knottootightlywound

Still alive here, just cold

2007-01-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

Well its just completely freezing. I don't think I have felt my hands since yesterday. I know I live in Kentucky, but I AM COLD.

My secret pal, Ms. Diane Kardash, rocks! I had a surprise on my doorstep. It was 2 skeins of Rimini Rainbow from Plymouth (in purple, what other color is there? ) and some beautiful brittany needles, with a pattern to make a great hat or scarf. To keep me warm of course. She has been a great secret pal! I've really enjoyed the whole experience. Its great to meet knitters from other parts of the country and have something in common, Knitting!

Anyway, I must go and put something in the oven so we don't starve tonight.

Oh, the weight loss thing. I have lost 10.6 pounds so far. 10 down and 47 to go. I hope to be done around the middle of June, but this time it is taking longer to loose weight, I suppose because I'm not as heavy as when I first lost the 87 lbs in 2004-2005. Also, I'm older so its supposed to be harder the older you get. We'll see.

Pondering the mysteries of the universe

2007-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

Well after the eerily addictive crocheting lesson on Saturday, I have found myself at a loss for what to knit on. Nothing seems to satisfy. No, I'm not converting to the dark side, I just don't know which UFO to devote myself to. Should I finish the Icarus shawl that I started on vacation this summer? Should I finish setting in the sleves for the pink Noro sweater? Should I finish the garter stitch Noro jacket that I started about 2 months ago? Or should I unorphan some Lorna's Laces socks? Should I use the yummy cotton from my SP to make some great mitts as I can't feel my fingers right now, cause its soooo cold. I just am torn. Maybe its cause I am HUNGRY all the time. I am back to my WW points and its the beginning of week 2. Its sort of strange how the first time I lost weight this way I wasn't impatient at all, I just sort of let it come off. Now I just like, OK I want to be in my size 12's again and it better get here soon. DH says its because of having been there already I am more impatient to get back there, in contrast to just getting there in the first place. Who knows....Total weight loss so far 5 pounds. I weigh in again on Saturday so I will let you all know.

Oh I did finish something recently. A Charlotte's web shawl. Its not blocked or anything yet, but I am finished knitting/crocheting it.

DH has mislaid the camera so no pics of it yet, when he gets home I will try and get him to find it so that I can post one.

I leave you with this thought, Why do cats always throw up on the kitchen rug? Why can't they barf on the wide expanse of linoleum that surrounds the rug? I mean you have to wash the rug to achieve clean, but you can just spot mop the linoleum. Please someone give me an explanation......

You guys were right

2006-12-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well I was hollering at the KNTW girls last night about not updating blogs and I got burned.....You guys were right I have't updated my blog since the 9th...So here is an updated posting.

Quite a bit has been going on with the Bio Mom person, or as I like to call her the Queen of Uselessness. Just the usual tricks, not telling us about one of the kids programs for Christmas so we didn't get to see it, Giving the kids to some unknown person for three nights and not giving us the right of first refusal even though she wasn't with the kids. The final straw was not taking the youngest to dance on Saturday. It was an open house day where the parents could go and watch the rehersal so we went up there and no youngest child, she didn't bother to tell us or the dance school they weren't coming......Kinda don't know what to do, but DH is not going to do anything until the new year and it will probably mean court so yipee yah yah (bitter party of one).

Anyhow the KTTW santa swap. Elise had my name and tricked me into telling her exactly what I wanted. It was a skein of La Boheme from Fiesta to make the snowy scarf from Holiday Knits by Melanie Fallick. So far it is knitting up well.

I also finished an Adult Bonnet from Knit 2 Together out of Alpaca w/a Twist's Highlander. It is so warm, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to wear it as it has been 50 and rainy here lately.

Bad news, and my Wonderful Secret Pal

2006-12-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Well we had some bad news today. My friend Maureens Dad has colon cancer. This is the friend whose husband is in Iraq so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers at this time. She will need any support she can get. Aslo, my friend Tara's dad has just started a new course of chemo, so he needs good karma also.

On a lighter note, I got a package today. I just love my secret pal. She is soooo good. She sent some yummy purple blue sky alpaca cotton (something I have never knit with before). She also knit for me. Yes me! A lovely washrag and the cutest little purse with chocolate in side. Top off this deliciousness with Addi Turbos and some great smelling soap and you have a wonderful package. I can't wait to take a bath! So a huge thanks to my rockin' secret pal!

Just a Lazy Sunday Morning

2006-12-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

Well I am feeling soooo lazy today, but it is not meant to be. My parents are coming to town on their way to Nashville, so we are taking them to dinner, but you know how it is when your mother comes you MUST clean your house, even if it is already pretty tidy. DH has cleaned to bathroom so all I must do is make the bed and straighten up the kids room. I am hoping he will finish the kitchen at half time of the soccer game. I have been such a soccer widow since we got cable.....:( Well if it makes him happy though.

Knitting news.

Have I told you all how much I like the Lorna's Laces sock yarn...It is great. I have 6 skiens of it 2 of which have been knit into one sock or a half a sock, but it stripes by itself and everything.

The current Lorna's Project. Made out of Daffodil... not a bit of purple in sight, quite the change.

Projects new and old

2006-11-20T18:59:00.000-08:00

I have successfully finished a couple of Xmas projects! I am soooo proud. They are the mittens and hat for stepchild #1. I have been knitting like a fiend tonight, because hubby's favorite soccer team is playing and I was coerced into watching the game, but it did have a good side. I finished a mitten in one go. Hubby has mono, apparently has had it for about two weeks. I wonder where he got it? He's blaming me because I had it years ago and supposedly you can be a carrier....who knows? At the hospital they told us he has that acid reflux problem and an inflamed stomach caused by bacteria....but no cancer. YEAH!

In further news, there are still several projects that need to be completed. One orphan sock made out of Lorna's Laces Black Purl.

One lovely hand towel made out of the luscious Euroflax Linen.

Finally, one Icarus Shawl from IK made out of Alpaca w/a Twist Fino a lovely silk/alpaca blend which is of course in purple....couldn't tell I like that color or anything..

Updates

2006-11-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Well I know I've been a bad little blogger. Things have just been crazy around here. My husband is going to the hospital this morning to have a colonoscopy so I've been a bit distracted. I worry that they are going to find something bad, you know just crazy, he's fine but you know how it goes.

Yarn News
I love the Euroflax! It is sort of stiff but once you start working with it it just softens up. I will post a pic of the almost finished towel later. I am ready to just trust the yarn. :)
I have almost finished a sock in Lorna's laces shepard's sock yarn. It is very nice. I have also stumbled across some lovely sock patterns that I am using in the Knitting Vintage socks. I bought the book about six months ago, but never knitted anything out of it. I must say I am pleased.

My father has "sold" us his old truck, I don't know why but I'm strangely excited to be getting it. I've never owned a truck before. It will be an extra vehicle, but could be fun.

Well I've got to go to the hospital now. I will post project pics, etc. later

My Secret Pal Rocks!

2006-11-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

At the end of a hard day at the office, I was kinda just blue. Had laundry to do, housecleaning, etc waiting at home. But on my doorstep was a package. It was a box with my name on it. Wonderous things were inside, It was some Euroflax linen sport weight, in purple no less! The girls were dying laughing at me jumping up and down with excitment!! So I must say my secret pal rocks! Just want I was hinting for! (I'm sooo obvious wink! wink!)
I can't wait to cast this on, unfortunately I must do dinner first and put a load of laundry in, etc...but it will be cast on tonight! It came in the cutest little bag and with a note from my pal.
Thanks for bringing a smile to my face, I needed it today!

Pics

Success!

2006-10-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah I have finished yet another knitting project this week. The first was some fingerless mitts for my secret pal who got sent a package today. It was called Warm and Woolly...it had fingerless mitts, a skein of Bearfoot, a sheep tape measure and some Bigelow tea. Hopefully she will like! Anyhow here is the finished rug from Mason-Dixon knitting.

I admit to wanting something else to complete a project from there....I would like some Euroflax sport weight linen yarn...the 235 yd skein would be perfect to do a hand towel....wish, wish.....

Another cute pic, DH found Dixie and Rascal all curled together in the big doghouse this afternoon, in a fit of sisterly bonding...must post the cute pics.

Rascal Dixie

I'm so frustrated

2006-10-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

I admit it I do a lot of ranting on here, but this one is legit. I'm very frustrated. DH's ex now can't seem to take the youngest to her dance class, a 1/2 hour class on Saturday. Granted it falls on her time as well as ours, but this is not about the fight between DH and his ex, the kid should be taken to her dance class. I am just so sick of these stupid tricks, why can't we all just act like adults and think about what is good for the kids? Also, we didn't get but 2 phone calls this whole week, we were supposed to get about 4, I mean what would it hurt to let the kids call their Dad? Would her head explode in flames? (well we know what I mean). I just kinda feel like we are dealing with a stubborn 10 year old that we don't have the right to punish, and we all know that the law doesn't seem to punish adultery or lying, things that in a just world she would be accountable for. She actually had the nerve to tell him the youngest didn't want to go that she was kicking and screaming not to go...funny when she is here, she never kicks and screams let alone says she doesn't want to go to dance. What little girl who dances at every turn, doesn't want to go to dance?????????? I wish there was a way to get less frustated...anyone have any tips? How to deal with stupid ex's?????? without resorting to violenc?????

Finished product

2006-10-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well I have finished one of my fingerless mitts. I am rather proud of it. It took me longer than Liz taking about 8 hours of knitting. It is made of handpainted orginals by Brown Sheep. The color way is New England. I really love it because it reminds me of fall my favorite season.
Well gotta go cast on the other one.

LOVELY BIRTHDAY

2006-10-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to go out for the night.

Some of the prezzies.
I had a lovely birthday yesterday. My hubby was great. He got me several books, Mason-Dixon knitting among them) , a makeup mirror, and took me out for dinner and a show. We went to see Anthony Cools, he is a hypnotist. You would not believe the things he has some people doing on the stage. It was hilarious. My best friend Maureen took me to see Rent last Sunday, it was soooo good! I wasn't sure at first if I would like it but I loved it. I also got money from my parents and am currently deciding how to spend it, wether on books or yarn? Its a hard decision, but I am leaning heavily toward yarn. ( No surprise there!) We are having people over tonight so a throurough housecleaning is underway....I am actually cleaning my room, takes me back to high school.

I am currently working on a pair of socks out of the Step yarn with the aloe in it. It feels so nice to knit. I am working on the Jaywalker pattern out of it and am rather pleased at how it is turning out. I love the pink and green striped together.

Exciting news!

2006-10-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

And no I'm not pregnant...ha ha. Anyway, I got my secret pal name this morning, and I am soooooo excited. I have so many ideas of what to get her/knit for her.....I can't wait. I am really psyched (is that still a word?) Anyway, just knitting a cool scarf for an unknown reciepent right now. (not sure who's it will be, probably Mama's for xmas). Anyway, I am totally goofing off, so I must go work.

Secret Pal 9

2006-10-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Here is my secret pal 9 questionaire. I am so excited about it!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I think my favorites are Noro and handpainted wools for the colors. I love alpaca and silk. I can't stand acrylic and novelty yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store my circulars knitting needles in a cloth folding wallet. My straights are in a wine bottle holder.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting about three years. I mainly taught myself from a book with advise from my mom who is a knitter and crocheter. I would think of myself as an intermediate knitter, who will try anything once.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
strawberries, anything citrusy, etc.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love chocolate, anything and everything chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I can't spin, I make soap, but mainly I knit for a hobby.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like anything but rap, as far as music goes. Our computer can place mp3's.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love purple, I really don't have any colors that I hate.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with 2 steps. We have 2 beages and three cats.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I will wear a scarf, hat or mittens, but not ponchos.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I really enjoy lace, socks and felted purses.
13. What are you knitting right now?
A pair of socks, a alpaca lace shawl, a noro sweater, etc.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I'm easy. I like almost anything.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love circulars, I don't use straights. I prefer bamboo, but really prefer Addis.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
unfortunately not.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
a year or two, not sure
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween, I love to dress up.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
besides dust, not much.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any subscriptions, but I really love Interweave. I have quite a few books, so I really don't have a wish list for them.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Fair Isle
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I knit quite a few orphans as well. I wear a size 10 shoe.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
10/13 Just a week away !!!!

useless, useless

2006-09-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

After a fruitless day at the office, I came home to find out that the bitch is at it again. She sent the oldest one to us without her homework, she also neglected to give her any money to take on her field trip Saturday. We pay that useless woman enough money that she should be paying for everything, but the kitchen sink. Alas, she is a useless piece of shit so that is not a feasible option.

I am just very frustrated. Picture the constant demand of a grown child just standing there with an outstretched hand saying repeatedly, "give me more more more money" oh and you don't really need to see your kids, just give me money so that I can do whatever I want with them. She doesn't even help them with homework, does she really deserve a paycheck?????? I think not.

Tired, neeedsss sleep

2006-09-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

The kids were soooo loud this morning. The youngest just doens' t have any concept of quiet. I keep trying to tell DH that they are being loud but he just can't seem to understand. I finally get the chance to sleep in today and couldn't, its very frustrating. The kids just don't seem to care that someone is sleeping in the house. Bitter party of one here.

Anyway, I just can't seem to get up the gumption to finish the neck on the pink noro sweater. The will just eludes me. I must perserve and finish it. It is soooo gorgeous, (if I do say so myself.) I have about fifteen minutes before I have to leave for work. I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm ready and there is time to spare. I'm usually rushing out the door with my makeup bag trying to do the makeup going 70 down the Gene Snyder. What a difference an hour makes....

Another day Another dollar

2006-09-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

I went to this really cool thing last night. I really enjoyed it a great deal. You are going to think that this is sooo cheesy, but I went to Jazzersize. It was a lot of fun. Then I came home and watched dancing with the stars...what was I thinking? DH is addicted to reality TV and has gotten me hooked...aghhhhhh. I never thought I would be glad that survivor is going to be premiering, but I am kinda looking foward to it. Go figure. Well must work....

In rememberance

2006-09-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

I know it's quite cheesy to bring this up, but all the TV programming, etc. has really gotten into my memory. I still remember where I was on that day. And afterward the unspeakable grief for people I didn't even know. I remember driving around for a while, not really knowing where to go or what I could do to make it better. Just asking what has happened here. Looking back 5 years ago, life has changed so much since then. But that day was truly a turning point for all. May peace be with all those who lost loved ones and those who continue to suffer. Amen.

The day after the day after

2006-09-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Saturday. However, it was the day from hell for me. We went to a birthday party Friday night and I got drunk. Not just a little drunk, stinking drunk. But never fear I paid for it afterwards. Saturday was hellish. I puked my guts out most of the day and my head felt like it weighed about 100 pounds. The only things I could do were lay on the couch and read or knit. (One is never too sick to knit.)

All is quiet at the moment on the Queen of Uselessness front. She hasn't thrown any hissy fits now for oh about 72 hours, an impressive record for her.

Almost done with the back of the noro sweater. Hopefully I'll have it done by the time the snow flies. I have also resolved to save up my blow money and buy a Charlotte's Web shawl pattern kit. I have wanted one now for a while, so I am using all my willpower not to spend my blow money frivolously, but to be strong in order to gain the coveted shawl.

2006-09-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

I would have posted last night but it was crazy at our house. The older child came home from Mama's without having done any of her homwork that was due today. She recieved the homework last Friday , but Mama didn't make her do it, the older child claims that Mama forgot. How in the hell do you forget that your child has homework? Let me see, by just not doing your job as a parent??????? The clothes the kids were sent in were also atrocious, both outfits too small and ratty. If she thinks this is going to get her any sympathy she is cracked. We will buy the girls new clothes to use at our house, but hell if I'm paying her way as well. That's what we pay child support for. Well gotta go now, work is calling....

work, life and everything

2006-09-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well getting back to work was kind of a drag, but at least it was busy so the time passed quickly. Back to the continuing drama I call a life. The ex-wife just doesn't get it. Now she is having a fit because the last court holiday schedule gives us Spring Break and Fall Break next year. Well she got them this year. Tough Titties. I did call a lawyer today and they said that if we wanted some guidelines for birthdays we would need to go back to court, as usual. I really don't think its a big deal if she takes the kids for a week but doesn't take them anywhere, but DH will have to make his own decision on that matter. As long as she doesn't take b-days away I don't see a problem with throwing her a bone to keep her satisfied. Plus we still have a week to take as well if she wants to play hardball. I'm just sick and tired of the whole thing. Why can't everyone just put on their big girl panties and deal?????? Just leave the other one alone and don't try and be shitty?????? Just act like civilized adults. Not sure its possible for sommmeeee people. Just trying to vent a little bit of frustration. I just don't understand the world I guess. I had thought I was pretty realistic, but I just don't see stupidity coming....

Anyhow, the other interest in life, I have almost finished the Noro turtleneck that I started, just got to pick up the neck and knit it, then add the sleeves. I just keep putting it off somehow.....in favor of the other noro sweater that I have started a garter stitch jacket in Kochkoran. But there is also the lace weight I have been eyeing at the yarn store, that is purple and green. I am hoping it is still there tomorrow night when knitting circle meets. Keep your fingers crossed. It is cherry tree hill merino and just so rich and vibrant in color and just what the doctor ordered for retail therapy. We'll see. I'll post if I get it w/pics of course...

she has backed off

2006-09-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well the evil monster that my hubby calls an ex-wife is now trying to wheel and deal for this week she wants off. We're not having any of it! If we bargain for the girls birthdays now we will have to for the rest of the time that they are growing up. So now is a good time to put our feet down.

Anyhow back to the yarn that I got this weekend. As I said I got some purple (the best color as it is my favorite) sock yarn. Should make a great pair for this winter. The other wool that I got from Boonesborough, is rose in color and there should be enough for me to make a lace shawl out of it for the winter.

Pretty nice huh? Well the cone was the better buy. It was only $15 dollars...Well I'm off to knit, I wish I have to go to the grocery, do the laundry, and clean....oh the joys of coming back from a weekend away!

UGGGGGHHHH!!!! IS SHE REALLY THAT STUPID!

2006-09-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well after returning from a lovely holiday weekend with the hubby, we went around Kentucky today, Cincinnati yesterday, the delightful ex-wife has done it again. She has told us this evening that she is going to try and take the oldest child's birthday (which fell on our time) by using her vacation time.....does she really think we are that stupid...we wouln't realize what day the girl's b-day fell on????????????? She gets the whole following week for Fall Break,.......ughhhhhhhhhhhh! So this is going to set up a whole other drama...doesn't the stupid bitch realize that my husband has a right to occasionally have the kids on their birthdays as well as she does????? I think I need a drink. We have been muddling along nicely and what does the stupid woman do but again try and wiggle out of the rules of the court order? I am soooooo tired of these stupid tricks and games. I can only imagine what my husband feels. So I am going to go and comfort him and try and get some sleep as it is late.

OK enough with the rant. I did find some nice yarn though. Got some lovely purple Lorna's Laces in Newport, and some great rose colored handspun wool at Boonesbrough (I had to beg for this, as hubby thinks I have tooooo much yarn, but I feel that I have yet to reach SABLE so I am OK)

Projects from June/July

2006-07-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well June and July have been really busy so I've really only finished three things. (I have done several orphan socks, but its getting the will to finish the second one that kills.) Anyhow, here are some wonderful pics of the three things I have managed to completely finish in the last two months. The first two pics are of some nice Super Glitz from Cherry Tree Hill. The third and fourth are of a pair of Larry's Meadowlark socks in Bearfoot, and the last is my DH's lovely alpaca/cotton sweater (this I did in a week on size 13 needles.) Well I'm off to start another pair of socks, no bad knitter, bad knitter, I must not leave the orphan socks alone, so I'm off to finish a pair I was supposed to have finised in June.

loosing my blog virginity

2006-07-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I've never posted anything on this blog...I really didn't have that much to say about anything, but I like Liz's idea about using it as a gallery of finished products. So when I actually finish something, process knitter that I am I will post it. However, at this time the only thing that I have finished recently was a sweater for the DH and a pair of socks that will probably eventually be given away. I never seem to be able to keep my own socks, someone's birthday or gift event will come up and there they go, usually to England, to DH's family or something. We have the steps tonight and they are being sorta whiny...(their mother is just ruining them) Anyhow, this is all I think that I will stick on here for now. I think that I will go indulge in some Double Strawberry icecream from Blue Bunny that my DH thinks is his.