Tom Foolary Friday

I’m running on caffeine and nicotine right now. Sometimes, my body wants to sleep all the time and then, on days like today, it doesn’t want to sleep at all, no matter how much Tylenol PM I take. So, I’m gonna try to nap later, but right now, I’m gonna make the most of it!

Friday Fill-Ins #151

1. We need a little more love in the world.
2. Tina wrote a blog post about me and it made me smile.
3. If you want me, come and get me.
4. I worry about teenagers today because anyone under the age of 18 who is obsessed with sparkling vampires has a real problem.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think its not a bad idea. Learn to love who you are and the way you look. Real women don’t look like the ones the society and the media thinks are beautiful.
6. Having my friends and family near by makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to cooking a birthday dinner for my MIL, tomorrow my plans include writing and working and Sunday, I want to stay home but I have to work!

"Sea Glass" - Merino/Tussah Blend

Beret Goodness

Foolin' Around

Ok – now I need to be productive.  More spinning later!

Manic Monday

Manic Monday #189

You have a brain tumor. Though there is no discomfort at the moment, this tumor would unquestionably kill you in six months. However, your life can (and will) be saved by an operation; the only downside is that there will be a brutal incision to your frontal lobe. After the surgery, you will be significantly less intelligent. You will still be a fully functioning adult, but you will be less logical, you will have a terrible memory, and you will have little ability to understand complex concepts or difficult ideas. The surgery is in two weeks.

Ok … I call Hospice.  I tell them what is happening and become their patient, in case I need any end of life care and pain management.  Then, I go to see my friends that have scattered all over the US.  I live my last six months to the fullest.  Because if I have to live my life with a shitty memory and less intellegence, and I know about it … I’d rather enjoy the quality of life I have left with a tumor that will kill me.

How do you spend the next fourteen days?

What, after the brain tumor?  I go see all my friends that I miss very much and spend time with my family and my husband.

If we are not talking about the above question of brain tumors, and just every day life … I’ll be working, spending time with friends, knitting, spinning, and gearing up for the holiday season.

Every person you have ever slept with is invited to a banquet where you are the guest of honor. No one will be in attendance except you, the collection of your former lovers, and the catering service. After the meal, you are asked to give a fifteen-minute speech to the assembly.

What do you talk about?

You have won a prize. The prize has two options, and you can choose either (but not both). The first option is a year in Europe with a monthly stipend of $2,000. The second option is ten minutes on the moon.

Sunday FO

I’ve been working on this baby for a while now.  It’s been blocked and is ready to go!

• Project : Purple Kernel
• Pattern : Kernel by Bonnie Sennott (Knitty Fall 2009)
• Yarn : Anny Blatt ‘Baby Blatt’ in a dark purple

This took about two and a half skeins for me to make.  The pattern was a lot of fun; simple and just enough to keep my attention.  I’ve had the yarn in my stash for awhile now and this was the perfect project for it!

This was also my first time knitting with beads!  Not as complicted as I thought it would be.

 

A big thank you to my Mom for being my model!  She doesn’t like to have her photo taken and I really appreciate it!

 

 

Weekend Warrior

There is nothing I love more than having friends over and cooking for them.  It’s what I love to do on a Saturday night, and especially now that the holidays are coming, I plan on doing it even more!

Brandon and Tory came over this weekend on Saturday, and I made Chicken and Dumplings from scratch (even the dumplings!)  It was my first time doing so, and while I know a few ways I can tweak the recipe for next time, it was still very good.

After dinner we settled in with brownies, tea, and knitting!!!

 

Sock Goodness!

 

 

 

Tory - working on a sock heel

 

 

 

Brandon - knitting a wrap for his mom.

 

 

 

Cooley in Brandon's project bag.

 

 

This morning I slept in, had brownies for breakfast, and geared up to go shopping with Mom.  Wilma paid me yesterday, and our bedding is in dire need of replacement.  Mom and I first headed over to see Uncle Roger and Doris’s new house.  It’s a cute three bedroom and the view is amazing!!!  There is a horse farm across the road as well, and it’s out in the sticks a bit but still on a paved road.  Between Mom and me, we figured out how to hook up Uncle Roger’s computer and get him online in under an hour.  Not too shabby for two ladies who are not that tech savvy.  Afterwards me made our way to Kohl’s and I found a down-alternative comforter and plush blanket for under $70!  I also did a little Christmas shopping as well.

John is cooking dinner tonight, and I’m going to settle in to do some laundry and knitting.  The perfect end to the perfect weekend!

Good Morning, Good Looking

It’s way too early for me to be awake on a Saturday.  If my knee wasn’t aching, I’d still be in bed.  For once, the cats didn’t wake me up.  The hubby is still snoozing away in the spare bedroom (the cats, I am guessing, did wake him up.)

I feel terrible that there hasn’t been much ado with the blog here.  I’ve been busy working on my novel for NaNoWriMo, working every day to get a little closer to 50,000 words.  I’m almost half way there, and suspect that I will be by the time Sunday night roles by.

Today, it’s cold and wet outside.  Ugh; gotta love that autumn weather.

The bike trail behind the house.

 

I refuse to rake!

Do I still knit?  Yes!  I’ve been busy with a few things, but writing has really taken the wheel this month.  I’ve got a beautiful lace scarf blocking down in the basement and a pair of amazing lace socks on the needles.  I did get one little project finished the other day.

• Project : Blue One Row Scarf
• Pattern : One Row Scarf by The Yarn Harlot
• Yarn :  Cascade 109 LE Bulky

I have to tell ya … that is my favorite scarf pattern of all time.  It’s so easy that it requires very little thought, which  makes it a perfect take and go knitting project.  I also just simply love the look.  I’ve made three of these so far and see no signs of stopping.  This one was started at The Battle of Cedar Creek re-enactment this year.

I’ve also been diving hard-core into music lately.  I’ve been listening to such a variety of things.  My tastes have been running from 70s rock such as Rush, KISS, and Boston – to Bach and his Unaccompianed Cello work – to blues greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Son House.  I know it’s because while I’m writing, I want something that reflects the moods of the plot twist, characters, or general mood of the chapter.  I’ve been a huge fan of blues music for ages.  When I was in high school, I would stay up on Sunday nights to listen to Blues Alley on public radio.  I would call in to request the same song every week, “My Man Blues” by Bessie Smith.  It got so that, one week, the DJ announced that he was going to play that song first, to save me the quarter on the phone call.  Blues music is so raw, so base … it just pulls at my soul and I can’t turn my ears away.  When I have time alone late at night, I love to crack open a beer and turn up the blues music.

So, I’ve charged my IPOD and I’m ready to go for the day.  I’m driving an hour or so to meet Wilma for lunch in Berkley Springs.  I’m so excited!  I miss Wilma so much, and I get to deliver the socks that I’ve knit for her.  And yes, it will be cool getting paid for my knitting, but I’m more anxious to see how she likes the socks.  Then this afternoon I’ll head home and get some chicken and dumplings started for dinner, for which Brandon and Tory and stopping by.

This weekend is going to be a good one.  I hope everyone else has a great time as well!

 

Friday Fill-In

Man o’live … I am SO glad it’s Friday!!!

Friday Fill-In#150

1. The last band I saw live was some bluegrass bands when I lived in New York.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is getting together with my family for a big meal.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is usually done on-line or is hand knit.
4. Thoughts of curling up in my bed with a good book this morning fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear mini skirts.

6. Bagpipes always make me weepy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to blocking a scarf, working on my novel for NaNoWriMo, and relaxing with the hubby, tomorrow my plans include visiting Wilma for lunch and having friends over for home-made Chicken and Dumplings and Sunday, I want to spin a little and knit!

Manic Monday

This past weekend at work was SO SLOW!  I tell you, I was just waiting with bated breath for a patient to ring for something …. it was not busy at all!  So, I did manage to get Chapters 8 & 9 up on my writing blog.

Manic Monday #188

What does it mean to you to have courage?

I think that it means you are able to face the things that terrify you, as well as have the strength do to the right thing, not the popular thing.

Is your favorite time the past, present or the future?

The future; we can’t change the past (no matter how hard we may want to.)  Most people are too busy living the present to think about it … so I always look forward to the future!

What makes you a good person?

I’m not accustomed to tooting my own horn – ya’ll know that.  But I take care of the sick, the weak, the fragile.  I give a smile the nastiest of patients and take my time with neediest.  I have a knack for care giving.  So, that’s my contribution to making the world a better place; let’s hope it makes me a good person!

Friday Fill-In

Friday Fill-Ins #149

1. Plans and schedules are the only thing that keep me on top of my life some days .

2. I’m happy when things work out for everyone involved .

3. The last thing I drank was a can of cola.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life are the photos of my family that have passed away (grandparents, etc) .

5. I like mushrooms, pepperoni, and extra cheese on my pizza.

6. Dear November, please bring snow, but not too much .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to working on Chapter 7 of my novel and knitting, tomorrow my plans include work and Sunday, I want to stay home and knit but I’ll be at work!

Lazy Day

I love days like this; I don’t have any chores that are too pressing, I’m not at work, and I can simply relax and do whatever I want!  I love it when I can just have fun on my days off!  Aside from having to do a bit of laundry and go grocery shopping tonight, I plan on knitting, spinning, and maybe taking a little day trip.

My weekly knitting group meets at Borders, every Wednesday and Friday.  Last night I went, but instead worked on my novel.  All is going well; I’ve already passed the 10,000 work mark – so I am way ahead of schedule.  It would be great to finish up before the 30th so I can do some editing.

In addition to socializing and writing, I picked up two new knitting books.  The one I really wanted, The Joy of Sox (which Tina reviewed on her blog recently) was not in stock, but I can order it if I really want it.

The first time I heard about this book, I must admit … I was ready to pass.  It didn’t look very promising to me from first glance.  I’m here to tell you how wrong I was about this book.

There are some really fantastic patterns ( The Absinthe Sweater and Linden Wrap are my two personal favorites)  that I can see myself knitting.  It’s also a fun read; the commentary is fantastic!  One of my favorite parts of how this is written is the way they rate the patterns by way of how much you can drink while knitting them.  I know there are times when I want to knock back a few beers or stiff drinks while knitting, and this book takes that notion to heart.  It reminds me of living in New York and going to the pub with Tina, Katie, and Michelle.

There are sweaters, scarves, and hats.  There are felted items, socks, and other small quick knits.  I know that this book is going to become a quick favorite of mine and I highly recommend it!

 

I’ve been reading Wendy’s blog for some time now.  Not only do I LOVE her sock patterns, but her cats is pretty cool, and I can appreciate the love for all things feline.  I longed for this book when it first came out, but put off purchasing it for myself, knowing that it would cause me to want to buy MORE SOCK YARN!  But now that my stash is less than half of what it was a year ago (due to selling most of my yarn to buy my wheel), I thought I would be safe now.

I love that Wendy has clear instructions and diagrams for various cast-ons, bind-offs, and other sock knitting techniques.  She goes into each method of sock knitting (DPNs, Two Circs, etc), to give the reader the clear view of one’s options.  I prefer DPNs, but that’s just me.

The photos are wonderful and really capture both the patterns and yarn used to create the finished socks.  I can safely say that all of the patterns in this book appealed to me, especially the Serpentine Socks, Van Dyke Socks, and Diagonal Lace Socks.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to what knitting books I purchase, often opting for just buying a single pattern if I can.  But I can safely say that both books I mention above are fantastic; full of wonderful patterns that will tempt every knitter!

Better Late Than Never

I hadn’t checked Bloglines for a couple of days ….

Manic Monday #187

Most of the U.S. observed Daylight Savings Time yesterday. Is it easy or difficult for you to switch your body clock? Do you suffer from jet lag when traveling?

I find it pretty easy, at least in the fall when we all ‘fall’ back.  I love getting an extra hour of sleep.  As far as jet lag goes, I’ve felt it before but it wasn’t terrible.

If you had to pick one place in your town to bring a tourist, where would you go?

I would take them to The Handley Library.  This place has been renovated to its orginial splendor, and it’s one of my favorite places.

When you travel away from home, do you miss it?

Not really.  I miss my cats and my family, but I love going away and traveling!  Especially since most of the traveling I do is to see friends and family that live far away!