It’s In My Ears, And In My Eyes

Today, sitting alone and a little wet (it was in protected by a plastic bag though) was my final Recession Special Swap package!!!!

My spoiler turned out to be Penny (aka PennyLane).  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

There is a box of cinnamon biscuits, a really neat box bag (I have been needed another one!), a skein of Cascade Heritage sock yarn ( on of my favs!), and two patterns!!!

Thanks so much.  And let me tell you, the cats thank you too!  They have a new box to play in … which is their second favorite toy!

 

A New Box!

 

 

 

Nomnomnom

 

 

 

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Sunday Simple FO

It’s that time of year … Christmas knitting.  I’m almost done, even thought I keep thinking of little last-minute things to knit.

 

 

My husband, such a sexy model!

 

 

• Project: Simple Hat
• Pattern : Improvised.  2×2 Rib and then St stitch.  Pom pom for fun-factor
• Yarn : Manos del Uruguay
• Made For : Christmas …. so it’s a secret

 

He’s such a good sport about posing for me.  Just one of the many reasons I love him!

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Setting Up The Visual

I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you who have been reading my novel, “The Return”.  I’m working on getting it in a better order to read, and will be emailing the file soon to those of you who have requested it.

Now, as I write, I always have a visual in my mind of what my characters look like.  It’s that whole, “Who would play this person in the movie version.”  So, while I’m waiting for the sun to come out and warm the porch up so I can do some spinning, I thought I would introduce you to what I think my characters look like.

Major Characters

 

Luca Katz (actor Matt Bomer)

 

 

 

Harper Riley (actress Holly Hunter)

 

 

 

Det. Andy Webb (actor Donal Logue)

 

 

 

Minor Characters (but no less important!)

Anna Longfellow/Helena Longfellow (actress Helen Mirren)

 

(For those who haven’t gotten this far, Anna and Helena are twin sisters)

Cyrus Longfellow (actor Sean Bean)

 

Jared Spangler (actor Clancy Brown)

 

Adam Spangler (actor Paul Giamatti)

 

Louisa Toule (actress Loretta Devine)

I always like to keep a visual in my head of what my characters look like, and maybe this will enhance your reading experience as well!

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I WON!

I did it!!!!  I wrote 50,000 words in 30 days.  To be honest, the final word count was 51,238 and I did it all with three days to spare.

Words can’t express how happy I am right now!!!  I feel so accomplished, so talented, so happy!!!!

So, now I’m going to let it sit for while, and then come back and edit it.  My friend, Tory, who is an English major, has offered to edit for me.  My grammer really is something to be desired.

So, I’m taking down the blog for the story, because it’s the first rough go of it, and I want to really edit it before anyone reads further.  I’ve changed some things and it will make more sense at the end of the story.

If you are interested in reading the whole thing, let me know.  Because I do plan on sending this to publishers at some point.  I want to hear what you have to say!!!

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Friday Fill-In

Boy, oh boy … am I glad it’s Friday.  Last night was one of the craziest nights I’ve had in a while at work, and I am so glad that it’s over and I’m ready for my three day weekend!

Friday Fill-Ins #152

1. Wait! Wait, don’t forget to bring a large metal stick for beating people off the crap you want on Black Friday.
2. My getting home from a hard night at work was followed at once by cracking open a cold beer.
3. The trouble is the more tired I get, the more clumsy I am.
4. All of my best friends are many miles away.
5. With a faint pop my brain melted out of my ears.
6. I totally think all creatures of the night should be shadowy and ominous.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing,finishing NaNoWriMo, knitting, and baking bread, tomorrow my plans include cooking a post-Thanksgiving dinner for my family and Sunday, I want to start decorating for Christmas, knit, and nap!

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Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the day we all sit back and take stock, truly thinking about what we are thankful for in our lives.  I have many things to be thankful for, that is for sure.

• My Husband, John.  Seriously – he’s the greatest man ever.  Sweet, kind, funny, generous, loving, and a beer brewing mastermind.  I love him so much and I don’t know what I would do if I had to live without him
• My family.  My parents are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and I’ve been blessed to have aunts, uncles, and cousins that fall into that category as well.  Not to mention my wonderful in-laws.  Some of my family is going through a rough patch this year, and I’ll be thinking about them today.
• My friends.  The people who I keep close to me are so special and I will always treasure them.  They are scattered all over the US, from Washington state to New York, Texas to Pennsylvania … not to mention Canada and England.  I wish I could be with all of them today.
• The ability to create.  From knitting, to spinning, to writing my first novel, I am so thankful that I have an outlet in which to express myself.
• My cats.  They are crazy and insane but so cute and full of personality.  Life would be empty without them
• My co-workers.  I’m lucky to work with some amazing people.  They are so kind and caring, that I hope that when I’m old, I’ll have people as special as them to take care of me.
• My patients.  They really do in-rich my life in ways that I can’t describe.

So, while you get your fill of turkey and pumpkin pie, take a minute to remember that how luck you are to have the wonderful things that you do in your life.

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FO: November Socks

November has proven to be a very busy month for me.  Not only am I finishing up my Christmas knitting, but there is the matter of my Monthly Personal Sock Club and writing a novel in a month for NaNoWriMo!

Speaking of my Monthly socks, I am happy to have finished November’s edition.

• Project : November Socks
• Pattern : ‘Interlocking Leaves’ by Kelly Porpiglia (Knitty Fall 2008)
• Yarn : Fetish Superwash in “Pumpkin Chai’ by PhoenixFiberworks

The picture doesn’t do these socks justice; the lace pattern is so bold with the varying hues of orange in the yarn.  These were a true pleasure to knit and the pattern was written well.  The only thing I changed was the heel.  I don’t know if it was me or what, but I totally botched the pattern’s heel on the first sock, so I ripped it out and replaced the directions with a traditional short-row heel.

The yarn is very special to me.  This skein is one of Tina’s creations, and while I’m not the biggest fan of orange, I loved this yarn the moment that I received it.  Oddly enough, this yarn was gifted to me in a previous swap, and my partner had no idea that I knew Tina so well.  She just thought the yarn was pretty, which it is.

My color palette has been expanding since I learned to spin.  I’ve opened my eyes to try to knit with colors that I usually shy away from because they are not necessarily colors that I like.  This pair of socks is a good example of what pleasant surprises can await if you shuck your normal habits.

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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!

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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.

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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!

 

 

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