Yikes....been a while!

So, it's been two weeks since my last post. Obviously I'm slacking. Probably due to the lack of readership? Perhaps. I'm finally going to post some FO's! First up - the tote that I received from a blogless Martha. That purple is really an eggplant color. The handles are super long and I can put this across my body... after sending off my own tote (that I absolutely love), I'm thinking that I might want to felt this some more (ok, I know it's actually fulling, not really felting...but whatever).

I finished up my "fibonacci tote" - the pattern and yarn was sent to me in a swap in December (and the colors are rather vintage Christmas).

This photo was taken pre-handle attachment. This was a fast knit, and the pattern directions are simple - it was my first try at knitting in the round. And the felting doesn't show the poor job weaving in ends, etc.

The last recent project is my tote for the Tote Exchange:


I used 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in a purple heather (must check the ball band to get the colorway), and 2 skeins of Noro Kureyon to get that fun stripey effect. I love the roundness of the sides, and the firm feel of the bag. The bag took 5 or 6 runs through the machine (but I suspect I was setting it back at random intervals). I'm really going to have to knit one of these for myself - I like the length of the handles (they are i-cord, knit to 24 inches before felting). I'm out of these colors, so I'll have to use something else...grey maybe? I doubt I'd like it as much without all those great greens and blues in the stripes.

So, what next? I'm busy putting together a package for my Secret Pal 10 partner - I've got some good stuff planned for her! I'm trying not to buy too much for myself - random expenses keep popping up... But I'd really like to get some good cotton yarn for a new sweater project...should've bought that stuff on ebay a while back...*sigh*

Movie Stuff!

Why? Because I saw this on several blogs, and I've been thinking about movies lately!

1) Name a movie you've seen more than 10 times. Really? Ten times? Maybe Harry and the Hendersons (against my will – one of my sisters loved this movie when she was little). And probably You’ve Got Mail. By choice.

2) Name a movie you've seen multiple times in the theater. Whoa. Just had a blank-out. Oh, yeah – Braveheart.

3) Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie. I’d have to agree with others on this one – Johnny Depp! Brad Pitt, too.

4) Name an actor who would make you less likely to see a movie. Oh, geez – Kevin Costner for one. Will Ferrell (sorry, you’re hilarious, but I can only take a few minutes).

5) Name a movie you can and do quote from. French Kiss (You people make my ass twitch! – Honestly, isn’t that a great line??) But I usually quote tv shows – Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City.

6) Name a movie musical to which you know all the lyrics. Um. None!

7) Name a movie you've been known to sing along with. Um, also none!

8) Name a movie you would recommend everyone see. Star Wars (the original) – because it’s still awesome!

9) Name a movie you own. Is it weird? I own it. Ok, not really! The Usual Suspects is the last one I got, though.

10) Name an actor who launched his/her career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Mark Wahlberg. Who I still refer to as Marky Mark! He’s hilarious in I heart Huckabees, great in Boogie Nights – who knew?

11) Have you ever seen a movie at a drive-in? If so what? Gosh, no, never!

12) Ever made out at a movie? Ew. After paying so much to get in? Are you nuts??

13) Name a movie you've been meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to yet. Casablanca. I’ve got it at home now!

14) Ever walked out of a movie? Not in a theatre – but I turned off Old School after a few minutes, gave up on Waterworld, Snatch, and almost Ocean’s Eleven….oh, and Last Tango in Paris is EVIL and DISGUSTING. Don’t watch it. Believe me.

15) Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. I’m not sure I have, actually.

16) Popcorn? If I have enough money!

17) How often do you go to the movie theater? Rarely – once a year, if that.

18) What's the last movie you saw in the theater? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Yep. 2005.

19) What's your favorite/preferred genre? Weird. Is that a category? I avoid many comedies and most “chick-flicks.”

20) What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? It was either Snow White or E.T. (which I hated)

21) What movie do you wish you had never seen? Oh, I already answered that! Last Tango in Paris. Hands down. Ok, Child’s Play was a waste of time, as was Dolls, but really, I can’t even look at butter anymore. And occasionally my husband says “get the butter” to gross me out. You don’t want to know.

22) What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? How weird? Mulholland Drive is pretty weird – I also own that.

23) What's the scariest movie you've ever seen? Um. Pulse? But, I was little – all sorts of things are scary when you’re little!

24) What's the funniest movie you've ever seen? Gosh, I don’t know. Comedies aren’t my thing!

Movies I've seen lately:
The Squid and The Whale - I actually found this to be quite an amusing little movie. Weird, too. And a bit gross now and again. My friend hated it. Oh well!

The Prestige - I didn't think I was going to like this! But I really enjoyed it. Also weird. And by the director of Memento (which I own). I love things that play with memory - like Memento, this one is circular - it begins and ends with the same scenes.

Chinatown - Wow. Some serious Noir here! I don't remember why I wanted to see this, but it's definitely good!

Pink, Yellow, and Green...

are the project spectrum colors for the next two months... Not that I did very well in the last two! Ok, well - here's a project I haven't managed to finish yet - it's supposed to be a felted tote bag. So far it's a huge piece of knitted fabric!


So this was supposed to be for last month...but there is green in it too. It's taken months for me to get through that much stockinette. Ok, well, moving on! Unfortunately, pink is not one of my favorite colors - although I do enjoy it on flowers.

And I know some of you would prefer no yellow flowers - but the flowers on my prickley pear out front are yellow (and will be blooming soon - I see the buds already).

The Thing About Street Fairs...

Twice a year, the street fair comes to 4th Avenue here in Tucson. When I first moved into a little Craftsman bungalow (built in 1917 - I love old houses!), I had no idea about what happens during this festival - I'm not even sure I knew about it. The first year, both of our cars were broken into while they were parked in front of the house. Granted, this could happen at any time, but there are so many people around for the street fair... Also during the fair, people drive like morons. Last year, a car crashed into the front yard of a condo across the street. Luckily, the woman only ran over a "for rent" sign - no pedestrians or houses were damaged. I heard plenty of honking this weekend...and saw some atrocious driving - people speeding out of alleys, driving in the center "suicide lane" - where we have a trolley running, too, so even more dangerous... And, since I have to park on the street in front of my house, I can't leave during the fair - or if I do, I have to return after 6 pm.

Despite all this, it's fun to people-watch. I spent a couple hours on my porch yesterday critiquing everyone! We have a huge number of freaks per capita here in Tucson.... I might have to post about some of my favorites someday... Also fun to watch as people comment on my house - we have ocotillo fencing around the yard. The previous tenants put it up to prevent the homeless from sleeping on the porch. I know, I'm painting quite a picture, aren't I? You all want to move here now, right? ;)

So what is the *thing* about street fairs? Well, everyone seems to enjoy them - but, honestly, it's all the same CRAP every year (ok, twice a year). I wouldn't have thought this before 2005, probably, because I collect as much as the next guy. I used to consider myself a "packrat." However, since July 1, 2005, my house has become a lot cleaner, I collect a lot less stuff.

Although I was warned, I went to help a friend pack up her stuff - my co-worker indicated that it might be traumatic. Honestly, I thought I could handle it! I'm messy, I collect stuff...right? Um, no. OCD "Hoarding" disorder....I'm sure my friend does not believe she's OCD, but her house says otherwise. And I went over to help her *after the moving truck had already gone.* Her husband had already moved, a moving van full of stuff had already moved.... and the house was a MESS. I went through her laundry room (took a full day). She had boxes full of broken sunglasses (probably a total of 30+ pairs), "super-glue projects" was in another box, the little cardboard squares from boxes of weigh-paper (taken from work), the plastic cover pieces ripped off of who knows what - doll boxes? - you know the plastic sheets I mean... One of the symptoms is keeping piles and piles of printed matter (newspapers, magazines...) - most of this had already been dealt with. OCD people think their stuff is worth as much to others as it is to them (her garage sale items were quite overpriced). Let me tell you something - if you ever bring lunch somewhere and find BUGS in it - you have a serious problem. I'm not kidding. Hoarders are the least likely to get help (they think it's just you're typical "packrat" thing...). When my husband got home that day at 5:15pm - I was drinking a beer. Not my typical behavior. And the next day, when I threw out boxes and boxes of articles from grad school, he knew something was wrong! But I guess I'm better off now... if only I could deal with my serious procrastination problem...
And here: what the heck? Who would cut off my hose to steal it??? Just odd, don't you think?

Monday Flowers!

It's feeling like spring in the desert... and these here flowers could be making me sneeze. I just noticed these in my front yard on Friday - ok, I knew the plant was there, I just noticed that it's blooming!

Ok, it's beginning to feel like summer, even. It's getting hot - could be 90's this week!

I am feeling much better than I was on Friday. Although, I'm still finding it a bit hard to believe that we're down to the last possible job this year. If my husband wants to try again, the next round will start again in September or October. But, there is that last chance... And I've no idea when we might hear from them (if at all).

In the meantime... I'll be posting some flower pictures - to remind us all to stop and smell the roses (or whatever flowers you've got) - even if they make you sneeze!

I tried not to get attached...

but I did. I really wanted this job for my husband. The interview went well. He seemed to really like it there - the people, the setting, even the weather. They tried to really sell it to him - made him feel like he had it locked up. Honestly, I thought it'd be perfect for him. We went through a lot to get him to and from that interview - I lost practically a week of work for it, bought two new flights on my credit card to get him home. A two day interview took five days, plus recovery time! And they offered it to someone else. Maybe it's perfect for her, too. I'm sure she's thrilled. I'm not handling it well. I'm trying to. But I'm devastated.

I know I'll get over it. Probably by tomorrow. Can't dwell on things that never were, right? There's some sidewalk graffiti at a park that I often walk by. It says: "Life could be worse." Of course it's true.

I don't know that my husband will continue in the field he's in. This might be it. After that interview, I doubt he'll apply for a job again. And I really just want to tell the search committee chair what I think of him being a *tease.* I see that I am in the "anger" phase of grief. My husband went on another interview, and if he's offered that one....my life is going to get infinitely more complicated. I'm not even sure he wants that one.

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

So far I enjoy knitting with wool and wool/alpaca blends – especially really soft ones! Cotton and acrylics do not seem to be as fun – cotton because it isn’t soft or stretchy like wool, and acrylic just doesn’t feel very nice.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have knitpicks options with a case and a fabric needle roll to store straights.

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 for about 6 months; I’m probably an advanced beginner (or, I’d like to think so!).

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, I have an amazon list.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I like jasmine, gardenia, and sandalwood. I like stuff with amber, musk, vanilla – sort of in the oriental range.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Oh, I’ve overdone it lately. I like dark chocolate and Haribo gummy bears (yum!) – oh, not together, though!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I haven’t tried spinning yet, but I’d definitely be interested in trying.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I have the ability to play mp3s – we have tons of music though – I (ok, my husband, really) already own most all Led Zeppelin, including bootlegs, a huge amount of Bob Dylan stuff, nearly all of the Grateful Dead albums and concert recordings…

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love red, teal, dark greens, brown, grey, purples, blues; Not fond of yellow, pink, neons, pastels. I can deal with pastels, yellows, and pinks if they are in with other dark colors in a fun variegated yarn (I haven’t seen a manos del Uruguay colorway that I don’t like).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have four cats and a husband – no kids anywhere in my family (including extended!)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Hahahaha! It’s 80 degrees here already. I’ve already made myself two scarves, so I’m good there. Not sure what I’d do with a poncho. Hats are useful for a couple months a year, though, and my hands are always cold. Of course, full mittens would be difficult to work in.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

So far, tote bags are fun, scarves are fun...and small clutches and bags give instant gratification. But I haven’t yet tried socks. Or sweaters. Is there something that isn't fun to knit? (Besides miles of stockinette in one color)

13. What are you knitting right now?

A tote bag.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes! Um…unless they smell musty or moldy.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I’ve just started using circulars – knit picks options. Although I do like my bamboo straights. And I’d love some of those beautiful rosewood ones with carvings on the end, but they’re rather expensive!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No – I haven’t been able to justify the expense yet. And I knit really slowly so it'll be a long time before I can even buy more yarn (and justify that to my husband..)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Two months (I’ve only been knitting for six!)

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Any day off work. Um, probably Christmas despite all the expectations and expenses...Hmm. I might want to make up my own holiday tradition for some other holiday to make it more fun.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Fun little (wooden, tin, stone, antique…) boxes. And bags.

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 subscribe to Interweave knits. So many yarns that I haven’t yet tried! I’m always up for a classy tote pattern – I currently have the Noni adventure pattern that I haven’t gotten up the nerve to actually knit (that’s my only purchased tote pattern).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Fair-isle, intarsia…maybe lace, too.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I have yet to knit my first pair of socks…and I have five skeins of sock yarn.

23. When is your birthday?

November 21^st.

Tyger the amazing burrowing cat!

Tyger decided he'd get under the couch cushion the other day. He loves to get underneath stuff - couch cushions, rugs, clothes... I love how the side angle shows off his amber eyes. See the black specks on his nose? He also has a few black whiskers (hard to see here, though).

As you can see, Anya wasn't quite sure what was going on! Yes, I realize the couch is covered in fur - we actually picked this couch up in the alley behind our house when someone moved. Pre-cat-scratched, too! Free crappy furniture! Don't have to take it with me when I move... just put it back where I found it. Sometimes it's convenient to live in a student ghetto.

Winnings and Such

Check out what I won! It was a bit ago, but I kept forgetting to upload the photos. The top hank is Stormy Teal from Yarn Nerd - and wow is it soft! I won it in a random drawing, very soon after winning the bottom hank by guessing the weight of a cat! It was a good week. Or couple days. Really must try to knit some socks, because I now have five or six skeins of sock yarn! But I'm still working on my impossible tote. It's taking FOREVER to finish. And it's currently huge - pre-felting. I'm working on the handles right now, then it'll be seaming, weaving in many, many ends, and finally FELTING! Phew. Really hope that I can finish this up soon. I've been working on it since mid-January. Here's the other bag waiting to be felted:

Finished over a weekend in January. Of course, this one is using bulky yarn - the current monstrosity has been knit with Lion Brand Wool - worsted weight. And it's grey and blue (ok, and sage green). The pattern called for just two colors and fairly narrow horizontal stripes. I decided on thicker stripes and three colors. In part, the three colors was because I accidently only bought two balls of yarn per color when the pattern called for three each. A month later when I returned to the store, I obviously was unable to find the same dye lot. No matter, I said, I'll just add a color! I might yet run out of teal and have to make the second handle a different color....that'd be odd. It looks like it'll be ok though. I have been getting VERY IMPATIENT with all the stockinette. And I'm already regretting the three colors - so many ends to weave in! I'm really liking the idea of my next tote using chunky yarn again.

And here's that lovely yarn up close. Not thrilled with the photo - diffuse light would be better than blazing sun!

Blue Skies...Dead Ficus

Blue skies for Project Spectrum! We've had a lot of blue skies here recently... and before that, some very cold weather (for Arizona, anyhow). Hence, the dead ficus in the foreground.

A thursday in the life of thursday...

Elisa described her "day in a life" a couple of weeks ago - and it sounded like fun to me. What *do* I actually do? I waste a lot of time, that's for sure!
6:30 am - Chester wakes me up with an obnoxious meow (or four). Currently it's still an acceptable time, but when the sun starts coming up super-early, the Chester gets up earlier. *sigh*
6:45 am - have now fed and watered all four cats (I think I did it correctly, but who knows - I'm pre-coffee)
7:00 am - Chester wants more food. This is ok, because I should really be getting up anyhow. My routine is rather boring - I feed the cats (again), put away the dishes from dinner (from the drying rack, I don't have a dishwasher), set up the coffee maker, and put water in a pot for my oatmeal and set it on the stove. And yes, I do the same thing every morning. Makes it easier to get up - routine, you know?
7:15 am - shower, etc.
8:00 am - turn on the stove to make the oatmeal
8:30 am - what was I doing? No idea, but the water has been boiling for at least twenty minutes.
8:45 am - eat breakfast and drink coffee. Yum. My favorite part of the day - often marred by cats trying to get attention by scratching the books on the mantle, attacking one another, etc.
9:00 am - wash dishes and put some food out for black fuzzy and the long-haired calico.

9:30 am - Leave for work. I walk to work, which is great. Um, this time of year, anyhow. Summer is not so fun here. I am getting a bit tired of looking at the same garbage everyday - there has been a black plastic comb in the same place for a month.

9:45 am - Arrive at work. I am extremely inconsistent. Luckily, nobody at work seems to care much. Some days I don't arrive until 11 am. This is a good day!

10:00 am - actually start working. I usually stop and say hello to people before actually doing anything worthwhile. Haha. As if the stuff I do for work is always worthwhile.
So this is my desk area. Yup. I'm a bit messy. But, I know where everything is. ;) But, you can see I have some file folders up on the "wall." And this is how it looked all day - not much changed!
I work in a lab, so behind my desk is a gas line - we burn up samples and collect the carbon for radiocarbon dating. Essentially. And I know it isn't that interesting. So that's what that mess of glass and stuff is. Those silvery containers are "dewars" that hold liquid nitrogen or isopropanol and dry ice. I've got some fun stickers on mine (Save Tibet - very colorful).
6 pm - Leave work. Well, this is what sometimes happens. Usually I am fooling around with non-work stuff before I leave. But, this was a good day. It was actually February 8th when I was documenting my day! And it's taken two whole weeks to upload the photos and type it up!
7 pm - 2 or 3 mile walk with my husband. We try to walk everyday. Sometimes the walk gets pushed to 10pm and we do the slightly shorter walk down to the university (well-lit and lots of people are around late).
8:15 pm - Dinner. My husband cooks and I "help." Some nights I have actually been cooking (!) lately - he bought me a cookbook for Christmas (a hint, perhaps?).
9:15 - coffee and a bit of knitting and chatting with my husband. Usually coffee this late is decaf. But, yes, I can drink coffee as late as 10pm and still go to sleep soon after. Crazy, huh?
11 pm - Hmm... Time for bed! Usually getting ready for the next morning and for bed takes the next half hour...and I get way-laid often. Bed time is often past midnight. Now you can see why Chester waking me up at 6 am is a bit of a problem. I think I need more sleep than 6 hours!

Musings on travel...

Yes it's been a while since posting. My husband has a job interview in the midwest, starting tomorrow. He is currently driving the length of Indiana because his connecting flight was canceled. Not only that, but he nearly missed his original flight due to shuttle stupidity! I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Of course, I should've checked how many complaints had been filed to begin with - but the only other shuttle was booked at the right time. Next time, fly out of the closer airport; next time, drive yourself to the airport. I hope it doesn't snow much on the four hour drive through Indiana. I'm exhausted from spending the weekend searching for cold-weather wear in a place where it's currently in the 70's (Ok, 60's right now). People looked at me as if I were nuts - "thermal underwear?" I'm ashamed to say that I had to buy some sort of ear-warming device - including a non-hand-knit hat!

So, I'm off to nap and maybe do some knitting...it might help calm me down.

Project Spectrum Begins Today...

I know, it's not too exciting. My current knitting project is not blue, white, or grey. But, the sky this morning was blue, white, and grey! I am aware there are other colors in this photo - my photo ops are limited by the size of my backyard and the number of power lines overhead. Tonight I'll have to think about what sorts of projects I can do this month that will be more exciting than this here photo.
In other news... here's a great photo of black fuzzy guy up close and personal! My husband managed to get fairly close to him the other day. He can only get close when the little guy is up on the wall, though - you can't get within 12 feet of him while he's on the ground. The calico kittens won't get near people at all. Not even for food. Father tuxedo cat was watching all this from the neighbor's rooftop!

Do you have a name for your car?

I do. Have you seen this article recently? It's about how 4 in 10 people have named their vehicles. 23% percent of people think of their car as having gender, but only 7% think their cars are male. I think my car is male, but my husband's car is female. My 1990 Honda was "Howard" - I referred to him that way in my recent post about dreading odd numbered years... Huh. So only 7% of people think their cars are male? I guess I'm in the minority here! My mother named her car - but then, that was only after I informed her that the car I'd just inherited had told me his name. I know, I know - it's a wee bit odd. But he *did* have a personality! And it was a Howard personality. My current car does have a name, but I don't generally refer to my car that way like I did with Howard.

On the knitting front, I am working on two tote bags - I'll have to photograph the nearly-finished one tomorrow. Just needs a handle and some felting. I finished the body of the bag in only a couple days - and learned to pick up stitches, make horizontal stripes, and knit in the round! Next I'll be making my first i-cord handle. What's next? Socks? Ok - really, probably more bags (as if I need more bags). I really do love bags. They're great for hiding all my stuff in!

KMKS Package (ok, a week ago)!

Here's my package from Louise. I left it in the box for a week, since I hadn't taken a photo yet. Too much candy!! I've already eaten most of those jujyfruits. Overdosed. Definitely. So, she sent tons of candy, two skeins of Noro cotton kureyon, a skein of Malabrigo - wow this stuff is soft! A well-made bag with colorful yarn balls on the outside and mittens on the inside! I wish I were that talented with the sewing needles..


See the lovely malabrigo? Yum. It's almost too fun for mittens.

After seeing this site, I thought it'd be fun to take photos of my own mornings. Except that I don't like to get up early. I prefer to go to bed late. And photos of night with a less-than-ideal camera are not as fun to look at. Here's my take:
Yep. Needs a bit of work. Especially since I'm fairly certain it was 10 am. But Lotus is a good subject. She doesn't get too bothered by the camera - in fact, I think she enjoys the attention.

Irish Hiking Scarf (x2)

I just realized I was planning on adding my irish hiking scarf photos - so here they are! I'm not sure how I feel about the brown stripey one (it's Wool-ease in the "wood" colorway). It's a bit short - only about 50 inches long, and it wasn't quite as fun to knit as the lovely white one I'm wearing in the photo. The white one is Paton's 100% wool in the colorway "aran." Both were knit with size 8 US needles (bamboo for the white one, aluminum for the brown). My husband has claimed the white one, and I'm not sure currently what I'm doing with the brown one. I'd like to knit a green one for myself - and I already have some yarn. Of course, back when I bought it, little things like checking yardage and weight didn't occur to me! So, I suspect that I don't have enough - nor do I have any idea which pattern I want to try next. I just cast on for a felted bag in Nashua creative focus chunky. So soft! Just getting to the part where I need to figure out picking up stitches, and knitting in the round. I'd love to start a sweater project soon, too. Perhaps it'd be finished by next december when it gets chilly again!

Oh, must add the picture of tuxedo cat and black fuzzy. There's actually a calico kitten in the background, eating some food we put in our shed. I love black fuzzy, he's so adorable! I wish I knew how to help him and his sisters find good homes. It appears that our neighbors like the cats, too, and have been feeding them. They look quite healthy!

Snow in Tucson!

This is one of the warmest winters ever, and we have snow! Okay - it's already gone... but still! These pictures are from last night around 7 pm. I haven't seen snow stick in Tucson in more than ten years. My sister called when she saw it snowing - she said she didn't think she'd ever seen snow fall. Yes, she's played in snow, but see snow fall? Nope. Amazing. Not that I've seen it in a while either. Last time was probably driving home from Denver (I think) when it started snowing somewhere between Albuquerque and Gallup, NM. I freaked out a bit since I'd never driven in snow before (or since). I'd forgotten how magical it is to watch snow slowly falling.

Last week was rough, and I hope it doesn't continue like this all year. Ugh. I feel a sense of forboding, though. I often feel a bit queasy going into odd numbered years. This year, I hope for change. In fact, I feel it in the air. 2001 - My car was broken into in January, I had surgery in May, spent the summer in rehab, then there was september 11 - while I was the TA for a class called "death and dying" (which was so much work!), I went to the World Series (awesome to go, but the Yankees lost), then I was in a car accident a week after my birthday (my car, Howard, was totaled). Whew. So that year just exhausted me. 2003 - well, I got married that year. Not entirely a bad year - but definitely more change. 2005 was the year I quit grad school. That's all I can say about that year. And 2007? Who knows? Isn't it funny how one really stressful year makes me think all odd numbered years might be dangerous? Well, my husband is applying for jobs and none of them are in town. But I'm desperately hoping it will all work out for us this year. And I'm ready for the change, anyhow.

Nearly a month since posting!

I didn't realize it'd been so long since posting. I am not feeling well, though, so I really won't be posting much today. Just switched over to the new blogger and realized I'd never allowed the comments to be posted! Oops. Obviously there were things I hadn't figured out yet. I haven't knit anything much in the past month. I finished my irish hiking scarves (yay!), and I'll post photos of those soon... they're up, just not here yet. And maybe a couple new pictures of my feral cat visitors (black fuzzy guy is so cute!!). So, today I discovered that my headaches are actually migraines. Bummer that I currently have one. But I guess good that I figured it out so that I can go to the doctor and get help. The other irritation that I've had lately is vertigo. Knitting and vertigo don't mix. Luckily it's very mild (*knock on wood*), but it's seriously annoying. The doctor doesn't seem to think there's anything to be done about it, either. But I do think I need to stop typing now and go home to sleep. I need to get a couple swaps out - and I regret signing up for them (but who knew I was going to feel like this???).

Coffee and Yarn Goodies!

Can you believe all the goodies? Yarn, needles, a pattern, coffee, biscotti, soap, and m&m's (which, unfortunately, I just ate most of...yikes). Thanks to Sheryl!! What a great swap partner. The yarn is so lovely, too - I keep touching it!

Now, I haven't sent off my package yet - although I do have the yarn ready to go. I still need to decide on some coffee and some other treats and get it sent off. But it'll be a good package I hope!

I want to start the messenger bag from "Knitting for Peace," but I don't have the correct size needles. I'm afraid to buy anything this close to Christmas, either - especially since I've asked for some needles... On the bright side, I could cast on for the bag shown in the photo - all set with the right needles, and two lovely colors of yarn! I am feeling like a slug (due to m&m overload I think) , so I think I'd better be off. Nothing else fun to report.

Except that Luis Gonzalez signed with the LA Dodgers. I'm not overly excited about this, but I have respect for Gonzalez - I've been watching him here with the Diamondbacks for years. And I was just thinking how he must be happy about not wearing anymore purple - but then I remembered that the Diamondbacks have new colors!!! Hideous. That's my take on the new jerseys anyhow. Sheesh. Colors are fine, new logo ICK. Why that silly font? And can we not write out "diamondbacks?" What's with the "d-backs?" Can you imagine all the money they think they'll be getting when all the fans need to replace their purple attire?

Vegan Pal Goodies!

My goodies from the Vegan Pal Swap arrived Friday! Lots of knitting notions (stitch markers, row counters, chibi), a set of straights and dpns - both size 6, bamboo yarn in a lovely wine color, a needle roll - so cool! - and some vegan yummies. The Alternative Baking Company cookie is super tasty (I've been trying to control myself and not scarf it all in one sitting). The Jerquee is an odd texture, but would probably satisfy an odd craving for slim jims.. and I'm afraid to try the caramel cookie bar - many, many calories and fat! I'll be eating that a bite at a time! I'm still trying to think of a good project for that bamboo yarn...a one-skein project... hat? small bag? I wonder what the properties of bamboo yarn are...?