Heathcliff!</span><br />28. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck) Might be the only John Steinbeck book I ever tried to read</span><br />30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">31. Dune (Frank Herbert) After I saw the movie, I HAD to read the book, but I only read the first one.</span><br />32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)<br />33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand) I know I've read Ayn Rand, but I'm not sure if its this one or not.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">34. 1984 (Orwell) Again, HS literature, I hated this book!</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley) Another one I'm nearly positive I read.</span><br />36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)<br />37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)<br />38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant) REALLY excellent book! </span><br />40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)<br />41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel) I read the sequel to this, without knowing it was the sequel until I was almost through. It was good, but not good enough for me to want to read the first one.<br />42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)<br />43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)<br />44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">45. The Bible - At least twice</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy) Somebody please explain to me how a love story could be so freaking boring!</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas) Dumas is one of my favorites! </span><br />48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)<br />49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)<br />.50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)<br />51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Ah, Dickens!</span><br />53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">54. Great Expectations (Dickens) Loved it!</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) I cried and cried!</span><br />56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)<br />57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling) <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough) Loved it until I saw the movie!</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood) Much better that I thought it was going to be - still gives me the creeps!</span><br />60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)<br />61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) <br />62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)<br />63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice) Love Anne Rice, but her witches books were better!</span><br />65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)<br />66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)<br />67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) This book was very strange!</span><br />69. Les Miserables (Hugo)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Another one that made me cry!</span><br />71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)<br />72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">73. Shogun (James Clavell) Although I couldn't tell you WHY I read it!</span><br />74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett) What little girl didn't read this???</span><br />76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith) Same for this one</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">78. The World According to Garp (John Irving) Made me a John Irving fan</span><br />79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)<br />80. Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)<br />81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)<br />82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)<br />83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)<br />84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)<br />85. Emma (Jane Austen) <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">86. Watership Down(Richard Adams) I thought it was about boats, but nooooo, rabbits:!?!?!?</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) Truely changed my life, and still affects me to this day. </span><br />88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)<br />89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)<br />90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)<br />91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">92. Lord of the Flies (Golding) Scariest book I ever read, until Stephen King.</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck) Force to read this in 3rd grade, and I still don't like Buck.</span><br />94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)<br />95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)<br />96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)<br />97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford) One of her very best</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield) Completely over-hyped</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">100. Ulysses (James Joyce) I know I read it, but all I remember is wondering when it would end.</span><br /><br />That's it - I've read more than I thought I had. These days, my tastes run more toward mysteries. I love Tony Hillerman, and Michael McGarrity - both write of and in New Mexico, so they're my heroes!debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-69635897565131241402007-03-23T13:44:00.000-06:002008-12-09T10:03:51.323-07:00I'm Back!!And I haven't killed anyone - although the urge has been mighty! I'm also knitting again, after about a week and a half off. You know life is not good when you have NO DESIRE to knit. I'd look at all the projects, and just think "UGH!" So, I'm back working on opera fichu from VLT. I'm casting off the main portion of the fichu - I need to block it, let it dry, and then do the tie-on portion. But first, a message about the bind off. That word would be YECH! This is such a pain in the arse!!! Here's what the directions said: cast on 2, bind off 5. Sounds easy, right? Oh, no! Here's the reality: Flip your knitting. Cast on 2. Flip your knitting. Move 2 cast-on stitches to left hand needle. Bind off 5. Flip your knitting, etc., etc., etc., What a pain! I'm knitting this thing on Addis (which I love!) but, if I'm not careful with the 2nd flip, all the stitches come off the right-hand needle (the cast ons and the one remaining from the last bind off), then I have to do it again. It's taking me way too long to do this! I'm going to get it done this weekend.<br />Here's a picture of the half-way bound off fichu:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkLUOyerrWrrkPDC16kte3_0h3MA4GrgsXfbcxYd24JXH2WI7J-VwVgb5UJMRPdF6Mbt9KqyRlzZwOz3Pcn7a3UDPZMMNlHGRRjEZ6BAmcaniUTt9IbCPTraKdWa5R6UfxGh7/s1600-h/half+bound+off.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkLUOyerrWrrkPDC16kte3_0h3MA4GrgsXfbcxYd24JXH2WI7J-VwVgb5UJMRPdF6Mbt9KqyRlzZwOz3Pcn7a3UDPZMMNlHGRRjEZ6BAmcaniUTt9IbCPTraKdWa5R6UfxGh7/s320/half+bound+off.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045210119902881138" /></a><br /><br />And here's my attempt at a close-up of the lace. It's not blocked yet, and the lighting did funky stuff to my fingers, but here goes:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2-0Dnkz-L7uS72cVCYw9d-yUTOw-zXJvOgtb_51LkBHyumNvPEsvGdifK-IiLINf-mbFgu3W4xUDu01YCUWU1UmTVmnepoxbvZQfX-3SpodJ_wKFAa5MVb_ZcrlP29JT-Dze/s1600-h/psychotic+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2-0Dnkz-L7uS72cVCYw9d-yUTOw-zXJvOgtb_51LkBHyumNvPEsvGdifK-IiLINf-mbFgu3W4xUDu01YCUWU1UmTVmnepoxbvZQfX-3SpodJ_wKFAa5MVb_ZcrlP29JT-Dze/s320/psychotic+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045210420550591874" /></a><br /><br />The colors are funky, but it's closer to the 2nd one in color, not quite as purple. I'll try to borrow the kidlet's digital camera and take a better pic.<br />In other news - I ended up buying a new car, with LOTS of help!!! I'm not happy that I had to go into debt again, and I'm completely freaked out about making car payments and huge insurance payments again, but my mini van was becoming a death-trap, and it was becoming a case of throwing good money after bad. The good news is that I finally have my HHR that I've been lusting after for 2 years. It's silver, and it runs so wonderfully, all the parts and pieces work, and it DOESN'T think it's a sail! It handles wonderfully in the wind, which is a HUGE deal, especially this time of year. We've had rain the last couple of days, and my new car has handled it wonderfully. I'm actually quite pleased with it. Since I bought it used, it has some minor things going on - like one of the H's fell off the back, so I'm driving an H R - I'm thinking of trying for one of those vanity plates that says "PUFNSTF" or something similar - is that called making lemonade out of lemons?debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27280812.post-2765434740089695142007-03-15T13:12:00.000-06:002007-03-15T13:16:08.095-06:00StressStress does not make for good knitting. How do I know? You might ask. From first-hand experience. This has been a horrific week for me. As was last week. I haven't knitted since last weekend, because frankly, I'm too tired and upset to knit. Since I started this as a knitting blog, and not a bitching-post (get it? bitching, not hitching? hahahahahaha!) I have nothing to blog. I did start binding off the opera fichu, a very fussy picot bind-off, so that's going to go very slowly. However, I do like what I've bound off so far, its really pretty, for all its fussy-ness. <br />Life happens. Stuff happens. Life and stuff will both straighten themselves out, I'll be knitting again soon, and I'll something to post about that doesn't sound like a freaking Greek tragedy.debsnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023150694076405052noreply@blogger.com3