Happy New Year!

This is the last post of the year. At the end of the day, I am off the a 3 day weekend of knitting, cleaning, and fun with the girlies. It will have to be fun with the kids, as I am on call for work this weekend. Such fun, huh? Here's hopeing to no fires to be put out this weekend. May the Heavens watch over me, so that I may have a quiet weekend, with no work phone calls.

On to Sock obsession:

Here is the first finished house sock, on to the next one. It should finish faster, now that I know what to do with it. Not bad, if I do say so myself. It's very warm and toasty. Just what I need for cold Ohio weather, if we ever see that again. It's been mildly cold and rainy since Christmas Eve. And by mildly, I mean in the low 40's.

Ok, I am never one to make and/or keep New Year's resolutions. But, I think I shall make a few for next year.

1. Loose the weight I gained during summer cookouts of '05.
2. Loose another 15 lbs past the above mentioned.
3. To aid in the above 2 resolutions, funnel all lunch and snack money to yarn stash and needle collection.
4. Finish the as of yet unfinished To Do knit list.
5. Find more fun and interesting things for girlies and me to do this year.
6. Make it back to the Renn Fests that I have missed for the past year or two.
7. After completing resolutions 1 & 2, strive to make bizzar dreams of late come true. (Miss Tammi, you'll know exactly which ones those are.)
8. Knit Annie and myself a sweater or 2 (to match the 2 I still need to make Katie).
9. Make sure that I don't gain more weight from summer cookouts of '06.
10. And, gerernally try for my life to NOT resemble the Bridgit Jones movies.

There, I think I have over done it for myself. Anyway...

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!

The Latest Obsession!


I missed bloggin yesterday because of this:

Oh, the things we do when we are bored at work!

I have decided to try my hand at socks. I have had to rip it out and re-turn the heel, as the instructions that I am following are written for an hourglass 9 decs. Following this, it was way too big and comical. So, I have adjusted to an hourglass 5 decs. Much better.

Now that Christmas is gone and so are all the knitted pressies (expect Miss PJ's, but I have no fear of her reading this, as she never has time to even call). You can see all of those on my "Off the Needles" section under needle report.

As far as what I still need to do:

1. Katie's Weasley
2. Katie's Quidditch sweater
3. Katie's poncho
4. Annie's poncho
5. Katie's PoA scarf
6. Annie's mittens and hat (as soon as I can find a pattern for the hat, that I like)

What needs to be finished:

1. Miss Tammi's Warm Winter Poncho
2. 2nd sock
3. Bell Sleeve Shrug
4. Irish Hiking Scarf (only 18" left to go plus fringe)

It's all over?

Well, Christmas went very well. The girlies got everything they wanted and more. And Annie has started giving me her list for next year. We also had adventures in cookie land on Christmas eve.

And then the girls took a game break.

And, yesterday we took a trip to my favorite yarn shop. What better time to go yarn shopping, then the day after Christmas, and having the day off. With my Christmas booty, I bought the "Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook", size 2 DPN's, some Sockotta and Trekking sock yarn. So, off on the adventure of sock making we go.

All the Christmas knitted gifts went over great. Everyone loved what they got, and no one could believe that I had made it myself. I'll post all the pics later, as I still have one gift left stragling under the tree.

It's FRRRIIIIIDAAAAAY!

I was hopeing for a quiet day, for 1.) it's Friday, and 2.) it's the Friday before Christmas. It's been a mostly good day. Finished my shopping at lunch, and I found a few great deals.But, to my horror, I discovered that I have forgotten one very important gift, and that would be my mommy's. She didn't ask for much, and I almost forgot it. One quick stop tonight, and that will be fixed. However, I came back after lunch and wrapped my gifts, as we have a huge table in the middle of the office that's perfect for just such a thing. From there, it has been down hill. Just about everyone is gone for the weekend or vacation, then the problems roll in. Needless to say, if I decide to make chocolate chip cookies over the weekend for work, I'll warn a few certain nice people not to eat them, as they may contain Ex-Lax.

Ok, on the knitting front. Katie and I decided to frog the Irish Hiking scarf in hunter green. The Red Heart was just too stiff and scratchy, and Katie admitted that she wouldn't really wear it, especially after I make her PoA scarf. Katie had fun frogging it. I did start a new Irish Hiking scarf in grey Bernat Softee Chuncky. And I did finish Annie's Spring Green Homespun scarf.

I know. Bad pic. But I liked because Vin Diesel has no shirt on in the back ground.

This one's a little better. Shot of the scarf, anyway.

Last night on the way home, Mother Nature treated me to this lovely display.

It really makes me want to knit something in these colors. Oh, maybe a pair of socks.

I talked about the puppy I helped Grandma Nana find, and here's a pic of her, finally.

This is the puppy formerly known as Petals. Her new name is Lady Love.

This next pic was taken a couple of nights ago.

Katie was working on plastic canvas ornaments, with Moonie in her lap and Vinny behind her head. Neither of them chose this moment to pay her back for any odd smells she may have blamed on them. Too bad.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Is that Christmas spirit creeping in?

I do believe it is. I was feeling more that a little Hum-buggy, but then I read this. Now I feel a little better, now that I know there are more like minded people out there than I thought. And e-mail chatting with my SIL in Dayton has helped me tremdously. She has alway been the one to see the better in me, even when I can't. Thanks!

Last night I blocked and boxed 2 of the 3 remaining gifts to be finished. 1 more to go tonight, then the Christmas knitting will offically be finished and ready for the giving. I have a little more Christmas shopping to finish for the girlies, and then comes all the wrapping. I am more that tempted to take it all to Miss Amy's, as she loves to wrap. She can have at, cause I hate it. I don't wrap very well, and my view on this is, your lucky it's wrapped at all. Ho, Ho, Ho!

I knitted a little more on Annie's scarf last night, and today in the office. I'm down to the last 6". That sucker should be finished tonight. Then I can cast on for the matching hat.

All this talk of Christmas spirit and Holiday cheer has made me want to bake. Let's see if I can cram some that in this weekend. Look out dishwasher, you will be full of mixing bowl and measuring cups. I can see it now, scissors cutting wrapping paper, and whisks mixing cookies and cakes. Oh, this is going to be a fattening, lazy Holiday weekend.

Happy Yule!

Blessed Be and Happy Yule to everyone. And a Happy Birthday to my mommy!

After seeing talk over the other blogs, I had to join in and start an Irish Hiking Scarf. I tried it in some blue varigated Red Heart worsted, but the cables got lost in the color changes. So, Katie offered up some of her Red Heart worsted in hunter green, and when it's done, it'll be hers. I just wanted to try the pattern to see how fun it is, and I must say, I need to get some Encore or Galway to work this one in. Maybe a nice blue heather to match my coat.

I tried a little Christmas shopping for the girlies at lunch. I found a few great gifts, at really good prices, but I still haven't found the Christmas spirit. I guess it has abandoned me this year. I'm not the only one, though. I have noticed there are more and more people that find it harder to get into the spirit. After all, my tree is up and decorated, and I'm getting my Christmas shopping done earlier than normal this year (usually done on Christmas eve), but I feel so BLAH! The only things that seem to make me happy are: knitting, shopping for knitting, reading about knitting, looking for patterns to knit, and generally anything that involves knitting.

If you look the right, in the side bar (and I feel like a tour guide), you'll that I have been sorted, and placed in Gryffindor. Always knew that I was Hoggworts material. Here's what it had to say:

Congratulations on making Gryffindor!
Basically, you're brave, daring, chivalrous, and pretty much.. an all around good person. Of course, some see you as a goodie-two-shoes. But hey, it's true! You're really good at winning, and normally always come out as the hero. Everybody likes you.. except, maybe, the Slytherins. You're too perfect. No, really.. You're too perfect. It's annoying to watch you win, repeatedly. Oh well. Be proud anyway.Gryffindors to Remember:
Harry Potter
Ron Weasley
The whole Weasley family
Hermione Granger
Albus Dumbledore

If you'd like to be sorted, click here.

Not much to update.

I had to leave work early yesterday, as my mom had to take Grandma Nana to the ER. And I had to go pick Annie there, and wait for Katie to get out of school. So, I knitted more on Annie's scarf. I know the other parents outside of the school had to wonder what I was doing, while waiting for the bell to ring, with flashes the gold needles and bright green yarn. I napped a little after dinner, and knitted some more. I have reached the half way point on the scarf.

Today, I broke a promise to myself. I promised myself that I wouldn't get any more Chipotle's until I have lost the 25 lbs. that I gained over the summer. I took advantage of the fact that Nate's (one of the guys here at work) car wouldn't start, and he was looking for someone to get his lunch. I have been a very bad girl. Knotty, knotty, knotty of me. I fell off the wagon, so back on I go. Here's hopeing that I don't fall again.

I have been working on a splendid idea, however I can't say what it is just yet, as some of it will be a Christmas gift. Here's hopeing that I catch the Christmas spirit soon, as we have how many days left??? I just feel so Bah Hum-buggy.

This weekend went very well. I pretty much locked myself in the house this weekend. I did finish Christmas gifts for Tammi and PJ. I have almost finished a crocheted project for Katie for Christmas. I worked more on my Bell Sleeve Shrug. Over all, a very nice, cozy, knitty weekend.

Here, Vinny settled in to nap on me while I knitted.





And, I was able to start a non-Christmas gift. Annie wants a scarf, hat and mittens, all in the Lion Brand Homespun in Spring Green. "Since green is my favorite color, mommy!" Annie told me, as she picked the yarn.

Friday! Friday! Friday!

Yippe! Hooray! The weekend is finally here. Now, let's see if I get things done this weekend. Last night, I did finish a Xmas gift to felt, casted on a another one, and created something new. However, I can't say what the something new is, as I will be making more for another Xmas present. And today at work, I have casted on and almost finished another Xmas gift. Gotta love the slow Xmas season.

I also achieved a decorated Xmas tree, see:

Isn't lovely? You can't tell from this pic, but there are 3 different colored ribbons on there. You can see the gold in the middle, barely see the purple at the top, but the green got lost on the bottom. Needless to say, we have to watch Vinny really close, as this is his first Xmas. We never had to worry about Moonie, she only lays on the tree skirt. Vinny, however, has decided to take his life in his own paws, and has tried to bat a few of the lower bulbs. But, a few squirts from the water gun, and he should get the hint to stay away.

Weekend Check List

1. Finish as many Xmas gifts as possible
2. Xmas shopping
3. Light house keeping
4. Spend some quality knit time on bell sleeve shrug

Will it be another weekend of Mission Impossible?

Is it Friday, yet?


Ok, I learned a lesson yesterday. I remembered a quote for an old BBC show I used to watch all the time. The show was "Are you being served?" and the quote was from Mrs. Slocum, who always said, "Oh, the things you see when you haven't got a gun." I have since learned to carry my camera in my knitting bag, so lots of pics today.

On the way to work, I got stuck in a traffic jam. I know, I know. A traffic jam in Columbus, Ohio? Yes, and I sat there for 45 minutes looking at this:

At this point, you can't see downtown Columbus because of the snow and the smoke from the car fire that caused the jam. This was the car that caught fire, what's left of it anyway.

Fun, huh? And, I was an hour late for work.

But, I did get pics if the Cotton Candy scarf last night.

And moved on to a Xmas gift that I can't show, just yet.

Just before I went to lunch, I did get a present from a friend. Candles for Chanuka.

I know, I'm not Jewish, but we like to celebrate it anyway. Hey, why not? We celebrate Christmas and Yule in my house, why not Chanuka too? The girls love it. They love to watch me light the menorah and see how long it takes each night for the candles to burn down.

Then at lunch, I visited Heavenly Creations and picked up these little goodies:

These little pretties will be socks, I hope, sometime after Xmas.

And after lunch, I finished the office Xmas cards to mail. I know, I'm a little behind. I had to wait for mailing labels. Plus, look at how many I had to do:

But, tomorrow is Friday. Let's do the Happy Dance!!!!!

The Question of the Day......

Q. How do you keep an office full if guys busy in the slow season?
A. Tell them there is a mouse.

While taking a knitty lunch hour, Amy and I were in the conference room to work on Xmas presents. As she crocheted a lovely, light blue purse and I finished off the last 9" of the Cotton Candy scarf, we saw at the edge of the room a baby mouse. Now, a month or so ago, we spotted a mouse on the dock, and the guys went on the hunt with brooms in hand. This time, they caught it little fellow and set him loose outside. Just for us to discover 2 more mice. The next mousy target was the victim of an unfortunate accident. While trying to catch this one, it was smooshed under a boot. Poor thing. The last one, on the run, decided to make for a door leading to the dock, after popping out from under the copier to visit my boss. And that, kiddies, is how to keep an office full of guys busy for most of the afternoon.

Now, on the knitting news. I finally got the cross stitch pillow done and gone.

Isn't it lovely.

After finishing this, I sat down with the Cotton Candy scarf and worked down to the last 9", for which I finished at lunch, during the whole mouse hunt. I'll post the finished pics of that tomorrow. Another Xmas gift down, 4 more to go. And time to keep working as I have the new dome light put in my car tonight at the Kia dealership.

Not enough time to sit still.

Last night I had too many errands to run, and not enough time to sit and knit. I had to hunt down more blue fabric for Xmas sewing, and in the process decided to actually buy Xmas cards this year. I was also on the hunt for Hershey's Cordial Cherry Kisses. I can't find them anywhere, they're that good. Three stores later, and I was cursing the cosmos under my breath.

Ok, I fibbed, alittle. I did sit still long enough to knit about 6" in the Cotton Candy scarf. Then I promptly fell asleep at one end of the couch with Annie asleep at the other end. Vinny tried to make a comfy spot on me once, to which I brushed him off, and he went to try and sleep on Katie. But, Katie, the only one with a cold, was the only one awake and begging at midnight to finish a movie that she's seen before. Sorry, Charlie! Time for bed! So, no new pics today, maybe tomorrow.

Check this out! It's cool way of mapping friends from everywhere!

As my weekends go, not too bad. I did finish the felted purse and matching cell phone holder. However, I think it's a little too close to Barney Purple.

I may have to make a different set soon.

I did cast on a few more Christmas gifts to finish. Almost seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. Over all, not a bad weekend. I didn't get to make the potato soup. I did get the tree up, but not decorated. And Grandma did pick a cute little puppy to keep her company, her name is now Lady Love. I've decided I'm going to call her Lovie.

I have decided to switch to this Blog Spot. I have my orginal blog at MSN, and you can see it here. I also love to sew costumes, and that blog is here.

Ok, last night's adventure. I am working on a purse to felt. My first try at felting. I seem to be doing pretty ok.

But when I got to the bottom and did the mittered corners, I sorta got a little lost on the 3 needle bind off. At which point, I put it up and casted on the last scarf for a Christmas gift for my dear little cousin. I figured that I could always research it in the morning. And, come to find out, it's very easy.

For this scarf, I have used Lion brand Homespun in Cotton Candy.

It's a very nice girly color.

At work, Amy and I were very bored, and this is the result of that boredom.

A little Christmas cheer couldn't hurt. Too bad it was over way too quickly.

Here comes another weekend of lots to do, and the game of how much can I get done. This weekend's check list is:

1. Shopping with mom

2.Finish cross stitch pillow for Shelly

3. Felt purse

4. Put up Christmas Tree at home

5. Start other Christmas gifts and finish them (if in anyway possible)

6. Make yummy batch of cheesy potato soup

7. Take puppies over to Grandma's for her to pick one.

I will try to blockade myself in my house to get as much done as possible. But, we all know how my weekend's go. Never as planned.