Mid Week Slump and Ponder

Is it Friday yet?  Seriously … I need to be at the beach, eating sushi, and drinking beer.

So, I’ve had an idea in my head for awhile, and I’m trying to do as much research as I can.  I want to get into Civil Warm Re-enactment.  I used to be in the SCA and other Renn type events, but this is something that I’ve really wanted to do for a while.  Now, while I am still learning to sew, and I’m not very good, I’m sure I can figure it out.  Which brings me to my first concern …. money.  I know that I will need basic things to start out, all of which I can’t make myself.  There are some great resources on the web, as well as locally to my area (did you know that Winchester changed hands over 40 times in the Civil War?).  Anyone else out there on the East Coast know of any reliable sources?  I’m just trying to figure out what I need to start - bare bones, and how much it is going to cost me.

Which brings me to my second dilemma … time.  I have every other weekend off, which is nice, but getting time off on the weekend when I’m not off is like pulling teeth in a large angry lion.  I know there are plenty of events in the tri-state and local area, but I’m wondering how much time I need to set aside.

And third … how much Civil War research should I do?  I want to read up on daily lives of women, but do I have to know battles and generals and so on?  And really … this is important … how the hell do I get involved.  Do I email someone and show up at a meeting?

I really think it’s something that John would enjoy as well, and maybe it’s something that we can eventually do together.  Another great thing … knitting is totally period, so that’s fantastic!

So, anyone out there with insight, ideas, or experience, please let me know!!

Friday Fill-In

It’s my last day of vacation … back to the grind tomorrow night!  But I’m ready ( I think LOL.)

Friday Fill-In #71

1. The dinner I made for my Mom last week had an extra secret ingredient; it was LOVE!
2. I can see my neighbors ever growing pile of trash through my window.
3. Right now, I need to turn some more lights on in the living room.
4. Nowhere is where I went Thursday night; it was fine, since we went out to dinner Wednesday.
5. Why does rotating my shoulder a certain way hurt so much?
6. All I can think of is the next weekend up - John and I are going to VA Beach.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to knitting and watching The Dresden Files (Netflix), tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to have dinner with my Mom, but I have to work.  So I paid for our Thursday lunch.

Summer of Yarn Love - Q&A

I know … I’m totally shameless in promoting this. But I really should have the Q&A up because I’m running the swap.

• Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?

I knit, and I’ve been knitting for a couple of years now. I think I’m at an intermediate level, but there is still so much I want to learn and perfect.

• Do you spin? What type of spinning?

No, not me. I’d love to learn some day, but right now, it’s just one craft at a time for me.

• What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers?

I LOVE wool, silk/wool blends, and sock yarn. I’m a huge fan of Kathmandu, Peace Fleece, and Cascade 220. I love Fearless Fibers, NH Knitting Mama, and PhoenixFiberworks when it comes to sock yarn.

I am not a fan of ’summer’ yarns (cotton, etc.) It’s not that I don’t like them, I’m just more inclined to knit cold weather items. Also, I HATE AND DETEST acrylic and novelty yarn.

• What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors?

I love blue, red, purple, green …. I guess I should say that the only colors that I’m not a fan of are yellow and orange (except maybe a nice dark autumn-ish orange.)

• Are there any yarns/brands that you are dying to work with but never have?

Blue Sky Alpaca is the one that really sticks out here. I’ve always wanted to try Web’s Valley Yarns.

• What is/are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet?

I love to make socks, fingerless gloves, and hats. Fingerless gloves are one of my favorite things to make!

• What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to work on this summer?

Glee, from Zephyr Style, a pair of socks, and I’m on going with my knitting for Warm Up Winchester. I have some pink Cascade 220 that I want to make into a cardigan or pullover too. I think this summer I’m focusing on big projects for me to wear in the fall.

• What is your favorite FO? (Post a pic if you would like.)

The shawl that I made for my Mom last Christmas. By far, the most amazing thing I’ve made.

• What is your oldest UFO?

There are a couple pairs of socks that I started last fall that are tucked away in a bag waiting to be frogged.

• Are there any techniques that you want to learn?

I really want to do more with color work. I want to learn the slip-stitch technique for working with more than one color at a time.

• Are you on Ravlery? What’s your ID?

You bet … I’m deathbyyarn

• Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I LOVE to knit socks! My shoe size is a 7 - 7 1/2

• Do you collect anything?

Garden Gnomes and chopsticks!

• Do you have a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes, I own both.

• Do you love sweets? What are your favorites?

I love caramel and chocolate. Dove, Sugar Babies, and Milky Ways are my favorites

• What are your favorite scents?

I don’t like anything too perfumey. I love lavender, lillac, and sandalwood

• Where do you keep your needles/hooks?

I have two Lantern Moon cases for all my needles

• Do you have a wishlist (Amazon, Etsy, etc?)

My Amazon wish list is HERE, and  HERE is the link to my Etsy favorites.

• Having a birthday this summer?

Nope - Feb. 17th.

• Are you allergic to anything??? Please let your pal know!

Just acrylic and novelty yarn. LOL I know … I’m such a yarn snob! But seriously, no, I’m good.

Lazy Day

Today was a lazy day.  Well, I should clarify … I’ve been lazy all week.  It has done my mind good to have a solid week of not having to go anywhere near work.  I’m re-charged and ready to go back to the chaos.  Today, my Mom and I went out to lunch, picked my bridal shoes, and the rest of what I’m wearing underneath my dress.  I hate strapless bras … especially since I’m in the larger size range.  But it works under the dress and that is what matters.

I’ve been so lazy, in fact, that I haven’t done much knitting.  I’ve mostly been zoning, napping, and reading.  Just a complete break for my sanity.  But I’m making good progress on Glee, and so far it looks good.  Now, the photo below doesn’t show much; after all, I’m only 40 rows in.  But I love the color … Knit Picks Merino Style in ‘Storm’.

Finally, a shot of Mom’s Elizabeth bag!  Now, I took a great photo with the whole bag in it, but it turned out blurry, so you get this one.

That’s Jericho (we call him ‘Ju-Ju’), one of my Mom’s seven cats.  He had to come by and make sure it was ready for a photo shoot.

There’s a new LOST on tonight, one which I can’t wait to see, because we get to see Jacob’s cabin again and explore more on that.  If you’re into LOST and all it’s theories, check out Doc Arzt’s Lost Blog (named after the character in season 1 - you remember … got blown up with the dynamite at the Black Rock?)  There are some very good articles and posts there.

And don’t forget about the swap I’ve started.  The Summer of Yarn Love swap sign ups are through May 29th, or until we get 50 people to sign up.  Check out the blog for updates and all the info!

Have a great weekend!

It’s Another Swap

That’s right folks … I’ve got another swap starting up!

The Summer of Yarn Love Swap!

It’s like a secret pal kinda deal …. you send three packages to you pal over the three main months of summer (June, July, August), all containing wonderful goodies and, of course, yarn!

There is a basic intro post over at the blog, but I’m going to have more rules, etc posted later today.

Celebrate!

Yesterday I threw my Mom a party for her 50th birthday! It was a blast, with family and friends, and loads of presents for Mom! I made everything from scratch … the meal, the bread, and the cake. She deserved every bit of it! I took some photos, but as always, I tend to take the while people are eating for some reason.

My Dad and John

My Aunt Christine and Uncle Junior

My Uncle Roger and Doris

My Great Aunt Shirley, matriarch of the family

My Mom and her best friend, Casey

Casey’s roommate and friend, Jo

It was so great to have everyone there. The menu was a hit; Baked Chicken With Peaches, Green Bean Casserole, Lemon Basil Pasta Salad, potato salad, cole slaw, home made bread, and a yellow cake with chocolate icing, all from scratch. And Mom loved the bag I made for her, which I’ll post about tomorrow, along with another FO and some knitting progress.

Ah …. a week of relaxing, reading, and knitting. I’m going today to buy the needles to start Glee (finally!), and I think I’m going to work on some hats for Warm Up Winchester as well.

Friday Fill-In + Mini Vaca

As of this moment, I am on a mini vacation!  I have EIGHT solid days off from work!!!!!  I’m not going out of town or anything like that.  I’m going to sleep in, read, sew, knit, and just take oodles of time for myself!

Friday Fill-In #70

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are gin and sour mix!
2. The simply wonder and innocence of Alzheimer patients often amazes me.
3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is going to stare at your like you’re crazy.
4. A little gin, tonic, and some blues music, mix it all together and voila! You have instant relaxation!.
5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow vegetables and herbs.
6. My face looks the best when it is au naturel (except for a little eyeliner).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to baking and sewing, tomorrow my plans include throwing my Mom her 50th birthday party with family and friends and Sunday, I want to go to church, relax, and knit!

Hubby Meme

Devin tagged me on this one.  It’s one I’ve never done and looked like a lot of fun, since I only have about 5 months to go until the big day!

1. Where did you meet?

If you really want to get technical, we met in middle school (junior high.)  We met in high school, in the band.  He played trombone, I played clarinet and tenor sax.  We kinda did a group dating thing with two other friends, not really hitting it off in the romance area, but remained friends until he graduated a year ahead of me.  Five or so years went by, we went our separate ways, etc.  Then one day while I was living in NY state, he found me on MySpace.  We started to reconnect and when I came home a couple years ago to visit, we saw each other again, and the rest, they say, is history.
2. How long did you date?

We dated for about six months and moved in together when I moved home from NY.
3. How old is he?

He’s 26, about a year and 5 months older than me.

4. Who eats more?

That’s really hard to say.  I think we eat about the same, but I really snack like crazy when I’m at work.

5. Who said “I love you” first?

I did.  I remember standing in his kitchen with him one night and it just came out.  I had to say it or I was going to bust open!
6. Who is taller?

He is, by about 5 or 6 inches (I think … I’m not sure on exact measurements, but I’m 5′2″ and he’s taller.)

7. Who sings better?

I think he does, although I think we’re both more comfortable with a reed/mouthpiece than singing.

8. Who is smarter?

When it comes to math and money, he is.  I’m the history buff in the house.  One thing I love about him is that he can know birds by their calls.  Isn’t that the coolest?

9. Whose temper is worse?

Neither of us has a bad temper, but I tend to be more grumpy than he does, by a long shot.

10. Who does the laundry?

We both do our own laundry, unless I’m feeling adventurous and just pile his in along with mine.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

I do.  But during the week, with him getting up at 5am and me staying up because I work night shift, we usually sleep in separate beds.  He’s a really light sleeper and I hate to wake him up, so it doesn’t really bother us.

12. Who pays the bills?

He does.  I put what money needs to go into the joint checking account, he writes the checks, and I mail them.

13. Who cooks dinner?

Most of the time I do, because of my schedule (12 hour shifts = more days off.)  I also do most of the cleaning as well, but it’s because I’m home more.

14. Who drives when you are together?

I do.  He commutes about 2 hours a day into the suburbs of DC for work, so he really hates to drive any other time.

15. Who is more stubborn?

Oooo … that’s an easy one … ME!  I get it honestly from my mother.

16. Who kissed whom first?

Isn’t this horrible … I don’t remember.  It was probably me, because I’m that type of girl. LOL

17. Who is the first to admit to being wrong?

We are both good on this one.  We never fight, hardly argue, and always talk about things first.

18. Whose parents do you see the most?

Even though both of our parents live in town, we see mine the most.

19. Who proposed?

He did, on the 4th of July last year.  He cooked me dinner, brought a great bottle of Riesling back from a visit to NY, and even got on bended knee!

20. What’s his best physical attribute?

His butt.  I love the dimples!

21. Who has more friends?

I think we both have the same amount of friends … they just all happen to live in other states, with the exception of a few.

22. What are you most proud of him for?

Putting up with me.  No, seriously … with my depression and mood swings (which happen to be few and far between now), I can be pretty hard to live with.  I’m proud of him for not walking away when he saw me at my lowest points.

23. Who has more siblings?

We’re both only children!

24. Who wears the pants in the family?

I think we’re both about equal really.  We have a fantastic partnership, because our love is based on friendship first.  We work really well together and balance each other out.

Goodies!

When I woke up today and went out to get the mail, there was a package on my front porch from Anne!  Look what she made for the new house!

There is a skein of Tofutsies (something I have always wanted to try!), an awesome dish towell (that I was admiring on her blog), and two really cool dish clothes!  Thank you so much Anne!!!!

And here is reason #13 as to why I should never work on lace patterns while I’m at work … busy and exhausted.

One leg is about two inches longer than the other.  I have no idea how this happened.  I know that I was exhausted and busy last night, which didn’t help.  I thought I was counting and following my notes.  So, yeah - these are for the Dobby sock pile.

The good thing about having some yarn left over from the above socks is now I have more yarn to work on squares for Amanda’s Cancer Survivor Blanket. Her husband is a 10 year cancer survivor, and she’ll be assembling the squares and sewing up the blanket, to donate it to the Relay For Life drive.   Follow the link for the details, and if you want to make a square, you can just mail it to me and I’ll get it to her.

Tonight I felt mom’s bag and make a quick pair of fingerless gloves for a co-worker who just got a new job in the lab, and will soon be completing her phlebotomy class.

Have a great night!

Advancement

Comfort Shawl …. DONE!  I just have to block it.

Mom’s B-day present …. DONE!  I just have to felt and line it.

Oh man, it feels so good to have those two done and almost ready.  Both have to be 100% ready to go by Saturday, when I’m throwing a birthday party for my Mom.  I know they will be … I do have all day on Tuesday.  So now my goal is to finish up the two pairs of socks I’m working on for myself before I even think about starting anything else.  I’m finally going to start on Glee when those are done, which I’m hoping is going to be next week when I have eight days in a row off.  (I know I keep talking about that.  I’m not trying to rub it in … I’m just overwhelmed and amazed that I get time off and away from work!)

I ordered some Cascade 220 from WEBS’s sale the other week, and those will become birthday presents for my friends Emy and Karen.  I have until the end of July to make those, so no pressure really.  Other than a few knitted gifts here and there, I really want to start more projects that are of a larger scale.  There are at least three sweaters that I have the yarn for right now, that I really would love to get done this summer and be able to wear this coming winter.  And then I also have a huge bag (like one of those large Christmas gift bags) of scrap yarn that I want to turn into hats for Warm Up Winchester.

This weekend I work, which on this rather rainy day, I would love to go back to bed.  But I just keep thinking about my time off, and then the weekend at the beach with John.  I am in need of some major R&R, that’s for sure.  I’ve been a little depressed over the last week, and yesterday it exploded in an ugly mess that caused me to sleep most of the entire day.  So I need time away … a little rest, a lot of pampering!