I Did. Did You?

Vote that is! Yes I voted, and luckily, thanks to early voting, only had to wait in line about 5 minutes. I drove by our tiny little gym where the entire town is expected to cram into this morning and the place was packed. You can imagine my relief to find the parking lot partially empty when I pulled in later in the day. And no, I didn't wear my sticker. For the sake of my favorite Zac Brown Band t-shirt, I kept the sticky on the paper. I have a reputation for washing clothes with the stickers on.

Hey do you see the background peeking out from behind my sticker? That is my most recent creation the "You Don't Know Our Women Hat". which I have so boringly renamed my "Chunky Cables" hat. I love it!

Crisis Averted

Well all is well, we have gas in the south now. Must be all of those beans. No seriously, we have gasoline, petroleum, push water. Not all grades but hey, things are better than before. And on the knitting front I have paired up with Pinkie and placed an order with Knitpicks. To hold me over I have started a new Two Weeknights with Warrick scarf, with new yarn of course. I will be sure to post photos soon, I found a nice multicolored yarn that is saturated with nice warm fall colors. Life is good.

No Gas, No Knitting

You'd think with the gas shortage I'd be at home knitting. Nope. Turns out when there is no gas there is no going to the yarn store. For those of you that have haven't heard, the south, mostly Atlanta and the surrounding areas, are having a major gas shortage. All FIVE gas stations near my home are completely out of gas, all grades and diesel. Schools have halted all landscape and grounds maintenance, all field trips, events, and parties are cancelled until further notice, businesses are closing one day per week to conserve fuel. The situation is bad and it is only getting worse.

The above photo was swiped from the New York Times. I was really tempted to take a similar photo yesterday, but was afraid my neighbors would think I had gone completely off my rocker. Hey, I am already the 28 year old that knits and owns lots of cats, I can't be taking weird pictures. The situation is bad, really bad. A friend of mine that lives nearby waited at the local gas station for 5 hours to get gas. The truck finally arrived and the station was out again just a few short hours later. On a somewhat entertaining note, people were actually having pizzas delivered to them while waiting in line. Now those are my kind of people! I once stopped to pan for gold while waiting on a tow truck. (true story, just ask Knit Pinkie)



So for now I am stuck at home with empty needles. A side effect of a newbie knitter with a tiny budding stash (crappy yarn), and a small number of needles. I swear when I get gas and can drive the 30 minutes to the nearest LYS or Wally World I am going to buy every size needle they carry. Red Heart is cheap enough, I am thinking of buying a whole bunch, storing it in a glass case and labeling it "break in case of emergency". I am bored people. No show on hulu.com, DVD, or book is going to cure it. I need my needles and yarn! I have A.D.D. and I can't sit still!


Things are getting desperate around here. At one point I was so desperate I tried finger knitting. My initial intention was to learn so I could teach my young niece who is having a bit of a hard time learning to knit. I though it might be fun for her. Now I have reached a state of delirium in which I finger knitted this ugly little scarf-like thing and tied it on the dog. The dog wasn't amused. For my dog's sake and the sake of my sanity, I hope this shortage ends soon, real soon.

Shut Up, It's My Birthday*

After being inspired by Cass of Shut Up, I'm Counting fame's post this morning, I decided to take random camera phone shots of my day and share them on my blog. Camera phone pics turned into real pictures when I realized I had my trusty ol' Kodak with me, too bad I forgot to take photos of half of the things I did. See, today is my birthday. Yes, yes I know, it is a big day. What's that you say? What is my address so you can send gifts and money...well it is 540....Oh wait, perhaps you'd better email me for that. Anyway, back to my story here....I am not a big fan of my birthday. I mean, I am happy to be alive, and grateful for another year. I am just not one of those people that sits around on their big day awaiting phone calls and gifts and flowers, although you won't see me object to any of those. Basically what I am getting at is that to me it is just any old day. Treating it as such causes me to forget from one year to the next what I did for the big day. Pair that with an unattentive (ex) better half that usually forgot it WAS my birthday, even after 6 years together, I usually don't look forward to the big day. Well today was going to be different!! I marched myself to the gas station first thing to treat myself to a Diet Dr. Pepper, I am supposed to be off of caffeine and carbonation, but who cares it's my birthday, right? Gidget was none too happy when I told her to "stay" as I was walking out the door:
I had errands to run, lots of errands (including the DDS for a new license), but who wants to do that, that's no fun? So I called my pal John and we met for lunch at Oodles. I try to limit my carbs (and eating out) but damn it, it's my birthday! Oodles was soooooo good. Did I mention I forgot to take a picture. Oops. Sorry John! Then it was off to the DDS, knitting intow, for what I thought would be a long afternoon of waiting, waiting, and more waiting.

Not sure who the "new guy" is that my sister-in-law was telling me about that was supposed to make great changes with the GA Dept. of Driver Services, but let me tell you, if I ever meet him, he's getting a big ole hug from me! I was in and out of there in less than 15 minutes!! With a much better photo than last time I might add. Sadly, my knitting didn't make a single appearance. Well sad for the knitting, not so sad for me.

Then it was off to Wally World to get my meds (did I mention I always get a cold on my birthday? It's allergy season, dontcha know), I managed to pick up lots of cotton yarn and some new needles while I was there. I failed also to take pics in Wally World because I was too busy yacking on my cell phone, something I never do in stores, but today, OH NO...I marched my happy ass around that entire store just yacking away on my bluetooth. People were staring, some thought I was talking to them, but who the hell cares, it's my birthday! (are you seeing a trend here?) I did resist the urge when the cashier said "have a nice day." to say "I will! It's my birthday!!" I am liking the new birthday me!

After a few more errands I had decided to spend the rest of my afternoon (that was originally penciled for the DDS) with my dear sweet Grandmother. I am exhausted from yelling, and my throat is scratchy, but it was a good visit. (dear Grandma can't hear unless you yell and refuses to wear hearing aids) Scored myself a nice balloon and some Jolly Ranchers, too. Mmmmm, Jolly Ranchers. The sister-in-law had the afternoon off, so we had a nice long visit.

So after becoming dehydrated from sweating (old people sure like it warm) and yelling, homeward bound was I. I had a splitting headache and was just ready to take a big old nap...but the nephew was there with the bro, ready for some go cart riding and a birthday dinner.

After one more lap, followed by one more lap, and "just one more lap Dad, just ONE more..." It was off to a quick dinner in the big crazy wild party town of Cleveland. I believe my pictures depict how wild and crazy it got.

Here's Gentry wearing her glasses:

Now here is Chad making goofy faces and wearing Gentry's Glasses:
Now here's me wearing Gentry's glasses (I warned you things got wild):
Now here is some of my posse right before we left. I actually think Gentry gets photo credit here. She took over the photographer job right after she arrived. Thank goodness, I felt like such a dork taking pictures for my own birthday.
Here the kids had a big plan to hide in the back of Chad's truck to hitch a ride to the Dairy Queen across the street for some ice cream:
All-in-all it was a good day. Whew, I'm exhausted. Having a birthday is a job in itself, go here, pay this, answer the phone constantly.....I think next year I will plant my ass on a tropical beach somewhere with no cell service and a pool boy that never let's my glass of whateverandtequila in a blender run out, and relax.

Now maybe tomorrow I can actually finish that dishcloth, if I'm not too exhausted from the festivities. I mean, c'mon, it was nearly 9:00 when we left Dairy Queen and I'm no longer a spring chicken you know. I'll leave you with my final pictures of the day. For some reason I thought it would be fun to take random bad photos. (or maybe I was just too tired to attempt decent ones) You know my day wouldn't be complete without a bed full of critters. Would you think any less of an aspiring veterinarian? C'mon. Looks like "the boys" are ready for bed, and the freaked look out has yet to leave Gidget's face.

I did manage to get a little work done on my Squidge Cloth dishcloth while I was at my Grandmother's house. It is Strawberries and Cream. Who knew I would like pink.

Well Butter My Butt and Call Me Biscuit

I got an unexpected surprise a little while ago. My Sunday night was starting out as nothing special. Just sitting here in my jammies watching some bad TV, doing a little laundry, nothing out of the ordinary, actually pretty bland. Then my episode of Ghost Hunters was interrupted by loud banging sounds, and here is what I found in the sky above the barn:

Sunday in the park at Concord Baptist. I totally forgot. It was a pleasant surprise, and I didn't even have to leave my porch, change out of my jammies, or put on shoes. Not too shabby.

I started (and finished) a camera sock for my dear old Kodak Easy Share. Who knew it was possible to become emotionally attached to a camera. Photos as soon as I borrow a camera to take a picture of my camera.

Dragon Ass. It Must Be Contagious.

A case of dragon ass has hit the south, in a big way, because my ass has definitely been draggin' lately, and I'm not the only one. Evidence here. My pal Pinkie still managed to give blood and make housewarming gifts, and me? I managed to have a yard sale on Saturday and sleep my Sunday away before making spaghetti for dinner. Things are slow. I haven't even managed to finish the poochie sweater I promised to make for Pinkie, and that thing only takes a few hours to make.

My master plan was to take my knitting with me to the yard sale, but I didn't quite get that far. It's probably best I didn't. With the evidence I am sporting of a nice, deep sunburn on my shoulders and face, a certain someone (my MOTHER) kept skipping her turn helping customers, and kept herself parked under the shade tree. Clever gal my mom. I did not inherit that gene as I jumped up with each new visitor, never once thinking about retrieving my sunscreen from home. I did pretty well though, selling most all of the crap I wasn't able to pawn off on my friend Chad for his new house. Our friend Debbie probably made more money than I did (although she was left with a lot of stuff also) and my mom actually ended up in the hole. I'm not sure if it was all of those trips to the gas station she kept making, or if she was actually paying people to take her stuff off. I was left with $80 more than I had the day before, a house in disarray, but a lot less stuff to put back. I'm happy. My new motto is "if I don't use it, lose it". I think that is a side effect of living with a man that kept every little thing he ever got. First went the man, now goes the stuff. I hear his new house has a big basement, all I can say is he's going to need it!!!

Before I head off to slather myself yet again in Aloe and Lidocaine lotion, I will leave you with my first attempt at knitting with colors using a grid pattern.

Are digital cameras making us all seem crazy?

That is the question I asked myself a while back, as I was taking this picture after finding a solution to my twisted yarn problem:

It is something my mother has been accusing me of for months now. I am accused of being weird/crazy/off my rocker, etc. solely based on the photos I take with my digital camera. Oh but I'm not alone, she teases me about what other bloggers photograph and then publish.

Personally I like to look at it as taking full advantage of a situation. I mean, I remember just a short time ago when all I had was my Canon EOS Rebel and a camera bag, stuffed full of rolls of film. Oh the good old days. You were limited to 24 or 36 photos before you had to stop, wind, and reload. Then there were the developing fees. If you were lucky, as I was, you occasionally caught a break from a pal that worked at a pharmacy photo lab and you could get them free to cheap. But those places weren't great for those who dabbled in photography as an art form. Sure the pharmacy lab was great for the photos from dear old Grandma and Grandpa's 60 Wedding anniversary, but those artistic photos you took of that new Hemlock blanket, those needed to go someplace nicer...the photo lab. The place where you could not set foot in the door without spending at least $15.00. I mean sure you could wait two days and get them cheaper, but who wanted to do that when you could get them in 1 hour and not lose quality?! I certainly didn't!

Now you have your new pictures, some of them good, some of them embarrassing, but you have them...FINALLY. So what now? Some go in a photo album maybe, a few in the photo box, if you are real good maybe one or two in a frame, but what about the ones you want to share with friends across the globe. That was where the ol' scanner came in handy. I can hear the cranking and the grinding now as the scanner scanned my pictures. Oh the old days. You know, five or six years ago. LOL.

What is the point of this long and drawn out blog post you might ask? It is to say that I don't care if I seem crazy, I am going to enjoy every single minute of my digital camera, the free space on my hard drive, and the fact that my camera fits in my purse or pocket. You see, several of my near and dear friends live in other states, heck one even in another country, but why should that stop us from sharing our day-to-day lives with one another? AT&T unlimited mobile-to-mobile is a huge helper with that, but why not take it a step further? My friends and I certainly do. It helps strengthen relationships, build bonds, and lets us be a part of even the tiny, seemingly unimportant aspects of each others lives. I won't even bore you with the benefits it provides on Ravelry and flickr to let you see how a knitted keepsake looks as the pattern progresses. Folks, we are living in the information age, like it or not. The way I see it you can either join us by taking pictures of your feet, favorite cupcakes, the handmade invitations you are so proud of and want to show your crafty pals, or you can make fun of us and miss out on the entire experience. Who's with me?

PUT THE NEEDLES DOWN SLOWLY. PICK UP THE KEYS TO THE TRACTOR.

Because the pasture needs mowing!

I don't talk about it much on either of my blogs really, but I am a horse person. Nay (or should I say neigh), a horse freak. I talk about them, spend most of my free time with them, not to mention every extra penny on them. That's right, I am horse person, a horseaholic. If any of you know a horse person you know that it's not quite like owning a dog, oh no, horses are a lifestyle, a passion, a full blown addiction. They are my therapy, much like knitting. And as I really need to put the needles down, turn off the computer, and head out to the barn, I thought I'd post a few pictures of my ponies, past and present:

I Might Be on to Something People!

So how freakin' excited was I to see the new fall online catalog for DKNY?! Just look at what this starved, sun deprived model is wearing on her arms! They are handwarmers! Mitts! Whatever you prefer to call them, but they are there! Between this and the Victoria's Secret link Ol' Pinkie sent me, knitted attire and accessories are going to be big for fall. Well aren't my non-knitting friends going to be shocked when they see this! And to think all this time they have been teasing me. What do they know?! Even my mother teases me. And we are talking about a woman who has a two piece knit ensemble from the 80's, that if I'm not mistaken is still in her closet. I am hoping these things might make it into fall fashion and aren't just something you see in the fashion mags that don't quite make it into mainstream America. OK and while I am taking shots at people: what is up with elephant arms in the lower picture? Is she hiding some Popeye forearms under those things or what? Well I am off now, off to pick myself out a nice pattern for handwarmers, and who knows, I might even attempt a hat.

Project Status Update

My buddy has a status update on the right hand side of her blog, I am just too lazy, but I did think that it might be nice to give an update on my current projects, and my progress. Here goes:

Diagonal Pattern Baby Blanket: 100% WHOOHOO
Wild Stripes Blanket: 30%
Elsie Blanket: 30%
Potholders: 50% (knitting completed, now I need fabric!)
Fish Blanket 1% (I have successfully knit one fish! LOL)

Not too shabby in my opinion considering all of these projects besides the Elsie blanket were started in the past week or two. I haven't blogged about the potholders yet, and there is also another project I left out. It will be getting it's own blog entry shortly, but to keep with the updating, I am at 75% with the PTBNL.

Here is a little preview of the Project to be Named Later:

I'm Back! Well at Least I Think I Am...

It has been long enough, I have decided to stop slacking and actually get some knitting done. I am embarrassed to say that I LOST my Elsie baby blanket! Yes that is correct, I lost it, and my entire knitting bag. No worries though, a quick emptying of my closet and all has been found, safe, sound and undamaged I might add.

The Elsie blanket, as you might recall, is my first project doing anything but a basic knit or purl. I am not finding the pattern hard to execute, everything is quite easy actually, I am however having a hard time paying attention to where I am in the row/pattern. Just a side effect of having a very short attention span I guess...my mind wanders and BAM I forget where I am. So far I only have two minor (unrepaired) slipups that are barely noticeable. I have decided to press on with my project. I figure worst-case scenario my friend CJ will be getting an extra baby blanket someday, or the dog will have yet another blanket to snuggle with.

I doubt I will restart the Elsie blanket just yet, I think a few quick and easy projects are in order to get me motivated again.
I have signed myself up for Ravelympics 2008! I will post my entries soon.

Forget Newbie Knitter. How About Never Knitter?

Yes that is right. I have not picked up the needles in months. I have so many things going on that I have not touched the cursed blanket in months. I am not even sure I will remember where I left off in the pattern. I am going to try to be a good girl and pick it up in the next couple of days, or I might just start a new project.

I finally got my Ravelry login!! WHOOHOO!! Perhaps this will spur interest in a new project. Hmmm we will see I guess.

I hope to have new news to report soon!

Not Much Knitting Going On

I know I am already neglecting my new blog, but I have some very sad news to report. I have been busy with a sick horse. Despite my best efforts, my beloved 3 year old colt had to be euthanized in the early morning hours of March 26th. He was out of my old show mare Sweetie. I had waited for this boy for 10 years. I had very high hopes for him as a show horse and am absolutely devistated I lost him. Especially after losing his mother and younger half brother in 2006. As I tend to knit more when I'm stressed, I'm sure I will return to my projects in full force shortly.

On a lighter note, I have decided to start the pillow pattern I have had my eye on for a while. It will be a 16x16 pillow in a chevron pattern. I am using Caron Simply Soft in off white. I am very excited! I will see if I can scan the photos and pattern and will publish them soon.

I also had a chance to add a few more rows to my "Elsie" blanket. I was distracted with a sick horse and really messed up a row, I had to rip it out and redo it twice. Normally at that point I give up, but I did manage to fix it and continue on. The process is slow, but its really coming along nicely. I am proud of myself for sticking with this one after my mess ups. I'm turning in to a real knitter I think!

I Shall Call Him...."Pearl"

Okay first I have apparently been watching too much Austin Powers on TBS, but poor blog naming aside I have bigger news. I have been purling wrong! Yes that's right, I told you I was a newbie!

After a helpful friend informed me that a how-to website existed with video I decided to check it out on a cold boring night. I was actually checking out continental knitting methods and learning how to Yarn Over, when on a whim I clicked on the "How to Purl" video. Not sure why other than I was bored to tears and the TV hog was still up. Low and behold I have made 4 or 5 scarves and two baby blankets with a method I have apparently made up all on my own. Luckily I have been getting the same result so at least I diverted one disaster!

After a little practicing to master the real Purl, its time for a new project!

The Scarf Factory

Okay well lately I have to admit I'm feeling like I work in a sweat shop rolling out scarves in record numbers. Personally I'm not a big fan of scarves. I mean, I live in Georgia and it never seems cold enough to really warrant bundling up with any accessory other than a jacket. My original scarf is still tucked away in the closet, probably never to see the light of day again. But alas, I'm making them anyway. It started with my mom finally giving in and admitting she actually likes the things I knit, even though she has been an avid knitter-hater for quite a while. I gave in and agreed to make her a scarf. I let her pick out her own yarn, after all, she is not the easiest lady to please. She close a heavier weight Lion Brand homespun yarn in blue, sorry I can't remember the details and I pitched the label. I finished it in a record two night sitting thanks to the thicker weight yarn and my size 13 needles. I have since been asked by my nephew and my neice for scarves also, which then lead to the realization I like the scarves I am making and didn't have one for myself. For the nephew I chose the Red Heart Light and Lofty Super Bulky in black so as not to look too girlie. My niece chose the same in Bikini. It's hot pink with splashes of blue and purple, she's 9 so its perfect! My plan is to make both of the kids matching hats, but I have yet to buy double pointed needles so they may have to wait until next winter. After all it is March in Georgia and in the 60's most days. The weather has put a damper on my scarf making. I have three down and two more to make. It seems as soon as I get one finished I have requests for 2 more. I'm not complaining! They are certainly faster than any other project I could think of making.

My nephew did have a chance to sport his new scarf at school as the weather hit a chilly spell, but mostly he has just been wearing it to bed every night. Perhaps we should check his room for drafts! I haven't heard from my niece on how she likes hers, but she's only had it a few days. I will try to steal them back for photos soon. They were all made with heavy weight yarn of different brands, using size 13 needles in Garter Stitch.

Newbie Knitter!

I debated on calling this blog "copycat" because I got the idea from my friend who also has a knitting blog, but thought newbie knitter would explain me better. I have been fighting the blogger bug for a few months now. I have toyed with a few different topics to blog about but ultimately decided on knitting. Knitting seems to be the only thing productive I have going on right now so I decided to go for it.

I started knitting back this past summer. Since I don't know anybody close by that knits (yeah not even my Grandmother!) I went the book route. It was really an impulse buy. I had been bored out of my mind staying home and my friend had mentioned that a lot of people with A.D.D. found knitting helpful, so being the poster child for A.D.D I decided to give it a try. I forked over the $11 for the "I Taught Myself Knitting" book at Wally World and a skein of Red Heart Yarn. I bought a skein that was three different colors. To be honest I'm not really sure why I bought it, but it ended up working out in my favor. Once I started I found it easier to see what I was doing with the multiple colored yarn vs. a solid color one. Call it dumb luck.

I am the least domesticated stay-at-home gal you have ever met! I am terrible at sewing and I have only just now started learning to cook. So knitting for me was a stretch. Starting out I was terrible. I can't really say that I'm much better now, but I have the hang of the basic moves and have finished a few projects to date. I had an unfortunate run-in with a slicer back in December so I'm just getting back to my knitting after a 4 month hiatus to let the pinky I nearly sliced off heal. It's still not 100% but it's good enough now to at least start knitting again.

My first project was a scarf for myself. I made it out of the three colored yarn in Stockinette Stitch with a size 8 needle. Surprisingly it only had one or two holes in it but its definitely not something I would ever wear!

I do really enjoy having something to do with my hands as I'm watching TV or sitting around before bedtime. That is my main reason for knitting, however strange that may sound! So my interest right now isn't making any elaborate creations but more perfecting my pathetic knitting skills and keeping that wandering part of my mind focused. It really is a good stress releiver.

Wow this blog is long for my first time! Hopefully I will keep this blog updated. It will keep me motivated!