A super duper vacation

Well, I'm doing it right. No email. No blogging. Just rest and relaxation with a bunch of shopping thrown in. Not even too much knitting going on. I hope remedy that in the next few days. So ... happy new year to everyone!

Looks like I'm going to make it

I got all of my presents wrapped last night with the exception of the hat I have yet to finish. But I'll get the last ear flap started at noon knitting today and I might even be able to finish it there, if not then a few minutes at home should do it. And I realized this morning that I forgot to wrap the basket weave scarf and head band I made for a friend, so I've got to weave in those ends tonight and wrap that one as well. But still, it's not much to do and I'm sure I can get it done while I'm doing bits of laundry and packing. I have to come into work tomorrow but I'll be leaving for the airport from here so I have to have everything ready to go in the morning.

Oh it is going to be SO nice to have two whole weeks off! And I told everyone at the lunch yesterday that I am definitely NOT going to even open my work email for those whole two weeks. If anyone wants me they're going to have to track me down and trick me into opening the door. Blogging is also going to be a bit sparse. I am not taking my laptop to California with me so it'll have to be blogging by phone and we all know how ugly that is. I haven't even thought about knitting to take with me ..... I guess I'll take the socks I'm working on and the Liesel scarf which is not really mindless knitting since it's lace, but it's easy lace. I have hours and hours left to go on the socks so they can be my mindless knitting.

The band is booked for Valentine's Day and the leader is bugging me to get my picture up on the web site and make a few changes. I have got to quit telling people what I do.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

My friend Kirby sent this to me and it's too good not to put here for everyone to enjoy! Really cute!

A fun Christmas Tree Toy

Getting down to the line

The weekend was busy and I got nearly everything done. While at the mall getting my nails done I stopped into the newest DSW [a shoe lovers paradise!] and bought some pretty black satin sandals with a rhinestone accent for my outfit that night. I did manage some awesome multitasking after that and got the first ear flap nearly done while I was going over some music. I have a little ritual I perform and I have always done it, time allowing. And that's the pre-gig nap. It's easier to do when it's winter time since it's dark at 5. I got a good, restful nap on Saturday and changed into black pants and a red top and headed out to the club. It was not as full as last time but I am sure that's because that Saturday was the prime Christmas party evening. It went fine. It wasn't like it was empty, just not packed to the rafters like last time. I lllllove our new keyboard player. He also plays trumpet and flugelhorn. And he's funny.

Of course I got home late late late and all I wanted to do was sleep Sunday but chores beckoned so I hauled myself up at 10, which was TOO early. I didn't even have time for much knitting - just odd this and that and an open house. I crashed at the open house - it was a new recording studio and while I normally would be all over that, I was just exhausted. So I took another nice nap (two in one weekend!) and got up refreshed and did laundry and cooked a nice dinner and worked on my socks.

Last night would have been an ideal time to finish up the hat but I had some other errands to run and by the time I finished the paper it was nearly 7, so I decided to take the night off and just watch some TV and that's what I did! I have a friend who is turning 50 in January and wanted a live band at his party. I told him I wasn't going to be able to pull it off, but then a friend called last night to say he is in fact going to be in town for the party so I had to start getting the logistics of that handled. It'll be a huge surprise for Steve. He knows he's getting a band but ... he doesn't know who is going to be in it. That's the surprise.

Maybe tonight I can finish up that hat or if not tonight, then knitting at lunchtime tomorrow for sure. And that's going to be it. I still have to tuck in the ends of the basket weave scarf and headband I made. Plus I've got to get everything wrapped and get packed all by Thursday evening. It's pretty darned difficult to get actual work done when I has so many other things I would like to get done. But ... that's the way it goes.

Knit night

I really buckled down and just knit my fingers to the bone again last night. I nearly got to the decrease portion of the ear flap hat. I am hoping to be able to get some good work done on it again tonight as well. I've got deadlines!! I guess I should be making list(s). I have gifts to finish, to make, to buy, to wrap .... cards to buy and write and send ... errands to run Saturday and a gig Saturday night, which is going to eat up a lot of time on Saturday since I need time to nap and get in the zone. I think I'm going to have to shop on Sunday, which I imagine is going to be a busy day at the mall. Since I'm going to California I'm going to finish up shopping down there but I need to get everything for my sister up here because we'll be shopping together. Well ... lists, that's the key. And not starting any more big projects. Maybe a bath mitt ... but I think the hat should be the end of any real knitting, if I want to stay anywhere near sane.

Next week shouldn't be so bad since there will be no rehearsing. I miss having a tree though. That's the only bad thing about going away for Christmas. It's difficult to get in the spirit when there's no tree around!

BIG yawn

Oh my goodness ... I could NOT get out of bed this morning!! I must have hit the snooze button 6 or 7 times. I finally dragged myself out of bed, make a quick dash through the shower and got to work before 8:30. Pretty good. I'm speedy. My kitchen is a disaster ... there are clothes all over the bedroom, but I got out the door.

I stayed up late knitting is what happened. My rehearsal got canceled so I just did a big knit night and finished up those fingerless mitts I was working on and also started an ear flap hat. The mitts are just simple tubes but I loved working with the Artful Yarns Heavenly. It's soft and flashy. I think my friend's little girl will really love them. Here's hoping anyway.

I don't feel too frantic about my Christmas knitting -- not yet anyway. I think I'll start feeling the panic next week. Right?

Back to winter

Well, I was very very VERY glad to get home Friday morning. The plane was spot on time, thank goodness. Thursday in Hawaii was tough. Again the weather was bad and chilly even and I was homeless, having checked out of my room at noon. I took the little bus into town and made the most of it, getting lots of Christmas shopping handled. My boss and his wife took me to dinner on the way to the airport and it was a gorgeous meal in a wonderful setting. They had tried to go there a few nights earlier but it happened to be the night of the tropical storm and since the restaurant opens right onto the beach ... they were closed.

Friday I mostly spent sleeping. In the afternoon I got my hair done and did some grocery shopping and that was about it. Saturday Tinkie got a new hairdo and I finished up my sister's Sunflower Tam (no, I didn't take pictures!! - what a dope) and it started snowing in the afternoon. Not hard, thankfully. But it is really cold here!! The BF was doing sound for a play at a little church so I went to see that. Sunday I went to the Seahawks game! Ooooowee!! First of all it was freezing cold! Thank goodness for long underwear. Second of all - they won! Yay! So it was a good football weekend.

I was supposed to go back to work Monday but my boss, bless his heart, had suggested that I might want to take a day for myself and sure enough, when 6:30 am rolled around Monday morning and I was cozy under my duvet and comforter ... I sorta wanted to stay in bed. So I did. I had a rehearsal last night and had songs to practice so the day went by rather quickly. Got my sister's b'day presents sent off and that's about it. Oh ... I worked a bit more on the lace scarf, Liesel. My Scoop de Jour is taunting me from the back of the couch where I refuse to move it until I finish putting it together!! This should be WIP week.

Uh huh .... that didn't last long

Sure, I said it was sunny Tuesday. And I went upstairs, put on my bathing suit and laid out by the pool. But the clouds came up and suddenly it wasn't nice any more. We have been having weather - serious weather. Tuesday night was the banquet and it was held outside but under cover, so it wasn't too bad. But oh yesterday we had a real true tropic storm. Thunder and lightening and high wind. It was freaked out. Obviously after I had one little walk in the morning it was in for the rest of the day and evening. The TV went out. Lots of people were hunkered down in the lobby. The main bar was closed because it sits right on the ocean so they set up a bar further in and that's where it was happening last night. I came down to order some dinner and ended up sitting and chatting (and drinking) until my meal was cold. But it was fun.

I did get some good knitting done yesterday. I got the heels turned and the gussets picked up for both of the socks. No problems. Now it's just finish up the heel decreases and knit the foot. Must say I'm very proud of myself for pulling that off.

I took the bus into town and even though the weather was nasty I just kept on, got a bit wet, but ended up doing almost all of my Christmas shopping. I'm happy about that. And now I think I'll get cleaned up. John and Judy are taking me for dinner and then to the airport. I think I'm going to be quite happy to be home, even though it's cold.

Sunshine!!!

Hooray! It's sunny today and just a little breezy. I see clouds out over the ocean but they are WAY far away and so hopefully they will stay out there. It rained all day yesterday. I stayed in my room, worked and did a little knitting. I went out for one little walk, but it wouldn't stop raining. I was really kicking myself for not bringing workout gear because at least I could have gone into the workout room and run on the treadmill. Ah well ...

I got almost finished with the heel flaps on my socks yesterday. But I don't anticipate much knitting today unless the weather changes. I am going to go lay by the pool! Maybe work up the nerve to go snorkeling. It's kind of a drag being here alone. I mean I know lots of people here but they are with their spouses or science buddies so I don't have anyone to just hang out with. Going to the beach is always better with someone.

Lots of pictures

It's raining. Hard. Today we have a half day and I was planning on snorkeling but it's pouring rain! The forecast is calling for showers all day and the wind is not blowing so these clouds may just sit here for a while. This is supposed to be the dry side of the island!! Here's a picture of the pond I'm sitting next to. This was taken about an hour ago. It's raining even harder now. And a picture from my balcony looking out to the sea. Oh well. What can you do? At least I brought three projects to work on. I've got WIP pictures of all three. I should be able to get some work done on them this afternoon, if this keeps up.

First the socks. Two at once. Once on the airplane and again yesterday evening I knit the two together and had to tink back a couple rows to get the lines untangled!! I thought I was being careful but ....not careful enough! This is where they are now. I have finished up the leg and next I'll be doing the heel flaps. I did try two at once before and when it came time to pick up the gusset stitches it just didn't work and I had to rip them back and start over, one at a time. Last socks I did I got ahead of myself and tried to pick up the gusset stitches before I had turned the heel. Thinking back, that MAY have been the problem that first time. I was so anxious to actually get the gusset stitches picked up, I remember. It's all speculation at this point, of course but ... could have been the problem.

Okay, next on the WIP list is the Sunflower Tam. I'm getting pretty close to switching to DPNs. I'm using Cascade 220 for this project. The color is just what I wanted. This is the second one of these I've made. I love the Right and Left Turn stitch. It's from the same book as the Ogee Tunic which his languishing in its basket.

And finally I'm making a pair of mitts for a friend's little girl. I found this beautiful mohair blend. It's too gaudy for a whole sweater but perfect for a pair of mitts and she'll love them. I am using Artful Yarns Heavenly.

Okay that's all for now. Fingers crossed for some sun!!

Sunday's view

This was taken a few hours ago. Now it is looking like rain.

I haven't yet taken any pictures with my regular camera. Hopefully tomorrow when we have a free afternoon. I have been working. I arrived Thursday night, worked all day Friday and Saturday and so far ... today. But I'm going to stop for little while. Things are running okay for now.

I will have some good WIP pictures tomorrow. I got tons done on my socks on the airplane and I good start to my sister's Sunflower Tam last night while I was listening to the football game. I say listening because for some odd reason there was no picture, just sound. All the other channels had pictures but the biggest football game in Hawaiian history? Sound only. The Huskies played well and were ahead but ... ultimately lost and now Hawaii is undefeated.

I don't know what's up with the underlining ... can't get rid of it. Ah well. I feel like things are possessed here today. The lights have been flickering and computers going crazy and the wind and maybe rain. Very strange.

What a view

From my room

On my way to Hawaii

Lunchtime.

Countdown to Hawaii

Oh wow ... I have been SO busy! Trying to avert disasters, and tie up loose ends - and I'm not talking about knitting. Since the hotel has only dial up access, which I am not going to want to use, I am working frantically to get ahead and head off anything I might have to address while there. Just working the meeting it going to be time consuming enough. I was so hoping to have some time on the beach but it's not going to be much time. Monday night I biked home in pouring, freezing rain, arriving home soaked to the bone. It is cold here! In fact, it might even snow Saturday. So it's just going to be glorious to be in the tropics no matter what I'm doing!

I finished up the basket weave scarf and I'm working on a headband (rather than a whole hat) to go with it. I'm only about 8 rows away from finishing that. I'm going to take my socks and yarn to make a hat for my sister and some fingerless mitts for a friend's little girl. I think that should do it for knitting projects. Oh ... but maybe I'll bring that bamboo along just to futz with as well.

I got the dog washed last night and the package put together for my Secret Pal and put it in the mail this morning on the way to work. It's heavy!! What the heck did I put in there? Heavy stuff I guess.

Well, I'll send pictures from my phone when I can - at least tomorrow from the airport when I'm having my pre-boarding cocktail. I'm taking my camera too and if the wireless connection in the hotel lobby is good I can post some pics while I'm there.

Aloha!

Secret Pal Revealed!!

Saturday I got my final Secret Pal package from Sara at Handy-Crafts. She has the most adorable baby! I don't know how she found the time to be such a super spoiler as well!!! She sent me some absolutely gorgeous Mango Moon yard, also some bamboo which I have been dying to try out, a cute little book and some note cards as well as a very handy tote bag. Thanks SO MUCH!!! I love everything! I can't wait to try out that bamboo too ... but it's going to have to wait until a few more holiday gifties are finished up. Although .... gosh it would be a perfect yarn to take to Hawaii ... hmmmm ... can't hurt to have it with me at least, eh?

Thanksgiving was great! And I had a nice long rest. The dinner came off without a hitch. Tink was perfectly mellow and a good dog. I ate soooo much ... I couldn't move after dinner. We sat and watched not one but two movies. I felt like a beached whale. Good though -- it was good!!

Despite my best intentions I did not get out into the yard. I did get some good knitting work done. Recognize this? Yup ... Isabella. I got one of the side seams sewn up. Holy cow ... what a HUGE hassle this is!! I know I sound a little whiny here but jee-eepers! Why oh why didn't I think about sewing this up before I got knitting on it. It's ridiculous! It would be SO easy to do this in the round. Why would anyone choose to have this much fiddly finishing work to do? Maybe I can get another side sewn up tonight. I hope so. It would be perfect for Hawaii but I'm not taking it along if it's not finished. Now that would be silly.

I did get that basket weave scarf finished and started a matching head band yesterday while watching the Seahawks beat the Rams. Yay!! Good game.

I also was going to get my last secret pal box sent off but again - ran out of time. I've got all the goodies so it's just a matter of putting them in the box and sending it off. Must do it by Wednesday.

It's still got the hold on me

Okay ... another evening spent with the Kureyon. It's just so purty ... all those colors.

I need to have a knitting friend close by to strong arm me into sewing up projects or something. Don't you think that Isabella would enjoy a trip to Hawaii? Hmmm? All I need to do is sew her up!! Well yeah and knit a bit of trim, but I could do it in a weekend day. You know, I think I have rationalized away sewing it up in mattress stitch. Size 3 needles ... no way! So I give myself permission to just whip stitch that baby together! I want to be able to take that with me. Oh if I could only just put the scarf down .....

It is clear and very chilly here in Seattle. The grass was all frosty this morning and people were scraping off their windshields. I even had my glove liners in my biking gloves this morning and my hands were numb by the time I got to work. C-c-c-cold! The bridge was frosty and scary but the puddles weren't frozen so it must have been just above freezing. A little out of the ordinary for us. But I heard that the sunshine is supposed to stay for the weekend, which would be lovely. I could get some yard work done as well as knitting.

I got a little tiny heart tug this morning on my way in .... usually I go to Paris for Thanksgiving and I am missing my friends a lot. This is one of my favorite weeks to be in Paris. In the neighborhood I used to live, the Marais, the Christmas decorations are put up the last weekend of November and it's one of my super favorite things in the whole world, watching them go up. Okay well Thanksgiving is early this year so if I was there I would be missing that anyway. I won't be going in January this year either. Ah well .... life goes on.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all [yes, a day early I know]. I am cooking this year but only for 8. It'll be a piece of cake. The hard part is going to be cooking in a "strange" kitchen. I am cooking at my boyfriend's house. (Well ... it's been 3 months now so I guess I can say it without jinxing the whole thing. No, really. Considering my outrageous and ridiculous dry spell and the considerable bad luck I had been having. After 3 months this one seems to be sticking.) It'll be a traditional feast. I never get tired of turkey dinner. Mmmmmmmmm! Plus he's got a high def plasma screen TV in the kitchen so I can watch the football while I'm cooking. Oh baby does it get much better than that? Oh yeah, just add champagne - a nice little bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte already chilling in the fridge just waiting for the cook. I'll just have a little easy knitting sitting around - perhaps the socks. I can smell the turkey already!

Spicy?

I love spicy food. Love it. So yesterday evening I went to the grocery store to pick a couple fire logs because it was so cold and I thought it would be nice to have a cozy fire downstairs, and while I was there I saw Spicy Tuna Rolls in the sushi case. Since I really had nothing very exciting at home for dinner I decided to treat myself to some sushi. However, these spicy tuna rolls were something special. I ate one or two and ... whooo .... my mouth was hot hot hot! I figured maybe I had put too much wasabi into the soy sauce so I diluted it and tried another piece. Ouch! H-h-hot! I had some beer but that didn't cool me off so I waited for a few minutes, got a soda, waited until the burning subsided and tried one more time. Maybe I had gotten just an extra-hot piece. I could see the red pepper flakes in the tuna but it seemed like it was more than that. Perhaps they had put hot oil in with it? I don't know but frankly, I had to give up. It was THAT hot. That's not spicy. That's freakin' spicy. Who can eat that and taste it?? Plus which -- my tummy this morning is burning. I'm off spicy sushi for a while.

Knitted on the basket weave scarf again. I can't help myself!! It's the Noro --- what color will come out next and will I like it and will it look good next to this color? It's a sickness. Tomorrow I'm bringing my socks to Noon Knitting. I've got to break the hold that scarf has on me.

What a fabulous weekend!

I mean it! BOTH my football teams won -- and both beat Bears! How crazy is that? The Seahawks game was so incredibly exciting! I had a bazillion chores to do yesterday so I had set it to record and then started watching it about an hour in, so that way I could skip the commercials. Just a great great game!

I have another whole great huge rant about musicians and I was going to just rant away, from the top. But you know what? It's hardly worth it. I'll just give a quick sketch and skip the in depth rant. Suffice it to say (reiterate is more like it) that in general, musicians are jerks. Here it is in a few words - despite rehearsing Sunday the 11th AND Friday night before the gig, the offending members managed to mess up every single one of my songs. At one point one of the guys had me singing the song into his ear right before it was counted off because he couldn't remember it!!! The leader was absolutely LIVID, and came to me at the beginning of the 3rd set on his knees and apologized and said that it was the last time and we were going to fix it (in other words somebody is getting fired for sure!) before the next job. I mean ..... it was just so infuriating! What a colossal waste of time. Why rehearse if you're not going to take the time to learn the freaking song?? Well ... see, I didn't want to get going on a rant. It's going to be fixed. In fact, we have a new guitar player all lined up and he's an old friend of mine and he's totally awesome so it's now just a matter of taking the time to rehearse. The good thing about him is that I know he'll take the tapes and learn the songs BEFORE rehearsal and he won't forget them either. Other than that -- it was such a fun night Saturday. The bar was packed, and lots of my friends came to see me "come out of retirement" and the mistakes weren't that obvious if you didn't know what to listen for. I got to wear a killer outfit ... it was just too much fun! The leader and the other singer and I sat around afterwards, having our post gig drink, and chatting and then we were hungry ... well, I didn't get to bed until 4 am, just like the good old days. But I was much younger then. It was pretty hard to get started yesterday.

So - knitting now. Last Wednesday I needed some easy therapy knitting. Do you ever come home and say "I need to knit"!"? That's what I did Wednesday. I had had a trying day and I just felt like I needed to sit and have the wool and needles in my hands and I didn't relax until I did. But I didn't want to work on the complicated lace scarf so I pulled out some Kureyon and started the basketweave scarf. Kureyon is so hypnotic. I just keep going, waiting for the next color. I'm using size 8 needles so it's slow going but it's going to be a super warm scarf. I was thinking about making a hat to match but it' s going to depend on how long the scarf gets at the end of two skeins. I have 4 skeins - two of each colorway. Maybe at the end of the two skeins if it's not long enough I can make the matching hat and then use the rest of the yarn for the scarf. Well, I don't have to decide now. Hopefully tonight I can resist picking it up and instead sew my Scoop de Jour together. Bets?

Yes, it was Wednesday

and YES I remembered my knitting! I got some good work done on my two socks at lunchtime knitting. That yarn ... the colors are SOOOOO beautiful! I'm just anxious to get down the leg and get to the heels so I can do it just this once and (hopefully) be forever converted to 2 at once socks. After getting that down - say two or three times - then I'm going to try toe-up 2 at once. Well, a girl must have goals, right?

I skipped the run yesterday. I swear I'm fighting a cold again!! And running when you have upper respiratory symptoms is no picnic. I run for FUN .... oh well yeah and a little pain ... but mostly FUN! Wheezing and gasping are not part of the fun.

Yesterday afternoon one of the ladies that works right down the hall from me came scooting up to my door and knocked. I let her in and she was all jumpy. Seems a mouse had run into her office! We are in what is known as The Annex, which is a converted construction trailer. All of "us" are displaced persons while the building we used to inhabit is being renovated. This building is a mess and, oh yes just happens to have a rodent problem to boot. So poor lady, she was on the phone trying to get someone to come set some traps or something. Lucky for her she had keys to one of the vacant offices nearby her own so set up shop there. I can still see those nasty sticky little traps outside her office door. Yuk.

Last night I worked some more on the cashmere lace scarf. Finished ball 1 and got going on ball 2. It's not going to be very long but, as I said, I'm going to block the dickens out of it so it'll be a nice, deluxe neck piece that somebody will be sure to love ... even if that somebody is me!

Work is still so busy busy busy. I've gotten almost everything done for the meeting coming up and have begun work on what is turning out to be a HUGE project that I was truly hoping to be done with by the end of this month. Well it's only the ... erm ....15th so if work hard I just may get there.

I also need to finish gathering goodies for my last Secret Pal package. I've got a couple good books, some yarn, but I need girlie goodies. Oh! and get this ... for her first package I sent the book Knitting Circles Around Socks and I wanted to be a good secret pal and include the two size 2 circulars with it and the sock yarn. Knit Picks has quite nice Addi knock-offs so I ordered two of them but, of course they were out of stock so her package went without them. Finally they got the stock, informed me the needles were now in stock did I want to order them? Suuuurre! I got the package yesterday -- ONE needles. Not 2, one. *sigh* So my current plan is to enclose the single needle with her last package and then order another one from Knit Picks and have it sent directly to her. Well, my heart was in the right place, right??

Pitiful, paltry pile of string

See that little pile of Rowan Calmer? That my friends is what is left after knitting the button bands and neck bands on my Scoop de Jour. I was very VERY happy that I hadn't sewn the whole thing up before adding on the bands. I knew I was going to be close with the yarn so I figured that worse case I could sew it up with something from my left over yarn box. But it looks like I might make it after all. I have some pretty long ends in there that'll help sew the button bands together at the top. Here she is without arms or side seams yet but bands done! The color of the left over yarn is much more accurate than the picture of the entire project.

Anyway -- so Sunday we had rehearsal in the early evening and I thought I would be a clever girl and practice my songs (after I raked up a HUGE pile of leaves) while I picked up and knit the stitches for the button bands. I find that if I can do other things while I'm singing a song then I clearly know the lyrics and that's the biggest stumbling block for me, my memory being about as .. well I don't know, it's just bad. So there I am, singing away and picking up stitches and knitting and happy as a person can be. I finished up the first one only to find that I had thought I was working on the left side rather than the right and had neglected to put in button holes!!! Gaaaaah!! I wasn't about to take it out, so my cardigan will button on the wrong side. I'm just grateful that I have gotten this far and even feel like sewing the rest of the seams and blocking that baby tonight! Wouldn't that be awesome!!! Then maybe do you think I'll get the Isabella sewn up and finished before I go to Hawaii? Hmmm???

Oh! So another thing I did this weekend is start my two socks at once from Knitting Circles Around Socks. Here's a picture. I'm using some gorgeous Järbo Garn Mini Raggi that I saw at my LYS and just had to have. It's so pretty, this colorway. We had a holiday yesterday so I'm going to be confused as to which day is which again this week but I am going to do my best to remember to bring them to work Wednesday for noon knitting!!

I got to go to the Monday Night Football game last night - Seahawks and 49ers and we crushed them! It was a fantastic game and I had a great time. Funny how it's always SO much more fun when your team wins.

FOs, WIP and other glamorous things

I am starting this post with not one but TWO FOs!! First, Mikie's socks. While the knitting and end weaving is done, I still have to put the non-skid bottoms on them, but for all intents they are categorized as FO in my book. Voila! Definitely boy colors. I'm glad I'm giving them away. By the way, it's just perspective in the photo - one is NOT larger than the other.

Okay -- so FO number 2 is the Rabbit Tracks scarf. It was a quick knit and I don't even know where it's going to end up, but one can never have too many "extra" gifts items at this time of year. I'm just putting the close up picture of it so you can see the pattern. The long view is just not that interesting.

After I got done finishing up these little beauties I didn't feel like measuring and picking up stitches for the front of the Scoop de Jour (Oh but maybe tonight?) so I started on a Lisle scarf with some glorious Laines du Nord Royal Cashmere that I got on sale at Webs (which happens to be on close out for 50% off ...... that's $9.99/85 yards). I got two pattern repeats done. It's going to block out pretty wide and I have no idea how long it's going to get with 3 balls but it might even be able to be categorized as a wrap if I block the heck out of it. We'll see.

And last but not least, on this day of many pictures, I figured I'd snap a picture of what is sitting on my dining room table. Last week it was a dozen red. This week, 2 dozen peach-y blossoms. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but whatever it is I hope I can keep it up!!

I thought it was Thursday!

I worked SO hard yesterday - barely taking my eyes off the screen all day long. No run. Ate at my desk. Maybe because of that I skipped a day in my brain ... I don't know. All I know for sure is that I'm going to miss Noon Knitting today because I didn't bring anything to work on, thinking it was Thursday!!! Gaaaa!

I worked on Mikie's sock last night and have only a few more rows of toe decreases and then Kitchener that thing up and I'm done! I am really anxious to get that sock off the needles so I can try my two at once. I should have pictures Friday of the finished socks as well as (hopefully) a finished Rabbit Tracks scarf.

I got two skeins each of Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden yesterday in the mail from Little Knits. I think I'll use the Kureyon for another striped scarf (I wear the one I made last year all the time) and add a striped hat to go with it for a gift. I have two skeins of a brighter colorway than the one I got so it should work out nicely. As for the Silk Garden -- not sure. I have some other odds and ends of Silk Garden from that vest I made .... don't know. I seem to be in a lacy scarf mood these days. Who doesn't like to get a nice scarf for a gift? As usual I have too many ideas and too little time. I am hoping that I can get some good gift knitting done when I'm in Hawaii for that meeting. Sounds strange - knitting and Hawaii - but I'm not talking a lap full of sweater. Just some nice lacy scarf projects. Maybe with beads.

It was a swift weekend

I don't even feel like I HAD a weekend! It was that quick. So much to do and ... well, okay, we did lose an hour ... but still it seemed to zip by.

Friday I was tired after a really long and hard work week. I built a fire and had some food and knit on the Rabbit Tracks scarf (which is zipping right along). Saturday I had tons of chores to do and PJ's football championship game right in the middle of the day. Got most of my chores done, got to the game, which they unfortunately lost, and knit and knit on Mike's socks. I made a stop at the craft store because they are nearly done and I wanted to find something to make them non-skid since he has tile floors. One of the helpful ladies there directed me to some plastic stuff that I can glue onto the bottoms of them. That should work.

I put them aside and worked on the scarf that evening. I don't know who I'm going to give it to yet but I want to get it done (it goes SO quickly) and blocked out so I can see if it's a pattern I might want to make in some nicer yarn for gifts. I was also thinking of using the lace pattern from the Flower Power shrug so I could incorporate some beads into one of them. I have that nice mohair I bought in Paris a couple trips ago that would certainly lend itself to some luxe accessories.

I finished up the foot of the second sock as I watched the Seahawks lose a nail biter. What shame. Not a good football weekend - AGAIN. I watched "Meet the Robinsons" last night and didn't knit a stitch. Just watched. That was a strange movie.

My AWESOME Secret Pal

I came home from a hard day yesterday to find a package on my doorstep! Look what my Secret Pal sent me!! Gorgeous pink and green yarn - the pink is Lamb's Pride and the green is Silky Wool. My super ultra favorite colors! AND some purse handles that, I don't know how she did it, but I have been seriously looking for these types of handles for AGES! Plus a cool button with an "S" in the middle and what looks like to be a vintage belt buckle. Thanks SO MUCH Secret Pal. I love *everything*!!!

And speaking of Secret Pal goodies, I have finally found a pattern that I think will work for the one of the skeins of yarn she sent me in the first package. It's called the Maple Leaves Lace Scarf and the colors would be perfect. Also, I am still fiddling with a pattern for the green skein of Lamb's Pride she sent me - a felted bag pattern. I've started it twice but need to frog and re-start one last time (I hope).

I made yet another boneheaded mistake yesterday with my socks. I was working on them while I was getting my hair done, just finishing up the final gusset decreases on the second sock. Did the very last one, dropped the needle to turn the work and ... the needle fell on the floor. In other words, I used the same needle and now have the whole sock on ONE needle!! arghghg!! I just calmly put it away and will deal with it this weekend. I worked on the Rabbit Tracks scarf last night as I was watching a little TV. I would like to measure out and pick up the stitches for the fronts of the Scoop de Jour this weekend but it is shaping up to be one heck of a busy weekend yet again. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. It's just that I would dearly love to get that cardigan finished .....

A sneaky little start to holiday knitting

As naughty as Tink was Monday night, she was an angel last night and just sat nicely, with her head in my lap and let me knit for as long as I wanted. I decided I needed something new, so I experimented with the Rabbit Tracks pattern that my old SP, Baa Bonny Belle sent me ages ago. Of course I still haven't the guts to try the gorgeous white mohair she sent, but instead used some coned mohair blend I had laying around and got a good start on it. It was a nice, quiet, constructive evening.

Busy busy busy day though ... and I've got to get back to it.

My needy puppy

I can't say for sure what was up with Tink last night, but she was just so needy! I think I maybe knit 4 rows on Mike's sock. She just wouldn't let up. Sitting next to me and if I wasn't touching and petting her she was grabbing at my hand with her mouth. She needs a friend. Not to say, believe me, that I would want an UN-cuddly dog. Better that she wants to cuddle even when I'm busy. I've had an un-cuddly dog and I didn't like it.

I've been brainstorming holiday gift knitting. I should put pen to paper and write out what I want to do and then look at it with a critical and realistic eye and see what I can expect to be able to finish.

Day 3 of a sinus headache. It's clear and cold and that always wreaks havoc on my sinuses for some reason. My run yesterday seemed to help a bit. Today I'm going to go up to the post office to send my sister's scarf so maybe I'll be relatively pain free when I return from my walk. Fingers crossed!

It's true!

It came back to me. No stage fright. Everything went well AND I went looking for new boots and got this killer sexy pair of black boots and a new dress because ..... well because it looked good and I wanted to feel confident. Makes sense, right? So every went well generally, except for the fact that there was an open bar and the guitar player overindulged which meant that sometimes he didn't seem to be playing the same song. I'm serious. Oh -- and I had to sing back-ups on songs I didn't even know. That was interesting. Other than that though it was fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again soon. I would only hope that there could be some more rehearsal. I completely understand that it's a drag to have to rehearse songs you already know with a new member of a band but that's just life.

AND not only that but I finished something! Woohoo! I finished the ruffle scarf for my sister. I had EXACTLY the right amount of yarn. I mean ... it was perfect. And I love that yarn SO much! I want to make other things from it. A whole sweater -- yeah but I have too many projects. This would be wonderful for Christmas scarves and hats though. Just yummy!

Although the weather cooperated I did not do any work in the yard nor chores around the house. I was that busy! Getting ready for the gig Saturday and shopping and getting my nails done. And Sunday I took Tink to the dog park and she got muddy from head to tail. Then it was bath time, fiddled a bit on Ravelry, finished up the scarf and it was time to get ready for a concert I was going to Sunday night. So -- let's keep our fingers crossed for a good weekend next weekend so I can get some work done!

A much less accident prone night

So I quit channeling my inner blond, finally, and managed to get a few things done without totally screwing up. I walked up to Weaving Works at lunch to get the yarn for my sister's Ruffle Scarf. I made so many of those for Christmas gifts a couple years ago ... or was it last year??... anyway she wanted one in black. I was thinking Rowan Kid Classic but when I got to the yarn store it didn't feel quite as soft as I had remembered, so I just kept touching yarn until I found Indiecita Baby Alpaca Brush by Plymouth. Super soft with a nice halo. I got nearly done with the 3rd row (out of 4) of the ruffle. Then it's just two rows of single crochet on the other edge to make the ruffle base wider and there you are. It's really a lovely scarf. I wear my green one ALL the time.

Well, count down to Saturday night when I am, after all, singing with that band. Only doing 4 or 5 songs myself, which is just dandy with me considering the lack of rehearsal. I'm working like a fiend trying to memorize those songs. You know, I never ever used to get stage fright but I think just this once, I might be a little scared. I am hoping that once I put foot to stage and hand to microphone it'll all come back to me. If not ... well, let's not even go down that road. It will happen like that and it'll be fine. Thank goodness it's a party rather than a nightclub so people are going to be a little looser.

An evening of boneheaded mistakes

I have heard it said many times that if you're going to make a mistake, make a big one. I took it to heart last night. Or maybe I was channeling my inner blond? I had a dentist appointment and so took off from work at around 2:30. I got to the parking garage and realized I didn't have my keys, that I had left them on my desk! So I called the department administrator but she doesn't have a master key to my office! I had to run all the way over to another building to get the key, then dash back to the garage and drive like crazy. I was only 10 minutes late, but still .... I hate to be late!

I had a nice night of knitting planned. First I finished up the sleeves for my Scoup de Jour. Since I am a little short on yarn I thought it best to sew the shoulders together and do the ribbing before I sew any other parts together so I can have the maximum amount of yarn to knit with. So I sewed the first shoulders together, ever so carefully. And then realized that I had sewn WS to RS. *sigh* Good news is that it is a small shoulder seam but nevertheless I managed to take out a stitch or two of the back shoulder as well!! With head screwed back on correctly I got the shoulders both sewn on and then realized that I wasn't up to measuring and counting to start picking up the stitches along the fronts, so I picked up the sock.

I had finished up the heel flap at lunchtime and was quite anxious to get those gusset stitches going! I got them all picked up and then I'm looking at my work -- what the heck?? Something was very very wrong. It just didn't look right and one of my needles was almost in a circle. What the heck? So I looked in the book again and realized that I had neglected to turn the heel! What a dope! So I carefully tinked back the instep stitches - luckily for me it's a simple rib pattern - and turned the heel and THEN got the gusset decreases started.

I've decided on the yarn for my sister's Ruffle Scarf that she wants. She said while shopping she saw a scarf and almost bought it until she heard my voice in her head telling her that I could make that!! So I'll walk up at lunchtime and get the yarn. I'm going to use Rowan Kid Classic. It'll be perfect. And a quick project to make since it's crochet. A nice little break.

And I still have that start of a felted bag project from the yarn my Secret Pal sent. I've decided to rip it out one more time because I do want to start from the bottom. I think my mistake before was that I was using too long a circular and I couldn't pick up the necessary stitches. If I shorten the cord I should be able to pick up the stitches and work up, which is how I want to make this particular bag. I even sketched it out! Picking the button is going to be tough because she sent me three beauties.

My super power

Yes, I have a super power! Whenever I walk out of my office .... my phone rings!! Isn't that awesome? Now what can I do with such a super power, I am wondering. Hmmmmmmmm ...

Yesterday was an incredible day - over 70 degrees and just gorgeous! Not that I took huge advantage of it, since I was at work all day. I'm going to run today and, of course, it's going to rain. I just need the weekend to be relatively nice so I can get in the garden and ... mow the grass one last time. I will need to rake leaves in the back too, although they are going to be continuing to fall for a few more weeks. It's nice to start getting them up before they're soaked and heavy with rain.

I drove in yesterday because I had an errand in the morning and so I decided to stop at the grocery store on the way home - most efficient. Yes until I realized while I was in the store that I had left my phone at work. Back I went in rush hour traffic to retrieve the phone. No land line at home and my sister down in California in the fires -- I wasn't about to leave my phone at work.

I am starting to think about getting a jump on my holiday knitting. My sister has asked for two things - and her birthday is in December so whichever one I get done first she can have for her b'day. Still, I've got a few other people that I'd like to make something special for - a couple hats and maybe a nice scarf or two. At the rate I'm going though - I've not had a true FO for a while now. Time to step it up!!

It's good to be home

I had a lovely vacation - really I did. BUT I was watching wildfire coming ever closer Sunday night and it was a bit scary. I was very happy to be able to leave, although I hated leaving my sister. Thankfully she has friends and a boyfriend close by so I don't worry too much.

I got the leg of Mikie's sock finished on the airplane and am nearly done with the heel flap. Won't be long now and I can start using my new book and knit two at once!

Work is very very VERY busy. The weather here is unbelievable - at this moment it's blue skies and 71 degrees! That must be a record. And tomorrow -- forecast says 55 and raining. Yeah -- that's Seattle for you.

It's pouring rain

and a big storm is on its way. I am thankful I am heading south! That's not to say that it doesn't rain or storm in SoCal but it's not supposed to be doing that this weekend!

I got lots of work done yesterday and had some lovely surprises. First of all, the Rowan Calmer I ordered from Elann arrived and the color is perfect! I didn't take a picture but will do when I get back so I can add it to my Ravelry stash. I also found 4 BIG bunches of wood on my porch! That was a GREAT surprise. I think they were from the band leader of band "B". He works construction and they were bits of construction wood. Really nice. Burned great.

So - back to work for another hour or so and then I'm off.

Will it never end????

I swear .... I remember now more vividly than ever why I prefer top down, in the round construction. These freaking sleeves are taking FOREVER!!! Also I should have done them first, like I usually do when I make a pieced sweater. Well so ... I knit on those sleeves for 3 hours last night. I'm working on the cap. And here's another horrible thing -- it looks like I'm running out of yarn. Can you believe it?? I have options - I definitely have enough to finish the sleeves, even if I might have to work both ends of the last ball to finish them. I will have to get another ball and hope the dye lot isn't off too much and use that for the ribbing and button band. It'll be a feature.

I'm working from home today and multitasking like a crazy person. I did go into the office for an hour to do some work that can't be done from here but otherwise I can handle most everything else from here AND get laundry done. Bonus. I've got to go into the office first thing tomorrow to finish up a couple things an then off to sunny SoCal. I'll send pictures from my phone.

Wow - that didn't last long

I checked back with Elann's web site yesterday afternoon and ALL of the Calmer was gone! Even the super ugly colors. I was logged onto their site and as soon as 9 am rolled around I ordered. I think a lot of people must have been waiting for that. It's nice that Elann is on the west coast because you'd have to get up at 6 am if you were in NY if you wanted to get in on some of that action. It's kind of a pay back for every time Hirschner's has something decent in their closeout email and by the time I open it and go to the site it's sold out.

No my Scoop de Jour sleeves are NOT done and I am ashamed of myself. I want to wear that darned thing!! I am motivated to get it finished, believe it. It's just finding the time. I worked late, then dashed home and up to the post office to get my Secret Pal's package posted, then relaxed and read the paper. Then by the time dinner was consumed and a few phone calls done there sure wasn't much left of the evening for knitting. I'll be very disciplined tonight. I've got to get laundry done so I can figure out what I'm going to take Thursday on my little trip to SoCal and knitting and doing laundry works out well. I love going down to visit my sister this time of year. It's still nice and warm and sunny and here it's definitely autumn. I get to wear skirts and T-shirts and sandals all weekend. Ahhhhh

One of the beautiful things about Seattle and my commute this time of year are the trees. The leaves are turning and when it's not cloudy, like this morning, the sky is so very blue in contrast to the leaves. Just gorgeous.

I Kitchnered my first toe!

Yes I did, I got out my book and sewed that sucker up! Yeah! Then I looked closely at it because one thing was bothering me as I got near the end of the stitches -- I had an extra stitch on one of the needles. Now I was pretty sure I had started with the same number of stitches on each needle but there's a chance I didn't, right? Anyway I was happy because it looked pretty good! Pretty good UNTIL I looked very closely. What was that little loop there? About three or four stitches into the toe closure here's a loop sticking up! Not good. A live stitch is what it looked like and by golly ... it's a live stitch! Holy cow! I must have accidentally slipped one of them off while I was looking at the book or something. I don't know. I carefully put it back into the knitting bag and this evening I will, with steady hand, catch that little live loop and corral it away into the inside of the sock somehow. Good heavens! It is SO lucky that I was inspecting that toe so carefully because I could very easily have missed that teensie lone loop.

I broke one of my yarn rules this morning but how could I resist? Elann has Rowan Calmer at 50% off! Sure, the four colors are not the best but one of them, Sour, is a color I particularly like so I got six balls which will be enough for a simple cardigan or ... or maybe Fifi (this picture is using I think the color I bought), which I have been aching to make ever since I saw Nonnahs' gorgeous version. And then after I checked out I looked at my Elann account and I am less than $12 away from earning my $50 certificate! Oh .. yarn yarn yarn ... my stash grows and yet my time for knitting does not. Sad but true. I could be getting to that point of having more yarn than I could use in a lifetime. Nah ... I have seen pictures of some serious stash. Mine is bush league.

I had a busy weekend and managed to get lots done including mowing the lawn for the last time this season (I hope), and I ran errands and did a little knittin', got a package ready to send off to my secret pal. I'm going to visit my sister Thursday for a long weekend and Friday I telephoned the airline to make sure I could bring my knitting so to that end, after I sewed up the toe of sock number 1 I got a good start on sock number 2 to bring along. I think tonight I'll finish up the sleeves of that Scoop de Jour that has been languishing yet again.

It was a terrible terrible terrible football weekend. Terrible. I don't even want to talk about it, it's that terrible. Awful. And I was at the game and we left before it was over. Ugly.

What a week!

Wow, once again I am very glad it's Friday. This has been a heck of a week. It was a pretty good rehearsal last night. I have a lot of work to do and getting those guys to book a rehearsal is tough! Everybody is going every which way. The guitar player is crazy - and not in a good way - the bass player's wife is in the hospital plus he's going to be gone this weekend so we'll just have to rehearse with the keyboard player and vocalists, OR just the guitar player and drummer, which makes it pretty darned hard to learn new material. Well ... enough complaining. It sure keeps me running, that is no lie.

I am looking forward to my little weekend with my sister coming up. I got online yesterday to find out the definitive word on knitting needles on airplanes since I want to take my socks with me for the plane ride. I figure that way I can really knock them out quickly. Plus socks are small enough to knit while sitting in a plane seat.

It's going to be another killer weekend. I don't know where I'm going to be able to find a few hours to myself to mow the lawn and run errands and learn a few more songs, let along knit! I feel so sorry for the dog when I'm so busy like this. She gets to spend about 30 minutes with me and then back to solitude. Thank goodness she sleeps so much.

Thank goodness for Wednesday knitting ...

or I would hardly be getting any knitting at all done this week! I got the sock decreased all the way down to the end and now I just have to Kitchner stitch it together and get crackin' on the second sock. I don't know, the second sock always goes faster than the first. Some people just hate the second sock but I don't mind at all. That being said, as soon as I finish this pair for Mike I'm going to try to do a pair at the same time, following the instructions in Knitting Circles Around Socks, which could work for me. I tried it last year following instructions for some sock on Knitty and ended up ripping both socks out and going one at a time. I am a visual person. I need good clear pictures.

Had a pretty good rehearsal last night. Got another one tonight with the band that actually has jobs. It's a bit nerve wracking, all the work I have to do. But I know one thing for sure. It's going to be FUN!!

It's been wet and blowing here lately but my lawn has been growing. I couldn't do anything about that while I was sick and now I am just praying for one dry day so the grass will dry out enough so I can mow it one last time before the winter. It looks like we might have a dry Saturday so ... fingers crossed. Oh!! And I got invited to the Seahawks game Saturday night (edit) of course I mean SUNDAY night ...- super good seats. Now if they only play a bit better than last week.... ergh

And the sock goes on

I finally finished the foot portion of the sock last night and have started on the toe decreases. I've got noon knitting today so might be able to finish it there. I won't be knitting tonight (rehearsal), nor tomorrow night (another rehearsal), nor Friday (dinner party). My life has all of a sudden gotten so busy! I have to make a date for myself just to get some alone time with Tinkie.

After a phone message to the leader of Band "B", who supposedly want me to sing with them at a party on the 27th and we've yet to rehearse any of my songs(!), I got a call back and we hashed out a rehearsal schedule and made a definite list of my songs and then others for the other two singers that I have to learn back ups for. This is a HUGE list, as you may well imagine. His problem, besides being a scatter brain, is that he's trying to phase out a keyboard player and guitar player and phase in a new keyboard player and guitar player without either of them knowing about it. The job on the 27th is being done with the OLD guys so we have to do songs they know. Well ... it's super complicated and my life has now become very complicated. I definitely have my work cut out for me these next couple of weeks. Then there's Band "A", with no bass player in sight, who want me to sing with them twice a week. To what end? We have a birthday party booked in January, which is quite a ways away. Tonight Band "A", Thursday Band "B", Friday fall over in a puddle of exhaustion. If I didn't have to work for a living life would be infinitely easier, yes?

And work -- we're winding down the big class - final exam on Thursday. I have gotten all of the parts in order and all I have to do now is make 166 copies of everything. Except. Except someone decided this would be a good time to put the copy machine out of order for some maintenance or other. What now? I think I'll sit tight and have another cup of tea and do some deep breathing. Maybe knit ......?

Am I shallow?

So I was out shopping Saturday - before the food poisoning incident - and ran across a display from Juicy Couture at Nordstrom. Now I am totally and completely wanting .. nay CRAVING one of these bracelets!! They are so adorable! And the charms ... too cute. I must stay out of stores!!

No knitting last night. I made the mistake of starting a really good book, then the phone rang and *boom* ... away went the evening. Tonight.

Is the saying "Bad things come in 3s?"

Well whatever or however it goes -- I am feeling it. First my back goes out. Then I get the flu for a solid week. I was just feeling better, went to work Friday and Saturday was having a great day and, you are not going to believe this, I got food poisoning!! A very mild case, thank goodness. But still, if you've ever had it even a mild case cuts the legs out from underneath you. It was gruesome! I'm laughing now because of the bad timing but at the time - not so funny.

So -- on to better subjects. I knew I was getting better last Thursday when I was awake at 1 in the afternoon rather than sleeping as I had been for 5 days before. I wanted to knit! Wonderful! So I worked on Mike's sock and all was well in the world. I got the heel turned and on to the foot. This is the first top down sock I've made in a while and I am going to learn the Kitchner stitch this time. There is no reason not to. I am sure it's very simple and I like the look of the toe. It's almost as nice as a toe-up toe. I knit a good bit on them Saturday when I was recovering from my little tummy problem but nothing yesterday. I WAS going to rehearse but luck was not with us. Doug lost his power about 30 minutes before I was going to leave to head over there. So I just watched the Seahawks stink up the joint, read the paper and lazed around until it was time to go to a Canadian Thanksgiving party. Which was nice.

It's going to be a heck of a week, if all the things I've got going on my schedule actually happen. Which hasn't been the case but ... you never know. Plus which I am going to finish a sock and cast on for another one! For sure!! AND I've got to start thinking about my Secret Pal's second package. Big week.

I have not fallen off the earth

I am just very sick with the flu. I've been in bed since Sunday. Hopefully I'm on the mend.

Hooray!!

My hand seems to be much better. I knit at noon yesterday with minimal discomfort and went at it a bit more last night while watching "Inside the NFL". [Have I said just how happy I am to have HBO again?? Am I a geek or what?] If I keep on track knitting-wise, meaning no further injury to my hand, I should be able to get this cardigan finished up in a week. Maybe when I get to sewing this up I'll stop being so lazy about the Isabella!

It's been a bad week for my back. I had to go home early Tuesday and yesterday and get horizontal. I am feeling MUCH better today. Just minor ache. I was into major tweak on Tuesday but getting flat and taking naproxen really seems to work. Sometimes faster than others but if I can keep myself from jumping on my bike too soon I should be okay. I could have ridden today but decided to err on the side of precaution. And I'm glad I did because sitting is a bit uncomfortable still.

The Huskies are playing USC this weekend. They are going to get mauled. And unfortunately it's an evening game so it's not like I can record it in the daytime and speed through it at night. Ah well ... maybe they'll surprise everybody.

Oh my little no bark-y miracle!

My little Tinkerbell can be a bark-y dog. She is a terrier after all and the squirrels are ALL out to get her. No, seriously. They taunt her. They run along the fence and flip their tails. Not to mention all of the other distractions out there - people walking by with dogs and without dogs and the other dogs in the neighborhood and the wind and the ... well, you name it. Sometimes she's quiet for hours outside and other times I am up and down a million times bringing her in or trying to quiet her down. Enough. I thought I'd try one of the citronella anti-bark collars and lo and behold - it works!! She hates it, of course, but it keeps here much quieter. She'll do one little bark, which is acceptable and much better than her little doggie tirades. She spent a good two hours outside last night, which is garbage night and her bark-a-thon night, typically. Just a couple little woofs. Ahhhh, bliss.

I enjoyed the peace and quiet and tried to calm myself down after all of the aggravation yesterday. No knitting although I was just really really wanting to pick up one of my 3 (or is it 4?) WIPs. I read catalogues and the newspaper and did the crossword puzzle and cooked dinner and watched TV and my fingers twitched for my knitting. Tonight I will pick up something and see how the hand is doing. I guess I could sew up my Isabella ......

Can you hear me screaming??

I wish I hadn't taken my run already because my frustration level just went up another bazillion points!!! Gaahhhh!! I could make this whole entire post nothing but a rant but I'd rather just take a few deep breaths, count my blessings and go on from there. Oh but I'll rant just a teensie bit .... I was SO looking forward to rehearsing with my new band this week but got a phone call saying that the new keyboard player had a conflict with Tuesday and could only make tonight at 8 and they were just going to go over instrumental things. So I figured okay ... Thursday. No, that was off too and he'd get back to me tomorrow. Dang! I know we're all busy and it's hard getting 6 or 8 people together but CRAP!!!!

So now here's where we start looking for the good -- ummm ... I can knit!! I didn't get much of anything accomplished knit-wise this weekend. Saturday was an Oktoberfest and Sunday .. football! The Seahawks played a real nail biter. And won. I started working on my latest bag and ripped it out once and re-started and I'm going to have to rip that out as well. That's fine - I'd rather get it done right. Perhaps I'll work on the sleeves of the Scoop de Jour tonight and see if I can't get them finished this week. That would be a very good goal. My hand doesn't hurt much - but then again it's only 2 pm and I've got a lot of work left to do this week.

It is getting colder. I've had a fire downstairs the past two nights and I think I'll take the fan out of the bedroom window when I get home too. Fall is definitely here.

I got creative ...

unfortunately, my creative bug came to me at ... oh, around 2:30 am. And I couldn't get rid of it until around 4 am. Zzzzzzzz I hit the alarm when it went off at 6:30. Well no, I didn't hit it. I turned it off. But I was only 30 minutes late. Not too bad.

Anyway it was that skein of Lamb's Pride sitting on my dining room table that did it. That perfect Kiwi green. I want to felt it and I was thinking of what kind of bag to make and I came up with, what I think, is a very good design idea. So - you know what that means. Everything else is now going to have to be put on hold until I can whip this prototype out and get the monkey off my back. I don't know when though. I have a busy and fun weekend coming up. Maybe I'll give up sleep for the weekend.

Busy busy busy day at work again - to end the super busy week. In fact I should be stepping away from the machine and trotting over to a meeting right this second!

What was I thinking?

I was looking at the Modified Clapotis I had started and thought it might be wise to check on the yardage recommended. hah! I am not even close with the novelty yarn I thought would work! I would definitely have enough of the recycled cashmere but it would not be a very interesting scarf with that. So .... I guess I'll rip it out and think of something else to do with it. I do like the way it goes with the two strands of cashmere (even though they're all wrinkled now) so maybe I'll just make a simple drop stitch scarf and then hope the kinks get washed out of it.

I have been thinking that I'll do a lace leaf pattern scarf with the yarn my Secret Pal sent me. The colors remind me of autumn and there are a couple pretty lace leaf patterns - Knitty's Branching Out, which I've already made, or Liesel. They look very similar, don't they? Or maybe I'll check out some wrap patterns. There is a lot of yarn in that skein.

I actually haven't been doing much knitting because my left hand is still hurting. I took some naproxen this morning and only knit a few rows last night on my sleeves. I had to stop because the purling hurt too much. Doesn't that suck??!! Once work calms down a bit and I'm not typing so much I am assuming that the inflammation will calm down. And in fact it's not typing as much as it is copying and pasting, which I have also been doing a lot of. Terrible when work gets in the way of life, eh?

My awesome Secret Pal

Check out these fantastic goodies from my Secret Pal! She said this is her first secret pal exchange and I'd say she's got it nailed, wouldn't you?? My super favorite color of green Lambs Pride and then a gorgeous skein of a wool and silk blend. Can you see the beautiful sheen of this yarn? It's a very generous skein and I think I should be able to make a simple wrap or large scarf from it and it would be stunning. Then the cute buttons - perfect for a felted bag and a Rowan Felted Collection book. Just wonderful! Thank you SO MUCH, Secret Pal!!

Work is getting in the way of my knitting. I've been laying off because of the soreness in my hand. Tomorrow is Wednesday lunchtime knitting so we'll see how I do there.

And I got some great band news yesterday! I have been rehearsing with 2 bands, one of which has been working but lost one of its singers so I auditioned a few weeks ago and now they've got jobs in October and a new keyboard player and want me to join up! Unfortunately I made plans to go visit my sister on the weekend of one of the jobs but that's the way it goes. I can do the second one, which will be an early Halloween party. This means now two a week rehearsals. I am SO excited!!

I had a ggggreat run yesterday. It's so funny how some days I can barely make it for 30 minutes and other times I'm just flying! I must say I prefer the flying days.

Oh I could just kick myself!!

My Secret Pal's first package arrived on Saturday. I was so excited!! She's a VERY mysterious pal, unlike me. I took pictures and what did I do with my camera? I left it on my desk!!! I had to bring my laptop in to work today so I was packing that up, AND my clothes, AND my lunch AND my workout clothes ... well I sure as heck hope I left it on my desk and not laying in the road somewhere between home and work. Nah ... I must have left it on my desk. Too bad I can't call up Tink and ask her to take a peek for me. Anyway, it is a most excellent package with some gorgeous buttons and wonderful, stunning yarn. I'll definitely post it tomorrow, assuming I can find my camera.

All in all it was a pretty wonderful weekend. Friday was just vegging out. I has purchased some very lovely, skinny ladder yarn at Tuesday Morning, which is a type of "odd lots" store that someone mentioned on Craftster as having yarn once in a while. I started tossing all sorts of oddments into my basket until I realized that they were NOT cheap, even at 50% or more off. So I contented myself with two skeins of a lovely pink/silver/purple for a new scarf. I thought something with a drop stitch would work to show off the yarn. Friday night a tried a couple things and ended up with two strands of recycled cashmere and one of the ladder yarn. And since everyone else in the knitting community is doing Clapotis, I thought I'd do a modified version.

Saturday was errands during the day. I was just finishing up the first of my 12 row repeats of that Modified Clapotis that evening when I realized that my printer had clipped a few very important characters and I'd have to look it up. But at that point my doorbell rang and so I put it down and spent the rest of the evening with two of my girlfriends. They had generously volunteered to come over to help me clean out my closets! Oh no ... it's not something I could do on my own, easy as it sounds. And we had a wonderful time! And I ended up with organized shoes and clothes and bags and bags and BAGS of things to take to Goodwill or whatever. All color coordinate .... *sigh* ... gorgeous.

The only dark spot on Saturday was that the Huskies lost. To Ohio State though, which is nothing to be ashamed about. Contrary to the Seahawks who lost to Arizona on Sunday!!!! Oh ... I don't even want to talk about it.

Sunday I visited the remodeled Seattle Aquarium with my nephew. It was very interesting. I had a great time.

And now another huge week ahead. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the stuff for my secret pal's box and get that out this week. My friend Ruth is having an open house for her new office space. And I'd like to get some good knitting done, if my hand will cooperate.

A gorgeous morning

What a beautiful day. Too bad the cement trucks are outside my window again. Probably all day long too. I am just hoping that this is not going to be going on for the whole time they are working on that building. It's very nerve wracking.

This morning has been busy busy busy! I'm just now taking a breath. I have nearly finished up with the web sites for the start of the real autumn quarter, which is good news because I have to build a brand new one from the ground up for a new course one of the people I work with is just starting to chair this year. And I can see that it's going to be one of those last minute jobs. I don't mind really. It sure makes the time go by quickly when you're working that hard. And then ... then I get to start a brand new project and I'm really looking forward to it. Not to get too geek-y but it's a database thingie that I'm going to put together. I have some great ideas and now I have to figure out how to implement them. That's the fun part of my job.

Okay - here's a terrible confession and perhaps by laying it right out here in the open it will keep me from doing this again. Yesterday I didn't run. Why? Because I had a new skirt on and I wanted to wear it to noon knitting with my buddies and I didn't want to be all sweaty sitting there! Oh yeah .. I'm going to run and run hard today! Nobody will be around to see me sweating this afternoon.

But while I was knitting yesterday my left hand and shoulder were hurting something terrible! When I purl it really hurts and, of course, those sleeves are stockinette stitch. It's a combination of knitting (or rather, purling) and using my keyboard that is aggravating my hand/arm/shoulder. This morning I could hardly squeeze the brake handle with my left hand! I totally laid off the knitting last night. I guess this would be an opportune time to sew up Isabella, wouldn't it?

Does this go without saying ...

that I'm not looking forward to summer being over? This time of year we are just blessed to be able to go to the grocery store and have fresh strawberries and blueberries and blackberries and peaches and nectarines and pears and melons, just to name a few! It won't be long now, I know, that our only choices will be oranges and apples. I do eat apples all year 'round and I love them, but it is also nice to have other choices, right? So you can bet I'm taking advantage of it. Just last night my salad comprised pear and strawberries and spinach - which was a lovely combination. But I also had grapes and blueberries to hand and I had to choose - fruit salad or veggies? Actually I didn't choose, did I? Best of both worlds.

The one single thing I will be thankful for when the weather turns is that it'll be too cold to keep my office window open. It is so noisy out there!! I can barely think sometimes when the trucks are going, revving and beeping. I don't hate my little cubbyhole of an office way out here. It's nice and I get lots of work done because I don't have many distractions, people-wise. But oh the noise is so terrible! And the spiders ..... but we'll let that one go. I have heard of people see much much worse.

I had such an awesome run yesterday even though it was beastly hot. I looks like the clouds are going to stick around for a bit longer today so hopefully I can have another good run and it'll be cooler. It takes me so long to cool down when it's 80 degrees outside.

No knitting last night although I hope to get some good work done this lunchtime with the lunchtime knitting girls and tonight. I am chomping at the bit to start something new but I will NOT until I can finish some things. In fact, I was feeling guilty about my poor Isabella, languishing and awaiting finishing. I put it in it's work bag after it dried and then cleaned up and put the project on top of a shelf so it's not right in my face. I need to take it down and plop it in the middle of the table so I have to look at it all the time. I'm only a few hours away from completion!!

The lust for yarn

I can't explain it. I get emails advertising yarn sales and I always look! And lust! I just don't understand where it comes from. I have yarn for projects enough to last a year. Or more. But I'm always on the look out for something.... else. Something more. Today I got an email from Little Knits and I was drooling over the raw silk. I think I'm going to be a good girl today. I need to get my bike tuned up, not buy more yarn!!

Slow going on my Scoop de Jour sleeves. It'll get there. A few more evenings sitting watching TV should do it.

It is HOT here! Yesterday in the 80s and we're expecting the same today. I'm going to have to get out and have my run soon before it gets too hot.

Go you Huskies!!

It was a spectacular football weekend. Not only was the weather awesome but the Huskies beat Boise State - a ranked team that last year went undefeated AND beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. It was an outstanding game! So very nice to see the Huskies winning again. And then Sunday the Seahawks opened their season with a win against Tampa Bay.

Needless to say there wasn't much knitting done. I did work some on the sleeves Friday night and Saturday during the game. Not at all yesterday. Instead of working around the house and yard I did work work and nothing much else. I haven't had a total complete day off since my vacation week. That's just how it is around here this time of year.

I'm working on getting my Secret Pal's first gift put together. Unfortunately everything I want to give her this time I had to order and one thing is back ordered .... ergh ... Hopefully I will be able to get it off to her before the end of the week.

I am going a million miles an hour

Wow .... I have been soooo busy! It's nice for a change but exhausting! Plus which here it is nearly 3 and I'm just now doing my blog!

I tried, I really really tried, to work on those sleeves last night but it was one of those crazy nights. The phone kept ringing, a doggie walking friend stopped by with two of Tink's playmates, so that craziness was going on and it wasn't until nearly 8:30 that I had a minute to myself. I made a vegie burger and sat down to watch Costas Live - a great show last night about old, injured football players and their lack of pension, etc. And then by 10 I was out like a light.

Tonight I am not sure if I'll get any knitting done either. It's opening game of the football season! Yay!! Football and knitting - a perfect combo, n'est pas? I'm having some company over for the game and pizza so I don't know if I'll get a chance to pick anything up. I will do some serious work this weekend. Maybe even start sewing up Isabella? For sure get a few more inches done on the sleeves. Sunday I've got tickets to the Seahawks season opener so that's going to take up pretty much all Sunday. I just must resist casting on anything else.

And now for the boring part

That length of stockinette stitch that constitutes the body of the sleeve, even when you're doing two at once, is just so boooooring! Even though you must count rows to make your increases (or decreases, depending on the direction you're going), it's just boring. I am starting to reconsider picking Tahoe as my next cardigan project, since is consists entirely of stockinette stitch with the exception of the cute button band and cuffs. I think I'll let it wait a bit and choose another project. I have socks for mindless knitting. Maybe I'll do something in the round, like the T-twist while it's still warm enough to wear. Of course, by the time I'm done with it .... But it should be a pretty quick knit.

Work is huge right now. I love being busy though so it's not too bad. And I sure sleep well.

What a morning

Talk about hitting the ground running .... whew, I have been going nonstop since the alarm went off at 6:15. Major disasters averted, things handled, and I didn't scream at anyone!! As luck would have it, it was not only raining but POURING this morning and the students had to do a lot of extra tromping around outside because of all of our construction around here but we're off to a good start. Thank goodness there is only one class like this - five solid weeks. By the end of it the faculty are exhausted and I'm usually hallucinating and drinking WAY too much.

I had a very busy and wonderful and even knitterly weekend. I got all of the ribbing done on the Scoop de Jour sleeves and a couple inches on the plain part. I photographed and posted most of my stash on Ravelry. Wow, that was a chore, I'll tell you. And I missed stuff and I didn't even go through my bins and do the odd things nor did I catalogue the 2 and 3 balls of things, except the Kureyon. So I guess I'm going to have to do it some more, but I feel like I really got a handle on it. Oh, speaking of "handles", my Ravelry name is PinkieDee. I could have used sgolard but you know, I kind of felt silly and whimsical and I thought, "What the heck" .. and so there ya go. And basically it's just a nickname I call Tink. Whimsy strikes us all now and then, doesn't it? What I didn't do this weekend is start sewing up Isabella.

And oh ... I had a wonderful shopping day on Saturday. Bought new bike shorts and my favorite store, Anthropology, was calling to me so I went in there and lo and behold didn't they have a couple of sales racks with two skirts I HAD to have, and a couple tops (okay .. 3) as well as a looooong cardigan. It was fun.

Sunday I did yard work and washed Tinkie and got my nails done and then had a really good rehearsal. No, we still don't have a new bass player but the old one ... he wants to come back!!! Un-freaking- believable. The leader said he'll let him rehearse with us only when the new bass player can't make it or something ... I don't know. I don't care who plays as long as they play well.

The weekend was supposed to end Monday with rain, but it didn't. It was gorgeous and that was the day I went to Bumbershoot. I wanted to see Joss Stone, which I did. And I was disappointed. I was hoping for more of the R&B cover stuff. She sounded good but I didn't care for the song selection at all.