Vocabulary Lesson & Concert update

Today's vocabulary is brought to us by Miss Amy, as she was looking for another word me. And today's word is:

Manometer: n - an instrument for measuring the pressure of gases or liquids.

That's sounds about right! We had one of those earlier, here in the office, after my craving for White Castles was satisfied. Said craving was brought on by last night's concert, and said manometer was Mr. Malik. Needless to say, the dock cleared out real quick, and we threatened to lock the doors on him. On to the concert update.

We had a blast. There were 5 bands there. I have no idea who the first band was, because we were arriving toward the end of their set. The next band that went on was From First to Last. Jess is really good friends with the guys in this band. They were great. Then came Hawthorne Heights, and they were really good. Then came All American Rejects. They did a great set. And last was Fall Out Boy. And they were the best. I was also happy that I wasn't the oldest person there. I saw a large number of people that were my mom's age. It was a very diverse crowd. I found a beer stand, and was asailed by the smells of White Castles (hence the craving today). Here are some pics from the show:

This were I landed in the grass with my beer, and that's From First to Last on stage.

Here's a little closer shot of From First to Last.

Here's Hawthorne Heights.

Here's a little subliminal messaging from the beer concession. Notice that on the left side of the sign, Bud is followed by Bed Light.

I obviously missed taking any pics of All American Rejects?

Here is a shot of Fall Out Boy, when they first came on stage.

Here is a closer shot of Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, taken from some where near the pit. But we had a great time, and I ended up with a t-shirt for From First to Last and a tank for Fall Out Boy. Maybe if I can keep my eyes open tonight, I'll get some knitting done.....

I'm still alive, I think?

I did kinda drop off the face of blogland. I got so wrapped up in everything else, that I forgot to blog. Here's a short summary(ETA: ok, maybe not so short):

Thursday: I was already in a bad mood, so I decided to sit in my corner of the office and not bother anyone. I figure that if they intrude into my corner and they get my full rath, then they deserve it, but I'm not going to inflict myself on anyone on purpose. So, there was a bed frame on the dock that was going to be thrown away if someone didn't take it. I stepped up on Wednesday and said that my mom wanted it and I would take it to her. Well, the head board and foot board were too big to fit into my little Kia Cinco. So, at the suggestion of a co-worker, I asked Mr. C (you know, the ex) if he wouldn't mind putting it into his truck and drop it off to my house. He said he would do it on Thrusday, after the gym. Ok, cool, not a problem, thanks for helping me. So, when Thursday rolls around and I'm in my funk, I decided that it would be better to give him directions to the new house on my way out the door. As I am leaving, he's talking to the boss about work, so I stood in the background, had a conversation with another co-worker, and decided that since I was holding up Miss Amy (as she drove to work that day), I'd call back in a few minutes. When I called to give him directions, he immediatly starting giving me a hard time about not talking to him all day. Ok, I didn't hardly talk to anyone all day that I didn't have to, I was a grouch. So, he gets over that point. I give him the directions, and he says it may rain later. Ok, if it rains, just forget it, I'll figure out something else, not a problem. He asked where the box was for the head board (as we had taken it out the day before). I told him right under it, and he expressed concern that the box may not protect it if it rained. Ok, sensable, maybe if you don't mind, and if you have time, would you consider shrink wrapping it? (Now, mind you, I have kept my inner grouch under very good control, I have not cussed or screamed at him, yet.) The next thing out of his mouth," Well, I think you're asking alot." Ok, if I had thought about it earlier, I'd have done it myself, and if you want to be a jack a$$ about it, I'll just take care of it all myself. He said he would do it. After I got off the phone, I started thinking. The more I thought, the more pi$$ed I got. So, I called mom and suggested that we trade cars on Friday, and I would load it up and just bring her van home to her with the rest of the bed in it. Well, she decided that I needed to get the treatment that I didn't get as a teenager, and was basically told that I didn't know how to drive. Let's review here. I have only ever had 1 ticket, and that was in 1996! I have never been driving in any of the accidents that I have been in. I used to own a Ford Bronco II 4x4 with all terrain tires, and I drive a forklift, for the love of the Heavens. By this point I was so upset that I was crying. So, she must have seen her mistake, as she told me it was ok and that I could take her van to work. So, I called Mr. C back and told him to just throw the directions away, I'd take care of it. And what did I get? The snotties attitude I have ever seen this side of a teenager. "FINE! WHATEVER!" Ya know, you haven't been able to treat me decently in over 6 months, and now this? "Well, I'm not having this conversation." YEAH! Click! Miss Amy looked at me and asked if had just hung up on him. Yeah. Now, everyone knows that I just don't hang up on people, too many years of customer service training, I always try to talk though it and make it better. Not this time. And, instead of taking my walk of the neighborhood, I ate a pint of ice cream and 10 pizza rolls. Amazingly, I lost 6 pounds overnight? The ice cream in question was chocolate marshmallow.

Friday: It was a pretty good day. Here I am, Crazy Aunt Purl style, with my moms Hollywood sunglasses on:

I realize that this is the first time that I have ever put my own pic on my blog. And, my sunglasses are much cooler than these. Then, as I was picking up the girls, Miss Tammi's daughter, Jess called me. So, I stopped by and picked her up so she could spend the night.

Saturday: I took Jess home, and was talked into going to the Ohio Historical Society with Miss Tammi to do geneolgy research. Good thing. We were there for 2 hours, and if I hadn't gone with her, she would have been there for 4 hours. Other than that, it was a very lazy day.

Sunday: It was the kick off of the cook out season. See, what we do is have a cook out every other weekend, as those are the weekends that Miss Tammi is in town. We had lots of fun. I had beer bottle caps flicked at me, we played badmitten, and I managed not to eat too much. We played cards in the dark in the back yard till about 10 o'clock.

And yesterday was a normal day. But tonight, I get to chaparone 4 teenagers at the Fall Out Boy concert. This should be something. Miss Amy jokes that I'll be the oldest person there, except for the roadies for the band. So, I have painted my nails the deepest purple that I have (as I am out of black), barrowed my 11 yr old's black skechers (yes, her feet are the same size as mine), put on my beige cargo capris, an army green tank top with a skull design logo for the Pirates of the Caribbean, and my black, green and navy flannel shirt. Here's to hopeing that I don't look too out of place. Updates and maybe pics from the concert tomorrow.

Kool Aid

Ok, so our Dye Your Own yarn came from Knit Picks yesterday, and we had a blast. We lined up the kitchen chairs, got out the wide mouth canning jars, the large stock pot and the Kool Aid. Here's what we did:

Here's the yarn and Kool Aid I used: Black Cherry, Orange, Lemon Aid and Berry Blue.

Here is where we used the chairs to wind it out, and marked where I wanted each color to be.

This is where I dipped the yarn in the jars of each color to *cook*. This didn't take too long.

This is where the yarn has soaked up all the color.

Here are the jars, just after I took the yarn out to rinse it.

This is the yarn, rinsed, wrung out and ready to be hung up to dry.

Here is drying, and you can see the left a bit of Miss Amy's.

And here it is, balled up. I really like the result, but I'm not entirely happy with it. That, and I just want to make lots more. But, the colors really came out good, the only thing is, the yellow came out a little washed out. However, all the colors combined reminds me of somewhere. So, I am calling this colorway Caribbean Reflections. The pale yellow is the sand, the blue is the water, the orange and red are the setting sun.

Everyone has the ice cream truck that trolls through the neighborhood, causing every kid to loose their minds and instantly come running while shouting "Mommy, it's the ice cream man, can I have some?" But in my neighborhood, there are 3, count them, 3 trucks that troll. And this one takes the cake:

What's so special about this one? You might ask. Well, I tried to post the pic that I blew up so you could see the writting on the side of the truck, but Blogger ate it. Anyway, it say "Jamaican Jerked Chicken" & "Caribbean Foods and Ice Cream". Only in a neighborhood that I live in would you see anything like this. I try to live a normal life, really. The weirdness just seems to follow me everywhere I go.

SP8 and another pair of socks

Secret Pal 8 has begun, and I have completed my questionaire. I am so excited. This is my first time doing something like this. I can't wait for all the fun to begin. Me getting to spoil someone, and someone getting to spoil me.

I have completed another pair of socks. You know, my rage fuel socks. They came out really cool. And, as soon as I finished them last night, I started looking for another pattern and searching in my sock yarn stash (as small as it is) for the next pair that I want to make, as I am still waiting for the yarn for mom's socks. So, here's the finished socks:

And this cute little thing followed me home from Target today at lunch:

I know, blurry pic. But it's a Samsung T7 mp3 player. It's something to hold me over until I can save up for an ipod, and I can strap it to my arm for my workouts and walks (which I really need to start doing. But, it's cute.

May Day.....

It's May Day, and I almost have my May socks done! Right after I finished my April socks on Saturday night, I casted on for the next pair. Here is what I have so far:

Yesterday, I had one sock done. And while watching the movie "The Wedding Date" (a cute movie):

Then, two rows after turning the heel, I went to bed. This is how far I am after knitting for my hour lunch:

Unless I completely ignore this tonight, this will be done. And, as you can see on the far left of the pic, a large bit of yarn will be left.

And, I had to share this one. This is Annie, sleeping on the kitchen chair. She fell asleep there becasue I told her that she couldn't get up until she ate the piece of cheese that she asked for, mutilated and you can see sitting on the wrapper on the table. She woke up shortly after I took this, and spent another 20 minutes whining and begging not the eat it. Needless to say, I won, and she ate it. And this is how my kitties spent the day while I knitted:

Miss Moonie & Mr. Vinny

Edited to add: When I expressed amazement at how fast I was cranking out socks, I was told by Mr. D ( here at work) that I work that fast because I have rage control issues, and knitting keeps me calm. Go figure! Wish I could knit while I drive, there would be alot less name calling and flying birds.

April Socks: DONE!

Yes! I have completed my socks for the Sock-A-Month KAL, and earlier than last month. Now I will have the A behing my name to go with the M. You can visit Chrissy to check on the KALer's. And, now for the big reveal. Here they are:

The Specs:

Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta in color way # 5612 100 gm ball

Needles: US 2 Brittany DPN's (my favorite - hence my hunt for size 1, that I can't seem to get)

Pattern: Basic 56 sts cast on and worked in Stockinette with hour glass heel

If you look, you can see how much I have left of this yarn. If I am feeling froggy enough, they may become a pair of footies for Annie. And the stripping gave me a little problems, if you look at the heels, you can see where they are about 1 to 2 rows off. Nothing major, and I was not about to frog the second sock to make them match. Besides, they are just for me.

On Friday, Miss Amy and I ordered some yarn from Knit Picks. I ordered some Pallette in red so I can make my mom a pair of socks for Mother's Day, as she is always asking, "When are you gonna make me a pair?" So, I am going to use the Bubble Wrap socks from Sock Bug. I also ordered some of the Knit Picks Color Your Own sock yarn. I am going to try my hand at Kool Aid dyeing.

This afternoon, we found Vinny asleep like this:

Now, that's a good sleep, tongue hung out and everything.

A little better!

Ok, I have mostly restored my side bar, but I still need to put my blog ring codes back in, once I figure out where to find them again. I'm gonna try the black motif for a while and see how I like it. And, if anyone knows how to successfully find and add new templates on Blogger, please comment and let me know. That's how I got myself in this mess, I had no idea what I was doing and forgot rule #1, always save your current template.

Anywho, I'll update on the knitting tomorrow, as I almost have the second sock done, and it should take me no time at all, as Katherine jokings that I have "turbo jet fingers".

Oops!

Please bear with me, I have screwed up my blogger template. Yep, it's all my fault. I will try to fix as soon as possible. That's what I get for not saving my template before I tried to customize it. Sorry!

Blogger Oddity

I have no idea what is wrong with Blogger today. It seems to have eaten the bottom of the page. If you scroll down and have a look, half way through a post from Saturday, it starts the bottom of the page, which seems bottomless. Weird. I can only hope that it'll fix itself later.

Anyway, on the sock front, as I was working my way down the leg, I noticed that the stripes weren't matching up just right. So, I frogged about 10 rounds so I can tighten up my gauge. So, there was progess as well as de-progress today. Pics to come later.

Feline Reasoning & Some Knitting

Ok, to address the first part of today's title.

1. Feline Reasoning

My cats basically have their own room in the new house. Granted, it's the furnace room that's right off of my room, but it's still theirs, with their food and litter boxes. When we first moved it, we shut them in every day until they learned the new house. Since there is also a dog in the house now, I barrowed a baby gate from my mom. We first placed this gate leaning against the door frame for the cats to get used to it by walking under the side. On Monday, when Miss Amy and I got home from work, we heard a cat crying. As we looked, we saw Moonie sitting at the top of the stairs from my room. We searched room to room to see if Vinny had gotten locked into one of the girls' rooms. But I heard the cry coming from down in my room. I knew the door to the cat room was open and just had to go see where he was stuck. this is what I saw:

There he was, behind the gate as if there was nothing wrong. And, there was nothing wrong, see:

As you can see the door is open (and please excuse all the boxes, I use that as short term storage while I am sorting stuff in boxes). He would not jump over that gate to save his life. And I will lay money it that Moonie sat on the other side of that gate and teased him all day. See, Moonie is used to the gate, as I used to have dogs and used the gate to confine them from time to time. We even tried putting him half way over the gate and let him push his way over the rest of the way. That still did not work, because as soon as we placed him back over the gate, he stayed there. He will jump on to tables and counters, but he won't go over this gate. See:

As soon as I leaned the bottom of that gate out, he walked right out. (And, yes, that's my fat arse standing there.) Ok, so on to the second part.

2. Some Knitting

That sock I was working on, well, half way into the instep, I realized that I was 2 sts short? And that my gauge was small? Here is what it looked like, just before I frogged it:

It was a little tight, anyway. So, Monday night, I sent it to the frog pond, rewound the ball, casted on again, and made it to where I could start the heel:

This is where I was when I went to lunch, as I didn't work on it all yesterday. So, for lunch, I sat in the conference room and turned the heel. After an hour, this is where I am:

I am now 5 rnds into the instep. Not bad, huh? Guess I got my knitting mojo back. And, sorry, the pics are a little blurry.

Finally, Knitting

I have finally started knitting again. But, it was not really by choice. Today, Miss Amy and I decided to clear out the flower beds of the creeping junipers. That was not by choice either. What started all of this was that I went out to the garage to see how many bags of clothes were still out there, because I was going to wash them up (because they has been stored too long out there). I turned and noticed that the rose bush that I had bought at WalMart was growing in the dark, so it wasn't growing green, but white. This made me decide that it needed to be planted today. In order to plant it, we had to rip out the creeping junipers. After about an hour of clipping them back to see where the root balls were, I threw out my back. But, we went on, it had to be done. After a total of 3 hours, this is what the front flower beds now look like:

We cleared the section on the left along side of the garage and the tip of the flower bed on the right. And that's part of what we pulled up in the bed on the left. Afterward, I came in, got a hot shower and planted myself on the couch for a bit. After sitting there, I decided to try and stretch my back out and laid down on the carpet. This is what I saw from there:

The cathedral ceiling. And as I lay there, I was visited by Miss Moonie:

She felt for my plight, as she decided to lay with me:

Later, as Amy was using the yarn winder, Moonie tried to play with the yarn:

She got run off for her efforts. Anywho, as I was stuck on the couch, I pulled out the sock that I had cast on, and that was all I had done to it, cast it on, I hadn't even joined it. And now, I have the 1" cuff and 22 rows on the leg done. Nothing like a little motivation, huh? So, off to bed I went, with my knitting and my heating pad. Well, Mr. Vinny must feel for me too, because he has joined me in bed:

And, as you can see, my sock is just to the left of him. My loving kitties, there for me in my time of need.

Motivation, maybe?

Well, I think I may have regained some of my knitting mojo. I casted on for a pair of socks in a pastel Sockotta. Will I be motivated enough to finish them, is the next question. And, I remembered at the last minute to sign up for the Sock-A-Month KAL, and I am still waiting for the return e-mail the I limboed in under the wire.

Last night I decided to sit on the front porch for awhile, and this is what I was greeted by:

Pretty, isn't it? This is the small tree in the flower bed right off the porch. And a little while ago, this is what I saw when I walked out of the kitchen:

They haven't sat together since before the move. I think Moonie finally found a window sill that she is comfy on, as her butt is big. In the old house, all the sills were wide. Here, there are only 2 that are wide, and this is one of them. She just sits up and looks out the other windows.

Yep, still not knitting

I still haven't knitted one single stitch. But, I have an eventfull day that I'd rather have not had. You can read about it here. It's just a little bit on the humiliating side.

I'm a slacker!

Yes, I know, I suck! No knitting, and maybe not for awhile, as kneading bread this past weekend has caused my hands and wrists to hurt. It's been awhile since I've made fresh bread.

Ok, my cat just barked! Don't know which one it was, but they were chasing each other and one of them barked! And speaking of cats, Annie came in the other day and said, "Mommy, I covered Vinny up!" So, of course, the camera comes out. Here is what I found:

That's Vinny, sleeping, tucked with a blanket, and enjoying it.

Here's a close up, and as you can see, he really likes it. He sleeps like this everytime she tucks him in.

Oh well, back to my book, # 12 of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, Incubus Dreams, until my wrists feel better.

Long Time, No Post

I sorta forgot to post, as I haven't been knitting. Over the weekend I had to urge to read, and of course my choice of reading was one of my favorite "bodice rippers" (trashy or smut books, depending on how you look at it). It was "Love Me Forever" by Johanna Lindsey. I know, it's a corny one, but one that I like to read every so often. Now that I have read it, I'll pass it on to Miss Tammi, I know she'll like this one.

As for knitting, I have made it through to rnd 4 of the pattern on the body of Rogue, then the urge to read hit. Then to top it off, I bought a wireless router so I can use the laptop for the internet, and I started having problems getting that set up. Calling the support line only made it worse, as I got the worst customer service I have ever had. So, I e-mailed the company on Monday night, and just got a response at 1:30 am this morning. I'll try their suggestions, and if they don't work, I may just return it for another brand. I hate paying out good money for something that doesn't work.

Anyway, Happing Knitting!

Vocabulary Lesson

Rogue: (rog) n. 1.) a scoundrel 2.) a mischievous person 3.) a mischievous knitting project!

Ok, so last night started out ok. I was a little late getting to the dealership for my appointment, but just by a few minutes due to traffic. I go to the waiting room, the girls hit the toys, I pull out my book (Sense And Sensibility) and relax for what I was sure was a short wait. An hour and a half later, the service manager comes in to check on me, to make sure I don't need anything. I thought the wait was a little long for just a plate gaurd replacement, but before I can voice this thought, he tells me that they'll have me out by 8 o'clock, as they are replacing my whole exhaust system! In the mean time, here is what Annie did in the waiting room:

I was waiting for it to fall over. It eventually did, but much later, and it missed hitting her by inches. Anyway, around 7:45 my car was done. I had just enough time to beat it home, run down to my room and flip in Top Model. During Top Model, I balled up 4 more skeins for Rogue. After that, I went for a few snacks, as I didn't get dinner. Then, as I flipped over to Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi, I picked up Rogue, started round 12, joined a new ball, and happily finished the round. For the next round, I carefully read the pattern. I made mental notes - work row 1 of chart A (15 sts.) k 83 for front, work row 1 of chart A (15 sts.), k 83 for back. I pull out my stitch marker, purl 15 sts, place marker, knit 83 sts, place marker, purl 15 sts, place marker, knit 78 sts.... Wait, knit 78 sts? That can't be right. Ok, let's count this again. 15, 83, 15, 78. Well, count it again. 15, 83, 15, 78! One more time. 15, 83, 15, 78!!! I set it down in disgust on the couch, and went upstairs to find Miss Amy. I asked if I had cast on the 196 sts that I needed. She said yes, even watched me use stitch markers to mark them by 50's, and count them 5 times. So, where did the 5 sts go if I didn't drop them or decrease them? The Bermuda Triangle is the place I can think of. Why not? It's swallowed ships and planes for decades now, why not my missing sts? So, I stomped back down to my room, and used the ball winder to frog the precious progress that I had made. By this point, I had decided that I needed to walk away for awhile. So, upstairs I went to talk to Amy while she balled up some more yarn for her Rogue. Then, I noticed that Moonie had decided to venture up the stairs. 4th time by herself since we moved in last month. She made a small foray around, and decided to sit on the stairs and observe the rest of us lunatics. And when I sat on the steps, she made a bed out of my lap. See:

Shortly after that, I got the catnip bubbles out for Vinny. After playing on the steps for awhile (something I tell the kids they aren't allowed to do, shh), I went to bed. I figure that I'll start Rogue over again, tonight. And thanks, Michelle, for letting me know that I'm not the only one to almost go bald starting Rogue, by ripping my hair out.

Enter a Rogue

I have sucessfully casted on for Rogue, and have managed to get 7 rows done by bedtime. And I did get another 5 rows done at lunch before I ran out of yarn, as it was the left over ball from my Celtic Cap. So, tonight, after my work out, I get to pull out the wool winder and do up a few more. But, all of this is after the 6 o'clock car appointment at the dealership. Good thing it's under warranty, besides, it's just an exhaust sheild that loose and banging on the exhaust pipe. It's more annoying than anything else.

Last night I took a few pics of the flowers in my mommy's yard. Here they are:

And, in Sandy's Knitting fashion, I was Sky Watching:

Prettyful, isn't it?

And, I just love those on line quiz things. Here is where I took it, and this is what I scored:

That about sums me up, and she is my favorite Jane Austen character.

Provisional Cast On Problems

Last night, Amy and I decided to sit down, swatch and cast on for Rogue. For those of you who have the pattern, you know that if you're not doing the 1x1 rib, you need to do a provisional cast on. Now, we have never done this. So, we pop down to the computer and went to Knitting Help to watch the video of how to do it. When I tried it, it seemed too twisted. And after a second time of casting on this was, I still didn't like it. So, I frogged it, folded my laundry and went to bed. This morning I got up, resolved to find a different way to do the provisional cast on. And I have found it on Knitting at Knoon Designs. I love this method. Since I started out crocheting when I was young, this seems so easy. Now I can't wait to go home, do my work out, and sit down to cast on.

Ok, I want to start a new pair of socks, but I don't know which pattern to do next. Maybe some of you can help me. I have been thinking about making a pair of Jaywalkers (now that at least one of us have a set of US 1 Brittany's), or the Pink Ribbon sock. What do you think? Please comment and let me know.

On another note. I love spring, maybe not as much as fall, but I hate the high winds. When we leave work, it's a fight just to get the door open. And when I drive to get the girls from my moms, out in the country, I drive right past a lot of empty fields. I have nearly been blown off the road several times.

Kitty Cat Monday

Miss Amy posted a photo of Vinny on her blog, and got a few compliments. So, she is directing them to see more here. So, here are a few that I have taken but not posted.

Here is where Vinny met Gypsy, Amy's African Grey Congo, who is hanging upside down.

Here is where he was just stalking Gypsy. After being yelled at a couple of times, he has learned to leave the inside birds alone.

Here he is laying in the middle of th kitchen floor, his favorite place when we are cooking. As, you can see, he's gotten a little pudgy since his "Little Operation" and the de-worming.

Here he is trying out Katie's invention, The Kitty Trap, for the Invention Convention. Basically, it's a modified kitty litter box.

As for his age, he will be 1 yrs old around June 15th. I'm not really sure, as he was a rescued kitty, and I got him when he was 6 weeks old. Miss Tammi rescued his brother, Mushu, who has the light Siamese coloring and long fur. Katie was visiting family in Dayton when I got him, but she is the one person that he loves the most, followed by me, then Annie, and then anyone with thumbs that can open a can.

This is my other cat, Moonie, when I was packing at the old place. Her full name is Ank-su-namun (from the movie The Mummy, you know, the evil bitch, which she can be), which is Egyptian, as I think all female cats should have Egyptian names. And here she is in the new place, down stairs, in the bathroom, in my room.

Moonie came from Amy's mom. There aren't too many pics of Moonie, as she is all black, and in the old place I had hardwood floors, she didn't show up too well in pics. But, now that we have light colored carpet again, there will be more. She is just about 5 yrs old, and suddenly become very frisky. I think the move did her some good, even though she stays down in my room, all the time.

Ok, enough Kitty fun for today.