Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Must...Type...Something...

It happened. It finally happened. My life has become so dull, I literally have no words. OK, maybe a few. School is starting to pick up, hence the absence of fun. My creative writing class is going well, except for one pompous jerk who actually said, before reading his poem, "This poem is way deeper than the other poems y'all (Texas remember?) have read" Yeah. I was pretty taken aback, and the rest of the class seemed to be as well. Found out that I am not only the oldest student (at 24...man I'm old) I'm also the only parent. Huh, night classes at a community college and I'm the only parent? Weird. I'm knitting like a fiend, but it's progressing slowly as I have to work in home work somewhere, so my knitting time is being replaced by school. Ah, the agony. Soon (but not soon enough), I'll have my very first adult sweater completed. I'm about half done with my friend's Christmas present, and my parents blanket is about half done as well. Still no package from the swap, but I'm trying to be patient. That about wraps it up. If you don't hear from me for a while, don't send out the search team, just send chocolate.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Floob-a-doop

Granted, that title may only make sense if you are a fan of Hey Nunnie Nunnie, but it made me giggle, especially as that was pretty much the summation of my belly dance class last night. I have been slowly losing weight which is all well and good, but it does mean that certain erm.. articles.. of my wardrobe are not functioning as efficiently as they should. We are currently working on a skirt dance that has a few enthusiastic shoulder shimmies in it's choreography. Last night I wore my strap 'em down bra, thinking it would help, but due to the aforementioned weight loss, there was a bit of a shimmy in a place that should ideally only shimmy when there are dollar bills involved (I feel obligated to point out that I am bountifully blessed in that area and have always had trouble reigning them in). The first time it happened, I was a little embarrassed and apparently it showed in my expression, because not long after, the other girls started commenting on the need for a roll of duct-tape. All in good fun, but still, yeesh, talk about embarrassing. Now, my goal is to find a bra that will keep my assets tamed and manageable so it doesn't happen in the future. Ye gods! Bra shopping, how I loath it. I am a reluctant shopper at best if I am buying for myself. Others, I have no problem shopping all day long, but clothing for me? I'd rather roll naked down a hill with a rusty cheese grater and a bag of salt. I buy clothing only because nudity in the bible belt is generally frowned upon, especially public nudity.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Pictures Pictures Pictures


So here are some pictures because I've been promising to do it.

This is the needle cases I made to keep them organized. No pattern, just the brain power.












My friend's present. She picked the pattern and the yarn. I'm totally liking the pattern. I'm probably going to make one for me.










My parent's Constellation blanket. Slowly but surely coming together.















Feel the love scarf. Accidental fulling in action.












That's all for now.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Why do people have Children?

OK, that was totally a not so random thought of the day. Not really the subject of my post. The last few days have been wonderful restful days and I have thoroughly enjoyed not having to cook or wash dishes. We have already gotten our tax return and are enjoying a bit of splurging before we get back to pinching our pennies. I have also gotten a huge chunk of blanket done for a friend. She wanted a blanket for Christmas, but there just wasn't time, so she's getting it as a belated gift. When I told her I hadn't actually made it she was excited, cause she got to pick the color. Whatever, it really is the little things that keep us happy. My swap partner recieved and is enjoying her package, and I am (not so) patiently awaiting mine.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I have no idea how many folks actually read this blog but I did want to share some info I found today on Ravelry. Apparently, there is a collaborative effort going on right now to gather as many white or near white knitted, crocheted, or spun pieces together to make a fiber "milkweed pod" It's a really neat idea, and if you have any desire to help out, check out her website: http://sticksandstitches.squarespace.com/the-milkweed-project-you-p/

Saturday, January 17, 2009

On further reflection...

I have decided that as horrific as that image(see last post) can be if you're not expecting it, I am strangely fascinated by it. I will probably end up buying a copy and making a few. My mom would appreciate it I'm sure. Happier note- finished my slouchy hat and love it. I will probably end up making more in different colors. There are a few tweaks I'd like to try, as the ribbing was a little to big for my noggin, but otherwise I'm very pleased. I'm also making progress on the blanket for my parents. I know, I keep saying it, but it will come to pass. Pictures are coming. I have decided that I really like my BCIS instructor, as he has saved me the aggravation of having to drive out to school by finding a *free trial* of Office 2007. Granted, it's only a 60 day trial, but hey, free is free. So right now, I am installing that program and hoping to get a bit ahead as I have been standing still for the past few days and i HATE that feeling. I'll keep the updates coming on the status of the dolly.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Holy birthday !!

Yeah, nothing much going on right now, but I found this link and had to share. It's a bit graphic, so be forewarned.http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19071713

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Hot for Teacher

No, not really, but I do like my creative writing instructor. She seems laid back in a good way. Plus, if we finish everything she wants to get done early, we get to leave. No busy work, and I am so down with that. My British Lit class and history seem pretty standard and I've already had the instructors, so no worries there, but my Computer class- OY! I have to obtain a copy of Office 2007 Professional. Apparently, the versions that are only a few hundred dollars just aren't quite good enough. Nope, he wants professional. That's like 500 bucks for a computer program. That I am not especially fond of. Grrr. Plus, just to add a bit more aggravation, the bookstore is out and won't get any more in for two weeks. In the mean time, I'm stuck going way the heck out to Cisco to do my work which totally defeats the point of taking online classes. So, school is good. Knitting on the other hand is giving me fits. Aparently, no one carries a sz 6 16" circular. I bought one thinking it was what I needed, then when I got it home, realized that it was 29" and the insert was wrong. I missed the second loop because it was sandwiched between the label. Now I can't find the reciept so I can't return it, but whatev, I can always find something to do with another needle. One bright spot was the mailing of my package for the Valentines '09 swap on Ravelry. It went out monday and should arrive at it's destination by thursday or friday. hopefully everthing is liked, because honestly, my swap partner was pretty tough. Not horrific or anything, but it was a Valentines swap and she didn't like hearts or flowers. Yeeaahh. No worries, hopefully she'll like what she gets cause the knit gift nearly missed making it to the box. Now I know what I want to knit, if I can just get the nerd to quit pulling the needles out of all my projects. She destroyed the slouchy hat I was working on and I nearly went mental. That was the third project she de-needled and I had this one stashed in a zipped bag on top of the bar in our kitchen. She's like Houdini. No keeping her out of anything. Now, she's napping, and I'm going to attempt to start over. Wish me luck. du du dudum, du du dudum, da da!!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Open up and say AHH

Sometimes being right sucks the big one. It was Strep with a lovely ear infection thrown in just for good measure. Here is the question of the day: How did I end up with strep when no one else has it, I mean it's not like I walk around licking things or spend all that much time around sick folks so WTH? Oh well. I'm on an anti-biotic and the doctor gave me a shot of steroids to help reduce the inflammation so at least I can swallow liquids now. I did manage to go pick up my books from the bookstore and I am so pumped to start my classes. Only two more days now. WOOT! Nearly done with the scarf, just one more color progression and I'll be able to bind off. Yay! another thing to cross off my list as the scarf is all I'm wating on to ship the package off. That is my goal for today. Finish Finish. Here's hoping the advil I just took kicks in soon. Ps- the painters have also take up residence. This must be my week. Either that or I killed someone in a past life.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Put some Windex on it.

Bah! I think I'm trying to get strep throat again. I get it fairly frequently, and since penicillin and I are not the greatest friends, the stuff I get to cure it, well, to be blunt, sucks. For the past few months, it has just been bouncing from one side of my throat to the other. I am unbelievably ready for spring and the chance to get outdoors again. Not that the winter here has been atrocious or anything, but it tends to swing from temperature extreme to temperature extreme and every one seems to get sick more because of it. on the bright side, tomorrow is the day I get to pick up my textbooks for spring semester and I'm ridiculously excited about that, but books tend to do that. Yep, that's me, a biblionympho( ha- so not a word, but the general concept is wedged in there somewhere). I am taking an english intensive semester ( for me anyway) with a class in British Lit, and a class in Creative Writing. Three guesses which one excites me more. Now, I'm off to finish the gift for my spoilee. I'm almost there. I know I can finish if I just put my mind to it. Pictures to follow (hopefully).

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Bad Blogger!

yes, I know, I have been a bit remiss on keeping up with my posts, but keep in mind, I did warn about that in the first post. This has been one of those dull patches. The only interesting thing that happened was that my husband is now planning to sell the house when we move rather than renting it out. Hallelujah! I really didn't want to have to deal with the hassle of being a landlord especially considering that we are moving to Nebraska, not just the other side of town. So things there are moving slowly but surely. Hopefully we can find a buyer sometime in the next few months and get the heck out of dodge. The nerd is doing well and finally says please and thank you in their proper context. I have come to realize that (as far as my style of child rearing goes) I expect much more from my child than others do. Maybe I'm surrounded by indifferent parents, but I don't think a child that has learned to express themselves verbally has any excuse for not being polite. The nerd is two and she understands please and thank you. MFL's youngest daughter still doesn't use please and thank you and she's five. Potty training is another part that irks me to no end. Why do so many parents wait to potty train until their child is almost in school? It just seems like it would lead to more problems to me, but hey, I'm no dr. Spock so what does it matter. Just my opinion. On a less judjmental note, I'm off to enjoy the last few days of my winter break before heading back to school for spring semester. Wish me luck, I may have bitten off more than I can chew.